The Spoiled Brats Are Screaming Wolf, Again

Yup, I'm referring to those sorry excuses for humans, the congressional Republican blankheads (You can fill in the blank with whatever you want). They simply can't stand having a black President, particularly one who represents the 99%, as opposed to the 1% they represent. Oh, they'll tell you otherwise, but don't be fooled, their in it for themselves, and always have been. They may say they're trying to save the Country, but the truth of the matter is, they are doing their best to destroy everything that either doesn't put money in their pockets, or takes money out of their pockets. And that's all I have to say about that, for the moment. I hate wasting time on evil disguised as righteousness, or, another way of describing these foul creatures, wolves in sheep's clothing. 
Moving along, it's another fairly warm day out there. I haven't really been outside since around 8:30 this morning when I got back from jogging. Although I did stick my head (and arm) outside about an hour later to grab the newspaper. And, yes, my air conditioner is running. I just don't do all that well in hot, humid weather. Neither does Albert, who, as much as he'd like to be out terrifying any Republicans he can find, is napping at the moment. 
Eddie on the other hand, loves hot weather. Well, after all, he is a tropical bird. His ancestors come from Australia, where at one time they were eaten as appetizers. I haven't really explained that to him, but he doesn't seem interested in going to visit Down Under, anyway. 
This morning was a bit traumatic for him, as it was. I had to trim his nails, which do get pretty long every couple of months or so. It makes it very difficult for him to walk around, particularly on my shoulders, 'cause his sharp little claws get hung up (stuck) in my shirt. Neither one of us has a particularly good time during the nail trimming process. It's a bit traumatic for us both. I've been told that these wonderful birds (cockatiels) don't feel it when they have their nails trimmed. Bull-blank. Once again, you can fill in the blank with whatever you feel is appropriate. The nail trimming did go very well today, however. Eddie didn't struggle as much as usual, which made it easier for me to do the work. And no blood was drawn, which is always a plus. So, a win-win. He has already made up for my brutal treatment of his little person (referring to his physical self) by getting several head rubs. Of which there will be more requested throughout the remainder of the day, and well into the evening. Thank God Albert doesn't like headrubs.
Anyroad, wherever you be, and whatever you be doing, enjoy, make the best of it, and stay cool. In as many ways as you like. 

Money "From" Nothin', and Chicks for Free

So, you would believe nothing is nothing, huh? Well, surprise, surprise. It definitely was a surprise to me to find out that nothing actually weighs something. And that's not all. Nothing will produce something. It's all in a book, The Universe From Nothing, by an author whose name I can't remember at the moment. It seems that nothing really isn't nothing. In any area of nothing there are many, many fast moving and active particles that can't be seen by the naked eye. And according to the Author of the book, they will eventually produce something. I haven't read the book, and since my brain seems to quickly get bored with nonfiction, I probably won't. I watched an interview with the Author on tv. I did find it highly amusing, to say the least.
The title above was actually a pun on the lyrics of a once very popular rock song by the musical group, Dire Straits, with the title, Money For Nothin'.  The actual line of the song goes, Money For (not from) Nothin', And Chicks For Free. The song itself has quite an interesting history, and was quite controversial at the time. It came about (was created) after a conversation between two blue collar workers was overheard in a public place. The workers were sharing their thoughts about some rock musicians on MTV. Of course, this was back when MTV was all about music, not reality tv. If you want to read about the history of the song, you can find it all on wikipedia. Of course. 
Anyroad, it's almost time to go walking with Mom. 
I saw an editorial cartoon (a cartoon on the editorial page of a newspaper) that was depicting runaway global warming, while also making the comment that most Americans seem unconcerned about the destruction of the world. We do seem to be having a lot of trouble shrinking our carbon footprint. Or even wanting to shrink our carbon footprint (destructive impact upon the environment).
Albert is really disturbed by this, and understandably so. Recently, we've been seeing a lot of his relatives showing up in backyards, hiding in trees in residential neighborhoods. And even one bear cub, in a video that went viral, playing in someone's garage. The poor bear cub was probably in a lot trouble, after mama bear had to lift the garage door in order to rescue her runaway child. The point is, as we destroy the environment, in particular the forests and the wilderness, the bears, as well as all wildlife, has no where to go. So they show up roaming through the suburbs. 
Albert's solution is simple. Humans should all leave the planet, and the bears will look after things. For letting him hide under my bed when he feels it's necessary, he has given me dispensation to remain on the planet. The rest of you are on your own. Sorry.
  

The Internet is A Mighty & Twisted Road

I am not part of the more recent always connected generation. I didn't grow up with computers. I didn't even own my "very own" computer until 2003. So maybe that has something to do with my computer illiteracy, and of course my impatience and frustration with all things (well, most things) thought of as modern technology. I can grasp the concepts of using these devilish tools, if they are explained to me in baby talk, but actually applying these concepts to practical application, well, in simple Brooklyn speech, forget-about-it. My cross to bear. Thank God for friends and relatives who have to help out helpless mooks like me. Their cross to bear.
Anyhow, that's why I can I am able to write at you today. A friend stopped by to protect me from those evil email hackers out there. Yep, it happened to me. Someone hacked my email a/c, and went on a phishing trip using my contact list. The bas#$%*. The "white knight" who rescued me from the oh so tricky internet security dilemma, spent several hours downloading malware and spyware protection, and making sure my system was clean. In my opinion, he went well above and beyond the call of duty. Of course, the difference betweens us, is he does enjoy working with computers and software. For me, it's like spending time in hell. OK, a very minor hell, I'll admit, but a hell all the same. And of course, it turns out the security issue was not actually my problem, but AT&T's. It was they that got hacked for access to more email a/c's than just mine.
Anyroad, how can one live, in this age of high technology, without a computer or internet connection of any kind? Not easily, I don't think. 
Although Albert doesn't seem to have any problem. He never uses a computer or an ipad, and he doesn't own a smart phone. But then again, he's a bear. And Eddie has no use for a computer at all, only havings wings to work with. Besides, he can't get a head rub from one. 
Enough of my whining for today. If I manage to face the threat of the computer world on the 'morrow, maybe I'll talk about how nothing is something, and something can come from nothing. Adieu.   

Johnny the Kid

Back in my cowboy days, when I was roaming the prairie, when it really was a wild, wild west, I met a young gunslinger named William Bonnie. He asked me if I would like for him to make me famous, but I told him I wasn't really interested. Being famous, seems to me, to be overrated. Anyhow, it turns out it was a good thing I didn't take him up on it, since the name he was most known by back then, was Billy the Kid. And the way he made people famous, was by killing them.
There were a lot of colorful characters in the West at that time. People like Wild Bill Hillcock, Calamity Jane, Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Jesse James, & Cole Younger. I met a few of 'em, and I still can remember the sight of 'em as if it were yesterday.
When I was doing some scouting for the army under General George Armstrong Custer, I met a Sioux Indian Chief and Medicine Man, named Crazy Horse. And Yessir, he was crazy as a bedbug. I think he was high as a kite on some them peyote buttons. Anyways, long story short, he told me I might not want to rejoin Custer's force of soldiers, since he was planning on wiping 'em out. It was a tough call to make. On one hand, I felt maybe I should warn Custer of what was coming, and on the other hand, I really liked the idea of keeping my scalp on my head. The Indians back then, liked to scalp their enemies. At least the dead ones. And that pretty much clinched it. I felt bad about Custer, but he was a bit of a sissy boy with all that long blond hair. 'Course, it probably ended up on Crazy Horse's Lodge, but at least I got to keep mine.
It was a truly wild time back then. I think about it often.

It Could Be Worse, You Could Be A Bear

Albert showed up for a visit last night. Currently he's sleeping under my bed. And no, I still don't know how he does that. He's not a small bear. He really doesn't enjoy the heat and humidity. And yes, it feels like being in Death Valley out there today. Of course, tomorrow's supposed to be worse. I think the main reason Albert is here at the moment, is for the air conditioning. Well, after all, you try roaming around in the woods in this weather wearing a nice and thick fur coat. Think about it.
We had a bit of chat last night. He's not very happy with the state of the Country. I would say the state of the world, but Albert has never been out of the US. And he's not really happy with people in general. He's believes the majority of humans are short-sighted, selfish, greedy and cruel. And he does make specific reference to those "darn (I really can't use the actual word he intended, nor type the actual bear language sound before translation; this could be a family blog after all) bowtie wearing a****** conservatives", by whom I believe he means Republicans, in particular, he says, the lobotomized Tea Partiers. Why he called them lobotomized, I really don't know. But sometimes it's best not to ask him what he means when he's excited. Remember. He is a bear. My translation also may not always be the best. Maybe he meant "loony".
Anyhow,  when the weather becomes a little more "bearable", ha ha, he says he will go try to harass what "reprehensible and miserable excuses for humans he can find, or run down." I'm not sure if he meant the run down part literally or not.
So, to sum up. If you are a conservative Republican, or a member of the Tea Party, and you see a rather large black bear approaching, I'd run if I were you. I wouldn't try to shoot him. You'll only tick him off (make him mad)...

What to Do on the Last Full Day of Spring

Summer arrives tomorrow. So what should one do on the last day of Spring? Don't ask me. Best answer would be: Whatever the h*#% you want to. Me? Well actually, my last day before Summer officially arrives will be rather dull.
Sorry about that. I know you can't sense the delay between this sentence and the last sentence, but there was a bit of a prolonged one. Eddie, who was sleeping in the crook of my shoulder where it adjoins my neck, had to interrupt for a head rub. Eddie's headrubs are always an interesting exercise because he won't allow me to use my fingers. I have to use my nose. Hands approaching him represent bad things to his little birdie brain. Things like, being made to take liquid vitamins or medicine, or the worst: getting his nails trimmed, which is a traumatic occasion for both of us.
Anyway, I probably won't be trimming his nails today, although he is due for it.
Nope. Today, if I get past my initial procrastination, I will do truly exciting things, like dust, vac, and clean the bathroom. Then, if I get past that -even if I don't get past that- I'll probably go walking with Mom, during which we can share our contrasting views of the world, among other things. Then, as the day slowly slides towards evening, I will take care of a necessary couple of errands, hopefully study a little Mandarin, cook a meal, and finally, relax with a wonderful book of ghostly type stories that I am currently reading, "At Ease With The Dead."
So that's the plan. We will have to see how it truly unfolds. Enjoy this end to Spring. Who knows if another one will come, or not. Remember, anytime now it could be the end of the world. Or so they say.

A List of Things to Avoid on a Day Like Today

Ok, I'm not exactly a happy camper on this fine morning. Or what's left of it, since it's almost noon. After two bad nights of sleep in a row, there are many things I would rather not face at the moment. Things like Republican lies and shenanigans, Fox "News" propaganda, anything requiring clear thinking or decisive action, action in general, loud noise, bad tv (most tv programming fits that category), social interaction, chores that are waiting to be taken care of, and so on and so forth.
It's always on mornings like these that maintenance decides they have to cut the grass. Why do the lawn mowers they use always sound like small jet engines? Even before they arrived, the garbage trucks came roaring through at the crack of dawn. Of course, I was awake anyway, but there's nothing more frustrating than to be lying in bed and hear loud noises that suggest the world is starting another day.
So. My plan is to have some breakfast, drink some tea, and other than read a good book, do as little as possible for the remainder of the day. Eddie will most definitely like that plan, since he will get as much attention, or at least most of the attention, as he would like. Here's hoping you had a better night of sleep than I, and may you have a simply marvelous day.  

The Times They Just Might Be a'Changing

Albert, my sometimes roommate who pays no rent, is out roaming the countryside. It's that time of year. After all, he is a bear. I haven't seen him in a couple of weeks now. I imagine he'll put in an appearance soon. Soon being anywhere in the next few weeks, and probably before the Fall. Eddie, my other roommate, who happens to be a 16 1/2 year old cockatiel with a feather challenged head (yup, male pattern baldness on a small parrot; it's a genetic thing with many piebald cockatiels), has adjusted well to having Albert around. But he's still not quite perfectly comfortable with a large furry being who communicates mostly by sounds that are almost indistinguishable from growls. But upon occasion, Eddie has directed some of his various bird calls at Albert. Best as I can figure, Eddie's original caregiver (he's only been with me for about 4 years) kept him in a cage by a frequently opened window. Having no real contact with other cockatiels, he learned the calls and songs of a wide range of wild birds. He loves sharing these at various times of day, especially with anyone who happens to call on the telephone. My typing does bore him, however. So, right now he's tucked behind my head, at the junction of my right shoulder and neck, napping.
Thinking about the possibility of the circumstances of life changing can be a bit of a discombobulating experience. Of course, change is usually never a simple, or easy for that matter, thing to have to face up to. But it is the one thing in life that is constant. Or so they say. But as a somewhat ordinary guy, and I use the term in a rather loose manner, I am very settled into my life, such as it is. The mere idea of adding change into my fairly set-in-my-ways day to day existence, well, it's enough to shake me up a bit. A little, anyway.
But, Life, no matter how you look at it, simply is. And we go on. Whatever comes along, we either have to welcome into our own little lives, or we have to run away. The choice is ours. I see my choices as: a) be more like Eddie, and be afraid of anything new that comes along; b) take a lesson from Albert, and growl a lot; or c) enjoy the new as much as I can, and what I can't enjoy, either fly away from, or growl at.
And that's all I have to say about that (Forrest Gump).
To all you Fathers out there, including my brother, who has raised 3 wonderful children, enjoy a day of tribute. You deserve it. It can't be an easy job. And that's coming from someone who truly has not the slightest concept of what being a father is about. Well, except for taking care of Eddie. But somehow, I just don't think that's the same thing.

The World May End Soon, but I Still Don't See Any Zombies

So first, let me say, beguiled and naive civilians who call themselves Republicans aren't necessarily horrible people. They may just be a bit dim, and a lot ignorant, or something similar. It is the Republican politicians that are evil, and yes, they should be destroyed. And no, I don't think anyone should go out and shoot a Republican. Although Albert, a bear I know, would definitely prefer you to shoot a Republican, than to shoot any friends or relatives of his. I hope that clears that up.
Moving along. The government has decisively announced that the dead are not coming back to life, contrary to public opinion, it would seem. There have been some flesh eating attacks recently, but these were carried out by actually living people. Yuck. Another interesting fact I read recently, is that a lot of Americans believe the world will end in their lifetime. Wow. There's a cheerful outlook for you. I wonder if this means more people will stop caring about the state of the world, and the environment, because after all, it's probably going to end any day now, anyway. This does not bode well for the future of human behavior.
In other news, my life, which I can't really say is ever extremely boring, is a bit more interesting lately. There are always a few colorful characters that seem to lay in wait for me. Such as a neighbor of mine, who loves to tell me how he hates the Chinese, and he can't wait until Foxwoods (the casino) has a financial meltdown and goes out of business. Now, in truth, he seems like a nice guy in general, but me thinks he had some bad experiences with Chinese people while he worked at Foxwoods, which in itself does not seem to have a been a pleasant work experience for him. Hmm, maybe he had a bad relationship with an Asian woman. But whatever it was, he told me that now, he won't even eat Chinese food. People can be quite unfathomable to me sometimes.
Anyroad, I now have a few fairly new English learners in my conversation groups (I lead 3 a week) at the Library, which in and of itself is not unusual. I have one or two new learners joining one or more of the groups I lead fairly regularly. Now, I've been very fortunate in that I can't remember the last time I had someone join who was a real pain, or I really didn't care for. My only problem seems to be that I get to converse with a fair number of very attractive women (men, too, but they don't present the same problem), and not simply attractive in a physical sense, but they are wonderful human beings. Most of them are married, and many of you will not only not see this as a problem, but you possibly might be jealous. The downside of this for me is, it does make me feel like I am truly missing out on a more fulfilling life by being on my own. 
Not that a meaningful relationship is an easy thing to have, or maintain. Anyone who has been involved in any type of relationship, including casual friendship, close friendship, or even an intimate relationship, well...you know that really getting to know someone and understanding them can be a very difficult task. But, as with all things, there are plus's & minus's. And as every poker player knows, you play the hand you have.
So, there you have it. Will I find my "soulmate" in the course of time? After all, I don't expect to live forever...Or will I continue to live out my days in my comfortable, and sometimes boring, bachelor type existence? I have no clue. I'll have to get back to you on that. Have a nice day. 

The Republicans are Killing My Mother

Now, I have to admit that for a very long time I have been saying the only good Republican is a dead one. I'm not advocating killing them, you understand, I'm just saying that the title Republican and the word good do not go together, unless it happens to be a dead Republican. In my opinion the live ones all stand for the opposite of truth, lies if you will, cheating, greed, and the inhumane treatment of the disadvantaged, minorities, animals, and the environment. So, that takes care of my two cents.
I do not watch anything having to do with politics on television if I can help it. Mainly because it has the potential to make me angry enough to make me commit acts violence, and I really don't want to have to replace my television. My Mother, on the other hand, has always loved to watch the news and political shows on tv. But recently the stupidity of the hate-filled lies and acts of the Republican politicians has made her angry enough to threaten her continued healthy existence. I went walking with her today, and when we began our mile long trek, she was quite angry with the two-faced scheming Republican bast#@%s that were attacking the Attorney General in the House of Representatives.
Luckily, she soon put it from her mind. Unforunately she replaced it with competitive walking. She saw someone she knew, and decided she was walking too slow. We then proceeded to walk a mile in less than a half-hour, when we usually take a good 3/4 of an hour. But, there was no need to call 9-1-1, thank God. Although, there was a point I thought she was going to fall down when she was trying to maintain her pace while laughing at the same time. Personally, I didn't really think she could walk that fast.
Ah, walking with my Mother. It truly is an adventure.