Great Hope

Chaos and Sense  rcw

This planet is in a state of chaos, from the creatures on its surface to the very innards of its being. I believe that the two are intrinsically related...that the unrest we are experiencing within our selves is part of the same energy stream that's making the Earth shutter and transform.

Because that is what's happening to us, as well.  We are shuttering and transforming, too

As a nation, we are being forced to re-examine ourselves to the very core, our foibles laid bare on the global stage  - our hypocrisy revealed.  What we do now in our relationships with Egypt, Libya, Iran and so on must speak for who we truly are as a people, as opposed of what we hope to get out of them.

America is a great country.  We were established in good soil, by a group of individuals who saw first hand what it was like to live under tyranny. They literally fought to establish these United States based on the fundamental belief that people are born with "certain inalienable rights."

Do we really understand what that term means?

It means these rights are not able to be withdrawn or alienated from their owners, us.....people....human beings...citizens of the world. We are not permitted to do the things we do to one another as a species on a daily basis; but we continue to do these things anyway.

Why is America hated so much?  Simple.  We set our own standards in our founding documents, then found a way to debase them.  The great hope turned to the great hypocrite, preferring political gains over human rights.

And we wonder why we're targeted and derided...even by some of our own citizenry.

We have to change our course now, or the American Experiment will surely pass into legend with a single, exhausted gasp.

I believe we have a greater destiny than that....if we only have the courage to try.

For today, Fifty Five Is The New Great Hope....the hope of change...for the better.

Update on Japan's Earthquake:
Japan's coastline moved by 13 feet, shifted Earth on its axis, nuclear power plant(s) damaged.

Earthquake in Japan

e Japanese Earthquake 3/11/2011  UPI

An 8.5 earthquake struck Japan, and with it several horrific aftershocks and Tsunami activity with 35 foot waves.  Gia is truly waking up in a nasty mood!

Oh those poor people!  News is coming in, severe damage....fires...lost lives.....there's little defense against such forces of nature.  The best anyone can do is be prepared, try not to panic and do the best ya can.

I'll keep this writing short; want to concentrate on what's going on, say a few prayers and watch the events unfold.

So for tonight, sending prayers for Japan, Fifty Five Is the New Earthquake in Japan; with an eye toward the fact that California is scheduled for a big one too.

UPDATE: 3/11/2011 10:00 AM Pacific Time
Quake upgraded to 9.0, aftershocks continue, most ranging in the 7.0 + magnitude.
Tsunami hit Hawaii during early part of morning (around 3 AM), is engaging the California coastline presently.  Santa Cruz, other vulnerable areas sustaining damage.  San Francisco so far okay.

Patience

It's very late/early, usual story for me.  Insomnia can be a good thing; an opportunity to use special pockets of time when no body else is awake.   Time to create, to envision, to make magic.

Us in the studio

That's when I do most of my writing...when I can be totally naked on the page, not plagued by phone calls or chores.   Music is a little more difficult because it wakes people up.  I don't sing soft.  I'd like to sound proof our studio so that time isn't an issue anymore.  Perhaps some day we can.

It's important to have the proper tools to use one's talents efficiently and correctly.  We've come a long way from the little cassette tape recorder we used to use.  For that I am eternally grateful! Our current recording configuration is the best to date, easy to use, portable-including a battery option....just perfect.

Just got to use it more often.  Figuring out how to make things more sound proof will help for the late night usage.

Jack's been sick lately so he's not been interested in playing music.  Poor guy.  Says he's frustrated, and I sure know how he feels.

Isn't it funny how sometimes when we get what we desire, we're not given the opportunity to do what we want with it?  Perhaps that's how we're kept humble?  I don't know.

We'll get back to it soon.  Besides, my problems are tiny considering what else is going on in the world.

With that in mind.....for now Fifty Five Is the New Patience....I'm trying hard to master it.

Discovery

The Good Ship Discovery-USA's Space Shuttle

The great space shuttle Discovery landed for its last time at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at approximately 12:00 PM east coast time.

This good ship served our nation through the years, including our returns to space after both shuttle disasters.  In truth, Discover was the most flown shuttle in the fleet.

This program is being cut by NASA.  I understand the need for us to be careful with our finances, but question the sanity of axing space programs.  Unless of course they're going to do something else instead.

And what could that be?  Mission to Mars?  Putting a station on the Moon?  Both these things need to happen. We also need to explore things like suspended animation for light-year travel.

Of course we have problems here on Earth that require our attention, but we shouldn't ignore the fact that the space program has been essential in our technological advances....and that many of these advances have brought about changes in the way we do things here on the third rock from the sun.  Things like computers, solar energy, batteries.....not to mention advances in medicine.....these things wouldn't have happened if we hadn't gone to space.

So for today, Fifty Five Is The New Discovery....the space ship and its' fleet's mission, a standing ovation for a job well done and a fervent prayer that we keep some version of a space program going.

Solution

Sometimes we gotta do what we don't wanna do.  That's life.

Lilith Dance  by rcw

We've all got to tighten our belts here on the homefront....our country's fiscal health is on life support and it's up to us to change things.

Although I am worried that my own life may be changed drastically if certain things are cut, I am at the same time willing to make some sacrifices on behalf of keeping our country afloat.  I am on SSI due to my disabilities.

Now I am more than willing to find work, have even tried several times through the years to secure gainful employment, but so far no luck.  Volunteering doesn't pay.  Being poor sucks, but there are people poorer  out there....so there's a lot of gratitude for what we have.

So I continue with what I know to do...stock up on foodstuff, repair things rather than replace them when possible and look for other ways to save money.  Another thing to do, keep the faith.  Believe that there are better days ahead....why?  Because that's the only way to make it happen.

For today, Fifty Five Is The New Solution....positive thinking and positive action. The only way to fly.

Kicking Back

Stowe Lake Golden Gate Park  rcw

Let's see...there's violence in the streets of Islam....the economy's in the hopper and labor unions are all stirred up.

What to do? What to do?  What to do?

Personally, I'm going to think about the simple things in life for a few moments; unwind a little from the big spin and feel good.

It's okay that it's raining; memories are great for rainstorms! We're supposed to take time away from all the craziness once in a while.

It's fairly easy to do...just turn of the t.v., unplug the phone and let life whisper sweet nothings in your ear for a couple of hours!

Some people don't know how to unwind; I used to be like that.  Now I revel in it! There's nothing like the chance to feel the breezes blow and watch the grasses grow! 

Right now I'm watching the rain through our window....the cat's watching the rain as well from the corner of his eye.  He likes to play indifferent.  He's good at it.

So for today, Fifty Five Is The New Kicking Back, because that sometimes the best thing to do.

Appreciation

A street in North Beach  by rcw

The world is going crazy so I'm going to think about something else for a few moments.

Something like one of my favorite things.
My home.

I love North Beach!

It's that perfect mixture of cultures and people.  It's where the very-very get to rub shoulders with the not-so-much, and where a person can still sit at an outdoor cafe, sip wine while watching the world go by.

I want to save up a few pennies and sit outside the Mona Lisa or Caffe Greco for a couple of hours, just sipping on a glass of wine and seeing what happens.

I had the chance to do that a few years back and it was a lot of fun. People we didn't even know stopped by to chat...we ended up with a few tables full of folks, all talking about their home towns, the opera, politics...whatever.   I think we even helped bring some business to the place by sitting there having a good time, because the manager came out and gave my friend and I a complimentary wine and even a small appetizer.  Gee....it pays to have fun!

North Beach is like that.  Given the chance, magic can happen and usually does.

So for today, Fifty Five Is The New Appreciation...for the simple things in life; a good home, a great neighborhood and good times.