12 January 2023……new year. New comments.

We live in such a stupid world. Political stuff, lately, is beyond stupid. 

Still just few thoughts

At the moment I would say there is no Republican Party without Donald Trump. You may love him or hate him but he is the glue that holds the Republican Party, such as it is,  together. (I wrote that last sentence a few weeks ago, closer to new year, I now am not so sure about it.)

I hate lots of things about what he believes, but he is a very charismatic personality. 

The Democratic Party does not have anyone of similar effect of Donald Trump. 

This world is stupid. 

So much of the news is talking about stupid stuff. 

I still can’t get over the fact that people think that most of the news is important. One news channel says I’m right, and this political party is wrong. If you go to watch the other channel, they say they’re right and a different political party is right. 

I would say say both political parties are stupid and most news is stupid. 

I love listening to stories of stupid people. I listen to lots of stories on YouTube from Reddit. It is amazing how many stupid people there are in the world. 

I have had more migraine headaches in the past few weeks/months, than the rest of my life combined, and before I could count the number on one hand. 

When I have a migraine it goes on until I throw up, then it goes away. 

I hate some things about how my life has been going. I feel like I have been more sick this past year than I have been sick, in my life, with the exception of the time of my stroke. 

I used to rarely get sick in any way. Since my stroke, I got the flu. Six months later I got pneumonia. I would suggest you get pneumonia, it hurts less. I would not recommend getting either.  I got Covid a little over a year ago. No fun. Now it’s migraines. I’m sure I’ve had other things since my stroke. I hate all the complications I’ve had since the stroke, 9 years ago. 

So I have been thinking about my resolutions. I have known for time that I have to limit what I do. 

It seems like my new focus needs to be being married and my stepson and children. I was trying to focus on me before I got married, but now I need to put what I do in second place. 

I want to do lots of things for me, but because I live in an apartment, and because of my difficulties in moving myself and stuff in general, I do not, I cannot, get stuff. 

I want to make knives. I might be able to do it if I had a dedicated space to work on something. And if I wanted to go somewhere, it would have to be in my wheelchair or I need a ride some how; Bus type, taxi, or find someone to drive me in my car. 

Plus I get tired out very quickly. If I go somewhere I get tired out very quickly. Anyway I think that most of what I will be doing will be for my family, for the foreseeable future. I need to do some things for myself, but as long as I can keep my budget and help them to do learn to do the same. 

 Life will be good.

29 December 2022….sigh of relief

My life entails watching to many YouTube videos lately. 

COVID is a pathetic joke. I can go almost anywhere but in a few select buildings, a few select places, and a mask is required. Why? I can go to the cafeteria in the building and take off my mask, I can take off the mask to get a drink. I sat in the hallway eating a muffin and drinking hot chocolate. And I didn’t wear a mask once until I had finished my food. Miraculously I did not die as I went to my next appointment. 

If you go to the grocery store, there is a plexiglass screen between me and the cashier. But the cashier touched everything that I already touched in my cart. Then the person who helped bag my items I am purchasing touches lots, if not of the items. Then I take the items that have been touched, to my car, then to my house. If a person uses a grocery delivery service, someone loaded all the groceries in there car, then may have walked into my apartment. 

If any person has a compromised immune system for whatever reason, maybe you need to stay home more. Ask everyone not to enter where you live. Wear a plastic bubble suit when you go into public for whatever reason. Don’t eat or drink when you leave your home. 

One other thing about watching videos on YouTube is that I start to think I have more capacity than I do and I want to do things I don’t have the capacity to do. 

I have been watching videos about CNC for both metal and wood. I would love to make most of the projects I see. 

I don’t have the physical capacity. 

Most of the projects I want to do are very messy.  The setup is almost as involved as the projects themselves. I always forget about cleaning. Not because I don’t think it’s important, it is in many ways the most important, but hardly anyone I know thinks about clean up for a project. 

I don’t think about cleaning, beforehand, nearly enough. CNC routers look fun but the actual work that goes along with the is most likely beyond me. 

Plus I don’t have the space for most equipment because I live in an apartment. I can’t setup in a garage because I don’t have a garage. Cleaning up by myself is impossible. I need to be able to move my wheelchair around so organizing and having a clutter free environment are very important. 

I was talking with a friend and lamenting the difficulties I have moving my wheelchair everywhere in my apartment. He was confused because, at first glance, most people might say I have an almost immaculate apartment. In many ways I would agree. That said, if someone leaves their shoes, in a seemingly out of the way place, I still run over the shoes in my wheelchair or can’t get through.

 I don’t set up a traditional Christmas tree. I have one designed, using tinsel and lights on the wall. A real tree uses to much space. A few to many boxes or suitcases, that have not been put away and I am essentially “locked” in one location. Presents are starting to take up space now, but that will change soon. 

So, some of the activities that I think I would like to do use to much space. I don’t have the physical capacity to do them myself. 

I’ve come to the realization, AGAIN, that I need to spend most of my time DOING what I am CAPABLE of. Writing and typing on my tablet, designing different ideas I want to realize someday. I still have things that I want to do, but right now I need to think about what I can do by myself. 

I know people want to help me, but somethings, like going to the bathroom and some other things, a person just wants to do themselves. I said going to the bathroom because a few years ago, people had to change my diaper, and then after some time I started to use the toilet again by myself. 

So once again this world is stupid, and I can’t do a lot of things by myself so, there goes life again

24 December 2022……wow

So I was just watch The Ramsey show. He brought up the story of the Prodigal Son from the Bible. 

In the story/Parable the father welcomes the son back with open arms. But one thing I never realized, the father never ran after the son. The son had basically said when he ask for his inheritance, “father you are dead to me.”  So MENTALLY he had killed his father and taken the father’s money. The father did not go running after his son. 

 After the father saw the son returning the father ran to meet the son. The son was returning on his own. That is when the father went to him. 

This just helps me understand that running after a wayward child is not wise. Running to someone that IS coming to you is worth running to them. 

I am seeing some of what is written between the lines on some of the stories in the Bible.  But I’ve has some help. 

I was also reading C.S. Lewis, the book Mere Christianity. After hearing what has been quoted by apostles I came to a section about the Lords Prayer. It is interesting how it relates to other times the the Lord refers to Himself and others. 

“…., I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

Matthew.” 20:17

But in the Lord’s Prayer it is “Our Father….” Almost like it’s just me and the Savior. He is asking His Father and my Father. He is presenting us to the Father. Not because we have done anything ourselves but Christ is making up the difference. And because Christ is making up the difference it is “Our Father”. Christ and me. 

18 December 2022…..the most______time of the year

I was watching YouTube and the person mentioned “tax holidays”. I am not a fan. The only reason for “tax holidays” is to convince people to spend money. 

Duh.

 

Of course that is why they exist. 

The government wants people to spend money. 

So let’s just say you need $100 dollars worth of stuff. Any normal day you pay an extra $10, $9, $8, $7, maybe $6 in tax for the stuff you buy. But on a “tax holiday” You don’t pay the tax on select items. You still might pay tax. 

So why have a “tax holiday”?

Just so us peasants will buy things. 

It helps everyone feel like they are receiving a good deal. 

It makes everyone want to go shopping. 

That is exactly why I don’t like tax holidays. Everyone thinks they are getting a good deal. If you like fighting crowds, and saving maybe 10% on what you are going to buy anyway. 

Personally I hate navigating my way through crowds. I like people. I hate crowds. Mostly because I have a very difficult time in my wheelchair, and most people are not on the lookout for a person in a wheelchair. 

Anything that businesses do to convince more people to be there; Veterans Day discounts, tax holidays, sports events, etc., etc., I readily try to avoid. The crowds and frustration are not worth the pittance of savings.

29 November 2022……I would be a walking contradiction, if I could walk.

Most of what I share right now is based on my personal perspective in life, that said I think there is truth in it. If you don’t like what I have written that is fine. 

I have a very troubled opinion about theater/film/acting and anything related to them  and also, college/university in general. Education is very important. Still college/university is not the only way to get an education. There are so many good ways to educate yourself. College MAY be an option. 

First I have a college degree in theater and I used to have a teaching certificate. I was, and am, a very good teacher, but that is another story, for another time. Today I am talking about my university education in Theater/film. 

I love acting, costume design, set design and construction and many things associated with all that area. I love the teaching potential that exists with it.  I love to watch it. It is marvelous in so many ways. Theater and film can be a wonderful teaching tool. They need to be incorporated into more aspects of education. 

That said, the gospel of Jesus Christ is more important. I love the teaching potential that theater/film provide. If you do announce your conversation to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and his church, it’s easy to be black listed, dismissed from schools you are studying from or the industry in general. I know very few people that went through the theater/film/acting program that hold firm to the gospel of Jesus Christ. There are people that probably “believe” but seem to hide the light they may have. As far as I can tell most are still good people in many ways, but the fire they used to have is gone. They seem to have a very good life still, but many seem to advertise achievements that are riding on the coattails of someone else, achievements by loose association. I have known people that had major rolls in church films, that for whatever reason are no longer in the film anymore or the film is impossible to find. I see it that any associated connection with the church or the gospel of Jesus Christ is a type of professional suicide.

My other concern/pet peeve is how theater/film especially acting is not taken seriously. I myself have a hard time taking someone with an acting degree, or most people who have a degree in theater or film seriously, and I have a theater degree.  Most of the jobs in theater/film and acting specifically, don’t require a degree. There are organizations in the film industry that want people to have a four year degree. But I still know people without degrees that work in that specific film area. A four year degree makes as much since in theater/film as it does for being an officer in the military most of the time. That’s another story also.

 

Theater/film and everything associated with it in most college studies, should not ever be an option as a major at all. Minor, special emphasis, something other than a major degree track for most people. Most of the professors should be professionals in the industry, in some form. If it is taught at university/college level it needs support from subjects that are not seen as being frivolous. I personally think everyone should have at least a minor in business. Business is the common denominator in everything. Art business , Healthcare business, engineering business, etc.,etc.  I could go on but I think you get the idea. Again, I love theater/film and most everything associated with it. That said I have seen firsthand the lack of respect and credibility anyone with a theater/film degree is given. I’ve been told theater is “The Study of Life”. That’s, I would say, a nice way of saying, “ jack of all trades master of none.”

Someone with a degree, doctorate in theater history and criticism, said they had a degree in history. The response was, “No you don’t. Theater history is not History.”

If you don’t work in theater/film it would be very difficult to “fake” your way through. It is, in many ways, a world of its own. That said, persons who work in theater/film are forced to work with the real world most of the time. 

Now, to finish, I am still sorely tempted to get headshots (pictures) and put together a resume so I can see what maybe is available for something like me. (Wheelchair bound, bearded, balding, with difficulty speaking) But it would take my time away from my chilli peppers. 

19 November 2022…..to much remembering recently.

I am so annoyed and angry at my stroke right now. 

My mother is having difficulties. I want to help, but my brain injury causes me to go over board and act idiotic. I have first hand information that could be helpful. That said the emotional part of my brain is to dominate for this situation. I want to help but everything I know and understand is very laden with the emotional part of this situation, because I had it happen to me already. 

I called my uncle and even though he was a great sounding board, he probably understood the situation better than I ever could and helped me to just vent and understand that it is a very emotional situation for all my siblings, but didn’t say that directly. 

Even though I have trained myself to be less emotional about many situations. I can get overwhelmed easily. The emotional part of my brain is the dominant part. I have, somehow, trained myself not to cry at everything, so much so, that when I need to cry I can’t. That said I was driving with my children the other day and I wanted to bawl for some reason. 

So recently I have been bombarded with emotional difficulties. 

Life is a pain. 

My wife has been helping me make bread. Everything bakes ok so far. It just doesn’t seem to mix up and rise like we want it to. We have made some awesome sourdough bread. It is definitely a slower process than using store bought yeast. But I am learning how to be more understanding of how long the process takes. 

I have other concerns. 

The elections past. Not much has changed. Most politicians are still scoundrels. Democrats, Republicans, most of them are not worth the time it takes to vote. I still vote. But I have little hope that any good will come from voting. Elections are not much more than a pacifier to the public at large. 

Reading and looking at that last paragraph, I must be more cynical than I realize. I like to think of myself as pragmatic. Still the only true pragmatist I think I have ever known is my grandpa. He may never have called himself a pragmatist, he was just himself. I sure miss his wisdom. I have a very difficult time describing his wisdom at times, because it seemed to be full of contractions. Still, some of the best wisdom. 

31 October 2022……happy Halloween

All right, Brazil has a new president. That’s fine. I don’t live there and I don’t intent to. 

My wife thinks the new Brazilian President is great. I’m not so sure. The value of the money became worth less to the point Brazilian money is almost worthless. Here in the US we are currently having our own stupid inflation. 

So I made a bet with her. 

Right now on google, R$1 (brasilian real) is equal to $0.19 US. R$5.17 equals US$1. 

So, this is the bet. If in four years, the length of the Brazilian presidency, or if something causes his Term to be shorter, we will compare the price of the Real, brasilian money, to the dollar. 

If US$1 equals R$5.17 or more she pays me R$ 1000 (brasilian money). If US$1equals less than R$5.17, I pay her US$1000 ( American money). 

I think I’ve got history on my side. When I was in Brazil 30 years ago, 1 Brazilian Real was about the same price as 1 US dollar. The past few years it has been in flux. US$1 Between R$3.75 to R$5. 

She thinks she is right just because the money in Brazil had more buying power for a time. 

Ultimately, the purpose of government is to distract from the use of real power. 

Tudo bem, o Brasil tem um novo presidente.  Isso é bom.  Não moro lá e nem pretendo.

 Minha esposa acha o novo presidente brasileiro ótimo.  Eu não tenho tanta certeza.  O valor do dinheiro passou a valer menos a ponto do dinheiro brasileiro quase não vale nada.  Aqui nos EUA estamos tendo nossa própria inflação estúpida.

 Então eu fiz uma aposta com minha esposa.

 Agora no google, R$ 1 (real brasileiro) é igual a $ 0,19 US.  R$ 5,17 equivale a US$ 1.

 Então, essa é a aposta.

 Se daqui a quatro anos, a duração da presidência brasileira, ou se algo fizer com que seu mandato seja menor, vamos comparar o preço do real com o dólar.

 Se US$ 1 equivale a R$ 5,17 ou mais, ela me paga R$ 1000 (dinheiro brasileiro).  Se US$ 1 for menor que R$ 5,17, eu pago a ela US$ 1.000 (dinheiro americano).

 Acho que tenho a história do meu lado.  Quando eu estava no Brasil há 30 anos, 1 real brasileiro era quase o mesmo preço de 1 dólar americano.  Nos últimos anos tem estado em fluxo.  US$1 Entre R$3,75 a R$5.

 Ela acha que está certa só porque o dinheiro no Brasil teve mais poder aquisitivo por um tempo.

Em última análise, o propósito do governo é desviar a atenção do uso do poder real.