Politics is like underwear, it never stays clean long enough but still usually gets worn far too long.
As long as we continue to accept a government that operates under rules of engagement rather than under rules of responsibility, we'll never get anywhere.....fast!
Our present fiscal situation is rotten and getting worse, yet every single time they gather in Washington D.C. to talk about it, there's nothing but political hype and drama, with the American people stuck in the middle. That's blatantly wrong....a complete misuse of the power voters placed upon them. Just disgusting!
If Chef Ramsay was doing a government version of Kitchen Nightmares, he'd have everybody running for cover!
Sure wish we had somebody like that in D.C.!
For today, Fifty Five Is the New Stripes NOT Stars, because we need to apply ourselves to the tasks at hand rather than continue running political beauty pageants.
Randi on stage @ 1444 Market Street 1997
Randi on Stage 1997 at 1444 Market Street, SF, CA
Jack and yours truly today
Randi and Jack on the "Cadillac Campsite Tour"
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
The New Inspiration
Wasn't sure what to think about Fifty Five being the New anything and almost didn't write today but figured that would be too easy. Gee...the attack of the work ethic at my tender age! Who'da thunk?
Well, contrary to some grave misconceptions a lot of disabled people lead busy lives. Even those who are bed bound. In this age of computers, internet and techno-accessibility, folks who can barely bat an eye are able to get online and be in touch with the world. I knew someone a few years back who went to college, even though confined to a bed 24/7 and limited to the movements of head, neck and face thanks to the computer technology.....AND a great big assist from several grants.
It took a bit of work to get it all set up, but their life went from devastation (the disability was due to a car accident) to fulfilled. What we need is more of that...more opportunity, more options....there's nothing wrong with that.
So, what started out as being a potentially blank day has suddenly turned into one of inspiration, so for today Fifty Five will be just that...the New Inspiration, because as long as we can keep inspired we can keep the creative energy fired up!
Well, contrary to some grave misconceptions a lot of disabled people lead busy lives. Even those who are bed bound. In this age of computers, internet and techno-accessibility, folks who can barely bat an eye are able to get online and be in touch with the world. I knew someone a few years back who went to college, even though confined to a bed 24/7 and limited to the movements of head, neck and face thanks to the computer technology.....AND a great big assist from several grants.
It took a bit of work to get it all set up, but their life went from devastation (the disability was due to a car accident) to fulfilled. What we need is more of that...more opportunity, more options....there's nothing wrong with that.
So, what started out as being a potentially blank day has suddenly turned into one of inspiration, so for today Fifty Five will be just that...the New Inspiration, because as long as we can keep inspired we can keep the creative energy fired up!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
It Is What It Is
Isn't it funny how the more control we try to take over certain things, the less we actually get? Also, isn't it funny when we try to put our interpretations on a person's actions and end up waaaay off base? It's like, the more we try to throw our own colors on the canvas the more life comes along with the fan brush and glitter just to remind us that we're NOT in charge.
When it comes to this life, I'm not really the boss, it doesn't all end with me and my desires.
A great deal of the time it has bloody little to do with anything I want at all. That's when I really get pissed. Like, gee-wow! Aren't I worthy of having every dream come true?
Oh, I know...lots of talk passes on this blog about dreams coming true, and they do. But that isn't all there is to life. Can't be, because if that's all it ever was then why are we still here? Haven't enough of us had at least one miracle in our lives? Is it enough to be satisfied, or should we build bigger mountains to climb?
Being satisfied is good......being adventurous is good too. A person can be both at the same time. Nothing wrong with that at all. In fact, I think that's what we should do a great deal more often than we do....be adventurous and be satisfied too.
And maybe then, we can learn to let go...not try to be the boss so much as the explorer....learn to take life once in a while on LIFE'S terms....take it on as it presents itself, full Monty and no make-up. Learn to look at things, people, events, what have you for who or what THEY are, rather than glomming ourselves all over their presence so that the only thing we see is our interpretation.
It is what it is. Nothing more, nothing less, no strings attached and no translations....I wonder if it would produce more or less peace to go around like that....hmmmm. It is what it is.
Well, for today anyway Fifty Five is just that.....It Is What It Is, each to their own. To me, to you, to us...It Is What It Is.
When it comes to this life, I'm not really the boss, it doesn't all end with me and my desires.
A great deal of the time it has bloody little to do with anything I want at all. That's when I really get pissed. Like, gee-wow! Aren't I worthy of having every dream come true?
Oh, I know...lots of talk passes on this blog about dreams coming true, and they do. But that isn't all there is to life. Can't be, because if that's all it ever was then why are we still here? Haven't enough of us had at least one miracle in our lives? Is it enough to be satisfied, or should we build bigger mountains to climb?
Being satisfied is good......being adventurous is good too. A person can be both at the same time. Nothing wrong with that at all. In fact, I think that's what we should do a great deal more often than we do....be adventurous and be satisfied too.
And maybe then, we can learn to let go...not try to be the boss so much as the explorer....learn to take life once in a while on LIFE'S terms....take it on as it presents itself, full Monty and no make-up. Learn to look at things, people, events, what have you for who or what THEY are, rather than glomming ourselves all over their presence so that the only thing we see is our interpretation.
It is what it is. Nothing more, nothing less, no strings attached and no translations....I wonder if it would produce more or less peace to go around like that....hmmmm. It is what it is.
Well, for today anyway Fifty Five is just that.....It Is What It Is, each to their own. To me, to you, to us...It Is What It Is.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Ta Do
Thank you so much everyone for your wonderful Birthday wishes, and many happy birthday wishes....and love....back at everyone too.
Been a little busy around the old homestead lately...lots of things needing attention, lots of projects to complete. Glad that the audio is done and am trying to get more on the video in between other "gotta-do's." They seem to always outweigh the "wanna do's, " but at least there's always "sumthin' ta do".
Sometimes I wonder if the choices made in this life were the best ones possible; after all, I've not massed a fortune or become a successful anything. Most people measure the worth of a person by what they've gained either in social stature or riches. If those are the only two categories-well I'm pretty much not even in the running.
But I have had an abundance of miracles, experiences, friends and even a few plum opportunities that perhaps make up for any deficits to pedigree or purse. Mind you, not all the experiences were easy...some have been downright mind-bogglingly painful but in the grand scheme of things, it's been a phenomenally textured, wonderfully flavored existence...spiced hot like curry, sweet like coconut, smoky like incense. Like Thai food. For that I am truly grateful.
What is life, if not to be completely and utterly lived...savored, enjoyed and celebrated? That goes for good times as well as bad, because they're both part of the same dish; flavors layered and entwined like a great lasagna. Veggie or regular, that choice is optional.
In one of the birthday emails, I was asked if I had a "Bucket List."
Other than the music, art, writing, video stuff?
I'd like to spend some time with my son, with my family....now that there's time to do it I hope to do it sometime soon.
I want someone to open a facility like 350 Divisadero was....in a bigger space so that more services can be offered and people can honestly see what was trying to happen. Before I kick the bucket I want to see a place like that functioning for the patients.
I'd like to see cannabis legalized correctly, the commercial adult responsible use taxed correctly and the medicinal use not taxed. I'd like to see all international trade and commerce laws changed to reflect this, and would like to see hemp grown commercially for not only ingesting for therapeutic or recreational use, but for industrial use as well.
I want us as a nation to stop being what it's being right now....political for the sake of being political. There's gotta be something better than stabbing one another in the back while strangling one another-figuratively speaking, that is. I'm tired of everything being a contest over who's getting what done-Republicans or Democrats or whoever! We should be working together as people, not shouting at each other from pulpits. Anyway, I'd like to see that before kicking the bucket.
Can't we just work together, even a little bit? I'm tired of Hannity calling the President of the United States "the Anointed One." I'm tired of the disrespect shown to the office. When Bush was president, I know we teased him...but we did so based on character flaws. This stuff is different, it's meaner...it's intolerant and dare I say outrageous.
Mostly, I'd like to see us look around and realize that the only way we're going to survive any of the great changes coming is to do it together.
Those are my main "Bucket List" items.
Otherwise? Oh, perhaps meet Alton Brown, Stephen Hawking, go into outer space, surf, that sort of thing.
Anything else? The realization that our species can only survive if we work together...I pray we get to that realization real soon and act upon it swiftly.
So, that's my "Bucket List," and it even includes a celebrity. Anybody else? Feel free to let us know your "B-List," or how you feel about any of the things here in these "tomes." Either add as a comment or feel free to email me. Okay?
Well, it's getting late/early, and I should lay down for a while. On that note, we retire with the thought of Fifty Five being the new what? The new Ta Do, because there's always "sumthin' ta do..." even if it's only working on our "Bucket List."
Been a little busy around the old homestead lately...lots of things needing attention, lots of projects to complete. Glad that the audio is done and am trying to get more on the video in between other "gotta-do's." They seem to always outweigh the "wanna do's, " but at least there's always "sumthin' ta do".
Sometimes I wonder if the choices made in this life were the best ones possible; after all, I've not massed a fortune or become a successful anything. Most people measure the worth of a person by what they've gained either in social stature or riches. If those are the only two categories-well I'm pretty much not even in the running.
But I have had an abundance of miracles, experiences, friends and even a few plum opportunities that perhaps make up for any deficits to pedigree or purse. Mind you, not all the experiences were easy...some have been downright mind-bogglingly painful but in the grand scheme of things, it's been a phenomenally textured, wonderfully flavored existence...spiced hot like curry, sweet like coconut, smoky like incense. Like Thai food. For that I am truly grateful.
What is life, if not to be completely and utterly lived...savored, enjoyed and celebrated? That goes for good times as well as bad, because they're both part of the same dish; flavors layered and entwined like a great lasagna. Veggie or regular, that choice is optional.
In one of the birthday emails, I was asked if I had a "Bucket List."
Other than the music, art, writing, video stuff?
I'd like to spend some time with my son, with my family....now that there's time to do it I hope to do it sometime soon.
I want someone to open a facility like 350 Divisadero was....in a bigger space so that more services can be offered and people can honestly see what was trying to happen. Before I kick the bucket I want to see a place like that functioning for the patients.
I'd like to see cannabis legalized correctly, the commercial adult responsible use taxed correctly and the medicinal use not taxed. I'd like to see all international trade and commerce laws changed to reflect this, and would like to see hemp grown commercially for not only ingesting for therapeutic or recreational use, but for industrial use as well.
I want us as a nation to stop being what it's being right now....political for the sake of being political. There's gotta be something better than stabbing one another in the back while strangling one another-figuratively speaking, that is. I'm tired of everything being a contest over who's getting what done-Republicans or Democrats or whoever! We should be working together as people, not shouting at each other from pulpits. Anyway, I'd like to see that before kicking the bucket.
Can't we just work together, even a little bit? I'm tired of Hannity calling the President of the United States "the Anointed One." I'm tired of the disrespect shown to the office. When Bush was president, I know we teased him...but we did so based on character flaws. This stuff is different, it's meaner...it's intolerant and dare I say outrageous.
Mostly, I'd like to see us look around and realize that the only way we're going to survive any of the great changes coming is to do it together.
Those are my main "Bucket List" items.
Otherwise? Oh, perhaps meet Alton Brown, Stephen Hawking, go into outer space, surf, that sort of thing.
Anything else? The realization that our species can only survive if we work together...I pray we get to that realization real soon and act upon it swiftly.
So, that's my "Bucket List," and it even includes a celebrity. Anybody else? Feel free to let us know your "B-List," or how you feel about any of the things here in these "tomes." Either add as a comment or feel free to email me. Okay?
Well, it's getting late/early, and I should lay down for a while. On that note, we retire with the thought of Fifty Five being the new what? The new Ta Do, because there's always "sumthin' ta do..." even if it's only working on our "Bucket List."
Sunday, May 2, 2010
The New Coffee Break
Fifty-Five, Fifty-Five where are you today?
It seems the more I try to kick back, the more I end up having to do! Isn't that so with all of us?
Being busy has its good points; keeps the brain active and body limber and all that. But jeeze louise!
I wanna have time to do all the things that gotta get done so there's time to do the things I wanna do, too.
Wah! Wah! Wah!' (sound of spoiled baby cry/pouting)
Oh well... This entry will be probably one of the shortest. But sometimes that's how it is.
What Fifty-Five means for me today is simple...Fifty Five is the new Coffee Break! We're all entitled to one, and should take one every few hours.
Cubicles are not meant for human beings...even if the cubicles are only in our minds, we're not supposed to be stuck, hidden away and only let out at night...unless we want it that way, of course. Who's going to argue with a vampire?
So For today we all deserve a break, we'll take it! Fifty Five is the new Coffee Break, and mmmmm! Don't it smell delicious!
It seems the more I try to kick back, the more I end up having to do! Isn't that so with all of us?
Being busy has its good points; keeps the brain active and body limber and all that. But jeeze louise!
I wanna have time to do all the things that gotta get done so there's time to do the things I wanna do, too.
Wah! Wah! Wah!' (sound of spoiled baby cry/pouting)
Oh well... This entry will be probably one of the shortest. But sometimes that's how it is.
What Fifty-Five means for me today is simple...Fifty Five is the new Coffee Break! We're all entitled to one, and should take one every few hours.
Cubicles are not meant for human beings...even if the cubicles are only in our minds, we're not supposed to be stuck, hidden away and only let out at night...unless we want it that way, of course. Who's going to argue with a vampire?
So For today we all deserve a break, we'll take it! Fifty Five is the new Coffee Break, and mmmmm! Don't it smell delicious!
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