Floss But Don't Swallow

floss but don't swallow

 

It is an American cliché.  Some things are hard to swallow substitute for mother telling her daughter, “there are some things we just don’t do.”  We don’t believe everything we are told or see.  All comes with a disclaimer and we must be careful and even cautious to embrace that good looking man, or even more so, careful what you hear and believe in, and even more so, gauge how much faith you put in the promise of tomorrow.  Hard to swallow is a blog about false profits and prophets.  “ Hark the herald angle sing,  glory to the new born King.”  And that is my lead-in to New Years.  Let’s begin.

My mom's generation will say certain things that will be discounted immediately.  Just the way it is, and am reminded that the world owes you nothing, and it is what it is, take of it that which you will, but always be cautious.  Floss, but don’t swallow is a cautionary tale of what it is like to be me and you as 2017 comes along.

Had an election in America in 2016 and it all gets interesting as we attend the party and inauguration and most certainly for us common folk, the party down the street and in the local gathering place.  New Year’s Eve and am not sure how much I will dress up for this.  Wash and pamper the skin, most certainly.  Do the daily dental and flow, I will.  The rest might be hard to swallow and I will resist as long as is possible, but in the end if this year is like the other ones in my life, I will get sucked in and down the drain possibly I will go.  Dire and urgent to answer the call, but when you know it is a solicitor selling leftovers from Christmas with ‘Made in China’ on the label, just hang up.  “Thanks for calling.  I am busy.  Go peddle you wares elsewhere.”  Is available as a punch line, if you want to use up valuable minutes on your smart phone.  Most won’t bother.

Stoney blogger and he appears like the bunny rabbit down the hole in Alice’s wonderland story.  Never sure if rabbits have the equal of recreational drugs in their existence and routine, but think possible the author did.  He writes such weird things, and yet is back to suggest you not swallow.  Wears a t-shirt that displays the phrase:  This Great Nation, but to be honest it is dirty and hasn’t been washed since receiving it on Christmas day, and I don’t like the color.  Made in China and its faded and wonder what happens upon its first wash.  But that might never happen.  New Year’s and resolutions and we think about it, but are forewarned.  It might never happen. 

 

Wishful thinking perhaps, but am current stuck on the thought that flossing is good for your teeth, but swallowing might be bad for your stomache and inner works.  Not sure how things will work or turn out in 2017.  Remains a mystery shrouded in an air of indifference and disappointment.  Something lost and something gained, and I am not the one to explain this, just now.  Mention it for what its worth, but realize there is so much out there and resolution and warning come and go.  Is that way and The Party and The Dress has the spotlight just now.  The little things can be put on hold and if you can’t afford it, just don’t go the extra mile to pick it up.  And don’t call UPS to do the work for you.  Best to forget about it.  The floss and the swallowing part can wait another day.  Depend on your mood and other things, we won’t discuss just now.

 

"dynamic scoring." If you dont know what it means, just substitute the word "lying." Substitutes for real value and luxury and he is back to saying, “Don’t swallow that.”  And is becoming old now, just minutes off the press.  Contaminated by the scene and by the words on a screen, I haven’t yet clicked away from.  But I will and won’t be back.  Is how it works and is probably why we aren’t friends, and aren’t close and when we come face to face,  act as if we are on a downtown Manhattan, New York Street, complete with our New York Minute attitude. 

 

Things come and go so quickly.  New Year’s Eve will be here, perhaps by the time you read this.   Fireworks and celebration, and for now will ignore it when others say, “What’s the big deal.  It happens, each and every year.”  But even so, I like the sound of it.  “ Having a good time.   Wish you were here.”  But by the time I arrive the cost of admission will have doubled, and will have to stand, while most are seated.  Is a crowded world now.  Some things just can’t be trusted.

It won’t be long and I will be over it.  What is written today, will be tomorrow’s disposable.  If it doesn’t please me,  I will make a rude comment and post it.  Is why I don’t spend a lot of time on entertainment for the masses.  I write.  I post.  I disappear.  And is probably what I like about this media.  Don’t pin it on me.  Medal or blame, and realize as we must, nothing is original here.   The good stuff is obviously cut and paste, and moved along at the speed of light.  You can make light of this, and treat all as one big joke, but there will come a time we must take responsibility for being involved and being online.  But now is not the time.  New Year’s  Eve and all I want to do is have a good time.  “Call a Taxi.”

 

Keep patronizing me and keep telling me what you think I want to hear.  If I have had enough, I will unsubscribe you.  Is the modern way.  And I must be flexible and adapt.  Okay to go along with the new twist and be vibrant in doing so.  Party time and I must look good,  feel right about the night, and dance with you, without reservation.

 

2017 and I was thinking.  Living the modern life can be a crippling condition, but current treatments are available, but first we must smarten up and become quicker at identifying those things that will harm us in the course of another year.   Life and style and just now,  I have other things on my mind.  Like where to go on New Year’s night, where I don’t have to drive.  Want to drink and drug and party.  Seems like this would be a perfect time for such things.  Guess I can do a search and come up with some likely places to be.  Or I could just walk around and follow the crowd, and maybe that is exactly what happens when I go online and ask others to supply me with the answers.  Haven’t thought about it, just do what I think will get me to the front of the line and in my seat before the performance begins.  New Year’s soon and is important to get there before everybody else does.  Is something I would say in private, but not in public.

Really desperate now.  Must be if he is stuck on the topic of flossing and swallowing all the crap, life sends our way.  Swimming is a sea of disillusion, and perhaps am making too much out of the very idea:  New Year’s Eve and Party. What if stressing over what happens in New York City Times Square  when they drop the ball, and you are not there to catch it,  causes stomach ulcers and you happen to be the one that ends up with that condition.  What does flossing have to do with stomach ulcers, and perhaps I am off topic now, as the only thing that is important on New Year’s Eve is having a good time. 

Really desperate now when I realize I have no idea what makes up a good time, and have to go online to see what others did and what they tell us.  After the fact, of course and I am buying into it.   Swallow what they say, as if it is apropos for me in the present moment.  Floss if you must, and of course it goes without saying, Smell Good.  Look Good.  Be stylish and fashionable.  Having said all that.  I must run.  Its almost time and if I am not there first,  they might not let me in.  And so I worry and start out for the party a few days early.  Is the kind of world I occupy.  And is why I tell myself.  “Floss but don’t swallow.”

Happy New Years.  2017.

Walkabout Decoded

walkabout decoded

 

This will be for me a difficult blog to write.  Is part a challenge to myself, to try and then do my best.  Am thinking that by the time I lay out the boundaries and parameters of this effort, such that most of the readers will at least tolerate what I have tried to do here, the blog will have reached the maximum length I tell myself a blog should be.  Understanding that this is a blog and should not be taken too seriously, I will walk all this to the edge and then stop.  Is how I have lived most of my life.  Take on a challenge, and go with risk and factors beyond my control right up to the point where I am endangered, if I go one step more.  So have many untold stories and adventures not followed to the very end.  Stop when what I am doing threatens my very existence. 

 

And it is true.  I have lived this way and even now, some of this is with me today; found as  behavior characteristics and tendencies that are dangerous, or could be.  Writing about someone else's culture and belief system and way of life could fall into the category of dangerous and should not be pursued.

 

Limited by the fact this is a form of social media, and not a scholarly accredited works, even so I push on.  Feel as if I should tread lightly on still waters, and not threaten to make waves as I go forward.  The title and the pretense that I know where all this leads, might be deception and misinformation in its highest form.  Even so, I push on.  Push on, but hope to not hit hot buttons that increase ire among us.  I think there are many barriers to common approach and agreement when a foreigner writes about another’s culture and ways.  Having said that, I will continue on in the direction and manner I think most comfortable for me.  Am not sure where I should veer off my intended course and leave the path that suggests:  Walkabout Decoded.

First off, I would like to backtrack some.  And tell it as it first occurred to me.  Seems I have people who comment on my blogs, that are indeed Australian and will read this blog quite differently than say a reader on the continent.  And which continent might that be?  America.  Europe.  The Russian Steeps .  Just agree, it is not where you are and we all have varying degrees of receptivity and understanding, but when a stranger appears and talks about things that belong to us and  our culture we might take issue with that person’s perception and findings.  So it is with a blog that is presented in social media that is world-wide.  How much can be said by an American about the topic that is simply, totally Australian, and not found in the original state or context, anywhere else.   So I have found myself in this position before.  Pressing on and exploring new conditions and outcomes.  Those who read my blogs are aware this is true.

 

The foundation for this particular blog solidified in my mind, when I was reading a comment from an Australian blogger.  It suggested that for the holidays one might just get in the truck and wander about, with no particular destination or plans necessary to be made, except to just. Do.  It.  And it made sense to me.  I have family and I am sure they do not understand my approach to The Holidays.  So I usually side-step their inquiries, when in late summer or early fall, I get an email that asks:  “What are you doing for Christmas?”  My reply over the years ignores the idea that this might be their correct way of asking me to join a family gathering, and so I answer back.  “I will be out and about.  But at this point, unsure of the details.”

Out and About and it dawned on me that this might be similar to a modern day form of an Australian Walkabout.  Walkabout and  ‘Out and About’, and it sounds similar to me, but then I decided I would not assume.  I would look into it.  When an Australian person gets into their truck and just gets out of the city, and then out of their truck, is this the beginning of what they call ‘ a walkabout ‘ ?  And when an American gets into their truck and gets out of the city and away from the family and tribe, is this similar or is being ‘Out and About ‘, quite different?  So this was the foundation of writing a blog with the title:  Walkabout Decoded.  At that point I wasn’t sure I should even continue writing this blog.  But is my DNA.  I push on.

 

So now I have a lot of differing ideas of what should follow next.  Realize that I cannot give the topic all the space and scholarship it deserves.  Decoding a Walkabout and have decided it is and will be, off-limits to one like me.  Out and About and it is not something comparable.  It is just what I say and do, when the Holidays come along and I am being anti-social.  Am veering off from my stated goal and destination.  Will instead be talking about things that come to mind, that are easier for me to relate to and deal with.  Like pet peeves and how it is difficult for me to explain myself to others, while getting on an airplane and venturing out where the rest of population of this earth happens to be. 

 

Multi-cultural and Diverse, and suddenly I want to be quiet and discrete.  The Ugly American, I would not like to emulate.  But it is possible that this is something that just is.  Dominating personality and when you say, “American. But this you know.”, it becomes a disclaimer and you realized you are stepping onto thin ice, and maybe you should stop.  Go no farther.

 

So am calling a truce.  Walkabout Decoded and it can’t be done by me.  I can study up and listen to what my Australian readers and fellow bloggers have to say, on this subject.  Australian Walkabout.  Can smile and take it all in.  Cold and nasty at Christmas time in America.  Summer in Australia and yet, still Christmas.  And so I am thinking, how is it possible we can even talk about any of this.  So different.  So far away.  And he stops.  Realizes that there are some things one should just not approach.  Airplane and global travel, and suddenly here you are.

 

And realize that computers and communication protocols in modern times transport the individual and his mind, to places all so different than he is and will be,  like a stranger in a foreign land, even as he sits at his computer and it all seems familiar, with computer and visual ability and real-time exchange.  But even so,  let it be noted.  Some places and ways of being in those places will not be tolerated when an outsider appears, digitally or otherwise, and starts talking about things, not first nature to him.  And so is why I am calling a truce.  Walkabout Decoded.  Is a proper title. 

 

Great idea if we can do it.  Share it with the world and have fun doing it.  But not by an outsider.  Is what I am thinking now.  Won’t be the one to think I could decode any of this.  And think it might be a great time to go ‘Out and About ‘, and get away from this mess I have just created, in the standard way.

 Meddling. 

Blog topic for another day.  Perhaps.

 

Fool With A Tool

Fool With A Tool

 

Right away I am being pulled off course, as if a magnet hovers over my head and I am powerless to change what is occurring.  Thought I had a good idea.  Write a blog about the world around me and not once mention what was my main concern.  Seems certain things are or should be off limits when writing a blog.  In this case, I was hoping to write this, without mentioning America’s new president, Donald Trump, but like I said am being pulled away from my original intent or promise to make this blog generic and not specific to the events occurring since November 8^th 2016 election.  Came up with a blog title and thought I could pull it off.  Fool With A Tool, and was hoping to talk about diverse things that come to mind following that path and topical line.  But then I made a mistake and am like a spaceship with little chance of regaining earth orbit and forces without burning up.  Off course and this of course, spells disaster or a blog that just won’t live up to all he thought it would be.

 

Problem:  I liked the title.  Fool with a Tool. Thought it held promise as a lead-in to an entertaining session of discussion.  Now I am not so sure.  See that Urban Dictionary defines Tool:  

 ( www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?tern=tool   ). 

 One who lacks the mental capacity to know he is being used.  A fool.  A cretin.  Characterized by low intelligence and/or self-esteem.

 

Turns out I made one more check to see what others have written on the subject of Tool and Fool.  And found a quote by Grady Booch, who said:  “ A fool with a tool is still a fool.”   And that left me pondering if I should abandon this blog and come back another day.  And do better.

Bending things around a bit, and want to add a little tension.  Will say without trying to be controversial, I have heard women, usually young women about college age, refer to men that they don’t like too much as “Tools.”  Mr. It’s-All-About Me.

 

Seems I can’t really follow my thoughts to a logical conclusion.  Fool With A  Tool, and can’t be serious with the topic at hand.  Maybe I should just discard my original outline for this blog, and start over, but then I will not feel good about abandoning this challenge I have made for myself.  Write about a fool with a tool and come up with an upside and a positive spin, allowing myself to settle, come back to earth, and behave as I wish to be, quite logical.

But find myself with problems, as I have been driven off course and still feel like there is a magnet pulling me around.  Off course, of course.  But maybe with a little deliberation I can get back to where I want to, without setting fire to myself.

Playing with fire, and will say, “…intellectual pursuits are not of any interest to a tool…”

So now I am looking things over with a view from the top and revisionist orientation.

Ask myself:  “  Can a person act foolishly, but not be labeled as a fool?  “

 

For the moment this seems to be the case.  Unconventional and not orthodox, but one goes his own way, and separates from the maddening crowd, long enough to come up with an approach that is novel and goes in the opposite direction of those who have earned the title of Expert-In-Their-Field.  But then, with hindsight we see, it works.  Man has gone to the moon.  Man has gone to Disneyland.  Extra-ordinary things, people have done, just in my lifetime.  To say we are living a foolish existence and a fool with a tool should be banished from the tribe, and it is true now.  After what I have seen in the last few months:  I am thinking.  Seemed foolish at the time, that Mr. and Mrs. X said this.  But then we gave it some time, and let the world as we know, sort it out.

 

Tool and it is a computer.  Has allowed us to do things never before possible.  And this has happened in a very short time period.  And now we have somebody, often labeled:  “Foolish “  and “A fool “, who is soon to be next president of The United States.  Interesting to me.  Is as if just by writing this, I feel better.  New Tools.  A Computer and something novel:  Social Media.  And then add-ons.  Twitter and it has gotten my attention.  In fact it has gotten the attention of millions.   Fool no more, and tool no more, and I will veer away from the implanted quote I carry in mind.  Will let it go.  Served its purpose and now, will discard it.  A Fool With A Tool Is Still A Fool.  And now I am redirecting my thoughts.

 

Give it a chance.  Discard the gender bias.  Realize we all have our faults.  Just see the dream and hang on to it, as we must.  Got to get back to the surface, and ground myself.  Back to Earth and does that mean, act sensible and not expand the envelope?  Not sure I am made to live that way.  So will take chances.  Might even say foolish things.  But in the end, am willing to tell myself.  “What was done here was pure genius.”  He won when it was said by the polls and experts, “This will never happen.”

 

So moving on into a new year.  2017 and it might turn out to be long slog, with lots of change and difficulty waiting for me.  But then again if I have learned anything from past experience, maybe the results that wait up ahead won’t be as bad as I think, or thought, just two months ago.  Give it a chance.  Social Media.  Fool with a computer and now he write a blog and people notice.  What happens next, and that is for me the challenge.  How can we use these same tools to help the fool-with-a-tool smarten up and benefit the greater good, if indeed we can agree, what the greater good might be.

 

New tools and new ways in the hands of others, and a new generation with thinking quite different than my own and it will be a challenge for me, but I have decided.  I was a fool or foolish, once.  Okay maybe more than once, but not sure I could have lived this long without learning from my mistakes.  We voted.  The deed is done.  We have a process to live with and go by.  Corrections will be made, when necessary.  Have seen it with my own eyes.  Men in Space and now plotting a trip to Mars and this is a story that could go on and on.  How far are we willing to take it?   Am willing to wait and see.  Promise and Hope and the add-on:  “Give it a Chance.”  Many bad things happen.  Saw the cold war vanish in my lifetime.  Two Super Powers:  Russia and USA.  Saw man go into orbit and off planet.  Saw nuclear threat and destruction.  But have lived though it.  Fools with Tools and had many arguments with my spouse.  “No radiation in our house.”  “Damn the nuclear and the microwave, and while we are at it, forget about owning a color TV.”  So that was then, and look at us now.

 

New Tools and New Ways, and that is what I am planning to take to the grave with me.  A form of acceptance that even bad things can have beneficial outcomes and make life better.  Not just for the few, with money, but for the Masses.  For the people we never heard of or from, before computers and social media and all that is with us in 2016.  Looking forward to another year with you and on the planet.  Need to foster a bit more discipline and acceptance of the things beyond my individual control  Will work on that as I am putting together a list of New Year’s Resolutions that sound good to me.  Acceptance is high on my list. For 2017.  Live with.  Improve on it.  And that is where this blog will end.  Hope and Promise and it sounds good.  But like the fool with the tool, perhaps a Porsche he just got for Christmas,  going the wrong way on a one-way street, this could have a lot of turns and change of direction, before its over.  Just one night and one year and we hope it ends the way we thought it would.  Without a DUI.

New Year’s Celebration coming up next.  Be careful, one and all.  Fools with a Tool, and a computer-driven car and drugs and alcohol.  And he says once more for emphasis: “ Be careful.  One and All. “