It Will Be Spicy...

Folk #1: The post-mid-term election fallout. I do think it will be spicy. Lots of blowback, new scandals bubbling up, the collapse of right-wing organizations, rats scurrying from a sinking ship,Trump drowning, flailing, failing, surrounded by a creepy crew of grifting boot-lickers. Seems, finally, maybe, good lord, why not (?), the fever has broken? Now lots of folks who were tuned out, seem suddenly tuned in, and they realize how completely broken Trump, his adminstration, & the Republican Party really is. MAGA has always been a fucking lie, a scourge & a plague on the land. I do not believe it will end well for Trump & his followers. Trump has turned out to be a weak, sniveling, loser; a bitter, rage-filled husk of a man. Finally, some of his followers  may be forced to face the truth. A newly empowered Democratic Party with a firm hold on the House & the Senate can definitely kick up a fuss. Lots of investigations, a decided turn to Reality, Woke-ness, & Good Government. That would be a refreshing change. I think it's gonna be a time of Accountability, and a Great Reckoning. A necessary cleanse. Probably lots of new surprises along the way too. How deep and far-ranging is the corruption of this cabal of crooks? Inquiring minds want to know. Hopefully the idea of a new Progressive future takes hold and spreads acorss the fruited plain.

Imagining Justice & Accountability...

Folk #1: Thinking about the "Duality of Man," or maybe the "Duality of Humanity." Some of us are quite good at holding two ideas in our heads at the same time. Living with contradiction. For instance, "What's So Funny About Peace, Love & Understanding?" & at the same time, "We must crush these Fascists, Racists, White Nationalists, Trumpers, MAGA Zombies, and Republicans, & grind them into the dirt,"  (see previous post).  Seems harsh, but it's just Karma. If you are a bully, if you attack the weak & defenseless, if you are cruel to others, you need to face the consequences of your actions. If you put folks in Concentraiton Camps, grab folks off the streets, shoot American Citizens down, you must be held to Account for all of your Crimes Against Humanity.

Funny. My partner and I were serving as drummers at a gathering of Shamans last night. It is one of our favorite yearly rituals, always around this time of year. We drum as the Shamans gather and dance around a cairn and journey to the Underworld. It is always quite exhilarating. The lead Shaman told me afterward that the Fomorians: "supernatural beings representing the wild or destructive powers of nature; personifications of chaos, darkness, death, blight and drought," now have the new White House Chief of Staff, Stephen Miller in their sights. She told my partner & I that the Fomorians were going to chase Stephen Miller to the ends of the World and deliver him to the Gates of Hell. Ha. Believe the Shaman or not. I mean, do we believe in Fomorians, the Underworld, the Fairies, and other dimensions? Let's just say we have open minds. Riding the Vibe. Embracing the Mystery. Certianly  my partner & I  loved the idea that Stephen Miller will be hounded to Hell; a very gratifying, satisfying and perfectly vivid picture & scenario. I dare say, yes, it was all quite enjoyable & delicious to imagine. 

No Mercy for the Nazis...

Folk #1: We are all celebrating a major Democratic win across the USA in the mid-terms. What is Trump's reaction? Doubling down on being a full blown Nazi. America's own "Dime-Store Goebbels" is now Trump's Chief of Staff. Think of Hitler and his closest collaborators in the Furher-Bunker. It's pretty wild. The country has rendered it's verdict on Trump and all his ugly racism, cruelty, and fascist b.s. and instead of taking the hint, instead of changing course, Trump turns decidedly uglier. Yikes. The Democrats must do all they can to resist, obstruct, and hold these fucking Nazis to account. They need to grind Trump, MAGA & the Republicans into the ground, & pulverize this movement. No mercy for these folks.

Something Happened...

Folk #1: Yes. What happened?! I think it's safe to say that the Voters decided to say "No, not gonna take it anymore, we are done with this shit," with all their hearts, heads and spirits aligned. No more of this B.S. The result?! A massive Blue Wave Election. Epically-Historic. Still riding high on the fumes of Euphoria. What happens next? Pretty sure it's gonna be the "Fuck around and Find Out," phase of American Politics. Think: A reckoning, a house-cleaning, a super-cleanse. Investigative Committees tasked with rooting out and exposing the corruption, the grifters, the self-dealing & the criming. It is wild that Democracy can actually "turn on dime." One day we are all drowning in the stupidity, the cruelty, the corruption, the idiocy, and the next, a new dawn, a new day, a new way. Suddenly, our government will be younger, bluer, more diverse, more progressive, more willing to serve the people. Lots of hard work ahead, but I think the folks we all just elected are up to the task. What of the Toxic, Idiot, Clown? Expect more failing & flailing.  The election was a stunning rebuke of our wanna be strongman and his craven, cowardly boot-lickers in his administration, and in the Republcan ranks, in the House & Senate. Turns out Trump & his brain-dead minions are now just pathetic losers. Judgement Day, & Redemption Day all wrapped in one glorious package.  Ha. Ha. Ha.

Still Savoring the Win...

 

Folk #1: Can't help it. Still celebrating and savoring the Mid-term electoral bloodbath. Over here in my orbit, all of the folks I know were wildly happy & relieved with the results of the elections. TEXAS WENT BLUE?! Ha. Gobsmackingly great. That seemed like a pipe dream. Funny how Politcal Gravity & Reality still exists. The news all across the USA was quite amazing. The Democratic Party just got a lot smarter, younger, more diverse, and more willing to fight. So gratifying. Sure. It's gonna be a battle, there is much work to do, and we still have a very unwell, corrupt asshole as President, but, no doubt, Trump, MAGA & the Republicans have been totally crushed across the fruited plain. A new day, a better way going forward? Yes. Indeed. Things are looking up. Let it come down. Damn the torpedoes...

"It's All Freaking, Incredibly Glorious, Sometimes Democracy ROCKS!"

Folk #1: Massive blowout. A total ass-whipping. A landslide for the Democrats across the USA. A major rejection of Trump, MAGA, and the Republicans. Glorious. The voting machines worked fine. The common folks came out to render their verdict on the B.S. Turns out most of us hated what Trump has been doing to our country over these last two very painful years.

I am a long-time "political junkie" over here. When I was a wee lad, it was Hunter S. Thomspon, writing about the dark days of Nixon, who hooked me on the stuff. Often I was mainlining really nasty stuff. I have learned Democracy is messy, and sometimes you win, and sometimes don't. Sometimes it's a grind, and it's always a battle.

Then, well, once in a great while, it's all freaking, incredibly glorious & gratifying. I actually hinted 2 days ago that I thought a historic blowout was coming. And yes, it happened. We are euphoric & celebrating over here in our Progressive Blue Bubble. Awesome high this a.m. Texas, Maine, Kansas, South Carloina, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, went Blue? I mean, Holy Shite! Democracy sometimes magnificently ROCKS!

Will the Opposition Rise Up?

Folk #1: Yes. Cognitive Dissonance. For instance, I am stuck on the conundrum, "People are the Problem, and People are the Solution." I also think Pogo's famous line: "We have met the Enemy and it is Us," rings oh so true. These ideas are floating in my head this morning. Midterm Election Day. I suspect we will see if the "fever has broken." Have the common folks had enough of this Fascist Shit Show? You know a party, a platform & administration of Racism, Nonsense & Corruption. Cruelty & Punishment too. Mass Deportations, Concentration Camps, Murders by ICE, prices sky-high, Billionaires on a crime spree, American Oligarchs crushing Democracy with their filthy lucre, & another pointless war in the Middle East. Pretty sure the answer is "Yes. It's All Too Much,"  for many of us, the majority of us. To the Opposition, it seems America is still a multi-cultural melting pot; wildly & proudly diverse. Black Folks, Hispanic Folks, Asian Folks, etc. Truly a Very Woke, Rainbow Coalition including every Race & Creed imaginable in a thriving stew of influences & inclinations. The Nazis & the "White Christian Nationalists" can't change the reality on the streets of America, and they are badly out-numbered, by a lot. Will all the various folks & factions Stand Up & Be Counted, united in oppostition  to the Shit-Show? The signs are very positive. We shall see. Damn the Torpedoes.

Could it Be a Historic Blow-Out?

Folk #1: I am writing from my safe place in my little Progressive Blue Bubble. I have been scanning the polls, seeking out a few "smart folks" who know Politics, reading their takes, taking it all in. Lots of uncertainty about what's gonna happen tomorrow, yes, it's the November 3rd Midterm Elections, finally. The leadership for the U.S. House & Senate on the line. We won't really know what's gonna happen until the votes are counted. Tomorrow is the first real test of the American People since the debacle of 2024. Pretty sure we will answer this thorny, knotty, question tomorrow: What do you think of this Fascist Shit-Show that Trump and his Minions have unleashed upon us all? 

Over here, my partner and I voted long ago,  & locally, we figure all of the Democractic Candidates we voted for will win tomorrow. That makes us feel good. Nationally? Who knows? If I try to read the Vibes, trust my experience, rely on my intuition, I'd say the Democrats are going to do amazingly well tomorrow. I don't mean to jinx it, and I don't want to get too confident or overly Hopeful. America can be a very disappointing place sometimes. Let's say, I am decidedly, cautiously, optimistic. You know, we shall see. Could it be a historic blow-out?  Will we be celebrating? Maybe? Who knows?! I mean, I sure Hope so...

Inspiring, Exhilarating: All that Jazz...

Folk #1: My partner and I went to a Master-Class performance by the fabulous guitarist Mike Stern and his quartet (guitar, bass, drums, sax), yesterday afternoon. These Master-Classes are featured at the little saxophone shop where are rehearsal studio resides. We have seen some incredible Jazz luminaries at these sessions, including performances and talks with Ernie Watts, Joe Lovano, Ravi Coltrane, Melissa Aldana. My partner & I are great fans of Jazz, (our CD shelves include John & Alice Coltrane, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Chet Baker, Charlie Parker, Charles Mingus, Pharoah Sanders, Kamazi Washington, Mellissa Aldana) We love Jazz, although our own band is solidly in the folk-rock sphere. It always exciting & inspiring to see these amazingly-accomplished Jazz musicians, give it their all for a small audience, in our homely little rehearsal space. Mike Stern was just fabulous. He and his band play with such dedication and joy. Mike had a terrible fall a few years ago, broke both arms, and as a result his picking hand is very weak, he uses wig glue to help him hold a pick. He applies a bit of glue on the pick and on his thumb & forefinger. Mike has a very graceful, sweet & gentle touch. But he can conjure up a beautiful storm too. His band is totally up to the task too. They can go toe to toe with him on major improvisations. It was a totally exhilarating pefrormance & chat. So great to see incredible musicians dedicated to the music above all else. We went up to speak to Mike at the end of the session, and  thanked him for a fabulous afternoon of music. My partner & I were totally knocked out by the energy, joy and dedication of these musicians. We do our best to do the same with our band. There is something so thrilling & rewarding seeing such a no-ego, selfless pursuit of the perfect sound and open communication. This band embodied the ideal, no doubt. Just fabulous. Life-affirming. Beautiful.

A Joy in the Mystery...

Folk #1: Finished reading Michael Pollan's book on consciousness: A World Appears. Yes. It's very good. Turns out that consciousness is quite the "hard problem," and hard nut, to crack. The more we all focus on  the phenomena, and all it encompasses, the less we all seem to know. Consciousness is quite mysterious. I think it is safe to say we all sort of know what it is, we are living with it, experiencing it, manifesting it, but how it is, where does comes from, how does it work is all quite hazy, strange, & who knows, maybe unknowable? So, yes, just as Michael states towards the end of the book, you may finish reading this book and actually be less sure about what consciousness is and how it works. Which, I think, makes it a pretty damn interesting book. Funny, the early chapters spent with the Scientists are sort of a slog. Those studying & researching the mechanics of neurons and brainwaves, various lab experiments, come across as a bit mind-numbing, and often  these science folks and their many competing theories are just contradicting each other, and the AI folks building robots & models of consciousness, just seem over-amped, silly and out of their heads with their shiny new toys. For me, it's the Psychologists, the Philosophers, the Poets, the Novelists, the long-time meditators, the Zen Buddhists, the Psychedelic Explorers who resonate most deeply.  They represent our great explorers of consciousness. Also I loved when one of the "hard scientists," one devoted to the mechanics of the problem, was totally undone by a majorly-disorienting psychedelic experience. This scientist was brought to tears & an existential crisis, when he experienced a Universal Consciousness "out there." Mind-blown. Nice. Do you want to explore consciousness? Turn to LSD or the magic mushroom, or read a poem, or a great play or a fabulous novel. Spend time in deep meditation. It is in the realms of Psychology & the Humanities where we best highlight and amplify, the wonderous nature of consciousness. Of course, we are left with the hard problem of consciousness being explored by human beings using their own unique consciousness. How can we measure & quantify a shadow, cloud or dream?We all reside in a quaint little hall of mirrors. Yes,  a thorny, gnarly, field of inquiry, which leads to lots of theories, arguments & uncertainties. I think that's a good thing. It's ok. More than ok. And, well, I actually find pleasure in knowing that when it comes to the most important topics: Consciousness, Self, Life, Love, the mystery abides.

Corrupt Impunity Meeting a Day of Reckoning...

Folk #1: Taking the temperature, and reading the vibes this morning. You know it's all just my own impressions, feelings & deep-seated intuition. Seems the Republicans are scrambling, in frantic disarray, reeling from the reality of their dicey political standing in the USA as of today, October 30, 2026. All signs point to an Electoral Bloodbath for Republicans, MAGA & Trump across the land on November 3rd. Even supposedly Deep Red districts in decidedly Red States are looking shaky for them. Not surprising to us over here in our little Progressive Blue Bubble. Whatever these freaking Republicans intended with their over the top Fascistic Bullshit, they have woken up lots of folks to the dire state of the state. The corrupt assholes thought they could reign with impunity, and they have, but now comes a reckoning. I have never seen a political party totally implode like what's happening to Republicans now. Two years of Trump & a boot-licking, spineless, totally corrupt, Republican-led, House & Senate has pretty much destroyed the viability of the Republican Party. Their corruption and punishing policies are finally bearing fruit. Bitter Fruit for MAGA.  Riding a positive vibe this morning. But, of course, caution is in the wind. Best attitude going forward? Let's Vote, and then wait & See. Then, of course, Let it Come Down! Blue Wave on the radar!

Just a Reminder...

 

Folk #1: I for one find it maddening that people seem to forget that Joe Biden won the 2020 election by a substantial margin. When Trump starts ranting & whining about a rigged election, remember he just can't  admit he lost badly in 2020. He is just unable to face Reality. Trump lost both the Electoral College Vote, and the Popular Vote. He lost the Popuplar Vote by 7 million Votes. Joe Biden won the election with 81.2  Million Votes! Every time that Loser rants about 2020, folks should be shouting: "You lost by 7 million Votes, you Freaking Idiot!"

It Don't Come Easy...

Folk #1: Last evening, my partner & I had dinner with a couple from Europe. The man is a world traveller. He has been to China, Dubai, England, Croatia, Taiwan, Serbia, Ukraine, Poland, USA, Germany, Russia. To hear him talk about Trump & MAGA, one realizes that we here in the States are actually just dealing with a very familiar template: Pretend Strong-Man, totally corrupt, promising to take everyone back to a mythical past of greatness. A puffed-up Ceasar, a clown of corruption, always on the grift, working for the grifters amongst us, with his hand out, asking: "Where's mine?" I guess, the shock for us, my partner & I, long-time citizens of the USA, we have been living under the misguided idea that our country, our Democracy, was somehow better, more advanced, than the many corrupt, tin-pot dictator-type governments around the world. We, of course, have been proven gravelly, sorrowfully, wrong, and it has been very destabilizing & disorienting. We wonder, can we move past this ugly phase of the USA, and create a better Union going forward? It's kind of a murky thing.  Definitely a gnarly, knotty question with no clear answer.  It will take People Power. The battle between the forces of Light & Darkness seems never-ending. We root for the forces of Good, but we know we are in for a long slog. Nothing comes easy. Other peoples, in other countries, have fought these battles too, many times, many places, over & over again. The powerful ones lording over the less powerful ones. It's a grand theme. Change can come, consciousness can change in an instant. But nothing is guaranteed. 

Why Things Feel So Horribly Wrong...

Folk #1: Yes. As Paul Krugman writes:"Trump doesn't give a damn about your problems..." We have all taken a major step back with this President. Talk about a major fuck-up. The idiots amongst us helped with the self-sabotage, the calculated suicide, of the USA. It is a very sad situation. Sad for all of us Americans, and also very sad for the rest of the World. You know, the big, fat, racist, sexual predator, & fraudster turned out to be a deadly-stupid choice for one of the most powerful jobs in the world. When that overstuffed con-man & delusional-narrcistic head-case declared: "I alone can fix it," what he really meant was "I alone will deeply fuck things up for every last one of you." Wonder why things feel so horribly wrong at the moment? Even the idiots amongst are now victims of this creep & his policies. The answer is embodied in one very unwell, decaying, dementia-laced, failing & failing Human Being. It is well past time we change the channel. This ugly show has tragically, comically, irrevocably jumped the shark. How do we get out of this Hell? Voting on November 3rd for Democrats up and down the ballot would be a good first step.

Yes. People Power Works...

Folk #1: Good news this morning. Voters in Brazil & in Serbia rejected the right wing fascists. People Power works. Democracy works. Now it's up to the USA to show the world that we aren't fucking idiots. Punishing the MAGA movement with an enormous Blue Wave in elections across the land on November 3rd? That would be truly extraordinary & joyous!

Agents for Good...

Folk #1: Yes. It is easy to get overwhelmed. Sometimes it feels like we are all adrift in a hostile sea. It is easy to forget that we all have "agency." Every action, every choice, every decision we make totally matters. Every last thing counts. We are all players in this grand game. We each have a unique part & place in this elaborate Human Experiment. Kindness, Decency, Empathy, Compassion, Love. Best to fall back on those tried & true values. Think of yourself as an Agent for Good. It's ok. You will make mistakes, you will fall, you will fail, but you can also get back up, learn, adjust, evolve, recablibrate, & try again. You can do it. Don't listen to the doom & gloom crowd & the eternal naysayers. Carry on. Damn the torpedoes.

Talking Himself into Oblivion...

Folk #1: Ok. This is funny. The Toxic Fat Man keeps talking. He is convinced that if he keeps flapping his jaw, he can persuade folks to disregard the Truth, the Facts, the Data, the Vibes. It has worked in the past. It has been his super-power; to say totally crazy, stupid, ugly things and watch folks nod their heads in agreement. He is now saying crazier, stupider, uglier things thinking that will work even better. But, the worm has turned. Events have conspired. Now Truth & Reality have reared their gnarly heads. Every word now coming from this very sick, creepy human's mouth creates a counter-energy, a committed opposition and resistance. There is a counter-balancing movement alive in the land that strongly rejects this Toxic Fat Man, his policies, his adminstraiton, and all the folks running under his banner. We are hurtling towards November 3rd, the Midterm Elections. Seems we will see how this all goes over. Not predicting, but expecting, an Electoral Bloodbath for all things Trump & MAGA. Let the Toxic Fat Man talk. He is talking himself into a necessary oblivion. Everyone associated with this failure of a Human Being is forever slimed.

A Variable Nature...

Folk #1: I am by nature an excitable boy, but yesterday, a certain calm came over me. Not sure why or how that happened. I still think we are hurtling towards calamity, but at the same time, I feel strongly that the common folks will rise to the occasion and  elect representatives that will retake major parts (House & Senate), of our government. Expect more Chaos & Hurly-Burly, but also cooler, smarter heads emerging from the fray. Nothing is going to be easy. Looking for the fighters for our little Democratic Experience. Where is the Hope? I find it in the variable nature of our human nature.

A Distinct Vibe-Shift...

Folk #1: Over here, in my little corner, there is a distinct "vibe-shift," in the air. Is it something I'm plugging into out there, or is it generated from inside my own being? Am I perceiving something real, or conjuring up my very own Cloud of Unknowing? Not sure. That's the way it goes. Do I ride the vibe-shift, or dismiss it? Probably best to take a determined, disciplined, wait & see attitude. I like being Positive, Hopeful, Expectant, but I do know that often that attitude, and those kinds of feelings/ideas are easily crushed. Always have to be open to a re-think, a recalibration. Evolving, Improvising, Making It to the next day with my Integrity & Intelligence intact.  Don't get too attached or confident on outcomes. Yes. Being crushed is just part of the process too. Still, this "vibe-shift," seems be alive & even pervasive in my little corner of the world. Other folks, the common, sensible ones,  folks seemingly more mainstream than I, seem to be reflecting a profound Progressive vibe-shift, a radical-recoiling in horror at the on-going shit-show unfolding in USA. Hopefully we are witnessing the death-throes of a zombie movement, and an unveiling of a new way forward. Maybe? You know, who knows?!

The Simple, Clear-Eyed Caretakers...

Folk #1: You know it's The Lord of the Rings over here. It has always been The Lord the Rings. Forget all those other musty old books: Bible, Koran, Torah. Tolkien is the man, no doubt. He was writing in the shadow of the Nazis, Hitler, Mussolini, and full-blown authoritarianism on steroids. Tolkein's great saga is the great saga of the last century, and it's the great saga of this century too. It truly, madly, deeply resonates today. Hope & Goodness resides in the Hearts & Heads of the common folk, the little people, the ones closer to Nature, the ones with hair on their feet, the humble ones, the hard-workers, the simple, clear-eyed, caretakers. Sure, they are up against powerful, wealthy, forces of Evil. It surely looks like the Hobbits, the common-folk are completely over-matched, but those little folks roll up their sleeves and do the hard work. Their power resides in community, good works, kindness, gentleness, and a finely-honed empathy for all living things. Love for the Shire. Yes. How to take on, and to vaniquish the forces of darkness? Well, for instance, see previous post. "Frodo Lives!"

Early Voting, It Felt Oh, So, Good...

Folk #1: Yesterday, the early voting for the 2026 Mid-term election in Illinois commenced. My partner & I are lucky, we live in a Progressive Blue Bubble town, in a decidedly Blue Bubble State. Seems Illinois is pretty much the sensible State to live in. Chicagoland sets the trend. Progressive. Woke. Friendly. Our Governor, J.B. Pritzker is one of the finest Governors in the land. We were fired up and excited to Vote. It always feels good. It's a duty & a pleasure to Vote. We are lucky, it's a super-easy thing to do. Other times, other places, folks have battled and died just for the simple Right to fill out a ballot. We both Voted for all the Democrats on the ballot. I think it safe to say, a sure bet, that all of the folks we Voted for will Win. The polling place was busy. Lots of folks perfoming their civic duty. Anyway, so validating, even if our Votes are just tiny drops in the ocean. Pretty sure a solid Blue Illinois doesn't fix all the problems in the USA, but Voting for qualified Public Servants who promise to look out for us common folk, really feels like the necessary thing to do. Hoping for Better Days, Better Ways ahead. It was great to see lots of other folks doing the same thing. It all felt like a certain kind of celebration. Fuck it. We like living & thriving, in our little, fully-woke Blue Bubble. Damn the torpedoes.

Our Fabulousness...

Folk #1: Sipping my coffee this morning. The coffee mix is named "Mind, Body, Soul." Good reminder that we are more than the sum of our parts. I have been reading Michael Pollan's book "A World Appears: A Journey Into Consciousness." Yes. Indeed. Open your eyes in the morning and it's true, a world is there waiting expectantly. The book touches on, & confirms some of my own ideas. I want to be clear-eyed & cautious, I don't want to just amplify my own biases. I am a searcher, looking for, and trying to understand & interpret all the various signs & wonders. I want to live a full, rich, rewarding Life. Life isn't just Quantity it is also Quality. See "Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance," for more. Pollan is exploring things that I have explored most of my life. I love the idea that Consciousness is still a freaking mystery to all those who are trying to pin it down, and my own very personal "transcendental" experience of being deeply connected to everything in the Universe actually has a name: "Panpyschism."  We Human Beings are still mysteries to ourselves. And consiousness trying to understand consciousness is really quite the conundrum. Any Universe with ideas and theories that include String Theory, Big Bang, Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and Wormholes, is gonna be totally mysterious and unfathomable.  Does consciousness emerge, or reside in every grain of sand, and every atom? Do sentient beings tap into consciousness, like tuning into radio waves? Does consciousness reside "out there?" Is it: "I think, therefore I am?" Or is it? "I feel therefore I am?" Or really is any division or duality, sort of a mistake, leading to a false view of what's happening? No one really knows. There are lots of theories. Humilty. Wonder. Imagination. Vibe. Spirit. Energy. Soul. Love. Grace. Curiosity. Music. Creativity. Beauty. Poetry. Humor. These are things that animate me. I don't understand it all, I mean, I am always experiencing, and not always understanding, but that's ok. I mean, it's actually, sort of freaking fabulous. Being Aware, Alive, Awake, is pretty damn glorious in itself. Maybe the experiencing, the observing, the living really is the thing? Damn the Torpedoes...

Yes. A Renewed Warrior-Spirit Alive in the Land...

Folk #1: Ok yes. I am Hopeful. No doubt. No surrender. Hope is a fuel that must be used to stand up and fight against the naysayers, doomsters, fraudsters & evil-doers. Fuck those people. There is a renewed warrior-spirit bubbling up, there are excellent candidates running as Democrats this year, all up & down tickets across the land. Do I see glimmers, sparks from a renewed, Progressive movement that could fundamentally change the direction of our beloved country? Yes. Indeed I do. Damn the torpedoes...

Under the Thumb of Stupid & Corrupt...

Folk #1: A Vision of Hell. Being under the thumb of really stupid, corrupt, people. You lean to the Light. You Hope for Better Days. You think: Reality, Truth & Justice will prevail. But it's all sort of dicey...

What Would I Tell My Younger Self?

Folk #1: Yes. I do have other things on my mind besides politics. I can juggle multiple things in my head. I think it comes naturally for a fully-engaged human being. Thinking about some of the things I have figured out for myself after a few decades on the planet. What would I tell my younger self, knowing that you can't really tell anyone anything? Fill your life up with things you love to do. Gravitate to simple things: dogs, birds, guitars, well-made devices like a toaster, coffee-bean-grinder, a good broom & mop, Concentrate on practice, process, discipline, chores, jobs. Always be working on projects, always be onto the next thing. Be in the moment as much as possible. Take up meditation, take up running, or biking, or something really physical. Take an acting class even if you don't intend to be an actor, because, basically you are an actor. Getting up on stage, memorizing text, and acting it out, is just a fabulous way to expand your being. Think of Life as Long-Form Improvisation. Music. Fill your life with music. Don't hang out with assholes. Eat well. Vegetables are your friends. Choose your drugs & poisons carefully. Remember we are chemistry labs. Over-indulging is not optimal. Discretion in all things. Quality over Quantity in all things. We are all in a grand conversation & relationship with Reality. Read books. Good books. Classical literature, plays, poetry, novels, non-fiction too. The creative arts are a doorway to a better, deeper, more expansive consciousness. Yes. Be Woke. Aware, alive, awake. Be open: open-minded, open-armed, to reality, and all the things in this Universe. Be humble. You will be brought low, you will fail, you will fall, you will disappoint yourself & others. That's ok, it's part of the human comedy. Do better. Don't be afraid to admit you are wrong, don't be afraid to change your mind. Don't be afraid. Find a quiet place, sit in a comfortable chair, close your eyes, imagine being connected to everything in the Universe. Breathe. Kindness. Humilty. Grace. Beauty, Love. Yes. 

The Worst Doing the Worst...

Folk #1: I do find it amazing & hilarious that the worst people amongst us, doing the worst things imaginable to us, are shocked to discover that the common ones want to hold them to account, and to make them answer for their actions. Seems the ultra-wealthy & powerful believe they play by other rules. And, maybe, unfortunately, they often do, But these elected representatives running to be re-elected now, are not royalty, they are supposed to be working for us. Seems  MAGA & the Republicans forgot how to govern. They have given tax cuts to the wealthy, and are fucking over pretty much everyone else. These people should be defeated, shamed & banished from the national scene. We need to renew our Democracy, one person, one vote at a time. Let's be sure to elect folks who want to do the good work: Government by, & for, the People. Blue Wave Mid-Term Election is the dream.

A Yearning for Justice...

Folk #1: One yearns for Justice, the Rule of Law, Truth & Reconciliation. The corruption of Trump & his minions/lackeys/enablers & co-conspirators in the House & Senate is a plague & a scourge on the land. There are too many lies & bad acts to count. But we must account for every last evil deed. And those responsible must face the music. A grand reckoning is a must.

Silent Simplicity...

Folk #1: Yesterday was all about being fully present, without worry, doubt, anxiety. Everything opened up and fell away. The day was oh, so pleasant. Sunny. Warm temps. Blue sky. The lakefront was alive with activity. Folks were on the beach. A free day. My partner & I made all our appointed rounds, and then spent a few hours sitting on a bench facing the lake, & the lakefront path, walkers, joggers, skaters, bikers flying past. Long, rambling conversation, & a lot of silent witnessing. It was glorious. Moments of simple euphoria. We didn't dwell on anything. We floated, flowed, lived fully in the moment to moment. We laughed, and marvelled at the scene. "This is it." A perfect afternoon. Consciousness expanding. Everything perfect, and in it's right place. Funny. You sometimes think the great moments will come like a lightening bolt of insight, but actually the feeling of perfection & euphoria just sort of sneaks up, decends upon you, with a silent simplicity.

MAGA Has Alwasy Been a Con, a Swindle, a Grift...

Folk #1: Funny. Leading up the mid-term elections in November, Trump & the Republicans have no good answers. They have discovered that their policies & positions on pretty much everything are deeply unpopular. Two years in power and they have made a mess of pretty much everything.  Their agenda of punishing the American People across all sectors of the population just hasn't gone over very well. It is gobsmacking how badly these folks have governed. What is their response? To lie, to deflect, to spread crazy conspiracy theories. Not sure if their B.S. still has any Mojo. Trump is still out there spouting idiocies to the teeming MAGA masses, but the masses seem to be shrinking. My take, yes, the common folk are finally fed up with this madness. This has all been a con, a swindle, a grift. Crimes have been committed. The corruption of the Trump family and his Republican Party enablers is endemic. It seems they are locked in a fatal embrace. One can only Hope clearer heads prevail. I expect an "Electoral Bloodbath" of epic proportions. Although, I am smart enough to know that any kind of prediction is iffy. Hope dies last. The MAGA plague & scourge that has over-run our land seems to have finally run it's course. Time for a reckoning. Democracy can turn on a dime. It is well past time. Vote. Vote Hard. Vote Harder. Vote Democrat!

Being Real. Truly.

Folk #1: The weirder it gets, and it's getting really weird out there, the more I lean towards truth, authenticity, & being truly genuine in everything I do & say. You know as the world goes weird, I tend to want to be un-weird, non-weird, weird-less. OK. I am not saying normal. There is no normal. There is no center, there is nothing to hold onto. Improvising in the moment to moment. The weirdness of everything forces me to fall back on my very own personal code: being honest, as honest as I can be to myself & others. Being, embodying, my Authentic Self. Seeing clearly. Knowing limits. Embracing discipline & humility. True to the the day, true to the moment. Let the world go tilt, watch it all fly off the handle, no worries. I am over here being as real as I can be. Ok. That forceful honesty might also be a bit weird, I suppose that a dogged contrariness is sort of it's own kind of weird. I suppose my own genuine weirdness is something I can get behind. Whatever. Everything is pretty confusing. I mean, fuck it. Damn the torpedoes.

The Zombies are Real...

Folk #1: I don't mean to be indelicate, or mean, but, I just watched some "highlights," of Trump's rally last night. He spent some time whining about not getting the Nobel Peace Prize. Ha. Ha. Ha. So funny. And then he blathered on about a bunch of topics like a seriously deranged dementia patient. The camera panned across the arena and displayed the teeming masses. What is wrong with these people? Did they all fall down and hit their heads? How can fully-grown Humans be so needy, gullible, & brain-dead? They clap and make mouth-noises like seals for the big-mouthed, toxic clown spouting idiocies; his rap & schitck is just so lame, & yes, seriously stupid. What is wrong with these folks? Are they just "sick in the head?" Do they share some kind of MAGA mental derangement? Yikes. The Zombies are real.