2015: End Of Year Thoughts.

I think if there's anything about this year that's very obvious is that this is the year I really entered middle age.

For one thing, almost all of the hair on my face is pretty much white. What hair I have left on my head is still its original color, which annoys me further. I finally get attention from women, but it's always in the 'oh look at that kind distinguished elderly man with his granddaughter' crap.

Which on that note, I never bought into that whole 'men are so attractive when they are older bullshit'. The only reason women say that is to make themselves look and feel younger than they really are.

I finally did something about the soreness in my hands and started wearing braces on my wrists whenever I type.

I got sick - and more often. In fact, I got so sick in the last week or so, the last time I missed so much work was about ten years ago. So many of the problems from last year I've nearly forgotten about due to all the new issues.

But more than that - I realized this year this I've been completely behind on just about all pop culture for the last 10-15 years, and I don't really give a fuck.

I did write two more albums. Okay really more like 10 songs on one and nine on another (I'll add the last track as an instrumental). But even there, I could've finished that last records months ago, and I more or less waited till the end of the year.

Finally got a bonus this year - most of it I'm sure will be spent on all the medical bills I'll accrue in the New Year.

Hottest year on record - life will get worse.

Saw the new Star Wars movie - just a reboot of the original Stars Wars movie (though admittedly despite not liking any of that director's work, I didn't think it was that bad).

I did start setting some things in motion at work on getting closer to where I want to go - we'll see how it and the rest of 2016 goes.

Goodbye Lemmy.

Thank you for all the memories.

You'll be missed.

But your music will always be with us.

Happy Winter Solstice everyone.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_solstice

2015-12-22 04:48 (4:47:58)

The Establishment must really fear Bernie Sanders.

Otherwise the DNC would not shut off access to data (based on a software issue earlier pointed out by the Sanders campaign) only to relent and turn it back on (http://www.alternet.org/election-2016/why-democratic-party-blocking-bernies-access-voter-data).

One has to wonder about the timing, considering Democracy For America's recent poll results indicate very clearly (89.7% in favor) that their members support Bernie Sanders for President Of The United States in 2016.

COP21 'a Fraud'?

So says James Hansen -

http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/james-hansen-father-climate-change-awareness-calls-paris-talks-fraud

The talks, intended to reach a new global deal on cutting carbon emissions beyond 2020, have spent much time and energy on two major issues: whether the world should aim to contain the temperature rise to 1.5C or 2C above preindustrial levels, and how much funding should be doled out by wealthy countries to developing nations that risk being swamped by rising seas and bashed by escalating extreme weather events.

But, according to Hansen, the international jamboree is pointless unless greenhouse gas emissions aren’t taxed across the board. He argues that only this will force down emissions quickly enough to avoid the worst ravages of climate change.

Hansen, 74, has just returned from Paris where he again called for a price to be placed on each tonne of carbon from major emitters (he’s suggested a “fee” – because “taxes scare people off” – of $15 a tonne that would rise $10 a year and bring in $600bn in the US alone). There aren’t many takers, even among “big green” as Hansen labels environment groups.

Hope for the world - COP21?

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-35084374

"A deal to attempt to limit the rise in global temperatures to less than 2C has been agreed at the climate 

 change summit in Paris after two weeks of negotiations.

The pact is the first to commit all countries to cut carbon emissions.

The agreement is partly legally binding and partly voluntary."

"The measures in the agreement included:
• To peak greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible and achieve a balance between sources and sinks of greenhouse gases in the second half of this century
• To keep global temperature increase "well below" 2C (3.6F) and to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5C
• To review progress every five years
• $100 billion a year in climate finance for developing countries by 2020, with a commitment to further finance in the future."


We'll see. Time will only tell.

US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia - in his own words.

http://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/14-981_p8k0.pdf

There are those who contend that it does not benefit African-Americans to get them into the University of Texas, where they do not do well, as opposed to having them go to a less–a slower-track school where they do well. One of the briefs pointed out that most of the black scientists in this country don’t come from schools like the University of Texas…. They come from lesser schools where they do not feel that they’re being pushed ahead in classes that are too fast for them.

But wait, here's the appalling part - the establishment media tries to hide what he said -

In a remark that drew muted gasps in the courtroom, Justice Antonin Scalia said that minority students with inferior academic credentials may be better off at “a less advanced school, a slower-track school where they do well.”

“I don’t think it stands to reason that it’s a good thing for the University of Texas to admit as many blacks as possible,” he added.

 Source: FAIR - http://us10.campaign-archive2.com/?u=8c573daa3ad72f4a095505b58&id=524d880c3b&e=9fd594db40

Scalia sounds like a bigot to me.

As if there aren't enough reasons to trust the right-wing establishment ...

... here's another, courtesy Mike Duffy.

http://ipolitics.ca/2015/12/10/duffy-on-the-stand-robocalls-and-black-ops/

In his third day of testimony in his criminal trial, Senator Mike Duffy told an Ottawa courtroom Thursday that a former Conservative campaign manager, the late Senator Doug Finley, operated a “black ops” organization that helped re-elect former Conservative MP Gary Lunn in the 2008 election.

“He’d had a close call in the previous election. And it was only through the divine intervention of Doug Finley’s ‘black ops’ group at Conservative headquarters that he managed to get himself re-elected,“ Duffy said in his third day of testimony in his own defence.

Gee I wonder where all this came from?

Maybe it had something to do with the horrific shooting and how all the gun nuts are conflating the shooter's name and background.

Anyways, read it and pass it on.

http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/10-most-popular-and-wrong-arguments-gun-advocates-make

Let the establishment media and the right-wing bitch about Trudeau and his kids' nannies all they want.

It frankly is better this way.

For one thing, the vast majority of the country is behind the person who was legally elected in the last Federal election, so we as taxpayers have no issue shouldering his kids' care being taken care of. It's called socialized healthcare - something both the right-wing base and establishment media cannot accept.

And for another, if this is really the best they can do, then it's better to keep both occupied with such trivial matters while the Liberal Government can actually focus on more important issues, like addressing Global Warming, Fixing our infrastructure and health care and education, and restoring Canada's place as an international diplomat.

For fucks sake, leave 'em alone!

I mean really.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3337946/AC-DC-s-Brian-Johnson-Cliff-Williams-fend-fans-dinner-Indian-restaurant.html

How I wish ...

... Guns 'n Roses would re-unite.

Even if Izzy isn't involved, maybe he'd make guest appearances?

Another guitar I'd like to have

http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/Yamaha_SG2000

This does not look good for the NHL.

http://www.tsn.ca/former-players-ctv-s-w5-petition-court-to-unseal-secret-nhl-emails-1.402067

"Well, the prognosis on this kid isn't good," McKenzie wrote. "Sounds like he might not make it. If it happened in the NHL, what do you think the fallout would be? Hockey player dies or is brain dead as a result of a fight, hitting his head on the ice. It's the game's worst nightmare."

The first section of Campbell's reply is redacted. He then writes: "It is certainly scary... stand back a [sic] try and knock the guy out so he falls down on something as hard as concrete... and to think they throw off their helmets lots of times!!!! I guess if I had real balls I would go public and go hard but I won't."

This is the kind of 'sport' that they pass as 'entertainment' when you have goons running the league - pure and simple.

What America isn't.

At least, not anymore.

http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/5-depressing-signs-america-just-isnt-country-it-used-be

While Edward Snowden and Chelsea Manning and John Kiriakou are vilified for revealing vital information about spying and bombing and torture, a man who conspired with Goldman Sachs to make billions of dollars on the planned failure of subprime mortgages was honored by New York University for his "Outstanding Contributions to Society."

1. A House Bill Would View Corporate Crimes as 'Honest Mistakes'
2. Unpaid Taxes of 500 Companies Could Pay for a Job for Every Unemployed American
3. Almost 2/3 of American Families Couldn't Afford a Single Pill of a Life-Saving Drug
4. Violent Crime Down, Prison Population Doubles
5. One in Four Americans Suffer Mental Illness, Mental Health Facilities Cut by 90%    

Think fighting still has a place in the NHL?

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl-asks-canadian-court-to-order-pa-doctors-to-hand-over-files-on-fights-deaths-injuries-1.400359

Think fighting still has a place in the NHL?

"Specifically, the NHL wants access to the consultants’ documents related to fighting during NHL games, documents compiling the incidence of concussions, and documents relating to informing or warning any NHL players of the potential effects of sustaining repeated concussions.

The league wants the NHLPA consultants to hand over their documents related to the deaths of NHL players Derek Boogaard, Wade Belak, Rick Rypien and Richard Martin, as well as documents related to the deaths of former National Football League players Mike Webster, Dave Duerson and Junior Seau."

Blogging it going to be light the rest of the year.

My quota has been met.

Plus I've been having a few things to deal with that don't allow me to focus or post as much as before.

But don't worry - I should be back by the end of the year with some thoughts.

Hey Henry Weinhard ...

... don't call your fucking products 'gourmet' when they have high fructose corn syrup in them.

That reeks of bullshit.

All the more reason food should be labeled if it contains genetically modified ingredients.

I don't care what AquaBounty Technologies or the USDA says. If corporations want to corrupt the government into deluding the public that their products are somehow 'safe' or won't cause any health issues, that's their decision.

I - as a customer however - don't want to be part of it.

And in order to protect both myself and my family - I have the right to know whether the fish prepared is frankenfood or not, so I won't be duped into eating it.

That's where having a GMO label informs and helps me choose to avoid it.

And I thought I've seen every thing.

Pacific Ocean all to ourselves

Evidently go a week before a major holiday.

Sunset in Long Beach, WA.

A Community Event location worth remembering

Sigh - I remember a time when taking time off from work was something to look forward to.

I would get a lot of songs written.

I would get a lot of sleep.

I'd watch lots of movies.

I'd get laid.

Nowadays, I'd just like all the aches and pains and troubles to just not be there.

What a day it was in 1985 ...

... courtesy Wikipedia.

1985 – Calvin and Hobbes, a comic strip by Bill Watterson that was at its height one of the most popular in the world, was first published.

We must resist the urge to resort to violence.

Whether it's dealing with bombings that occur, or difficult people in our individual lives.

Our failure to let rational and critical thinking overcome our emotions, is our greatest weakness as a species.

More runaround in America.

If you are one of the many millions of readers of this blog, you'll know how much I loathe the American Healthcare system.

• Trying to get an appointment with my doctor takes weeks, if not months.
• None of my ailments ever seem to get cured.
• My so-called doctor seems to always want to redirect me to some specialist because evidently because none of my ailments are general enough for a general practitioner.
• The office communicates in the most oh-so-very-nice fashion that you must give 24 hours notice to cancel AND you must be 15 minutes early to any appointment (under the implied threat of a 'fine')
• However THEY can cancel or fuck you at will with no consequence or accountability. Never mind that I have to normally work in an office and have to make other arrangements to get my work done - NO! None of that matters.

"The worst thing you can do is get in the way."

Context:

Ultimately, Soucie says, Revolv's goal is to create a "conscious home" that adapts seamlessly to your lifestyle. But today the focus is on not taking too much for granted. "The worst thing you can do," he says, "is get in the way."

Well goodness me, no sense in letting technology run one's life. Seems to me another term for getting in the way of that 'conscious home' is uh ...living?

Ironically, this came from an article supposed about testing and the 'Internet of Things' -

Testing the Internet of Things: Can smart devices be united into an integrated whole?

by Robert L. Mitchell

What - no massive housing bubble waiting to burst you say?

"It's not 2008". Yes. That's true.

This bubble is much worse ...

 

http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2015/11/9/1447788/-The-massive-real-estate-bubble-that-no-one-is-talking-about?detail=email

They don't make singers like this anymore.

I nearly shot a load when I saw this!

I love Gibson Explorers.

I love guitars with three humbuckers.

I never thought I'd live to see the day where both would exist in the same guitar.

But here you have it.

http://www.freewebs.com/groovymusiclessons/apps/photos/photo?photoid=152105601

1978 Gibson Explorer 3 Pickups. The Only Real One That Exists. Thanks to Don Thorvnd who saw Phil X demonstrating it on Fretted Americana and I called David Brass and he was the most professional shop owner to date that I've worked with. Fretted Americana is easily the best buying experience I've ever had. So, again, thanks to Don, Phil X and David for landing me this axe. A Rare 'Triple-Humbucker' Explorer. This 'Second Version' Explorer is one of just 3,656 guitars made between 1976 and 1979 and weighs 9.40 lbs. Solid mahogany body and one-piece mahogany neck with a nut width of 1 11/16 inches, a scale length of 24 3/4 inches and wonderful medium-to-thick profile. Black faced headstock with pearl inlaid "Gibson" logo. Gold-plated, bell-shaped truss rod cover secured by two screws. Individual 'two-line' Gibson [Kluson Deluxe] tuners with oval metal buttons. Serial number "71598230" stamped in blind on back of headstock. Rosewood fretboard with 22 original jumbo frets and pearloid dot markers. Two Gibson Series Vll humbucking pickups in the neck and bridge position with outputs of 5.15k and 7.40k respectively. One Gibson Patent No. Humbucker (stamped on the underside "2,737,842") in the middle position with an output of 4.42k. The middle position pickup is activated by a push-pull switching sysyem on the second volume control. Single-layer black plastic pickguard with eight screws. Three controls (two volume, one tone) plus three-way pickup selector switch. The potentiometers are stamped "137 7812" and "137 7843" (CTS, March & October 1978). Gold plastic barrel-shaped 'speed' control knobs. Gibson ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic retainer bridge with metal saddles, separate stud tailpiece. All hardware gold-plated. This very unusual guitar is in near mint (9.25) condition with just a few very tiny and insignificant surface marks. Housed in the original Gibson three-latch, rectangular black hardshell case with black leather ends and burgundy plush lining (9.00).