Fear and Confusion are Mighty Tools

I suppose there's a reason for all these polls, but I gotta' tell ya', along with all these political ads, they're gonna' put me into an anger management program. The worst are Linda McMahon's, who is doing her best here in Connecticut to but a seat in the US Senate. And although hers, at least to me, are some of the worst, they're followed by "untruthininess" of almost all the other Republican candidates' ads. It truly sickens me that the game plan for running for office is to buy votes with millions of dollars spent on advertising. And of course, as per usual, there is the lying, and where possible, cheating. Oooo, I really don't like those guys. The fact that Obama is not ahead by 80 points tells me that that these unscrupulous methods are actually working. I simply can't believe that there are so many ignorant fools out there to believe that Romney, McMahon, and all the other 1%er's could do anything that would not end up being a monkey wrench into the American economy, and this country's standing with the rest of the world.
Anyroad. I can't let Albert watch too much TV at the moment. He doesn't care much for humans in general, but he does believe that a number of these Republican despots represent evil. In capital letters. 
Eddie on the other hand could care less what's on TV, unless there's someone whistling, or there are sirens of any kind. Then he feels obligated to join in, and yell his little lungs out. Ah, to be a carefree bird.
I am fairly whipped at the moment. But I had to get in my comments on my "love" for those Republican...well, I guess I'll have to say, people. But the fact that they are human makes me ashamed.
Enough. I actually got some house cleaning done today, miracle of miracles. And went to a meeting amongst us lowly English tutors, which was at least somewhat productive, and definitely a bit more than somewhat entertaining. And in the process I ran into some good friends of mine whom I have had the privilege of tutoring upon occasion, but more importantly, I have had the good fortune to share many conversations with. I have found that having a good solid social connection to the world, at least for me, makes life so much more worth living. And, sharing in my ESOL friends lives, is the best part of my life. It just might be the best thing I have ever done.
A last note. Wherever you be, this country or any other, never take your freedom, and/or your democracy for granted. Be involved. Ask questions, lots of questions. Don't believe anything you hear or read without facts to back it up. And please. Don't pay attention to polls. You need to do your part. Here, in the US, that means you need to vote if you at all possible. Anything worth having is worth fighting for.
That being said. Look out for each other.   
  

Hey, Brother...Where you at?

Was a time in New Orleans that the every day greeting was, Where you at? Like saying How you doin'? or What's going on? I like that. Where you at? 
I often think of my brother Jeff when I wake in the middle of the night. He died quite unexpectedly back in January of 2005. We spent a good amount of time together in the years before his death. He was a man worth knowing, and quite a character. It seems natural to think about him when I have trouble sleeping, because he spent many nights awake, banging on his computer. Well, I'm not sure banging is the right word. He did more of a hunt'n'peck (two finger typing) He suffered from peripheral neuropathy (I think I spelled that right), and was in pretty much constant pain. But he did have a damn high pain tolerance, and he rarely complained. But, yeah, he had a lot of sleepless nights. 
So, I try not to lay in bed and curse the world when I have trouble remaining asleep. I get up and make a cup of tea in one of the two large tea cups that use to belong him, but I possess now. I think about where he's at out in the universe at large, and the noise he might be making. He always was one to walk and talk like he was the soft spoken child of Thunder, itself. I do miss that big fella'. Sleep well, Brotha'. Be seeing ya' in awhile. Still got a few things to do down here. But I expect I'll be along shortly. 

Wipe Out (A Surfing Term)

It was a fairly good week, considering all I accomplished. At least, for me. The only glitch was missing my Mandarin class this morning. It seems my somewhat strenuous end of the week took a toll on me. After a sleepless hour or so in the middle of the night, I ended up sleeping long past dawn. I'm sure I needed the sleep. I am, however, as sometimes happens after catching up on much needed zzz's, moving like molasses. Both physically, and mentally. But, no worries. Other than the Mandarin class I missed, my only other scheduled event will be to go walking later this afternoon with Mom, which will be good for both of us since I didn't get in any exercise this morning. And lo and behold, the sun is out. It's turning into a spectacular day. Yeehhaa, as the cowboys (of one kind or another) might say.
And so, until then, I will hang out with Eddie, read the paper (newspaper), watch a little TV, and maybe try to finish a book: Rise Again by Ben Tripp. A quite excellent apocalyptic zombie tale. As the drunk in the bar, from the movie The Birds, said so well, 'It's the end of the world!' Of course, he did it in an Irish accent of sorts. 
Albert's not big on halloween, although he does like horror movies of almost every type. I think he just enjoys seeing humans getting killed in all kinds of ways. Don't get the wrong idea about Albert. He doesn't really care for humans very much, but he is a very easy going fella' for a bear. I've grown quite fond of him. Seems kind of odd, but there it is.
Whatever you be doing today, I hope it gives you some enjoyment. Be kind to each other. At least don't be unkind to each other. You can do it.

Jogging in the Rain

Not quite as 'catchy' as Singing in the Rain, but an interesting experience anyway. I woke much earlier than I planned on, and although some days I would have been more than happy to lay in bed for a couple of hours, I started to go stir crazy after about ten minutes. And so, jogging in the rain came about. Eddie put up with the noise of my preparations with barely a sound. Albert, however, who was doing his best to sleep (under my bed, as usual), made a number of bearish grunts and snorts. Of course, I gladly put up with his routine complaints, because where else would I find the perfect bodyguard. He told me someone tried to break in a couple of nights ago with the intention of doing me bodily harm (he thinks), but he met the evildoer at the door. As he tells it, the bad human will not be coming back. Ever. I did not ask for the details.
Anyroad, I seem to be quite busy at the moment, what with fighting off the unmarried Chinese women who want to find an American boyfriend, the married Chinese women who are trying to fix me up with their unmarried relatives, my tutoring English to all the above as well as others of varying nationalities, and my attempts at learning Mandarin in case I find a Chinese woman who has some knowledge of marshall arts (or the dark arts, for that matter) who could add to my defense against those not so random attacks on my life. Then, of course, I would have to marry her. Who wouldn't.
So, life continues to move. Forward we always hope. But more often in a some weird approximation of a circle...
Well, my time's up for the moment. So my advice to you, is get a firm grip on your horse, and ride like hell...  

Never Give Up, Never Surrender

Oi (Hey, or yo in Cockney). Things be happening. In politics, Obama woke up for the second Presidential debate. It was good to see. The Mittster went on lying, or at the least, misrepresenting the truth every time his lips moved. Linda McMahon continues to repulse me; I cannot bear to watch her commercials. Eddie doesn't like me to watch her commercials either due to the foul language that issues from my mouth when they're on (the TV). It will all be over soon, and I can only hope the good guys win. If you don't know who the good guys are, you're probably a Republican. 
I've been battling my chronic fatigue syndrome a bit more than usual lately, but today ain't a bad day, so to speak. And I'm happy to be here. No recent overt attempts on my life, but I have a feeling of being watched quite often. Probably going to have to pay a visit to Little Valley one of these days, although I am not in any particular hurry.

Albert is back from his wanderings. He even participated in a gathering of bears out in Colorado, where he took advantage of some outdoor facilities. In case the people who provided his makeshift bathtub read this, he would like to express his appreciation. He's not really a big fan of 98% of human behavior, but he did say that most humans seem to have good hygiene. 
Anyroad, gotta' put in some time reviewing Mandarin. I've been rather lax of late. In the words of Lou Costello (famous comedian along with his partner Bud Abbott), 'I've been a baaaad boy.' Assuming I'm not hit by a bus anytime soon, I'll talk atch'ya' (at you) later. Be nice to yourself, and others, of course.