Not getting sentimental suddenly - just heard an old song and felt like commenting.
Though music affects me tremendously and I have previously pointed out songs that particularly inspire or entertain me, by far the most dramatic two lines of any song in my memory are the opening two of a song that I believe carries that title: "Memories."
For sheer poetry and semetry, how could anyone best these two lines: Memories, crushed between the pages of my mind - Memories, sweetened through the ages just like wine - Those words were masterfully arranged.
Not far behind that example of the tunesmith's art are the words from a real oldie but goodie - probably from the 1940s - entitled (you guessed it) "Memories." Memories, memories - dreams of love so true - O'er the seas of memories I'm drifting back to you ... Nice!
Since memories can be so powerful to us humans, it's only right that song writers spend a good deal of time and extra-special effort on the subject. Good job!
Monday, November 11, 2013
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Prince of Peace
Why wait until Xmas? The subject arose yesterday.
Sitting in a restaurant, I was reminded why I stopped going there several years ago; the blaring country music and the overwhelming displays of religiosity all around.
The largest hand-made cardboard sign (about 2ft. X 2 ft., hanging above the cash register) screamed: "There can be no peace on earth until the coming of the Prince of Peace." I naturally recoiled at the blatant ignorance as well as the stupidity of running a business while preaching at the customers. But I also thought about the sentiment. That was again, quite unfathomable to me.
Why would humanity want above all else, a coming absolute dictator to force us to be "at peace" with each other. That seemed to be the reasoning; peace will have to be forced upon our species or it can't be obtained at all. That was the mentality in our "old West" when they actually nicknamed a pistol, "the Peacemaker." Force people by threat of killing and maybe a few will struggle to stay peaceable among their neighbors. So just wait until that wonderful lord and master arrives with his six-shooters blazing at all humanity!
Why wait??? I personally am a prince of peace! Aren't you? Or perhaps you're a princess of peace? Don't the majority of all humans think peace is better than war? Are we not intelligent enough to find a way to make the peacefulness reign over the battles? I think we could manage. My friend Al, who publishes his blog, The Age of Reason - 21st Century makes a good point today. He promotes the concept that females are more equipped to negotiate and live in harmony than males have proven to be. So we should let the women politicians have their day; it may save our societies at last.
What kind of total foolishness says, "Yes, we all want peace, but since we are not capable of attaining it within our human strengths, let's all believe in and wait for that completely loveable yet dictatorial supreme being from the heavens to come here to force us to be better!?"
Stupidity kills.
Sitting in a restaurant, I was reminded why I stopped going there several years ago; the blaring country music and the overwhelming displays of religiosity all around.
The largest hand-made cardboard sign (about 2ft. X 2 ft., hanging above the cash register) screamed: "There can be no peace on earth until the coming of the Prince of Peace." I naturally recoiled at the blatant ignorance as well as the stupidity of running a business while preaching at the customers. But I also thought about the sentiment. That was again, quite unfathomable to me.
Why would humanity want above all else, a coming absolute dictator to force us to be "at peace" with each other. That seemed to be the reasoning; peace will have to be forced upon our species or it can't be obtained at all. That was the mentality in our "old West" when they actually nicknamed a pistol, "the Peacemaker." Force people by threat of killing and maybe a few will struggle to stay peaceable among their neighbors. So just wait until that wonderful lord and master arrives with his six-shooters blazing at all humanity!
Why wait??? I personally am a prince of peace! Aren't you? Or perhaps you're a princess of peace? Don't the majority of all humans think peace is better than war? Are we not intelligent enough to find a way to make the peacefulness reign over the battles? I think we could manage. My friend Al, who publishes his blog, The Age of Reason - 21st Century makes a good point today. He promotes the concept that females are more equipped to negotiate and live in harmony than males have proven to be. So we should let the women politicians have their day; it may save our societies at last.
What kind of total foolishness says, "Yes, we all want peace, but since we are not capable of attaining it within our human strengths, let's all believe in and wait for that completely loveable yet dictatorial supreme being from the heavens to come here to force us to be better!?"
Stupidity kills.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Giant Weight Reduced
Heading to the oncologist appointment a few hours ago, I was unaware how much I had dwelt on the phone call of Tuesday - telling me I would be getting a call from the radiology department to set up an appointment.
Radiation. The biopsy of my lymph glands, performed two weeks ago, must have revealed a new spread of cancer - now I need radiation to fight it off while it is still newly developed. The weight of this news was heavy on my mind. As often happens, the caller was not aware that no earlier contact had been made to tell me the lymph nodes were clear. So today's visit was to allow the oncologist to confirm that all was looking very good and that I will undergo a precautionary radiation therapy on only the shoulder area where the original tumor had been removed. Therefore, I am not expected to see the cancer folks again for six months and then only as a further precaution against something unknown and unforeseen.
Cancer-FREE. Sounds too good to be true after ten months and three surgeries. But then, I am still being studied by the urologist and the gastro-interologist. Will proceed with caution.
Radiation. The biopsy of my lymph glands, performed two weeks ago, must have revealed a new spread of cancer - now I need radiation to fight it off while it is still newly developed. The weight of this news was heavy on my mind. As often happens, the caller was not aware that no earlier contact had been made to tell me the lymph nodes were clear. So today's visit was to allow the oncologist to confirm that all was looking very good and that I will undergo a precautionary radiation therapy on only the shoulder area where the original tumor had been removed. Therefore, I am not expected to see the cancer folks again for six months and then only as a further precaution against something unknown and unforeseen.
Cancer-FREE. Sounds too good to be true after ten months and three surgeries. But then, I am still being studied by the urologist and the gastro-interologist. Will proceed with caution.
Friday, October 18, 2013
A Few Decent Humans
The government shutdown really angered me, as I trust (and hope) it did for millions of our citizens. I sent a note to a commentary show asking why no one in the news seemed interested in discussing the Warren Buffett-inspired pettitions that were being circulated online to deny the members of Congress their regular pay during the shutdown. It was a very sane and logical idea. And naturally, it went nowhere.
Today during the news shows, a crawl at the bottom of the screen was saying that some members of Congress have decided to return the money they were paid during the shutdown or give it to charity. These particular legislators must have felt guilty all along because they were a part of the ugliness of wasting money and time while hurting the common cause for our society and setting back our feeble economy.
But these (I'm sure just a few) decent people who care about their fellow citizens were probably powerless to stop some of the idiocy in Congress; their only guilt was by association. I would bet that no members of the real trouble-making group who actually caused the shutdown are among the people giving back any money. Those fools (read: Tea Party Radicals) don't know what real giving back is all about. There is a deep sickness in our society that has allowed us to foster an elected taliban that is willing to use financial terrorism against our own people.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Reminder Request
Well, the government is back, open for business. That's a good thing. Now the fools who caused the trouble will visit a new alternate universe to concoct a story to explain the productive accomplishment that their respective political side can claim.
The fact is, nothing was accomplished except for the possible clarifying of who the fanatical obstructionists in Congress really are. At the very least, the one benefit of the whole last two weeks should come in 2014 - IF the Progressives and all the media outside of Fox News will properly remind the electorate of who these fools are. The names and photos of all 144 House members who voted "Nay" last night (to re-opening the government) should be almost constantly paraded in front of the voters who need to decide what they want their representatives to represent.
The next Congress needs to be one of action.
The fact is, nothing was accomplished except for the possible clarifying of who the fanatical obstructionists in Congress really are. At the very least, the one benefit of the whole last two weeks should come in 2014 - IF the Progressives and all the media outside of Fox News will properly remind the electorate of who these fools are. The names and photos of all 144 House members who voted "Nay" last night (to re-opening the government) should be almost constantly paraded in front of the voters who need to decide what they want their representatives to represent.
The next Congress needs to be one of action.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Out of Pure Appreciation - -
No, I don't yet have the Blogger situation figured out (and this whole entry will come out looking unedited because the final "Publish" order just dumps all the style I try to create) - but a friend of many years has said something so nice in the previous comment that I simply MUST write something. Hope it's still something "sane" sounding to her.
The CROCK-MARKET is looking feeble again and may totally crash. Serves it right! As I wrote last year, the whole idea of that facade of an economy having any positive impact on any of us beyond the very wealthy, is a real crock. Perhaps this time around, a big tumble will hurt (that's actually probably not possible) a few of the biggest, fattest cats and something new and better will come of it. The rich and powerful keep on putting the hurt on the whole country (I am confident "they" have contributed to the government shutdown, paying off crooked legislators to get their way), so it's only right that they occasionally get a kick in the groin.
All for now. I promise to try again to correct the blogging system that is failing me - as soon as my body that is failing me gives me another decent break from biopsies and meds. Will keep you posted.
NOV 12 update: As you can see, this is now somewhat edited since I wrote the piece and since Al Dexter helped me work on the Blogger input. Also, the govt. shutdown ended (with new ways to shoot itself in the foot awaiting our illustrious Congress); The CROCK-MARKET has rebounded again, following greater than expected recovery taking place - all because that "*&-%$#@*# President" keeps on pushing forward right through the obstructionist efforts of the Republican fools; And I am feeling marginally stronger after many bouts of check-ups and treatments by various doctors. This week I was fitted for the devices to be used in administering my radiation therapy that will begin next week. May take another hit against my energy levels for a time, but I feel positive about the eventual outcome.
The CROCK-MARKET is looking feeble again and may totally crash. Serves it right! As I wrote last year, the whole idea of that facade of an economy having any positive impact on any of us beyond the very wealthy, is a real crock. Perhaps this time around, a big tumble will hurt (that's actually probably not possible) a few of the biggest, fattest cats and something new and better will come of it. The rich and powerful keep on putting the hurt on the whole country (I am confident "they" have contributed to the government shutdown, paying off crooked legislators to get their way), so it's only right that they occasionally get a kick in the groin.
All for now. I promise to try again to correct the blogging system that is failing me - as soon as my body that is failing me gives me another decent break from biopsies and meds. Will keep you posted.
NOV 12 update: As you can see, this is now somewhat edited since I wrote the piece and since Al Dexter helped me work on the Blogger input. Also, the govt. shutdown ended (with new ways to shoot itself in the foot awaiting our illustrious Congress); The CROCK-MARKET has rebounded again, following greater than expected recovery taking place - all because that "*&-%$#@*# President" keeps on pushing forward right through the obstructionist efforts of the Republican fools; And I am feeling marginally stronger after many bouts of check-ups and treatments by various doctors. This week I was fitted for the devices to be used in administering my radiation therapy that will begin next week. May take another hit against my energy levels for a time, but I feel positive about the eventual outcome.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
SPORTS - A Way of Life for the Lucky
It occurs to me that perhaps the only really relaxed and fulfilled folks in our society are those whose lives revolve completely around sports. Their goals are clear and attainable. Those who participate know what it is they want (need) to achieve; those who are spectators (usually no less dedicated than the participants) are able to cheer, rant, blow off steam, gloat, etc., and keep their own scores on their lives tallied in simple wins & losses.
Probably the reason fantasy sports became such a giant hit is this simple tally. Yes, the internal workings of the draft selections and choices made each week do qualify as complex. But the over-all goals & accomplishments, making up the tally of wins & losses, would have to be seen as "simple" when viewed with the perspective of how life is lived on the planet as a whole.
For a professional athlete of any stripe, life certainly should be a blur of highlights with only pain of injury or unfortunate health issues being the downside. Incredible riches can befall a truly gifted athlete, but as the heading suggests, there has to be some luck involved to reach the apex of any sport. And for those who are anything but professional, maybe not even marginally athletic themselves and who just "live for the sport" - of whatever genre has grabbed the individual's attention - they have made their own luck. They choose not to wallow in the ugliness of the real world of poverty and politics, but to make their days happy ones filled with box scores and bets won or lost.
At times I have envied these souls who have elected to ride high above the common drudgery of living. Even the vast majority of them who have to work at some job or profession in order to feed their habit of attending sporting events or buying the accoutrement available everywhere, are somehow able to subjugate everything to their chosen sport madness. These lucky people are above us muck dwellers; they occupy a comfortable fan-attic.
Probably the reason fantasy sports became such a giant hit is this simple tally. Yes, the internal workings of the draft selections and choices made each week do qualify as complex. But the over-all goals & accomplishments, making up the tally of wins & losses, would have to be seen as "simple" when viewed with the perspective of how life is lived on the planet as a whole.
For a professional athlete of any stripe, life certainly should be a blur of highlights with only pain of injury or unfortunate health issues being the downside. Incredible riches can befall a truly gifted athlete, but as the heading suggests, there has to be some luck involved to reach the apex of any sport. And for those who are anything but professional, maybe not even marginally athletic themselves and who just "live for the sport" - of whatever genre has grabbed the individual's attention - they have made their own luck. They choose not to wallow in the ugliness of the real world of poverty and politics, but to make their days happy ones filled with box scores and bets won or lost.
At times I have envied these souls who have elected to ride high above the common drudgery of living. Even the vast majority of them who have to work at some job or profession in order to feed their habit of attending sporting events or buying the accoutrement available everywhere, are somehow able to subjugate everything to their chosen sport madness. These lucky people are above us muck dwellers; they occupy a comfortable fan-attic.
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