The Telling

Lifelong, I have found that when you have to tell someone something that bothers you, for the most part, it does not change.  I have found this with a spouse, co-workers, neighbors.  People are who they are.  If they could change, they would.  They, too, have a time table.

In the apartment complex where I live,  I decided to tell the owners a few things that I believe need to be remedied.  The owner's daughter told the property manager my concerns, in front of me.  This was done, no doubt, to embarass me.  It did make me uncomfortable.

I am grateful this young woman told me who she was.  She confirmed my suspicions.  My feelings about the property manager were similarly confirmed, though, she tried to do things to make me more comfortable.  I think she did this more out of concern for her job, than to appease me.  Clearly, I do not require appeasement.  That I can do well nigh for myself.

This continual convolution concerns this writer.  There is no reason for it.  No reason for the drama.  No reason for me to be part of the drama.

Done. 

Don't Miss The Magic

You know by now how frustrated I am with all the controls going on in our world.  I am even more frustrated that people are not rebelling. You also know I love film.

Last summer, I stopped attending the nearby Regal Cinema when they started searching purses.  They were looking for food brought in from the outside.  They only sell junk food.  I can say right now that I do like popcorn and I often buy it. But  I would refuse to go to another movie if all the theatres nearby do search folks. I do believe it is illegal and wonder why the Justice Department hasn't done anything.

It is pretty cold here now.  In looking for a way to enjoy the warmth of indoors, I checked out a local theatre.  First, there were no benches.  Not a one.  Then I went to the counter and had to follow a zip zagged roped off  line much like they have at airports. The tickets were via a self-service ticket machine.  The junk food counter sold them, also. The young man selling junk food and tickets asked which seat I wanted to buy.  I mean how do I know where I want to sit?  I don't sit next to teenagers, obese people and young children if I can help it. I enjoy pure quiet in the theatre. And comfort.  I do the same, when possible, on airlines.  I matter.

Wanting ise, I went to the soda machine was self-serve.  When I tried to put ice into a cup, the ginger ale dispenser soaked my new coat and shirt.  There was not a wash cloth around, or fresh water or anyone to help me.  After 15 minutes in line seeking assistance, I was able to secure paper towels. Dry, not wet as I had requested.

Stopping to use the restroom before the movie began to remove some of the stickiness from my elbows and arms, including my deserve to soak my clothes, I noticed there was automatic toilet flushing, automatic water faucet, no towels. I didn't want to use the dryer thinking it might set the stains into the fabric.

So the first thirty minutes before I even reached the theatre, I told the employees I did not expect to return.  Nope, not with all these controls.  Not one drone seemed to notice, except for the ticket taker.

Happy to see the stadium seating, I found my assigned seat in the dark.  Not a soul was in the theatre until 3 minutes before the film began.  In walked two obese people sitting next to me.  Their complaints about the skinny seats went on for a while. They decided to fan out.  Their skinny teen aged son finally sat next to me.  He suggested his parents be quiet as the film was about to start.

Twenty minutes into the film two women sit to the right of me talking non-stop.  A loud shhhh from this writer silenced them. 

The Life of Pi was absolutely awesome.  So many metaphors, allegories.   As I walked out of the theatre the ticket taker, a curious man, to whom I told my story, wished me a good day.  There was something about the energy in this man. He gave me a wink and said he hoped I had a really great day.  Pure magic. 

The Disaster Within

Morning came early this post Thanksgiving Day.  Lots to think about. But maybe the thought most present on our mind is all living things. 

A dear friend in her 80s is on Long Beach Island this weekend celebrating with family.  There will be no heat, no electricity.  The meal will be catered and brought in.  For this family, there is abundant monetary wealth.  Two multi-million dollar properties were heavily damaged during Hurricane Sandy.  This family has already begun the intensive re-building process. They have money to do this without waiting the lengthy time for the insurance company to front the money. But for others, there will be months before the insurance companies reimburse them. 

So what happens with these violent storms that seem to be increasing?  Some believe the government should buy the families out.  I wonder why laws can't be changed to allow the insurance companies, well,let's be honest here - to force the insurance companies to cash them out. That way, many could relocate to safer areas.  Is this no different than people living in earthquake zones, on mountains, or forest fires that destroy homes, or other man-made or natural disasters?  What is our heart obligation to these folks?

People make choices where they live.  I live on the side of a mountain in a holler.  I bought the property fully knowing about mountain slides.  Though I did check with the geological survey to ensure no mountain failure, failures do happen.  Now insurance companies could choose not to insure these properties.  People could choose not to build on the land.  Still, tragedies happen.  Are we one another's safety net?  We know businesses have a history of not caring.

In a society who spends billions on destruction through these constant wars one would think they might also spend money to care for one another. This writer believes no government money should be spent to remove the Katrina families, or Hurricane Sandy folks. 

Earth is a precious home that has been foolishly abused.  This writer says this with her heart.  Consequential behavior is the only way, the only, only way to get out of this.  It is well nigh apparent we haven't learned of another.  And it is time to just grow up. 

All of us.

Ahhh

It's Thanksgiving Day.  So much to be grateful for.  My wonderful family and friends.  That life is this good.  There are always things we would like to change.  Taking the moment, this moment, to reflect on all that is, all that suffer, including ourselves and acknowledging it.  If possible, letting it all good. Letting it be what it is.  Whether others see this or not, it doesn't matter.  It does matter how we feel.

So take this breath.  Focus on enjoying this breath. Deep inhalation, deep exhalations.  Know you are here for a reason. 

We know this often isn't easy.  All the more reason to just do it!  And do it again and again.  And remind one another to do it.  Again and again.

So much has changed in my own life.  Some for the better.  Today I shall focus on all of that.  The love and joy, the peace within and without.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

Words Matter

I'm concerned, bothered and annoyed about how people use their words of late.  I hope I am compassionate and loving with mine.  Not always, I am sure.

It is about HOW people CHOOSE to respond in a variety of events.  Take a look:

1.  Customer says she would like a good waitress, as her experience hasn't been so positive in the past in    
      this eating establishment. 
     Hostess:  I am insulted!  All our waitresses are good.
     COMMENT:  Umm, I am the customer, is that not true.  I am not concerned with how you feel.  I
                            am concerned with the quality of your service.  I may not come back.  And yes,
                            I had the best waitress ever this time!  I just may return.  I hope you don't.

2.  Resident tells politician she is upset at how she was treated in the election.
     POLITICIAN:  WHO told you this?
     Resident:  What is this, Sherlock Holmes?
                     Everyone told me this.  Let's keep our eye on the ball you dumb cluck.

3.  Resident asks Property Manager to limit the non-resident cars parking near apartments.
     Property Manager: I park there and I will continue to park there.  This is my job!
     Resident:  Well, I guess you told us we just don't matter.  Enough said.

Speak with your money, your voice, your kindness and compassion. Sadly, I envision huge walk-outs by employees refusing to take it any more (Walmart, etc.), and more customers refusing to spend money with rude businesses. It is time to cut back in more ways than one.  And rethink this whole mess we have created.

Oh and why should I continually hear SHOP LOCAL?  BUSINESS OWNERS TAKE NOTICE.  I will shop local if your goods and prices are fair.  I am the customer and you need to remember that.  Oh, and kiss my *** regarding your attitude.

Said with the utmost compassion and kindness :)

Tabula Rosa

It wasn't too long ago that my new home looked like this.  A tabula rosa.  But isn't that how our lives go.  We continually begin again.  And again.  That is, if we are lucky.

I am lucky indeed.  Cold weather aside, maybe even snow.  Well, definitely snow from what I am told, I get to have another adventure.  This one is a big upside down.  Or maybe not.  Follow my thinking if you will.  It seems the home when one spends most of their time should be the larger home.  One with nooks and crannies, maybe even built-ins.  Apartments have none of these, especially if they are relatively new.  They offer other worthwhile conveniences like underground parking, a community room for folks to gather in the New England winter.  A small exercise room, even.

Some four plus months later, I am still beginning. Last evening as I was speaking with a new friend, it dawned on me.  I am trying to fit pieces from another life into this new one.  Some just don't fit.

Neighbors where my mountain home is told me they get rid of all their living room furniture every time they move. They buy inexpensive furniture, too.  Unlike me. At any rate, they buy a new sofa, chairs, maybe an end table or two, lamps, and new dining room furniture.  They say it doesn't cost them too much as they sell the 'old' stuff.  Maybe I should have left my stuff in North Carolina in the first place.  But as I always say, we are where we are til we aren't.  I can already hear the laughter from readers.  They know this is familiar.

Today I am thinking the same thing except gifting my furniture to my children instead of selling it.  I am more than ready for the next adventure.  So I shall sit on this for a while, maybe even rethink this as I often do these days.  The once definitive gal is now the new more open, flexible gal.  This or that, yes and yes, yin and yang.  It is all coming together.  It all works. My quetzalcoatl.

Comfy is in. Maybe I will even shock my family and finally buy a flat screen tv, stereo system and create the room of my dreams. 

Viva la vida. 

P.S.  Do not be too surprised if I write another blog explaining why I kept things status quo.  Does any of it really matter? 

The Tempest

Master the tempest is raging!

Tell me about that the planet isn't warming.  More furocious storms.

These were taken at 7 a.m. this morning at seacoast NH.  I couldn't get out of there fast enough!

Can We Talk?

Can we talk?  This isn't just a Joan Rivers come on.  It makes sense. 

Studies show that people who can talk to each other have a really good chance of staying together.  It isn't just talking about the mundane.  Things like building a recreation room, or colors to choose for the bedroom.  It is about talking about deep seated things, emotions, feelings...things of that ilk.

It is about talking on things dear to your heart and soul.  First your mate has to want to discuss things.  If they don't want to, maybe they can learn.  If they do not want to do either, well, let's just say you might be roommates.

I had a roommate once.  It wore thin.  In time the marriage completed.  I've been thinking on what makes or breaks relationships and this is key.

So if you can talk you have a great opportunity.

VOTE ON. TALK OFTEN.

Oh, Geeze

Oh, geeze.  Don't tell me there is moreeeeeeeeeeeeee work to do.

"Scorpio, you see new horizons. It's possible that the changes you've been going through lately aren't completely finished. You may even have a hard time keeping yourself from running away from it all. Your rebirth will only be complete after you clearly define your desires. Use today to think about what you want. Things aren't completely clear."

Source:   http://my.horoscope.com/astrology/free-daily-horoscope-scorpio.html

Truth be told, I wanna run away from it all.

Define my desires:

1.  Loving relationship with an evolved man.
2.  Someone who loves NH and western NC, the Smokies.
3.  Someone with or without children who loves family.
4.  If they have children, they have healthy relationships with them.  I want no unfinished business.
5.  Energetic, open, kind, compassionate, nice looking, slender, healthy.
6.  Repeat 1-6.

How clear is that?

Urban Survival

From UrbanSurvival. com
 

Sandylution Begins!

Although I was half-inclined to begin this morning's column with a recitation of how the unemployment numbers of October 2012 compare with those of October 2008 (which we will in a moment) the most important data point in terms of planning how you live your life now and into the future is not just the outbreaks of violence and chaos in the wake of Sandy in the northeast, but also the fast & loose talk around the country about how local communities would cope with similarly scaled events should they ever arrive.

 

Free gas should have been a good thing.  Well, not exactly how it turned out.

 

Mayor Mike visiting storm-damaged areas should have been a good thing.  By this account in the NYPost, it was not.

 

Nearly 2-million people are still in the dark.

 

Even more disturbing is that "politically-correct" [socialists] are coming out of the woodwork in communities around the nation, including one we live near here in East Texas.  The self-important do-gooders are already hatching "emergency plans" to order local "law" enforcement to screw the Constitution and go house-to-house to seize food (and whatever else strikes their fancy) and put it into a "community center" from which "authorities" would distribute food.

 

In short, those who haven't done a days worth of prepping in their lives are already scheming to steal from those who have planned to provide for their families so that every meth-head on the streets can get a portion of someone else's hard work.

 

Not to be too much the Grinch here, but this is how Marx figured it would work:  "From each according to their ability, to each according to their need..." I'ts the new "public safety mantra.  So while some people are in the dark, without power, hungry and so forth,  the biggest problem in the wake of Sandy is not in New York or New Jersey.  It's the continuing overthrow of the Constitution. 

 

It's in how America is busy making plans - under the guise of "do-gooders" to seize private property (and food) in case officials declare an "emergency."

 

A long time ago journalist Sinclair Lewis warned of such a mob mindset: "When fascism come to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.".  Unfortunately, seems when socialism comes knocking, it is now rapped wrapped in buzz phrases like "community response" and "public emergency" and yes, wrapped in a flag.  Worst of all? We're hearing that kind of talk from many states.

 

I urge you in the strongest terms to be aware of - and attend - any "emergency planning meetings" which local government near plans to hold in order that you'll at least be able to quote Marx and maybe offer some common sense.

 

America has a can-do spirit (though Mayor Mike's cancelling of the NY Marathon torpedoed that to some extent). 

 

Emergency planning that jumps right to planning forced collectivization (including seizing guns) without a specifically enumerated threat is athe kind of One-World Government response that's more dangerous to Liberty and any group of terrorists could ever hope to be.

 

Don't even start me on how it's backed by people in government who are wasting money on seizure plans rather than buying and storing food for the public.  Regrettably, the plans being kicked around down here involve seizing from those who have foresight.  Does the term "dog in the manger" mean anything to you?

 

If your community (or state) leaps onto this well-laid paved road to socialism/communism it's mob rule at work. 

 

Although there are still a few rights-minded people in Texas, there are those who would change our stte flag's white star for a red one.

 

Still, voting is tomorrow and it's planned in storm-hit areas.  Goting into it, the polls this morning are just about evenly split.  While a week ago it looked like Romney had a good chance of making it, the arrival of Sandy allowed Barak Obama to look very "presidential" and Romney was shoved to the background.

 

October Surprised?

 

Plus, Romney's campaign has blown it in their communication with working people in Ohio with an ill-conceived attack on Jeep. 

 

We continue holding the thought that we may not have an election decision until perhaps as late as December.  We'll see how our consulting atrologer does on this one...

 

Elections and Job Numbers

Tomorrow you have an important decision to make:  Who to vote for to be President of the United States.  Just so we're perfectly clear on what four years of "Change" has resulted in, let's haul out a couple of Labor Department Press Releases and read the numbers, shall we?  Some of this is repeated from Friday, but I think it's important.

 

Monthly Unemployment Report:  October 2008

"Nonfarm payroll employment fell by 240,000 in October, and the unemployment rate rose from 6.1 to 6.5 percent, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. October's drop in payroll employment followed declines of 127,000 in August and 284,000 in September, as revised. Employment has fallen by 1.2 million in the first 10 months of 2008; over half of the decrease has occurred in the past 3 months. In October, job losses continued in manufacturing, construc- tion, and several service-providing industries. Health care and mining continued to add jobs."

 

Monthly Unemployment Report  October 2012:

"Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 171,000 in October, and the unemployment rate was essentially unchanged at 7.9 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Employment rose in professional and business services, health care, and retail trade.

 

There are other issues, I suppose, like whether tax increases can be rolled back and so forth, but honestly, I plan to vote for Gary Johnson - the Libertarian Party candidate who has been virtually locked out of effective campaigning by the corporate political duopoly.

 

I've had a flood of hate mail, by the way, from people who argue that a vote away from Romney is a vote for Obama, but that's not how I see it.  First and foremost I'll be voting my conscience.  Second:  People who engage in that kind of thinking are buying right into the duopoly mind-control paradigm.

 

No, I think America is ready for a real third party - we damn sure NEED  one that will be liberal on things like marijuana, civil liberties, but hard on defense, yet not in bed with the death industries. 

 

No, Johnson has only the slimmest of chances, but if a third party gets a significant number of votes, it might be a warning to the duopoly that the people are restless and dissatisfied - and the continuing concentration of power and wealth in the hands of the one-percenters has to stop.

 

The One Percenters are buying the election though and their "issue" (terror, security, live in fear) are doing very, very well.  You don't hear much about empowerment.  Instead you see the incumbent's "we'll take care of you" as government - bigger and bigger government - does.

 

I don't see Romney changing that, nor to I see Obama changing...and when guys like Jon Corzine get to bundle for Obama, seems to me clear which side Obama's bread is being buttered on.

 

But have fun - like Mark Twain said:  "If voting really mattered, they wouldn't let us do it."  The more things change, the more they stay the....

 

ResoNation has a jammed-fact (sic) review of geoengineering and Frankstorm Sandy.  But, I suppopse it would be asking too much for the clowns in Washington to actually hold hearings into this.  They do, after all, have three rings to contend with (house, senate, and WH...) and then there's the carnies up on K Street.

 

Is the West Coast the next disaster in line?  It's already raining rumors on the net.

 

The Israeli Mistake?

We have been eyeing the end of this week - after the voting for president is finished, wondering if my friend G.A. Stewart will be right in his concerns that it would make a dandy tip-off date for World War III. 

 

Personally, I can see how this would work, since if Obama were to win, the country would still be politically divided and there might be more support now for Israel than, say, next spring.

 

At any rate, the "mistake" if the long term predictive linguistics are correct might very well be an ill-advised attack on Iran.  Which gets us to this morning's worry:  "INSS's war game simulates regional scenarios" reports the Jerusalem Post today.

 

When you read the report, what comes through is that the decision to strike Iran may have been "gamed" by people who misread the potential for global war on a number of fronts.

 

For one, it would be an ideal time for Russia to have an "accident" in space, which could set off an EMP blast over the US.  With America already partially divided because of the hurricane aftermath and a divisive presidential contest, we might not be this vulnerable for another who knows how long?

 

What's more, the war gamers seem to think all the surrounding Mideast countries will act in their own interests and will not rise up in unison to counter what they'd portray as Israeli/Zionist aggression.

 

So one way to read this most important of war game reports is to look at it as a post facto justification - which shows an attack could be launched without any blowback.  With the older linguistics studies suggesting nine generations of blowback, we are extremely glum at the prospects of having to live through the possible workout in everyday life.  More in the "Coping Section" after a few more headlines...

 

Markets

Not much to report on until the Fed comes out with the Consumer Debt report on Wednesday, so bring a bottle of pain-killer to our Thursday morning hook-up.  I wouldn't be surprised to see the markets drop down and test the 1,395 S&P area...and after that?  Well, gonna depend on whether Tweedle O or Tweedle R wins.

 

Boeing: Dreams On

First 787 passenger flight was this weekend  - Houston to Chicago.

 

Quakes and Shakes

A more robust description of the end of the world in the Coping section this morning, but the Pacific Tsunami warning system went off this morning on a 4.0 reported 90-miles southwest of Anchorage.

---

Reader Patti up in Oklahoma sends this:

 

"Last night in Oklahoma around eight pm. We kept hearing booming noises. My sister who lives in Marlow which is and hour and half south of us in Edmond posted on Facebook that Ft. Sill was bombing a lot. I called her to tell here that we were hearing the noises. While I was talking to her, we both heard one. It wasn't Fr. Sill because we don't hear them bombing in Edmond. My husband suggested that it was a meteor breaking up as we are in a meteor shower right now. Enjoy your website. Read it daily."

 

Well...www.haarpstatus.com shows the MidWest lighting up...or it's just a case of "Seneca Guns" and Seneca got lost, maybe?  A quote from a USGS page one point:

 

"The name originated in a short story that James Fennimore Cooper wrote during the 1800’s. The name refers to booms that have been heard on the shores of Lake Seneca and Lake Cayuga in New York State. The name has been applied to similar noises along the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Similar booms are called Barisol guns in coastal India. These phenomena have also occurred in three widely separated places around the world. That’s about all we know about the Seneca guns."

 

More quakery-boomery from USGS here.  My money is on water injection wells, but no one asked...

 

South Korean Nuke Woes

After finding out some uncertified parts had been used, South Korea is partly darkly today as two major power plants are offline.

 

New Boss in China

Hu Jintao is about to step aside to make way for Xi Jinping's ascent to power.

 

The World is Still Crazy

With all the important stuff going on, Amerca's appetite for self-delusion is nowhere more apparent that reading about a cult-of-personality favorite like Kim Kardshian coming out with a new clothing line.

 

If you woke up this morning hoping the US would be in rehab, or something, nope...sorry to disappoint.  What's the statistics I heard?  The US with 5% of people eats 61% of world pharmamoodicals?

 

Gotta wonder if we'd do better at voting decent leaders if we had pee-testing to vote - or hold office!

 

More after this...

Source:  http://urbansurvival.com/week.htm

Help Yourself

Now that the New York City Marathon has finally been cancelled (I wonder about Mayor Bloomberg's priorities - I guess being a billionaire can do that), we must think about the cities.  All the millions of people living on top of one another.  Literally.

People were not meant to live in millions.  They were meant to live in small groups, living off the land.  We have not progressed to much.  We say we want a progressive party. 

We need to be working the land, living simply, using less resources, only what we absolutely need.  As I have mentioned in earlier posts, this can not continue. 

These poor millions scattered along coastal communities are in trouble.  And there are too many of us for the land.  We are sitting ducks.  We need to help ourselves, and this does not mean loot.  Looting is the worst form of climactic tragedies. It is tantamount to the corporate thieves, only on a smaller scale.  We do not own anything.  We are merely passing through.

Get back to the farm.  March in Washington.  Demand a healthier world.  And start helping yourself.

A Home For Her Heart

" I forgot to call you.  I.didn't forget your birthday, I knew it was today.  Is it too late to call?" the e-mail said. 


She didn't care.  People were involved in their own lives.  She needed to be involved in hers.  But it was okay.  The card she received left her laughing hysterically.  And the gift was great, too.

"Oh, I am so sorry, so very, very sorry" said the voice mail. The pleading, desperate voice said it all.   Her cell phone was left in her car, along with the rest of her things.  There was simply too much to carry to get inside her home.  She didn't even know she left it until she looked for it the other day.  She felt sorrier for the caller for sure. She was glad to have her purse again.  Glad she hadn't left if in the restaurant.  Or at a friend's house.

But morning came as it always does.  Cloudy.  Cool.  Snow was in the air.  An unusual wetness that was too familiar. Leaves continued to fall.  Hurricane Sandy didn't leave much untouched in her wake. So many without electrical power. Gasoline. 

The elected officials got on the media soon enough.  Rationing.  That was the answer.  The police were everywhere in combat gear.  Joy wondered who the enemy was. She wondered what rights people would lose.  This time.

But it was life review day.  Again.  Definitely time for more chocolate.  More home.  More familiarity.  Sameness.  She felt lost.  Her heart was somewhere else.  She knew where.  She knew it was time to reclaim it. To bring it home.

Common Sense

It just doesn't make sense to build on areas near mountain tops, oceans and large waterways. I cannot imagine what a loss this is for all the families who lost property and possessions in Hurricane Sandy or Katrina. My heart goes out to all of them.

Much of the money used will be federal money, our tax dollars. I want to know people are safe. All resources are valuable; we must cut down on wasteful spending.  To rebuild in these areas is wasteful.  It is also dangerous.  Why not use this an an opportunity to build safely.  To build SUSTAINABLY.  To take this horrible event and turn it around. 

I'm really concerned about these coastal communities.  I wouldn't own anything near them.  Or building on fault lines.  It just makes common sense.

Birthday Wishes

May you all have a safe life.
A love filled with love.
May Sandy and the Sandy's of the planet do no harm. 
May we have no more storms. 

Thank you for being a part of my life.

MDNYNJNCNH

Five. 

The number of states where I have lived. 

MD: 36 years

NY:  1 l/2 years

NJ:14 years

NC:  11 years

NH:  3 months

So where is home?  Everywhere!