Unsolicited Advice...

Advice.

Sometimes I give advice. I probably shouldn't. It's a tricky thing. You know, who am I to be giving advice to anyone? Still, I sometimes do. I have learned a thing or two wandering around on this little revolving ball of confusion and well, sometimes I can't help it.

Here's some unsolicited advice (10 things off the top of my head):

1. Get yourself a good pair of heavy-duty boots. The heavier the better. Gravity. Keeps you grounded. Gravity is your friend. A solid pair of boots keeps you from tripping, falling, twisting your ankle, etc.

2. Levis. They are essential. A good pair of Levis, blue or black. You can't go wrong.

3. Meditate. Take time to sit quietly. Even if it's a few minutes a day. Clear your head. Maybe try to visualize a scene or repeat a mantra. Breathe. Concentrate on deep, slow, refreshing breaths.  

4. Keep moving. Every day. Walk, bike, exercise, keep the blood flowing. 

5. Read. Books. Any kind. Any subject. Occupy your mind with other worlds, other people, subjects you might find interesting. Feed your head. Cultivate your imagination. Expand your horizons.

6. Find a "flow" activity. Do something that totally captivates you. This can be anything: knitting, playing a musical instrument, painting, writing, tap-dancing, plate-spinning, whatever. Find something you love to do, and do it.

7. Get a pet. Take care of something. A turtle, a rabbit, a cat, a dog, a bird. You will be rewarded by having a relationship with another species.

8. Eat a varied diet. Try lots of different kinds of foods. If you can, be a vegetarian. It's best for you and the planet. Remember, food is medicine. Probably the most important medicine of all. Be choosy. Eat organic. Avoid fast food, processed food, red meat. And don't forget to indulge in the "special spices." I personally am convinced that consuming lots of aloe vera juice, garlic, cayenne pepper & ginkgo biloba has made me healthier. Who knows?!

9. Music. Fill your life with laughter, love & music. Make it a choice. Don't refrain. Indulge.

10. Be kind, graceful, grateful, considerate, common-sensical, humble. Be open and willing to change your mind.  Take care, be safe, don't be too hard on your self. Choose happiness, optimism, think of better days ahead. Why not?!

The a.m. soundtrack - The Who's "Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy"  (1971). A compilation album. Essential. Shimmering. Dazzling. So musically engaging and intelligent. Funny. Exhilarating. So, so good. 14 fabulous singles. Inventive. Catchy. A must-have record. Extraordinary. 

Ecosystem within an Ecosystem...

Yes. The latest science seems to tell us that our bodies are elaborate ecosystems, composed of organs (which all work together in some biological symphony), as well as colonies of bacteria (think gut biome), which support us, keep us healthy and are often dueling or dancing around each other in a never-ending war with our immune systems. White blood cells, and bacteria (the good and the bad), contend for supremacy, work it all out amongst themselves in some choreographed tango or mambo. 

Everything we take into our bodies has an effect and a counter-effect. Sure, that means everything we eat, every breath we take in via our mouths and noses, but it also means the sense data that enters us thru our skin, our eyes and our ears. All that sensory data pings our brains and we react accordingly.

We are what we eat, what we see, what we hear, what we think, how we act. And we do this all in a larger ecosystem outside of our bodies. 

So yes, think of yourself as an ecosystem inside of a larger ecosystem; an ecosystem of other humans, animals, plants, etc. A community, a town, a state, a country, a planet, a solar system, a Universe.

It's all an elaborate system of cooperation. Ecosystems within Ecosystems. Maybe we need a re-think? Not so much contending with each other, but trying our best to live together.

Dear Pilgrim be careful what you put into yourself. There are substances that can sicken you, and kill you. This includes ideas and thoughts. Think of yourself as a thriving ecosystem.  Maybe that could be a new start, a new way of being, acting, thinking? Maybe?!

Core Beliefs...

You know, recent events (cataclysmic & not so cataclysmic) throw us back on core beliefs. I do believe in believing, (one of our band''s oldest original songs is called "You Must Believe"), but believing is a tricky thing, just as tricky as being human. A human being with a head full of beliefs is a tricky entity x infinity.

Much delight, and much mayhem can result from a head-strong human being full of "truths." Believing is a double-edged (or maybe multi-edged) sword.

We must choose our beliefs carefully. Look to evidence, proof, facts, data, "veracity."   Be open to "changing your mind," when what you believe doesn't match up with "what is..." Always be on the lookout for what is "really real."

Humans = Lot ideas, lots of questions, few answers.

What are the core tools we can rely upon? Our senses five, plus a basic belief in Hope, Meaning, Imagination.

Believing that Life is Good, that Love is better than Hate. But never forget Love and Hate are always contending.

Believe in happiness, grace, responsibility, community, caring, music, laughter, poetry, literature, art, scientific method, purpose, common sense, common good, evolution, intelligence, empathy, compassion, the good work, discipline, a better day.

What is our mission? To live, to love, to create, to connect, to leave the world a better, sunnier, happier, place... I mean, if we can... you know we must always be aspirational... but humble too...

Believe in something that engages you fully. Live life with meaning. Lean to the light, lean to Love. 

A Complex Weather Pattern...

We sometimes think of our bodies as machines, and our brains as computers...

I believe this is off the mark.

Our bodies, brains included are like:

a river

a willow tree

an amazonian rain forest

an ocean

a cloud

a storm

a hurricane

a tornado

a tsunami

a herd of buffalo

an ant colony

a beehive

a pack of wolves

a gaggle of geese

a complex weather pattern

a galaxy

a symphony 

you know, an evolving life-form

a war-zone

a confederacy of systems

all working together 

we are complicated

resilient, and a bit fragile too

life, it's an amazing state 

a moving target

always morphing 

and changing

growing, dying

replicating

we can try to sum it up

but really, it's all beyond us

mystery bounded by mystery

Fat Man, Tiny Table... Now that's Hilarious!

Why? Why is a fat man sitting at a tiny table so damn funny?! Hah!

They moved this toxic human train-wreck to the "kid's table" for Thanksgiving. No one else wanted to sit with him. So tired of this guy's lame schtick. Reality bites. Can't wait for Biden/Harris to be sworn in on January 20, 2021. Dreaming of better days ahead...

Here's another take...

American. Essential.

Yesterday, I slogged thru an appointment with some furry friends. Long, meandering walk, we all got totally soaked by a cold, wet, rain. Some days I feel like a character in a Samuel Beckett play, you know, just stumbling thru, trying to endure, dealing with what fate throws my way. Then later in the day we watched those great American Epic films: Godfather I & II. What to say? The story of America, and Capitalism. Brutal. Essential. Just the finest stuff.

Slept well. Lazy morning. Sipping a "Love Buzz" coffee brew; head-turning, all my synapses firing! Nowhere to go. Nothing to do. It's a holiday. Listening to "1969: Velvet Underground Live." An expansive 2 CD set. So fabulous. Elemental. So American. Dark night of America. So New York. Thrilling. Lou Reed & company sound totally in the moment. Love the guitar interplay between Lou Reed and Sterling Morrison. Nothing fancy. Shimmering, driving sound. A r&r band just laying it down. The Velvets in Dallas, TX and San Francisco, CA.  No John Cale, no Nico. Still brilliant.

BTW: A holiday Public Service Announcement: Wear a Friggin Mask!

Happy Mask-Giving!

We are listening to the medical professionals and experts. We are not traveling this Thanksgiving. We are not getting together with family or friends. It's going to be a very different kind of holiday for us. It's all about what we will NOT do. 

Just the two of us, with our 4 little birdies. Staying home. Cooking for ourselves. Hunkering in. Probably watch some classic movies on DVD. Stream some shows. Read books. Listen to music. Probably play some music too.

All the news on the Covid-19 front is bad, scary, intimidating. Covid is surging in the heartland. Looks like our healthcare system is getting swamped. A very dangerous situation. You can tell that the public health officials are frantic, frazzled, worried that folks are not going to take their advice to stay home, wear masks, social-distance, refrain from gathering together.

We wonder did anyone else get the memo? This Covid thing is nasty, deadly, super-contagious. You do not want to get it. We have been reading stories about people still partying, having weddings, get-togethers, sort of boggles the mind. What are they thinking?

Human beings are such social creatures. Not congregating goes against our natures. This is a test. Can people do the right thing? Can human beings refrain, show a bit of discipline, be smart, safe, can they make the choice to just not do what they normally do?!

We shall see. Hope folks are gonna be smart. This is a holiday where isolating ourselves is the prudent thing to do. Happy Mask-Giving!

Absolutely Delicious...

You can see that day coming, and the vision is absolutely delicious...

The Loud, Toxic, Fat-Man waddling off to Mar A Lago; defeated, the ultimate loser, just another clueless old White, Racist Dude ranting at the wind. Think of King Lear without the brain. Sputtering, saliva dripping off his fat, blubbery lips. King Lear as portrayed by a Moe Howard with a yellow fright wig, gone to seed.

A scene fit for Shakespeare, except in this case, it's more Three Stooges.  USA, I mean, what were you thinking? That Reality TV Clown was just such a tragic mistake. Soon we will never have to pay that black-hole of a human being the slightest attention.

We can use our brain-cells for more edifying subjects.

We will all be soon waking up to a new day. A new reality. A new USA.  A time where competence, intelligence, consensus, common-sense, community are valued once again. Yes, better days ahead. No doubt.

The a.m soundtrack: "1" (The Beatles) (2000). The finest stuff. The "topper-most of the popper-most." I am in a bit of a festive mood this morning. This Beatles compilation is just exquisite. Number one singles from 1962-1970. If you have any doubts whether the Beatles were the greatest pop/rock band in the Universe, I suggest you spin this one. Amazing. One great song after another. Exuberance, Joy, Enthusiasm. Fabulous vocals, gorgeous harmonies,  unique melodies; just a great band all around. No flaws. Genius. More creative, more successful, more experimental, more expansive, more open-minded than you. Vivid technicolor! Mick Jagger once called them "the four-headed monster." Yes, four unique individuals working at the height of their creative powers for a higher cause: Beatles! Their music is head-opening. Optimistic. Not just great music, a great lesson in how to live a more fruitful, beautiful life. Be creative, let your freak flag fly.  Recommended.

Feed Your Head...

It's funny. Pandemic Sunday. Entertaining ourselves to the max.

You'd think it would be quite claustrophobic. Nope. For some reason everything seemed "perfect and in it's right place."A chill, meandering day. Started the day drinking coffee and listening to Krista Tippett interview the great Cuban American poet Richard Blanco. Tears and laughter in the a.m. Totally entrancing & enriching!  

Then a long, invigorating walk on the lakefront. An excellent spaghetti lunch. Watched a hilarious rock doc about the 90's Brit-Pop band Oasis (the fighting, drugging, totally raucous and out of control Gallagher brothers!). So funny!

Listened to some great music on the box: Dylan's much maligned "Shot of Love," (1981) (a fabulous record: raw, loose, funky with three or four of Dylan's killer masterpieces),  and the Rolling Stones' "Flowers" (1967) (the Stones still in a Pop groove. Raw. Edgy. Funny. Dexterous. Brian Jones playing various instruments, still with it.)

Then in the evening we watched an episode of "The Crown" featuring another wild,  strange, confounding British clan, the Royals. Fabulous acting all around. Crazy, but pretty much true story. Gillian Anderson plays that British gargoyle Margaret Thatcher. 

Then it was to bed with a new book. At least, new to me. M. John Harrison's "Light." (2003). Sci-Fi. I have no idea what it is all about yet, but just the first few sentences hooked me. This man is a fabulous writer. Floated thru the first few chapters, then lights out.

That was the day. Not bad. I thought of Bobby McFerrin's great Zen Koan: "Don't Worry, Be Happy." For one Pandemic Sunday it actually worked. As the Door-mouse said: "Feed your head!"

Reality is Here...

Beware the "con."

I fight to resist the temptation to engage the crazies. There really is nothing to be gained by trying to refute insane conspiracy theories floated by the right-wing noise machine. It's sort of like wrestling with an enthusiastic and thoroughly-muddy pig. You will be SLIMED. 

I go back to the basics:

Gravity still rules.

Simple math still works: 1+1 = 2

Democracy = Every Vote Counts.

Candidates with the most votes win.

Of course, there is an asterisk *. The Popular Vote and the Electoral College Vote (a relic from our Slave-Holding days), sometimes don't match up (see Hilary Clinton's 3 million popular vote win in 2016). It's either a quirk or a deadly flaw in our Democratic System. Sometimes, unfortunately, the Popular Vote Loser can take office (see 4 yrs of the Toxic Trump). 

It's heartbreaking when it seems the will of the people is thwarted, but that's the way the cookie crumbles.

This year, Biden/Harris are ahead in the vote count by more than 6 million votes (some outstanding mail-in ballots are still being counted). And they have votes in the right numbers, in all the necessary swing states, to take the Electoral College. Joe Biden & Kamala Harris will be  sworn into office on January 20, 2021.

Math.

Common sense.

Logic.

Evidence.

Fact.

Truth.

These are all excellent tools that we can use as guides to navigate thru the darkness and madness. 

None of this is complicated. All that crazy-making noise, all that shouting and pounding on the table is just a sideshow. I mean, really, it's all a not-very-entertaining-shit-show.

As my favorite ex-President, Barack Obama likes to say: "Reality has a way of catching up to you."

Exactly. Reality is here. Those who have been conned, those who desperately want to believe in the con, those caught in the right-wing-nutzo-noise-machine, are the mischief-makers, the fools, the saps, the gullible dumb-shits, amongst us. We must do our best to ignore them. There is much difficult work ahead for all the good people of conscience...

Improvise!

Trying times, indeed...

The crazier seem be getting crazier. The unhinged, more unhinged. There are more crazy & unhinged ones than we all realized. Their number is legion.

Funny.

What's a Pilgrim to do? 

Stay calm, carry on. 

Lean to the light.

Keep your feet on the ground (gravity rocks!).

Keep your head.

Chill.

Don't engage the crazy & unhinged.

Meditate. 

Find the calm center.

Live there.

The world is turning.

Change is our never-ending state of being.

Improvise.

Life is a long-form improvisation.

Say: "Yes... And..." often...

Right. Keep the improvisation moving forward...

At the same time, never forget the power of "No!"

Be...

... Alive, Aware, Awake... yes, come on, you can do it...

"If it's Good Enough for the Buddha, It's Good Enough for Me."

Yesterday morning, my brilliant idea, to pull me out of my funk (see previous post),  came to me on the path on the lakefront. "Let's order Chinese for lunch!" 

You know, takeout. Try to shake up the sequence of the day.

The answer, of course, was, "Sure." 

Then, what to order?!  For me it was an easy call: "Buddha's Delight." My thought process, "If it's good enough for Buddha, it's good enough for me."

And, yes, well, it was good enough. Vegetables, tofu, brown rice. 

Later in the day, my therapy session: headphones, a dark living room, sprawled out on the couch listening to music.  What was the sonic medicine? Two fabulous, r&r masterpieces, The Who's "Quadrophenia,"  (1973), and New Order's "Power, Corruption & Lies." (1983).

What do The Who and New Order have in common? A fierce, creative intelligence hovering over both bands. A lofty, and ambitious spirit. Musically inventive. Virtuosos on Bass and Drums. They are also  so very unique. Makes you realize, anyone picking up an instrument can re-define it's capabilities. That is the case with Moon, Entwhistle, Morris and Hook. Different sonic worlds.

Magnificent, enthralling results.

Music is such a tonic. Lifts my spirit, renews my faith in the creative project. Inspiring. Intense. The necessary stuff. Dipped in the pool of vibes, returned totally recharged.

It's a new day...

An Olaf Morning...

I can usually meet the day pretty much half-way. You know, bright-eyed, coffee cup filled to the brim, a streak of hope and optimism flashing thru me. Not today. Just not into it. I am not in despair. Just mildly disconnected & annoyed. I don't like the drift of the news this morning. I am a bit at a loss for words. The news of the day is sort of distasteful. My fellow human beings are proving to be disappointing (not a new thing). Their lack of basic intelligence and stubborn irrationality, makes me want to sit silently on a bench somewhere, the trees swaying in the breeze, the waves crashing to the shore.

I aimlessly crack a new book (it arrived via post yesterday), that I've never cracked before, and come upon this: 

Olaf (upon what were once knees)

does almost ceaselessly repeat

"there is some shit I will not eat."

-- e.e. cummings

It is an Olaf morning...

The Lay of the Land...

The lay of the land...

People are still tricky.

There is a Covid-19 Storm raging in the Heartland.

The Governor and Public Health Director in Illinois are getting desperate & frazzled. Why? They are imploring folks to act responsibly, and to treat a deadly, super-contagious virus, like a deadly super-contagious virus. Trying to convince folks to act sensibly. It turns out that is not an easy job.

The Common Folk are restless, tired of staying at home, and tired of wearing masks.

Lots of anger, bad blood & hurly-burly swirling in the air.

The hospitals are overflowing with Covid-19 patients.

Lots of sadness, sickness and death on the horizon.

Thanksgiving 2020 is looming as a public health disaster of epic proportions.

Lots of sunshine and cooler temps today.

All the clouds are in our heads and in our headlines.

We are doing our best to keep the storm at bay.

We wonder what the people will do. Not willing to bet on a positive outcome.

Hoping for the best.

Hunkering down.

Hunkering in.

Covid-19 is Real... Really...

Okay, in this year of god-smacking crazy stories, I think the most "gob-smackingest," I mean, like, the most batshit crazy thing I have heard, is the story of the ICU nurse in MAGA country talking about Trumpers dying of Covid-19, folks on ventilators in the ICU, gasping for their last breaths, still maintaining and believing, against all evidence, against all odds, that the virus is a lie, a scam and a hoax.

Trumpers pissed off and furious that medical staff have diagnosed them with a disease that they don't believe exists. Instead they think it's some liberal hoax. You know, liberals are trying to fool them into caring about themselves and others.

I actually heard a man who lives in Montana tell a radio interviewer that Covid-19 is a Chinese/Marxist-Leninist plot set to destroy America.  It's all just a fear-based sham. Makes me think of Sterling Hayden's great portrayal of General Ripper in Stanely Kubrick's "Dr. Strangelove," talking about how fluoride in the water is a plot to sap Americans of their "precious, bodily fluids."

Hmmm...

What to say? How is it possible that people can live in such denial of reality? How is it possible that people's minds can get so clouded with politics, conspiracy theories, nonsense, idiocies, and will actually, irrevocably, stubbornly stick to their delusions even in the face of sickness and death? Turns out MAGA really is a Death-Cult.

You would think some kind of self-preservation would kick in somewhere along the line. You know, simple reason, logic, common-sense? 

You wonder... 

Does the lightbulb finally go off on their last breath? Does a last creeping thought flitter across their disease-ravaged minds that maybe they are stupidly, tragically, ridiculously wrong? You know, do they get a tiny last glimmer of the idea that maybe Dr. Anthony Fauci was just trying to help them stay safe and healthy when he told folks to wear a mask, socially-distance, and wash their hands?

Covid-19 doesn't care if you live in a red state or a blue state. It's doesn't care if you are a Trumper, or if you voted for Joe and Kamala. It's doesn't care if you are careful or not. It's a nasty, super-contagious virus that has killed over 220,000 Americans... WTF...  I mean, this isn't rocket science, people...

Bound By Reality...

Rolling & Tumbling...

emotionally

intellectually

psychologically

late stages of early stage pandemic fatigue. 

We have not "loosened up," in the face of another Covid-19 spike over here. The heartland, just like most of the rest of the country, is suffering from a nasty, raging, extremely contagious and indiscriminate virus. Trying our best to be smart and stay safe. 

So, yes, we are a bit tired of the "new normal" during this plague year, but we are committed to doing our best to stay healthy, and keep others healthy too. We really are all in this together. It's the human herd vs. the transmissible disease.  Right now the disease is ascendent.  

It's seems like the only commonsensical thing to do is to be careful, to follow the expert guidance, to cut down on social activity, and act as if everyone is a potential carrier of the virus. It's the paranoid-style writ large. It's smart, moral, ethical, and admirable too. Bound by reality. Yes. All of us are, although, many of us don't seem to know it.

Reality has a way of catching up to us. Over here we are hoping to meet reality with clear-thinking, clear-seeing, open hearts and heads. Fully-masked, still scarce socially. Hunkering down. Hoping for a vaccine soon and better days ahead.

Don't Know...

What is the wisest thought? What is the best way forward? How to process all the chaos, bad blood, & turmoil in the world?

First Thought/Best Thought...

I Know Nothing.

I don't know if I will ever figure things out.

I don't know if I will ever understand myself or others.

I don't know how to fix the world.

I don't know how to change other people's minds.

I don't know why I do the things I do, or don't do the things I don't do.

I don't understand how a brain can, or cannot, understand itself or other brains.

I don't know why I don't know how the world, and all the things in it, work.

I mean it. 

Nothing Can Penetrate Their Numb Skulls...

Seems the true divide in America is between those of us who saw the "con" early on, I mean, from the first day, and those of us who still don't see it, and can't admit that they are still being conned, even today, this moment.

So funny, weird, hard to get your head around.

Maybe some folks really, really want to be conned, they want to defy reason, logic, science, math, common-sense at all costs? These are the same folks who are refusing to wear masks, or social-distance, the same folks starting to flood the healthcare system with sickness.

You would think disease and death would make some us these folks sit up and listen. Or you would think that simple math and logic might rule their days.  But it seems some folks want to believe the con so badly that nothing can penetrate their numb skulls.

It is something to behold: The Persistence of Ignorance.

A Battlefield...

It has always been so...

You lean to the light, you crave a bit of peace & tranquility, but life is a battle, the world is a perpetual battlefield. War is ubiquitous.

You remember as a child, trying to navigate the neighborhood, trying to avoid the neighborhood bully, you just wanted to play with your friends, and your toys, but it was never that simple. The bigger, stronger ones were always picking on the littler, weaker ones.

The big fish eating the little fish. 

Being on the playground at lunch time was always a perilous adventure. You spent so much time trying to be invisible. You remember helping a boy smaller and weaker than you, broken glasses, bloody nose, tears of incomprehension falling hard on the ground. The question hanging in the air, "Why are they picking on me?"

At the time, all you could do was shrug and move on. Now, you think: "Because they can."

These are indelible life-lessons, seared into body & brain. Later in high school, reading "Lord of the Flies" was a revelation. "Oh yeah, I know this world..."

This morning you think of the battles we wage everyday:

strong vs. weak

rich vs poor

reason vs. unreason

life vs. death

pleasure vs. pain

joy vs. sadness

optimism vs. pessimism

rational vs irrational

blue vs red

hopeful vs hopeless

War & Peace every day.  When you meditate it is intended to still that warring mind. To find some light and clarity... it's always a temporary oasis... the battlefield is always waiting...

Swimming & Surfing Calamity...

Yes, swimming & surfing the days. So far it's seems we have survived the reign of our very own American Fascist, we are moving on to a new era (Biden/Harris), and we have so far avoided that nasty virus circulating thru the human population. So much of 2020 is about avoidance, the things we've avoided.

All this swimming and surfing takes up lots of time. You sometimes forget that our lives are swimming and surfing by too. These are the days of our lives. Yes, we are looking to get thru, to get on the other side of these crazy calamities surrounding us, but at the same time, living within these calamities is our life and our time.

Swimming & Surfing Calamity, that's life...

When It Comes to People...

I guess when it comes to people...

 

you shouldn't under-estimate
their craziness

their ignorance

their rank stupidity

their persistent delusional nature

their stubborn bull-headed-ness

their laughable ridiculous-ness

their inability to admit they are wrong

their determined clinging to madness and bad faith

their conspiracy-minded-ness

their happy irrationality

their blind faith in idiocies

their belief in their own brilliance and native genius

what to do?

how do you deal with the crazy-ass ones?

Not sure.

Maybe best to just ignore them and move on...

Vivid & Disturbing Dream...

People are tricky. People are rowdy. People are unpredictable (in predictable and unpredictable ways)...

I should know. I am a full-time person myself.

So, yes, so pleased with recent events, you'd think I'd be sleeping like a baby. Nope. Not quite. Last night I had a vivid & disturbing dream, it was like some long David Lean-like Epic Film. When I woke up this morning I was still quite foggy.

The Dream:

I was traveling (lately, I don't travel) 

I was staying at hotel (nope not lately)

I was drinking to excess, I mean totally blind, off my rocker drunk (I stopping drinking years ago)

I was driving a fast car (I don't own a car)

I was spending time with a strange, very attractive, loose woman (Hah!)

I lost my luggage (luggage?)

I spent most of the dream trying to track down my luggage. I found my suitcase, it was empty. Seems all my stuff was scattered all over town. I spent hours and hours aimlessly looking for the contents of the suitcase. And when I found something it was totally destroyed, ragged, torn, broken, unrecognizable. 

I spent lots of time explaining myself to random strangers, the bell hop, the hotel clerk, attractive women. It all sounded strange and weird and impossible. The words falling from my mouth were ridiculous. I never did get it together. 

Hah!

Everything Hinges on Everything...

Yesterday it was all smiles and good vibes in our town. Folks were out, enjoying a nice, sunny, fall day. The black cloud hanging over the land has lifted. The big, loud, toxic bad man has been defeated. How did we do it? One little vote at a time.

Democracy. It truly is a wonderful thing. The people decide who will serve us. The revolution comes in dribs and drabs. Every two years we elect Representatives, and every 4 years we pick a President. Every election is a pivot point. Every vote counts. History is written in real time. It's a bit messy. No clear thru line. 

We lean to the light, and hope for enlightened progress, but it doesn't always roll out like that. One step forward, two steps back, sometimes, unfortunately, we can find ourselves in a deep, hateful, retro-ditch. Then again, sometimes we roll our sleeves up, do the hard work of democracy and we rise to a bright new day and reality. 

Our choices do matter. Everything is connected. Everything hinges on Everything.

Yes. It's a little thing: a homely little vote. It is a formidable weapon. What's the take away this a.m.?

Sometimes...

gravity holds

common sense makes sense

math rules

science counts

democracy works

the dark clouds lift

the sun shines

the strong man crumbles

the GOOD GUYS WIN!

And it just feels so good and right and beautiful...

Complete, Total JOY!

The words that come to mind: Joy. Ecstasy. Euphoria. Happiness. Excitement. Relief.

I admit it. I am exhausted. My girlfriend remarked to a friend: "My boyfriend is absolutely exhausted." It's true. It has been a total, crazy, roller-coaster ride of emotions. Yesterday morning when I heard that the AP had finally called the race for Biden I was relieved & sort of numb.

Later in the afternoon we took a long bike ride. My friend wanted to pick up some things at the hardware store. We rode through the main square of our town, a little Progressive Blue Bubble of a town. Folks were out in full force in the town square. Whooping, Cheering, Singing, Laughing, Dancing, High-Fiving, Chanting. Car horns Blaring. It was a total, joyous, celebration. So cathartic. So healing. So wonderful. So fun. Made us so happy to be alive in the USA.

It's funny. It had that vibe of hearing the news that the Bad Man, the Great Dictator had died. You know, people cried when Stalin died, but people also celebrated, they laughed, danced and whooped for joy. It was like that in our little Blue Bubble Town. Total, unmitigated joy!

I heard the bells were ringing in Paris. I talked to my friend in Poland. They were celebrating too. Pretty damn amazing. I do love this country. I love Democracy. I am feeling very hopeful, optimistic, joyous. I know there are lots of problems, major problems, difficult, enormous problems, but I am confident we have two new amazing people heading up our government and I am sure that they will do all they can to work towards solutions.  

Hope. Big-time Hope. Oh yeah, and Joy... complete, total Joy... 

"Say Goodbye to Facist Trump. Long Live Democracy."

Yes. I live in a Progressive, Blue Bubble. My long-time companion tells me it's actually a "Sunny-Jimmy Bubble." Maybe so. Just born that way, don't you know? So in my little bubble, science, math, facts, truth, common-sense, hope & optimism rule the roost. So I am feeling pretty damn positive that we will soon finish the vote-counting, and we can send the Toxic Clown Prez to the great dustbin of history. I mean simple math, and facts on the ground just make it inevitable!

Anyway, in my Progressive Blue Bubble neighborhood, even the park benches are articulate and politically-astute. We came across this park bench on a late afternoon bike ride yesterday. I couldn't say it any better, and it summed my thoughts/feelings/desires EXACTLY!

Simple Math is Still Simple Math...

UPDATE as of 8:24 a.m. CST: The slow death of the gaseous, little baby man dirigible... one vote at a time. Democracy in Action! The waiting is the hardest part, but latest word, Biden/Harris are now leading in Georgia (hat tip to Stacey Abrams) & Pennsylvania... just waiting for the networks to call it. We will have a new President and Vice President. So, so fabulous. Pizza Party!!!

Simple math is still simple math.

For instance 2+2 still = 4

There isn't Republican math or Democratic math.

Democracy still = (a) "government by the people,  especially : rule of the majority
(b) a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections"

Yes. We must not forget, as Patti Smith once sang: "People have the power." Remember that idea: Every vote counts. As a corollary to that we must count every vote. 

We forget. All these competing interests sometimes confuse us. In a Democracy the people, the common ones, the little folks who live across the land, each one of us has the right to vote. Our votes, collectively, determine who is elected and who is not.

Ballots come in many forms: in-person, mail-in, provisional, absentee. All of them are valid. All must be counted. 

Tune out the noise. Don't listen to the loud, fat man raging at the podium and on Twitter. He is sinking, flailing, failing. Let the votes be counted. A new day is dawning.

The big question: Which state will put Biden/Harris over the top? Will it be Nevada, Pennsylvania or Georgia? Any one of them will do. All three are trending Blue. Remember Democrats voted by mail in much larger numbers than Republicans. So the late vote-counting favors the Democrats in all of these battleground states. That's just a simple fact. I am rooting for Georgia to be the one to clinch the win for Biden, that would be so, so sweet, but I suspect it will be Pennsylvania. Either way is fine with me. Let Democracy rule. Let the people have their say. Count every vote. 

We will have a new President. No doubt. That's just the math. Fingers crossed...

Main-Lining Numbers...

Still waiting for the final count. Main-lining numbers. Not very healthy or satisfying. What's the mood around here?

Frazzled. Jittery. Exhausted. Touchy. Jumpy. Cautiously, desperately, optimistic. Prone to easy tears. Yes. A bit weepy (I listened to Dylan most of  yesterday, and early evening, yes it's been a Dylan Jukebox, from the early folk anthem stuff, Dylan reading his poem to Woody Guthrie, to later exhilarating r&r and even some of the gospel-tinged, early 80's church-y tracks). Why weepy? I haven't been sleeping well. I'm a bit overwrought and exhausted. I am the type of person who wears his feelings on his shoulders. Even though I am always striving for balance, common sense, a cool, chill demeanor, I live and die with my emotions & feelings. So yeah, live and die with every little morsel of news. As someone once remarked about my brother and I: "Both feet in, blood flying."

Right. It's a challenge not to be too emotionally-invested in the outcome of this election, but of course, that's not just hard to do, it is freaking, totally, impossible. I CANNOT countenance another four years of Trump. Just can't do it. Can't fathom it, can't imagine it, can't entertain it, can't think about it. I am totally gob-smacked that millions of my fellow Americans could vote for that disgusting example of humanity.

Luckily for me, and for everyone I know, the numbers are looking good for my pick. I mean, there is still a bit of uncertainty, final counts aren't in yet, votes still need to be counted and tallied, but really, the trend is looking good. The undoubted certainty: a record number of voters voted for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. We are on the cusp of a new era. A huge popular vote win for a new direction. Now it's the parsing, counting at the state level that is the make or break. As of this moment Joe Biden is 6 electoral college votes from being our next President. Hallelujah!

So, so close we can taste victory. I was expecting total exhilaration, but you know, even an exhausted, over-wrought relief will do just fine. It make take days, or who knows, we may know a winner very soon. I suppose an ungodly dollop of patience is required. Okay. Got it. I figure more main-lining numbers today. More Dylan too. It's important to tune out and recharge too. 

What's the a.m soundtrack? Paul Butterfield Band's "East-West."  (1966). Fabulous. Tough. Electric blues with some jazzy instrumental jams. The perfect post-election, deep in the weeds vote-counting, waiting with bated breath soundtrack...

Still Counting Votes...

Holy Shite.

Still counting votes. Democracy still hangs in the balance. What a crazy country.  This Electoral College thing is such a clusterfuck. Looks like the Democratic Ticket (Biden/Harris), will win the Popular Vote, (again), and that should be the end of the story, but unfortunately, that's not how it works. 

Yikes. 

I have been a fool. Religiously reading the political data scientists like Nate Silver, Nate Cohn, G. Elliot Morris. They all built fancy polling models, calculating odds & probabilities. All of their projections were basically off. Polling is just such a squirrelly art. Maybe more art than science. Maybe not all that useful?

My companion instead consulted her favorite astrologer, Chani Nicholas, "full moon in Taurus." Both of them seemed, always, on firmer ground: 

"The first week of November asks you to be more mindful than usual about your delivery, and perhaps more patient than you want to be about a response. The tension that occurs before, during and after Mars stations direct makes your interpersonal landscape interesting." 

Right. Things are definitely looking interesting. I look at my blog post from yesterday. I still think we should all dare to be optimistic, hopeful, etc. But this morning I am feeling a lot more cautious, humble, uncertain, and confused.

Welcome to USA in pandemic 2020.

Dare I say it? Once all the votes are counted, I think somehow Biden does emerge the winner, but it's now looking like a very close and "iffy" thing. Maybe comes down again to voters in Michigan & Wisconsin. What a crazy, mixed-up way to run a country. Wild. Weird. 

Everything Counts...

Election Day 2020.

What to say?! Be sure to Vote today. We voted early. So for us, it's just the long, excruciating, process of waiting for our fellow citizens to vote, and then the counting up.

Why excruciating? Seems that so much is hanging in the balance. Democracy Decides during a raging, global pandemic. That's drama. 

Voting seems like a small, paltry thing. You know, just one little drop in a massive ocean. But it's pretty much the same with every thing we do. One person. One life. One dream. I believe EVERYTHING COUNTS. Every little thing. That's the only soulful, courageous, righteous way to live.

So yeah. It's time to embrace your life, to embrace it with everything you have, everything you are, and everything want to be.

Dare. Dare to dream, to hope. Don't be afraid to speak up, to speak out, to take a stand. Have courage. Lean to the light. Be optimistic. Lead by example. Act as if you are the courageous, hopeful, optimistic, creative soul you want to be. Be that. Choosing that inevitably makes the world a better place for all. It's some weird alchemy at work. Yes. I do believe.

Voting today will change the course of history. No doubt. Does your one vote matter? Yes, it does.We live in that kind of Universe.  Everything, I mean, everything counts... 

Democracy Decides...

The suspense is killing me. 

Waiting for, and slightly dreading, election day, tomorrow, Nov. 3, 2020. It seems like a pivot point, a critical event, a momentous occasion for our fledgling Democracy. In my "sunny moments," I see a landslide Blue Wave, healing & beautiful. In my "dumps moments" I see more chaos, division, hatred.

Maybe the smart thing: a bit of both, you know, landslide Blue Wave with a small, loud, unhappy minority causing a retrograde ruckus. A new day dawning with a hangover of hate. A major step forward, but a long, protracted fight ahead.

As my Father always used to say: "No one ever promised you a rose garden." Although, really, let the roses bloom!

We live in a such an unhappy, divisive time. Disinformation. Bad blood. Madness. USA seems like a lurching, stumbling beast of competing visions. I can't help but be optimistic and hopeful, but I don't know if that is really smart, or really dumb. I also live with a small streak of uncertainty, doubt, and worry cutting thru the sunshine.

Still, no matter what, I am not the best worrier in the land. I leave that up to some of my close friends and relatives. They are all so much better worriers than I. So yes, the suspense is killing us. I lean to the light.

Let's count the votes. All of the votes. Let's see what Democracy decides. Dare I say it? I see Joe & Kamala on a stage, smiling, grateful, ready to go to work. But, well, let's count the votes.

Blue Moon Gift

We had one of those great creative break-throughs yesterday. We had been working on a song, my chord progression, my partner’s lyrics, we had worked through it together over the last month or so, we let it marinate, we’d get together, we’d play it, and for some unknown reason, it just didn’t seem to work. There was some undefinable, unsatisfying-ness that sort of hung over the song. We let it sit for a couple of weeks. Maybe we just needed to live with a it bit, and then it would jell?

Yesterday, late afternoon, sitting in a friend’s living room, the rays of the sun washing over us from the front window, we played some songs from our catalog of songs. Between songs I just aimlessly started strumming, on automatic pilot. Not a thought or intention in my head. My fingers traveled up and down the fretboard in a new pattern. Something clicked. My partner started tentatively singing the lyrics over this new pattern. It all just fell in place. In short order, we had a completely new song. New feel, new mood, suddenly chords and lyrics seemed to fit exquisitely.

It almost sounded ancient, from another century, Medieval, and from another land. Funny. An unexpected gift. A moment of magic. Halloween 2020. Blue Moon Saturday. Ghosts and goblins wandering the neighborhood. Ghosts in the room. That is how it felt, this song came from somewhere, and from someone else. Luckily, we had a digital recording device. We recorded the song. Good thing. It’s still just barely in our grasp, like a butterfly, a bolt of lightening. Neither of us can claim the song, it just sort of came out of the air. We think it's a good one.

A Little Escapade

I awake in a new place. A short stay with 3 little four-legged beasts; hairy, friendly, needy. They follow my every move. It is strange, to fall into a completely new reality. I bring all of my same old habits and foibles. “No matter where you are, there you are.” No escaping, even on this little escapade. 

I brought my books, my music, and my coffee-maker. The brew is powerful, robust, life- giving. Some addictions really pay. Listening to the radio this a.m. The words just fly by. Same stories, same worries, same hopes.

The sun is shining. The leaves are turning. Beautiful colors, fallen leaves litter the ground. Dazzling. No expectations, no appointments, just time, lots of time with the little beasts. Breathing, thinking, hanging out. Life.

Let's End the Shit-Show...

Feeling a Blue Wave Landslide brewing. But at the same time, I am counseling everyone I know to make sure they VOTE, and at this point in the drama, make sure you VOTE in-person on Tuesday, November 3rd. Don't make the mistake of trusting the mail.

Yes, the Political Data Scientists, such as Nate Silver, G. Elliott Morris and Nate Cohn are all running their sophisticated models and coming up with probabilities for winners and losers throughout the land. They run those models thousands of times, and tweak the data, test different assumptions and then come up with probabilities. 

Bottom line: basically, it looks very promising for the Democrats to sweep into the White House, to take back the Senate, and to add seats in the House. Going out on a limb, I'd say: MASSIVE BLUE WAVE! 

That would be so exciting and healing for the nation. It would be a fantastic validation for our little Democratic experiment. A new day. A better day. A way to reclaim the American Dream.  I do think it will happen. I don't think by saying that, that I am jinxing it.

Of course, the Universe only runs the model one time. It's a weird thing. We live in a probabilistic Universe, maybe this, maybe that, could be this, could be that, but when all is said and done, what happens is what actually happens.

Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda are all just spit-balling after the fact.  So anyway. What to do? VOTE. VOTE BLUE. VOTE BIDEN/HARRIS. I mean, come on, won't it be fun to be on the winning team? The Toxic Clown Prez is flailing, failing, spinning in his own whirlpool of vomit. Finally the definitive judgement is about to come down on his head: A LOSER! Ha! That is his greatest fear. The truth will finally rule. Yes, Toxic Clown Prez = Total Loser! Let's end this shit-show. Lot's of work to do to fix, remake, rebuild, and dream new dreams.

What is Going to Happen?

What is going to happen?

I consult a handful of Political Data Scientists. 

They have fancy graphs, they crunch loads of numbers. The numbers seem real, they have some hardness, not subject to emotion or desire. But, then,  you can't forget that those numbers come from conversations with people. People telling Pollsters who they are voting for, and those people are unreliable, full of emotion, desire, contradictory-ness. The Political Data Scientists weight and massage the data, then their models spit out the results. They make fancy, easy to digest graphs. I look at the graphs and think I have clear idea of what's going to happen.

Of course, there's "polling error." The numbers look good, but, you know, who knows?

I also consult my friends and family. 

I hear their opinions, I hear their stories, their hopes and desires. I listen to interviews of voters on the radio. Everyone has an opinion. Everyone has a story. The stories criss and cross, they contradict each other, sometimes it seems they cancel each other out. People tell you what they are going to do. 

I remember: People are Tricky.

I also consult the Tarot Deck. 

You know. I love my Tarot cards. Those pictures seem to hold information. Important information. I shuffle the deck and draw the cards, wondering what they will reveal, what stories, what insights. This is a little game I like to play. I make up narratives. I read the signs and make decisions and guesses based on the cards I just shuffled and picked from the deck. I go with the idea that my choices are somehow significant, prophetic.

Strange I would take advice from a Tarot card. But it is true, I sometimes do. What of my latest reading?

I foresee a period of turmoil, a bit of uncertainty. It's all out of my hands. I do what I think is right. I align my heart, head and soul, and act as if I am the one I want to be. So yes, turmoil, but eventually, things will work out. My desires, and my realities will converge. Hah!  That's the kind of story I like to tell myself. You can build a life on that kind of story. 

Better days ahead... no doubt...

The Most Consequential Election in our Lifetimes...

“Preacher man, don’t tell me, Heaven is under the earth, I know you don’t know, What life is really worth, It’s not all that glitters is gold, Alf the story has never been told, So now you see the light, eh Stand up for your rights, come on” – Bob Marley

“The Future is Unwritten.” – Joe Strummer

Tuesday, Nov. 3rd the most consequential election day in our lifetimes. 

No doubt. I mean, I know I am prone to exaggerate. Once I get on a roll, I can easily get carried away. But this election seems to be a deep existential crisis point for our Democracy. The Toxic Clown Prez has destroyed so much in his wake. He is a toxic wrecking ball. He really has turned the American Dream into an American Nightmare.

I mean, it is amazing that one loud, white, fat guy could wreak so much havoc. But President of the USA is a pretty powerful and important job. Having a reality TV show blowhard; lazy, ignorant, racist, will-fully divisive and inept was just was not a very savvy move.

We are all, worldwide, feeling the consequences of 4 years of totally willful corruption & ignorance. Time for a change.

We are doing our best to conjure up, in our little Progressive, Blue Bubble, a New Day, and Reclaim a New American Dream. “Stand up for Your Rights.” VOTE. Remember Election Day is next Tuesday, Nov. 3rd. Dare we say it? Let’s elect Joe & Kamala. The alternative is too gruesome and retrograde to even contemplate. 

What's More Real?

Yes...

Still thinking about that real/unreal dichotomy (see previous post).

Why does

depression

pain

suffering

death

seem MORE real than

happiness

joy

pleasure

life

?

I mean is that even true?

I don't know. My go-to mode is happiness. But, of course, my little castle, my little blue bubble of happiness, and progressive politics always seems totally under siege. 

It takes effort to be positive, optimistic, happy. 

It does help to be of a creative mind.

I think just the act of writing something down: play, poem, essay, blog post

or

painting, writing, playing & singing a song

is an act of affirmation.

Maybe some of this is just the luck of the draw: circumstance, DNA, happy or crappy childhood... you know... just basic character.

Do I choose to be happy & optimistic? Or does it choose me? What is "more real?" Is it my pain or my pleasure?

Real & Unreal...

My radio speaks to me often. You'll be happy to know that it is turned on and tuned in. Radio-waves. Sometimes words float into my head and resonate. This morning I hear a female voice say:

"It's getting real out there."

Yes. No doubt. 

I think she may have been referring to the expected raw conditions of the day: low temps, clouds, cold rain, maybe even some snow flurries. Oh yeah, and, of course, left unsaid, the nasty, contagious virus is spiking around here.

But you know I take the words to heart. That "real-ness" resonates on all levels: existential, psychological, philosophical, physical, social, political, etc. 

And I think to myself: "How much real-ness can I handle?" And at the same time, alternatively: "How much un-real-ness can I handle?" 

I suppose I will find out. And, I mean, you know, I think we all will find out too. It's that kind of universe.

"Taking it to the Streets."

The pandemic has changed everything. Especially in our R&R life.  Our band used to play some pretty nice clubs, to some pretty good-sized crowds. No more. Of course, it's not unique to us. Everyone in the R&R firmament has been knocked down by that nasty virus, Covid-19. No shows. No grand tours. No crowds. No intimate interactions.

So what to do? We have learned that over time that "playing is the thing." Still. Always. Even if you feel tired, not-into-it, dragging, reluctant, unsure, sort of wanting to cancel; actually getting together and playing with other musicians is always an amazing kick, a re-vitalizer, a savior, a soulful, and life-affirming thing.

So 2020 has been about playing in the park. Outside, masked, distant, in a large circle. Playing to the trees, the sky, the birds and bees. Sometimes passing strangers too.

Also we have played on the street, literally, "taking it to the streets." We filled a cart with our gear and schlepped down the street to a record store in our neighborhood yesterday. A little gypsy-caravan. I mean, we probably looked like homeless people carting our stuff around the hood. Making the effort.

We have played music on the sidewalk 3 times this year in honor of the slowly unfolding, 3-part Record Store Day Pandemic-Style.  There is something so real about playing a city street: buses, cars, people, dogs, vinyl-enthusiasts, lurkers and gawkers, folks stopping by for a listen, kids and dogs sitting mesmerized at our sounds and vibrations. Noisy. Distracting. Bad acoustics. Nothing special. Just folks playing music to the street.

It's a bit humbling. But essential too. No airs, no ego. Just setting up on a cold, dirty avenue and playing music. There is something so empowering about being able to perform on the street, and to really embody it. There were 4 of us yesterday. It was windy, chilly, our fingers getting a bit stiff from the low temps. We gave it our all, put all our energy into it, heart, head, soul. And it felt amazing. 

Don't need a big stage, or a big audience. Just kicking it in the street. In some ways maybe even more gratifying. To be able to get to some "transcendence" in the most humble, meager and homely way. It was great. Really. Playing in the raw elements. Nothing better. Satisfying. Gratifying. Playing really is the thing.

Funny & Tricky...

You think it's going to "all work out." But, of course, you're not sure. You've been sometimes wrong and sometimes right in your prognostications, and it's hard to tell how things are going to break this time. Even really, really smart people seem to be confused and unsure, which is a bit unsettling.

The Universe is a funny place. It's rolling out, expanding as I type these words. It unfolds. It's hard to discern what that unfolding entails and how it all comes together, or falls apart, or whatever it's doing.

And people, human beings, are tricky. Extremely tricky. Unpredictable. Contradictory. Although often-times people act in oh so predictable ways; irrational, acting as if they are completely rational in a totally irrational manner. It's a tricky, complicated game that humans play with themselves and others.

So yeah, we live in this Universe and it seems like it only runs one way. And people must find themselves in it somehow. And the Universe may be existing in some kind of infinity of time and space, but us human beings exist in a very limited time and space continuum. At least, that's how it seems to this human.

It's amazing anything can get done. Not surprising there is so much confusion, bad blood, division, pain and turmoil. Then again, sometimes things do work out. And there is love, joy, good cheer, a certain kind of happiness.

It's all a bit funny and tricky...

Message on a Wall...

NEVER GIVE UP

NEVER GIVE UP

NEVER GIVE UP

It was a strange "pandemic day" around here yesterday. Lots of errands, appointments, lots of to-ing & fro-ing in the neighborhood. I mean, there were lots of little chores to do. Trying to just get along. I avoided interacting with folks. Masked up, sanitized, gloved, focused on the tasks at hand. It was the same for my close companion. We were out of time and in the moment. Both of us.

Kicking down the street, under a viaduct and written on the dirty wall under the train track those words at the top of the post were stenciled in bold type. Three times is the charm. I took the words, the sentiment, to heart. Yes. NEVER GIVE UP. Until of course, you finally do.

In the meantime, we must carry on and do the best we can. Weird times. Weird days. Trying to keep our eyes on the ball, do everything we need to do, when we need to do it. I do think it helps not to think too far ahead, or too far behind. Look to the light.

The virus is surging everywhere. Scary. We are still covid-militant around here. It seems to be the smart way forward. Tuning out the noise, ignoring the nay-sayers. Listening to the science.  Keeping our feet on the ground, and doing our best to keep our heads clear. Clear-seeing...

People are Tricky...

It was a dark and stormy night here in the Heartland. Tossed and turned. Up early. It's still dead-dark, with a cold, hard rain banging off the windows. I am listening to Cream's "Wheels of Fire," a double-CD, on the stereo, it's an album from another place and time (1968). It does sound great. A 3-piece band of major substance abusers. Oh yeah, pretty much totally fabulous musicians too. But it wasn't long before they couldn't stand to be in the same room together. Drugs & Egos. Vibe-Killers, for sure. Funny.

Still the album is excellent. Eric Clapton on guitar, Jack Bruce bass and vocals, Ginger Baker on drums. A super-group. You wonder why they couldn't just play their music and leave the other shit alone? People are tricky. 

That is the never-ending story. Folks working against their own best interests. Choosing risky behaviors, making poor decisions, making complete wrecks of their lives. Makes you happy to still have your feet on the ground, all your fingers and toes.

I feel lucky to be here. I have had my own series of goofs and fuckups in my history. Nothing too serious. But a few close calls and supremely stupid decisions. Who knew?! Often you are making decisions with little or no insight. I mean, really, come on, life ain't easy.

Best to choose your vices wisely, Pilgrim. Lean to the light. Be humble, gentle and kind. "A fundamentally  decent human being," (someone describing Joe Biden). Now that's something to aspire to.

Everything Counts...

Maybe my own most important insight, (according to me), this time around...

Everything counts. Every moment, every breath, every step, every note, oh, yeah, and every VOTE too. 

My companion and I ventured across town to early-vote yesterday. Early-voting started in our district on Monday. We thought it best to bike over on Tuesday, mid-day, hopefully to miss a long wait in line. We masked up with double-masks, we gloved ourselves, and sanitized too. There was a line, we ended up waiting for about 20 mins to get to the voting booth, hell, it was well worth the time and effort.

We have been waiting, waiting, waiting to cast our vote for years. I mean this has been a long, 4 year struggle, dealing with the daily horror and hate of the Toxic Clown Prez. We both joyously cast our votes for Joe and Kamala. It was quite exciting and fun. Yes, indeed.

Dreaming of better days for this fragile Democracy. So happy to VOTE for Biden/Harris. Let’s reclaim the American Dream. There is something so r&r about Voting. It’s a small thing, but, really, just like every little thing we do, it has major consequences. Every breath, every step, every note & every vote counts.

You know it's "mystical" idea: every drop in the ocean is infinite. As above, so below. You may think you are a tiny thing in a grand Universe, and it is true. But, you know, EVERYTHING COUNTS!

Our little American experiment in Democracy only works if we all participate: pay attention, stick to the facts, engage fully; heart, head & soul. We voted. It was a celebration and a relief. I am not afraid to voice it: Blue Wave 2020 Coming. I do believe. It is important, and essential.

Better days ahead...

Reflections...

Reflections in a Golden Vibe...

Still in a reflective mood (see previous post)...

Where am I at? What have I learned on this Long & Winding Road?

Do the hard things first.

Never leave a sink full of dishes, 

always wash up after a meal.

Take the garbage out in a timely fashion.

Chores can be fun...

You can learn to Love to mop, wash & scrub, I mean, really.

Set your mind to any task and make it happen.

Don't procrastinate. Just do it. 

Always be moving.

Best to walk or bike.

Be nimble, be quick.

Yes, jump over a candle-stick.

Music, laughter, Love, creativity, flow activities.

Always, always, always be onto the next thing.

Find out what you Love to do, and spend lots of time doing it.

Don't think too far ahead, and rarely should you think too far behind.

Best to live in the moment. 

Take time to be silent. Listen. Watch.

Yes, smell the roses, watch the sun set, take in the crashing waves, 

and the trees swaying in the wind. 

Try to be gentle, humble & kind.

Embrace discipline. 

When looking at others think: "There but for the grace of God, go I..."

Grace, yes, grace...

Avoid drugs & alcohol at all costs. 

I learned the "hard way."

My thing is "Clear Consciousness." 

A certain clarity at all times.

Meditation!

Remember Lombardi: "When the going gets tough,

the tough get going."

Avoid the Medical Establishment.

Maybe try home-remedies? 

For instance: GingKo Biloba, Arnica, Cayenne Pepper, Garlic  

I do believe those special spices have made me healthier.

Who knows?!

Placebo effect?!

Eating clean, organic vegetables is smart strategy.

Avoid fast food, and meat.

Don't forget to laugh.

Don't take your self too seriously.

Make friends with animals.

Remember: Life is for the living.

Your life is not a job.

It truly is a gift.

Enjoy it while you can...

The Long and Winding Road...

Well, well, well...

Still here. It's been a "long and winding road." Suddenly, Sir Paul's sappy song seems just about right. There have been twists and turns, lots of cul-de-sacs, dead-ends, false starts, wrong turns. Pretty much nothing has turned out the way I thought it would turn out. Although, really, I've never been very good at making plans, so I can't really say my plans have been foiled. My life has been more of a case of feeling my way in the dark, living in a cloud, carrying on a sort of groggy, foggy existence.

I still have my Mojo...

There's that. I can still conjure up a dream. I do like to entertain and to chase dreams. The coffee still does it's thing. All "my parts" seem to be working.  I know some amazingly, cool & beautiful people; some I'm related to, and some I'm not.

I can get excited and enthused about the silliest things. I can easily get lost in a book or song or idea. I am the optimistic, hopeful sort. I'm also a bit argumentative, and recalcitrant. If I were to characterize my character, I'd say: "Love's to do what He Loves to do. Won't do what he doesn't want to do. Does not like to be told what to do. Works with others as long as they want to work with him. Otherwise, he'd rather be on his own." Not exactly an over-achiever.

I was a happy kid. Spent lots of time alone. I always enjoyed it. I carry that spirit, that Mojo, even today. I can live inside my head for long stretches. Entertain myself. I love to browse bookstores and record shops. I own tons of books, cds, vinyl records. There is a story to be told in the books and records I have lived with over these many years.

I am a life-long Democrat. A Liberal. Although, now we say Progressive. I live in a Progressive, Blue-Bubble, in one of the Bluest of Blue Bubbles in the USA. I am happy to be here. I do think I can see clearly. I spend lots of time making sure I am clear-headed, seeing the world as it is. I know I have biases. I do my best to be common-sensical, practical, gentle, kind and empathetic. I am getting better at being able to say, "I don't know." And, "Well, maybe I'm wrong." I am pretty sure that all knowledge is partial. And it's best to tackle pretty much anything with "Beginner's Mind." Starting with the idea that "I know nothing!"

I am a long-time meditator. I am a long-time vegetarian. I walk and bike nearly every day. I am a sometime musician, writer, actor, director, performance-artist. Most of my work has been on the margins. The margins of the margins. Marginal. That is my creative life. I have made $, spent $, and somehow, some way, (maybe it's just smoke and mirrors), I have been able to keep going.

Living on a wing and a prayer. Starting most days with the question: I wonder what today will bring?

Your Vote is Power...

The countdown to Voting Day, November 3rd. Yes. It's up front and personal now. How to reclaim our American Dream? We all need to care about our little Democratic Experiment. So important to wade thru the disinformation and try our best to see clearly. And then Vote! It's the best way to have our voices heard. Democracy will not work if folks don't take the time to care, to understand, to Vote. Ignore the ranting, ignore the loud-talkers, ignore the Toxic Bully in the W.H. It's time to clean house. Blue Wave coming. We put up a poster in our window. It's upfront and personal now. Biden/Harris 2020...

Not Abstract...

Heard this on the radio this A.M. - "Life and Death are not abstract concepts."

Right. I recently found out that a dear friend, an amazing visual artist that I have known for many, many years had passed away. Not sure the details. The news was so sad and shocking. I take it as a reminder that this happens all the time. It can happen to any of us, any time. It's just the reality of Life. One day here, the next day gone.

So, it's best to live every day to the fullest. What does that mean? Try to be Present. Fully-engaged in whatever you are doing. That's the best advice I can impart to myself. 

I also heard that someone we know has tested positive for Covid-19. A close to home reminder that this Pandemic is still raging. We all may have gotten complacent, tired of the new reality, but, you know the Virus just doesn't give a damn. The Virus is nasty, relentless, never sleeps.

Being a bit paranoid about the Virus is probably a good survival strategy. Around here we are still being quite militant about the Virus: washing hands, staying physically-distant, staying home,  avoiding being in enclosed spaces with other folks, wearing a mask at all times.

I do think the best "go-to" mind-set: figure everyone you know has Covid-19. Act accordingly. Weird times for sure. Taking one day at a time. Laying low, trying to hang in until the vaccine. 

Be Present. Be Safe. Oh yeah, be sure to Vote. It's time for a better day. Biden/Harris 2020.

Time is Precious...

Tom Petty sang about it so eloquently: "The Waiting is the Hardest Part."

Yes. Indeed. No doubt.

We know the clock is ticking. Only so much time. Contrary to the The Rolling Stones song, time really isn't "on our side." There's the biological clock ticking away. There's the vastness of time in the Universe. 

That fuzzy-haired genius, Albert Einstein told us "time is relative."  Time is fungible. It morphs. Maybe like some of those swamis & mystics say time is an illusion.

But, really, our human experience tells us there is a constant, "tick, tick, tick..." That's your life ticking away. And you are waiting. Waiting for the coffee to brew, waiting for the computer to boot up, waiting for the good guys to win, waiting for something exciting to happen, waiting for the check, waiting for a phone call, waiting for enlightenment, waiting for good news, waiting on a friend, waiting for the next shoe to drop. Waiting.

It's the hardest part because, really, we know it deep in our being, time is precious... 

A New Day, A New Era is On the Way... Sleeping Better...

I don't have any inside information. I don't have a crystal ball. I don't really know anything.  I mean, that's a good go-to attitude to tackle anything. "Beginner's Mind." It's certainly a great way to approach any kind of creative work, and well, I think it's helpful as a survival strategy in the grand journey of life too.

I have been sleeping better lately. Maybe it's because the weather is cooler. Days are shorter. Less sunlight early and late. The bed is comfy. The pillows are fluffy. I'm over my vertigo (see previous post), I listen to the radio a bit less, listen to music a bit more, reading a book about the great Sir Paul McCartney which is satisfying and inspiring,  but I also suspect that THE WORM HAS TURNED!

What do I mean? Well my friends don't want to verbalize it, we have been in shock for 4 years, I think we all suffer from PTSD. Living under the Daily Outrage, pummeled by the Daily Hate emanating from the W.H. but I do think we are in the End Days of our Toxic Clown Prez. He is totally imploding. He is like the Towering Inferno. His campaign in like the late stages of the Hindenburg, a gaseous flame-ball, or the Titanic after hitting the iceberg, sinking into the cold, dark abyss.

Finally, finally the ShitShow is coming to a close. I really, truly, madly, deeply believe that on November 3rd we will see a landslide Blue Wave of epic proportions. Sorry. Don't mean to jinx it. I understand if you are skeptical, worried, full of doubt. But I do believe. And I don't think it's a bad idea to float that bubble. I think it's a good idea to float that vision. Come on people, don't need no ticket. Just Vote.

Sleeping better. I do believe that's a hint. Yes. A new day, a new era is on the way. It's coming. Mark my words.

Thank You Dr. John Epley!

I recently experienced a multi-day episode of Vertigo. I woke up in the middle of the night, and found myself spinning out of control. It was almost like I was falling out of my body, and/or falling off the planet. So strange, weird, disorienting.

Yes. Spinning, feeling sick, a constant, persistent, motion-sickness. For a few days it was like I was riding in a fast car, or on a rickety train, or on a boat in choppy water.

I must admit I took this episode as some kind of symbol or prophetic sign:

 "Vertigo is a sensation of feeling off balance. If you have these dizzy spells, you might feel like you are spinning or that the world around you is spinning."

And really, if I look at the world around me with clear-seeing eyes, everything does seem like it is spinning madly out of control. So in that way, I sort of felt at one with the world.

Madly spinning.

Luckily, a close friend of mine is an old hand at dealing with Vertigo. She knows all the symptoms and all the home remedies. She explained what was happening to me. Knowing does help,  really, which also seems like an important idea that one can apply to every aspect of your life: Knowing does help!

Pretty sure the cause of my vertigo was BPPV. Which sounds weird and scary. It's actually kind of weird and funny...

BBPV: "These initials stand for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. BPPV occurs when tiny calcium particles (canaliths) clump up in canals of the inner ear. The inner ear sends signals to the brain about head and body movements relative to gravity. It helps you keep your balance."

Yeah. Weird. We have these little calcium particles in our inner ears that get misplaced, out of whack, and when they get misplaced, they pretty much send you reeling. What to do? Well, there is this amazing little exercise called the Epley Maneuver. 

You can go to YouTube and watch how it's done. It's a simple exercise you can do on your bed. So I got out an iPad and stepped thru the directions. It took a few times, but by the third try it worked.

"Dr. John Epley designed a series of movements to dislodge the crystals from the semicircular canals. These movements bring the crystals back to the utricle, where they belong. This treats the symptoms of vertigo."

Thank you Dr. John Epley! Amazing. No drugs, no doctors, no emergency visits. 

The crystals drifted back to their rightful place and I suddenly felt fine. I mean, better than fine. It's almost like I went thru the mirror, visited a land of constant spinning, and then emerged with a new-found balance. Straight. True. One with gravity and balance.

The last couple weeks I've felt better than ever. So yeah, the world may be spinning madly out of control, but I'm steady, and true, waiting for the next shoe to drop!

It Was an "Other Things" Kind of Monday...

Sometimes we refer to Mondays as "Meltdown Monday." You know the chickens come home to roost, and you have to look them squarely in the beak, count them, and reckon with them. A day of taking stock. Facing up.

Those persistent, always-looming, existential questions hover over the day: Who Am I? Where Am I Going? What's it All About Anyway? 

Usually, there are no answers, those questions just nag at you, they nip at your heels like a pesky pack of nasty little doggies. 

We decided to bury ourselves in "other things" yesterday. It was a very pandemic kind of day.  It was "cleanup time," which has actually become a jamboree of our favorite chores: sweeping, mopping, scrubbing. The smell of Meyers soap, floating in the air. Cleanliness, Godliness, everything made squeaky clean, orderly.

Then it was onto creative pursuits. One of us painted in the kitchen, one of us worked on music in the computer room. We both went down our own little rabbit holes, searching for that mythical rabbit. Both of us spent lots of time spinning and listening to a healthy portion of the Wilco discography on the music box. A word about Jeff Tweedy and Wilco. Amazing. Underrated. Pretty much every one of their records are exquisite. No false moves. No "phoning it in." No lazy efforts. Just the finest stuff. 

Yesterday we concluded Wilco is our favorite band of the moment. I wonder who it will be tomorrow? Anyway, we made it thru meltdown Monday without melting down. It was good day.

I'm with Greta! And Biden Too!

Greta Thunberg is a Hero/Heroine in our little Progressive Blue Bubble. Courageous. Inspiring. Her cause is saving the Interconnected Web of Life, Our Life-Supporting Ecosystem from the Looming Climate Catastrophe that we are full-on heading towards. 

You know, we are heading off a cliff as a species.  Greta asks us to get smart, change our ways and PRONTO! Come on Humans! We can do it! Anyway, Greta has now endorsed Joe Biden for President. Seems pretty damn significant.

"I never engage in party politics. But the upcoming US elections is above and beyond all that. From a climate perspective it’s very far from enough and many of you of course supported other candidates. But, I mean…you know…damn! Just get organized and get everyone to vote #Biden" - G. Thunberg

Let's Get Rid of the Toxic Clown Prez, and Move the Fuck On...

 

Yes. Listen to the wisdom of The Fly.  Let's vote the Super-Spreader in the W.H. out. Can you imagine the great healing for us all, if on November 3rd, Biden/Harris win in a popular vote and electoral college landslide? It is possible. For sure.

I am not afraid to float this idea. I mean, so many of my friends are afraid to voice it. We are all still in shock from the debacle of 2016. But, really, I think it's important to envision it; dare to say it. I mean, of course, let's not take anything for granted. Everyone needs to vote. And encourage our friends to vote too. 

Yes. Let Love Rule. Yes. Blue Wave 2020. Yes. Biden/Harris. Come on America. We deserve a new deal.  Let's get rid of the Toxic Clown and move the fuck on...

"The Superspreader in Chief: A Timeline."

Here is a handy little timeline from Mother Jones: "The Supersreader in Chief: A Timeline."  (The Ultimate Timeline of Trump's deadly coronavirus denial.) It is a "must-read." That is if you can read thru your tears.

Let us never forget. Of all the horror our Toxic Clown Prez has unleashed over the last 4 years, his response to Covid-19 has been the most mind-bogglingly incompetent and deadly. It didn't have to be this way. So reckless, irresponsible, stupid, senseless & inhumane. One might say Toxically Sociopathic and Corrosively Narcissistic to boot.

Oh Yeah, did I say tragically, horrifyingly idiotic too?!

Seeing with Eyes Like a Million Suns...

We have entered the "Lord of the Flies" phase of our Democratic Experiment. Darkness before the New Blue Wave Dawn. "The Fly" is my latest hero. "The meek shall inherit the earth & the Low shall smite the Mighty!" Yes, indeed...

Yes. Another day to celebrate The Fly. We were so giddy and tickled by the appearance of The Fly at the VP Debate. So good. So funny. So consequential. You know, VP Pence, the white-haired Ayatollah of the Right represents a decaying political movement, dead-ended, based on a mis-guided, muddle-headed reading of an old, musty biblical book. So yes, The Fly landed on the desiccating corpse of that dying politics: stinky, decaying, corrupt, shitty. Pence defending the indefensible. INDEFENSIBLE! The Fly = Clear Seeing with eyes like a million suns! Years from now, we will be celebrating The Fly!