Another Charity call.....denied after getting info.

Hello my friends........to the scam that never ends, I guess. I just got a call from a telemarketing firm who was pulling for a reportedly very worthy organization who helps veterans with spinal cord injuries. And, let me put emphasis where it belongs, the charity itself seems very worthy, and I will be looking to get with them in the near future more directly. But, the telemarketer, according to http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/29351739.html takes 86 cents of every dollar raised. Please, look it up....don't trust my word. Don't trust anyone's. Look it up! The telemarketer who called asked me to give my credit card number for a group of cards. When I told them that they were free to send me the info and I would look the charity up, I was hung up upon. The person calling said she was calling from "Insight Services". The same as listed on jsonline? Don't know, but seems fairly likely. I guess I would rather have these people come thump me on my head and take my wallet than than use disabled veterans to bait and trap. Be honest in your theivery, 'Insight'!

Normal in America?

What is normal: In behavior, normal refers to a lack of significant deviation from the average. Conforming with or constituting a norm or standard or level or type of social norm. Being approximately average or within certain limits.

The interesting thing about “normal” is that normal changes. What was abnormal in one period of time becomes quite normal in another….or more, what is seen as abnormal and sick in one time is very likely seen as good and natural in another. It is growth, and change; it is the flex and draw of a person and a society of people who have a collective understanding of should and what should not be. And as natural as it seems to be, it is what is generally average for the society. Yes folks, “normality” is determined by those with a 100 IQ and roughly “C” student. That sort of changes the lofty status of things, huh? The stifling of innovators, the pushing down of those who live outside the average or think differently or act differently is a simple product of our nature as people. We are comfortable in what we find normal - or meeting expectations. No surprises and all is well. It is also not what this country is about. People risked life and limb, literally, to come to this country and create a life different from that which they left in England, France, Spain, etc. Motives aside, this country is about change. There is little tradition here but that; we celebrate: - The New Year: a new beginning. - Independence Day: freedom from tyranny. - Veterans Day: Sacrifice and giving everything so others can be free. - Thanksgiving: appreciation for the good things in life and abundance - Christmas: a time of giving and loving. So, while we will loft up such grand ideas in the one hand, we are still subject to the baser natures of our frightened little selves in the other. And, while pushing the normality of things is risky, it is also necessary. Not everyone is a C student, and not everyone has a 100 IQ, 2.5 kids and a mortgage….ya-da, ya-da, ya-da. The writers of the constitution were very learned men. Powerful and intelligent in their own right, they talked about ideas, philosophies, and perhaps more important - realities. Dreamers all, they fought the biggest bully on the block to have their own piece of the pie. But, being learned men and conversant in topics of philosophy, the phrase “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” is one taken from that day’s philosophic debate. Looking this up, I find some back and forth on it but it seems to center on not the property issues, which Locke was attributed, but on a social interaction in which promotes the freedom and enjoyment of one’s neighbor in order to procure the freedom and enjoyment in one’s own life. So, for those who call themselves “Constitutionalists” and want to “go back to the way it used to be”, how about looking at the way it was supposed to be: Securing the freedom of my neighbor to secure my own freedom, because, as noted by the philosophers of the day, the opposite is also quite true.

Photo by Chuck Espinoza, found in Milkboys Jan 18.

Great new phenom guitar player....

Hello all; I have just been introduced to this video of a young guitar player named Tallan Noble Latz. He is incredible! Please search out this little dynamo and see for yourself. I am willing to be obvious and predict that he is going to go far - provided the music industry doesn't suck the spirit out of him.

still new to all of this...

Hello all in computer land... It has recently come to my somewhat foggy focus inhibited attention that I am not quite following protocol and offending some by not linking to other blogs and such. I hope you all know that if I want to offend, I will do it openly and without guile..... and having said that, I would never wish to cause offense to you. So, I first ask for your understanding. I'm new. If you would like to have a link or blogroll or whatever the right word is for this, please shoot me a note on the hushmail acct. listed above right. I will need to verify that it comes from the "owner" and that the content is not something that would get me nuked by association. No killing puppies, stuffing the heads of little old ladies in thier unmentionable drawer, that sort of thing. In seriousness, I won't be a part of anything hatefilled, etc. If you have read my blog, you know me enough by now.... Thank you all for coming and being a part of this little life, or words to that effect. -r

Thank You!

I would like to thank you all for coming and being a part of my little experiment into blogging. I never thought I would find it so gratifying to find things to share with you. Your comments are the life blood of this blog, driving me forward to learn more, understand more. You have truly inspired my searches, encouraged my hopes of finding love and hope and an acceptance of the things that have beaten me for years.

I would especially like to thank Scottie who has been a shining light to me, guiding me through rough patches and letting me know there is a bright future awaiting. Miles and JR, who have been so very encouraging, and Bern who has recently shared his understandings with me on so many things. I am proud to see "new" followers, some of whom I have been following silently for some time. I am so glad you are a part of this blog.

This song by K. D. Lang is so awe-inspiring. I don't know if I understand the song so well. It is something that has had my attention for a while as I struggle to come to terms with the song. But, there is no denying that K. D. puts such feeling into her music. Watching her sing is an emotional event. I am so proud of her for being free. I hope you enjoy this rendition of Cohen's Halleluiah and perhaps you can draw more understanding than I have managed so far. -r