Open Thread - Friday, January 12, 2018
Every time you are tempted to react in the same old way, ask if you want to be a prisoner of the past or a pioneer of the future.
- Deepak Chopra -
I have a close friend who recently referred to me as a curmudgeon. I can accept that. The world is full of schemers and grifters, so there is no sense walking around with rose colored glasses.
During the past 3-4 years, I had been off the social scene, and foregone our annual New Orleans trip. I returned, this year, and had a good time. I also noticed some social group idiosyncrasies. While doing my care giver duties, I let my hair grow long and my cynicism has grown exponentially. The remainder of the group is still working and accepts portions of the conventional wisdom. During the course of this year's trip, I noticed cliques and a tribalism. I also noticed antipathy toward the guy with long hair and leftist leanings.
So, I canceled my New Orleans reservation for 2018. It's all good! Alternately, I plan to meet my daughter and her boy friend, out west. People are OK, but I really enjoy going off by myself. I think I would enjoy sitting on a rock among natural splendor, more than urban debauchery, or the prescribed company.
Like this:
Along the same line of thought, the corporate media is into full bullshit mode, and not worthy of sustained attentiveness. It is all designed to mold and hold a complacent populace. Count me out.
For Sue:
I hope everyone is warm and happy! Don't let my bad attitude drag you down. Watch word: situational awareness.
Have a great weekend!
The thread is OPEN.
Comments
Good morning, Tim ~~~
Your post struck a couple of nerves with me this morning. The first is with the Chopra quote. Changing how you respond to something/someone is life-changing. I am experiencing that in my life. I am changing the way I respond to things that have caused me grief in the past. By changing how I respond, the dynamic is changing - for the better in my situation.
The other one is you cancelling your NO excursion. When I lost my spouse, so much about life and other people and their intentions became more clear to me. I see that occurring with you, so it tells me it might be a natural process that occurs after losing someone so dear. I found my voice and learned to speak up to bullshit. I learned to confront crap head-on because I might not have that opportunity tomorrow. I learned to pursue what is important to me and my life, which it turns out is to be a strong advocate for those without voice. Sidebar: when my spouse died, my son asked why this happened. My response was that we didn't understand now, but five years down the road, we would look back and understand why due to the turns our lives would take in the aftermath. My kids, to this day, thank me for that insight, as we all look back and see the paths our lives took. You will find your way.
When in the west, you are always welcome in my home. I'll try not to leave town next time you're near.
Have a beautiful day and weekend, folks!
"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11
Observant
Speaking up to bullshit, is one of the reasons I decided not to return to the work force. I can not imagine tolerating the conservatives, misogynists, racists, narcissists and junior know it alls. I would rather sit at the children's table, to be with genuine people, rather than hang out with adult poseurs.
My oldest, son, is struggling, and I wonder about my daughter. Sue was a gentle empathetic and warm person. An ideal mom. I am more rough and tumble. I know that is part of the problem, with my son. My daughter and Sue were close, but my daughter seems to just keep on rolling.
Today, I am moving my daughter from Raleigh to Richmond. She is moving in with her boyfriend. During the holidays, she told me he is girding to talk to me about marriage, but is anxious about talking to me.
I am contemplating a motorcycle ride that would put me into your neighborhood. The tentative plan is to meet my daughter and boyfriend, in Estes Park, for a couple of days. Then base out of Leadville for a couple of days to ride Independence Pass, Guanella Pass and Cottonwood Pass. Then head toward Durango, the million dollar highway, Canyon of the Ancients, Monument Valley, Canyonlands, Arches, Capitol Reef, Zion, Bryce Canyon and the north rim.
I plan to pace myself, better than this year, so my hands and physical condition endure better. Picking up provisions, in Colorado, doesn't hurt.
Thanks for being here. Have a great weekend!
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
Monument Valley is OK,
but the camping sucks and you can't get a beer. The North Rim totally rocks. We're going up there again either this summer or next, not sure which.
We wanted decent healthcare, a living wage and free college.
The Democrats gave us Biden and war instead.
Monument Valley
Can’t speak for camping in Monument Valley but Valley of the Gods (BLM) near Mexican Hat is awesome camping, free and primitive. Also Mexican Hat has a convenience store selling beer.
Life is what you make it, so make it something worthwhile.
This ain't no dress rehearsal!
Heh
I figure Monument Valley to be a pass through. If things go according to plan, I would go from somewhere near Bryce Canyon, to North Rim and then Lake Powell for the evening. Then pass through Monument Valley on my way to Ouray or Telluride.
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
Ouray is breathtaking.
Was just there in April. Well worth the white-knuckle drive (or ride!) over the San Juans and Red Mountain Pass.
Do you like to hike? There's a fantastic one right around the entire edge of Ouray. It's not flat! But if you get out early enough, you can take your time and enjoy the vistas and solitude. We didn't see many others out and about when we did it.
Is that a photo of Canyonlands, above? Looks like the Needles District to me? Or maybe it's the Fiery Furnace in Arches? I also highly recommend both. If you venture into Fiery Furnace, don't take a ranger-guided hike. Exploring on your own is entirely do-able, and a lot more rewarding.
Thanks for the OT -- and a happy Friday to all!
White knuckle
Is kind of the point. I go out seeking those routes. The Million Dollar Highway, Montrose to Durango via Silverton and Ouray, has three 10K+ pass crossings. I was in Montrose, during September, and headed north through Divide/Hotchikiss/Carbondale because the weather forecast was calling for snow, at elevation, last weekend of September. I skipped the Million Dollar Highway and the run up to Steamboat Springs and headed for Estes Park. So, I have to go back.
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
I like being a curmudgeon
...and speaking my mind in public and elsewhere. And as to your hair...let your freak flag fly!
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RPovmMwef8]
If you make it to Durango, I recommend a visit to mesa verde if you can swing it.
We're due a storm today followed by more cold weather. Hope you all have a good one!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Hello
Mesa Verde is on the to do list. I was thinking of staying near Mesa Verde, swinging over to Moab, spending a couple of days in southern Utah, then catching the north rim and monument valley on the way back to CO. Depending on disposable income, I would also like to make it to Crested Butte for more riding among the big rocks.
Hair, three years in February, DFH forever!
Check out today's guitar player. He is from shithole Brazil, and quite extraordinary.
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
Cliff dwellers villages are amazing when viewed from the south
have taken the river road from Sedona north to approach Flagstaff on the way to four corners. Good run along Oak Creek Canyon. Original indians inhabited the Verde Valley 9000 BCE. You really feel the old culture. Also, like to take a side trip to Paolo Soleri's Arcosanti. The bronze wind bells are very cool. It's east of I-17 by the 69 turn off to Prescott.
By the way, If you make it to Ouray, CO. check out the Wiesbaden radium hot springs. Wonderful!
question everything
I eagerly anticipate
visiting the cliff dwellings. I feel the metaphysical and look forward to communing.
I have been to New Orleans, dozens of times. I feel the past, the haunting of the slave markets and the troubled souls. When there, I feel welcome and comfortable. But, I know people who are unsettled and unwelcome. A work associate, sales manage which says something about the person, told me "there is something evil", I could feel it and I will never go back to New Orleans. I think it may say something about the person, more than the place. Certainly, there was plenty of evil and darkness to New Orleans, along with the celebration of life that is New Orleans, and think that the feelings either of us experienced had as much to do with either of our lives and attitudes as the place.
So, I can not wait to exhalt in the companionship of those long departd souls.
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
Storm today
Of course, it's moving day.
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
Spring weather in January and return to cold and snow tomorrow
NCTim, I am also curmudgeonly and now have to monitor what I say and type. I have opinions and beliefs that may be out-of-mainstream. Although at this point I think that mainstream is a construct by TPTB.
LOL, I was gonna ask you on your next trip West to collect rocks for me. Motorcycle travel does not work. So you are pre-forgiven.
I am so glad now that my ecology course from IU took us to Warren Dunes on Lake Michigan. Step-sliding down a high dune is a lifetime experience. So is trudging back up in another way. Penalty for reward.
Anxiety now, cleaning lady may appear tomorrow and I need to clean up. Mice in the kitchen now.
Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.
Yeah, Warren Dunes
Used to party up in Pentwater. We would rent a cabin on Pentwater Lake, and hike the Dunes to Lake Michigan. A mountain of sand. Many years before we had week long canoe trips down the Manistee River to michi-gami (Ojibwa for 'great water'). Sportsman's paradise.
question everything
I can pull some quartz
... from my yard.
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
I have some quartz, a big erratic
that was in my two Stone rubble walls from the Revolutionary War. I can trade you shale slabs for quartz. Mildly radioactive...
Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.
Hola Tim!
I was just in the North Rim area over Consumermass, beautiful, but desolate. I refer to it as the land of sleeping giants-and I hope we don’t wake them.
If you go, watch for speed traps and the people NOT watching for them! Both will Hurt you if not careful.
I Love having coworkers argue gov’t can’t create jobs-as we stand on a County project site paid for By FEMA! Knuckle dragging chuckleheads.
And the sad thing is, we could put 20 Million crews like ours to work for ten years(at least) on structural concrete improvements Alone! Not to mention rebuilding road beds, adding bike and walking paths, replacing bridges, lining all with solar. . . TRIGGER!
Gotta stop now.
Stop These Funkin’ Wars
peace
Ya got to be a Spirit, cain't be no Ghost. . .
Explain Bldg #7. . . still waiting. . .
If you’ve ever wondered whether you would have complied in 1930’s Germany,
Now you know. . .
sign at protest march
Good and bad
Desolate is good. Speed traps are bad for a DFH on a motorcycle.
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
AZ gave out "Courtesy Tickets" back in the old days
that is what they gave me anyway, the highway police, a first warning for tourists speeding their rental cars out in the middle of nowhere. There is nothing like open desert to make ones foot grow heavy, must have been too cheap to splurge on cruise control, or maybe it wasn't invented yet in 1990. I'm pretty sure this is the road up to the Lowell Observatory which is a nerd place I'd like to recommend. "100 most popular" heh
1990 Red Tee-shirt with picture of dinosaur chomping down on a body, and the caption reads... ?
EAT THE RICH!
LOL guess we were Gorbachev tools, before we were Yeltsin tools, before we were Putin tools. Hey chaos, bite me! Edited to add: How soon I forgot Mr. Flexibility, Medvedev. VIDEO: Obama Caught Telling Russian Leader To Wait Until After Election On Missile Defense
Flagstaff reminded me of somewhere else, I don't know where. It bugged me the whole time, like I lived there before but didn't realize it. Weird. Nice view of the San Francisco Peaks from Flagstaff, I think?
Kachina! Gesundheit. I did also notice the exploitation, but go on. The Anasazi Cliff Dwellings were awesome too. Love the southwest. cheers
Kachina
red rocks, 4 corners, navaho, cliff dwellers, high desert, HavasupaI, Mogillian rim, monument valley, Apache, old route 66, Flagstaff train yard, meteor impression...
question everything
Noted
I leave home with an idea of what I want to do, then peruse weather forecasts, maps and lodging to decide about tomorrow.
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
Degree of difficulty
I have always been a rule breaker and contrarian. Car speed limits do not make sense, for a motorcycle. Going fast is fun. During my September trip, I took CO 94 across the high plains and into Colorado Springs, It is a desolate stretch, and I had been pummeled by the Kansas winds the previous day, so I was anxious to visit a dispensary. I probably averaged near 100 MPH from Hayes, KS to Colorado Springs. In by lunch time and Agent Orange before dinner.
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
Reading the comments on this OT thread
makes me just love this community. You are all treasures. I am so pleased to be a part of this wonderful group.
Okay, gushing over. Thanks for your patience.
"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11
Yeah
I could use some folks like
y'allyinz around here.The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
Ain't I blue? NOPE
Friday yoga color of the day is blue, a nice coincidence if you ask me. I am LMAO thanks to Yves Smith's guest poster this morning, Michael Olenick: https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2018/01/voting-matters.html
Because no, it does not.
(Hand shoots up) Oh! I know, I know! It starts with k and sorta rhymes with "shipoopi" ...
Kabuki, kabuki, la la la la la la. Back to Michael:
Ker-plunk! Never mind, please proceed. Thanks for the view from afar though.
Here's Yves, scoring a three pointer:
For whatever reason, it seems funny now. Doesn't it?
Poorly trained California Poll Workers
immediatelyinstantly promoted to properly trained Poll Inspectors.D-Value worker retraining for the win!
Good Day
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
love the Delmores!
...and that song is one of my favorites.
I like singing this one. (3 min) Singing my troubles away...here's my version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKcAde4b0Ak
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Nice music
I subscribed.
Marilyn
"Make dirt, not war." eyo
the democraps like to cheat too
Here's Tim Canova on Jimmy's show talking about DWS election fraud techniques. (20 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHLGgKuuQbE
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
hugo
didn't say that. It is a shit-made-up intertubes variation on a 1910 observation about gay people: "Does it really matter what these affectionate people do—so long as they don’t do it in the streets and frighten the horses?"
Hugo did say this:
Hugo was a curmudgeon with rose-colored glasses. Thus, he was a little premature in his prediction:
Thank goddess you are back
providing the correct version of history is important. I just copy pasta from an old-fashioned app called "fortune", usually bundled as "bsd-games" or similar on different operating systems. I never check their sources, which is bad, sorry about that. Some of them have no attribution at all:
I think they are funny, but could be I've lost my sht completely so every thing seems funny now. Thanks.
i didn't
mean to be rude, but false quote attributions drive me crazy. Probably I should get Treatment for this problem. Particularly since I myself make shit up and put it in people's mouths all the time, though so outrageously it is hopefully apparent to everyone it is not Real. ; /
Even rivers change direction, across the Great Divide
was it rude? I didn't notice anything rude. I am not going to be offended by an avatar named hecate, just in case "She knew what the rest of us did not" really is a thing. I love this place.
The folk music has seeped me in grief again, but all of the comments are dope. c99 dopamine clicks to the rescue.
Kate Wolf - Across the Great Divide
Norton Buffalo on harmonica.
Best song length: 4:20
Edited to add: Still chuckling after I went back to check your link, the google has restricted me from verification, I am not one of their collective, poor me I hate being the consumed instead of the consumer. That is my puny resistance, however futile:
SCANALYZER failure alert! Why oh why?
Trip out West
Your picture of Bryce was beautiful! Part of the reason we moved to Santa Fe was to be closer to places out West and do not regret that decision one bit. Southern Utah has some of our favorite camping spots including Valley of the Gods mentioned early in response to another comment. Don’t know much about motorcycle riding but taking the Moki Dugway near Mexican Hat is quite a thrill and some awesome views as you climb up the road. The Dugway is a series of switchbacks that take you from Mexican Hat to the road to Natural Bridges. Could go on and on but the trip you have mapped out sounds pretty nice.
Life is what you make it, so make it something worthwhile.
This ain't no dress rehearsal!
Motorcycle riding
Elevation changes, curvy roads, vistas, temperature changes, smelling the environment, going fast, going really fast, scaring old women, thrilling children, agitating dogs, ... I'll have to take a look at the stuff around Mexican Hat. Tentatively, I want to go from Lake Powell, back to ?, via Monument Valley.
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
Good morning, Funkmeister/Biker Tim. :-)
Your trip sounds like it's going to be another killer one. Please show us some pics when you return. Be careful and safe, too. Biker hubby is planning our summer trip/ride. Two weeker. Fly into Salt Lake City, pick up bike and ride towards Denver. He just started planning it, but it will be a visual gas like the others.
I looked up curmudgeon and you guys don't fit it. At least not here in cyberspace. A newborn gets cranky and ill-tempered for crissakes. The word is actually a veiled slur. I'm not one. I really haven't changed all that much. The big one for me was gaining self confidence among my peers. I was threatened/attacked by bullies as a kid. Now I just laugh at them, see how stupid and inferior they are, and walk away. Aging looks keeps me off their radars now. Good thing, too. @mimi had a thread up yesterday asking for help in tracking down a tune by Buffy Sainte-Marie. Wow, I was a yuge fan of hers. Loved her songs and her physical beauty. I always wanted to look like she did. She's an appropriate choice for the Maggot 'shithole' Brain Era.
You guys stay warm. Take care. Rec'd!!
Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.
Oh
I am a curmudgeon. Tell me you are a libertarian or Christo-fascist and see what happens.
I did some due diligence on Utah, if you would like to compare notes.
Bullying: I was a high performance academic, slight of build and
hadhave a wicked smart mouth. I got picked on quite a bit. What those peckerwoods neglected was that smarts can be used to generate toughness. My dad taught me never to back down from a bully, so I never gave them their way. You want my lunch money? Come get it!The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
I share your bad attitude. Must come from living in
this shithole country with its asshole president. Makes sense now. Above every shithole is an asshole taking a shit. Sorry to be so crude, but it’s the verisimilitude, dude.
"The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?" ~Orwell, "1984"
Get your own
... bad attitude.
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
Got here seriously late and in a funky mood. Thanks for the
OT, Tim and for the highlighted guitarist. Enjoy your foray into the "West" - that's some great country you're looking at, as you already know.
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
As soon as I heard
Joao Erbetta, I ran out and acquire all his stuff.
I have yearned to spend time A) not working for the man, B) in natural splendor and C) alone with my thoughts. When I first started my
careerjob, I integrated some machine tool for Morton Thiokol, up near the Golden Spike memorial. After machine itegration, I went back to conduct a training class. There was a closed time frame, so I took Sue with me, and we drove from Salt Lake City, to Driggs, Idaho, then across Teton Pass, along the Snake River, through Jackson, WY, SW quadrant of Yellowstone, West Yellowstone, upper half of Yellowstone (including the one way dirt road through the high country), Cody (and the Cody Stampede), SE quadrant of Yellowstone, back to Jackson and back to SLC. The master plan was to go back during retirement. Sue can't make it, but there is no reason for me, not to go.The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
We have wandered some of that, but the southern part,
Utah, Arizona, Nevada, etc. much more, both as destination and meandering through on the way to Mn, Ia and Ga. Tenting young and trailering later on. Once or twice in Motels even.
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
Hi Tim
[video:https://youtu.be/WSwBdMH5NuI]
Thank you for the ethereal and hauntingly beautiful Joao Erbetta.
Keep on, keeping on Tim.
Hey JB
Good to hear from you. Everything is good?
Joao Erbetta is a favorite. Etheral and hauntingly beautiful pretty much nails it.
During my September trip, I spent some time talking to a woman who had just sold her house, Drake, CO and was going to NZ to escape Trump/American stupidity. I related some of what you had to say about immigrating to NZ. When I got home, I looked into immigrating to Drake and quickly changed my mind. I could sell my house, in NC, and move into half the space, with no garage for just a bit more than the proceeds from my house.
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
I guess we're both considering what we need
at this point in time. Time and insight is what we need to gain some clarity.
Thank you Tim, and best to us all ...
[video:https://youtu.be/iff0ZhP5l3w]
I think more time with Jaoa Erbett this evening will be good medicine. Thank you.