FTSF: Gnats, Love Bugs, Scanners, and My Best Friend

God, why did you create these monsters???

There's a gnat flying 

in front of my face.  

No matter what I do, the damn thing manages to avoid my swats, grabs and cigarette lighter flame.  

I seriously hate gnats!  

They serve no purpose whatsoever.  

They fly up your nose, 

sit on your food, 

and pester you to no end.

Kind of like th......

GOT HIM!!!!!!

I guess this is a lesson in persistence.  I could have given up and let the little pain in the ass get the best of me.  Instead, I persisted with my efforts.  By the most generous stroke of luck, my efforts, as clumsy as they may have been, brought forth success in my quest to be free of the frustrating pest.

He's now crushed, wiped from my palm, and lying squished atop a cigarette butt in the ashtray.  It's a trophy I will enjoy until I sadly dump it in the trash later.  No last rites.  No tears of sorrow.    

Whew!  That was almost as good as sex!

(Or, what I remember sex to be like!)

I wonder if gnats have sex?

Love Bugs ...
going at it safe from 18 wheelers!

There's a bug in the Deep South nicknamed the Love Bug that lives up to its name.  However, it's insides are so acidic, when they smash against a speeding vehicle, they must be washed off soon or they will mar the paint finish.  A couple of times a year, these suckers are all over the place and seem to thrive, as do the owners of coin operated car washes.  

I always wondered about living one's life just to make love.  

(Okay, so we were all teenagers once!  But, we did grow out of that stage.  It's called marriage!)

Envision, if you will, being one of these Love Bugs: 

1. You're flying along, minding your own business, and from out of nowhere you spy the love of your life.  
2. Not being hindered by any type of clothing, you immediately race towards each other, firmly grasp hold, and begin your quest for the best!  
3. Hot, wild, passionate bug groans and grunts fill the air as your climax grows close.  
4. Of course, you're somewhat oblivious to where your flight has taken you.  
5. Just as you reach the peak, you look up and see an eighteen wheeler only yards away, bearing down on you at 70 mph.

(What a way to go!)

I guess going fast would be as good as any way to die.  I really have no aspirations to find out what getting smashed by an eighteen wheeler would feel like.  Of course, it might be worth it if I could go in the same manner as the Love Bug.  

(Just one more time before I die, at least!  And, "No", not with a Love Bug!  

God, to be a teenager again!)

In fact, making love used to be one of two favorite activities for me (the other being making people laugh).  Unfortunately, I usually accomplished both at the same time!

But, that's another topic for another day ... or night.

This is Finish The Sentence Friday! 

I've been somewhat absent lately because of my hectic work schedule.  In fact, some of my old readers have left me because I'm unable to spend hours going from blog to blog reading and commenting like I once was able to do.  Some have also left because of the political rants I've occasionally made.  And, since I've been doing some music posts and guest posts about music (my second love), some have decided the humor has died and slipped away.  To all of those that have left, I can only say, "That's Life ... Sometimes!!!"

I've always proclaimed that I dabble in humor, but I didn't name my blog "Rich's Comedy Blog."  That's Life ... Sometimes!!! concerns all things we endure and feel in life.  It's about feeling, loving, hating, and anything that brings about an emotion.  It may work to help you laugh, become aware, make you mad, or cause you to cry.  

Scanners just don't understand it ... because they don't read it.

So, I'll continue doing what I do for those that appreciate it here in the states, as well as overseas.  I'm surprised at the numbers it does draw, especially from other countries.  It's only one person's viewpoint, though, and should be looked at as just that.  

Anyway, let's move on to the real reason for today's posting!

Today's FTSF is once again presented by our hostesses listed with the rules in the JPEG below.

This week's prompt is:

The Hardest Choice I Ever Made Was ...

Let me begin by saying that I love animals.  In fact, I may even hold animals in a higher regard than many of the people I've met in life.  

Why?  Well, when was the last time that an animal lied, cheated, or stole from you?  How many people have you given kindness and love to in your life, only to find yourself being made a fool of in the end?  And, how many people that you've trusted have returned that favor by stabbing you in the back?

This Pygmy Rattlesnake was never
really a cuddly pet.

Now, let's look at animals.  In my life, I've had all types of pets.  Dogs, cats, snakes, lizards, horses, and even a hamster or two, not to mention working with all types of reptiles, big cats, and many others.  Yet, in every instance, I knew what the animal was going to do.  

And this one was just damn crazy!
No hugging or holding, please!

Oh, you have to be wary of those instincts of reptiles that will get you bitten.  The same with big cats.  (I've had bites from both!)  Even horses will sometimes expand their girth when you're saddling them so that the cinch doesn't tighten properly and will allow the saddle to slip later.  For sure, these are animals that you usually don't cuddle.

But dogs and cats ... well, you give them love and they'll usually return the favor tenfold.  Give them proper care, food and shelter, and you've got a friend for the rest of your life.  A friend that will be there when you need something to get you out of the dumps and not ask for anything special in return.  

When I was young, I always had dogs.  I've written about them before on Hubpages.com.  Many of them held deep meaning in my heart.  However, as I acquired a family and moved from rental home to rental home, cats seemed to be the best option.

Gabriela and Faletame
during a housecleaning session!

Faletame still thinks he's only
this big at times!

Over the years, there's been many.  Of course, my present two, Faletame and Gabriela, are my new favorites.  They're both so unique in that they love to fetch (throw a toy mouse and they'll go after it and bring it to you to do again), both meet me in the bathroom in the mornings when I awaken to give me some morning loving (OMG, get your head out of the gutter), and will answer me whenever I ask them a question (no, not in English, fool, but in vocal tone and body language).  To this day, Faletame still pictures himself a tiny kitten and believes that he can nestle on my chest with his head under my chin and one leg and paw around my neck, as a small child might be seen doing.  Most of the time, I let him get away with thinking that way and appreciate his attention.

However, I once had a pure white cat by the name of Antonius.  This friend was my shadow.  Wherever you found me, you found Antonius.  When I worked in Baton Rouge, and only came home on weekends, my wife would tell me that she always knew when I was on my way because one hour before I got there, regardless of the time of day, he would go to the sliding glass door and wait on me to drive up.  

After many years, Antonius started having problems.  His hind legs stopped working.  I knew he was in pain as I would reach for him and he would give me a little snarl.  Still, he would never bite as I would gently put him on a pillow on my lap and hold him close.  I took him to the vet quickly, and found out he had a spinal problem.  The vet then offered to send him to Auburn University for testing.  

No matter how I tried to validate the act, I just couldn't see my best friend being poked and prodded by people he didn't know.  There was no way that I could bear to see him suffer, but I just couldn't send him off like that.

So, the hardest decision I ever made was to have him put to sleep.

It may sound stupid, but I asked the vet for a few minutes alone with him.  I stroked his ears and neck the way he loved me to.  For minutes I reminisced about our first meeting, some of the times and fun we'd had together, and how much I loved him.  And no, this tough old guy couldn't control the tears that flowed during those five minutes.

I finally called the vet back in and watched him give my best friend the fatal shot.  Immediately, Antonius dropped off to sleep, never to awaken.

Taking him home, I buried him in the back yard.  At the head of his grave, I used a soldering iron to burn the following into a piece of wood for his grave marker:

Antonius

My best friend ever

I'll never forget him.  And, yes, it was the toughest decision I ever made.  

I've lost a couple of cats since then.  We sit together during their last days, as much as possible, experiencing the heartbreak and love.  It's never easy to lose a pet. And, it's never easy to lose a friend.  What makes it tough is when you lose both.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I think Faletame and Gabriela need a little attention.

"Damn it, where's that toy mouse!"

Twisted Mix-Tape Tuesday: The 60's

I'm sitting here, eating a reinvented Twinkie and reminiscing about the times of my youth, thanks to Jen and Kristi, the hostesses of the Twisted Mix Tape Tuesday blog hop, and Troy (at "As Long As I'm Singing") who suggested today's topic.  The topic?  

List five seminal songs that made you who you are today.

(Thanks, Troy.  Just what I needed ... self analysis at my age.)

With a life spanning almost six decades, it is impossible to say what songs shaped me during all of my years.  

(It would be easier to blame that on the damn Twinkie!)

There has been music in my life as long as I remember.  As a child, I had the benefit of viewing the ED SULLIVAN SHOW every Sunday night.  Yes, I remember the first time the Beatles ever performed there, as well as the Rolling Stones, Dave Clark Five, Animals, Diana Ross & The Supremes, and so many others that laid the foundation of music today.

(Of course, the memories grow somewhat more dim as the years progressed 

and smoking Mother Nature's offerings improved my appreciation of the sounds 

coming from that black and white television.)

I have to remember the times ... the 60's.  I was old enough to understand, but yet, not understand why people of different color weren't treated as equals, why people I knew were dying in a war in Vietnam that made no sense, and how politicians fed the masses lies in hopes their minds wouldn't understand the truth.  We were a nation divided ... and rightfully so.  The ancients felt they could have it all as long as the masses were separated by hate and racism.  It was our duty to bring it all together with love.  (The Woodstock Music and Arts Fair tried to do exactly that!) The Youngbloods said it best:

Our parents just couldn't understand.  They had never questioned the government, but instead, had accepted what was told them as cardinal truths and allowed themselves to be herded like cattle.  We were refusing to follow the laws and social paths they had been a part of.  We were revolting against all the "Establishment" had to offer.  Anti-materialistic, social restrictions in demonstration of love, relationships, and even our odd  clothing styles and hair length became our way of saying, "We're different than you and not going to allow ourselves to fall into the herd."  

In a way, Steppenwolf's song, "Born to be Wild" wasn't just a song about a biker going across the country.  It became a statement of how we were different, stronger, and loving the fact that everyone was unique in themselves ... not needing to be like the previous generations.

(I know, years later, we've all become amazingly like our parents.)

Or, have we?  Where my parents might have collected dishes, tools or savings bonds, many of us have vast music, movie and/or comic book collections.  Where they took the road of "having to brag", we've taken the road of "having to enjoy."  I guess the philosophy of "Live For Today" and "Today Is The First Day Of The Rest Of Your Life" did sink in deeper than we envisioned, after all.

Amid the atrocities we were revealing, there was a unity among the "long hairs."  In fact, there was really a feeling of trust and belonging that held true.  Even when "the man" used this against us (such as record promoters, military recruiters, and Charles Manson), we still held together.  It was a pact of the young to lend each other a helping hand when in need.  To stand together against the evils of the day.  And, to lend support even when relationships failed.  Carole King's "You've Got A Friend" was an anthem for us.

My constant battle against today's "Political Correct" society stems from this time.  As our society seems to want to return to the concept of locking you into a mode of accepted behavior, we fought against the accepted behavior of the day.  We knew that each one of us had something to say, to do, to experience, and there should be no social restrictions that kept this from occurring.  

Oh, we were still polite, for the most part, and understood that there were considerations of others that needed to be followed.  But, we also believed that the more we followed the path, the more likely were were to become cattle, herded without thought, to serve whatever purpose the government desired.  Freedom was our goal ... and still is in today's world of "HUGE GOVERNMENT."  Let man rule themselves, and let industry and government serve their needs, instead of us serving theirs.  The Rascals helped us to comprehend with this song.

But, times change, greed meets new acquaintances, and government becomes even stronger than before.  People become stupid and start believing in the politicians words again.  Big business brings society to its knees as individual debt rises, wages decrease, labor unions are made illegal by state governments, and political correctness becomes the way of the world.

(Sometimes people fail to see and hear 

even though they haven't lost their eyes and ears.)

There are still some of us fighting the battle, but we are dying out.  We still want people to be free, equal, and happy.  We deny the fact that we are becoming a "Big Brother" society and hope and pray that we get it together before it's too late.  We're not the prophets of doom.  Rather, we want to be the voices that bring about freedom, love and equality.  

Regardless of Don McLean's "American Pie", the music hasn't died.  It's still deep within us.  No, not today's bullshit POP music that doesn't carry a message worth listening to.  Instead, an internal beat that continues to say, "We can make it if we try.  It's not too late, baby, the time is today.  We have to teach our children, do away with the ball of confusion, and keep alive the freebird inside of each of us."  

As long as music's alive within, we have a chance!

Don't ever let it die!

Oh, would you like a Twinkie??

Twisted Mix Tape #26: Slow Jams & Afternoon Wine

Wow!  When I first read what the topic (or "theme" if you will) was going to be for this week, I felt as thought I had to participate, again.  My problem was going to be finding the music on Youtube that I knew could best suit this.  

No, I don't think 

I'm something special ...

just damn eclectic!

There's just so much great music out there hiding in the wings that has never touched Youtube.  I'm not talking the typical Pop crap that fills the airwaves of today.  (If you have no mind and are 13 years old, then you're excused for liking it.)  This music is programmed by producers, tone corrected by machines, and put out to the cattle fed masses that don't feel the need to expose themselves to some real class acts.

No, I'm talking about some of the tunes you normally won't hear.  Tunes that you search for, and once you find and fall in love with them, you never want to be without a copy in your collection ... or maybe, two, just in case something happens to the first!

Like you don't have kids, pets, or friends that could care less about your collection.  "No, Dude, you can't borrow that ... let me make you a copy!"

For fear of not being able to find some of the above types, I'm going to stick with some of the more popular of the past.  These may bring back memories, and then again, may be new experiences for you.  There is no chronological order here, nor specific time period. 

 So, let's grab a glass of wine and jump about as two lovers would 

on a first date.  It's time to experience ear bliss.  

About a decade or so ago, I was turned on to a beautiful blond with a voice so sultry it could curl the beard of a billy goat.  Then I found out she was married and it broke my heart.  Especially, when I found out her husband was Elvis Costello!

Diana Krall makes my insides mushy and my libido stand tall.  She has the ability to take a song that's been done before, and make it sound as though you've never heard it.  Such is the case with my first example of a great slow jam ... "S'Wonderful!"

Okay, back in the late 70's, there was a band that knew how to play music.  I will admit, I wasn't a fan of disco at the time.  In fact, I worked at a radio station where we would break disco singles in half on the air!  So, to me, this was a dance, or disco band that I had no desire to explore further.  Little did I know that they really could play some great jazz and put together one hell of a slow jam.

Earth, Wind & Fire hit the charts with all types of music.  I finally gave in and saw them in concert.  (Talk about a show filled with pure energy from start to finish.)  Out of that entire evening, one particular song stuck with me, and still does to this day.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did then, and still do today.  Here's "Reasons!"

Staying with the R&B vein for a moment, there was once a bass player with a 60's band that finally said, "Where'd the band go?"  Sly & the Family Stone was one of the biggest groups to break the color barrier and be played on all types of radio stations.  A funky sound, controversial lyrics, and a beat that would drive an overweight, grocery store, flip-flop shuffler to mach 3 speed!  A major part of the beat was, of course, created by the original bass player I began to talk about at the beginning of this paragraph.

(Yes, I do ramble at times!  Hang in there, the music will be worth it.)

Larry Graham formed his own band when the Family Stone divorced itself from the music industry.  He called it, "Graham Central Station."  Perhaps, even though it hit the pop charts of the early 80's, this song can be considered one of their best, as well as one of the all time best slow jams ever recorded.  Yep, here's "One In A Million You."

Ever wonder how many babies were conceived to that one?

Now I'm pumped!  I just looked on Youtube for a very special video an found it!  There was a very exceptional CD that came out years ago that branched the roots of country and soul into a tree of blossoming tunes just waiting for exhibition.  What!?!?!?  Country and Soul ... TOGETHER???  You're going to be amazed at how wonderful this combination worked out if you'll only give this song a chance.  It features two superstars: Conway Twitty and Sam Cooke! I know, the idea is mind blowing.  Still, the combination of the two on this classic song works so well, you wonder why more albums of this nature never hit the stands.  Sit back and enjoy this great song "Rainy Night In Georgia!"

Love ... the essence of a true slow jam ... and what better song to describe this essence than the one you're about to listen to ... hopefully.  Yes, it hit the pop charts, and the R&B charts, and just about every chart that it could possibly fit ... and even some that it didn't.  As the world fell in love to Celine Dion's hit from "Titanic" (which we won't include or even name here ... "You're welcome!"), it was nothing like the number of lovers singing passionately to each other in shopping malls, along boardwalks, and, of course, in the front (and back) seats of cars as it played endlessly on the radio.
Here's Diana Ross and Lionel Richie with "Endless Love."

One of the greatest love songs of all times, and also one hell of a slow jam, came out during my senior high school year in the early 70's.  Roberta Flack was a young singer that was compared to the softness and grace of Diana Ross, but with the overall power of Aretha Franklin.  The difference was that Roberta Flack made you feel the song in your soul.  It wasn't just a tune and words, it was an experience that you never wanted to end.  Here's the best of Roberta in a song written in 1957 by Ewan McCall, but never heard this way until she did it in 1972, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face."

Okay, I have to do it.  I've tried to restrain myself, but I've got to include a jazz tune here.  And, to make matters worse, this is off an album that was only released a couple of weeks ago.  The album's name is "The Chill Lounge", and was performed by Paul Hardcastle.  Now, Paul made his jump to fame back in the early 90's with the pop song "Nineteen", which concerned itself with the average age of a soldier in Vietnam, versus those of other wars.  It was a catchy tune, and I figured him to be a one hit wonder, or at best, a member of the techno dance crowd.  Okay, I'll admit it, I was far from right.  Paul has become one hell of a jazz musician.  Take a listen to this tune, "Moments In Time" and relax ... or, as Paul would tell you, 

"Chill a Little!"

So, our time together has ended.  The wine bottle is empty, the music has stopped, and the afternoon is fading into evening shadows.  Our spouses will be home soon.  Time to clean up the remaining cheese ball and cracker crumbs and prepare for an evening of reality television.

Or, will you share these tunes 

(and the rest of the cheese and crackers) 

with your spouse?

Promises to be a good evening, doesn't it?

FTSF: B.F.D. and Teenagers In Summer

It's been a busy week! 

Like that's 

something new.

Actually, I've been busy in the blogging world this week.  This will make the third blog in four days.  For me, that's a record.

Sure, and next I'm going to swim from Cuba to the U.S.

 at Mach 6 speed.

In addition, I've worked 50 hours in four days at my day job (a must since this doesn't pay worth a crap since I'm against advertising my blog to death).  In other words, "I'm quickly trying to burn myself out even faster this time!"

As if there was a mind to burn out!

Have you ever wondered about the phrase, "Burn Out?"  If something "burns out" doesn't it mean that it's done burning?  And, if it is done burning, wouldn't it be ash?  And, if it's ash, there would be no way to get it burning again, would there?  So, given that thought pattern, if a person went through "Burn Out" once, and their brain turned to ash, how could they ever start thinking again?  Of course ... they couldn't!  So, isn't "Burn Out" a little too extreme to describe a weariness of the basic thought system?  Perhaps, instead of "Burn Out", we could call it "Brain Function Disease", or B.F.D.   So, in reality, it's really no B.F.D. to have B.F.D. because sooner or later, we'll all go through it and be cured!  See, it's really not a B.F.D. after all!

So, now you know all about Brain Function Disease!

 "B.F.D."

What is a B.F.D. is that it is once again FTSF!  Yep, Finish The Sentence Friday comes around every Friday thanks to our kind hostesses listed below with the rules of the FTSF.

And, this really is a B.F.D!

This week, the prompt we are to follow, or finish if you will, is:

"My best summertime memory this year was ..."

So, here we go once again!

My best summertime memory this year was remembering summers of my youth.  

What?  Are you crazy, Rich?  What about this year?

Dogs and Boys ... the only
difference is what they
grow up to hump!

Actually, this year has been a nightmare.  Days off are things of the past and 11-12 hour days have replaced time off.  Can't complain about the money as the bills are being paid and my cd collection continues to grow.  Still, there just hasn't been any free time to do any of the normal things one would consider doing during summer.

So, I reminisce.  

BIKINI'S FOREVER !!!!!!!!!

I think about the summers of my youth.  The friends that played baseball and football and basketball from morning to evening darkness without somehow suffering from heat exhaustion.  Sitting with my dog discussing all the secrets of the universe as his fleas found new feasting ground on my legs.  Going to the lake every Sunday and returning home sunburned and blistered as I never tanned as most, confirming my beliefs that I was from a different planet whose sole purpose was to figure out what in the hell an anal probe was, and luckily, never finding out!  

As I grew into my teenage years, the yearnings of female flesh entered the picture.  What better way to view the ever changing bodies of my female classmates than looking down upon them from a lifeguard stand at a pool?  Forever the cry, "Bikini's Forever" will be close to my hard heart!  And, when finally given consent to proceed to the ultimate goal, how quickly the teenage memories flash by.  (Funny, I seem to remember my partner saying the same thing!)

Summertime was a time to ignore haircuts, letting the locks grow well beyond the coach's restrictions.  To feel the wind blowing through them was a sign that freedom was mine.  That is, as least until football season practices began.  Driving around town in my own car listening to the sounds of Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Jefferson Airplane, James Taylor, Carole King drew stares and frowns from my elders at stop lights, especially when they heard Frank Zappa talking about the "Steamy hot succulent drippy runny gooey ever widening type of a hole that gets off being ..." well, anyway, Zappa wasn't for everyone!

We did it then, why aren't they
doing it now?

After high school, the demonstrations for equal rights and peace started taking up my days.  It seemed that we were always marching against something that was so wrong, yet, so right in the eyes of adults.  We weren't afraid of speaking out loud for what we felt was right in our hearts, but were afraid of jail and would run like cheetahs when the pigs cops arrived to break it up.  By the way, jumping out of a first floor building window on campus that's being stormed by the authorities is a lot higher jump than you'd imagine, especially when wearing sandals!

And, who could ever forget the summer nights at the drive in theater with the one you were ready to spend your whole life with.  We became experts at getting off bra's without removing tops so that access would be much easier as the evening progressed.  Still, we were human and did get tired.  Have you ever had to explain to a girlfriend's parents how you fell asleep during The Ten Commandments and didn't get her home until two in the morning?  

This year's summer event?  I guess you might say going up to Indiana and trying to make a day of laughter for my Stepmother that won't be around much longer.  She doesn't smile much anymore as her memories are leaving her one by one.  She may have already forgotten my visit, but at least I know she enjoyed the day while I was there.  Bringing a smile is the best feeling one can have.  

I hope you found one creeping out while you read this, too!

Now, want to know how to do the bra trick?

Days of Whine and Posers ... Today's Life with Government in the United States!

Today, I find I must speak out.  

The Old Grand Flag,
She Ain't What She Used To Be.

No, I'm not a God or anything, just one that observes what others choose to ignore.

And, "Yes", I know I'm known for humor and sarcasm in this blog.  Still, if you'll bear with me, you'll find there might be a little something to get you thinking.

I know, there's one or two saying, "What?  Think?  Why, if I wanted to think, I'd watch Jeopardy!"

Anyway, I recently viewed a video of President Obama being ignored by politicians in Russia.  Each time the President offered his hand for a handshake, the politicians looked another direction and completely ignored him.  (Some say one video disputes this, but it cuts off way before the snubs began.  It is being pushed by the Democratic Party and Obama supporters.  The second video clearly shows the snubs and cannot be debated.)

No, this wasn't a call for the NAACP to get involved, so keep Jesse Jackson 
and Al Sharpton quiet for a change.

Instead, this was a signal of two things: 1) Obama's attempts to validate a Syrian bombing policy wasn't a popular idea the world over, and 2) respect for the President of the United States, and the country he represents, has finally hit an all-time low the world over.

And you thought you were the only one that felt things 
were on the downward trend in the states!

Politician's, the world over, are weasels, scam artists, users, abusers, and criminals.  They legalize what will profit them and over tax things that the common man (or woman) needs or uses on a constant basis.  As there is no honor among thieves, there is no honor among the backstabbing that politicians habitually exhibit.  In fact, at least the thieves are honest enough to admit they are thieves, while the politicians try to represent themselves as caring, loving, honest representatives of the common person, all the time only representing the interests of big business. Yet, even knowing this, the general populace allows these self-serving criminals to call themselves "Our Leaders."

Doesn't speak much for our intelligence or self respect, does it?

May 4th, 1970, Four Dead At Kent State
University protesting the war and
government actions.  This was one of
the big events that changed many
attitudes towards the leaders and
government of the day.

In the 60's, young Americans stood tall against the political machine of the day.  They called out their actions aimed at profiting big business from the Vietnam acts of aggression in which thousands of our brave friends fought and died for concepts and ideals that the politicians only used to get rich from.  Where is the youth of today when the need is just as great?

That's right, they're more concerned about video games, internet social networks, and gossip about MTV performances and such.    

Glad they have their priorities right!

They, and most others, have taken for granted that there is no battle to be fought.  Of course, laws that now prohibit protesting within miles of conventions, meetings, and certain government and corporate addresses now make things a little more difficult.  This is only one of the ways the government has decided that they can ignore the people by not seeing the people.

Funny how they can ignore them for three years, and then expect all of them to come out to vote and see them campaign during the fourth, isn't it?

Politicians have legalized graft by now calling it "special interest contributions." 
(We could call it bribery, but then we'd be guilty of slandering a public official.)   

They are in the process of eliminating labor unions by making them illegal state by state. 
(Big business loves this so they can continue to screw over the common man without any retaliation whatsoever!)   

They're taking away the right to protest by limiting where protests can be held and if a permit will be issued. 
(The KGB did this in the old USSR and American politicians screamed against communistic practices.  So, now it's okay?)  

Privacy has been breached by the NSA in so many ways they can't be counted. 
(Okay, so do we need another KGB example?)  

Even the right to a speedy trial has been forfeited in the name of "terrorism." 
(World War II prisoners were imprisoned for up to four years and we thought it an atrocity.  Guantanamo Bay, Cuba prison facilities have been in existence since 2002.  Will they forever be imprisoned?  There comes a time to realize there's ten times that many free that hate America even more because of our treatment to their countrymen.  Are we breeding future terrorists by our actions?") 

What excuses will they use next to take away more of your rights?

In answering that question, let's remember some of the individual rights and items that have been under attack by politicians in the last decade:

1. Smoking
2. Gun Ownership
3. 20 oz. and greater soft drinks
4. Right to protest
5. Right of individual privacy
6. Labor Unions
7. Exotic Pet ownership
8. Pit Bull ownership
9. Internet downloading

            ... and many others

Notice how all of these items listed will protect either 

big business or the government?  

Eliminate the smoking and insurance companies benefit from high premiums and less payouts.  Eliminate the guns and the government has no fear to create a military state. Eliminate the large sized soft drinks and, again, health insurance companies prosper, as well as the government from the additional sales tax collected on multiple smaller sizes. Eliminate the right to protest and accept it ... or else.  Eliminate the privacy and the NSA can go crazy with witch hunts.  Eliminate the labor unions and big business can keep wages low without fear.  Eliminate the Exotic Pets and eliminate the chance of governments being sued for liabilities in accidents.  Same with Pit Bulls.  Eliminate the Internet downloading and let big business reap the profits in a pay per view world.

Where does the little guy fit in?  Where is the little guy represented?  

It's time to stand up to government.  

Can you imagine an election where no one votes?  Oh, there would be some loyalists that would make money off of the candidates and would vote, but what if there was a 98% drop in the overall voting count.  Would that send a message to the government that things were being seen, not ignored?

Maybe it's time for the eagle to crap
on the heads of the  self-serving politicians that
have forgotten what they were
elected to do!

What if we stopped buying products that weren't absolutely essential?  

Wouldn't that send a message to them and big business?

And, what if we stayed at home and used, say, one less tank of gas per week, each?  Take the population of the U.S., multiply it by 10 (for ten gallons), and watch the oil companies go, "What the hell?  We gotta get our 33 million dollar a quarter profit margin or we're all gonna lose our jobs!"

What if we all wore T-Shirts, applied bumper or window stickers, and put a flag outside of our home that read, 

"As a citizen, I PROTEST!"  

Think a message might get through?

What if we all said, "The Hell With Being Politically Correct?"  Control of the populace is gained by making them ignorant of the ability to think individually, providing them with a unified thought pattern (brainwashing), and negatively propagandizing any one or thing that doesn't believe the same as what is put out to be "proper thinking."  Our society of today is vast proof that this is now being utilized, as individual thought is chastised by the masses time and time again.

The individual thinker is what moves mountains, while the masses are herded to the meadows below to fatten up and then be slaughtered.  We must fight this concept of Political Correctness at every turn.  Otherwise, we might as well just fatten up.

*********

I'm 59 years old, and nearing the lower gully on the other side of Life's Mountain.  I served my country in the military, and have watched it become less and less of what it was meant to be.  Still, I care about the country in which I reside and the people ... all people ... that have to struggle to make ends meet here.  I'm tired of the deception and betrayal of government as it has continuously grown larger and less amiable to the wants, needs and desires of the common man it fails so miserably to represent.  

Yes, it's time for a change.  But change will only take place if everyone will participate.  It can start with one voice being echoed by two, and then four, and then eight and so on and so on.

Are you ready to start the echo?

Or would you rather just sit back and ignore it until it too late?

Twisted Mix Tape Tuesday ... Beautiful Songs (You May Have Never Heard)

For months, I've been tempted to participate in Jen's Twisted Mix Tape Tuesday.  (Lord knows Jen and others have been on my case about doing it!)  However, I haven't done it because I'm known more for sarcastic comedy than my "musical" side.

However, for those of you that know me, you're aware I have quite a background in the music industry, of sorts, having played in a short lived band in the early 70's (we once opened for REO Speedwagon), as well as having spent many years as a radio disc jockey ... back when you had to pick your own music, create your own show, and develop a character that would draw all the "heads" and serious music lovers to your show.  

Besides all of that, age hasn't decreased my spirit to own every piece of music I can.  My cd collection has passed the 7,000 mark, I still have over 2,000 vinyl albums, and my digital collection is amassed at over 127,000 songs.   One might say I'm a music hoarder of sorts.  But, as I've validated to my wife for years, "Would you rather have me spend my money on music, or drink it away on a six pack a night?"  She agrees, music is a much better choice.

When I saw Jen's post for "Beautiful Music" this week, I knew I had to finally participate.  Why?  Because I think I finally have something to offer those that really like music.  I've selected five of my all time favorites, plus, just for giggles, I've added number six.  These are songs that you may never have heard, but are each haunting and beautiful either in the music they provide or the stories they tell.  I'll try to add some humor along the way, but I really want you to just listen to the songs and their stories if you will.  I don't think you'll be disappointed.

#6  -  "Diamond Mine"  (Blue Rodeo)

If you ever smoked dope, this was the song you wanted to be high to.  If you never smoked dope, you'd still enjoy it if you had the patience to listen.  It starts slow, builds steadily, rocks like a mother in the middle, and brings you back down to catch your breath in the end.  I guess you might call it the perfect masturbation song!

So, get out your ointment, and rub slowly.  Build yourself up as you intensify the speed and concentration.  Let the waves pulsate as you reach the peak, and then, have a cigarette on me!

#5  -  "Why'd You Lie"  (Colin James)

As "Diamond Mine" was released in 1989, so was "Why'd You Lie."  It's a story of someone not being very faithful in a relationship, lying about it, and then trying to explain when caught.  It wasn't based on the Richard Nixon presidency, no matter how similar the story may be.

This song verges on Blues/Rock, while telling you a tale that will curl your hair, even if you've recently waxed.  The guitar licks will drive you insane if you let them, so I have to provide a warning, "This song may drive you crazy if you concentrate solely on the guitar licks."  Okay, you've been warned.  Go sue someone else!

#4  -  "What Am I Living For"  (Mark - Almond)

No, this isn't The Allman Brothers Band as so many have mistakenly thought in the past.  Instead, it's two talented songwriters that knew how to draw people into a tale of misery and woe by providing beautiful melodies and thought provoking lyrics.  Kind of like Frank Zappa in drag!

As we've all questioned ourselves at times, this song brings the full brunt of the seriousness of life, and the ironies of effort.  You cannot but love this song if you're a human being at all.  See, now, if you don't like it, I've got you!  (Don't you hate it when someone does that?)

#3  -  "White Bird"  (It's A Beautiful Day)

Bill Graham owned and operated two of the most well known rock clubs in the late 60's.  These were named the Fillmore East and the Fillmore West.  Rock acts of the "Psychedelic Era" performed almost nightly at these clubs, fine tuning their talents for the full scale concert halls that followed.  These clubs were also small enough to give them a "hometown" feeling of comfort for the artists as well as giving them some "homegrown" feelings before and after playing!  (Damn, watch the seeds, man, they're popping all over the place!)

It's A Beautiful Day was a band fronted by David LaFlame that graced the Fillmores on both coasts.  His female vocalist accompaniment rotated between his wife, girlfriends, ex-wife, girlfriends ... well, you get the picture.  "White Bird" was the group's biggest hit, and still remains a favorite Classic Rock Radio tune of today.  Listen, leave your golden cage, fly away, and if you don't return, remember the good times we almost had!

#2  -  "Moriah"  (Spooky Tooth)

In 1973, Orlando, Florida held a concert at an outdoor baseball park.  On the agenda was an opening group called White Witch (known for their song, "Let's Go Get Stoned"), the headliner was the J. Geils Band (who had just hit the airwaves with their big single, "Give It To Me"), and some unknown group in the middle called Spooky Tooth (which usually occurred when you'd smoked too much, got a bad case of the munchies, and gobbled down popcorn before it had cooked thoroughly).  

Spooky Tooth included an organ/vocalist by the name of Gary Wright.  Yep, Mr. Dreamweaver man himself!  However, don't believe that Gary never knew how to rock and roll.  Spooky Tooth was a kick ass rock band that carried the evening.  "Cotton Growing Man" was a favorite song of mine for decades, but this song, "Moriah" was haunting to no end.  One might even call it somewhat mystical in nature.  Give it a shot and you'll see what I mean!

#1  -  "Pretty Princess"  (Loggins & Messina)

Loggins & Messina was one of the few groups I would still pay big money to see today if they were to get back together.  No, Kenny Loggins wasn't always a pop icon shouting the theme from Caddyshack, "I'm Alright."  In fact, some of the best music you'll ever hear came from him and Jimmy Messina (who in no way resembles a groundhog).  

You want some real music?  Listen to the extended versions of "Vahevala", "Angry Eyes", and this one here, "Pretty Princess."  You're going to hear a blend of so many instruments and vocal harmonies, you'll wonder if they didn't overdub it 500 times.  I guarantee it, they sounded this good in concert, if not better.  

This song is about an afternoon affair that a wife has as her husband is away.  Again, slow to start, fast in the middle to a fever level, and then time to catch your breath at the end.  Fingers tired, yet?

***********

So, that's my little contribution to this Mix Tape Tuesday.  Hope you enjoyed it.  Of course, if you didn't scan and really listened to the music, you enjoyed it much better.  

Never thought you'd start smoking again, did you?