Once again, I was basking in the beauty of Kawaikui Beach Park at 7:45am this morning. This latest addendum to my urban nomad ritual has been refreshing. Only one of the homeless guys was there. He was, as usual, stationed at concrete picnic table at the West end of the park. As far as he is concerned, that is his home. Even when he leaves, he places a few of his possessions on on the table to reserve it. He seems to follow a ritual of sorts. One characteristic that I have observed is that he is in no hurry to be anywhere. After retrieving his morning coffee from Mickey Dee's® in the Aina Haina Shopping Center, he returns to the park. He smokes his pipe and performs odd chores before he eventually rides the bus somewhere. He is not the typical homeless guy.
I was a little restless this morning. My mind seemed to be preoccupied, but I had no idea about what. I was also clearly agitated but, again, I had no idea about what. I finally walked back to Slob Manor (read: rental housing), gathered up my gym bag, and drove off to Hawai'i Kai in my Nissan® Frontier truck.
Moms was home when I arrived. My nephew was playing a video game which, according to moms, he does all day and night. Moms and I made a stop at City Mill in the Hawai'i Kai Towne Center. Moms purchased a couple of large bags of potting soil. Then, we ended up at Koko Marina. For lunch, moms and I ate at Zippy's. For some strange reason, I was given two scoops of rice and a scoop of macaroni salad instead of garlic bread. Rice with spaghetti? Sheesh!
Later, moms shopped for groceries at Foodland. Moms also purchased some sushi at Kozo Sushi. For dessert, moms served Foremost® vanilla ice cream. I departed at 12:50pm. Moms was feeling a little "under the weather," so I did not want to prolong my visit.
I spent a little time at Koko Head Park. Then, I drove back to Koko Marina, parked my truck, walked to the gym, performed my usual workout, and shopped for groceries at Foodland. The supermarket was packed with idiots. The checkout lines were extremely long. No doubt, there is going to be a lot of revelry this evening. However, the ol' lavahead will not be amongst the fools. There is nothing to celebrate. And, there are far too many decent people suffering in the world. I need not be so arrogant as to rub my comfortable, albeit squalid, life-style in their faces.
I was back at Slob Manor by 5pm. Moms gave me some sushi, so that is what I ate for dinner along with a small portion of veggie "rations." There was no celebratory dinner. Most celebration foods cause me "regularity" problems anyway. Who needs that? My evening will follow the same nauseating routine. You know the drill.
The one and only reader of the "blog" may wonder why I have refrained from making any kind of social commentary in the last few weeks. I have essentially returned to the redundant postings of yore. To be honest, I am completely fed up with the "system." And, it took the whole 1.5 years of "freedom" from wage slavery to bring me to that point. Let me explain. I have spent a good portion of my free time reading and researching modern history and relevant current affairs, an activity that most wage slaves have no time for. I have probably learned more about my role as a citizen of the empire and the nature of the empire itself. Sadly, I now believe that every citizen of the empire should have been required to do the same reading and research. Perhaps we would not be in the dire predicament that we find ourselves in right now has we been a more informed populace.
I have made a point to surround myself in some kind of natural environment during at least one portion of my day. I want to balance out the sordid life-style that most of us are forced to live within. There is really no sense in delineating any issues in the "blog." With only one legitimate reader, a bibliography ever now and then should suffice. The majority of visitors are unquestionably searching for pictures of young hotties. The facts speak for themselves. Nobody really cares much about anything except what satiates the inner demons. Take the recent atrocity in Gaza as perpetrated by those dreadful Israeli Zionists. The empire supports and condones those actions and, hence, the empire's citizenry is complicit in the genocide as well.
The only thing that seems to concern the empire's citizens universally is what is appearing on the tube. Yes, the tube ... the piece of shit that sits like a shrine in the living room of every home. Once can easily understand why the empire is willing to subsidize the purchase of converter boxes for when tube broadcasting goes digital in February. The empire wants to make sure that mass hypnosis of the masses is maintained while the "wool is being pulled over their eyes."
Well, it is now New Year's Eve. My question is, "So what?" People will turn into fools. The satanic gargoyles will come out at night with their kabuki masks. Money and cheap booze will be flowing like water. Yet, what is the outcome. Tomorrow will be same (or worse) than today. The crap is only beginning. So, what is there to celebrate?
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Beach Blanket Bonzo
Another urban nomad kind-of-a-day commenced with a visit to Kawaikui Beach Park at 7:35am this morning. I brought my breakfast (i.e., a banana and a cup of granola) with me. One of the homeless guys was a sleep in the pavilion structure. The other homeless guy who stakes out the concrete picnic table at the West end of the park was gone. However, he left a few of his belongings on the table. A few other belongings were hanging on a tree trunk. The sky was overcast again, but I enjoyed my time there. The other homeless guy returned a few minutes later. He casually put a few things in his backpack and walked toward the bus stop. He placed a cup of coffee next to sleeping homeless guy in the pavilion.
On the way out of the beach park, I saw the one homeless guy still sitting at the bus stop. I walked back to Slob Manor (read: rental housing). I gathered up my gym bag and meandered out to the bus stop. The homeless guy was gone. I continued my normal urban nomad itinerary. You know the drill. I rode the bus to town. I sat in the inner courtyard of the library for the rest of the morning. At 12:35pm, I walked to the gym and dropped off my gym bag. I then sashayed to the Institute of Hair Design. The same Asian chick cut my hair again. I was careful to point out the same flaws. So, the haircut turned out to be acceptable.
I completed the usual workout at the gym. Then, I rode the bus back to Slob Manor. I ate the rudimentary veggie "rations" dinner and supplemented the latter with the same ol' panini grilled on my DeLonghi® "retro" contact grill and panini press. As for the evening, we can expect more of the same.
On the way out of the beach park, I saw the one homeless guy still sitting at the bus stop. I walked back to Slob Manor (read: rental housing). I gathered up my gym bag and meandered out to the bus stop. The homeless guy was gone. I continued my normal urban nomad itinerary. You know the drill. I rode the bus to town. I sat in the inner courtyard of the library for the rest of the morning. At 12:35pm, I walked to the gym and dropped off my gym bag. I then sashayed to the Institute of Hair Design. The same Asian chick cut my hair again. I was careful to point out the same flaws. So, the haircut turned out to be acceptable.
I completed the usual workout at the gym. Then, I rode the bus back to Slob Manor. I ate the rudimentary veggie "rations" dinner and supplemented the latter with the same ol' panini grilled on my DeLonghi® "retro" contact grill and panini press. As for the evening, we can expect more of the same.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Random Vectors
Well, as of late last night, Slob Manor (read: rental housing) is back to normal again. Only the pathetic ragtag group of misfits (i.e., tenants) are here. Is that good or bad? Who knows? Who cares?
I woke up at 7am this morning. I was on my way to Kawaikui Beach Park before 8am. The sky was overcast. The normally blue ocean was a dismal shade of grey. Yet, there was immense beauty in the natural surroundings. Only one of the homeless guys was in the park. He is the guy whom I most often see on the bus. He was sitting at the same concrete picnic table at the West end. He had a large towel laid out on the grass and held in place with plastic jugs full of water. Lying in the center of the towel was camping chair. The homeless guy sat at the concrete picnic table. He was in no particular hurry to go anywhere. Most of his possessions were sprawled out on the grass or hanging from the tree adjacent to the concrete picnic table.
I moved from one concrete picnic table to another, for no apparent reason. The homeless guy got up to do odd chores every now and then, but he ended up sitting in the exact same spot. I finally departed at 9am. I walked back to Slob Manor (read: rental housing). I gathered up my gym bag and Rubbermaid® cooler. Within a few short minutes, I was on my way to Hawai'i Kai in my Nissan® Frontier truck.
Moms was home when I arrived. So was my nephew, who has been on vacation for a week. My nephew was playing video games, as he always does when he's home. The new Sony® widescreen 37-inch LCD HD tube was sitting like a shrine in the living room. My nephew provided the details. My sister-in-law apparently won a 19-inch LCD tube in a contest. She was able to trade up to the 37-incher for $400 more. Of course, with the big push for HD-TV by February, most tube watchers are opting to purchase extravagant widescreen LCD or plasma tubes.
Moms and I made the usual rounds ... Longs® in Kuapa Kai and Foodland in Koko Marina. For lunch, moms served leftover ham, lamp-baked chicken, fresh vegetables, and rice. For dessert, we ate Best Yet® vanilla ice cream. After lunch, I sat in favorite chair from days long past. I almost lapsed into a coma. The time came to be 1:45pm.
I bid farewell to moms and drove directly to Koko Marina. I found shaded parking, walked to the gym and performed my usual workout. Once again, I moved up my workouts by one day since the gym will be closed on New Year's Day. I shopped for my own groceries at Foodland. On the way out, I chatted with a Foodland cashier. He said that the store ended up throwing out a lot of food after the power outage. That explained why the dairy section was almost completely empty. I noticed that at the Aina Haina Foodland yesterday. I was back at Slob Manor by 5pm. The evening? You know the drill.
My big toe is still hurting, but there is nothing that I can do about it. I have no health insurance. My tooth, the one that was replaced by a crown, is still giving me grief. I suspect that I have been grinding my teeth during various dream episodes at night. The grinding may have been shifting the crown incrementally at random vectors, thus causing undue discomfort.
I woke up at 7am this morning. I was on my way to Kawaikui Beach Park before 8am. The sky was overcast. The normally blue ocean was a dismal shade of grey. Yet, there was immense beauty in the natural surroundings. Only one of the homeless guys was in the park. He is the guy whom I most often see on the bus. He was sitting at the same concrete picnic table at the West end. He had a large towel laid out on the grass and held in place with plastic jugs full of water. Lying in the center of the towel was camping chair. The homeless guy sat at the concrete picnic table. He was in no particular hurry to go anywhere. Most of his possessions were sprawled out on the grass or hanging from the tree adjacent to the concrete picnic table.
I moved from one concrete picnic table to another, for no apparent reason. The homeless guy got up to do odd chores every now and then, but he ended up sitting in the exact same spot. I finally departed at 9am. I walked back to Slob Manor (read: rental housing). I gathered up my gym bag and Rubbermaid® cooler. Within a few short minutes, I was on my way to Hawai'i Kai in my Nissan® Frontier truck.
Moms was home when I arrived. So was my nephew, who has been on vacation for a week. My nephew was playing video games, as he always does when he's home. The new Sony® widescreen 37-inch LCD HD tube was sitting like a shrine in the living room. My nephew provided the details. My sister-in-law apparently won a 19-inch LCD tube in a contest. She was able to trade up to the 37-incher for $400 more. Of course, with the big push for HD-TV by February, most tube watchers are opting to purchase extravagant widescreen LCD or plasma tubes.
Moms and I made the usual rounds ... Longs® in Kuapa Kai and Foodland in Koko Marina. For lunch, moms served leftover ham, lamp-baked chicken, fresh vegetables, and rice. For dessert, we ate Best Yet® vanilla ice cream. After lunch, I sat in favorite chair from days long past. I almost lapsed into a coma. The time came to be 1:45pm.
I bid farewell to moms and drove directly to Koko Marina. I found shaded parking, walked to the gym and performed my usual workout. Once again, I moved up my workouts by one day since the gym will be closed on New Year's Day. I shopped for my own groceries at Foodland. On the way out, I chatted with a Foodland cashier. He said that the store ended up throwing out a lot of food after the power outage. That explained why the dairy section was almost completely empty. I noticed that at the Aina Haina Foodland yesterday. I was back at Slob Manor by 5pm. The evening? You know the drill.
My big toe is still hurting, but there is nothing that I can do about it. I have no health insurance. My tooth, the one that was replaced by a crown, is still giving me grief. I suspect that I have been grinding my teeth during various dream episodes at night. The grinding may have been shifting the crown incrementally at random vectors, thus causing undue discomfort.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
View from the Bottom (Reprise)
Another urban nomad kind-of-a-Sunday ... well, not exactly. I woke up fairly early this morning. At 8am, I walked to Kawaikui Beach Park. I brought my brunch (i.e., a banana and a cup of granola) with me. I was able to enjoy the view of the ocean. I was also privy to see a colorful rainbow spanning over the mountain range behind me. There is almost no way to put a price on the whole experience. I had to ask myself why I rarely walked to the tiny beach park in the last year that I've lived at Slob Manor (read: rental housing).
I verified that there are at least three homeless guys living in Kawaikui Beach Park. Aside from the two that I identified yesterday, there is another guy who owns a bicycle. Two of the guys appear to sleep in the small pavilion. I am not sure where the third guy sleeps, but he has stationed himself at one of the concrete picnic tables at the West end of the beach. While they may not believe it, the three homeless guys are in the elite of the homeless. They are living in the midst of million dollar estates, and they are afforded the same beachfront view at a fraction of the living cost.
I returned to Slob Manor just in time to retrieve my gym bag and walk to the bus stop. I rode the bus to town at the usual time, but I walked straight to the gym after I alighted. Halfway through my workout, I was privy to espy the hottie gym trainer. Baby was working with a gym member. As always, baby was looking mighty fine. On the way out of the gym at 1pm, I observed that baby was still at the gym. When I exited the gym, I was surprised to see rain coming down. I waited for a few minutes to see if the rain would stop. During that time, the hottie gym trainer and her female friend exited the gym. Baby was wearing the infamous tight green top that accentuates her abundant curves. What an awesome sight!
I was able to board the bus heading to Hawai'i Kai within a few minutes of arriving at the bus stop. I was back at Slob Manor by 2pm. Both Sushant, the Indian guy, and his sister were lounging around. The sister's vacation visit is apparently much longer than I had expected. Having an overnight guest at Slob Manor is actually prohibited by the landlord. And, it makes an already inconvenient situation even more inconvenient. With the kind of money that the Indian guy makes, I would have thought that he would have splurged and found a nice hotel room for his sister. Of course, the ol' lavahead is the only one who must endlessly make concessions.
I ate a veggie "rations" snack while I performed the dreaded laundry chores. After the deed was done, I drove my Nissan® Frontier truck to Foodland in the Aina Haina Shopping Center. The Indian guy and his sister apparently went out somewhere, so I had a slight reprieve from feeling like an unwelcome guest in my own place. For dinner, I called upon my DeLonghi® "retro" contact grill and panini press. Yes, the same panini again for dinner. Well, the evening will be more of the same. Yes, more of the same.
Unbelievable as it may seem, there are even more visitors to the "blog" who are solely in search of babe pictures. Take a look at the Feedjit® Live Feed and see for yourself.
So, once again, we must bait the fools and ask them to visit the Hottie Watch site instead. There's plenty of "eye candy" there. Please go there now!
I verified that there are at least three homeless guys living in Kawaikui Beach Park. Aside from the two that I identified yesterday, there is another guy who owns a bicycle. Two of the guys appear to sleep in the small pavilion. I am not sure where the third guy sleeps, but he has stationed himself at one of the concrete picnic tables at the West end of the beach. While they may not believe it, the three homeless guys are in the elite of the homeless. They are living in the midst of million dollar estates, and they are afforded the same beachfront view at a fraction of the living cost.
I returned to Slob Manor just in time to retrieve my gym bag and walk to the bus stop. I rode the bus to town at the usual time, but I walked straight to the gym after I alighted. Halfway through my workout, I was privy to espy the hottie gym trainer. Baby was working with a gym member. As always, baby was looking mighty fine. On the way out of the gym at 1pm, I observed that baby was still at the gym. When I exited the gym, I was surprised to see rain coming down. I waited for a few minutes to see if the rain would stop. During that time, the hottie gym trainer and her female friend exited the gym. Baby was wearing the infamous tight green top that accentuates her abundant curves. What an awesome sight!
I was able to board the bus heading to Hawai'i Kai within a few minutes of arriving at the bus stop. I was back at Slob Manor by 2pm. Both Sushant, the Indian guy, and his sister were lounging around. The sister's vacation visit is apparently much longer than I had expected. Having an overnight guest at Slob Manor is actually prohibited by the landlord. And, it makes an already inconvenient situation even more inconvenient. With the kind of money that the Indian guy makes, I would have thought that he would have splurged and found a nice hotel room for his sister. Of course, the ol' lavahead is the only one who must endlessly make concessions.
I ate a veggie "rations" snack while I performed the dreaded laundry chores. After the deed was done, I drove my Nissan® Frontier truck to Foodland in the Aina Haina Shopping Center. The Indian guy and his sister apparently went out somewhere, so I had a slight reprieve from feeling like an unwelcome guest in my own place. For dinner, I called upon my DeLonghi® "retro" contact grill and panini press. Yes, the same panini again for dinner. Well, the evening will be more of the same. Yes, more of the same.
Unbelievable as it may seem, there are even more visitors to the "blog" who are solely in search of babe pictures. Take a look at the Feedjit® Live Feed and see for yourself.
So, once again, we must bait the fools and ask them to visit the Hottie Watch site instead. There's plenty of "eye candy" there. Please go there now!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Big Toe Runaround
Last night, as I stumbled around in the dark in town, I almost tripped over the numerous homeless people who were sleeping in the doorways of various storefronts. Other derelicts were milling about, or sitting around and chain-smoking cigarettes. Would I be able to adjust to a life-style like that?
I did not sleep well at all last night. I have been suffering from excessive dreams almost every night for as long as I can remember. As always, I wake up several times during the night to take a break from the dreams and "drain the lizard." Last night, I discovered that I could still experience the same types of dreams even though I am not fully asleep. Then, each time that I woke up, I noticed that the power was still off.
I finally got up at 7am. I piddled around and tried to restore order to my squalid room since I had daylight available to see everything. Traffic was already hectic. Where were all of those fools going? Absolutely nothing was open for business without power. I walked to Kawaikui Beach Park shortly afterward. I brought my pathetic brunch (i.e., a banana and a cup of granola) with me. It took me almost five minutes to cross Kalani'ana'ole Highway. With the traffic signals out of commission, there was no rule in force. Some people stopped, treating all intersections as four-way stops, while other sped through carelessly. I did want to risk my life.
I spent about two hours at the beach park. I sat on a variety of benches. I observed two homeless guys, both of whom I see on the bus frequently. Apparently, they live in the beach park. I watched as one of them hid his sleeping bag and belongings behind a bush at the far end of the park before he departed on his homeless guy itinerary. I ate my brunch and viewed the ocean. Yet, I was not completely relaxed. While I walking back to Slob Manor, I stepped on a pile of dog shit (read: dung). More grief for the ol' lavahead.
A full 16 hours of the power outage had elapsed when I returned from the beach park. I did not know what to do, aside from washing off the dog shit from my slippers (read: slippahs). I finally walked out to my truck to listen to the radio. All of the radio stations were back on the air. I figured that power must have been restored, at least in town. I gathered up my gym bag and rode the bus to town. I had thought of driving out to Hawai'i Kai, but that would have been risky. There was no telling when the power would be restored out there. I could spend hours waiting for the gym to open, if at all. On the way, I observed that the Kahala area already had power. So, I was relieved that I was not making the trip to town in vain. Before I departed, I had moved my perishable food to the freezer of the big side-by-side refrigerator downstairs. The freezer section was full and it also has an ice maker with a bin full of ice, so I was certain that it would remain cold for several more hours. The interior of the refrigerator on the second floor was already warm.
Once in town, I made my way directly to the gym. I performed my usual workout, then made the return trip to Slob Manor. As the us passed the library, I felt a little chagrined because I was not able to spend time there. I had to make one transfer along the way. The wait for the next bus was annoying. I kept thinking about my food spoiling, although I was now more afraid of returning to find the power restored and all my food completely frozen.
When the bus entered Aina Haina, I noticed that the traffic signals were functioning. I finally set foot in Slob Manor at 3pm. The power was restored. From what I could tell, it had been turned on for only a few minutes prior to my arrival. I was slightly relieved. While moving my food back to the second floor refrigerator, I stubbed my right big toe on the steps. Blood formed under my toenail. More grief. I cursed at the stupidity of the whole day. Later, I cleaned out the ice maker for the downstairs side-by-side refrigerator. The ice cubes in the bin had melted together into one big lump. Using the automatic ice dispenser would have surely broken something. Besides that, no one else would even consider the chore.
By 5pm, my big toe was swollen and somewhat numb. I made one panini using the same ingredients and grilled it on my DeLonghi® "retro" contact grill and panini press. Strangely, the panini tasted really good. Well, I don't plan on doing much this evening, that is, unless there is another power outage. Sheesh!
The whole power outage fiasco lasted 19 hours, much longer than the more serious earthquake scenario of two years ago. Whassup wi' dat. So far, the cause of the outage was allegedly a bolt of lightening that struck a regional transformer. As an engineer, I can truly appreciate how ludicrous that sounds. There is no way that a small regional problem would bring down an entire power network. Yet, here in Hawai'i, it happened. HECO will no doubt face even more scrutiny and criticism for the latest débâcle. Yet, nothing will change.
On a side note, I have commenced work on my net worth spreadsheet in order to have the annual "finalized" version completed before the end of next month. I will pleasantly surprised if my net worth has not decreased significantly. Of course, we are looking at "paper" assets, which may or may not be meaningless.
I did not sleep well at all last night. I have been suffering from excessive dreams almost every night for as long as I can remember. As always, I wake up several times during the night to take a break from the dreams and "drain the lizard." Last night, I discovered that I could still experience the same types of dreams even though I am not fully asleep. Then, each time that I woke up, I noticed that the power was still off.
I finally got up at 7am. I piddled around and tried to restore order to my squalid room since I had daylight available to see everything. Traffic was already hectic. Where were all of those fools going? Absolutely nothing was open for business without power. I walked to Kawaikui Beach Park shortly afterward. I brought my pathetic brunch (i.e., a banana and a cup of granola) with me. It took me almost five minutes to cross Kalani'ana'ole Highway. With the traffic signals out of commission, there was no rule in force. Some people stopped, treating all intersections as four-way stops, while other sped through carelessly. I did want to risk my life.
I spent about two hours at the beach park. I sat on a variety of benches. I observed two homeless guys, both of whom I see on the bus frequently. Apparently, they live in the beach park. I watched as one of them hid his sleeping bag and belongings behind a bush at the far end of the park before he departed on his homeless guy itinerary. I ate my brunch and viewed the ocean. Yet, I was not completely relaxed. While I walking back to Slob Manor, I stepped on a pile of dog shit (read: dung). More grief for the ol' lavahead.
A full 16 hours of the power outage had elapsed when I returned from the beach park. I did not know what to do, aside from washing off the dog shit from my slippers (read: slippahs). I finally walked out to my truck to listen to the radio. All of the radio stations were back on the air. I figured that power must have been restored, at least in town. I gathered up my gym bag and rode the bus to town. I had thought of driving out to Hawai'i Kai, but that would have been risky. There was no telling when the power would be restored out there. I could spend hours waiting for the gym to open, if at all. On the way, I observed that the Kahala area already had power. So, I was relieved that I was not making the trip to town in vain. Before I departed, I had moved my perishable food to the freezer of the big side-by-side refrigerator downstairs. The freezer section was full and it also has an ice maker with a bin full of ice, so I was certain that it would remain cold for several more hours. The interior of the refrigerator on the second floor was already warm.
Once in town, I made my way directly to the gym. I performed my usual workout, then made the return trip to Slob Manor. As the us passed the library, I felt a little chagrined because I was not able to spend time there. I had to make one transfer along the way. The wait for the next bus was annoying. I kept thinking about my food spoiling, although I was now more afraid of returning to find the power restored and all my food completely frozen.
When the bus entered Aina Haina, I noticed that the traffic signals were functioning. I finally set foot in Slob Manor at 3pm. The power was restored. From what I could tell, it had been turned on for only a few minutes prior to my arrival. I was slightly relieved. While moving my food back to the second floor refrigerator, I stubbed my right big toe on the steps. Blood formed under my toenail. More grief. I cursed at the stupidity of the whole day. Later, I cleaned out the ice maker for the downstairs side-by-side refrigerator. The ice cubes in the bin had melted together into one big lump. Using the automatic ice dispenser would have surely broken something. Besides that, no one else would even consider the chore.
By 5pm, my big toe was swollen and somewhat numb. I made one panini using the same ingredients and grilled it on my DeLonghi® "retro" contact grill and panini press. Strangely, the panini tasted really good. Well, I don't plan on doing much this evening, that is, unless there is another power outage. Sheesh!
The whole power outage fiasco lasted 19 hours, much longer than the more serious earthquake scenario of two years ago. Whassup wi' dat. So far, the cause of the outage was allegedly a bolt of lightening that struck a regional transformer. As an engineer, I can truly appreciate how ludicrous that sounds. There is no way that a small regional problem would bring down an entire power network. Yet, here in Hawai'i, it happened. HECO will no doubt face even more scrutiny and criticism for the latest débâcle. Yet, nothing will change.
On a side note, I have commenced work on my net worth spreadsheet in order to have the annual "finalized" version completed before the end of next month. I will pleasantly surprised if my net worth has not decreased significantly. Of course, we are looking at "paper" assets, which may or may not be meaningless.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Magneto Madness
Another urban nomad kind-of-a-day found the urban nomad at a loss about what he should do for the day. Rather than ride the bus to town, the urban nomad made a last minute decision to drive his Nissan® Frontier truck to Kahala Mall. Actually, he was planning to ride the bus there, but his dillydallying caused him to miss the bus.
I spent most of the time in the Barnes & Noble® Café sipping decaffeinated coffee and perusing a few magazines. The store eventually was overcome by a mob of bargain post-Saturnalia shoppers. So, that was my cue to leave. As I was driving to Hawai'i Kai, I noticed a truck drive past me that looked like my bro's truck. In the bed was a big-ass box ... a Sony® HD widescreen tube. From the size of the box, I estimated that it was at least a 42-incher. When I observed that the driver was going in exactly the same direction that I was, I realized that he was indeed my bro.
I made my way to Koko Head Park. I brought my pathetic lunch (i.e., a banana and a cup of granola) with me. Essentially, I wandered around the park exactly as I did yesterday. I sat in various locations. After 2.5 hours of that benign activity, I drove to Koko Marina. After finding parking, I walked to the gym, performed my usual workout, treated myself to two Cheesy Double Beef Burritos at Taco Bell®, shopped at Foodland, and returned to Slob Manor (read: rental housing) by 5pm.
I was pretty much settled in with my Toshiba® Satellite notebook computer when the power went out at 6:45pm. I shut down my computer gracefully. Then, I stumbled around to locate my generic magneto flashlight (made in China) that was stuffed in my storage gym bag. I walked outside and noted that the power outage stetched as far as the eye could see. A few minutes later, I meandered down the side street where my truck was parked. I used the truck's radio to listen for any news. The story at the time was that lightening had hit a transformer and triggered the shutdown of almost the entire island's electrical power network. Only Makakilo and Kapolei had power. There were no time estimates for restoration of service. The big earthquake of two years ago (see October 15, 2006 "blog") was last time there was an island-wide power outage. Service was not restored for 14 hours.
With nothing else to do, I decided to ride the bus to town at 8:45pm. Along the way, the bus picked up quite a few people. Where were they going? Almost two hours had elapsed since the power failure began, yet there were myriad fools driving around in their 4000- and 6000-pound motorized chairs (read: automobiles). I, myself, was certainly not going to drive, what will all of the traffic signals out of commission and all.
Town was completely dark when I alighted the bus. Fortunately, I brought my generic magneto flashlight with me. I made my way to the Post Office to retrieve my mail. Well, that's a good time to receive the news that the "condotel" unit was once again $350 short of breaking even. In addition, there was an invoice for $200 charging me for sheets and linens. That's the new ploy of the Aqua management to suck more money out of the owners.
I waited for the next bus heading back toward Hawai'i Kai. When all was said and done, I was back in my squalid room at Slob Manor by 11pm. The power was still off. Sushant, the Indian guy, and his sister were already back and asleep. I attempted to go to sleep, but I was bothered by the stupidity of the power outage. I assumed that the power would be off for at least 14 hours again. I was even more perturbed that all of my perishable foods would probably have to be discarded. What a waste!
I spent most of the time in the Barnes & Noble® Café sipping decaffeinated coffee and perusing a few magazines. The store eventually was overcome by a mob of bargain post-Saturnalia shoppers. So, that was my cue to leave. As I was driving to Hawai'i Kai, I noticed a truck drive past me that looked like my bro's truck. In the bed was a big-ass box ... a Sony® HD widescreen tube. From the size of the box, I estimated that it was at least a 42-incher. When I observed that the driver was going in exactly the same direction that I was, I realized that he was indeed my bro.
I made my way to Koko Head Park. I brought my pathetic lunch (i.e., a banana and a cup of granola) with me. Essentially, I wandered around the park exactly as I did yesterday. I sat in various locations. After 2.5 hours of that benign activity, I drove to Koko Marina. After finding parking, I walked to the gym, performed my usual workout, treated myself to two Cheesy Double Beef Burritos at Taco Bell®, shopped at Foodland, and returned to Slob Manor (read: rental housing) by 5pm.
I was pretty much settled in with my Toshiba® Satellite notebook computer when the power went out at 6:45pm. I shut down my computer gracefully. Then, I stumbled around to locate my generic magneto flashlight (made in China) that was stuffed in my storage gym bag. I walked outside and noted that the power outage stetched as far as the eye could see. A few minutes later, I meandered down the side street where my truck was parked. I used the truck's radio to listen for any news. The story at the time was that lightening had hit a transformer and triggered the shutdown of almost the entire island's electrical power network. Only Makakilo and Kapolei had power. There were no time estimates for restoration of service. The big earthquake of two years ago (see October 15, 2006 "blog") was last time there was an island-wide power outage. Service was not restored for 14 hours.
With nothing else to do, I decided to ride the bus to town at 8:45pm. Along the way, the bus picked up quite a few people. Where were they going? Almost two hours had elapsed since the power failure began, yet there were myriad fools driving around in their 4000- and 6000-pound motorized chairs (read: automobiles). I, myself, was certainly not going to drive, what will all of the traffic signals out of commission and all.
Town was completely dark when I alighted the bus. Fortunately, I brought my generic magneto flashlight with me. I made my way to the Post Office to retrieve my mail. Well, that's a good time to receive the news that the "condotel" unit was once again $350 short of breaking even. In addition, there was an invoice for $200 charging me for sheets and linens. That's the new ploy of the Aqua management to suck more money out of the owners.
I waited for the next bus heading back toward Hawai'i Kai. When all was said and done, I was back in my squalid room at Slob Manor by 11pm. The power was still off. Sushant, the Indian guy, and his sister were already back and asleep. I attempted to go to sleep, but I was bothered by the stupidity of the power outage. I assumed that the power would be off for at least 14 hours again. I was even more perturbed that all of my perishable foods would probably have to be discarded. What a waste!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Saturnalia 2008
I was up and about fairly early this morning. First on the agenda ... wash my Nissan® Frontier truck. Holidays are always a good time to wash my truck. And, I cleaned the interior with my Dirt Devil® Quick Power® handheld vacuum cleaner. Second on the agenda ... perform the dreaded laundry chores. That left nothing else for me to do for the rest of the day, and the time was only 11am. Sheesh! I made another attempt to gain redemption for my DeLonghi® "retro" contact grill and panini press. I carefully constructed the same panini that I made yesterday. I used more marinara sauce and spread the latter evenly on both pieces of bread. The panini actually tasted good. What is missing, of course, is a coating of virgin olive oil on the exposed sides of the bread (before grilling). Incidentally, I can also use the DeLonghi® "retro" contact grill and Panini press to cook regular grilled sandwiches, burritos, and quesadillas. I have nixed the blasphemous idea of using it to grill meats or fish. If it was a plain George Foreman® grill, then, yes, I would cook anything on it. However, we are talking about the DeLonghi® "retro" contact grill and Panini press, for goodness sake.
At noon, I drove West to Hawai'i Kai. I spent 2.5 hours at Koko Head Park. I meandered from one place to another. I sat on various benches. I observed nature. I ruminated about life. What more can I say? Without the gym, though, I was at a loss to derive any sense of purpose. I ended up at Koko Marina for no apparent purpose at 2:30pm. I wandered around and noted that only a few places were open for business. Rather than attempt the jaunt to Safeway® in Kuapa Kai, I simply purchased a pack Futomaki Sushi at Kozo Sushi.
I was back in my squalid room at Slob Manor (read: rental housing) by 3:30pm. I took a shower in the filthy bathtub. Fortunately, I had sprayed it down liberally with chlorine bleach two days ago. There are only two days in the entire year that I don't shower at the gym. The rest of the day? Can you say, "Same ol' shit"? Let's wax nostalgic for a bit. Here's an excerpt from the "blog" of two years ago:
At noon, I drove West to Hawai'i Kai. I spent 2.5 hours at Koko Head Park. I meandered from one place to another. I sat on various benches. I observed nature. I ruminated about life. What more can I say? Without the gym, though, I was at a loss to derive any sense of purpose. I ended up at Koko Marina for no apparent purpose at 2:30pm. I wandered around and noted that only a few places were open for business. Rather than attempt the jaunt to Safeway® in Kuapa Kai, I simply purchased a pack Futomaki Sushi at Kozo Sushi.
I was back in my squalid room at Slob Manor (read: rental housing) by 3:30pm. I took a shower in the filthy bathtub. Fortunately, I had sprayed it down liberally with chlorine bleach two days ago. There are only two days in the entire year that I don't shower at the gym. The rest of the day? Can you say, "Same ol' shit"? Let's wax nostalgic for a bit. Here's an excerpt from the "blog" of two years ago:
I am the lone wanderer. A non-celebrant of Saturnalia. A monk. Some may even call me "Scrooge." I had nowhere to go, nothing to do, no one to see on this day. I received no Saturnalia presents. No Saturnalia cards. No phone calls. No manic moments. And, I was happy for that. On the positive side, I was not popping medication to sedate my shopping withdrawal. And, I did not become bored with the crappy gifts that I thought I really wanted. I will not have to face a huge credit card debt next year. Merry Saturnalia! And, "good will" to all!Nothing has changed, eh? In any case, I have a few snacks and a carton of Meadow Gold® Egg Nog (non-alcoholic) to pass the night away along with my Toshiba® Satellite notebook computer. What more do I need?
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Panini Putz (Reprise)
Another day in Hawai'i Kai found moms and I at Koko Marina. Moms and I ate lunch at Yummy's Korean Barbeque. Then, moms shopped at Foodland. Later, moms served up Foremost® vanilla ice cream for dessert. I departed at 12:30pm.
I spent only a little time at Koko Head Park. Then, I drove back to Koko Marina, parked my Nissan® Frontier truck, walked to the gym, and performed my usual workout. The gym was closing at 4pm this afternoon, so I had to expedite my schedule. I sat outside for the longest time on one of the benches overlooking the parking lot. The place was a madhouse. I waited until the commotion settled. Then, I did my own grocery shopping at Foodland. Sadly, there was still a decent sized mob there, and the fools were all acting up. I eventually exited the store and was glad to return to the squalidness of Slob Manor (read: rental housing).
I finally unboxed my DeLonghi® "retro" contact grill and panini press. Thus, I specifically purchased panini ingredients when I was at Foodland including Tutu's deli-style bread, Crystal Farms® sliced provolone and mozzarella cheese, and a bottle of Classico® marinara sauce. I anticipated an excellent panini while I was heating up the grill. Sadly, I was disappointed by the bland result. Even more disappointing was the fact that I had spent over $20 for the ingredients. I am now hard-pressed to determine the disposition of the DeLonghi® "retro" contact grill and panini press. Should I donate it to Goodwill?
A few people may assume that I am a lousy cook. That's not so, my friends. However, as you may recall, I have discovered that most food is inedible. The reason? The food itself is either carcinogenic or poisonous. Knowing that fact has significantly reduced my acceptable list of food. Cheese is a marginal food item as well. So, what left? Should I commence eating poisonous or carcinogenic food? Or, should I use the DeLonghi® "retro" contact grill and Panini press to toast bread slices?
I spent only a little time at Koko Head Park. Then, I drove back to Koko Marina, parked my Nissan® Frontier truck, walked to the gym, and performed my usual workout. The gym was closing at 4pm this afternoon, so I had to expedite my schedule. I sat outside for the longest time on one of the benches overlooking the parking lot. The place was a madhouse. I waited until the commotion settled. Then, I did my own grocery shopping at Foodland. Sadly, there was still a decent sized mob there, and the fools were all acting up. I eventually exited the store and was glad to return to the squalidness of Slob Manor (read: rental housing).
I finally unboxed my DeLonghi® "retro" contact grill and panini press. Thus, I specifically purchased panini ingredients when I was at Foodland including Tutu's deli-style bread, Crystal Farms® sliced provolone and mozzarella cheese, and a bottle of Classico® marinara sauce. I anticipated an excellent panini while I was heating up the grill. Sadly, I was disappointed by the bland result. Even more disappointing was the fact that I had spent over $20 for the ingredients. I am now hard-pressed to determine the disposition of the DeLonghi® "retro" contact grill and panini press. Should I donate it to Goodwill?
A few people may assume that I am a lousy cook. That's not so, my friends. However, as you may recall, I have discovered that most food is inedible. The reason? The food itself is either carcinogenic or poisonous. Knowing that fact has significantly reduced my acceptable list of food. Cheese is a marginal food item as well. So, what left? Should I commence eating poisonous or carcinogenic food? Or, should I use the DeLonghi® "retro" contact grill and Panini press to toast bread slices?
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Ponzi Putz
I received e-mail from long-time reader Danno (formerly of Puerto Rico), which is a partial reason why I engaged in a mini-diatribe in the "blog" yesterday. He has expressed concern for my ultimate welfare, that is, what the future has in store for the ol' lavahead. I am, of course, quite concerned about that myself. Currently being "retired" and being robbed blind by the "system," I have been reduced to worry about how long I can hold out in the empire. There is almost no question in my mind that I will have to expatriate myself to another land in order to survive. The empire has become a cold and crafty place, one where the elite class is expanding its pogrom to systematically devastate the lower classes of peons. I already know that I may not survive when the already terrible conditions worsen.
Another urban nomad kind-of-a-day has been remummified for archaeological purposes. We know the urban nomad itinerary. We know the drill. As I continued to read Robert Parry's book, "Trick or Treason," in the inner courtyard of the library, I experienced what some might call an "epiphany." In reading the sordid details of corruption ... what, with all that dirty money being tossed around ... I realized that I had no idea about the origin of funds for such operations. The clue only came to me when the name Bernie Madoff popped into my consciousness. Madoff has the dubious distinction of being labeled the modern-day Charles Ponzi for the massive fraud that he perpetrated. Yet, is Madoff really the king of the Ponzi schemers? I think not.
We are living through the greatest financial Ponzi scheme every concocted right here and now, and it is being perpetrated upon us by the empire and its shills in the so-called "mainstream media." First of all, there is no economic growth in the empire. Real growth has been negative for a long time. Why? Take a good look at the national debt. It's in the trillions of dollars now. What that means is the empire's government has been subsidizing the entire economy. Thus, almost all earned income is either derived directly or through "trickle down" from some kind of government funding. That's the only way a high standard of living can be maintained in an economy essentially devoid of real capital. And, even that is not enough considering that consumer debt is also in the trillions of dollars. The bottom line is that we have no GNP or GDP. Both are zero.
The empire's Ponzi scheme is also a "double jeopardy" of sorts. Taxpayers must eventually, in theory, pay off the national debt (as well as consumer debt). Therein lies the real problem. We are looking at a very long-term collective debt slavery. In addition, the empire's Ponzi scheme explains why the banks and other dubious financial institutions had to be "saved." If not, the whole Ponzi scheme would have collapsed. And, the empire would have fallen overnight. Banks and even dubious financial institutions hold the empire's debt instruments. Had the banks been required to liquidate, how would the empire buy back the debt? No can do.
I have moved up my workout schedule by a day since the gym will be closed during Saturnalia. Sushant, the Indian guy, and his sister left for the Big Island this morning. They will be there for a couple of days. Thus, I have a reprieve from the usual nonsense. Thank goodness.
Another urban nomad kind-of-a-day has been remummified for archaeological purposes. We know the urban nomad itinerary. We know the drill. As I continued to read Robert Parry's book, "Trick or Treason," in the inner courtyard of the library, I experienced what some might call an "epiphany." In reading the sordid details of corruption ... what, with all that dirty money being tossed around ... I realized that I had no idea about the origin of funds for such operations. The clue only came to me when the name Bernie Madoff popped into my consciousness. Madoff has the dubious distinction of being labeled the modern-day Charles Ponzi for the massive fraud that he perpetrated. Yet, is Madoff really the king of the Ponzi schemers? I think not.
We are living through the greatest financial Ponzi scheme every concocted right here and now, and it is being perpetrated upon us by the empire and its shills in the so-called "mainstream media." First of all, there is no economic growth in the empire. Real growth has been negative for a long time. Why? Take a good look at the national debt. It's in the trillions of dollars now. What that means is the empire's government has been subsidizing the entire economy. Thus, almost all earned income is either derived directly or through "trickle down" from some kind of government funding. That's the only way a high standard of living can be maintained in an economy essentially devoid of real capital. And, even that is not enough considering that consumer debt is also in the trillions of dollars. The bottom line is that we have no GNP or GDP. Both are zero.
The empire's Ponzi scheme is also a "double jeopardy" of sorts. Taxpayers must eventually, in theory, pay off the national debt (as well as consumer debt). Therein lies the real problem. We are looking at a very long-term collective debt slavery. In addition, the empire's Ponzi scheme explains why the banks and other dubious financial institutions had to be "saved." If not, the whole Ponzi scheme would have collapsed. And, the empire would have fallen overnight. Banks and even dubious financial institutions hold the empire's debt instruments. Had the banks been required to liquidate, how would the empire buy back the debt? No can do.
I have moved up my workout schedule by a day since the gym will be closed during Saturnalia. Sushant, the Indian guy, and his sister left for the Big Island this morning. They will be there for a couple of days. Thus, I have a reprieve from the usual nonsense. Thank goodness.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Remummification (Continued)
Another typical Monday found moms and I gallivanting around Hawai'i Kai in my Nissan® Frontier truck. Moms shopped at Longs® in Kuapa Kai. Moms and I too a break and ate lunch at Panda Express® in the Hawai'i Kai Towne Center. Finally, moms shopped for groceries at Foodland in Koko Marina. Later, Moms served up Foremost® coffee ice cream for dessert. Incidentally, moms and I were supposed to have gone to Ala Moana Center today. However, moms' dental appointment was canceled for some reason.
I departed at 1:20pm. I spent a little time at Koko Head Park. The solitude and natural surroundings allowed me to regain my bearings, as it were. I am simply amazed at the natural beauty and self-sufficiency of the planet and its lifeforms. Only humans have been trying very hard to bring ruination upon the earth. Well, we already know the drill for the rest of the afternoon, eh? I ended up back at Koko Marina to perform my usual workout at the gym and shop at Foodland. I was back in Slob Manor (read: rental housing) by 5pm.
Moms and I were privy to witness the Saturnalia shopping spectacle firsthand. Even at tiny strip malls like the Hawai'i Kai Towne Center, the crowds of Saturnalia shoppers resembled crazed zombies in search of prey. The zombies in their 4000- and 6000-pound motorized chairs were speeding around the parking lot, oblivious to any pedestrians. Rudeness and incivility were operating at a fever pitch. Shoppers perhaps feebly attempted to curb their spending during these troubled times, but they finally gave in to temptation at the last minute. As Carolyn Baker observed:
One of the mandates of the exodus is that I minimize my consumption patterns, limiting myself to basics for survival. Obviously, I still possess things and property that are diametrically opposed to that mandate. Often, the incongruence of the latter gives rise to strong feelings of hypocrisy. Subsequently, pangs of despair follow. There is no psychopathology involved. Such feelings are bound to occur in anyone who moves against the grain of the prevalent culture. There are times that I have browbeaten myself because I visualize how I have not become materially successful. I did not follow the traditional path, the very one that is decomposing in front of many people's eyes right now as the "system" collapses.
I am still residing amongst the economically franchised (or, perhaps, just mere "posers"). They are all living high on the hog while offering up blood sacrifices to their god, the sinister kahuna. So easily I forget that they have sold their souls for material comfort. I, on the other hand, am traveling the path least followed. Although the journey seems have become discombobulated (i.e., I appear to be going in circles), the net displacement is still positive and in the right direction. I have come to settle my obligations as well, which will take time. These sacrifices remain important to me. Although I will essentially give up some of my precious "good" years, I do not perceive any regrets. However, the time is coming when I will no longer be tied to any obligation. That, my friends, is where we are heading. The unknown will soon become known.
I departed at 1:20pm. I spent a little time at Koko Head Park. The solitude and natural surroundings allowed me to regain my bearings, as it were. I am simply amazed at the natural beauty and self-sufficiency of the planet and its lifeforms. Only humans have been trying very hard to bring ruination upon the earth. Well, we already know the drill for the rest of the afternoon, eh? I ended up back at Koko Marina to perform my usual workout at the gym and shop at Foodland. I was back in Slob Manor (read: rental housing) by 5pm.
Moms and I were privy to witness the Saturnalia shopping spectacle firsthand. Even at tiny strip malls like the Hawai'i Kai Towne Center, the crowds of Saturnalia shoppers resembled crazed zombies in search of prey. The zombies in their 4000- and 6000-pound motorized chairs were speeding around the parking lot, oblivious to any pedestrians. Rudeness and incivility were operating at a fever pitch. Shoppers perhaps feebly attempted to curb their spending during these troubled times, but they finally gave in to temptation at the last minute. As Carolyn Baker observed:
I believe that it's not a stretch to conclude that for some, the inability to consume may be creating a fundamental existential crisis in terms of losing one's identity. This would certainly explain the bizarre violence that occurred at the Long Island Walmart on Black Friday a few weeks ago where an employee was trampled to death. If consumption "rewards" human beings with a positive identity as well as the sense of financial security, then it is nothing less than an extremely powerful addiction. Withdraw the addictive substance or activity-or put it on sale at 70% off, and many people will behave like the street junkie who will do whatever it takes to score his next fix.The spectacle of over-consumption was sickening. I have lamented many times that my own life has been characterized by my shopping patterns. Essentially, that is all that I and every other zombie or satanic gargoyle in the empire performs in ritualistic fashion. Consumption is our only role after all of the superficial crap is cast aside.
One of the mandates of the exodus is that I minimize my consumption patterns, limiting myself to basics for survival. Obviously, I still possess things and property that are diametrically opposed to that mandate. Often, the incongruence of the latter gives rise to strong feelings of hypocrisy. Subsequently, pangs of despair follow. There is no psychopathology involved. Such feelings are bound to occur in anyone who moves against the grain of the prevalent culture. There are times that I have browbeaten myself because I visualize how I have not become materially successful. I did not follow the traditional path, the very one that is decomposing in front of many people's eyes right now as the "system" collapses.
I am still residing amongst the economically franchised (or, perhaps, just mere "posers"). They are all living high on the hog while offering up blood sacrifices to their god, the sinister kahuna. So easily I forget that they have sold their souls for material comfort. I, on the other hand, am traveling the path least followed. Although the journey seems have become discombobulated (i.e., I appear to be going in circles), the net displacement is still positive and in the right direction. I have come to settle my obligations as well, which will take time. These sacrifices remain important to me. Although I will essentially give up some of my precious "good" years, I do not perceive any regrets. However, the time is coming when I will no longer be tied to any obligation. That, my friends, is where we are heading. The unknown will soon become known.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Remummification
Another urban nomad kind-of-a-Sunday has been remummified. I expedited my usual itinerary by not spending much time sitting along Fort Street Mall. Thus, I was at the gym and performing my usual workout by 11:20pm. I was able to leave town on the bus a little earlier. I succumbed to temptation and alighted at the Aina Haina Shopping Center. I purchased a pint of Häagen-Dazs® ice cream at Foodland. Then, I sat at the bus stop and ate the delicious treat while I waited for the next bus.
I was back at Slob Manor (read: rental housing) by 3:15pm, just in time to perform the dreaded laundry chores. Sushant, the Indian guy, was busy cleaning his room and the second floor common area. His sister is arriving this evening to visit for a week. On a side note, I observed that the annoying sugar ants have also made a return. In fact, my squalid room is infested with them.
Last night, I decided to rid my Linux-based Toshiba® Satellite notebook computer of the Firestarter firewall interface for iptables. I replaced it with gufw, which is the user interface for ufw (Ubuntu uncomplicated firewall command line interface for iptables). The Firestarter project was actually abandoned a few years ago. I also uninstalled a couple of other useless items. What is really strange is that the brightness applet now "sticks" to the current setting, as opposed to always defaulting to full brightness. Linux appears to have a mind of its own. Sheesh!
I should briefly mention that my reading of Robert Parry's book, "Trick or Treason," has been an eye-opening experience. First, Parry's investigation is simply intriguing. I had a difficult time putting the book down. Second, the whole affair is sickening. The same shills and hacks have been bamboozling the empire's citizens for decades. I am further inclined to believe that the "September 11th" event was an inside job.
Even a fool should be able to see that this crap, this cesspool, has affected our lives in an adverse manner. Yet, many of us live in a reactive fashion, becoming more violent and aggressive as demanded by the dung-infested culture of empire. The fine line has already been drawn. Who will cross it?
I was back at Slob Manor (read: rental housing) by 3:15pm, just in time to perform the dreaded laundry chores. Sushant, the Indian guy, was busy cleaning his room and the second floor common area. His sister is arriving this evening to visit for a week. On a side note, I observed that the annoying sugar ants have also made a return. In fact, my squalid room is infested with them.
Last night, I decided to rid my Linux-based Toshiba® Satellite notebook computer of the Firestarter firewall interface for iptables. I replaced it with gufw, which is the user interface for ufw (Ubuntu uncomplicated firewall command line interface for iptables). The Firestarter project was actually abandoned a few years ago. I also uninstalled a couple of other useless items. What is really strange is that the brightness applet now "sticks" to the current setting, as opposed to always defaulting to full brightness. Linux appears to have a mind of its own. Sheesh!
I should briefly mention that my reading of Robert Parry's book, "Trick or Treason," has been an eye-opening experience. First, Parry's investigation is simply intriguing. I had a difficult time putting the book down. Second, the whole affair is sickening. The same shills and hacks have been bamboozling the empire's citizens for decades. I am further inclined to believe that the "September 11th" event was an inside job.
Even a fool should be able to see that this crap, this cesspool, has affected our lives in an adverse manner. Yet, many of us live in a reactive fashion, becoming more violent and aggressive as demanded by the dung-infested culture of empire. The fine line has already been drawn. Who will cross it?
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Bug
Another urban nomad kind-of-a-day has shuffled past me while I lapsed in and out of a coma in the inner courtyard of the library. My afternoon workout at the gym was uneventful, although I procured another partial roll of asswipe paper (i.e., toilet tissue). I returned to Slob Manor (read: rental housing) safe and sound by 5pm.
An extremely large fly has been residing in my squalid room for two days. Whenever the other tenants leave the front door open for extended periods of time, various bugs venture into Slob Manor. Inevitably, the bugs always end up in my squalid room. I was finally able to squirt chlorine bleach on the fly this evening. Believe me, I could not even swat the filthy bastard. Even after the chlorine bath, the fly was still able to buzz around, albeit in a drunken stupor. I was finally able to corner it with my humble dustpan and brush. The fly is now laying in the paper bag that suffices as my trash can.
Speaking of bugs, the carpenter ants have disappeared for the time being. However, the small black ants are back with a vengeance. This morning, I found several of them in my Rubbermaid® cooler. The kitchen downstairs as well as a portion of the second floor are completely infested with them, by the way. Sadly, I must squish and dispose of the ants that invade my squalid room. And, another fly has appeared as we speak. Damned bugs!
An extremely large fly has been residing in my squalid room for two days. Whenever the other tenants leave the front door open for extended periods of time, various bugs venture into Slob Manor. Inevitably, the bugs always end up in my squalid room. I was finally able to squirt chlorine bleach on the fly this evening. Believe me, I could not even swat the filthy bastard. Even after the chlorine bath, the fly was still able to buzz around, albeit in a drunken stupor. I was finally able to corner it with my humble dustpan and brush. The fly is now laying in the paper bag that suffices as my trash can.
Speaking of bugs, the carpenter ants have disappeared for the time being. However, the small black ants are back with a vengeance. This morning, I found several of them in my Rubbermaid® cooler. The kitchen downstairs as well as a portion of the second floor are completely infested with them, by the way. Sadly, I must squish and dispose of the ants that invade my squalid room. And, another fly has appeared as we speak. Damned bugs!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Still Waiting for Godot
Alas, the day was pretty much a clone of the Monday adventure. Moms and I ate lunch at Zippy's. Then, moms shopped for groceries at Foodland. So, we did not venture beyond the confines of Koko Marina. Later, for dessert, moms served Foremost® coffee ice cream.
I chatted with moms until 1:35pm. Then, I spent a little time at Koko Head Park to relax. I returned to Koko Marina, parked my Nissan® Frontier truck, performed my usual workout at the gym, shopped at Foodland, and returned to Slob Manor (read: rental housing). The evening? You know the drill.
I have been frozen by inaction concerning the disposition of the "condotel" unit. I am unsure whether I should simply pay off the mortgage in cash, or refinance the dump at a possibly lower rate. I am in the middle of the third year of a 15-year fixed mortgage. If I sought out the refinance option, I will press for a 12-year mortgage. Incidentally, I have intentionally made no headway in obtaining the mandatory supplemental property insurance for the dump. What (who) am I waiting for? Godot? The shepherd?
Another strange phenomenon that I observed just once on my Linux-based system actually involved the bloated Firefox® Web browser. The loading of individual Web pages ramped up the CPU usage of both cores to an extremely high level. Each incident then triggered the cooling fan of my Toshiba® Satellite notebook computer into high-speed mode for a short burst. From what I could ascertain, the problem occurred after I had been visiting a Web site that required use of the Flash® player plug-in. However, since that one incident, there have been Ubuntu updates for both Firefox® and Flash®.
I chatted with moms until 1:35pm. Then, I spent a little time at Koko Head Park to relax. I returned to Koko Marina, parked my Nissan® Frontier truck, performed my usual workout at the gym, shopped at Foodland, and returned to Slob Manor (read: rental housing). The evening? You know the drill.
I have been frozen by inaction concerning the disposition of the "condotel" unit. I am unsure whether I should simply pay off the mortgage in cash, or refinance the dump at a possibly lower rate. I am in the middle of the third year of a 15-year fixed mortgage. If I sought out the refinance option, I will press for a 12-year mortgage. Incidentally, I have intentionally made no headway in obtaining the mandatory supplemental property insurance for the dump. What (who) am I waiting for? Godot? The shepherd?
Another strange phenomenon that I observed just once on my Linux-based system actually involved the bloated Firefox® Web browser. The loading of individual Web pages ramped up the CPU usage of both cores to an extremely high level. Each incident then triggered the cooling fan of my Toshiba® Satellite notebook computer into high-speed mode for a short burst. From what I could ascertain, the problem occurred after I had been visiting a Web site that required use of the Flash® player plug-in. However, since that one incident, there have been Ubuntu updates for both Firefox® and Flash®.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Demummification (Continued)
Another urban nomad kind-of-a-day ... well, not exactly. More demummification? You bet! I have been reading Robert Parry's book titled, "Trick or Treason: The October Surprise Mystery," at the library. Yes, that's the same Robert Parry from Consortium News. The book is about 15 years old, but it is still a worthy read. I am also beginning to "connect the dots" with many of the other books that I have read so far.
I departed the library at 12:15pm. I dropped my gym bag off at the gym. Then, I met Shirley at the front entrance of the building that she works in. We ate lunch at Café 8 1/2 on Alakea Street. I have only been there once before with Lori. Shirley and I were fortunate as the place was not very busy. What is surprising is that not much has transpired for either of us since we last got together almost a year ago. Well, I am sure that Shirley has had a lot of things going on, but most of it is out of my sphere of involvement. I, on the other hand, had nothing new to share. Just by reading the "blog," the benality of my existence become very clear.
After walking Shirley back to her workplace, I bid her farewell. I performed my usual workout at the gym before returning to Slob Manor (read: rental housing) on the bus. The dreaded laundry chores awaited me when I set foot in my squalid room. After completing the latter and consuming a smaller veggie "rations" dinner, I prepared for another evening of fun with my Toshiba® Satellite notebook computer.
Ubuntu Linux continues to give me grief. Many new problems are cropping up, and I have no idea why. The second "Hardy Heron" installation should have been exactly the same as the first time I installed it. The latest problem is that the X server crashes when playing a video and causes the operating system to revert to the login screen. I suppose that is better than having to perform the softkey reset. I will detail other problems in the near future. Otherwise, I am beginning to miss Windows® Vista. Now, that is really sad.
I departed the library at 12:15pm. I dropped my gym bag off at the gym. Then, I met Shirley at the front entrance of the building that she works in. We ate lunch at Café 8 1/2 on Alakea Street. I have only been there once before with Lori. Shirley and I were fortunate as the place was not very busy. What is surprising is that not much has transpired for either of us since we last got together almost a year ago. Well, I am sure that Shirley has had a lot of things going on, but most of it is out of my sphere of involvement. I, on the other hand, had nothing new to share. Just by reading the "blog," the benality of my existence become very clear.
After walking Shirley back to her workplace, I bid her farewell. I performed my usual workout at the gym before returning to Slob Manor (read: rental housing) on the bus. The dreaded laundry chores awaited me when I set foot in my squalid room. After completing the latter and consuming a smaller veggie "rations" dinner, I prepared for another evening of fun with my Toshiba® Satellite notebook computer.
Ubuntu Linux continues to give me grief. Many new problems are cropping up, and I have no idea why. The second "Hardy Heron" installation should have been exactly the same as the first time I installed it. The latest problem is that the X server crashes when playing a video and causes the operating system to revert to the login screen. I suppose that is better than having to perform the softkey reset. I will detail other problems in the near future. Otherwise, I am beginning to miss Windows® Vista. Now, that is really sad.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Demummification
Another urban nomad kind-of-a-day has been demummified for archaeological purposes, whatever that means. The latest downpour finally ensued at noon while I was sitting in the inner courtyard of the library. Fortunately, the rain stopped an hour later. I was given a reprieve to eat my lunch (i.e., Quaker® Granola) outside. Usually, I sit by the small grove of coconut trees in the Capitol district, just a stone's throw from the library. The grass was wet, however, so I propped myself against the fence that shields an obscure mound. A healthy bunch of Ti plants line the periphery of the fence. The mound itself is the final resting place for King Kamehameha II and Queen Kamamalu.
Obviously, the only item left on the agenda was my obligatory visit to the gym. Naturally, I performed my usual workout. The highlight of my time there was when I found a partial roll of asswipe paper (i.e., toilet tissue), of which I absconded. I have also discovered that I am not the only one in search of the valuable partial rolls. Well, hey! These are desperate times!
Once I returned to Slob Manor (read: rental housing), I warmed up the homemade Curry Stew that moms had given me. Sadly, the stew ended up being mushy because it had been frozen. That's not moms' fault, by the way. I had asked moms to freeze it because it would have to stay cold while it sat in my Rubbermaid® cooler all afternoon. Oh well. The stew tasted good nonetheless. After dinner, I drove my Nissan® Frontier truck to the Aina Haina Shopping Center in order to shop for a few grocery items at Foodland. I also procured a pint of Häagen-Dazs® ice cream for a special treat. The evening? Same ol' shit.
Obviously, the only item left on the agenda was my obligatory visit to the gym. Naturally, I performed my usual workout. The highlight of my time there was when I found a partial roll of asswipe paper (i.e., toilet tissue), of which I absconded. I have also discovered that I am not the only one in search of the valuable partial rolls. Well, hey! These are desperate times!
Once I returned to Slob Manor (read: rental housing), I warmed up the homemade Curry Stew that moms had given me. Sadly, the stew ended up being mushy because it had been frozen. That's not moms' fault, by the way. I had asked moms to freeze it because it would have to stay cold while it sat in my Rubbermaid® cooler all afternoon. Oh well. The stew tasted good nonetheless. After dinner, I drove my Nissan® Frontier truck to the Aina Haina Shopping Center in order to shop for a few grocery items at Foodland. I also procured a pint of Häagen-Dazs® ice cream for a special treat. The evening? Same ol' shit.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Imminent Collapse Redux
Another urban nomad kind-of-a-day slinked by with little notice. I followed the usual urban nomad itinerary. The gym was fully operational today. I had feared that I would have to ride the bus all the way to Hawai'i Kai as a contingency. I was in a foul mood all day. Little did I realize that I must have subconsciously known that the Fed had lowered short-term interest rates to zero percent, although I had predicted as much in the "blog." The so-called "mainstream" media is hailing the event as "an historic moment." The stock market surged. And, why not? Essentially, the elite class can now borrow money for nothing.
The story is a little different for the rank-and-file peons and the so-called "middle class." Savers (e.g., the ol' lavahead) will be hit the hardest as conservative investments will not earn any dividends. In fact, many money funds will be forced to close down because their operational expenses will have to be squeezed out of every investor's principal. We can probably expect the Fed to maintain zero percent short-term interest rates for three to five years. The Fed is gambling that it can kick-start another bout of asset price inflation. Specifically, the Fed wants to re-inflate the housing "bubble" in order to save the economy. The risk, of course, is an overshoot into hyperinflation. So much money is being "printed" and injected into the "system" that hyperinflation is almost a sure thing.
My guess is that anyone with consumerist tendencies should quickly satiate their yearnings when the quasi-deflation hits bottom. I, myself, may have to make an investment in gold coins as soon as possible. However, words on the "streets" is that gold is becoming increasingly difficult to take possession of. Hyperinflation is unlikely to completely destroy the dollar. However, those of us in the peon class will find that we can purchase nothing, not even food, with the near worthless paper.
The Fed pogrom is not designed to aid the peon class. The only aid coming our way is more cheap loans. Debt and more debt is what the Fed is peddling to us. Wages will continue to descend to the depths of slave peonage, which insures that short-term interest rates will not recover from zero-percent. Credit will assume more nefarious cloaking, most likely in the form of longer amortization schedules. Long-term mortgages will probably be extended to 60 years in length. Personal loans and credit cards may increase revolving lines of debt to 30 or more years. With stagnant or decreasing wages along with asset price inflation, there can be no other way to afford purchases. Any other "pie in the sky" scenario is ludicrous. Consumer spending absorbs over 70 percent of the empire's GDP. Thus, there are no other alternatives. In other words, the empire is a serial "bubble" economy.
I believe that even the most common fool can recognize that only one more potential "bubble" is possible before the "system" finally collapses. If the "bubble" does not inflate, the "system" will simply collapse anyway. However, the moneychangers and powers-that-be are overcome by greed and avarice. They have prayed to their god, Satan, and have been granted one last chance to rob the masses blind. They all have their kabuki masks on. And, they are dancing around the bonfire while making blood sacrifices to the sinister force.
Finally, a picture of worldwide hero Muthathar al Zaidi has surfaced showing him in perfect form as he tossed the size 10 black dress shoes at Shrub's cranium. According to Iran's Press TV site, "Security agents have broken the arm and ribs of al-Zaidi, a reporter who hurled his shoes at Bush during a press conference Sunday in Baghdad." Because of this latest outrage, we have declared December 14th a worldwide holiday to be known as "Muthathar al Zaidi Day."
The story is a little different for the rank-and-file peons and the so-called "middle class." Savers (e.g., the ol' lavahead) will be hit the hardest as conservative investments will not earn any dividends. In fact, many money funds will be forced to close down because their operational expenses will have to be squeezed out of every investor's principal. We can probably expect the Fed to maintain zero percent short-term interest rates for three to five years. The Fed is gambling that it can kick-start another bout of asset price inflation. Specifically, the Fed wants to re-inflate the housing "bubble" in order to save the economy. The risk, of course, is an overshoot into hyperinflation. So much money is being "printed" and injected into the "system" that hyperinflation is almost a sure thing.
My guess is that anyone with consumerist tendencies should quickly satiate their yearnings when the quasi-deflation hits bottom. I, myself, may have to make an investment in gold coins as soon as possible. However, words on the "streets" is that gold is becoming increasingly difficult to take possession of. Hyperinflation is unlikely to completely destroy the dollar. However, those of us in the peon class will find that we can purchase nothing, not even food, with the near worthless paper.
The Fed pogrom is not designed to aid the peon class. The only aid coming our way is more cheap loans. Debt and more debt is what the Fed is peddling to us. Wages will continue to descend to the depths of slave peonage, which insures that short-term interest rates will not recover from zero-percent. Credit will assume more nefarious cloaking, most likely in the form of longer amortization schedules. Long-term mortgages will probably be extended to 60 years in length. Personal loans and credit cards may increase revolving lines of debt to 30 or more years. With stagnant or decreasing wages along with asset price inflation, there can be no other way to afford purchases. Any other "pie in the sky" scenario is ludicrous. Consumer spending absorbs over 70 percent of the empire's GDP. Thus, there are no other alternatives. In other words, the empire is a serial "bubble" economy.
I believe that even the most common fool can recognize that only one more potential "bubble" is possible before the "system" finally collapses. If the "bubble" does not inflate, the "system" will simply collapse anyway. However, the moneychangers and powers-that-be are overcome by greed and avarice. They have prayed to their god, Satan, and have been granted one last chance to rob the masses blind. They all have their kabuki masks on. And, they are dancing around the bonfire while making blood sacrifices to the sinister force.
Finally, a picture of worldwide hero Muthathar al Zaidi has surfaced showing him in perfect form as he tossed the size 10 black dress shoes at Shrub's cranium. According to Iran's Press TV site, "Security agents have broken the arm and ribs of al-Zaidi, a reporter who hurled his shoes at Bush during a press conference Sunday in Baghdad." Because of this latest outrage, we have declared December 14th a worldwide holiday to be known as "Muthathar al Zaidi Day."
Monday, December 15, 2008
Shoebox Life (Reprise)
In an exclusive to the "blog," the first photo (no longer available) of reporter Muthathar al Zaidi's black dress shoes has been made available for perusal. The size 10 shoes, as you may recall, were used by al Zaidi as high-speed projectiles aimed at Shrub's cranium during a press conference in Iraq. Incidentally, there has been growing international concern about al Zaidi. He was last seen seen being hauled off by the Gestapo security apparatus.
Moms and I made the usual rounds in Hawai'i Kai this morning. Actually, moms decided not to shop at Longs®. So, we only patronized Foodland in Koko Marina. For lunch, moms served up lamp-baked chicken, grilled salmon steak, fresh vegetables, and rice. For dessert, we ate Foremost® coffee ice cream. Moms and I chatted until 1:30pm. Moms gave me a small container of homemade Curry Stew and a few fresh fruits.
I spent about 30 minutes at Koko Head Park for no other reason than to unwind and reflect. Both the park and Koko Crater were so green from the recent rain. I departed at 2:15pm. I drove my Nissan® Frontier truck to Koko Marina, found shaded parking, walked to the gym, performed nearly the same workout as yesterday, shopped at Foodland, and returned to Slob Manor (read: rental housing). The evening? More of the same, I'm afraid.
Moms and I made the usual rounds in Hawai'i Kai this morning. Actually, moms decided not to shop at Longs®. So, we only patronized Foodland in Koko Marina. For lunch, moms served up lamp-baked chicken, grilled salmon steak, fresh vegetables, and rice. For dessert, we ate Foremost® coffee ice cream. Moms and I chatted until 1:30pm. Moms gave me a small container of homemade Curry Stew and a few fresh fruits.
I spent about 30 minutes at Koko Head Park for no other reason than to unwind and reflect. Both the park and Koko Crater were so green from the recent rain. I departed at 2:15pm. I drove my Nissan® Frontier truck to Koko Marina, found shaded parking, walked to the gym, performed nearly the same workout as yesterday, shopped at Foodland, and returned to Slob Manor (read: rental housing). The evening? More of the same, I'm afraid.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
If the Shoe Fits, Throw It
Yesterday, I neglected to mention that I was almost a victim of a horrific traffic accident. After I departed New City Nissan®, I attempted to navigate to the nearest freeway entrance. Anyone who has ever driven in Hawai'i knows how bad the freeway system really is. I ended up on School Street. As I was following the road, I espied a car that had just exited from the Middle Street off-ramp. The car was supposed to stop at the intersection just a few feet ahead of me. For some reason, I knew that the driver was going to run the stop sign. I slowed down and watched the car plough through the intersection just inches in front of me. I blared the horn. The three Japanese tourist babes in the rental Ford® Mustang convertible didn't even flinch. The driver actually stopped at the red traffic signal ahead. I was right behind the car. I should have gotten out, walked over, and bitch-slapped the dumb ho'. Yes, a few seconds decided whether my Nissan® Frontier truck would have ended up as scrap metal or not. That's the same Nissan® Frontier truck that I spend time cleaning and maintaining for no particular reason.
Not exactly another urban nomad kind-of-a-Sunday ... I departed for town at 9:45am this morning on the bus. The Honolulu Marathon was in full swing, and half of Kalani'ana'ole Highway was partitioned for the runners. As usual, I stopped off at the Post Office first to check my mail. Then, I sat on one of the benches along Fort Street Mall for a spell. For some reason, I felt compelled to go to the gym earlier than usual. When I arrived, I was told that the locker rooms were closed because of flooding. Obviously, I could neither change into my gym attire or take a shower. I immediately walked to the bus stop. I was able to board a bus heading to Hawai'i Kai within minutes.
Due to traffic (thanks to the marathon), the bus arrived at Koko Marina an hour-and-a-half later. I walked to the gym and performed somewhat of my usual workout. Unfortunately, the gym in Hawai'i Kai does not have as much weight equipment as the one in town. The weather was nice all day. However, as I exited the gym, I observed that the sky looked ominous. I decided to return to Slob Manor (read: rental housing) immediately. Fortunately, a bus arrived within minutes.
I was back in my squalid room by 3:20pm. I performed a number of mundane chores (including the dreaded laundry chores) and attended to a few personal hygiene issues. At 6pm, I was feeling a little restless. So, I drove my Nissan® Frontier truck to the Aina Haina Shopping Center. I really had no reason to go there. All I ended up purchasing was a box of Quaker® Granola and a pint of Dreyer's® Cookie Dough ice cream at Foodland. Guess what the ol' lavahead will be eating for dessert later tonight? Baha! Ha! Ha! Haaaa!
I've been spending a lot more money on food lately. And, the food items have been outside of my acceptable standard fare. Obviously, I am unwittingly falling prey to the "consumerist" disease. I am, at least, a little wiser than other consumers who are out in force buying crap that they don't need such as big-ass LCD HD tubes. I can eat the food. I can't eat a big-ass LCD HD tube.
Well, all of the news media have covered the story already, but I must place a tidbit here for reference purposes:
Not exactly another urban nomad kind-of-a-Sunday ... I departed for town at 9:45am this morning on the bus. The Honolulu Marathon was in full swing, and half of Kalani'ana'ole Highway was partitioned for the runners. As usual, I stopped off at the Post Office first to check my mail. Then, I sat on one of the benches along Fort Street Mall for a spell. For some reason, I felt compelled to go to the gym earlier than usual. When I arrived, I was told that the locker rooms were closed because of flooding. Obviously, I could neither change into my gym attire or take a shower. I immediately walked to the bus stop. I was able to board a bus heading to Hawai'i Kai within minutes.
Due to traffic (thanks to the marathon), the bus arrived at Koko Marina an hour-and-a-half later. I walked to the gym and performed somewhat of my usual workout. Unfortunately, the gym in Hawai'i Kai does not have as much weight equipment as the one in town. The weather was nice all day. However, as I exited the gym, I observed that the sky looked ominous. I decided to return to Slob Manor (read: rental housing) immediately. Fortunately, a bus arrived within minutes.
I was back in my squalid room by 3:20pm. I performed a number of mundane chores (including the dreaded laundry chores) and attended to a few personal hygiene issues. At 6pm, I was feeling a little restless. So, I drove my Nissan® Frontier truck to the Aina Haina Shopping Center. I really had no reason to go there. All I ended up purchasing was a box of Quaker® Granola and a pint of Dreyer's® Cookie Dough ice cream at Foodland. Guess what the ol' lavahead will be eating for dessert later tonight? Baha! Ha! Ha! Haaaa!
I've been spending a lot more money on food lately. And, the food items have been outside of my acceptable standard fare. Obviously, I am unwittingly falling prey to the "consumerist" disease. I am, at least, a little wiser than other consumers who are out in force buying crap that they don't need such as big-ass LCD HD tubes. I can eat the food. I can't eat a big-ass LCD HD tube.
Well, all of the news media have covered the story already, but I must place a tidbit here for reference purposes:
Bush had just finished his prepared remarks in which he said the security agreement was made possible by the U.S. surge of troops to Iraq last year, when the journalist, Muthathar al Zaidi, pulled his shoes off and hurled them at the president. "This is a goodbye kiss, you dog," Zaidi shouted.The video clip and an array of humorous reader comments are available at the [deleted] site. I have no idea about what happened to al Zaida after he threw his shoes at Shrub, but I can guess. Can you say, "extraordinary rendition"?
Saturday, December 13, 2008
More Rain & Desperate Times
I was on my way at 8:30am this morning in my Nissan® Frontier truck. My destination was New City Nissan® at its new Kalihi location. I had an appointment scheduled for an oil change and assorted other tasks. The new facility was themed with the typical Nissan® dealership look. While stylish, I found the design to be cold. I did not recognize anyone on the entire staff. There was a young hottie working at the front desk. What happened to the old staff at the former Ala Moana Boulevard location? I looked around at the various 4000- and 6000-pound motorized chairs (read: cars and trucks) in the lot while I waited. None of the latter or former seemed interesting to me. The work on my truck was completed at 9:30am.
I drove back to Slob Manor (read: rental housing), not knowing what else to do. I had expected to be at the Nissan® dealership much later. At least I received an additional $10 off of the coupon special price. I piddled around in my squalid room until 12:30pm. Then, I headed for Hawai'i Kai.
I spent a little time at Koko Head Park. Once again, my purpose was to clean the interior of my Nissan® Frontier truck. I had brought along my new Dirt Devil® Quick Power® handheld vacuum cleaner. I spent an hour cleaning the windows, dusting, and vacuuming. I drove to Koko Marina at 2pm, walked to the gym, and performed my usual workout.
A downpour apparently commenced while I was in the gym. I was completely drenched when I had to walk in the pouring rain back to the Koko Marina parking structure. Nonetheless, I shopped for groceries at Foodland. I ended up purchasing a small $4 pack of ready-made rice and Chinese roast pork for dinner along with some Ahi Poke. While I stood in the checkout line, I observed through the front entrance that the rain had stopped. I quickly drove back to Slob Manor. Since I am the only tenant not allowed to park on the premises, I wanted to be back before the rain commenced again. The walk from the side street is much longer in the pouring rain.
Once I was back in the dump, I discovered that someone had left clothes in the dryer again. There I was with a lot of wet clothes and a damp gym outfit, but I was not privy to use the dryer. I could have forked out another 50 cents to use the dryer outside the house, but why enrich the landlord at my expense? In fact, I am going to mummify my twice-weekly ritual of putting the trash can out on the curb for pickup. We now have two additional recycling receptacles that must also be put out weekly. I am the only one that does the filthy chore. I am also the only one who cannot park on the premises. And, I am the only one who is always inconvenienced by the lack of consideration from the other Slob Manor residents.
I enjoyed my dinner even though the rice and Chinese roast pork were slightly dried out. I supplemented the pathetic meal with Dole® salad mix and the Ahi Poke. A heavy downpour ensued while I was eating dinner. Incidentally, there is a tornado watch in effect this evening for one of the neighbor islands. The downpour continues as I prepare for another evening with my dysfunctional Toshiba® Satellite notebook computer equipped with the equally dysfunctional Ubuntu Linux.
Finally, in these desperate times, drastic measures are called for. I have been acquiring my paper towel supply from the dispensers at the gym. I take three sheets with me daily. In addition, I now maintain a supply of at least six toilet seat covers/shields in my gym bag for emergency purposes, the latter of which I obtain at any public restroom. Better safe than sorry. I will soon be absconding the remnant asswipe paper (i.e., toilet tissue) rolls that the gym porters usually discard. As I said, these are desperate times.
I drove back to Slob Manor (read: rental housing), not knowing what else to do. I had expected to be at the Nissan® dealership much later. At least I received an additional $10 off of the coupon special price. I piddled around in my squalid room until 12:30pm. Then, I headed for Hawai'i Kai.
I spent a little time at Koko Head Park. Once again, my purpose was to clean the interior of my Nissan® Frontier truck. I had brought along my new Dirt Devil® Quick Power® handheld vacuum cleaner. I spent an hour cleaning the windows, dusting, and vacuuming. I drove to Koko Marina at 2pm, walked to the gym, and performed my usual workout.
A downpour apparently commenced while I was in the gym. I was completely drenched when I had to walk in the pouring rain back to the Koko Marina parking structure. Nonetheless, I shopped for groceries at Foodland. I ended up purchasing a small $4 pack of ready-made rice and Chinese roast pork for dinner along with some Ahi Poke. While I stood in the checkout line, I observed through the front entrance that the rain had stopped. I quickly drove back to Slob Manor. Since I am the only tenant not allowed to park on the premises, I wanted to be back before the rain commenced again. The walk from the side street is much longer in the pouring rain.
Once I was back in the dump, I discovered that someone had left clothes in the dryer again. There I was with a lot of wet clothes and a damp gym outfit, but I was not privy to use the dryer. I could have forked out another 50 cents to use the dryer outside the house, but why enrich the landlord at my expense? In fact, I am going to mummify my twice-weekly ritual of putting the trash can out on the curb for pickup. We now have two additional recycling receptacles that must also be put out weekly. I am the only one that does the filthy chore. I am also the only one who cannot park on the premises. And, I am the only one who is always inconvenienced by the lack of consideration from the other Slob Manor residents.
I enjoyed my dinner even though the rice and Chinese roast pork were slightly dried out. I supplemented the pathetic meal with Dole® salad mix and the Ahi Poke. A heavy downpour ensued while I was eating dinner. Incidentally, there is a tornado watch in effect this evening for one of the neighbor islands. The downpour continues as I prepare for another evening with my dysfunctional Toshiba® Satellite notebook computer equipped with the equally dysfunctional Ubuntu Linux.
Finally, in these desperate times, drastic measures are called for. I have been acquiring my paper towel supply from the dispensers at the gym. I take three sheets with me daily. In addition, I now maintain a supply of at least six toilet seat covers/shields in my gym bag for emergency purposes, the latter of which I obtain at any public restroom. Better safe than sorry. I will soon be absconding the remnant asswipe paper (i.e., toilet tissue) rolls that the gym porters usually discard. As I said, these are desperate times.
Friday, December 12, 2008
When It Rains, It Pours
I departed for Hawai'i Kai at 8:45am this morning. Moms was home when I arrived. Moms was performing a few chores, so I spent the time using the pumice stone to grind down the endless callouses on the soles of my feet. At 10:30am, moms and I made the usual rounds in Hawai'i Kai ... Longs® in Kuapa Kai and Foodland in Koko Marina. Moms and I ate lunch at Zippy's. Later, moms served up Foremost®' coffee ice cream for dessert.
I departed at 1:30pm. I spent about 45 minutes at Koko Head Park. I brought my new Dirt Devil® Quick Power® handheld vacuum cleaner, so I spent the time vacuuming the interior of my Nissan® Frontier truck. The little vacuum cleaner worked fairly well. However, compared to a standard vacuum cleaner, the Dirt Devil® Quick Power® is more like a toy. The battery lasted about 20 minutes. Then, I could hear the motor slowing down. There was so much accumulated dust in the interior of the truck. I realized that I will have to wipe down all of the plastic surfaces with a damp cloth in order to remove the coating of dust. I will have to vacuum the interior about two more times before it can be considered clean. Just lots of dust everywhere.
The rest of the afternoon was "cookie cutter" urban nomad stuff ... park at Koko Marina, walk to the gym, perform my usual workout, shop at Foodland, and return to Slob Manor (read: rental housing). After my usual veggie "rations" dinner, I suffered a long bout of Montezuma's Revenge. I have been stressed out ever since I discovered that the "condotel" unit will be sucking more of my money into oblivion. Thus, I experienced "regularity" problems during that time. Frankly, I have been ready to "throw in the towel" and flee.
The rain commenced again at 6:30pm. We were fortunate to have had a reprieve all day. From what I am to understand, the North Shore area suffered major floods last night. I have no idea if Lori was affected since she now resides in that area. I have not heard anything from her at all. By 7pm, the rain turned into a major downpour. I would assume that there will be more flooding tonight.
I departed at 1:30pm. I spent about 45 minutes at Koko Head Park. I brought my new Dirt Devil® Quick Power® handheld vacuum cleaner, so I spent the time vacuuming the interior of my Nissan® Frontier truck. The little vacuum cleaner worked fairly well. However, compared to a standard vacuum cleaner, the Dirt Devil® Quick Power® is more like a toy. The battery lasted about 20 minutes. Then, I could hear the motor slowing down. There was so much accumulated dust in the interior of the truck. I realized that I will have to wipe down all of the plastic surfaces with a damp cloth in order to remove the coating of dust. I will have to vacuum the interior about two more times before it can be considered clean. Just lots of dust everywhere.
The rest of the afternoon was "cookie cutter" urban nomad stuff ... park at Koko Marina, walk to the gym, perform my usual workout, shop at Foodland, and return to Slob Manor (read: rental housing). After my usual veggie "rations" dinner, I suffered a long bout of Montezuma's Revenge. I have been stressed out ever since I discovered that the "condotel" unit will be sucking more of my money into oblivion. Thus, I experienced "regularity" problems during that time. Frankly, I have been ready to "throw in the towel" and flee.
The rain commenced again at 6:30pm. We were fortunate to have had a reprieve all day. From what I am to understand, the North Shore area suffered major floods last night. I have no idea if Lori was affected since she now resides in that area. I have not heard anything from her at all. By 7pm, the rain turned into a major downpour. I would assume that there will be more flooding tonight.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Quiet Storm
The downpour commenced sometime in the wee hours of the morning. A full-fledged storm was cascading sheets of water from the sky by mid-morning. I was unsure whether the urban nomad kind-of-a-day would come to fruition or not. The rain eased up a little right around my usual departure time. I was able to shelter myself from the gale force winds using the Slob Manor (read: rental housing) cinder block wall at the periphery of the property. I had a clear view of the road. When I saw the bus appear, I quickly walked to the nearest bus stop. I was fortunate that the driver saw me. He stopped and waited until I boarded.
When I arrived in town, the rain was still coming down fairly hard sans any wind. I was able to walk to the library without getting drenched. Within a few minutes of entering the inner courtyard, I watched a tremendous downpour ensued. I sat at my usual table and watched the rain. The majority of patrons at the library were the homeless and the destitute. Almost all of the tables were occupied by the former and the latter along with all of their worldly possessions stuffed in a variety of backpacks and gym bags. The less affluent of the bunch had to settle for plastic shopping bags.
The sky began to clear up at noon. From that point on, there were only intermittent drizzles. I departed for the gym at 1:30pm. The earlier cool temperatures yielded to a nice warm breeze. I performed my usual workout at the gym. The weather had almost completely cleared up when I exited the gym. The bus ride back to Slob Manor was mundane. Only the dreaded laundry chores awaited me when I set foot in my squalid room. Another downpour came by surprise at 6pm. The weather only got worse after that.
Sitting in my squalid room in front of my dysfunctional Toshiba® Satellite notebook computer gives me little solace. I am thankful to be sheltered from the rain, unlike my homeless brethren whom I saw at the library earlier. In all likelihood, though, I will be joining them out on the streets once the "system" collapses.
When I arrived in town, the rain was still coming down fairly hard sans any wind. I was able to walk to the library without getting drenched. Within a few minutes of entering the inner courtyard, I watched a tremendous downpour ensued. I sat at my usual table and watched the rain. The majority of patrons at the library were the homeless and the destitute. Almost all of the tables were occupied by the former and the latter along with all of their worldly possessions stuffed in a variety of backpacks and gym bags. The less affluent of the bunch had to settle for plastic shopping bags.
The sky began to clear up at noon. From that point on, there were only intermittent drizzles. I departed for the gym at 1:30pm. The earlier cool temperatures yielded to a nice warm breeze. I performed my usual workout at the gym. The weather had almost completely cleared up when I exited the gym. The bus ride back to Slob Manor was mundane. Only the dreaded laundry chores awaited me when I set foot in my squalid room. Another downpour came by surprise at 6pm. The weather only got worse after that.
Sitting in my squalid room in front of my dysfunctional Toshiba® Satellite notebook computer gives me little solace. I am thankful to be sheltered from the rain, unlike my homeless brethren whom I saw at the library earlier. In all likelihood, though, I will be joining them out on the streets once the "system" collapses.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Mundane Tidbits
This morning, I could not make up my mind about what to do. Usually, I make the trek to Hawai'i Kai on Wednesday, even though I do not visit with moms. Instead, I opted to ride the bus to town and engage in the typical urban nomad kind-of-a-day. As to be expected, nothing out of ordinary transpired. I happened to run into Ann along the way to the gym. That's about it. I was back at Slob Manor (read: rental housing) at 4:45pm. A few minutes later, I drove my Nissan® Frontier truck to the Aina Haina Shopping Center so that I could shop for groceries at Foodland. I returned to Slob Manor just as the 24-hour charge cycle for my new Dirt Devil® Quick Power® handheld vacuum cleaner (made in China) was completed. I powered up the unit. As noisy as it was, the device appeared to be working fine.
I really know of nothing to gain redemption for my on-going stupidity. Yet, do I really care? The haircut I received yesterday was mediocre at best. This morning, I had to use my Remington® electric shaver to smooth out the rough spots. Why don't I just break down and pay the $20 for the Asian hottie friend at Supercuts® in Koko Marina to do it right?
No matter how much I try to maintain a low profile, I somehow end up meeting different people. An older local guy started chatting with me a couple of months ago at the gym in Hawai'i Kai. Last week, he told me that he was "living on borrowed time." He's over 80 years old, he confessed, which is well beyond the average lifespan of an average male living in Hawai'i. I was shocked because I did not think that he was over 60 years of age. He has been giving me a lot of old man tips. Incidentally, at least one of the gym staff greets me by name now. That's the way it used to be at the downtown gym. Now, I am a stranger there. I do know a few members though. One of the guys that I see all the time is a bus driver. I used to ride on his bus every night to Kahala Mall a year ago.
Well, there really is not much left for me to do. What I mean is that my life is on hiatus. Being one of the economically disenfranchised leaves little in the way of options. Fortunately, downloading hurdy-gurdy "torrents" from the Pure T 'n A site is essentially costless.
I really know of nothing to gain redemption for my on-going stupidity. Yet, do I really care? The haircut I received yesterday was mediocre at best. This morning, I had to use my Remington® electric shaver to smooth out the rough spots. Why don't I just break down and pay the $20 for the Asian hottie friend at Supercuts® in Koko Marina to do it right?
No matter how much I try to maintain a low profile, I somehow end up meeting different people. An older local guy started chatting with me a couple of months ago at the gym in Hawai'i Kai. Last week, he told me that he was "living on borrowed time." He's over 80 years old, he confessed, which is well beyond the average lifespan of an average male living in Hawai'i. I was shocked because I did not think that he was over 60 years of age. He has been giving me a lot of old man tips. Incidentally, at least one of the gym staff greets me by name now. That's the way it used to be at the downtown gym. Now, I am a stranger there. I do know a few members though. One of the guys that I see all the time is a bus driver. I used to ride on his bus every night to Kahala Mall a year ago.
Well, there really is not much left for me to do. What I mean is that my life is on hiatus. Being one of the economically disenfranchised leaves little in the way of options. Fortunately, downloading hurdy-gurdy "torrents" from the Pure T 'n A site is essentially costless.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Pathos, the Sequel
Another urban nomad kind-of-a-day ... nothing out of the ordinary. However, I managed to squeeze in the restoration of my monk haircut at the Institute of Hair Design. I also stopped by Long® to purchase a small Dirt Devil® Quick Power® handheld vacuum cleaner (made in China) for $28 on sale. Otherwise, the itinerary was the same as usual.
So, why did I waste money on the Dirt Devil® Quick Power® handheld vacuum cleaner? Well, the interior of my Nissan® Frontier truck is extremely filthy. It looks clean, but there is dust everywhere. I also need to clean the useless possessions in my squalid room at Slob Manor (read: rental housing). Mind you, I still have my humble dustpan and brush (which I still use every evening). The Dirt Devil® Quick Power® handheld vacuum cleaner must charge for 24 hours. So, I will not be able to try it out until tomorrow evening.
My Toshiba® Satellite notebook computer has not been the same ever since the fiasco of a few days ago. Even though I installed Ubuntu Linux "Hardy Heron" (v8.04.1 LTS) again, there are increasing problems. Ubuntu should be functioning just as it was before, but that is not the case. Incidentally, I may have discovered why the headphone problem was solved in "Intrepid Ibex" (v8.10). Apparently, Pulse Audio has been fully implemented in "Intrepid Ibex," whereas it is only partially implemented in "Hardy Heron." There is a "fix," but it is is too involved for me to bother with right now.
So, why did I waste money on the Dirt Devil® Quick Power® handheld vacuum cleaner? Well, the interior of my Nissan® Frontier truck is extremely filthy. It looks clean, but there is dust everywhere. I also need to clean the useless possessions in my squalid room at Slob Manor (read: rental housing). Mind you, I still have my humble dustpan and brush (which I still use every evening). The Dirt Devil® Quick Power® handheld vacuum cleaner must charge for 24 hours. So, I will not be able to try it out until tomorrow evening.
My Toshiba® Satellite notebook computer has not been the same ever since the fiasco of a few days ago. Even though I installed Ubuntu Linux "Hardy Heron" (v8.04.1 LTS) again, there are increasing problems. Ubuntu should be functioning just as it was before, but that is not the case. Incidentally, I may have discovered why the headphone problem was solved in "Intrepid Ibex" (v8.10). Apparently, Pulse Audio has been fully implemented in "Intrepid Ibex," whereas it is only partially implemented in "Hardy Heron." There is a "fix," but it is is too involved for me to bother with right now.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Contemplating the Collapse
Another typical Monday has elapsed. Moms and I made the rounds in Hawai'i Kai ... Longs® in Kuapa Kai and Foodland in Koko Marina. We ate lunch at Panda Express® in the Hawai'i Kai Towne Center. Later, for dessert, moms served the last of the Best Yet® vanilla ice cream. I chatted with moms until 1:30pm. I spent a little time in Koko Head Park. Eventually, I had to leave to continue my benign routine. I parked my Nissan® Frontier truck in the Koko Marina parking structure, walked to the gym, performed my usual cardio workout, shopped at Foodland, and returned to Slob Manor (read: rental housing).
Well, on a side note, I am still pretty much convinced that the empire is heading toward collapse. No matter how much the mofos try to pump up the economy, the result is unsustainable. I've reviewed the metrics over and over again. The "system" cannot continue unabated. One of the more interesting takes on the coming collapse is that offered by Charles Eisenstein (from Reality Sandwich):
Well, on a side note, I am still pretty much convinced that the empire is heading toward collapse. No matter how much the mofos try to pump up the economy, the result is unsustainable. I've reviewed the metrics over and over again. The "system" cannot continue unabated. One of the more interesting takes on the coming collapse is that offered by Charles Eisenstein (from Reality Sandwich):
The crisis we are facing today arises from the fact that there is almost no more social, cultural, natural, and spiritual capital left to convert into money. Centuries, millennia of near-continuous money creation has left us so destitute that we have nothing left to sell. Our forests are damaged beyond repair, our soil depleted and washed into the sea, our fisheries fished out, the rejuvenating capacity of the earth to recycle our waste saturated. Our cultural treasury of songs and stories, images and icons, has been looted and copyrighted. Any clever phrase you can think of is already a trademarked slogan. Our very human relationships and abilities have been taken away from us and sold back, so that we are now dependent on strangers, and therefore on money, for things few humans ever paid for until recently: food, shelter, clothing, entertainment, child care, cooking. Life itself has become a consumer item. Today we sell away the last vestiges of our divine bequeathment: our health, the biosphere and genome, even our own minds. This is the process that is culminating in our age. It is almost complete, especially in America and the "developed" world. In the developing world there still remain people who live substantially in gift cultures, where natural and social wealth is not yet the subject of property. Globalization is the process of stripping away these assets, to feed the money machine's insatiable, existential need to grow. Yet this stripmining of other lands is running up against its limits too, both because there is almost nothing left to take, and because of growing pockets of effective resistance.The entire article is a worthy read. I could not have articulated my own thoughts as succinctly as that. I am still poised and ready to divest everything. I have not forgotten about the exodus.
The result is that the supply of money -- and the corresponding volume of debt -- has for several decades outstripped the production of goods and services that it promises. It is deeply related to the classic problem of oversupply in capitalist economics. The Marxian crisis of capital can be deferred into the future as long as new, high-profit industries and markets can be developed to compensate for the vicious circle of falling profits, falling wages, depressed consumption, and overproduction in mature industries. The continuation of capitalism as we know it depends on an infinite supply of these new industries, which essentially must convert infinite new realms of social, natural, cultural, and spiritual capital into money. The problem is, these resources are finite, and the closer they come to exhaustion, the more painful their extraction becomes. Therefore, contemporaneous with the financial crisis we have an ecological crisis and a health crisis. They are intimately interlinked. We cannot convert much more of the earth into money, or much more of our health into money, before the basis of life itself is threatened.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Persepolis
Another urban nomad kind-of-a-Sunday was lethargically fulfilled. Sadly, the hottie gym trainer was conspicuously absent. Thus, my workout was more lethargic than usual. Why go to the gym if the hottie gym trainer is not there? Sheesh!
I received a very disturbing piece of mail from the AOAO Aloha Surf (i.e., the "condotel" homeowners' association). Aside from the usual crap, there was a notice that the condo maintenance fee will be going up 28 percent next month. That's an increase of about $72 per month for my unit. In addition, the "association" (read: Board of Directors) has decided to comply with the questionable HRS (Hawai'i Revised Statutes) 514B which requires that homeowners purchase supplemental property insurance in addition to the inadequate blanket policy in effect on the property. That's just a subsidy for the already fattened insurance industry. What is with those mofos on the AOAO board? The damned fudgepackers are attempting to "squeeze blood out of a turnip." Are the AOAO directors so blinded by their minuscule power that they cannot see how they are shooting themselves in the foot as well? Do they think that they are ruling Persepolis?
I was so perturbed by the moronic fudgepackers that I had to alight the bus at the Aina Haina Shopping Center. I purchased a big-ass bag of Wavy Lay's® potato chips and a bottle of Fox Brook® Chardonnay. I pretty much polished off the bag of chips while I waited for the next bus.
When I finally arrived back at Slob Manor (read: rental housing), I immediately popped the cork on the bottle of vino. Then, I performed the dreaded laundry chores. Of course, my mind was preoccupied with the latest bullshit from the AOAO Aloha Surf Board of Directors to drain my limited financial resources. I was on the verge of a homicidal rampage. However, the vino had a calming effect. Did I polish off the whole bottle? Was I hammered? You bet!
Well, my prediction that I would be robbed blind has come sooner than I expected. Of course, I am not alone. Most of the satanic gargoyles around me are just too stupid to realize that they are being "taken to the cleaners." There's not much else that I can do except to download as many Carmel Moore hurdy-gurdy "torrents" as possible. Carmel Moore is, as you may know, a Persian hottie. Why are Persian babes so hot? Well, that's a discussion for another time.
I received a very disturbing piece of mail from the AOAO Aloha Surf (i.e., the "condotel" homeowners' association). Aside from the usual crap, there was a notice that the condo maintenance fee will be going up 28 percent next month. That's an increase of about $72 per month for my unit. In addition, the "association" (read: Board of Directors) has decided to comply with the questionable HRS (Hawai'i Revised Statutes) 514B which requires that homeowners purchase supplemental property insurance in addition to the inadequate blanket policy in effect on the property. That's just a subsidy for the already fattened insurance industry. What is with those mofos on the AOAO board? The damned fudgepackers are attempting to "squeeze blood out of a turnip." Are the AOAO directors so blinded by their minuscule power that they cannot see how they are shooting themselves in the foot as well? Do they think that they are ruling Persepolis?
I was so perturbed by the moronic fudgepackers that I had to alight the bus at the Aina Haina Shopping Center. I purchased a big-ass bag of Wavy Lay's® potato chips and a bottle of Fox Brook® Chardonnay. I pretty much polished off the bag of chips while I waited for the next bus.
When I finally arrived back at Slob Manor (read: rental housing), I immediately popped the cork on the bottle of vino. Then, I performed the dreaded laundry chores. Of course, my mind was preoccupied with the latest bullshit from the AOAO Aloha Surf Board of Directors to drain my limited financial resources. I was on the verge of a homicidal rampage. However, the vino had a calming effect. Did I polish off the whole bottle? Was I hammered? You bet!
Well, my prediction that I would be robbed blind has come sooner than I expected. Of course, I am not alone. Most of the satanic gargoyles around me are just too stupid to realize that they are being "taken to the cleaners." There's not much else that I can do except to download as many Carmel Moore hurdy-gurdy "torrents" as possible. Carmel Moore is, as you may know, a Persian hottie. Why are Persian babes so hot? Well, that's a discussion for another time.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Lethargy Ad Nauseam
Another homeless guy emulation ... err, urban nomad kind-of-a-day ... you know the drill already! The sole legitimate reader of the "blog" knows that the itinerary was the same as usual. That's another reason why I did not have to go into a diatribe about lethargy yesterday. The sole legitimate reader of the "blog" understands and empathizes with the ol' lavahead as it is.
I have been reading the gory details about the empire's shaky economy. Now, a full ten percent of mortgage holders are in arrears. Ten percent! The strange thing is that Hawai'i apparently is not affected by any of that. Sure, the tourist industry has tanked badly. Home sales have fallen drastically, but average prices remain extremely high. In other parts of the empire, consumer spending has fallen. In Hawai'i, consumer spending, especially during the Saturnalia shopping season, has gone through the roof. I cannot believe how much money is being tossed about. In fact, several more shopping centers are under construction as we speak. What I am to understand then is that the residents of Hawai'i are extremely affluent. They are impervious to the trends of the rest of the nation. Am I the only impoverished person on the whole island?
My bout of lethargy is not abating. In fact, I have lost interest in eating. Food is just not appetizing to me anymore, especially the impoverished urban nomad diet. I have no doubt that I am still losing weight. Heck, I don't even care to go grocery shopping. I have no desire to do much of anything else either. Going to the gym has already become a chore. Personal hygiene is also something that I am ready to mummify. And, the thought of returning to wage slavery is enough to make want to "deliver street pizza," if you know what I mean.
I have been reading the gory details about the empire's shaky economy. Now, a full ten percent of mortgage holders are in arrears. Ten percent! The strange thing is that Hawai'i apparently is not affected by any of that. Sure, the tourist industry has tanked badly. Home sales have fallen drastically, but average prices remain extremely high. In other parts of the empire, consumer spending has fallen. In Hawai'i, consumer spending, especially during the Saturnalia shopping season, has gone through the roof. I cannot believe how much money is being tossed about. In fact, several more shopping centers are under construction as we speak. What I am to understand then is that the residents of Hawai'i are extremely affluent. They are impervious to the trends of the rest of the nation. Am I the only impoverished person on the whole island?
My bout of lethargy is not abating. In fact, I have lost interest in eating. Food is just not appetizing to me anymore, especially the impoverished urban nomad diet. I have no doubt that I am still losing weight. Heck, I don't even care to go grocery shopping. I have no desire to do much of anything else either. Going to the gym has already become a chore. Personal hygiene is also something that I am ready to mummify. And, the thought of returning to wage slavery is enough to make want to "deliver street pizza," if you know what I mean.
Friday, December 05, 2008
Lethargy
I was out the door at 8:20am this morning. I drove my Nissan® Frontier truck to Aina Haina. I had to purchase petrol at the Union 76® petrol station in the Aina Haina Shopping Center. My usual petrol filling station in Hawai'i Kai has been closed for two weeks so far because of repairs to the storage tanks. I also made a quick stop at Foodland to purchase four boxes of Quaker® Granola. To make a long story short, the Foodland in Koko Marina does not stock the particular kind of granola that I prefer. On the way to Hawai'i Kai, I made a stop at Longs® in Kuapa Kai for no particular reason.
Moms was home when I arrived. Moms mentioned that my bro was due back home within a few minutes because the Oceanic cable guy was coming by. I decided to spend a few minutes at Koko Head Park. I departed the park at 10:25am. My bro was home when I arrived. Fortunately, the Oceanic cable guy arrived just a couple of minutes later. So, I was spared the small talk. Moms and I made the usual rounds ... Longs® in Kuapa Kai and Foodland in Koko Marina. Moms and I ate lunch at Yummy's. Later, moms served up Best Yet® vanilla ice cream for dessert. I chatted with moms until 1:30pm.
I spent a little more time at Koko Head Park. For some strange reason, I felt restless the whole time I was there. Why? I have no urgent need to be anywhere. Then, I drove to Koko Marina, parked my truck, walked to the gym, performed my usual workout, shopped at Foodland yet again, and drove back to Slob Manor (read: rental housing).
There is usually a lot more detail to my mundane routine, but I no longer delineate on such trivia. With only one legitimate reader of the "blog," the effort is just too great and the benefit minimal. I even wonder why I bother putting the same hyperlinks into the "blog" daily. Yet another useless task that must be mummified.
Obviously, I have been exeriencing extreme lethargy as of late. My entire life has become one lethargic state, with absolutely nothing having any form of meaning. Well, at least I know that I am not alone:
Moms was home when I arrived. Moms mentioned that my bro was due back home within a few minutes because the Oceanic cable guy was coming by. I decided to spend a few minutes at Koko Head Park. I departed the park at 10:25am. My bro was home when I arrived. Fortunately, the Oceanic cable guy arrived just a couple of minutes later. So, I was spared the small talk. Moms and I made the usual rounds ... Longs® in Kuapa Kai and Foodland in Koko Marina. Moms and I ate lunch at Yummy's. Later, moms served up Best Yet® vanilla ice cream for dessert. I chatted with moms until 1:30pm.
I spent a little more time at Koko Head Park. For some strange reason, I felt restless the whole time I was there. Why? I have no urgent need to be anywhere. Then, I drove to Koko Marina, parked my truck, walked to the gym, performed my usual workout, shopped at Foodland yet again, and drove back to Slob Manor (read: rental housing).
There is usually a lot more detail to my mundane routine, but I no longer delineate on such trivia. With only one legitimate reader of the "blog," the effort is just too great and the benefit minimal. I even wonder why I bother putting the same hyperlinks into the "blog" daily. Yet another useless task that must be mummified.
Obviously, I have been exeriencing extreme lethargy as of late. My entire life has become one lethargic state, with absolutely nothing having any form of meaning. Well, at least I know that I am not alone:
After having tried to explain away the collapse of several Wall Street brokerage houses by saying, “Wall Street got drunk,” it appears that it is Bush who is suffering from bouts of drunkenness.The preceding was an excerpt from an article titled, "Bush reported to be drinking heavily," by Wayne Madsen that appeared on the Online Journal site. Heck, maybe Shrub and I can become drinking buddies!
According to informed sources who spoke to WMR, Bush was visibly drunk at the recent G-20 economic summit in Washington and at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Lima, Peru.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Pathos
Another urban nomad kind-of-a-day was a typical waste of time. I followed the normal itinerary ... ride the bus to town, sit in the inner courtyard of the library, perform my usual workout at the gym, return to Slob Manor (read: rental housing) by bus, and complete the dreaded laundry chores. How much more pathetic can the situation get? Obviously, much more.
My Palm® TX is still at my side. Not owning a printer, I was not able to print out a hard copy of the required form to sell the device as previously planned. So, I continue to use it as an adjunct Net appliance.
My clean installation of Ubuntu "Hardy Heron" (v8.04.1 LTS) has been plagued with problems. The operating system is clearly lagging, but I cannot find the culprit. In addition, the software brightness control for the LCD screen does not "stick" at its last setting. All of the multimedia applications are frequently "skipping" in the playback of both audio and video tracks. I am definitely quite disappointed with Ubuntu.
To end the day in the most dismal way possible, I transferred $2,200 to my local bank from my investment accounts. In a few days, all of that money will vanish. Perhaps I should take up the excessive imbibing of cheap booze as a hobby, eh? That way, I will at least know where the money is going (i.e., literally right down the commode). At the least, I will realize a cheap "buzz," which is more than I am experiencing right now. Sheesh!
My Palm® TX is still at my side. Not owning a printer, I was not able to print out a hard copy of the required form to sell the device as previously planned. So, I continue to use it as an adjunct Net appliance.
My clean installation of Ubuntu "Hardy Heron" (v8.04.1 LTS) has been plagued with problems. The operating system is clearly lagging, but I cannot find the culprit. In addition, the software brightness control for the LCD screen does not "stick" at its last setting. All of the multimedia applications are frequently "skipping" in the playback of both audio and video tracks. I am definitely quite disappointed with Ubuntu.
To end the day in the most dismal way possible, I transferred $2,200 to my local bank from my investment accounts. In a few days, all of that money will vanish. Perhaps I should take up the excessive imbibing of cheap booze as a hobby, eh? That way, I will at least know where the money is going (i.e., literally right down the commode). At the least, I will realize a cheap "buzz," which is more than I am experiencing right now. Sheesh!
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Spendthrift Pauper
I was on my way to Hawai'i Kai at 8:40am this morning. Moms was home when I arrived. Moms and I departed for Ala Moana within a few minutes. I was able to find shaded parking for my Nissan® Frontier truck. Moms and I shopped at Longs® and Sears®. At 10:30am, moms walked to the dentist's office. I ended up at Barnes & Noble®. I browsed around for about 45 minutes. Then, I made my way to the dentist office. I waited about an hour before moms emerged.
Moms and I ate bento lunches at Shirokiya. When all was said and done, the time was 1:45pm. Moms and I drove back to Hawai'i Kai. Moms served up Best Yet® vanilla ice cream. I departed shortly afterward. As usual, I drove to Koko Marina, parked my truck, walked to the gym, preformed my usual workout, shopped at Foodland, and returned to Slob Manor (read: rental housing).
Well, after reviewing last month's expenses, I felt extremely nauseous. Coupled with my Ubuntu fiasco of two nights ago, the result is that there is little left of my sanity. Money is slipping through my fingers, and I have yet to yield any enjoyment from my ruthless spending. Can you imagine that I somehow incurred $3,600 in expenses last month, yet I still live like a pauper?
Moms and I ate bento lunches at Shirokiya. When all was said and done, the time was 1:45pm. Moms and I drove back to Hawai'i Kai. Moms served up Best Yet® vanilla ice cream. I departed shortly afterward. As usual, I drove to Koko Marina, parked my truck, walked to the gym, preformed my usual workout, shopped at Foodland, and returned to Slob Manor (read: rental housing).
Well, after reviewing last month's expenses, I felt extremely nauseous. Coupled with my Ubuntu fiasco of two nights ago, the result is that there is little left of my sanity. Money is slipping through my fingers, and I have yet to yield any enjoyment from my ruthless spending. Can you imagine that I somehow incurred $3,600 in expenses last month, yet I still live like a pauper?
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Last Call for Ubuntu
The ordeal with my Toshiba® Satellite notebook computer ended on a semi-happy note. I was able to install Ubuntu Linux "Hardy Heron" (V8.04.1 LTS) and configure everything within an hour. That included 176 updates. I am still very perturbed about the "Intrepid Ibex" (v8.10) install. Everything worked fine when I ran it in "Live CD" mode. After I installed it, I was not able to connect to the network either by hard-wired or wireless options. The drop down menu for the wireless connection displayed all of the wireless networks in the area and their respective signal strengths. However, I could not connect to any of the routers. The same situation occurred when I connected the cable directly from the Slob Manor (read: rental housing) wireless/four-port router (my normal mode of connection). I surmise that I will have to make a thorough search of the Ubuntu Forums in order to find a solution.
Another urban nomad kind-of-a-day started off quite wet. The downpour commenced in the wee hours of the morning. However, the rain cleared up just before I departed. I followed the usual nauseating itinerary. Nothing out of the ordinary occurred. I was back at Slob Manor by 5pm.
When I powered up my computer, I discovered that the update manager was malfunctioning. The update manager and add/remove applications utility are both based on Synaptics Package Manager. I attempted to reinstall Synaptic through the command line. Nada. So, I searched the Ubuntu Forums. I discovered that entering the following:
Well, the NBER has finally decided that the empire is in a recession and has been for a year now. What took it so long? Finally, I heard from my homey Rod. He sent a B-day card. Apparently, Rod has been suffering from ulcerative colitis. I also heard from Lori and Shirley.
Another urban nomad kind-of-a-day started off quite wet. The downpour commenced in the wee hours of the morning. However, the rain cleared up just before I departed. I followed the usual nauseating itinerary. Nothing out of the ordinary occurred. I was back at Slob Manor by 5pm.
When I powered up my computer, I discovered that the update manager was malfunctioning. The update manager and add/remove applications utility are both based on Synaptics Package Manager. I attempted to reinstall Synaptic through the command line. Nada. So, I searched the Ubuntu Forums. I discovered that entering the following:
sudo dpkg --configure -aat the command line did the trick. I was back in business with Ubuntu. The whole episode, however, left a bad taste in my mouth, if you know what I mean.
Well, the NBER has finally decided that the empire is in a recession and has been for a year now. What took it so long? Finally, I heard from my homey Rod. He sent a B-day card. Apparently, Rod has been suffering from ulcerative colitis. I also heard from Lori and Shirley.
Monday, December 01, 2008
More Computer Woes
As usual on Monday, I spent most of the day in Hawai'i Kai. Moms and I made the rounds to Longs® in Kuapa Kai and Foodland in Koko Marina. For lunch, moms served fresh sashimi (read: raw fish), leftover turkey, fresh vegetables, and rice. For dessert, I enjoyed a piece of apple pie. Then, I chatted with moms until 1:30pm.
I spent a little time at Koko Head Park before returning to Koko Marina. I parked my Nissan® Frontier truck in the parking structure, walked to the gym, performed my usual cardio workout, and shopped at Foodland for my own groceries. On the way back to the parking structure, I ran into the Asian hottie, the former Institute of Hair Design student who now works at Supercuts®. We chatted briefly. I keep promising to have her cut my hair, but I never get around to it. I then drove back to Slob Manor (read: rental housing).
A very disturbing evening ensued. I attempted to install Ubuntu "Intrepid Ibex" on my Toshiba® Satellite notebook computer. The install went well. However, I was not able to connect to the Net either by hard-wired or wireless options. Everything worked fine from the "Live CD." I spent over an hour re-installing "Hardy Heron." And, I still have a ways to go. So pathetic.
November will have been the last month that my liquid assets remained stable. From this point forward, we are looking at a downhill slide. I have been fortunate to have survived for 1.5 years with only a slight reduction in my liquid assets. That's without any wage slave income. However, thanks to that asswipe Ben Bernanke and his crooked buddies, I will be seeing a major depletion in the coming months. My net worth (read: "paper" worth) will probably remain the same. I will not finalize the annual balance sheet until the end of next month.
I spent a little time at Koko Head Park before returning to Koko Marina. I parked my Nissan® Frontier truck in the parking structure, walked to the gym, performed my usual cardio workout, and shopped at Foodland for my own groceries. On the way back to the parking structure, I ran into the Asian hottie, the former Institute of Hair Design student who now works at Supercuts®. We chatted briefly. I keep promising to have her cut my hair, but I never get around to it. I then drove back to Slob Manor (read: rental housing).
A very disturbing evening ensued. I attempted to install Ubuntu "Intrepid Ibex" on my Toshiba® Satellite notebook computer. The install went well. However, I was not able to connect to the Net either by hard-wired or wireless options. Everything worked fine from the "Live CD." I spent over an hour re-installing "Hardy Heron." And, I still have a ways to go. So pathetic.
November will have been the last month that my liquid assets remained stable. From this point forward, we are looking at a downhill slide. I have been fortunate to have survived for 1.5 years with only a slight reduction in my liquid assets. That's without any wage slave income. However, thanks to that asswipe Ben Bernanke and his crooked buddies, I will be seeing a major depletion in the coming months. My net worth (read: "paper" worth) will probably remain the same. I will not finalize the annual balance sheet until the end of next month.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Waiting Game (Reprise)
Another urban nomad kind-of-a-Sunday was unmarred by any form of excitement. Well, of course, I did catch a glimpse of the hottie gym trainer. Baby was looking mighty fine. I stopped off at Foodland in the Aina Haina Shopping Center on the way back to Slob Manor (read: rental housing). I purchased a small package of Ahi Poke for dinner. And, I also procured a pint of Häagen-Dazs® ice cream. My excuse was that I was celebrating a belated Ol' Lavahead Day. I ate the ice cream at the bus stop. Aside from the myriad flies swarming about, my celebration was ruined by the perpetual cigarette smoke permeating every cubic foot of air. That's "par for the course" for a true loser like the ol' lavahead.
The days are dragging on. And, I am finding myself becoming terribly apathetic about anything and everything. I have lost my desire to do much except to barely eat, barely sleep, and go the gym. Frankly, even the gym workouts are becoming too monotonous. I should be looking to re-enter wage slavery. However, the very idea leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I am really sick of the "system." And, I am even more sick of the myriad satanic gargoyles running amuck. Woe is me!
The only highlight of the day (aside from seeing the hottie gym trainer) was my receipt of the new Ubuntu Linux "Intrepid Ibex" (v8.10) CD in the mail. When I arrived at Slob Manor, I quickly rushed to my squalid room. I popped the CD into my Toshiba® Satellite notebook computer and ran Ubuntu in "Live CD" mode. Whoa! Everything including sound and the wireless network card worked flawlessly. My remaining issue (i.e., no headphone sound) was resolved. In addition, the sound was much louder now. I will be installing the version as soon as possible.
The days are dragging on. And, I am finding myself becoming terribly apathetic about anything and everything. I have lost my desire to do much except to barely eat, barely sleep, and go the gym. Frankly, even the gym workouts are becoming too monotonous. I should be looking to re-enter wage slavery. However, the very idea leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I am really sick of the "system." And, I am even more sick of the myriad satanic gargoyles running amuck. Woe is me!
The only highlight of the day (aside from seeing the hottie gym trainer) was my receipt of the new Ubuntu Linux "Intrepid Ibex" (v8.10) CD in the mail. When I arrived at Slob Manor, I quickly rushed to my squalid room. I popped the CD into my Toshiba® Satellite notebook computer and ran Ubuntu in "Live CD" mode. Whoa! Everything including sound and the wireless network card worked flawlessly. My remaining issue (i.e., no headphone sound) was resolved. In addition, the sound was much louder now. I will be installing the version as soon as possible.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Ol' Lavahead Day 2008
Well, this is Ol' Lavahead Day. I nearly forgot because I am a senile old fossil. Not that it matters. What is there to celebrate? Sheesh! Well, here is another retrospective from the old journal:
Irrespective of Ol' Lavahead Day, the urban nomad itinerary continued unabated (i.e., inner courtyard of the library, gym). Absolutely nothing out of the ordinary occurred. The weather turned ugly right after I boarded the bus destined for town and remained that way for the rest of the day. The rain, for the most part, was intermittent. Surprisingly, the ambient temperature decreased rapidly. Then, a major downpour ensued about ten minutes after I arrived safely back at Slob Manor (read: rental housing). The evening? Same ol' shit.
There will be no festivities. No celebration. Once again, what is there to celebrate? The detestable "condotel" unit was $350 short of breaking even last month. That's certainly not worthy of celebration. The hard drive load cycle problem on my Toshiba® Satellite notebook computer appears to be fixed. Well, that's cause enough for a celebration.
Today is the big day. The 41-year-old virgin turns 42! And, naturally, this calls for a celebration of sorts. I've got the larger $1.09 can of Bush's baked beans, some cream-style corn, sardines (in oil, of course) and ... damnit! I forgot to get some of those Hostess doughnuts, the ones made out of lard. Maybe I can go over to The Idiots' place and see if they can spare a package of Ding Dongs. Now, all I need to do is put on some Chant on the K-Mart. Let's see here. Oh boy! A birthday card! It's from my "friends at Marlboro." My only B-day card and it's from my smoking buddies. Well, with a celebration like this I just might start smoking! Sheesh! Well, look here! It's a B-day greeting from the Klingon Language Institute! "Quchjaj qoSlIj. DuQuchmoH neH jajvam 'e' wItulbej." Thanks Worf!That was Ol' Lavahead Day in 1995 for goodness sakes. There sure were some literary gems in the old journal, eh?
Irrespective of Ol' Lavahead Day, the urban nomad itinerary continued unabated (i.e., inner courtyard of the library, gym). Absolutely nothing out of the ordinary occurred. The weather turned ugly right after I boarded the bus destined for town and remained that way for the rest of the day. The rain, for the most part, was intermittent. Surprisingly, the ambient temperature decreased rapidly. Then, a major downpour ensued about ten minutes after I arrived safely back at Slob Manor (read: rental housing). The evening? Same ol' shit.
There will be no festivities. No celebration. Once again, what is there to celebrate? The detestable "condotel" unit was $350 short of breaking even last month. That's certainly not worthy of celebration. The hard drive load cycle problem on my Toshiba® Satellite notebook computer appears to be fixed. Well, that's cause enough for a celebration.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Ubuntu Reprieve
Another urban nomad kind-of-a-day ... what more can I say. I followed the usual nauseating itinerary. I should mention that I almost could not complete the weight portion of my workout at the gym because my right shoulder was in pain. The pain, of course, resulted from the brutal wax job that I had to perform yesterday on my Nissan® Frontier truck. The good part about the whole day was that the library, the gym, and the buses were fairly empty. No doubt, everyone was out Saturnalia shopping. Someone had left a nice plastic soap container in the shower at the gym. Naturally, I had to procure it. Well, hey! These are tough times!
I spent about an hour or so this evening engaged in performing the necessary fix for the hard drive load cycle (i.e., park/unpark heads) problem in Ubuntu Linux. There are a variety of fixes available, but I chose the "official" version on the Ubuntu Wiki. I became concerned when I checked my hard drive and discovered that the load cycle count was increasing by ten or more every minute. And, that was in AC mode! Now, it's down to about 1.3 (or less) every minute. The other fixes attempted to keep the hard drive from spinning down. Essentially, the hard drive keeps running. I was not particularly comfortable with that concept. I am once again satisfied with Ubuntu.
I spent about an hour or so this evening engaged in performing the necessary fix for the hard drive load cycle (i.e., park/unpark heads) problem in Ubuntu Linux. There are a variety of fixes available, but I chose the "official" version on the Ubuntu Wiki. I became concerned when I checked my hard drive and discovered that the load cycle count was increasing by ten or more every minute. And, that was in AC mode! Now, it's down to about 1.3 (or less) every minute. The other fixes attempted to keep the hard drive from spinning down. Essentially, the hard drive keeps running. I was not particularly comfortable with that concept. I am once again satisfied with Ubuntu.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thanksgiving Day 2008
Well, the "American" Thanksgiving Day is upon us. First, a retrospective from the old journal:
Briefly building on the theme developed yesterday, I dare say that I am finally beginning to understand the real concept of money. The Fed and the Treasury have the ability to create endless amounts of money (by "printing" it or selling bonds) when necessary as witnessed by all of us in last few months. The money simply appeared out of nowhere. The "magic" money is being used to bail out the financial "system" of empire. Bad bank debts are being "erased" with the "magic" money. What does that tell us about the money itself? What is its intrinsic value?
There's nothing like waking up on Thanksgiving Day to some drawers slamming and to look out and see the crummy car cover wrapped around the ol' six-four because of 90 mph gusts. It just another beautiful day! This is a perfect day for a picnic, but one will need several anvils to hold everything down! By this afternoon, my six-four should be coated with bird droppings which are nature's own paint remover. There is so much to be thankful for, but that's why I'm a monk. You see, everyday is like Thanksgiving for a monk. I am thankful for this beautiful shoebox I live in! I am thankful for my wonderful and courteous neighbors! I am thankful that I never need to use my alarm clock to wake me up promptly every morning including holidays at five or six in the morning! I am thankful to all my creditors who prevent me from reckless materialistic abandon! I am thankful for my dim lamp that is making me go blind! I'm thankful that my new computer has the crappiest keyboard in the world. I am thankful for my French Press that broke two months after I bought it! I am thankful for the sinister force that keeps me in check! I am thankful for Bush's baked beans and the Toilet Duck! And, best of all, I am thankful that I have no babes (like that incredible gym babe Lisa)! I am truly blessed! You see, that's why I became a monk. I need to share my joys and blessings with everyone!Yes, that was Thanksgiving Day 1995! How things have not changed! Doesn't the latter excerpt give a whole new meaning to the old adage, "The more things change, the more they stay the same"?
Briefly building on the theme developed yesterday, I dare say that I am finally beginning to understand the real concept of money. The Fed and the Treasury have the ability to create endless amounts of money (by "printing" it or selling bonds) when necessary as witnessed by all of us in last few months. The money simply appeared out of nowhere. The "magic" money is being used to bail out the financial "system" of empire. Bad bank debts are being "erased" with the "magic" money. What does that tell us about the money itself? What is its intrinsic value?
The situation for the typical rank-and-file peon is quite different. Every penny owed or saved by a rank-and-file peon is accounted for. Not one cent is misplaced. In essence, money is being used to control the masses as opposed to it original function as a means of trade. I've often mentioned that the money "system" will remain in place to maintain order in society. However, the most recent and brazen acts by the Fed and Treasury have initiated an unravelling of sorts. Why couldn't the Fed and Treasury just produce more "magic" money to provide adequate healthcare for the general populace? There are many endless questions of that genre which could be asked by any of the myriad wage slaves and rank-and-file peons. As more and more of the general populace awake from their stupor and realize what has happened, the likelihood of anarchy increases exponentially. In other words, we will move from a financially structured (i.e., ordered) society to one of rampant entropy.
I woke up fairly early this morning. The first of my chores was to wash my Nissan® Frontier truck. Upon completion of the latter, I drove to Koko Head park in Hawai'i Kai. I found shaded parking under a group of trees. My intention was to send an hour waxing my truck. Unfortunately, the deed consumed two hours. I had to spend one hour alone on just the right side of the truck. That's the side that was vandalized by one of the side street homeowners with his Weedwhacker. I literally had to scrub off the grass particles that were fused to the paint. I used an wet old sock as a scrubbing pad. While doing so, I noticed an infinite number of chips in the paints. The asshole had made sure that all the rocks and gravel flew against the side of the truck. My renewed interest in revenge, however, was short-lived.
When I finished the task at 12:30pm, I immediately drove to Koko Marina. I found shaded parking. I walked to the gym. Given that the gym was closing at 2pm, I could only settle on completing just my cardio workout. The highlight of my gym experience was when I found a full bottle of Dove® body wash (for babes) in the shower. Naturally, I had to procure it.
I shopped at Foodland for what would be my Thanksgiving Day dinner. I purchase a three-pack of Keoki's® Laulau along with a pint of Dove® ice cream for dessert. Then, I dropped by Kozo Sushi to purchase a Futomaki pack. I was back in Slob Manor (read: rental housing) by 3pm, just in time to perform the dreaded laundry chores.
Well, my Thanksgiving Day dinner was uneventful. I heated up the Keoki's® Laulau in the filthy Slob Manor microwave oven and consumed all three along with the Futomaki pack. To say that I was stuffed would be an understatement.
I am not sure what to make of Ubuntu Linux now that I have discovered a series of articles about the hard drive load cycle problem (for notebook computers). The supposed fix is logged in the Ubuntu Wiki. The problem, it seems, is that computers running Ubuntu may experience earlier hard drive failure because of excessive load cycle activity. Ironically, the cause is not Ubuntu, but the power management parameters established in the computer's BIOS. Did I really need this kind of grief now? Oh well, I might as enjoy the pint of Dove® ice cream now ... tomorrow is another day.
I woke up fairly early this morning. The first of my chores was to wash my Nissan® Frontier truck. Upon completion of the latter, I drove to Koko Head park in Hawai'i Kai. I found shaded parking under a group of trees. My intention was to send an hour waxing my truck. Unfortunately, the deed consumed two hours. I had to spend one hour alone on just the right side of the truck. That's the side that was vandalized by one of the side street homeowners with his Weedwhacker. I literally had to scrub off the grass particles that were fused to the paint. I used an wet old sock as a scrubbing pad. While doing so, I noticed an infinite number of chips in the paints. The asshole had made sure that all the rocks and gravel flew against the side of the truck. My renewed interest in revenge, however, was short-lived.
When I finished the task at 12:30pm, I immediately drove to Koko Marina. I found shaded parking. I walked to the gym. Given that the gym was closing at 2pm, I could only settle on completing just my cardio workout. The highlight of my gym experience was when I found a full bottle of Dove® body wash (for babes) in the shower. Naturally, I had to procure it.
I shopped at Foodland for what would be my Thanksgiving Day dinner. I purchase a three-pack of Keoki's® Laulau along with a pint of Dove® ice cream for dessert. Then, I dropped by Kozo Sushi to purchase a Futomaki pack. I was back in Slob Manor (read: rental housing) by 3pm, just in time to perform the dreaded laundry chores.
Well, my Thanksgiving Day dinner was uneventful. I heated up the Keoki's® Laulau in the filthy Slob Manor microwave oven and consumed all three along with the Futomaki pack. To say that I was stuffed would be an understatement.
I am not sure what to make of Ubuntu Linux now that I have discovered a series of articles about the hard drive load cycle problem (for notebook computers). The supposed fix is logged in the Ubuntu Wiki. The problem, it seems, is that computers running Ubuntu may experience earlier hard drive failure because of excessive load cycle activity. Ironically, the cause is not Ubuntu, but the power management parameters established in the computer's BIOS. Did I really need this kind of grief now? Oh well, I might as enjoy the pint of Dove® ice cream now ... tomorrow is another day.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Imminent Collapse
I was on my way to Hawai'i Kai t 8:45am this morning in my Nissan® Frontier truck. Moms and I only made the rounds in Koko Marina ... Zippy's for lunch and grocery shopping at Foodland. For dessert, moms served up Best Yet® vanilla ice cream. Moms and I chatted until 1:30pm. Moms mentioned that I was invited to Thanksgiving Day dinner tomorrow, but I declined. No explanation required. Moms also gave me a package of Back to Nature® cashew nuts, a package of Hershey's® candy, half of one lamp-baked chicken, and a few religious magazines to read.
I spent only a few minutes in Koko Head Park. My solitude was disturbed by a group of people. I left immediately, found shaded parking in Koko Marina, walked to the gym, performed my usual workout, shopped at Foodland, and drove back to Slob Manor (read: rental housing). The evening? Same ol' shit.
Here's an interesting excerpt from an article titled, "Colossal Financial Collapse: The Truth behind the Citigroup Bank 'Nationalization'," by F. William Engdahl that appeared on the Global Research site:
I refrained from going into a discourse about the empire of the damned (i.e., the United Fascist State of Empire) yesterday. I was too fatigued by the on-going events. In actuality, though, the dire economic straits has been on my mind constantly. In retrospect, I now realize that the Fed has been solely responsible for the "boom-bust" cycle that we have lived through in the past few decades or so. The current situation was the result of Alan Greenspan's easy money policies to stave off a recession after the bursting of the so-called "dot-com bubble" and the contrived "September 11th" event. The result was hyperinflation in the form of the so-called "housing bubble." Of course, not only housing prices went up. So did oil and other commodities. When the Fed attempted to decelerate the inflation by raising short-term interest rates to a paltry five percent, the cumulative effect of several serial "bubbles" popped simultaneously. A huge transfer of wealth took place, and a vacuum was left where there was once wealth.
We are still on the downhill slide of the collapse of empire. We are experiencing a pseudo-deflationary effect, with a possible overshoot past the bottom because of the speed at which the pseudo-deflation is unfolding. The stock market is also tracking the downward trend. As bank insolvency rose, the Treasury teamed up with the Fed and began frantically "printing" money and selling bonds to "pay" for the various bank bailouts. The bill for the taxpayers has not yet arrived. It is my belief that the Fed's brief interest rate experiment (i.e., raising short-term rates) proved that the empire's economy cannot survive with cheap money. It's the magic of compound interest returning as "blowback." The Fed must have foreseen the problem a few years ago when it ceased publishing its M3 data. Right now, the Fed is injecting so much money into the "system" that it is bound to overshoot in the other direction. In other words, within six month, we should see an extreme rebound in hyperinflation along with a weaker dollar. Oil prices will go up for sure. I believe that I was too optimistic in thinking that at least one more "bubble" would be possible. I'm afraid that the start of the next "bubble" will the beginning of the end. The Fed will soon lower short-term interest rates to zero percent. That, my friends, will be permanent. The Fed will not be able to raise those rate one iota because the collapse will come about even sooner.
Food prices, of course, have not gone down. That's the premise upon which I base my assessment of the pseudo-deflation-ism. When hyperinflation kicks back in, food prices will rise even higher. I'm afraid that we are heading into the realm of pain and suffering that I have often spoken about in reference to the secular Apocalypse. Well, that's what I am alluding to here. We are at the forefront of the secular Apocalypse.
I spent only a few minutes in Koko Head Park. My solitude was disturbed by a group of people. I left immediately, found shaded parking in Koko Marina, walked to the gym, performed my usual workout, shopped at Foodland, and drove back to Slob Manor (read: rental housing). The evening? Same ol' shit.
Here's an interesting excerpt from an article titled, "Colossal Financial Collapse: The Truth behind the Citigroup Bank 'Nationalization'," by F. William Engdahl that appeared on the Global Research site:
Citigroup and the government have identified a pool of about $306 billion in troubled assets. Citigroup will absorb the first $29 billion in losses. After that, remaining losses will be split between Citigroup and the government, with the bank absorbing 10% and the government absorbing 90%. The US Treasury Department will use its $700 billion TARP or Troubled Asset Recovery Program bailout fund, to assume up to $5 billion of losses. If necessary, the Government’s Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) will bear the next $10 billion of losses. Beyond that, the Federal Reserve will guarantee any additional losses. The measures are without precedent in US financial history. It’s by no means certain they will salvage the dollar system.Might a suggest a good antacid as an appetizer before reading the entire article?
The situation is so intertwined, with six US major banks holding the vast bulk of worldwide financial derivatives exposure, that the failure of a single major US financial institution could result in losses to the OTC derivatives market of $300-$400 billion, a new IMF working paper finds. What’s more, since such a failure would likely cause cascading failures of other institutions. Total global financial system losses could exceed another $1,500 billion according to an IMF study by Singh and Segoviano.
I refrained from going into a discourse about the empire of the damned (i.e., the United Fascist State of Empire) yesterday. I was too fatigued by the on-going events. In actuality, though, the dire economic straits has been on my mind constantly. In retrospect, I now realize that the Fed has been solely responsible for the "boom-bust" cycle that we have lived through in the past few decades or so. The current situation was the result of Alan Greenspan's easy money policies to stave off a recession after the bursting of the so-called "dot-com bubble" and the contrived "September 11th" event. The result was hyperinflation in the form of the so-called "housing bubble." Of course, not only housing prices went up. So did oil and other commodities. When the Fed attempted to decelerate the inflation by raising short-term interest rates to a paltry five percent, the cumulative effect of several serial "bubbles" popped simultaneously. A huge transfer of wealth took place, and a vacuum was left where there was once wealth.
We are still on the downhill slide of the collapse of empire. We are experiencing a pseudo-deflationary effect, with a possible overshoot past the bottom because of the speed at which the pseudo-deflation is unfolding. The stock market is also tracking the downward trend. As bank insolvency rose, the Treasury teamed up with the Fed and began frantically "printing" money and selling bonds to "pay" for the various bank bailouts. The bill for the taxpayers has not yet arrived. It is my belief that the Fed's brief interest rate experiment (i.e., raising short-term rates) proved that the empire's economy cannot survive with cheap money. It's the magic of compound interest returning as "blowback." The Fed must have foreseen the problem a few years ago when it ceased publishing its M3 data. Right now, the Fed is injecting so much money into the "system" that it is bound to overshoot in the other direction. In other words, within six month, we should see an extreme rebound in hyperinflation along with a weaker dollar. Oil prices will go up for sure. I believe that I was too optimistic in thinking that at least one more "bubble" would be possible. I'm afraid that the start of the next "bubble" will the beginning of the end. The Fed will soon lower short-term interest rates to zero percent. That, my friends, will be permanent. The Fed will not be able to raise those rate one iota because the collapse will come about even sooner.
Food prices, of course, have not gone down. That's the premise upon which I base my assessment of the pseudo-deflation-ism. When hyperinflation kicks back in, food prices will rise even higher. I'm afraid that we are heading into the realm of pain and suffering that I have often spoken about in reference to the secular Apocalypse. Well, that's what I am alluding to here. We are at the forefront of the secular Apocalypse.
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