Walking on Water

So, I was over at another mega residence, just a block or two away from the usual place. That would be the the place where I am involved in the big teak project. Since word got out, I was asked to give a quote on the stuff in dire need at this place. All these places seem to have a big swimming pool in the middle of things outside, or inside; kind of a courtyard design that is prevalent.

OK. They went inside to get some contact info written down. I was gazing off into the distance in case I could see the other place where I work. Just gazing and daydreaming and moving backwards without thinking, to get a better view, I assume. Next thing I know I find the earth felt like loose jelly, sort of sloshy.

Thanks to the powers that be, these people have a very heavy cover on that pool. I was full on it-both feet. Before I could think, I jumped out onto the hard surface portion of the courtyard. As near as I can tell no one witnessed this event. If they did, I doubt they'll want me doing work there while they are away. Or there, unless they have a great sense of humor. So far, if any humor does exist there, it is well hidden.

That brings me to another thought; is it possible that those with seemingly unlimited power, or seemingly unlimited wealth, have little or no need of humor? My experience has been that people who have enough to meet their needs and help friends and family are in pretty good cheer. Those who are beyond the average millionaire seem to lose it. People of power, as in political power, often have no humor or refuse to show it to the "little people" they claim to love. Just ask people who have been subjected to the Kennedys.

I don't see a lot of wit and humor in Obama or his crew. Maybe some lesser congress members like to laugh. That's no good. I was really hoping they'd all have a big haha press conference saying, "Hahaha, jokes on you. We were only kidding. Like we really would think you are such big suckers. hahahaha".

Say what they want, I walked on water. Got to figure, if they actually hire me for the project, in this economy, it's about the same thing; a miracle if news reports are right.

Tongue in Teak

Slightly rusty arm leg neck etc joints squeak loudly when you do things like hand sanding and almost all else involved with doing the right things to treat outdoor teak furniture the way it should have been treated originally. There seems to be an overabundance of outdoor teak in Rancho Rico which has been sprayed with varnish by manufacturer. Sunshines and the elements make short work of it in a matter of a few months.

This may seem a trivial matter, and why am I boring us with the details? Well, little things like that create jobs. Just an aside; I never liked the term "create jobs". Either there are things worth doing and that need doing or not. The idea that jobs are created, like newspaper hats, just so people can have an excuse to get paid makes no sense to me. That's thinking caused by errant philosophy. It's the stuff of collectivist dreams. The forever little people pulling together in a spirit of unity waiting for Big Brother to create activities that they can do for pay. Then they'll collectively bargain via Big Brother's evil twin, The Union, and all will be well, and everyone gets someone to resent as well. In this case the "creator" of the job.

Buy it or not, I believe that system is the root of many problems, and the reasoning behind it leads to thousands of issues which get the title of "crisis" as time goes on. Lots of people fall for that idea of job creation through legislation. It's every bit the Ponzi scheme that Madoff engineered. Government creates nothing other than chaos and difficulty.

However, all that aside, in Rancho Rico there is opportunity for a good teak man. One of those things that just happens. It is tedious work, and mildly physical. Of course the surroundings are as pleasant and attractive as any high level resort peopled by the well to do. It's the main brush I've had with the steadfastly pompous. The workers are friendly and interesting. Those who truly belong are mostly kind of funny as they literally do hold their heads so high it must be an effort to force their eyes forward instead of staring at the sky. They are the ones paying very well for everything in their world, and that works out great for those who happen to be in the right place at the right time. They needn't be pals with me. Of course I know they'd like to be.

Anyway, I've been contacted regarding more bleak teak at another residence in the hood. It is nice to be recommended to strangers. How strange remains to be seen, but I have reason to believe very strange. Hopefully, we can come to an arrangement. Hour for hour it certainly pays better than the airline, and almost as well as some of my better band gigs. Those required a lot of time other than the actual gig so I guess this is consistently better.

Speaking of gigs, I'm doing a folksish gig in Crest on Saturday. It's ok if you show up. They are doing a benefit for the community center they are rebuilding. The place burned up awhile back. Wildfire I guess. This is a challenge because it is a far cry from electric jamorama stuff which I've done in the past. I'm playing with very nice talented people who really like folk/country tunes. They do them well enough to make me like them too. It is hard to do it justice but I hope to leave them glad that they included me. It should be fun. When people have a great attitude it makes the smallest performance worthwhile. This is supposed to be very informal. I think I'm rather fortunate to be in on the act.

Eventually I hope to find a situation in which I can completely cut loose on stage before I give up public playing for good. I always think I will hang it up for the duration. Long stretches of time go by without playing anywhere so no one would know the difference anyway.

There are other musical people I've met recently, so maybe that will lead to something.

Did I mention that I see hot air balloons flying over Rancho Rico just about every afternoon I'm there? Not sure where they start and finish. One was floating west today. It had to have landed near the beach. Much farther and he'd be in the ocean. The lack of directional control has to present challenges. Someone is making balloon money. You have to keep your eyes open for things like that these days. I figure anything that honestly pays the rent is worth considering.

Stem Cell Shell Game

What people seem to miss in many "controversies" involving science and research is the question regarding the limits of what government ought to do. We are hugely in debt. We have chosen to address this issue by allowing government to take on yet more debt; to spend far faster than it can steal (tax).

In the process, they have taken over much control of various industries and corporations. We now have politicians, many of whom ride around in private jets at taxpayer expense, self righteously chastising CEOs for their own luxury and perks of the job. The difference is that those executives are supposed to be working for private companies, so it normally would be no politician's professional place to meddle. That is not longer the way it is, obviously. It reminds me of animal farm; some animals are more equal than others. Pelosi would be up there, considering her unprecedented requirement for publicly funded private jet while pretending private fatcats are more evil than she and her cronies.

Now the big deal about Obama freeing up federal money for stem cell research. All this time the argument has been one of whether Jesus would approve, or some such irrelevant foolishness. If people want it then fund it through contributions and private enterprise. Among other things, government should get out of the business of not military science altogether, and reduce taxes in the process. To say no one else could do it is pure nonsense. Perhaps no one else could obtain the funds at gunpoint and get away with it.

What if government were funding those damned sweaters women tie around their waists when they run? I would abject on grounds of aesthetics and crimes against art. Others would no doubt suggest there was good reason for the ugly practice. The real issue would be why is government involved? Same in this case and a thousand others. Why are they involved?
For the record, I am sorry if this offends, but there is absolutely no good gained by tying the sweater around your butt. If you think your butt looks bad, let me tell you, that stupid sweater ass get up looks worse. This has been a public service tip for the aesthetically challenged or confused.

I don't expect very many people to get it, but you can not have maximum, sustainable, peaceful freedom under a governing structure that is ever growing, operates on presumed guilt and assumes the role of dictating research, science, use of resources, and the individual's use of his own income. It won't work for long. One day soon the forgotten idea that freedom of the individual is not only the right goal, but the most highly spiritual and respectful of life and the universe will catch on and be appreciated. At least maybe more than one out of ten will half way get the idea. If Bush laid the path for Obama, maybe by the same process Obama will lay the groundwork for the awakening of the acquiescent public who mostly wants to be left alone to live in peace. When they see these things come back to bite them then they'll get it. Foresight is in short supply but not reaction to personal pain and loss.

Nature vs Reality

You'd think nature and reality would be one and the same, but in matters of money and men, this is not so. It is the nature of people, or so I think, to live life, enjoy what they can, find satisfaction in accomplishment, even if it is only hitting the trash basket across the room with a balled up piece of paper, and have sex without drama. Actually that last is more wishful thinking--on more than one level. Still, the sort of stuff I keep hearing defies nature--again, on more than one level.

Screw the economy. Economy, schenomony, I say. If I wasn't constantly barraged with media reports and public service messages and hipster advertisements, I'd never know if the economy was considered good or bad. I only know my wealth, such as it is, has dwindled considerably, last I checked. I'm assuming I net out to zero, so I just pay as I go, and as I earn.

Best thing I ever did was edge my way out of debt, and avoid new payments of any kind once I got stuff paid off. About that time, a few dollars fell my way which made it a little better. Still, I'd decided a long time ago to avoid dependence on imaginary income whenever possible. That's the income I thought I might make if I did better than I was doing, back in earlier days when I fooled myself into payments I hated.

All that is off the point. I should delete it, but I won't. What is working to ill effect is all the doom and gloom press. There are people losing jobs and more. There always are, if truth be told. In these times of the Washington coup, and purposeful trashing of real freedom ideals it is a little tougher to remember to just live and let live.

I only need one job, one abode, one item of transport, etc. When people say there are no jobs, no this, no that, they exaggerate to a degree. Someone is doing something, or willing to pay for something. Finding that one thing to make the dollar may be tough, but it can happen. I guess it helps if you're willing to live in a tent in the mean time.

What I'm trying to say, and trying to remind myself, is to live and find simple enjoyment regardless of the totalitarian bastards sodomizing the country. If I didn't know better, I'd say the assault has been orchestrated in such a way as to cultivate a climate of fear, uncertainty, and general lack of humor and joy. I'd hate to cooperate with such an agenda.

Now is the time, if you have a spouse, to make the most of that situation. Generating enjoyment in one's own little world is a productive form of rebellion in this era. If I were of reasonable age and married, I'd be looking to crank out babies. Hell, the species must go on, and nothing is more worthwhile than producing decent humans. Obviously people all over the world are turning out tons of what might be considered in polite circles to be subhuman progeny, but what can you do? Why not buck the trend and produce some worthwhile material for survival of our species?

So, back to the point, which I've avoided all this time. Nature is that people live free, without requiring permission to do so. That means they don't need permission to keep the fruits of their labors, nor do they need instruction about how to utilize same. Reality is that people have twisted themselves into a structure that attempts to punish those who dare to believe they have the right to such freedom. The natural motivators of personal gain, security, attracting a mate, are now supposed to be replaced with allegiance to some distant charlatan's idea of the "better good". It won't work.

And the best way to avoid being made crazy, which analyzing and understanding this game can do, is to ignore it all, and find ways to have a good time. The big picture starts with the little picture anyway.

I have to admit, I am a little stoked at the outside chance there really will be a rebellion to this effort to place the world under totalitarian annoyance and control. When the koolaid wears off and the techies and such figure out the philosophical angle, the game will be up. E-revolt is most likely the most effective approach. It would be the core of how the country could be brought back to a free condition. I don't expect those outside the place to fully grasp this because the idea never really seeded heavily elsewhere. People confuse democracy for freedom, and the two are not the same thing.

Riding on Fumes

The liquid paint stripper from my second favorite hardware store packs quite a wallop. It helps get that crazy varnish off epic teak, too. As in epic teak project in the land of plenty.

It seems that whenever I've had projects involving lacquer thinner, or things that smell a lot like it, I find the work most enjoyable. Almost addictive, you might say. The day goes by quickly enough. Time flies when you're having fun. Or maybe time's fun when you're flying. Whatever.

I don't really get high while working, but I do like the smell of those chemicals. I step aside for big breaths of fume free air every once in awhile.

What really happens when I do relatively mindless labor, even if it is very craftsmanlike, is that I think of things I want to write. The whole thing rolls around in my mind, then falls out by the time I get home and settled in. You have no idea of the great gems you are missing. Come to think of it, I have no idea, either. Easy come, easy go. But sometimes it begins to worry me, the things I can't pull out of memory. People often have those issues, usually saying some annoying comment about getting older. You've been getting older since your first day on the planet. Lots of self fulfilling prophesies wandering the earth and the halls of various kinds of homes.

The fumes tend to help. I think of things long forgotten or never known.

Sir What?

It must be a bad joke, I thought when I heard that Gordon Brown somehow bestowed an honorary knighthood on Ted Kennedy. I guess the queen has to issue the decree and he was just the messenger or chief court jester. I'm not schooled in the finer points of monarchy protocol. That's because I live in a country which made as one of it's cornerstones in principle a prohibition against granting titles of nobility or establishing any such automatic class distinctions.

To me, the fact that the Nancy boy from England came here knighting drunken abusers of public money and power shows how confident other countries have become in our demise. What a slap in the face. Suggesting that we need to now subjugate ourselves to some global regulation of the entire banking world, meaning his sapped out kingdom wants to slop around in the bottom of the barrel with us, further destroy the fruits of freedom and the idea of liberty. It's been an international hoax for years. Su casa, mi casa. That appears to be the theme. Let's run one another's banks. We've got a hell of a track record keeping our respective countries in great shape so why not run the world?

We've had the new world order czars pushing their program for quite some time. It all demands a reduction of rights, and collective "action". Same old story. Bush one was the first to announce the dream frankly, and every president since has pushed his version and laid a little more groundwork for the demise of a once rather free country. At least one that had the right principles laid down in print, even if it didn't follow the ideals perfectly. Now those principles aren't even revered.

All aren't equal with the same rights. Speech is free depending on what you say and who you are. Presumed guilt is the cornerstone of our law enforcement and alleged security measures.

Sir Teddy? A real freedom advocate would have said "thanks, but no thanks". Of course if Teddy had any integrity, Mary Jo would have lived a longer life. A normal person would have done a bit of time over that one.

Of all the people to single out for some bizarre honor bestowed by inbred royalty, Kennedy is that last one I would have guessed. Stevie Wonder, Thomas Sowell, Ron Paul, I don't know, someone who actually represents excellence or character or something.

It is clear that the UK has got political idiocy that at least rivals our own. It's as if they are reaching out begging us to join them in their misery. Well, they were once the world's big power, and so were we. Like a couple of old has been fighters reminiscing their youth, trying to convince one another they still got it. I'd send that bugger boy back home and make him take Ted with him if I had my way.

Thoughts From Close Enough to Paradise

Today was one of those beautiful days. Besides the weather and geography, it was filled with enjoyment. Honest enjoyment is a thing of beauty in my book.

Often, when I forget the troubles I can dream up, or the impending doom I can foresee, I almost fall into that trap of wanting to keep my good fortune or optimistic outlook a secret so no one will hate me for it. That and the jinx factor.

Have you ever felt like maybe you should experience more disaster and pain than you already endure just to prove to less cheerful friends that you, too, are a victim of a cruel world? Seriously, there is probably a name for that disorder. I've felt that way many times, even though I have had hard times and dark times which I'd not wish on anyone. Some of those included the external trappings but all were primarily functions of something internal.

Today was good. I spent a little time last night and today with exceptional friends. Remarkable. Everything may not be as I'd wish, but I do think I'm more fortunate than not. Considering how things could have turned out, given certain paths of my distant and not so distant past, I'd say I lucked out. Probably a chemical thing but when I drive by the ocean or walk the pier on a day like this, I have to laugh that I'm here. I don't know how it ever happened. It's as if I've known the place and the people forever. And been fond of both.

I heard mention on the radio, probably one of California's extremely misguided public service ads, something about giving back and making a difference. The inference was that living a normal life makes no difference. You have to go find a public way to be seen doing something for free, presumably for strangers. I don't get it.

Why is it better to offer free whatever to people I don't know than to do something for people I know? If someone I know can use whatever it is I offer, I know that I am contributing to someone good. I don't care what others do, but I don't think there are really such separations in life.

One's spiritual life is not separate from regular life and if you are a positive force of some kind, whether by doing great work, including paid work, or by lifting spirits of those with whom you cross paths, it is all good. What is it that people have stolen which requires giving back? Giving back what and to whom?

I'd be lying if I said anything I do for the community at large, on a non paid, volunteer basis, constitutes giving back. Any paid work I do is imbued with special mojo not to be had elsewhere, and I don't ignore trash at my feet if it needs picking up. I don't abuse the world around me nor do I take what is not mine. Nothing to give back.

Now, in the case of friends, I definitely hope to give back as much enrichment as they provide for my life. Even so, I do not demand or take in a way that would indicate I better give something back and make a show of it. Who wants that kind of needy demanding relationship?

No, they can take their "give back" lectures to the halls of the state and national legislatures. Those people definitely have reason to feel guilty enough to think about giving back. To do it right would take them a very long time.

The "make a difference" part is silly to address. Especially because some of the ads tell you that you can influence the climate. Get over it. The best thing a person can do to really make a difference is to create something useful and better; like the electric lightbulb, or air conditioning. Or maybe a very cheap way to power a home without ugly by-products. That would make a difference. All things which promote the quality of life and independence of the individual make a positive difference.

Perhaps it is telling that I almost never say "we", as in we need to get better energy sources, or we need to sacrifice or we need to all get together. That's because I like people. You may not see it but the "we" talk is generally done by those who want to change and control you; the haters.

ps: I heart tennis. Really, I could become addicted to just hitting against the ball machine. It's icy like Borg. That can psych you out if you aren't careful. It shows no emotion and never gets tired.

Hummer Heroes

Despite the bad press, and the disdainful looks from the dutifully outraged, those who drive gigantic Hummers for real or compensatory reasons, are progressive technology heroes. That's how things work.

First off, if it is true that they use a lot of fuel, they are paying lots of extra tax per mile because each gallon of gasoline includes tax. And those things are made to go off road, so the real deal won't even be using highway infrastructure.

The way things really change, like the switch from whale oil to petroleum products, is for one source to become less abundant as another becomes more easily obtainable. Such things often involve discovery, development, vision, profit, and improved ways of doing things. They almost never involve technology dictated by thugs in lawyer and politician suits. Good things come because nature demands and offers them. Synthetic markets only retard the process. Like the solar goods available in CA.

They even advertise that they are as cheap as regular energy, once you account for state, federal, local, and power company rebates and incentives. That's like saying a horse and buggy is as fast as a Bugatti, provided you truck it to the finish line prior to the start of the race. Such a market increases the motivation to produce a bunch of what exists, but no incentive to make a product which is really does the job better than the existing technology.

Better things can and should be built. Especially designs which free people from centralized control of power, fuel for transportation, water, and all else. Those who benefit from power and control over those necessities resist and fight any change which places the individual in control over his own utilities and mobility.

Incentive and need to create really effective alternatives, which can stand on their own merit, are not there if tax dollars are used to cover the shortcomings in design and function. If fuel is used up, and costs increased due to scarcity resulting from Hummer use, I guarantee those who love to play will find ways to make it happen by other means. Maybe using fat from liposuction clinics. That's how things have always worked.

People find ways to tame or make use of nature in a manner which fits a set of parameters. It's called engineering. So, you ask how can I make this monster all terrain vehicle go a long way at 100 mph without making lots of smoke and trouble. Then creative smart people set out to make it happen.

Of course, it does skew the game when that which is not very harmful, if at all, is treated as if it is. Politicians, newspeople, and science often mix to give a picture as clear as viewing a horse race through a kaleidoscope. Based on truth, but nothing close to the real picture.

Instead of the crazy attitude that Hummers are somehow hurting the world, reality and truth should be embraced. They give something to shoot for. How can I equal what a Hummer can do, not sacrificing space, speed, or utility, but using another power or fuel source? That's how humans think in a FREE world; not in terms of "How can I lower my standard of living and that of my comrades, while patting myself on the back for doing good?".

Contrary to everything the class war beneficiaries and killjoy thugs may tell us, I am all for corporations throwing big lavish parties, buying and using private jets. refurbishing their offices, generally spending money that pays people to do and make things. But then, I am not for government investing a dime in any private company, telling them who to do business with, or interfering in any way other than to prevent them from using force or fraud.

I would forbid the sale of arms outside the US, regardless of the customer. But I'd also forbid the government from engaging in foreign aid of any kind. Let the citizens do what they want independently as far as charitable acts go.

Controlled and artificially manipulated markets are the plaything of the arrogant egomaniacs who assume they know better than the people what is good for them. The truth is, there are no limits to the possibilities in the realm of energy and all else that makes life a bowl of cherries. Don't be fooled by people who claim to know all the options, therefore they use your money to fund what they say are the best of the allegedly limited choices.

I hope the enthusiasm for the unknown, and the belief in what is possible comes through as much as my dislike of the people who try to manage the lives of others. Safe to say I find the trend toward a Brave New World over the last thirty or one hundred years, completely unacceptable, and I would embrace any revolution to restrict this government to its originally stated functions.

Sound of Music

So we've been working up a few folk tunes. New territory for me. It's Ok though. I figure I better do what I can while I can. There may be a day when it is considered an affront to the people's sensibilities to play blues harp. The stunning thing to me is that so few people actually get what's going on and how it happened.

As our version of the Von Trapps dance across the Rockies on their way to Alaska, looking for freedom, maybe hoping some state will finally decide to quit the game and secede, they'll be monitored the entire time. Probably the daughter's cell phone, or maybe the son's will be the beacon that brings in the national guard.

It really is not a great leap from the over use of traffic cameras to punish and take money, to constant tracking to tax your milage or just be sure you aren't Osama.

The trouble is that the price of constant surveillance is that we give up the ability to effectively dissent or rebel against tyrannical authority. Even as things are now, I do not trust the safety of sending letters or emails to representatives. With my views, no telling what database would store my type. It takes little effort, if any for you to be classed in a particular way from a letter or petition. Computers can do it through sophisticated software without anyone reading the letter. (like anyone reads them now)

It is not the question of whether you ought to run red lights, but whether you have the right to insist the public administrators stick to the program of letting people be free. Obviously no one has ever heard of Hitler or Castro and seen how their games were played. Europe has a history of learning absolutely nothing from history. It is that oblivious arrogance that allowed us to win a revolution we had no reasonable chance of winning. Apparently we didn't learn either.

The real reason for the IRS system, I am convinced, is that it can be used by those in power to harass or even ruin those who oppose. Look how both parties have managed to divert attention away from substance as they sick the dogs on one another. That's why neither party pushes to abolish it and go to a different less costly system.

You just wait. It won't be long before you look around a say, "he was right, they really are seeking to control us to the point of abstract slavery". I cannot believe most people still think there is any sense to this stuff.

I'm Gil Favor, and this is my ram rod...

For those who never heard of it, there used to be a TV western called Rawhide. It was where Clint Eastwood got his start. He was Rowdy Yates. Gil was the trail boss.

Rowdy was always introduced by Gil Favor as his ram rod. Imagine how that would go over in today's market. In case you still think it has something to do with gay pride, what Gil meant was that Rowdy was like the foreman of the cattle drive, the git 'er done guy.

That just came to mind so I thought I'd mention it. It does seem peculiar to be introducing your employee as your ram rod. Rowdy was to Gil Favor as Rahm is to Barack. Personally I wish he'd chosen Clint Eastwood.