Going Down Hill

Poetry rewind

2012-05-30T03:10:00.000-04:00

Patience
by Tag Williams
Rain falling on a mountain top
one drop at a time, dissolving,
changing, rearranging,
the shape of the world
and so we wear down continents.
one drop at a time.

Thoughts falling on a fertile mind
one idea at a time, dissolving,
changing, rearranging
the shape of the world,
and so we wear down prejudice.
one idea at a time.

Earth collides along a fault line
one inch at a time, building,
changing, rearranging,
the shape of the world
and so we build vast continents,
one inch at a time.

Compassion holds out hands of hope
one kindness at a time, building,
changing, rearranging,
the shape of the world
and so we build community,
one kindness at a time.
Jun 8, 2010

Saturday Masters - Miles Davis

2012-05-26T22:18:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday Miles

Saturday masters - Bruce Hornsby

2012-05-05T11:23:00.000-04:00

I like the jazzy feel of Bruce Hornsby's early work.

Braco v Avengers, Major sacrifice coming.

2012-05-04T14:10:00.000-04:00

Braco

Nice looking guy, warm smile, with engaging energy
vs the the Incredible HULK, Iron Man, Captain America, the Mighty Thor and Samuel L Jackson . I can't believe I gave up seeing a midnight premier to go see this dude. I've only been waiting 50 years for this movie. But She Who Will Not Give Me Peace prevailed once again. I guess I'm just out stubborned.

I think they would kick his candy ass.

I left you last time loyal readers with She Who Shall Not Give Me Peace on her way to the DMV. I had just finished posting my last when she walks in the door and says "I need 35 dollars." So off I go to the nearest ATM and back to the DMV. Success she is now a licensed driver.
Back to Enterprise to pick up the Jetta for the trip to Gaitherberg MD, to see the gazer. Her debit card is turned down. So off I go to my banking institution to transfer enough to cover the bill. So yea, we get the car but while I was at the financial thieves home of ill repute I found out they had cleared out my wife's account for the second time this week. Monday they had given us the money back they took last Saturday and told us problem solved, but it was not to be. Returning to said thieves den we were told there was no paper trail or more specifically no electronic trail of them taking the $740 then returning it. We were asked to return to the branch which had negotiated the refund and take it up with them as they would remember the transaction. We haven't been able to do that yet. Today I got two letters from Federal Credit Union Thieves Incorporated. Telling us they took the $740 on the 30th and also $580 on the first. But they can't possibly have taken the $580 if they had not given us back the $740, Oh well.
So Thursday morning we headed up to Maryland to gaze at this Braco cat. While standing in line I am approached by some stanger who wants to discuss the conspiracy theory of ET's running the world through puppets in the the major countries. If this is true then the guy running W was a terrible ventriloquist. Of course then ensued the discussion of the end of the world and the Mayan calendar. How spirutal beings from many realms will be on earth to help usher in the golden age to come. This guy thinks Braco is one of those. Well, I have said I am skeptical and hopeful at the same time.
My experience of the gazing was not enlightening. Of the 10 sessions given during the day I attend 3 and SHE attended 9. The most I got was swollen feet, a headache, and maybe, just maybe a little bit of serenity. She Who Shall Not Be Ignored. said that during one session while the Native american pipes were being played to set the tone suddenly, her left ear which she has not been able to hear out of as long as I've known her opened to the music and since then she has been able to hear just fine. I can say that I didn't need to face her to have my lips read to make myself understood. So maybe,
Another person obviously going through heavy chemo said that on her last check up a tumor in her lungs had completely disappeared. Maybe. Prior to a session I chatting in the lobby of the hotel with a doctor who had heard the announcement of Braco appearance on the radio. His mother swore to him that she had been helped so he came with an open mind. He did say he thought there was something to energy healing but not enough clinical results to verify this. Unfortunately I was not able to catch up with him after the session to get his take on the experience.
So I still am on the fence, This is a great racket, $72 a head for a one day 10 sessions where this guy comes out for 7 minutes to look over everyone (there was about 500 hundred in the audience at $8 per session) and $3 dollars to view an online streaming at Braco (pronounced like matzoh).net. Volunteers swear he gets no money from the intake. It all goes to pay expenses and to create other avenues for people to be touched by the gaze. Maybe.
He is coming back to Gaithersberg in June and Shari has signed up to volunteer. I have agreed to accompany her for at least one day because I am still curious but unconvinced.
Meanwhile I blew off the midnight Avengers preview at my local theater chain. Perhaps I will go tonight.
Avengers Assemble!

Life at the bottom of the food chain

2012-05-02T14:37:00.000-04:00

Well at this point I'm ready to blow off the whole Braco trip. My frustration level is now at an all time high. I'm battling fiercely with "she who shall not give me peace." After the fiasco of Monday and having the dates wrong I booked a rental car for today through Friday. At twice the price I had on Monday. Oh well, Arriving to pick up the car we whip out the 20 years of paper work required to rent a car with just a bank card. Everything is copacetic and I real feel that we're doing this thing. Ah... No.

"Mrs Williams you do know this drivers license is expired? "
"Well, I had it replaced but I lost the replacement, I think it's in the back pocket of my jeans."
"I'm sorry but we need a valid license"
"How about my husbands?"
"Certainly but it has to match the name on the bank card."
As you know I taken an oath to the Holy brothers of the Immaculate Credit Rating to never use a credit card again.
"Sorry, all I carry is an ATM card preferring to do everything with cash"
"Understandable but we can't rent you a car Perhaps Mrs Williams you can get a new drivers license.
"OK Hold that reservation please and I will go over to the DMV and will be back as soon as possible."

Upon arriving at the DMV "she who shall not give me peace" looks at the 20 year accumulation of paper work we have in our hands
"I' don't suppose my birth certificate is in there is it.?'
"NO I will go home and look for it."

I search vainly through the pockets of all of her pants that I can locate. No License, I also cannot find birth certificate nor passport. arriving back at the DMV sans BC or passport. I suggest we just use our car a 2004 PT Cruiser with a few issues.
"All we have to do is replace one tire today and it will make the trip just fine."
"But the A/C isnt working well and it's in the 80's"
"Au contraire, my 25 year PITA. I ran it all the way home and back and once the car cools down it works fine"
"But that's why we wanted to rent a car in the beginning" says SWSNGMP
"Yes but a tire is cheaper than a rental"

So SHE is back at the DMV with birth certificate still set on the rental and I am washing my hands of the whole affair and going to see the midnight showing tomorrow of the Avengers which I have been waiting for since 1963. I will gaze at Downey and Evans and the gorgeous Thor. Get down with Scarlett and hang with the Hulk. Unless thing change. TTFN

Going Down Hill

2012-05-01T08:25:00.001-04:00

Well I have forgotten how to use blogger, was thinking about changing to wordpress but I don't suffer change happily. Today May 1st, 2012 I am supposed to be in DC to be looked upon by Braco http://bracoamerica.com/. According to testimonials amazing things are supposed to happen if you let this this guy look at you, any photos you happen to be holding or charms. All this in a room of a hundred or so people at 72 bucks a head. Here is one such and you can find untold others at the website listed above.

Every session for me was a meditation of waving in the same frequencies and diving into Braco and the Spirit, which already are one. So much indescribable and unspeakable sensations, like most gentle, loving and sweet waving of heat in my heart. — Eva Vuk

I'm cynical but Shari jumped into this with both feet and ordered tickets. So off we go to be gazed at and to gaze in return.

Originally I bowed out, driving 300 miles to be stared at by a stranger is not my idea of productive time wasting. You know me faithful readers, if it doesn't need to be done, don't do it, if it does need to done take a nap until the need passes. So Shari lined up one of her friends who also thinks this is a good idea and "whew" I'm out. Until last week when friend also bowed out so now I'm back in.

Saturday afternoon I go out to purchase WMD's to take care of the billions of sugar ants who have taken up residence in my humble domicile. There is not room enough for all of us so since I have the bigger toys, ant destruction on a tremendous scale will shortly ensue. However going over to my favorite WMD dealer Shari's debit card is declined. I check the balance and it is zero. Apparently our friendly neighborhood banking institution decided to take all the money in her account and appy it to a loan that was being paid off regularly. Numerous phone calls on Saturday and Sunday accomplished nothing but a visit to the financial institution Monday ended happily but with more money coming out of our pockets. I'm starting to get the feeling that we aren't to go Tuesday. Perhaps a 22 car pileup on I95 will be avoided.

On Sunday I make reservations through priceline.com to pickup an SUV Monday afternoon.

It's a great price so we are very excited. The only problem is that we have to pick up the vehicle inside Norfolk International. We get there to find that they cannot accept a visa check card unless we are ticketed passengers. My blood pressure immediately jumps to, I estimate, 500/250 as I tell the face of the franchise that this should have been spelled out better. So the typical "We cannot be responsible for our corporate masters policies, there is no point in getting mad at us" "Well trot the SOB out here and I will throttle him right here in the arrival terminal" I not so calmly reply. To no avail; rules are rules and the rulemakers hide behind the pleasant faces of the minimum wage jocks hired to take the abuse of assholes such as myself. So I'm less inclined to believe that Tuesday is the day.

Making our way over to an off airport location we attempt to rent a car with said visa check card. They need 500 pieces of verifying paperwork, including tax statements from 1973 until 2012, Bank statements from the same time period, plus water bills, insurance cards, DD214's and my membership card to AARP. I'm surprised passports were not mentioned. A simple driver license with my picture is not good enough though it would be if I had a major credit card which I have vowed before heaven and the Holy Brothers of the Deeply In Debt that I will never use again. She handed us the infernal smartphone to try to get some of this paperwork, not having internet access handy except to her manager where he can watch porn and download pirated music all day on the company dime. But the face of the franchise, Loryn, is very accommodating and suggests that we arrive upon opening this morning May 1st at 0730. We will also save a bundle but we have to be back by 0730 Wednesday.

This morning I go about gathering up the necessary papers. I see the Braco ticket confirmation and I realize that Shari has jumped the gun and our tickets are not good until Thursday May third. This folks is why I call this blog going down hill. The watchmakers watch is slowly winding down:

noun

Thermodynamics .

(on a macroscopic scale) a function of thermodynamicvariables, as temperature, pressure, or composition,that is a measure of the energy that is not available forwork during a thermodynamic process. A closed systemevolves toward a state of maximum entropy.

(in statistical mechanics) a measure of the randomnessof the microscopic constituents of a thermodynamicsystem. Symbol: S

(in data transmission and information theory) a measure ofthe loss of information in a transmitted signal or message.

(in cosmology) a hypothetical tendency for the universe toattain a state of maximum homogeneity in which all matter isat a uniform temperature (heat death).

a doctrine of inevitable social decline and degeneration

In other words it is going to hell in a handbasket.

Manic Monday - NSC = Not safe for Christians

2012-01-30T13:30:00.000-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

Manic Monday – The South Park Edition

I'm going to Hell! I know it, I accept it there it is simple and straightforward; I'm going to Hell!

3AM Portsmouth Naval Hospital a low grade kidney infection has me in my home away from home. Between blood draws and vital sign checks my simple little brain is spinning at warped speed.

And Chef said “Now Chirrun I have a little story to tell you about the Little Baby Jesus and I want you to pay attention and learn from it, OK?”

Little Baby Jesus hoppin through the forest, scoopin' up the field mice and boppin 'em on dey head.

'Aww Chef, was is this shit?'

'Shut up ya evil little bastards and pay attention! Now where was I, Oh yeah...'

'So the clouds parted and the skies opened and the archangel Gabriel came down from heaven and said:

Little Baby Jesus I don't want to see you scoopin' up the field mice and bopping 'em on dey head!'

But the next day...

Little Baby Jesus hoppin through the forest, scoopin' up the field mice and boppin 'em on dey head.

So the clouds parted and the skies opened and the Archangel Michael came down from heaven and said:

'Little Baby Jesus I don't want to see you scoopin' up the field mice and bopping them on dey head!!! I'll give you one more chance.'

But the next day...

Little Baby Jesus hoppin through the forest, scoopin' up the field mice and boppin 'em on dey head!

And the clouds parted and the sky opened and the aether was filled with a brilliant golden light!

And God came down from de Heavens...

And God said...

Little Baby Jesus my son, my beloved! I sent the Archangel Gabriel and the Archangel Michael to straighten out your bad behavior, but I see that sterner measures are in order so I'm calling on the Jews!!

'People of Israel, This is my son who I dearly love but he has misbehaved and needs a punishment. What do you suggest?'

'We need him crucified that's all you have to do! Crucify him! Crucify him!'

'Very well Jews, you do realize he is your Messiah, long awaited?'

'Crucify him!'

'SO BE IT!! Take him to Pilate...'

And Pilate asked, 'What is truth?

And so the Little Baby Jesus was hung from a cross with nails through his hands and feet!

'Jesus Christ Chef, what the hell?'

Exactly right Chirrun 'What the hell” I'm here from heaven to give you your first warning, don't you be scoopin up the field mice or other furry animals and be boppin em on dey head, and no more oil spills either, and don't be greedy bastards like your parents or you will be nailed to de cross and lef'' out to die.

Do I make my point clear Chirrun?”

Saturday Masters - The Guess Who

2011-12-19T08:19:00.001-05:00

Undun

into

These Eyes

No Time

Laughing

Share The Land

No Sugar Tonight

American Woman

Good news... Busy...Busy...Busy...

2011-12-08T21:35:00.001-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

A nice email I received in response to my letter of support for Global Truce 2012.
Jeremy Gilley had this dream way back in 1998. Took the idea to the UN who declared 21 September 2001 a day of global truce. Unfortunately the events 10 days prior in New York caused the cancellation of the first Peace Day. Jeremy has stuck to his vision and worked tirelessly with groups all over the world to make his dream a reality once again. Peace Day 2011 was an overwhelming success. I am happy to join with Jeremy and POD to spread his message of peace. Imagine a global cease fire, an end to the fussing and fighting. We Can Work It Out.

To tagmike@live.com
Dear Michael,

It’s so wonderful to hear that you and the We Can Work It Out Project have already done so much to help raise awareness of Peace Day and POD. Raising awareness of 21 September is how we can institutionalise the day Michael – essentially make it known to every individual around the world, which is why your involvement is so important. It also sounds like you have some great ideas to spread the word about how people can get involved as well. The event you would like to hold on 21 December 2012 sounds like a wonderful way to bring people together and reach out to people from all over. And we’re so grateful for you for not only taking the time to sign the Global Truce 2012 yourself, but also for your offer to have our two organisations work together to cross-promote each other’s efforts.

This is why we would love to tell our supporters more about your organization by announcing the We Can Work It Out Project as a member of POD’s Global Truce 2012 Coalition on our website, linking it to your website. The following link will take you to our Coalition Page where we are highlighting supporters from all sectors of society: http://peaceoneday.org/en/truce-2012/gt2012-coalition.

Of course, the end goal of this campaign is to have people and organisations around the world observing Peace Day, 21 September 2012 as a day of non-violence and ceasefire, when we hope to record the largest reduction in global violence in history! But until the day comes, we would like to grow the coalition asking for a day of Global Truce and collaborate with its members to raise awareness of the important work they do every day of the year. If this is something that would be of interest to you, it would be great to have a statement of support that we can use for this purpose.

Please feel free to look at our statements of support from the other members of our coalition for examples. You can find these on our Global Truce 2012 Coalition page at http://peaceoneday.org/en/truce-2012/gt2012-coalition. Of course, if you would like for us to draft you a statement of support, then we would be happy to do so.

Many thanks again for all of your wonderful support and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Warmest regards,

Melissa Lazaro
Global Truce 2012 Campaign Assistant

SO HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Right Now

Sign the petition for the Global Truce – it only takes a few seconds

As soon as you can

Form a Peace One Day Student Group to mobilise every student in your university or school on Peace Day 2012
Start a Peace One Day Facebook group (not page) for your university or school to help mobilise all students in support of the Global Truce
Encourage users of your Facebook group to interact with the Peace One Day Facebook page www.facebook.com/peaceoneday

On Peace Day, 21 September 2012 – the day of Global Truce

Gather together as many people as you can in your university, school or other designated location, measure how many people attend and let us know. Together, we can make this the largest ever gathering in the name of peace
Everybody wear white at the Global Truce event/gathering

Saturday Masters - Bison

2011-12-02T23:17:00.001-05:00

Last week I gave some old school rock with Steve Marriott. This week I have a charming local band out of Chesapeake, Virginia. just beginning to make a name for themselves.

Switzerland

Quill

okay raw maybe and not quite masters, but the potential is there.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

2011-11-30T21:08:00.001-05:00

Image by clogozm via Flickr

Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep

Mary Elizabeth Frye.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints on snow,

I am the sun on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circling flight.

I am the soft starlight at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there; I did not die.

Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.

Saturday Masters - Steve Marriott

2011-11-26T01:00:00.000-05:00

Small Faces, It must have been an age thing. My introduction to Steve Marriott was with Humble Pie maybe 1971 or 72. I didn't realize he was one of the original Small Faces in fact I didn't even remember the Small Faces at the time. I missed some great Rock n roll. Here's a taste.

Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane, Kenney Jones, and Jimmy Winston. Ian McLaglen replaced Jimmy Winston

I don't think I heard these until I was researching this post, I can't tell you how many artists have stolen these licks. They weren't completely off the US Charts although their lyrics often got them banned.

But of course even at the height of their popularity they were having problems, creatively and personally. Steve Hooked Up with Peter Frampton before he came alive and Humble Pie was born. In my opinion one of the best bands ever.

• Steve Marriott - guitar, vocals, keyboards, harmonica
• Peter Frampton - guitar, vocals
• Greg Ridley - bass guitar, backing vocals
• Jerry Shirley - drums

Rumour has it that Keith Richard wanted Marriott to replace Mick Taylor but Jagger said no. He felt that Marriott wouldn't be able to stay in the background. I agree, can you imagine these three egos coexisting with each other?

problems with record companies and managers led to the demise of Humble Pie in the mid 70's. Frampton came alive. Steve Marriott, disillusioned, faded from the scene mostly happy to do small gigs around London and pay off the taxes his manager never paid.

With Packet of Three in 1985 Still gettin' it done despite the beating his body had taken over the years.

Steve Passed in 1991 when a fire broke out in home.

F3, You Want Fries With That?

2011-11-25T15:27:00.001-05:00

Lost in a dark and lonely wood. A light, any light would be welcome. Something to guide me, a goal a destination. But it was not to be. I continued to struggle forward with no path or trail to guide me, branches whipping my face in the darkness. Around me the whispering movement of large animals, lions and tigers and bears, Oh my! And in the distance somewhere behind me the baying of hounds. Or were they wolves?

All of this over a stupid bottle of Heinz ketchup!

Yes! That was the prompt, a thousand words featuring the slow good taste of this common condiment. Yet I had nothing. Ketchup in space? No! Nothing there. A romantic liason between the Ketchup and French's Honey Dijon wedded on the sweet patty of ground beef grilled to perfection, with a slice of red onion, beefsteak tomato and and a little romaine lettuce. As Jimmy sang it A Cheeseburger in Paradise. With a side of fries smothered in this weeks prompt?
But no. As hard as I looked I could find no plot line, nothing to hang this prompt upon. And it being Thanksgiving week, myself busier than a one-armed wallpaper hanger there was no time to just set and let the usual spinning of my brain, like the wheel of fortune come to rest on that one idea. That spark of inspiration that I needed to complete this week's Flash Fiction Friday by the Wednesday deadline. The dread of failure of not being able to complete a story as has happened all too frequently this autumn.

Perhaps a walk would help? Something to clear my head leaving it open to that sweet smell of Heinz in all of it's 57 varieties and the home of the dreaded Pittsburgh Steelers with their undeserved six Superbowl titles. Nothing to fixate upon at this hour. I must concentrate on the ketchup. I need this story and I needed it now. Finally, off the path through the neighborhood park lost in the the woods I spotted the familiar yellow and red sign ahead of me on a vacant street.. This oasis; open twenty-four hours for those brave enough to face the dark. Yes, Yes! It was Denny's

Product Placement

I slid onto the bar stool. “A cheeseburger” I mumble to the waitress “And a sweet tea as well” “Would you like fries with that?" this angel of the night called. “Yes, Yes, please. And a slice of pie? Blueberry, warm with a scoop of vanilla!” “Okay sweetie, it will be right up” I glanced around the nearly empty eatery, a few late nighters probably just come from the bar judging by their laughter and noise.
Angela, the waitress by her name-tag pinned to a very nice bosom, slid the the half pound sandwich of perfection in front of me. A second to take in the luscious odor of freshly grilled beef on a toasted bun. Then my attention caught by the red aura of the upside down squeeze bottle, the subject of my search; Heinz Tomato Ketchup. I generously applied the sweet condiment to the fries and burger. Paused to once again take in the aroma and there it was...
At last, finally, a story worthy of Flash Fiction Friday.

Cover Friday - Stand By Me

2011-11-24T22:00:00.000-05:00

Stand By Me - Playing for Change Live in Japan

Stand By Me - Japan from Playing For Change on Vimeo.

Ben E King

Borrowed Poetry Tuesday

2011-11-21T18:47:00.001-05:00

I am Much Too Alone in this World

by Rainer Maria Rilke

I am much too alone in this world, yet not alone
enough
to truly consecrate the hour.
I am much too small in this world, yet not small

enough
to be to you just object and thing,
dark and smart.
I want my free will and want it accompanying
the path which leads to action;
and want during times that beg questions,
where something is up,
to be among those in the know,
or else be alone.

I want to mirror your image to its fullest perfection,
never be blind or too old
to uphold your weighty wavering reflection.
I want to unfold.
Nowhere I wish to stay crooked, bent;
for there I would be dishonest, untrue.
I want my conscience to be
true before you;
want to describe myself like a picture I observed
for a long time, one close up,
like a new word I learned and embraced,
like the everyday jug,
like my mother's face,
like a ship that carried me along

through the deadliest storm.

Saturday Masters - Bob Fosse

2011-11-19T00:30:00.000-05:00

Cover Friday - Solidarity Forever

2011-11-18T12:04:00.001-05:00

Solidarity Forever written in 1915 by Ralph Chapman:

Image by DoKwan via Flickr

Pete Seeger

Utah Phillips

Leonard Cohen

They have taken untold millions that they never toiled to earn
But without our brain and muscle not a single wheel can turn
We will break their haughty power, gain our freedom when we learn that
The union makes us strong
Solidarity Forever, Solidarity Forever, Solidarity Forever
For the union makes us strong

In our hands is placed a power greater than their hoarded gold
Greater than the might of atoms multiplied a thousand-fold
We will give birth a new world from the ashes of the old for
But the union makes us strong
Solidarity Forever, Solidarity Forever, Solidarity Forever
For the union makes us strong

It is we who plowed the prairies, build the cities where they trade
Dug the mines and build the workshops, endless miles of railroad laid
Now we stand outcast and starving 'mid these wonders we have made but
The union makes us strong
Solidarity Forever, Solidarity Forever, Solidarity Forever
For the union makes us strong

When the union's inspiration through the workers blood shall run
There can be no power greater anywhere beneath the sun
Yet what force on Earth is weaker than the feeble strength of one but
The union makes us strong
Solidarity Forever, Solidarity Forever, Solidarity Forever
For the union makes us strong

Trash Day

2011-11-16T08:27:00.001-05:00

Wednesday's trash day, trash day is Wednesday.

Over the hump, the week's half gone!

Have I said that I hate yard work? Well I do!

Faith of the fallen.

autumn has fallen
with a scarlet thud,
five inches deep,
in oak and maple,
leaf
I wait:
on wind to carry,
to my neighbor's yard,
to buy the rake,
to show I care.
I don't.

Suburban Asian Man http://bit.ly/uMABZh

Saturday Masters - Bela Fleck & the Flecktones

2011-11-12T00:30:00.000-05:00

Next

Breakfast Feud

Prelude From Bach Violin Partitia #3

Wairenziante

Sojourn Of Arjuna

Kaleidoscope

Saturday Masters - Todd Snider

2011-11-05T14:32:00.000-04:00

This Land is Our Land

America 2.0

2011-10-31T19:14:00.000-04:00

Declaration of the Occupation of New York City

by NYC General Assembly

Watching the cardinals I started musing on the phrase from the old days "Better Red Than Dead" Yessir, socialism has once again reared it's ugly head here in the land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. Oh not so much from the Declaration. that paper is a pretty straight forward laundry list of the things the so-called 99% are pissed off about. I pretty much agree with them being that kind of liberal, progressive thinking patriot that I am. So I'm setting down my laundry list of those things I want for Americans. Remember I lean to the left. further... maybe a bit more. There it is.

1. Public Education for all Americans through 4 years of college or trade school. to be funded by federal, state and local governments.

2. A living wage.

This year, 3.5 million people will experience homelessness. The federal government says 42% of them are working at some point during the week. Clearly, the work ethic is there, but the wage to afford basic housing is not. These folks come from our 10.1 million minimum wage workers. Minimum wage jobs, the ones that can’t be outsourced, were once stepping stones. Now they are the jobs raising whole families when coupled with subsidies.

The antithesis of being housed is homelessness. The proposal, through a ten year plan, is to fix the Federal Minimum Wage by indexing it to the local cost of housing throughout the United States. The ULW would end homelessness for over 1,000,000 minimum wage workers and prevent economic homelessness for all 10.1 million minimum wage workers.

By using existing government guidelines: 1) work 40 hours in a week, 2) spend no more than 30% of one’s income on housing, and 3) using the HUD section 8 rental calculations, we ensure that anyone working 40 hours in a week will be able to afford basic rental housing, food, clothing, utilities, and access to health care.

US military pay practices, using geographic considerations, mirror this approach.*

3. Single payer health care: This one has been beaten to death over the last two years, but I would recommend bringing it back up into the light. It makes sense and we have many different models that have been tried in other countries with varying amounts of success.

4. Consumer protection. Buyer beware just doesn't cut it. Unfortunately it's like wolves to the slaughter with just a few looking out for the lambs. In this country it's okay to shit on the consumer. We are sold shit manufactured elsewhere, We are price gouged at the checkout for the shit we buy. Politicians shit on us. Government agencies shit on us and corporations shit on us. It has to stop.

5. Transportation: Clean and green is a must regardless of global warming. The fact is resources are getting scarce. Granted that technology at its current pace may help to alleviate this scarcity. We still need to develop alternatives. More and better bike lanes for example all the way up to my driveway would be good. How about a "No Automobiles Day" once a week or more often. Expansion of light rail from a municipal transportation grid to a regional grid. Again we have examples in other countries, Europe and Japan come to mind.

6. I will probably have more examples tomorrow but this is a good starter list. Please I beg your comments; additions or subtractions and discussion is welcomed here. The big objection to any of this somewhat socialist list is money. Who is going to pay? Kind of a funny question when you realize that our dollar is backed by nothing more than a law making it "Legal tender for all debts public and private." and that is backed up by the labor and productivity of the American people. Our economy is based on a sham. one that benefits the government fat cats and even more so the corporate fat cats. In other words; yeah we pay for it. but consider: What if you didn't have to pay hundreds of dollars each month for health care. What if you were assured of a living wage, What if we weren't being ripped off by the car dealers and the banks and the gas stations. What if we didn't have that car payment or the maintenance costs. Is it worth paying more in taxes? I think so. But I've been called a socialist before; to be associated with Bernie Sanders, well I'm okay with that.

*Blatantly stolen from the Universal Living Wage website and used without permission of any kind.

Saturday Masters - Smokey Robinson

2011-10-29T00:30:00.000-04:00

Saturday Masters - The Zac Brown Band

2011-10-15T01:00:00.000-04:00

Cover Friday - Barracuda

2011-10-14T00:30:00.000-04:00

Alice in Chains with Gretchen Wilson

Heart With Ellen DeGeneres

Walter and Edna at the Lake

2011-10-11T23:01:00.000-04:00

"Walter! What the hell are we pulling in here for. We've got places to be. This is no time for a stroll along the lake. Walter! Walter! I'm talking to you for chrissake Walter!"

As usual Walter chose not to hear. After 49 years of marriage, he didn't hear much that Edna said. Once very much in love, as the years passed her voice got shriller and angrier. Walter got more and more apathetic. Edna became more shrill, Walter became more quiet. A vicious circle that had to end soon. And Walter meant to end it. He glanced at his watch: 3:27 pm.

“mmh. Got to pee Ed, I'll be right back”

“Walter, get back here, dammit, There's a man in that car over there. No telling what kind of monster he is. "This is just the kind of place where lonely women are attacked. Walter, come back here right now, Walter! Walter!!”

Once upon a time Edna and Walter had much in common. Both life long residents of Seattle, they had grown up together, gone to school together hiked and camped in the forests on the slopes of Mt Rainier. In her 50's Edna had developed arthritis in her hips and lower back. She could get around some on her own but she was limited. Those limitations turned to frustration, which in turn she took out on Walter for being healthy and active as they both approached 70. The camping trips became fewer. The hiking had almost ceased. They still enjoyed the forest, a few times each month they would drive out into the mountains just to enjoy the natural beauty of the land. Land that was under attack from the logging industry.

Walter finished his business then strolled down to the water, picked a a small flat rock and skipped it into the lake. “6! hah, still got the old arm!” He turned , spied something on the ground, knelt and pulled some debris out of the paw print. Standing back up he turned his gaze to the trees “Aha , gotcha you ol' cuss!”

Moving carefully now Walter moved as fast as he dared back to the car where Edna had settled as he knew she would. Chances were she had spotted something, something that caught her interest. Maybe the same thing he saw. He opened the rear of the old Jeep Wagoneer he had owned for twenty years, pulled out Edna's wheel chair and reached into a bag and took out a small box he put into his jacket pocket.

“Walter, what's going on back there, Walter did you see him?” No answer. Walter unfolded the chair, closed the hatch and opened up the passenger side door. “C'mon Eddie, bring the binoculars please.” “What is it Walter” “An old friend Eddie.” said Walter as he peered through the binoculars.

“Yep, he's come back Eddie, take a look up into the trees just on the other side of the cove there.”

“Oh it is Stomper, you can tell by the white patches on his chest, Walter we haven't seen Stomper in twenty-five years. We thought he had moved up into Canada or died, Walter this is incredible.” Walter did you know he was back?”
“I saw tracks here last week, wasn't sure it was Stomper though," He replied.

“Should we tell anyone Walter, Maybe the kids?

“Well I guess we could but would they believe it if we told them we saw Sasquatch up in a tree. We told them when they were young but were never able to find him again until today. Besides twenty- five years ago we decided he ought to live in peace.”

“Yes, you're right Walter. Let him live in peace if he can.”

Walter reached into his jacket, pulled out the box and got down on one knee.

“ Will you marry me Eddie?

Going Down Hill

Poetry rewind

Saturday Masters - Miles Davis

Saturday masters - Bruce Hornsby

Braco v Avengers, Major sacrifice coming.

Life at the bottom of the food chain

Going Down Hill

en·tro·py

Manic Monday - NSC = Not safe for Christians

Saturday Masters - The Guess Who

Good news... Busy...Busy...Busy...

SO HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Saturday Masters - Bison

I am the gentle autumn rain.

Saturday Masters - Steve Marriott

F3, You Want Fries With That?

Cover Friday - Stand By Me

Borrowed Poetry Tuesday

I am Much Too Alone in this World

Saturday Masters - Bob Fosse

Cover Friday - Solidarity Forever

Trash Day

Saturday Masters - Bela Fleck & the Flecktones

Saturday Masters - Todd Snider

America 2.0

Declaration of the Occupation of New York City

Saturday Masters - Smokey Robinson

Saturday Masters - The Zac Brown Band

Cover Friday - Barracuda

Walter and Edna at the Lake