I
sometimes write more than one set of words for each blog post.
Eventually, I tend to choose the less controversial text. A few people
have seen some of my first drafts, and they felt that I should not
short-change my journal, (and those who read it), by leaving pointed
observations on the cutting room floor. So, tonight there is first draft
material on this page. -Phil
Today’s title, would be
my description of the biscuits that are being served up by the Tea
Party caucus. Half baked, and missing some essential ingredients.
I have been
trying to pinpoint why some people with seemingly functioning neural
circuitry, are convinced that the Tea Party is a reasonable solution to
repair our dysfunctional congress.
I think it might
be that they have a childish view of how government is supposed to
function. To simplify the big picture into a cartoon, many of the
ingredients are left out, along with details that take too long to draw,
(and all those long sentences with pesky big words).
The resulting information
can then be shaped into bite sized, ‘Talking Points’. These are dished
up on Fox News Corp TV, radio, newspapers, and magazines as part of the
24 hour a day deluge of misleading, partial information.
The U. S. Constitution
is mostly ignored in their creed, with the exception of some cherry
picked, partial sentences to support the right to anarchy and
irresponsible behavior. It’s so much easier that way, rather than to
have to actually read and understand the document that is the framework
on which our nation is built.
According to
my own anecdotal survey, and some actual data, nearly every person who
supports the Tea Party, also watches, listens to, and reads, Fox News
Corp information.
So, I figure
some of the Tea Party supporters haven’t lost their senses, it’s just
that their brains have been starved and malnourished down to an
intellectually deficient level where ill conceived, childish nonsense,
sounds patriotic and reasonable.
About Today’s Photo’s
Today’s images
are part of an ambient light, hand held, photo experiment. Some of the
pictures were shot long after sunset, with only the glowing atmosphere
reflecting light onto the mountains and flowers.
I played around
with a few effects on some, while on others the detail that was
captured by the Lumix FZ8 is superb. The Christmas cards on the credenza
are exceptionally sharp, and rich in color. The only light was that
which drifted in from the kitchen. Even though the available light was
feeble, I didn’t need to use the flash or tripod. I like that.
A wonderful variety of atmospheric conditions have been part of this December.
Mt Shasta glows in the distance
Rain and snow.
Clear skies. Skies decorated with all manner of cloud formations.
Colorful leaves. Blustery winds. Bare branches. Warm days and cold days.
December.
Rose in the sun
I drove down
to Richmond on Christmas day to visit and play music with the LMP Trio.
Rain was with me the whole ride. I enjoy driving in the rain. I find it
peaceful and conducive to achieving a calm, meditative state of being.
Shasta Bally, the day before Christmas.
AtMarian’s
house, I had Christmas dinner with Marian and Leona. After dinner, we
played a game of Scrabble, then we played music. Beautiful music. What a
treasured Christmas gift for all concerned.
Mt Shasta, Christmas eve day afternoon
The LMP Trio, (Leona, Marian, and Phil), played more music the day after Christmas, (Boxing Day), and I headed back up to Redding later that afternoon.
The sunset
and moonrise were spectacular as I crossed the bridge to Vallejo and
points north. I would have taken some pictures, but traffic was thick
and inconsistent, so I opted to keep my senses alert to the changing
dynamics of the vehicular tributaries and coursing streams of rumbling,
rambling travelers.
Bare branches pattern the blue sky behind this rose.
I had a very nice Christmas. I am fortunate and grateful for the present of life as I know it.
Once I returned
to Redding, the moon that had accompanied me on my journey, was now
appearing in the night sky, beside Orion, beaming down on the Treehouse.
I pulled out the Lumix FZ5, (my best nighttime moon camera), and took a
few pictures while conditions permitted.
WMAP image of the universe when only 375,000 years old
“The data from WMAP
revealed a much more precise estimate for the age of the universe —
13.7 billion years — and confirmed that about 95 percent of it is
composed of mind-boggling stuff called dark matter and dark energy. WMAP
data also helped scientists nail down the curvature of space to within
0.4 percent of "flat," and pinpoint the time when the universe began to
emerge from the cosmic dark ages (about 400 million years after the Big
Bang.)” (More Story)
Telemarketer Companies Make Money
The latest
in a century of rediscovering that people should not give money to
organizations over the phone. Is anyone surprised that the Tea Party
Patriots get duped, repeatedly?
“Tea Party Patriots,
one of the largest grassroots tea party organizations to have come out
of the movement, collected nearly $2 million in donations through
telemarketers. Just $54,000 of that—less than 5 percent—went back to the
organization. The telemarketers kept the rest.”
Landsat 5 Views Of Earth
Mergui Archipelago, Myanmar
Beautiful Images Of Places On Earth
Landsat 5 is ending its 29 year mission in space. Wired magazine offers this slide show of some spectacular views of our planet. See it at Wired
Rain and snow
have been paying a visit to Redding this Yuletide season. On Saturday,
there was a hole in the storms that let the sunshine in. By the time I
got outside, I was told I had just missed the rainbow. I did get a
chance to take some nice sparkling raindrops on flowers pictures, and I
felt fortunate to have been able to see such delightful eye candy.
The 21st of December
marked five years since I moved into this nice little apartment, here
at the Treehouse. I like the people who live here, and those who work
here, too. It is a happy place with lots of smiles and kind words.
The non-human residents are fun to be with, too.
There are still
three days of Christmas songs to be played and sung before I put them
to the back of my repertoire cabinet, until next year. I enjoy singing
them.
I am glad that
so many of the things I do, are a pleasure. One of the reasons that my
lifes activities bring joy, is that I choose to avoid doing things that
might have a negative impact. Another factor is appreciating the gift of
being able to spend this lifespan being me.
Being conscious
of being part of this universe is a wonderful experience. Every moment
is a unique opportunity to experience life as a human. Everyone of us
has the starring role in the greatest show on earth. I love this place.
My pant legs
and socks really aren’t different colors when photographed in the same light,
but the shadow of the lunch counter fell on the right foot and pants
leg. The left is lit by the kitchen light and the other was lit by
ambient light in the ‘living room’.
So, I got
new slippers, some photo paper, and a Shopko gift card in a brightly
colored, Christmas gift bag from Golden Umbrella. Thank you. I wasn’t
the only person that was gifted by Golden Umbrella Santa; Everybody at
the Treehouse Senior Apartments got presents.
I like my new slippers. They keep my feet warm while the temperature is in the 30’s and 40’s, here in Redding.
When I got up,
this doomsday, I couldn’t quite read my thermometer, but I think it’s
pointing to 41. I could have wiped off the snow, but that wouldn't be as
much fun.
I did clear
the snow off the windows of the Buick before driving to John’s shop and
the bank, today. Even on doomsday, one must keep a vigilant lookout for
erratic drivers who are distracted by visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads.
The driveway roses
managed to survive ‘end times’ without any teeth gnashing, (of course
they don’t have teeth, unless thorns are an acceptable substitute).
Their colorful blossoms are a cheerful sight above the snow on the
ground.
How many doomsday, end times events have failed to destroy life on earth? Thousands!
Here is a short list of hundreds of doomsdays, predicted by well wishers throughout the ages; doomsday predictions
Building B,
or at least this image of the front entrance taken from my balcony,
looked warm and inviting with snow falling, and a cheerful Christmas
tree beckoning me to come in out of the cold. Of course I would have to
buzz someone in the building to open the door and let me in. My ‘A’
building, magic key fob doesn’t work on B building doors.
Just in
from the cold, and not obliterated by the end times, I pose next to one
of my photographs that was suitable for framing. The door is to the
cloakroom, where hat, scarf, and jacket will wait patiently, until they are
once again keeping me warm while we adventure in cold weather.
I am somewhat befuddled,
and slightly dismayed, to read about the scores, (sometimes thousands),
of confused, illiterate people that get swept up in these perpetual
predictions for doomsday.
12-21-12
has been co opted by a conglomerate of enders. At first, it was
mistakenly thought that because the Mayan long count calendar comes to
an end, that the world will end on that day, (For some reason, it never
occurred to some people that the round calendar was designed to be used
over again, and again).
Not to be upstaged,
the UFO, astrology, rapture, and other groups joined the parade and
looked forward to the destruction and immolation of their enemies, while
they, the true believers would rise above the fray. Hooray, doomsday is
coming on the 21st!
Even more disturbing
than gullible civilians who fall for doomsday scenarios, is knowing
there are Republican members of congress who profess belief in
apocalyptic prophecies. These characters should be disqualified from any
government service. They certainly should not be involved in the
shaping of national policy.
If anyone
is disappointed that this latest end times didn’t happen, you will get
another opportunity on the 23rd, Jan. 6th, and hundreds more future
dates for the end of the world.
Two days ago,
I thought I would be returning to Redding just about now, 11:20 pm, on
this Wednesday night. Leona, Marian, and I would have played in Millbrae
earlier in the evening and, after we returned to Richmond, I would have
loaded up the Buick, bid a fond adieu, and started driving north for
200 miles.
However,
none of that happened. The place we were to play, had to postpone the
event due to a virus. We were to have played for the people at the
senior care facility, (where we have played before), but a virus made an
appearance ahead of us.
I am guessing they don’t mean a computer virus.
So, I got to be here for some spectacular weather, a rehearsal with the Phil Seymour Band before we play Thursday night for the Shasta Blues Society Christmas party and music Scholarship Fund raiser.
Next week, when the LMP Trio
is to play the rescheduled Millbrae event, I won't be playing the next
night. That is good. I have to be careful not to overdo things. If I
push it too hard, I can put myself out of commission for an
indeterminate amount of time. I would prefer to avoid that.
Dinner tonight
was one half of a Trader Joe’s Chicken Piccata with Penne Rigate &
Broccoli. I like eating these dinners now and then. The sauce has capers
in it. When I was a kid, I didn’t like capers - now I do. I guess, like
certain cheeses, it’s an acquired taste. I am glad I am living long
enough to enjoy acquired tastes.
Early Christmas Presents
Margaret Miller,
(writer, photographer, communication artist), gave me this cue ball size
snow globe, with a rubber ducky Santa inside. (You may recall my recent
video that featured a rubber ducky in a tugboat trying to navigate Lake
Treehouse, (VIDEO).)
Margaret, thoughtfully has provided me with this new rubber ducky
character that no doubt will be starring in his own video in the next
day or two.
An Early Christmas For Sandi
Sandi’s old Mercedes
finally crossed the unreliability line, and Stuart, (her husband), got
her this Subaru. She is very happy, and so are her grandkids. Now she
has an official ‘soccer grand-mom’ vehicle.
There I was,
answering email, making phone calls, drinking coffee, digesting
breakfast, lounging around in a robe and slippers, when outside the
window I heard a clatter.
I set the laptop aside and went to the window to see what was the matter.
I twirled the clear rod to open the blinds, revealing snow falling outside this place I call mine.
I chastised myself for not being dressed, and quickly donned clothing that I thought would be best.
I picked up the camera I thought would work best, and packed two in a bag if it failed the test.
By this time, the snowfall had slowed and rain joined the mix, but snow stuck to the flowers, so I clicked a few clicks.
I had just taken pictures the previous day, they sure came in handy for this poetic display.
I guess I’ll go out now and drive to the store. Snow might stick to the roads, should we get some more.
I don’t carry chains, and wouldn’t want to get stuck. Driving in snow would be pushing my luck.
