John McCain has got to have some really big balls, much larger than Obama's, because he has done what Obama was too afraid to do - choose a woman as his VP candidate and face all the consequences with the rabid liberal media.
It's amazing to hear the liberal media and their constituents going into conniption fits over McCain's choice of Palin for his running mate. It's almost hard to believe all the stupid, petty, idiotic crap that they are trying to throw around about Palin. Let's just look at some examples:
1. "She isn't experienced enough."
Please, and Obama is? At least Palin has had real executive experience that has resulted in actual change and progress in her state. All Obama has done is serve as a state Senator for a few years and then the US Senate for a few years, most of which has been spent campaigning for President. How much real change and reform has Obama actually brought about in his time as a Senator? As for foreign relations, I'd say they are just about the same, and that is why Obama chose an old white guy, Biden, as his running mate - to give his ticket some foreign relations credentials. Why is it okay for Obama to pick Biden (especially over Hillary who arguably really earned the VP candidacy) as a ploy to add that to his ticket, while it's not okay for McCain, who has plenty of his own foreign relations experience, to pick Palin who adds an element of "reality" to his ticket (where one of Obama's biggest criticisms of McCain is that he isn't "in touch" with the "common people"). Aside from her government service, Palin is very much an example of "common people."
2. "Conservative women aren't allowed to have careers and a family at the same time."
Wow, I really shouldn't have to explain the idiocy of that one, but apparently, it is necessary after all. I didn't make this up either. I just heard some old crotchety bag actually say that on TV about Palin. She actually said that it was hypocritical for conservatives to support a woman with five children, one of which is a Downs baby and another of which is a pregnant teen. She implied that Palin is a bad mother because she has common human family problems. So, somehow just because someone is a conservative they are automatically held up to some ridiculous higher standard than a "normal" person. Well, sorry, that's complete bullshit and pretty much as stupid as saying that because Palin had an amnio test during her pregnancy (certainly ordered by her doctors because of her mature age) then she shouldn't be against abortions. Yes, I have actually heard people say that too. Very stupid isn't it? That's about the same as saying that someone who has had a surgery shouldn't be against stabbing murders. Someone please explain to me why the rules must be different for conservative women than for liberal ones. What ever happened to equality and equal rights for all women?
3. Jane Smiley: "If the red phone rings in the middle of the night and she's breastfeeding, will she answer it?"
You know, how can a woman actually attack another woman in that way? It's really beyond horrible and hypocritical that so-called feminists would even imply that being a mother somehow reduces a woman's ability to do her job effectively. Doesn't that pretty much contradict all of their own philosophies and agendas about women being as capable as men and expecting equality, etc.?
I'm not sure if the above is a completely accurate quote of Smiley, but here is an equally stupid article about Palin's "hypocrisy" based on her own private choices as a mother and so on.
Smiley calls Palin "a woman who reinforces patriarchal power rather than challenges it." Say what?? "... a woman who attaches herself to men in power and then does them one better. She uses the freedom that the women's movement has brought her [to] quash the liberation of women with other views than hers." I really do hope that everyone can see how incredibly hypocritical and stupid Smiley's statements are here. So, according to Smiley a successful female politician should be a childless lesbian who hates men? It just confounds me that feminists are the first ones to attack a successful woman. Palin isn't trying to take away any other women's "liberation". If Smiley is referring to Palin's anti-abortion position, then that only refers to being against killing babies in the womb, not any kind of "women's lib."
There are many other such ridiculous statements and implications in Smiley's article. She says that Palin is hypocritical if she isn't breastfeeding her baby (even though breastfeeding also supposedly makes her unfit to work), as if it's anyone's business anyway. So does that make any woman who supports abortions a hypocrite is she doesn't actually have an abortion? You just cannot follow these liberal arguments because they all conflict and nullify each other. And it never matters what someone does because it is always the wrong thing to these rabid liberals because they are so confused themselves that they don't know right from wrong.
Smiley also says, "Who is taking care of the kids while she is away, including the baby? If it's the husband, I'm glad. If it's a nanny and always has been, then I want to know how a wealthy woman with a nanny helps women in general -- wealthy women with nannies are nothing new." Okay, so it's okay if she's making enough money for the hubby to stay home and care for children, but it's not okay for her to be making enough money to afford a nanny? Wow. Stupid idiots who get paid for writing tripe are nothing new either. Why isn't Smiley asking all of these questions of Nancy Pelosi's (who is actually in a pretty powerful position) childrearing practices and childcare history?
Another 'brilliant' point by Smiley: "If she produced a child at 44, I want to know if she believes in birth control, because birth control is a political issue. I also want to know her views on the government's obligations to the disabled. Do the disabled children of rich people get special treatments that their parents can afford, while the disabled children of poor people get nothing?" My God, does this Smiley woman have a brain at all? Does she even have any children herself? Has she never seen that the disabled children of the poor get all kinds of help for free and how exactly is it fair to desire for rich, disabled children to suffer needlessly? Just because a child has rich parents he is automatically less deserving than a poor child? Who does she think pays all the taxes to care for the poor kids anyway? It's those rich people, honey, who are paying for their own kids *in addition to* those poor kids.
Well, I kind of went off on a tangent away from the big balls of conservatives. But maybe it's just that conservative men have bigger balls and conservative women know how to handle them better (than the rabid liberal bitches who just want to tear them apart). ;-)
*I'm not saying that all liberals are rabid. Just making that clear.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
A Song for Sarah Palin
Congrats to McCain and his wise advisors on their outstanding choice of Sarah Palin as his Vice Presidential candidate. I didn't know her before, but she's definitely a Vicious Momma and that's a good thing. She's more socially conservative than I am, but it's not a big deal.
For you Sarah Palin and all of us other Vicious Mommas:
For you Sarah Palin and all of us other Vicious Mommas:
I am woman, hear me roar
In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back an' pretend
'cause I've heard it all before
And I've been down there on the floor
No one's ever gonna keep me down again
Oh yes I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman
You can bend but never break me
'cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
'cause you've deepened the conviction in my soul
Oh yes I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman
I am woman watch me grow
See me standing toe to toe
As I spread my lovin' arms across the land
But I'm still an embryo
With a long long way to go
Until I make my brother understand
Oh yes I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to I can face anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman
Oh, I am woman
I am invincible
I am strong
I am woman
I am invincible
I am strong
I am woman
"I am Woman" by Helen Reddy
Quick Random Notes
Example of good "defensive treaty":
Neighborhood Watch Programs. Only threatens the people who want to break the laws.
Boltzmann Brains:
Impossible except when trying discuss things in the weird dimension of the internet. What I mean is that a normal intelligent brain can somehow create a disembodied piece of junk that only superficially appears to be the same as the actual physical brain.
Racism:
It's only racism when it's an American who is supposedly "wrong." But everyone else in the world can say whatever insults against Americans that their Boltzmann's brains can create and that's okay and not racism.
100% agreement/consensus:
Impossible except in the Boltzmann's brains of those who aren't Americans and those who believe in global warming.
Wishful Thinking:
The delusions that keep hope alive.
Optimism:
The road to disappointment.
Pessimism:
The nasty reality that hope really does fail and that the world is probably being overtaken by a bunch of Boltzmann's brains (disembodied pieces of junk).
Precautionary Principle:
Hurricane evacuations are NOT an example of misapplication of the precautionary principle because the danger of not evacuating has been clearly demonstrated to be worse than the inconveniences of the evacuations.
Feel free to add your own in the comments.
Neighborhood Watch Programs. Only threatens the people who want to break the laws.
Boltzmann Brains:
Impossible except when trying discuss things in the weird dimension of the internet. What I mean is that a normal intelligent brain can somehow create a disembodied piece of junk that only superficially appears to be the same as the actual physical brain.
Racism:
It's only racism when it's an American who is supposedly "wrong." But everyone else in the world can say whatever insults against Americans that their Boltzmann's brains can create and that's okay and not racism.
100% agreement/consensus:
Impossible except in the Boltzmann's brains of those who aren't Americans and those who believe in global warming.
Wishful Thinking:
The delusions that keep hope alive.
Optimism:
The road to disappointment.
Pessimism:
The nasty reality that hope really does fail and that the world is probably being overtaken by a bunch of Boltzmann's brains (disembodied pieces of junk).
Precautionary Principle:
Hurricane evacuations are NOT an example of misapplication of the precautionary principle because the danger of not evacuating has been clearly demonstrated to be worse than the inconveniences of the evacuations.
Feel free to add your own in the comments.
Technical Note
I just wanted to clarify that sometimes I use the second person narrative as is common in the style of sermonizing. I am not necessarily addressing anyone in particular, so no one should take offense when I make statements about "you." Perhaps using the second person is confusing or sloppy grammar, but if you've ever been a church-goer "you" know that preachers often use it in their sermons.
So, just remember this, just because it says "you" doesn't mean that it's always about you. ;-)
So, just remember this, just because it says "you" doesn't mean that it's always about you. ;-)
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Oh, Grow Up!
At 50, Madonna just looks ridiculous trying to look 30 again. When will these women finally figure out that getting face lifts and botox and collagen implants only makes them look like old clowns instead of better? You know, having some wrinkles and gray hair isn't the worst thing in the world. There is a kind of natural, yet complex, beauty in the face of a mature woman. Why should we try to hide that?
Monday, August 25, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Music Therapy
It's time for something uplifting. One of my favorite Led Zeppelin songs:
Actually, I got an idea for a video to make to this song, but this one will have to do for now.
"In the Light" by Led Zeppelin
And if you feel that you can't go on
And your will's sinkin' low
Just believe and you can't go wrong
In the light you will find the road
You will find the road
Hey, did you ever believe that I could leave you, standing out in the cold
Ay-yay baby I know how it feels 'cause I have slipped through to the very depths of my soul, yeah
Oh woah baby I just wanna show what I'd give you
It is from every bend in the road
Now listen
Oh, whoa-whoa, as I was and really would be for you, too, honey
As you would for me, oh, I would share your load
Let me share your load
Ooh, let me share,
Share your load
And if you feel that you can't go on
In the light you will find the road
Ay oh though the winds of change may blow around you, but that will always be so
When love is pain it can devour you, but you are never alone
I would share your load
I would share your load
Baby, let me, oh, let me
In the light
Everybody needs the light.
Oh yeah yeah ooh baby everybody everybody light light light In the light, light light light in the light,light light light in the light in the light
Light, light, light, in the light
Light, light, light, in the light, ooh, yeah
Light, light, light, in the light
Actually, I got an idea for a video to make to this song, but this one will have to do for now.
A Little Too Ironic
Maybe God hasn't been as amused by me as I had thought. Or maybe the AntiChrist has put a curse on my family. Or maybe we can blame global warming. My own favorite scapegoat of the moment is the accelerating universe. Hey, if the universe is accelerating then isn't everything in it also accelerating (even out of control)? You see, I don't have any more faith in Science as I do God because no scientist has ever done any more for me than God has. At least, as all those self-righteous atheists like so say, where's the proof? ;-)
I'm not sure how many more blows I can take because I'm already feeling very beat up by all the things that have happened in the last few years, particularly this past year and a half. I'm beginning to feel like Job or something. It hasn't even been 5 months since my dad died, and just when I was thinking that I was feeling okay and all that, I've found out that I have a skin cancer. Isn't it ironic? Well, actually, I guess I've really had it 2 or 3 years but just had no clue that it was a cancer instead of a simple skin tag. But then, I have been pretty fucking busy being there for everyone else so that I probably haven't had any time for paying enough attention to my own self.
Oh, no big deal, you might think, blah, blah, blah, it's just a little skin cancer, blah, blah, blah, but if that's the case then you really haven't been paying any attention to what's been happening over the recent past. Yeah, maybe I'm taking it too hard. But you know what? It's times and experiences like this that show us who our real, true friends and loved ones are. You know who you are and who you aren't. Real friends don't dismiss us when we actually need them. Real friends don't turn away and refuse to be there because it's too inconvenient or difficult for them to deal with our crisis. Real friends don't tell us that it's too sad or stressful or depressing to be our friend. Oh, fair weather friends, what a waste of life.
And this is the lesson I've learned from atheists. Because they have no faith in anything other than their own thoughts, feelings, needs, convenience, and so and and so forth, they really can't be real friends and they really can't know real love. They are incapable of sacrificing for others, as the example of Jesus Christ did whether you "believe" in his divinity or not, because it's always all about them - what they want, what they need, what they have time and energy for, what is convenient for them, what suits them, what makes them happy, the list goes on and on...
Do I sound bitter? Well, maybe I am a little bitter about how things are turning out. I really have tried to be there for those I've considered friends and those I love. I really have tried to go above and beyond and to set aside my own needs, feelings, and wants in order to be there for my loved ones. And what do I get for all of that? (What did Jesus get for all of his sacrifice?)
ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?" that is, "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?"
Matthew 27:46
Jesus wasn't asking God that question so much as he was asking his supposed loved ones who ran away and vanished in his time of greatest need. Well, he still swallowed his jagged little pill anyway.
"You Learn" by Alanis Morissette
I recommend getting your heart trampled on to anyone
I recommend walking around naked in your living room
Swallow it down (what a jagged little pill)
It feels so good (swimming in your stomach)
Wait until the dust settles
You live you learn
You love you learn
You cry you learn
You lose you learn
You bleed you learn
You scream you learn
I recommend biting off more then you can chew to anyone
I certainly do
I recommend sticking your foot in your mouth at any time
Feel free
Throw it down (the caution blocks you from the wind)
Hold it up (to the rays)
You wait and see when the smoke clears
You live you learn
You love you learn
You cry you learn
You lose you learn
You bleed you learn
You scream you learn
Wear it out (the way a three-year-old would do)
Melt it down (you're gonna have to eventually anyway)
The fire trucks are coming up around the bend
You live you learn
You love you learn
You cry you learn
You lose you learn
You bleed you learn
You scream you learn
You grieve you learn
You choke you learn
You laugh you learn
You choose you learn
You pray you learn
You ask you learn
You live you learn
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Superlative
What can I say? Those speedos don't hide much. ;-) (I'd like to see Eli Manning, and maybe another guy ;-), in those.)
Congratulations to Michael Phelps on his superlative Olympics performances. But he should also be very thankful for Jason Lezak's greatness in the relays.
I've been a little annoyed with some aspects of the Olympics coverage on TV. It's just not right that they don't have any problems showing the beach volleyball women's butts with their bikini bottoms halfway up their cracks, but they just always cut off the shots of the male swimmers so that we can't see their packages in those cute speedos. It's not fair! ;-)
On the subject of swimming I have to say that despite a few cases of aches and pains, after lots of swimming this summer I've been feeling more fit than I have for about 10 years. Well, not that I could do the Rocket Queen again, but we have to consider that my body has survived more than a few major traumas in the last decade, including having two babies. So, at 40, I think I'm in decent condition and even much better than I was at 35. No, I'm not Dara Torres, but she has an entire team of massage and who-knows-what-else therapists keeping her 41 year old body in good working condition. I'm not sure I'd want to look like her anyway. I'm pretty muscular but her arms and shoulders are very mannish and scary-looking to me.
Congrats to all the Olympic athletes!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Podunk Barbarians
Okay, this will probably offend many people but I don't care because I'm an American with Freedom of Speech and if you don't like it you can kiss my healthy American ass. So proceed at your own risk.
Despite what so many ignorant people around the world would like to think and say about Americans, we are an exceedingly civilized people. There are many ethnic groups that dislike each other and do have conflicts in some of the urban areas, but for the most part Americans peacefully live in and share communities with people that they don't necessarily like, love, respect, or care about. We hear that there is a huge amount of "ethnic hate" in the various little podunk regions of Europe, etc. Well, why can't they just get along? I mean, it's not that hard to peacefully coexist with people you don't really like, as long as everyone agrees to just be civil. I think the answer is actually that they are just barbarians that can't get along with anyone. And actually, the barbarians aren't restricted to only the small podunk places. It appears that Russia is still run by a bunch of barbarians too.
And another point that isn't really understood by uppity, opinionated foreigners is that the majority of guns owned in the US are NEVER used to commit any crimes. And the reason for that is because most people have a strong sense of personal responsibility and discipline and self-control (because they generally know that is required when you have a lot of Freedom). Of course, many of us might fantasize about shooting some annoying assholes, but we don't do it. It's not that difficult not to shoot people even though we have the means to do it and might really want to. Just imagine what all those barbarians in those podunk regions of Europe, etc, would do if they had as many guns as Americans. It would be total bedlam and chaos because they just don't know how, or maybe even aren't actually capable of the self control required, to get along with people who are different from them.
Are you angry and offended yet? Do you want to shoot me or otherwise shut me up? Well, good. Learn how to deal with that anger, resentment, offense, and outrage in some way other than to attack me. This is what most of us Americans have to learn in order to get along with a lot of different types of people who are going to do and say things that we don't like. I'm just telling the barbarians of the world to use their brains to overcome their animalistic instincts to kill or harm those they dislike. Duh! It's not that difficult.
Of course, some worms might come out of the woodwork to try to tell me how ignorant or stupid I am because I don't understand the history of those regions and blah, blah, blah. Well, sorry, but it's just not that complicated to learn how to live in peace. All it takes is some self-control and willingness to let some things be, even if we don't like them. You know, people shouldn't use their supposedly "complex histories" as excuses to be dickheads. And really, this is the big challenge of Freedom. It's too bad that some people are too lazy to deal with the responsibilities that Freedom requires. They want laws to control everyone else's behavior that might offend them, like all the "politically correct" language and other garbage that they demand. Well, shit, just get over it already.
I don't know why Georgia thought it could get into some fight with Russia. Some dingalings are trying to say that it was part of some right-wing conspiracy by Bush, et al. Good lord, they're so blinded by their own hatred that they can't see that the real villian here is likely Russia. If there are any conspiracies involved it's one invented by Russia. They probably provoked the Georgians by arming the South Ossetians and so on. Well, if I was the Georgian leader I'd have said, "Okay, go and be Russian if that's what you want but don't expect any help or anything from us when it all goes to shit for you." I don't really have a problem with "separatists". If they want to separate, fine. Open the door for them and kick their asses on the way out. Be free, go in peace, and all that crap.
If you've managed to make it this far, let me tell you one more thing. I'm just a foul-mouthed, preachy Redneck momma from my own little podunk region, and we have at least a dozen guns of various types that haven't ever been used to threaten or hurt any human being, barbarian or not. But if push comes to shove, I just might take a page out of the Russian playbook and blow the living shit out anyone who tries to take my Freedom away from me. Amen, be free, go in peace. ;-)
And if you're thinking that I might be the Antichrist, well you aren't the first one. ;-)
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Shaft
Isaac Hayes found dead today.
Shaft!
Who's the black private dick
That's a sex machine to all the chicks?
(Shaft!)
You're damn right
Who is the man
That would risk his neck for his brother man?
(Shaft!)
Can ya dig it?
Who's the cat that won't cop out
When there's danger all about
(Shaft!)
Right on
You see this cat Shaft is a bad mother--
(Shut your mouth)
But I'm talkin' about Shaft
(Then we can dig it)
He's a complicated man
But no one understands him but his woman
(John Shaft)
Why Americans Distrust Russia
I really bothers me when Americans are dismissed as "stupid" and "ignorant" in regards to their ideas about foreign relations. It's very unfair and short-sighted because it reveals its own kind of ignorance about why Americans think the way they do. Maybe it doesn't occur to foreigners that most of us Americans over a certain age were educated in the Soviet era in which we were not allowed to know anything about the Soviet Bloc, and any attempts to learn were met with lies, propaganda, and denials by the Soviets et al.
The Soviets wanted us to think that all of the USSR and its "bloc" were completely homogenous culturally and socially, etc, because that implied that Communism/Socialism erased all differences, boundaries, and conflicts among what in reality turns out to be a bunch of different types of people.* Imagine growing up having to accept what was fed to you and not being allowed to learn any different or having to make assumptions about places and people because you weren't given any information. This explains the "ignorance" of many Americans about the constituents of the former Soviet Bloc. They did it to us because they wanted us to be ignorant, much like the wanted their own people to be ignorant of how Americans really are.
Also many American adults grew up during the Cold War in which there was a fairly constant fear that the USSR would try to attack us or any of our allies or that they would support some other country that wanted to attack us (like Cuba). While some might view that fear as irrational paranoia they should recall that it was actually part of the "defeat" of Communist aggressors. I think that many of us retain a sense of paranoia and distrust of Russia because of its history as the "center" of the USSR, and it looks like their current leadership isn't really all that different from the Soviet leadership. Personally, I'm still paranoid and distrustful of Russia and its motivations. If that makes me "stupid" or "ignorant" then show me why I should trust Russia...
Okay, so it's true that policy makers and good journalists should educate themselves about the things that were hidden from us before, but it's pretty unrealistic to expect this to happen instantaneously. And who do you trust now? Do we believe the new versions coming from Russia or do we trust the previously suppressed people who are seeking their own new freedom and independence? Americans have been bred on Freedom and self-motivation and self-determination. It's kind of hard for us to understand why anyone shouldn't be allowed to separate from their previous political, social ties. Precedent is important, but must it be the primary factor in determining how things should be? Sometimes precedent has been very wrong (like slavery, limitations on sufferage, etc).
This American world view might be problematic, but Freedom is never easy. The more degrees of freedom the more possible deviations can occur. Maybe Freedom isn't for everyone. But let the ones who want it have it. I don't perceive Russia as a great promoter of Freedom. And if I were living in a previously Soviet bloc country I would be pretty paranoid about Russia deciding that it wanted that territory back and invading in order to get it. Maybe that's just too far-fetched, but maybe it's not. Maybe having a lot of Freedom does cause people to have an underlying paranoia of the motivations of others because of knowing that Freedom is always vulnerable to attacks by those who want to control more than just themselves.
No, I don't have any solutions or practical wisdom to the conflicts in the world. But I do hope that people will try to see things from other than their own point of view.
*Watching the Olympics it is apparent that China also wants the world to believe that all of China is homogenous and harmonious because of its Communism. Well, little good their 300,000 security cameras all over the place did to prevent an American from being murdered there on the first day. Maybe it was a government hit meant to test the American response. Also why was the American anthem cut off during Michael Phelps's gold medal ceremony? Maybe it was just another subtle(?) disrespect towards America. And the statements of a Chinese gymnast were very revealing about the nature of life under the Chinese Communist control. He said that Chinese athletes carry a "heavy burden" and are not self-movitated. He implied that the consequences of disappointing performances were excessive, and the scene of Chinese soldiers overseeing every aspect of his training was concerning and a little frightening.
The Soviets wanted us to think that all of the USSR and its "bloc" were completely homogenous culturally and socially, etc, because that implied that Communism/Socialism erased all differences, boundaries, and conflicts among what in reality turns out to be a bunch of different types of people.* Imagine growing up having to accept what was fed to you and not being allowed to learn any different or having to make assumptions about places and people because you weren't given any information. This explains the "ignorance" of many Americans about the constituents of the former Soviet Bloc. They did it to us because they wanted us to be ignorant, much like the wanted their own people to be ignorant of how Americans really are.
Also many American adults grew up during the Cold War in which there was a fairly constant fear that the USSR would try to attack us or any of our allies or that they would support some other country that wanted to attack us (like Cuba). While some might view that fear as irrational paranoia they should recall that it was actually part of the "defeat" of Communist aggressors. I think that many of us retain a sense of paranoia and distrust of Russia because of its history as the "center" of the USSR, and it looks like their current leadership isn't really all that different from the Soviet leadership. Personally, I'm still paranoid and distrustful of Russia and its motivations. If that makes me "stupid" or "ignorant" then show me why I should trust Russia...
Okay, so it's true that policy makers and good journalists should educate themselves about the things that were hidden from us before, but it's pretty unrealistic to expect this to happen instantaneously. And who do you trust now? Do we believe the new versions coming from Russia or do we trust the previously suppressed people who are seeking their own new freedom and independence? Americans have been bred on Freedom and self-motivation and self-determination. It's kind of hard for us to understand why anyone shouldn't be allowed to separate from their previous political, social ties. Precedent is important, but must it be the primary factor in determining how things should be? Sometimes precedent has been very wrong (like slavery, limitations on sufferage, etc).
This American world view might be problematic, but Freedom is never easy. The more degrees of freedom the more possible deviations can occur. Maybe Freedom isn't for everyone. But let the ones who want it have it. I don't perceive Russia as a great promoter of Freedom. And if I were living in a previously Soviet bloc country I would be pretty paranoid about Russia deciding that it wanted that territory back and invading in order to get it. Maybe that's just too far-fetched, but maybe it's not. Maybe having a lot of Freedom does cause people to have an underlying paranoia of the motivations of others because of knowing that Freedom is always vulnerable to attacks by those who want to control more than just themselves.
No, I don't have any solutions or practical wisdom to the conflicts in the world. But I do hope that people will try to see things from other than their own point of view.
*Watching the Olympics it is apparent that China also wants the world to believe that all of China is homogenous and harmonious because of its Communism. Well, little good their 300,000 security cameras all over the place did to prevent an American from being murdered there on the first day. Maybe it was a government hit meant to test the American response. Also why was the American anthem cut off during Michael Phelps's gold medal ceremony? Maybe it was just another subtle(?) disrespect towards America. And the statements of a Chinese gymnast were very revealing about the nature of life under the Chinese Communist control. He said that Chinese athletes carry a "heavy burden" and are not self-movitated. He implied that the consequences of disappointing performances were excessive, and the scene of Chinese soldiers overseeing every aspect of his training was concerning and a little frightening.
Friday, August 08, 2008
08-08-08
I don't know if there is any mystical significance to today's date, though 8 on its side is the same as the symbol for eternity. Triple Eternity. Trinity. Oh, whatever. I'm having some problems with my brain this week. It wants to confuse me about what is a delusion and what is only a possibility but not necessarily a probability. Are you confused yet too? ;-)
Well, I always got a "Bill Clinton" vibe about John Edwards, and I'm sure that I mentioned it to someone back when he was stilling running for the Dem. nomination. By "Bill Clinton vibe" I mean, "adulterer." I know I predicted to at least one person that such a scandal would come out about him before the election, but she might not remember that I said it. Okay, so adultry isn't the worst thing a person can do, except maybe when his wife is suffering from cancer... Anyway, I knew this about him from one of my "bizarre intuitions" and I have to admit that I do feel a little vindicated about it.
Another prediction/intuition I've had that has turned out to be even more accurate than I first imagined is that banking is corrupt and causing lots of the problems in our society. Well, look at the mortgage mess and all the reverberations. Correct again, if I may say so.
Those are only two examples of how spontaneous insights that seemed far-out at first ended up being true. There are others. There are always others that fade from memory until some random news reminds me that I knew that already. This is a curse. I used to wish that I knew the future and could read people's minds, but we really must be careful what we wish for because when we get it, it never looks the way we expected or hoped. Like the Shadow who "knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men," I can see the internal Pitch Forks. ;-) Yes, maybe I'm just another crazy with delusions of grandeur, and to be frank, I hide about 90% of my "bizarre" thoughts from my friends and family because I fear their perception that I've completely lost my mind. But really, more often than not they are true. I just know things.
Being right most of the time makes it especially difficult to talk myself out of some new bizarre insight or intuition or delusion or whatever you want to call it. Sometimes things look so obvious and sensible, but of course there are some times when they really are completely false and unfounded. What percentage of time does being right overcome being wrong? How do I know unless I look for explanations and ask questions, sometimes really weird and maybe even disturbing questions? My husband isn't too surprised or bothered anymore when I ask him some crazy question to check myself. And for his willingness to endure this I am very grateful, and more sane.
I guess those of us with faulty brains just have misfiring neurons or some other neural events that cause us to create wild ideas. Sometimes creativity is great, but others it is very problematic. No one wants to listen or take seriously or deal with anything out of the ordinary, and so much of it is suppressed or otherwise hidden. Blah, blah, blah. I'm just trying to explain what goes on in a crazy mind.
Next week school starts so we'll be busy with all of that. I really don't care for the school schedule these days because they get out too soon in May and go back too soon in August.
Well, I always got a "Bill Clinton" vibe about John Edwards, and I'm sure that I mentioned it to someone back when he was stilling running for the Dem. nomination. By "Bill Clinton vibe" I mean, "adulterer." I know I predicted to at least one person that such a scandal would come out about him before the election, but she might not remember that I said it. Okay, so adultry isn't the worst thing a person can do, except maybe when his wife is suffering from cancer... Anyway, I knew this about him from one of my "bizarre intuitions" and I have to admit that I do feel a little vindicated about it.
Another prediction/intuition I've had that has turned out to be even more accurate than I first imagined is that banking is corrupt and causing lots of the problems in our society. Well, look at the mortgage mess and all the reverberations. Correct again, if I may say so.
Those are only two examples of how spontaneous insights that seemed far-out at first ended up being true. There are others. There are always others that fade from memory until some random news reminds me that I knew that already. This is a curse. I used to wish that I knew the future and could read people's minds, but we really must be careful what we wish for because when we get it, it never looks the way we expected or hoped. Like the Shadow who "knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men," I can see the internal Pitch Forks. ;-) Yes, maybe I'm just another crazy with delusions of grandeur, and to be frank, I hide about 90% of my "bizarre" thoughts from my friends and family because I fear their perception that I've completely lost my mind. But really, more often than not they are true. I just know things.
Being right most of the time makes it especially difficult to talk myself out of some new bizarre insight or intuition or delusion or whatever you want to call it. Sometimes things look so obvious and sensible, but of course there are some times when they really are completely false and unfounded. What percentage of time does being right overcome being wrong? How do I know unless I look for explanations and ask questions, sometimes really weird and maybe even disturbing questions? My husband isn't too surprised or bothered anymore when I ask him some crazy question to check myself. And for his willingness to endure this I am very grateful, and more sane.
I guess those of us with faulty brains just have misfiring neurons or some other neural events that cause us to create wild ideas. Sometimes creativity is great, but others it is very problematic. No one wants to listen or take seriously or deal with anything out of the ordinary, and so much of it is suppressed or otherwise hidden. Blah, blah, blah. I'm just trying to explain what goes on in a crazy mind.
Next week school starts so we'll be busy with all of that. I really don't care for the school schedule these days because they get out too soon in May and go back too soon in August.
"Right Place Wrong Time" by Dr. John
I been in the right place, but it must have been the wrong time
I'd have said the right thing, but I must have used the wrong line
I been in the right trip, but I must have used the wrong car
My head was in a bad place, and I'm wondering what it's good for
I been the right place, but it must have been the wrong time
My head was in a bad place, but I'm having such a good time
I been running trying, things get hung up in my mind
Got to give myself a good talking-to this time
Just need a little brain salad surgery
Got to cure my insecurity
I been in the wrong place, but it must have been the right time
I been in the right place, but it must have been the wrong song
I been in the right vein, but it seems like the wrong arm
I been in the right world, but it seems wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong
Slipping dodging sneaking creeping hiding out down the street
See me life shaking with every who I meet
Refried confusion is making itself clear
Wonder which way do I go to get on out of here
I been in the right place, but it must have been the wrong time
I'd have said the right thing, but I must have used the wrong line
I'd have took the right road, but I must have took a wrong turn
I'd have took the right move, but I made it at the wrong time
I been on the right trip, but I took it in the wrong car
My head was in a good place, and I wonder what it's bad for.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Fairy Tale
This is a book "review" of the novel Fairy Tale by Walt Foreman (available at amazon also), who happens to be my best friend's brother though I don't really know Walt at all.
First of all, I recommend this book to everyone I know. I'll get to the reasons why soon enough, but since this is a very casual and 'off the cuff' review there are some other things I want to explain. If you're looking for more standard reviews please do click the links above or do your own google search. :-)
It is certainly no reflection on Walt's writing and book that it has taken me about 2.5 years to complete it (today). That actually is my own weird quirk about reading, and that I finished it at all should be seen as a sign of my fondness for it. In the months, years probably, between readings the story never left me completely and I frequently told myself to just go ahead and finish it already. But it is very difficult for me to sit still long enough to read fiction because there are so many other things that I want to do with my limited 'free' time. Usually I'm more interested in making things or thinking my own thoughts instead of reading someone else's imaginations, fantasies, and dreams. Okay, so maybe I'm a little selfish, but whatever. This isn't supposed to be about me anyway. ;-)
I thoroughly enjoyed Walt's style of writing which is pretty similar to the way that I think, with lots of long (and short) parentheticals, tangents, and skipping (sometimes wildly) from one topic or place to another. If you can't keep up with that kind of flow then you probably wouldn't like Fairy Tale. But I will say that Walt is a much better (and better trained) writer than I pretend to be, though sometimes he's a little heavy on the ostentatious vocabulary (but it sort of works because it adds to the tone and mood of the story and so on).
Basically, it is a story of unrequited love. Haven't we all had that experience? But the depth of emotion and obsession is impressive in this story and that is why I like it so much. As Walt attempts a pilgrimage to reclaim his beloved Abigail he encounters an amazing and hilarious bunch of characters that are probably closer to reality than most people, other than rural Tennesseans, realize. The outrageousness of his pilgrimage entertains as it reveals Walt's internal struggles with his love and obsession with Abigail.
Well, I've taken my own ill-fated pilgrimage many years ago, though it was quite different from Fairy Tale and I can't really describe it without needlessly reopening old wounds. However, it had it's fair share of drama, pleasant surprises, magic, frustration, and heartbreak. Perhaps that experience influenced my reading and (possibly) perverse pleasure in Fairy Tale. Maybe I shouldn't admit to having had many of the exact same thoughts and feelings described by Walt. Maybe Walt is really as insane as I can be? (please, dear Walt, if you ever read this, don't take offense at my amateur psychoanalysis as it is meant as a true compliment because I'm a little bit proud of the creativity, which seems pretty similar to your own, that is likely a side-effect of my mental instabilities/peculiarities)
Okay, this isn't much of a review so I should probably try to focus. I found Fairy Tale very poetic at times, and at others I found myself absorbed in the indulgent sensual descriptions of the world of Fairy Tale. I found myself wondering if Walt might have been smoking some good weed, though from what his sister has said that is probably not the case (but there should be no shame, Walt, if you might have done it). Was there anything I didn't like about the book? No not really, not anything that especially bothered me because I reminded myself that this is a Fairy Tale (even if somewhat autobiographical) and it is all about one man's obsession, fantasies, dreams, delusions, hallucinations, and faith in his version of God. (It might be a little preachy at times to those inclined away from Fundamentalist Christianity, but I didn't find the religious parts so bothersome.)
Have I said everything I meant to say? Oh, okay, a couple more things. While reading, I found myself thinking, "Well, I don't have to write this kind of story now because Walt has already done it well enough and I can just tell people to read it if they would like a peek into what is sometimes happening in my own often chaotic mind." Another thing I probably shouldn't admit to is that I almost like the idea of a man being so "in love" and obsessed with me that he would write an entire novel to try to win my heart, but surely that is just a symptom of my own madness. ;-) And although I might be privy to some extra knowledge about the backstory, etc, I still very much enjoyed reading this book and hope that Walt will continue writing and making movies.
Good luck, Walt, and thanks for writing some fiction that I actually invested my time to read.
First of all, I recommend this book to everyone I know. I'll get to the reasons why soon enough, but since this is a very casual and 'off the cuff' review there are some other things I want to explain. If you're looking for more standard reviews please do click the links above or do your own google search. :-)
It is certainly no reflection on Walt's writing and book that it has taken me about 2.5 years to complete it (today). That actually is my own weird quirk about reading, and that I finished it at all should be seen as a sign of my fondness for it. In the months, years probably, between readings the story never left me completely and I frequently told myself to just go ahead and finish it already. But it is very difficult for me to sit still long enough to read fiction because there are so many other things that I want to do with my limited 'free' time. Usually I'm more interested in making things or thinking my own thoughts instead of reading someone else's imaginations, fantasies, and dreams. Okay, so maybe I'm a little selfish, but whatever. This isn't supposed to be about me anyway. ;-)
I thoroughly enjoyed Walt's style of writing which is pretty similar to the way that I think, with lots of long (and short) parentheticals, tangents, and skipping (sometimes wildly) from one topic or place to another. If you can't keep up with that kind of flow then you probably wouldn't like Fairy Tale. But I will say that Walt is a much better (and better trained) writer than I pretend to be, though sometimes he's a little heavy on the ostentatious vocabulary (but it sort of works because it adds to the tone and mood of the story and so on).
Basically, it is a story of unrequited love. Haven't we all had that experience? But the depth of emotion and obsession is impressive in this story and that is why I like it so much. As Walt attempts a pilgrimage to reclaim his beloved Abigail he encounters an amazing and hilarious bunch of characters that are probably closer to reality than most people, other than rural Tennesseans, realize. The outrageousness of his pilgrimage entertains as it reveals Walt's internal struggles with his love and obsession with Abigail.
I was intensely frustrated. My pilgrimage had devolved into beer and tortilla chips and a fishing show. The earth was hurtling through space, time was marching forward and I was moving no closer to my love. My love was at that moment quite likely forgetting me more than she had the moment before; I would soon be no more than a successfully repressed memory. How could this be called a pilgrimage?
Well, I've taken my own ill-fated pilgrimage many years ago, though it was quite different from Fairy Tale and I can't really describe it without needlessly reopening old wounds. However, it had it's fair share of drama, pleasant surprises, magic, frustration, and heartbreak. Perhaps that experience influenced my reading and (possibly) perverse pleasure in Fairy Tale. Maybe I shouldn't admit to having had many of the exact same thoughts and feelings described by Walt. Maybe Walt is really as insane as I can be? (please, dear Walt, if you ever read this, don't take offense at my amateur psychoanalysis as it is meant as a true compliment because I'm a little bit proud of the creativity, which seems pretty similar to your own, that is likely a side-effect of my mental instabilities/peculiarities)
Okay, this isn't much of a review so I should probably try to focus. I found Fairy Tale very poetic at times, and at others I found myself absorbed in the indulgent sensual descriptions of the world of Fairy Tale. I found myself wondering if Walt might have been smoking some good weed, though from what his sister has said that is probably not the case (but there should be no shame, Walt, if you might have done it). Was there anything I didn't like about the book? No not really, not anything that especially bothered me because I reminded myself that this is a Fairy Tale (even if somewhat autobiographical) and it is all about one man's obsession, fantasies, dreams, delusions, hallucinations, and faith in his version of God. (It might be a little preachy at times to those inclined away from Fundamentalist Christianity, but I didn't find the religious parts so bothersome.)
Have I said everything I meant to say? Oh, okay, a couple more things. While reading, I found myself thinking, "Well, I don't have to write this kind of story now because Walt has already done it well enough and I can just tell people to read it if they would like a peek into what is sometimes happening in my own often chaotic mind." Another thing I probably shouldn't admit to is that I almost like the idea of a man being so "in love" and obsessed with me that he would write an entire novel to try to win my heart, but surely that is just a symptom of my own madness. ;-) And although I might be privy to some extra knowledge about the backstory, etc, I still very much enjoyed reading this book and hope that Walt will continue writing and making movies.
Good luck, Walt, and thanks for writing some fiction that I actually invested my time to read.
Dear Paris Hilton,
Actually, I kind of like your reply to McCain because it is pretty funny:
But I feel I must inform you of a couple of things. First, you're not old enough to be President. The Constitution (you should Google it) states that one must be at least 35 years old to be President, so you and your choice of VP don't quite make it. Second, and please don't hate me for saying this, you really aren't that hot. You're really kind of ugly, in the face anyway. If you weren't super-rich with all kinds of people fixing your hair and makeup and all that, then you'd be a basic girl with no great beauty. In other words, your beauty is totally artificial. Which actually is a lot like most politicians. ;-)
Okay, so maybe saying that doesn't endear me to you, but if you are going into politics you'll have to develop a very tough skin. However, I have an offer for you. If you back me, financially and socially, as a Presidential candidate (at 40 I am definitely old enough) then I will make you the official White House decorator/interior designer because I actually do like the idea of painting the White House pink. :-) Plus, you do seem to have a decent sense of humor and that goes a long way towards overcoming your faults and conceits.
Please think about this offer. I have some very good, practical ideas about how to straighten out most of the problems in our country, but I just need somemoney help getting those ideas put into action.
Sincerely,
Rae Ann aka Vicious Momma
See more Paris Hilton videos at Funny or Die
But I feel I must inform you of a couple of things. First, you're not old enough to be President. The Constitution (you should Google it) states that one must be at least 35 years old to be President, so you and your choice of VP don't quite make it. Second, and please don't hate me for saying this, you really aren't that hot. You're really kind of ugly, in the face anyway. If you weren't super-rich with all kinds of people fixing your hair and makeup and all that, then you'd be a basic girl with no great beauty. In other words, your beauty is totally artificial. Which actually is a lot like most politicians. ;-)
Okay, so maybe saying that doesn't endear me to you, but if you are going into politics you'll have to develop a very tough skin. However, I have an offer for you. If you back me, financially and socially, as a Presidential candidate (at 40 I am definitely old enough) then I will make you the official White House decorator/interior designer because I actually do like the idea of painting the White House pink. :-) Plus, you do seem to have a decent sense of humor and that goes a long way towards overcoming your faults and conceits.
Please think about this offer. I have some very good, practical ideas about how to straighten out most of the problems in our country, but I just need some
Sincerely,
Rae Ann aka Vicious Momma
Friday, August 01, 2008
Civil War Diary, Part 1
We haven't been making great progress in cleaning out my dad's house. I keep getting caught up in looking at all the cool old stuff like photo albums, childhood artwork and schoolwork, and other family mementos. My dad collected lots of interesting old stuff and it's like going through a time capsule. The following is my great, great grandfather's (Lewis Samuel Clovis Howard, 1835-1897) diary (to be posted in parts due to its length) he kept while serving for the Union in the Civil War. I've linked relevant maps and other additional information and retained the original spellings, grammar, and punctuation.
I don't know why he served for the Union instead of joining the Rebels since Tennessee did secede from the Union. Maybe the Union paid better? ;-)
Daily Diary of L.S.C. Howard's Army Record
Sworn in 1861
Discharged 1864
August 10, 1861
Left Morgan County and marched by T. Staples and nine miles to the left of Huntsville and on by Montcella [sic] in Ky. Thence across the Cumberland River at the Horseshoe bend and through Jamestown. And on By Middleburg and by Danville, then to Camp Robinson, 210 miles
Arrived here 19 of Aug.
Volunteered 19th
Sworn in the 20th of August, 1861
October 20, 1861
Remained here until the 20 Oct. 1861, then we received orders to march to Camp Wildcat, 44 miles, which we made in two days and a night. Remained here till
October 28, 1861
Then we received orders to march to London, then according to orders marched to Camp Pittman.
October 29, 1861
Marched to London and remained there some time
December 7, 1861
Ordered to Somerset. Therefore as we marched on the 8th, we passed by Sublinity Spring on the Rockcastle River and on the 9th camped at Somerset.
December 15, 1861
Paid by the Government $40.95
January 19, 1862
A fight is commenced.
January 20, 1862
Victory Completed at Millsprings
January 22, 1862
Marched back to Somerset
January 26, 1862
Left Somerset 5 or 6 miles
February 2, 1862
Left London and marched in the direction of Cumberland Gap
February 4, 1862
Marched to Barbourville
February 12, 1862
Marched to Flatlick
February 15, 1862
Marched to the Cumberland foard
May 22, 1862
Paid $26 by the Government
June 7, 1862
Left the foard and camped at the Moss house.
June 11, 1862
Left the Moss house and marched through the big Creek Gap, then up Powells Valley to the Cumberland Gap the 18th of June
June 20, 1862
Marched to Tazwell 10 or 12 miles. Stayed near a day there then returned back to camps
June 28, 1862
Left Camps and marched to Capt. Mires 1 Regt. E.T. (1st Regiment East Tennessee Volunteers) then toward Knoxville to Kingkades an aid [sic] Rebels near the Clinch River then back to Camps. And crossed Powells R. at or near the Ledmind bend and here at the river we was fired on by the Rebels but we whipped them soon. then marched on to Camps
July 1, 1862
Arrived at Camps.
August 4, 1862
Appointed Corp. and sent to the Provost M.
August 14, 1862
Drummed out of the service one private from Co. "A", E. Tenn. Vols.
August 16, 1862
All moved up in the Gap.
September 16, 1862
Left the Pro. M.
September 17, 1862
17 day about midnight our Regiment left the Gap.
September 18, 1862
18th night camped at Flatlick.
September 20, 1862
Marched down Goose Creek below the saltworks near Manchester.
September 21, 1862
Rested in place until 9 in the evening then marched all that night and in the evening of the 22 we passed by what is called the Goss Spring. It is in Ousley County.
September 22, 1862
Camped on Indian Creek at Morises about 5 miles from where it empties into the south fork of the Ky. River.
September 23, 1862
Marched to Booneville, Ousley Co. by 1 o'clock in the evening then marched to Proctor, 10 miles by a little after day.
September 24, 1862
Rested till evening again then marched across the Ky. river below the fork then marched up the north fork. Taken the Hazlegreen Road at the McGuires Gap.
September 25 + 26, 1862
Marched and reached Hazlegreen 20 miles from McGuires Gap. Marched through Wolf Co.
September 27, 1862
Marched all day and near all night then took up at West liberty 15 miles
September 28, 1862
Rested in place all that day
September 29, 1862
Marched 21 miles adn late in the evening teh bush whackers fired on our skirmishers.
September 30, 1862
Marched in 12 miles of Grayson, Carter County on the head of little Sandy where the cliffs begin to set in and where the bush whackers fired on us again.
I don't know why he served for the Union instead of joining the Rebels since Tennessee did secede from the Union. Maybe the Union paid better? ;-)
Daily Diary of L.S.C. Howard's Army Record
Sworn in 1861
Discharged 1864
August 10, 1861
Left Morgan County and marched by T. Staples and nine miles to the left of Huntsville and on by Montcella [sic] in Ky. Thence across the Cumberland River at the Horseshoe bend and through Jamestown. And on By Middleburg and by Danville, then to Camp Robinson, 210 miles
Arrived here 19 of Aug.
Volunteered 19th
Sworn in the 20th of August, 1861
October 20, 1861
Remained here until the 20 Oct. 1861, then we received orders to march to Camp Wildcat, 44 miles, which we made in two days and a night. Remained here till
October 28, 1861
Then we received orders to march to London, then according to orders marched to Camp Pittman.
October 29, 1861
Marched to London and remained there some time
December 7, 1861
Ordered to Somerset. Therefore as we marched on the 8th, we passed by Sublinity Spring on the Rockcastle River and on the 9th camped at Somerset.
December 15, 1861
Paid by the Government $40.95
January 19, 1862
A fight is commenced.
January 20, 1862
Victory Completed at Millsprings
January 22, 1862
Marched back to Somerset
January 26, 1862
Left Somerset 5 or 6 miles
February 2, 1862
Left London and marched in the direction of Cumberland Gap
February 4, 1862
Marched to Barbourville
February 12, 1862
Marched to Flatlick
February 15, 1862
Marched to the Cumberland foard
May 22, 1862
Paid $26 by the Government
June 7, 1862
Left the foard and camped at the Moss house.
June 11, 1862
Left the Moss house and marched through the big Creek Gap, then up Powells Valley to the Cumberland Gap the 18th of June
June 20, 1862
Marched to Tazwell 10 or 12 miles. Stayed near a day there then returned back to camps
June 28, 1862
Left Camps and marched to Capt. Mires 1 Regt. E.T. (1st Regiment East Tennessee Volunteers) then toward Knoxville to Kingkades an aid [sic] Rebels near the Clinch River then back to Camps. And crossed Powells R. at or near the Ledmind bend and here at the river we was fired on by the Rebels but we whipped them soon. then marched on to Camps
July 1, 1862
Arrived at Camps.
August 4, 1862
Appointed Corp. and sent to the Provost M.
August 14, 1862
Drummed out of the service one private from Co. "A", E. Tenn. Vols.
August 16, 1862
All moved up in the Gap.
September 16, 1862
Left the Pro. M.
September 17, 1862
17 day about midnight our Regiment left the Gap.
September 18, 1862
18th night camped at Flatlick.
September 20, 1862
Marched down Goose Creek below the saltworks near Manchester.
September 21, 1862
Rested in place until 9 in the evening then marched all that night and in the evening of the 22 we passed by what is called the Goss Spring. It is in Ousley County.
September 22, 1862
Camped on Indian Creek at Morises about 5 miles from where it empties into the south fork of the Ky. River.
September 23, 1862
Marched to Booneville, Ousley Co. by 1 o'clock in the evening then marched to Proctor, 10 miles by a little after day.
September 24, 1862
Rested till evening again then marched across the Ky. river below the fork then marched up the north fork. Taken the Hazlegreen Road at the McGuires Gap.
September 25 + 26, 1862
Marched and reached Hazlegreen 20 miles from McGuires Gap. Marched through Wolf Co.
September 27, 1862
Marched all day and near all night then took up at West liberty 15 miles
September 28, 1862
Rested in place all that day
September 29, 1862
Marched 21 miles adn late in the evening teh bush whackers fired on our skirmishers.
September 30, 1862
Marched in 12 miles of Grayson, Carter County on the head of little Sandy where the cliffs begin to set in and where the bush whackers fired on us again.
Coaster Let-down
One should be careful to be less like the Dragster and more like the Millennium Force (or at least like Thunderhead). ;-)
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Shine On You Crazy Carbon 2
I really like this title. ;-)
July 29 on The Colbert Report there was an interview with Eric Roston about his book "The Carbon Age: How Life's Core Element Has Become Civilization's Greatest Threat":
His statements at first are pretty sensible, but since I haven't read the book or much about it I don't know if he moves towards the silliness of the "climate crisis" and all that garbage. But the video is pretty funny.
Well, there are some passages from another book (first published 1990) that I've read while doing some of my shamanic studies. The passages are from the part of the book that examines the Earth element, also associated with the direction West (the four directions and the elements are very central to shamanic thinking). I kind of hate to copy whole, long passages, but here they are anyway, with some of my own notes inserted:
Okay, maybe those statements aren't exactly scientifically sophisticated, but it seems they are basically correct. Though I'm only going on my own intuitive understanding which is probably pretty oversimplified. "Motion at rest" is a paradox, but it will be better explained in later quotations.
I think this points to the root of so many of the delusions and false religions that flourish today. On one hand, there are some who insist and require that we abandon all of our material possessions, and any desire for them, in order to feel spiritually clean. But how is rejecting that from which we are made supposed to be a good thing? I don't understand that line of thinking, and it seems to be synonymous with the vilification of carbon.
On the other hand, sure, we should have balance and not be too materialistic at the detriment of our well-being, but to say that one must 'transcend the physical' in order to become fully alive or whatever is kind of crazy. Personally, I'm not in too much of a hurry to transcend this physical existence because it's too short already. That transcendence will come when I die, and I hope that will be a very long time from now. Please, God, allow me as many carbon emissions as possible for at least 3 or 4 more decades. ;-)
And it is one of those basic laws of nature that we, as part of this world, will and should affect it, "to control the material through the use of natural laws and cosmic forces and principles." That is our very nature, and to deny it is insanity.
Whether or not you accept the possibility of some Cosmic Intelligence, the earth truly is a wondrous, beautiful, and pleasurable thing. I know first hand that there are still very many 'pristine' places where man hasn't really altered nature so much, and yes, they are amazing. But we also should acknowledge the beauty and majesty of many of man's creations and alterations of the earth. We get the same kind of pleasure from creating and experiencing material, physical things as that other Creator does. And the results of our works are not always, or even usually, destructive as so many of the false prophets tell us today. We are all a part of this shimmering carbon-based appearance of matter, and I say 'shimmering' because it implies changing, which is absolutely natural and expected.
Again, the scientific veracity of those statements might be naive and simplistic, but it seems to be close enough. And recall that these quotes are from a book first published in 1990 by a non-scientist. The paradox of "matter at rest" basically means that what we see as matter is like a snapshot of a very complex, busy scene. And using my imagination I can see that from the right perspective the universe might really look like a solid object, perhaps a black marble, or even a black hole which might appear as a solid object sometimes too.
Anyway, I appreciate the intuitive wisdom of the shamanic ideas, but it's all too common for people who try to be "spiritual" to develop a very imbalanced view of the world, themselves, and life. I wish that more people would open their eyes to the physical realities instead of taking one idea or concept and making it the paramount concern. Like the weather. The "climate crisis" is a fraud based on some guys who try to tell everyone that our very breathing is helping to "imbalance" the planet's climate. I'm not certain how this trend has evolved, but I suspect that it is some convergence of the religious ideas that humanity is "fallen" and that the Earth should be worshipped. Neither of these ideas is really valid and their offspring, the manmade "climate crisis," is retarded too.
To be sure I'm not misunderstood I want to explicitly say that I am not discounting spirituality and religion. They are important aspects of life. I am only expressing that there must be more acknowledgement and celebration of mankind's physical existence in this physical world, instead of the self-hatred and false charge that we are destroying our world. There is as much imbalance in those who refuse to acknowledge spiritual issues and concerns, but it seems that refusing to appreciate the real physical aspects of existence is even less morally justified.
Just as Meadows said above, the Earth element is the most misunderstood, and this misunderstanding is a key psycho-social reason for the rise of the anti-carbon movement. I don't know if Mr. Roston is just another acolyte trying to convince people that they are somehow responsible for every bad weather that happens, butit's obvious that too many people have it wrong and have placed man at either too high or too low a position in nature instead of placing us precisely on the earth.
And just so I can add the "sermonette" label ;-) I'll close with a scripture:
*means the same as "learn how to control the material through the use of natural laws and cosmic forces and principles"
I'm sorry if this post is disjointed and incomplete because of the many interruptions I've had throughout writing it. Sometimes it's hard to maintain a line of thought with too many breaks. ;-)
July 29 on The Colbert Report there was an interview with Eric Roston about his book "The Carbon Age: How Life's Core Element Has Become Civilization's Greatest Threat":
His statements at first are pretty sensible, but since I haven't read the book or much about it I don't know if he moves towards the silliness of the "climate crisis" and all that garbage. But the video is pretty funny.
Well, there are some passages from another book (first published 1990) that I've read while doing some of my shamanic studies. The passages are from the part of the book that examines the Earth element, also associated with the direction West (the four directions and the elements are very central to shamanic thinking). I kind of hate to copy whole, long passages, but here they are anyway, with some of my own notes inserted:
The characteristics of Elemental Earth are solidity, inertia and stability. It is motion at rest. Elemental Earth is elemental 'substance' coming into form and shape and becoming tangible and recognisible - coming 'down to earth.' Matter is that which appears to be. It is important to bear in mind that matter is an appearance, and it is this that makes Elemental Earth perhaps the least understood of the elemental substances.
Okay, maybe those statements aren't exactly scientifically sophisticated, but it seems they are basically correct. Though I'm only going on my own intuitive understanding which is probably pretty oversimplified. "Motion at rest" is a paradox, but it will be better explained in later quotations.
On a practical level, we spend much of our time being concerned with the acquisition of physical, tangible things, but at the same time we dislike the restrictions and limitations that the material puts on us. The West is the place of the material, of appearances, of the world of form, of physical manifestation and of learning to cope with it.
You cannot develop your spiritual awareness by rejecting the material or turning your back on it. The physical and material is all part of Creation, not a secretion to be got rid of in some mistaken quest for 'spirituality', not something to be flushed away as something 'not nice.' Don't allow yourself to be misled by a sense of false spirituality. You are here in the material world of form, and part of the reason for your being here is to learn how to control the material through the use of natural laws and cosmic forces and principles [emphasis mine]. Spiritual work is of little value unless it can be 'earthed.'
I think this points to the root of so many of the delusions and false religions that flourish today. On one hand, there are some who insist and require that we abandon all of our material possessions, and any desire for them, in order to feel spiritually clean. But how is rejecting that from which we are made supposed to be a good thing? I don't understand that line of thinking, and it seems to be synonymous with the vilification of carbon.
On the other hand, sure, we should have balance and not be too materialistic at the detriment of our well-being, but to say that one must 'transcend the physical' in order to become fully alive or whatever is kind of crazy. Personally, I'm not in too much of a hurry to transcend this physical existence because it's too short already. That transcendence will come when I die, and I hope that will be a very long time from now. Please, God, allow me as many carbon emissions as possible for at least 3 or 4 more decades. ;-)
And it is one of those basic laws of nature that we, as part of this world, will and should affect it, "to control the material through the use of natural laws and cosmic forces and principles." That is our very nature, and to deny it is insanity.
Do you not think that it gave pleasure to the Cosmic Intelligence to bring the physical world of form into manifestation? Go out into the countryside or into a park or woodland and look around you at the beauty of the natural Earth. Even though man has shaped most of it by farming, does it not give you a thrill of pleasure to absorb its magnificence? We are not intended to reject the material in preference for some nebulous spiritual alternative, but to appreciate the physical and at the same time to look for the reality behind it. Both in equal partnership.
Whether or not you accept the possibility of some Cosmic Intelligence, the earth truly is a wondrous, beautiful, and pleasurable thing. I know first hand that there are still very many 'pristine' places where man hasn't really altered nature so much, and yes, they are amazing. But we also should acknowledge the beauty and majesty of many of man's creations and alterations of the earth. We get the same kind of pleasure from creating and experiencing material, physical things as that other Creator does. And the results of our works are not always, or even usually, destructive as so many of the false prophets tell us today. We are all a part of this shimmering carbon-based appearance of matter, and I say 'shimmering' because it implies changing, which is absolutely natural and expected.
Physical objects only look and feel solid because their atoms are spinning at fantastic speeds. As in a movie, people and vehicles appear to move but what we are seeing is a succession of static pictures being projected at such a speed that there appears to be movement, but the appearance is, in fact, an illusion. An atom is mostly space. If it were possible to expand a single atom to the size of a sports stadium like Wembley in West London, England, or the Giants stadium in New Jersey, USA, its centre or nucleus would be the size of a pea in a referee's whistle. If this were placed in the centre spot, the electrons would be whirling around it at the tops of the grandstands.
All matter is as roomy as the universe appears to be, and atom particles are like the stars and planets moving about in a continual pattern. If we could travel far enough away in outer space and look back at the universe it too would appear solid.
Kenneth Meadows, The Medicine Way, pages 119-120
Again, the scientific veracity of those statements might be naive and simplistic, but it seems to be close enough. And recall that these quotes are from a book first published in 1990 by a non-scientist. The paradox of "matter at rest" basically means that what we see as matter is like a snapshot of a very complex, busy scene. And using my imagination I can see that from the right perspective the universe might really look like a solid object, perhaps a black marble, or even a black hole which might appear as a solid object sometimes too.
Anyway, I appreciate the intuitive wisdom of the shamanic ideas, but it's all too common for people who try to be "spiritual" to develop a very imbalanced view of the world, themselves, and life. I wish that more people would open their eyes to the physical realities instead of taking one idea or concept and making it the paramount concern. Like the weather. The "climate crisis" is a fraud based on some guys who try to tell everyone that our very breathing is helping to "imbalance" the planet's climate. I'm not certain how this trend has evolved, but I suspect that it is some convergence of the religious ideas that humanity is "fallen" and that the Earth should be worshipped. Neither of these ideas is really valid and their offspring, the manmade "climate crisis," is retarded too.
To be sure I'm not misunderstood I want to explicitly say that I am not discounting spirituality and religion. They are important aspects of life. I am only expressing that there must be more acknowledgement and celebration of mankind's physical existence in this physical world, instead of the self-hatred and false charge that we are destroying our world. There is as much imbalance in those who refuse to acknowledge spiritual issues and concerns, but it seems that refusing to appreciate the real physical aspects of existence is even less morally justified.
Just as Meadows said above, the Earth element is the most misunderstood, and this misunderstanding is a key psycho-social reason for the rise of the anti-carbon movement. I don't know if Mr. Roston is just another acolyte trying to convince people that they are somehow responsible for every bad weather that happens, butit's obvious that too many people have it wrong and have placed man at either too high or too low a position in nature instead of placing us precisely on the earth.
And just so I can add the "sermonette" label ;-) I'll close with a scripture:
27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue* it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29 Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; 30 and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to every thing that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food”; and it was so. 31 God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Genesis 1:27-31
*means the same as "learn how to control the material through the use of natural laws and cosmic forces and principles"
I'm sorry if this post is disjointed and incomplete because of the many interruptions I've had throughout writing it. Sometimes it's hard to maintain a line of thought with too many breaks. ;-)
No Sense of Humor at the IRS
Me, waiting on hold for an IRS employee on the phone:
The worst part was that the music playing was about 5 times too loud and they only had two songs, a Nutcracker thing and some other famous classical piece that I can't think of the name now because my brain has atrophied in my now bare skull. ;-)
When finally a lady spoke to me I tried my vicious momma best to be light and funny about why I was calling, but perhaps all these IRS employees have already lost their humanity and are now humorless zombies or skeletons because she was as unmoved and as lively as a rock. And on top of that she had no answer for my question. Agh!!
By the way, the reason I was calling was because I wanted to see if they had received my second quarter 941 form which is a quarterly report of the payroll taxes that we have withheld and paid to Uncle Sam. I'm about 96% sure* I already mailed it at the middle of July (it's due by the 31st) because I think I remember thinking to myself, "I'm sending this early to get it over with, but I'll probably forget that I did it early because I'm in a hurry and haven't printed out a copy for myself." (I was trying to get everything done before leaving for our vacation.) The biggest clue that I most likely did actually mail it already is that the official envelope for mailing it is gone, and I am 99.5% sure that I did not misplace it.** Anyway, the phone call was no help because she said that it takes 6 to 8 weeks to process a form. ;-) We decided that I should probably go ahead and mail another one just to be sure, but Jesus Christ, why did I have to waste my life on the phone to hear what I already knew? Our tax dollars at work!
*That's not a too bad percentage but my memory just isn't what it used to be. And sometimes that 4% uncertainty is pretty significant. ;-)
**It occurred to me that I should probably explain the difference between the 96% and the 99.5%, although really, they aren't too dependent upon each other. In case it's not clear enough, the 96% is a more overall sense and the 99.5% pertains to only the presence of the envelope and is kind of included in the "calculations" that make the 96% total. Well, it might be better to completely ignore any of my attempts with numbers because the possibility of imprecision and errors is even higher than 96%. ;-)
The worst part was that the music playing was about 5 times too loud and they only had two songs, a Nutcracker thing and some other famous classical piece that I can't think of the name now because my brain has atrophied in my now bare skull. ;-)
When finally a lady spoke to me I tried my vicious momma best to be light and funny about why I was calling, but perhaps all these IRS employees have already lost their humanity and are now humorless zombies or skeletons because she was as unmoved and as lively as a rock. And on top of that she had no answer for my question. Agh!!
By the way, the reason I was calling was because I wanted to see if they had received my second quarter 941 form which is a quarterly report of the payroll taxes that we have withheld and paid to Uncle Sam. I'm about 96% sure* I already mailed it at the middle of July (it's due by the 31st) because I think I remember thinking to myself, "I'm sending this early to get it over with, but I'll probably forget that I did it early because I'm in a hurry and haven't printed out a copy for myself." (I was trying to get everything done before leaving for our vacation.) The biggest clue that I most likely did actually mail it already is that the official envelope for mailing it is gone, and I am 99.5% sure that I did not misplace it.** Anyway, the phone call was no help because she said that it takes 6 to 8 weeks to process a form. ;-) We decided that I should probably go ahead and mail another one just to be sure, but Jesus Christ, why did I have to waste my life on the phone to hear what I already knew? Our tax dollars at work!
*That's not a too bad percentage but my memory just isn't what it used to be. And sometimes that 4% uncertainty is pretty significant. ;-)
**It occurred to me that I should probably explain the difference between the 96% and the 99.5%, although really, they aren't too dependent upon each other. In case it's not clear enough, the 96% is a more overall sense and the 99.5% pertains to only the presence of the envelope and is kind of included in the "calculations" that make the 96% total. Well, it might be better to completely ignore any of my attempts with numbers because the possibility of imprecision and errors is even higher than 96%. ;-)
Monday, July 28, 2008
Thrilling Physics 2
Recently we took our summer vacation to the amusement park Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, and also some stops in Kentucky which I'll describe at the end.
This summer the children have graduated from the Thrilling Physics (1) at Dollywood of last summer. Cedar Point is known for its roller coasters (17 in all and three of the top 10 steel roller coasters in the world) and uses the motto "America's Roller Coast" since it's on the shore of Lake Erie. It was cool for the kids to see a lake that looks like an ocean because all of our local lakes are really just dammed rivers and aren't so big.
Even my seven year old rode all the ones he was tall enough to ride. And our favorite was the 310 feet high Millennium Force:
It has to be the smoothest, fastest, and most thrilling roller coaster I've ever been on, even better than Dollywood's Mystery Mine. It is really a pure ride in that it doesn't rely on any special gimmicks like standing (though that is pretty cool) or inverted track (which is actually probably my second favorite one) or lots of loops (an old coaster which I suspect was bought from Opry Land in Nashville after it closed in the mid 1990s). I think the smoothness of the ride adds a lot to the enjoyment, and I don't really like the jerky ones whether they are steel or wooden.
Speaking of wood, we did ride their huge wooden coaster, Mean Streak,
which is aptly named since it was very rough and jerky. I think we got spoiled last year by the unusual smoothness of Dollywood's Thunderhead, still my most favorite wooden coaster of all.
Cedar Point's most extreme coaster is the Top Thrill Dragster:
It is 420 feet high (I wonder why they chose 420 ;-) ) and launches riders to 120 mph in about 4 seconds. It is designed to feel a little like a drag racing car, but my only complaint is that the entire ride is only about 18 seconds long. Well, maybe that is as much as one could handle of this straight up and straight down experience, but the long 1 hour wait in line made it a kind of lopsided time investment. ;-) The Dragster might have been my favorite over the Millennium Force if it had a longer duration (or the wait had been shorter between rides). That initial launch is the only acceleration and there were signs explaining that sometimes a train might not clear the hill on the first try and would have to roll back down to be launched again. I was sort of hoping that would happen to us so that we'd get an extra long ride, but we weren't so lucky. ;-)
We also enjoyed the once record-breaking steel coaster Magnum XL-200, the special effects themed bobsled style Disaster Transport, and the other smaller wooden coasters. Maybe it was because we were there during the week instead of the weekend, but the lines for most rides were very short, except for the newest and wildest ones. The only one of the big rides we didn't try was the Wicked Twister. I might try it if we ever go back, but as I've gotten older my stomach's tolerance for all that spinning and twisting has decreased and by the time we'd been on all those other rides I was worried about getting sickly if I pushed myself too much.
Oh, and Cedar Point's newest coaster The Maverick was pretty good too.
It reminded me a little of Dollywood's Mystery Mine but on steroids. ;-) Again, the line for this one was almost too long, but it was a great coaster with some fun surprises throughout. We only rode it once because of the long lines, but I would like to try it again someday.
I am pretty curious about the technologies used for these new super-coasters and their very fast acceleration. Even on the Millennium Force, as you are climbing that first 310 foot hill, the train actually accelerates midway up, instead of that clackety, clackety slow chain-driven climb on most coasters. I wonder how people might apply these technologies to more practical needs, especially in this time of concern with energy efficiency, etc. Well, if they could build public transportation roller coasters then I think many more people would enjoy not driving their own cars. ;-)
Okay, so maybe these amusement parks and roller coasters are kind of a redneck thing to do, and I've thought about why people enjoy them so much. It's certainly not a "natural" activity to be launched into extreme angles, twists, and descents at high speeds, but somehow it seems to serve a purpose. Or maybe I'm just an adrenaline junkie. ;-)
Aside from the thrilling physics of the rides there were other interesting things about Cedar Point. One of them was that many of their employees were students from all around the world. I saw some from Taiwan, Colombia, Turkey, Poland, Slovakia, and even China. The young guys from Poland and Slovakia were working together in a gift shop and seemed especially amused by my family's choices of souvenir trinkets. ;-)
After Cedar Point
Driving back towards Tennessee we stopped in Kettering, Ohio, where my oldest son got to skate at a famous skate park he had seen on TV.
My oldest is in the bright white t-shirt.
My youngest with a skateboarder's statue.
The way that we discovered we would be so near that park was because we drove past what we jokingly called the "giant white gorilla" that my oldest had recognized as a landmark from some skate-boarding shows. It is actually a huge Jesus statue but at first sight on the road we only saw the extended arms and thought it looked like a gorilla or something. ;-)
From now on we'll always refer to it as the Giant Jesus Gorilla, but of course we mean no offense to Jesus or gorillas. ;-) I don't really worry about God being angry with my irreverent jokes. He forgives me because I make him laugh. :-)
Then in Kentucky we stopped for a tour at Diamond Caverns. I think I could live in a cave, and I've always enjoyed touring them and learning about the geology. Maybe that's because I might be part Neanderthal. ;-)
And then we stopped at the National Corvette Museum so the kids could learn about the history of our favorite cars. Well, maybe a car museum is kind of redneck too? ;-) But really, Corvettes have been a big part of the history of American cars and culture for the last 50 years, and I think it's good for our children to appreciate those kinds of things. It must be doing pretty well because it looked like they are building a large addition to the Museum. With the fuel situation as it is, it could turn out that our sportscars will be more historical than we currently realize.
A couple more things. Another highlight of the trip for me was getting to see a couple of nuclear power plants pretty close to the roads. They are not a common sight for us, and although they might not be all that interesting to most people there is just something exciting to me about seeing them. ;-)
As we drove all through Kentucky and Ohio it was abundantly clear that the economy isn't doing so great. There were many, many large empty buildings and warehouses with signs for sale or lease, and everywhere there were so many houses for sale and/or sitting empty. It looked to me like "America For Sale". But there was also a lot of corn being grown and I wondered how much of it was actually going to food.
Well, I've rambled on too long about our big redneck family vacation. But it was very fun, and it's so important to make memories in these special ways.
This summer the children have graduated from the Thrilling Physics (1) at Dollywood of last summer. Cedar Point is known for its roller coasters (17 in all and three of the top 10 steel roller coasters in the world) and uses the motto "America's Roller Coast" since it's on the shore of Lake Erie. It was cool for the kids to see a lake that looks like an ocean because all of our local lakes are really just dammed rivers and aren't so big.
Even my seven year old rode all the ones he was tall enough to ride. And our favorite was the 310 feet high Millennium Force:
It has to be the smoothest, fastest, and most thrilling roller coaster I've ever been on, even better than Dollywood's Mystery Mine. It is really a pure ride in that it doesn't rely on any special gimmicks like standing (though that is pretty cool) or inverted track (which is actually probably my second favorite one) or lots of loops (an old coaster which I suspect was bought from Opry Land in Nashville after it closed in the mid 1990s). I think the smoothness of the ride adds a lot to the enjoyment, and I don't really like the jerky ones whether they are steel or wooden.
Speaking of wood, we did ride their huge wooden coaster, Mean Streak,
which is aptly named since it was very rough and jerky. I think we got spoiled last year by the unusual smoothness of Dollywood's Thunderhead, still my most favorite wooden coaster of all.
Cedar Point's most extreme coaster is the Top Thrill Dragster:
It is 420 feet high (I wonder why they chose 420 ;-) ) and launches riders to 120 mph in about 4 seconds. It is designed to feel a little like a drag racing car, but my only complaint is that the entire ride is only about 18 seconds long. Well, maybe that is as much as one could handle of this straight up and straight down experience, but the long 1 hour wait in line made it a kind of lopsided time investment. ;-) The Dragster might have been my favorite over the Millennium Force if it had a longer duration (or the wait had been shorter between rides). That initial launch is the only acceleration and there were signs explaining that sometimes a train might not clear the hill on the first try and would have to roll back down to be launched again. I was sort of hoping that would happen to us so that we'd get an extra long ride, but we weren't so lucky. ;-)
We also enjoyed the once record-breaking steel coaster Magnum XL-200, the special effects themed bobsled style Disaster Transport, and the other smaller wooden coasters. Maybe it was because we were there during the week instead of the weekend, but the lines for most rides were very short, except for the newest and wildest ones. The only one of the big rides we didn't try was the Wicked Twister. I might try it if we ever go back, but as I've gotten older my stomach's tolerance for all that spinning and twisting has decreased and by the time we'd been on all those other rides I was worried about getting sickly if I pushed myself too much.
Oh, and Cedar Point's newest coaster The Maverick was pretty good too.
It reminded me a little of Dollywood's Mystery Mine but on steroids. ;-) Again, the line for this one was almost too long, but it was a great coaster with some fun surprises throughout. We only rode it once because of the long lines, but I would like to try it again someday.
I am pretty curious about the technologies used for these new super-coasters and their very fast acceleration. Even on the Millennium Force, as you are climbing that first 310 foot hill, the train actually accelerates midway up, instead of that clackety, clackety slow chain-driven climb on most coasters. I wonder how people might apply these technologies to more practical needs, especially in this time of concern with energy efficiency, etc. Well, if they could build public transportation roller coasters then I think many more people would enjoy not driving their own cars. ;-)
Okay, so maybe these amusement parks and roller coasters are kind of a redneck thing to do, and I've thought about why people enjoy them so much. It's certainly not a "natural" activity to be launched into extreme angles, twists, and descents at high speeds, but somehow it seems to serve a purpose. Or maybe I'm just an adrenaline junkie. ;-)
Aside from the thrilling physics of the rides there were other interesting things about Cedar Point. One of them was that many of their employees were students from all around the world. I saw some from Taiwan, Colombia, Turkey, Poland, Slovakia, and even China. The young guys from Poland and Slovakia were working together in a gift shop and seemed especially amused by my family's choices of souvenir trinkets. ;-)
After Cedar Point
Driving back towards Tennessee we stopped in Kettering, Ohio, where my oldest son got to skate at a famous skate park he had seen on TV.
My oldest is in the bright white t-shirt.
My youngest with a skateboarder's statue.
The way that we discovered we would be so near that park was because we drove past what we jokingly called the "giant white gorilla" that my oldest had recognized as a landmark from some skate-boarding shows. It is actually a huge Jesus statue but at first sight on the road we only saw the extended arms and thought it looked like a gorilla or something. ;-)
From now on we'll always refer to it as the Giant Jesus Gorilla, but of course we mean no offense to Jesus or gorillas. ;-) I don't really worry about God being angry with my irreverent jokes. He forgives me because I make him laugh. :-)
Then in Kentucky we stopped for a tour at Diamond Caverns. I think I could live in a cave, and I've always enjoyed touring them and learning about the geology. Maybe that's because I might be part Neanderthal. ;-)
And then we stopped at the National Corvette Museum so the kids could learn about the history of our favorite cars. Well, maybe a car museum is kind of redneck too? ;-) But really, Corvettes have been a big part of the history of American cars and culture for the last 50 years, and I think it's good for our children to appreciate those kinds of things. It must be doing pretty well because it looked like they are building a large addition to the Museum. With the fuel situation as it is, it could turn out that our sportscars will be more historical than we currently realize.
A couple more things. Another highlight of the trip for me was getting to see a couple of nuclear power plants pretty close to the roads. They are not a common sight for us, and although they might not be all that interesting to most people there is just something exciting to me about seeing them. ;-)
As we drove all through Kentucky and Ohio it was abundantly clear that the economy isn't doing so great. There were many, many large empty buildings and warehouses with signs for sale or lease, and everywhere there were so many houses for sale and/or sitting empty. It looked to me like "America For Sale". But there was also a lot of corn being grown and I wondered how much of it was actually going to food.
Well, I've rambled on too long about our big redneck family vacation. But it was very fun, and it's so important to make memories in these special ways.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Wordle Fun
Saw this at Lubos Motl's and had to try it:
The first one is a general one of the blog, and the other two are more specialized. Can you guess which label I chose for the focus? ;-)
The first one is a general one of the blog, and the other two are more specialized. Can you guess which label I chose for the focus? ;-)
Monday, July 21, 2008
Phallic Clams
While checking my statcounter this morning I found that my Unusual Fossil post was linked in this forum. The following photos from that forum are quite impressive. I didn't know about these phallic "Geoduck" clams:
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Shine On You Crazy Carbon
"Shine On" by me, around 2005
Remember when you were young,
You shone like the sun.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Now there's a look in your eyes,
Like black holes in the sky.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
You were caught on the crossfire
Of childhood and stardom,
Blown on the steel breeze.
Come on you target for faraway laughter,
Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!
You reached for the secret too soon,
You cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Threatened by shadows at night,
And exposed in the light.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Well you wore out your welcome
With random precision,
Rode on the steel breeze.
Come on you raver, you seer of visions,
Come on you painter, you piper, you prisoner, and shine!
Nobody knows where you are, how near or how far.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Pile on many more layers and I'll be joining you there.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
And we'll bask in the shadow of yesterday's triumph,
And sail on the steel breeze.
Come on you boy-child, you winner and loser,
Come on you miner for truth and delusion, and shine!
"Shine On You Crazy Diamond" by Pink Floyd
Cool video by someone else:
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Independence Day 2008
Happy 4th of July! We are having a pool party, cookout, and fireworks. If you can get here, you're invited, as long as you can be well-behaved. ;-)
And a really cool video from the show "America's Got Talent" by two brothers who call themselves "Nuttin' But Strings":
Adaptation to Gas Prices
Some places are beginning to consider changing over to four (10 hour) work days in order to reduce their gas budgets. I've also heard of a local school system and another local government considering this change. Utah is going to the four day workweek for most government offices, except prisons, courts, and public universities. I think this is a creative adaptation to the current economic problems brought on by the insane gas prices, though it won't be without some problems and adjustments. I'll be curious to see if this 4-day week will become a permanent condition in Utah and if it will become a more common tactic across the country. Watch the video with Utah's governor:
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Lord, Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
Baby, do you understand me now
Sometimes I feel a little mad
But don't you know that no one alive
Can always be an angel
When things go wrong I seem to be bad
But I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
Baby, sometimes I'm so carefree
With a joy that's hard to hide
And sometimes it seems that all I have do is worry
Then you're bound to see my other side
But I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
If I seem edgy I want you to know
That I never mean to take it out on you
Life has its problems and I get my share
And that's one thing I never meant to do
Because I love you
Oh, Oh baby don't you know I'm human
Have thoughts like any other one
Sometimes I find myself long regretting
Some foolish thing some little simple thing I've done
But I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
Yes, I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
Yes, I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
The Animals, "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood"
One of my optimist mistakes is thinking that supposedly intelligent people will read what I write and actually understand it and not take it out of context or intention. Could be I'm not a good enough writer, but I think I tend to be pretty economical with my words so that each one is important and seems to be easily interpreted properly. Well, anyway, I'm fairly often misunderstood, but I think that the problem isn't really with me. It's with the other people who can't or won't comprehend what they read without injecting it with their own biases and prejudices and so on. Speaking of injections, it would be really cool if someone could inject me with an IQ booster just to be sure. ;-)
Sometimes we get answers but we don't know for which question. Well, that happens to those of us who tend to ask too many questions. ;-) This afternoon I was swimming with my youngest son and I noticed a cloud directly above us that appeared to spell out the word "YES". I pointed it out to him and asked him if he thought it looked like YES, and he said it did. Then I told him I should go get the camera and take a picture because no one would believe us, but I also said that it would be changed by the time I got the camera. Well, I didn't tell him, but oddly enough, to my eyes, the word "YES" transformed into "Sex." Funny how it works out that way.
My youngest is seven, almost eight. I think we have a lot in common because I find myself feeling like a spoiled rotten child sometimes. ;-) And sometimes I don't know when to stop, just like a seven year old, and just like how he continued pointing out shapes of things in the clouds for at least 30 minutes after the YES cloud.
The YES cloud reminded me of the story about how John Lennon met Yoko Ono (read the link, second paragraph, because I don't want to use up .1-.2% of my time to tell it).
It was nice that they knew and agreed upon the question to that YES. ;-)
Now I just have to figure out which question my cloud YES answered...
Afterthoughts:
From all the little errors I've been making recently it's becoming more and more evident that I really do need that injection, probably more than one.
And for whatever assorted reasons my nerves have been shot for the last couple of weeks. So that's all part of it too, I guess.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Melting Ice and What To Do About It
Watch the following video and then use your brain to think of ways how to see this as a good thing:
Assuming that Greenland's ice really is melting as these "scientists" tell us, why must they always take a negative view of it? The way I see it, all that melting ice is a blessing and not a curse or disaster. How? Well, there are many places on this planet that desperately need fresh water. Why doesn't someone start harnessing this emerging source of fresh water? Couldn't water trade become the "new oil"? Couldn't some enterprising people begin to collect, store, and transport that water to the places that really need it? Wouldn't that solve several problems at once?
And another thing. Why doesn't someone harness the hydro-power of all that flowing water? I don't necessarily mean building dams because it would be problematic to build permanent structures on a quickly changing terrain. Why not construct mobile hydro-power units that can be moved when needed or dismantled and moved? Or maybe something similar to an oil-drilling platform that is used in the ocean? It seems that there are so many opportunities to approach the melting Greenland ice as an emerging resource instead of an imminent disaster.
I think the biggest problem is that so many people are either too stupid or too blind to see opportunities when they are literally flooding over them. I've often wondered, why can't the "climate crisis" alarmists who insist that mankind's activities are destroying the planet see that if mankind can destroy then mankind can also create and adapt? But really, I do not believe that mankind's activities are "destroying" the planet. Sure, mankind's activities do affect our environment. That is a basic "law" of evolution. But why is it so hard for those people to see that trying to preserve a very narrow set of conditions only inhibits evolution and progress instead of helping it?
Well, I don't really expect answers to these questions, but it would be really nice if some people would start considering how to use changes as stimuli for progress instead of whining and moaning about things changing and trying to "stop" it, which is completely useless and will be unsuccessful anyway. Change is the nature of life. Period.
We wouldn't even be here if our ancestors looked upon every change they encountered as a thing to fight against or to stop. What did they do? They looked at the changes and figured out how to deal with them and how to use them to their benefit.
Assuming that Greenland's ice really is melting as these "scientists" tell us, why must they always take a negative view of it? The way I see it, all that melting ice is a blessing and not a curse or disaster. How? Well, there are many places on this planet that desperately need fresh water. Why doesn't someone start harnessing this emerging source of fresh water? Couldn't water trade become the "new oil"? Couldn't some enterprising people begin to collect, store, and transport that water to the places that really need it? Wouldn't that solve several problems at once?
And another thing. Why doesn't someone harness the hydro-power of all that flowing water? I don't necessarily mean building dams because it would be problematic to build permanent structures on a quickly changing terrain. Why not construct mobile hydro-power units that can be moved when needed or dismantled and moved? Or maybe something similar to an oil-drilling platform that is used in the ocean? It seems that there are so many opportunities to approach the melting Greenland ice as an emerging resource instead of an imminent disaster.
I think the biggest problem is that so many people are either too stupid or too blind to see opportunities when they are literally flooding over them. I've often wondered, why can't the "climate crisis" alarmists who insist that mankind's activities are destroying the planet see that if mankind can destroy then mankind can also create and adapt? But really, I do not believe that mankind's activities are "destroying" the planet. Sure, mankind's activities do affect our environment. That is a basic "law" of evolution. But why is it so hard for those people to see that trying to preserve a very narrow set of conditions only inhibits evolution and progress instead of helping it?
Well, I don't really expect answers to these questions, but it would be really nice if some people would start considering how to use changes as stimuli for progress instead of whining and moaning about things changing and trying to "stop" it, which is completely useless and will be unsuccessful anyway. Change is the nature of life. Period.
We wouldn't even be here if our ancestors looked upon every change they encountered as a thing to fight against or to stop. What did they do? They looked at the changes and figured out how to deal with them and how to use them to their benefit.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Unusual Fossil
Sometimes being a packrat is rewarding. I've finally been unpacking some boxes from when we moved into our house seven years ago, and what treasures I've rediscovered!
Back in the pre-momma days we liked to go rock and fossil hunting. The local area has many places where fossils are easily found if you know where to look. I had completely forgotten about this particular kind that we'd found at least 15 years ago.
What does it look like to you?
My best guess for its identity is some kind of Stromatoporoid, but a Google search for "vulva-like fossil" doesn't yield much. You'd think such a curious thing would be a big Google hit, or at least I would think that. ;-)
Well, if any geologists or other experts know for certain what this fossil is then please do leave a comment to let me know. Thanks!
Oh, and isn't Nature fascinating? Who would have thought that the vulva form could be hundreds of millions of years old? ;-) And the shaman in me wants to think that this fossil is a very powerful talisman...
Back in the pre-momma days we liked to go rock and fossil hunting. The local area has many places where fossils are easily found if you know where to look. I had completely forgotten about this particular kind that we'd found at least 15 years ago.
What does it look like to you?
My best guess for its identity is some kind of Stromatoporoid, but a Google search for "vulva-like fossil" doesn't yield much. You'd think such a curious thing would be a big Google hit, or at least I would think that. ;-)
Well, if any geologists or other experts know for certain what this fossil is then please do leave a comment to let me know. Thanks!
Oh, and isn't Nature fascinating? Who would have thought that the vulva form could be hundreds of millions of years old? ;-) And the shaman in me wants to think that this fossil is a very powerful talisman...
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
My Redneck Heaven
Fifty Hoe Points for the person who identifies the most Redneck Icons in the above photo. ;-)
Well, it really is like Heaven on Earth for me to have this pool in the backyard. The other night I went skinny dipping in it for the first time, and wow, it was so sensual. It was the first time I've been totally comfortable swimming nude, probably since it was in my own pool and there were no worries about getting 'caught.' Besides it's very dark without the lights and no one would have seen me anyway.
After swimming daily for a couple of weeks I'm even feeling more fit. Maybe not looking more fit yet, but that's not my main concern. Hey, I wonder if we could get a tax deduction for building an Employee Fitness Facility? I am on the payroll after all. I bet big corporations get to deduct their fitness facilities. And the pool cost about a third more than our total taxes last year. It seems fair to be able to deduct the difference from this year's taxes, but we all know the taxes aren't quite fair. I might have to look into that anyway. ;-)
It seems pertinent for me to point out that getting to this Heaven has taken a long time. Good things come to those who wait, and all that. Even Snoop Dogg knows that taking it slow is a very effective way of building appreciation and excitement (though there is such a thing as too slow):
Sorry, now I seem to have lost my closing thoughts. Maybe I just need to go skinny dipping again. ;-)
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Blue Planet In Green Shackles
The title comes from Czech President Vaclav Klaus's book about how the "green" movement and global warming alarmism is threatening the freedom of everyone. Apparently, the English translation of the book is currently out of stock, but nonetheless, let's talk about it anyway.
I'm not longer a "global warming skeptic" but now claim the title of "climate realist" because there is no question in my mind that the planet's climate is fine and will continue to be fine regardless of what mankind does. The only thing at risk is the freedom of people to live in the ways they prefer. If I can afford to pay $5 or $6 per gallon of gas to drive my kids and their friends around in my SUV, then I certainly should be free to do so without having to suffer some ridiculous stigma about "damaging" the climate with my "carbon footprint." Sorry to all the treehuggers and other green psychos who don't understand that at least here in America, we are still supposed to be allowed "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." If my pursuit of happiness means driving a big vehicle full of kids to school and other activities, then who's to say that I'm wrong or evil?
Hey, if people want to drive motorized roller-skates around that's fine by me, but just don't go around telling me that I have to do it too. And don't go around calling me evil and other bad names just because I don't want to drive a motorized roller-skate. And if I want to burn all the lights in my house all day long and pay the electric bill for it, then who are you to tell me that I'm killing the planet? Freedom allows us some self-interest and other people must realize that their freedom does not cross the line of my freedom. If I can afford to pay the price for "excessive" use of something, then that's my business and no one else's (except the seller of that something).
I once read something by a very communistic totalitarian type of person that said he thought it would be a good idea to limit the whole world's fertility rate, i.e. limit the number of children everyone can have, and to let the poor women of the world "sell" their birth rights (to have babies) to women in wealthy countries who want more kids than they are "allowed". This was supposed to be a way to control population growth in the world because he thinks that overpopulation is the root of all the "climate changes" and "resource scarcity" and also a way to "redistribute wealth" around the world. Well, let's think about it a moment. If it's okay for someone to sell her fertility and for someone else to buy it, then how is it bad or wrong for someone to be able to buy more fuel and energy than they are "allowed"? Well, obviously, there is no real difference and the communistic totalitarian (meaning limiting freedoms) arguments fall apart easily.
Green used to be one of my favorite colors, but now it's being hijacked by a bunch of rabid vegetarians* and communists. There is even a new TV network, Planet Green. Well, that's fine and maybe it will have some good things on it, but let's not allow "greenness" to become the new reversed McCarthyism in which those who don't fit the "green" expectations of others are targeted as criminals and their lives ruined.
Just the other night I was watching a "green" show about alternative energy sources. It had some very interesting new developments, especially in solar power. They are developing much smaller and more efficient solar collecting "film" that is flexible and could be used in many applications that older panels can't. Well, this is certainly an exciting idea and one that should definitely be promoted. One application they talked about was embedding these in roofing materials, and when it's time to replace my roof I would be interested in such a product if it's available and not prohibitively expensive. I think it's great when the "greens" put their money and effort where their mouths are by actually working on solutions and improvements instead of dictating how everyone else should live. And that's how freedom should work.
*I have nothing against vegetarians, only rabid ones. ;-)
I'm not longer a "global warming skeptic" but now claim the title of "climate realist" because there is no question in my mind that the planet's climate is fine and will continue to be fine regardless of what mankind does. The only thing at risk is the freedom of people to live in the ways they prefer. If I can afford to pay $5 or $6 per gallon of gas to drive my kids and their friends around in my SUV, then I certainly should be free to do so without having to suffer some ridiculous stigma about "damaging" the climate with my "carbon footprint." Sorry to all the treehuggers and other green psychos who don't understand that at least here in America, we are still supposed to be allowed "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." If my pursuit of happiness means driving a big vehicle full of kids to school and other activities, then who's to say that I'm wrong or evil?
Hey, if people want to drive motorized roller-skates around that's fine by me, but just don't go around telling me that I have to do it too. And don't go around calling me evil and other bad names just because I don't want to drive a motorized roller-skate. And if I want to burn all the lights in my house all day long and pay the electric bill for it, then who are you to tell me that I'm killing the planet? Freedom allows us some self-interest and other people must realize that their freedom does not cross the line of my freedom. If I can afford to pay the price for "excessive" use of something, then that's my business and no one else's (except the seller of that something).
I once read something by a very communistic totalitarian type of person that said he thought it would be a good idea to limit the whole world's fertility rate, i.e. limit the number of children everyone can have, and to let the poor women of the world "sell" their birth rights (to have babies) to women in wealthy countries who want more kids than they are "allowed". This was supposed to be a way to control population growth in the world because he thinks that overpopulation is the root of all the "climate changes" and "resource scarcity" and also a way to "redistribute wealth" around the world. Well, let's think about it a moment. If it's okay for someone to sell her fertility and for someone else to buy it, then how is it bad or wrong for someone to be able to buy more fuel and energy than they are "allowed"? Well, obviously, there is no real difference and the communistic totalitarian (meaning limiting freedoms) arguments fall apart easily.
Green used to be one of my favorite colors, but now it's being hijacked by a bunch of rabid vegetarians* and communists. There is even a new TV network, Planet Green. Well, that's fine and maybe it will have some good things on it, but let's not allow "greenness" to become the new reversed McCarthyism in which those who don't fit the "green" expectations of others are targeted as criminals and their lives ruined.
Just the other night I was watching a "green" show about alternative energy sources. It had some very interesting new developments, especially in solar power. They are developing much smaller and more efficient solar collecting "film" that is flexible and could be used in many applications that older panels can't. Well, this is certainly an exciting idea and one that should definitely be promoted. One application they talked about was embedding these in roofing materials, and when it's time to replace my roof I would be interested in such a product if it's available and not prohibitively expensive. I think it's great when the "greens" put their money and effort where their mouths are by actually working on solutions and improvements instead of dictating how everyone else should live. And that's how freedom should work.
*I have nothing against vegetarians, only rabid ones. ;-)
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