Yet another visit to Hawai'i Kai went well. Moms and I made the usual rounds in my Nissan® Frontier truck. For lunch, we ate at Panda Express®. Later, moms served Foremost® coffee and vanilla ice cream for dessert. I kept moms company until 1:30pm. Then, I drove to Koko Marina to complete my workout at the gym and shop for groceries.
This afternoon, I sat outside for quite a while on one of the concrete benches along the periphery of Koko Marina. I remembered when Koko Marina was known as the Hawai'i Kai Shopping Center (now the name of the shopping area in Kuapa Kai that has both Longs® and Safeway® anchor stores). That's when my family first moved there over 40 years ago. The shopping center was extremely small with Foodland being the largest store. The original building was circular shaped. In fact, the original structure is still there, hidden by a cheap false roof. I remember my one-and-only haircut at the long-defunct Hawai'i Kai Barber Shop. I had to pick a haircut from various drawings pasted up on the wall. Ever haircut looked the same. "That's called the 'Butch' haircut," the barber told me after I arbitrarily chose one of the drawings. I ended up going home in a fit of rage and tears. How could a kid of eleven years handle a near-bald head? Little did I know that, over 40 years later, I would be sporting the monk haircut, which is nearly the same as the "Butch."
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Non-History
Can you believe that another urban nomad kind-of-a-Sunday has come to pass? Nothing out of the ordinary happened. I received the monthly "condotel" report. The dump has once gain fallen short of break-even, this time by $400 and some change. I also received my annual letter from the Social Security Administration. If I retire at age 62 years as planned, then I will tentatively receive $616 per month. A paltry sum, but I can live with it.
I was fairly fatigued all day. The Indian guy was up at 5am this morning and making all kinds of noise until he departed at 7am. At one point, he was pacing around in the second floor common area. Ever since the Indian guy purchased his new "babe magnet" automobile, he has been keeping very strange hours. Perhaps he has found a babe and is now courting her. Who knows? Who cares?
I was rather sluggish at the gym. However, I managed to complete my workout. Then, I followed my usual circuitous bus route back to Slob Manor (read: rental housing). Fortunately, I was able to procure a decent bento at Foodland in Ala Moana Center. Yes, another boring urban nomad kind-of-a-Sunday has been relegated to non-history. Is that so bad?
I was fairly fatigued all day. The Indian guy was up at 5am this morning and making all kinds of noise until he departed at 7am. At one point, he was pacing around in the second floor common area. Ever since the Indian guy purchased his new "babe magnet" automobile, he has been keeping very strange hours. Perhaps he has found a babe and is now courting her. Who knows? Who cares?
I was rather sluggish at the gym. However, I managed to complete my workout. Then, I followed my usual circuitous bus route back to Slob Manor (read: rental housing). Fortunately, I was able to procure a decent bento at Foodland in Ala Moana Center. Yes, another boring urban nomad kind-of-a-Sunday has been relegated to non-history. Is that so bad?
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Same Ol' Grind (Reprise)
The urban nomad routine was executed flawlessly, not that there's much difficulty in accomplishing the tasks of an urban nomad kind-of-a-day. At the library, I completed reading Christopher Hitchens' book, "god is not Great." Otherwise, I spent the time lapsing in and out of a coma as usual. Nothing else noteworthy to report.
According to the Feedjit® Live Feed, there has been a lot of clowns looking for tawdry images of Colombian hottie Esperanza Gomez. Baby has really gained notoriety from her first hurdy-gurdy appearance. Her performance was beyond amazing. Sheesh!
According to the Feedjit® Live Feed, there has been a lot of clowns looking for tawdry images of Colombian hottie Esperanza Gomez. Baby has really gained notoriety from her first hurdy-gurdy appearance. Her performance was beyond amazing. Sheesh!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Lost Treasure
Another visit to Hawai'i Kai found moms, me, and my Nissan® Frontier truck making the rounds in Koko Marina. Lunch was courtesy Zippy's. Later, moms served Foremost® coffee and vanilla ice cream for dessert. I kept moms company until 1:30pm. Then, I drove back to Koko Marina to commence my urban nomad routine. Obviously, I had to return to Slob Manor (read: rental housing) eventually. Only an urban nomad kind-of-an-evening awaits me.
In looking for more useless junk to divest, I found a bag of old coins. Lost treasure? Not exactly. None of the coins were old enough to be worth anything (i.e., little numismatic value). Evidently, I have several types of dollar coins. I also found a couple of two-dollar paper currency. I will deposit the money in my local bank just to be rid of it.
I also discovered a very old booklet titled, "Adventures of a Pebble," by Anne Stromquist that was printed in 1958 by the Chicago Natural History Museum. The booklet is 51 years old. Why did I keep it for that long? And, what should I do with it now?
In looking for more useless junk to divest, I found a bag of old coins. Lost treasure? Not exactly. None of the coins were old enough to be worth anything (i.e., little numismatic value). Evidently, I have several types of dollar coins. I also found a couple of two-dollar paper currency. I will deposit the money in my local bank just to be rid of it.
I also discovered a very old booklet titled, "Adventures of a Pebble," by Anne Stromquist that was printed in 1958 by the Chicago Natural History Museum. The booklet is 51 years old. Why did I keep it for that long? And, what should I do with it now?
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Call of Colombia
Alas, I was back to the urban nomad routine again. Only a jaunt to the Institute of Hair Design was out of the ordinary. Naturally, I restored my monk haircut. I was rather fatigued for most of the day. Apparently, the residual caffeine from the coffee that I consumed yesterday kept me awake for most of last night.
When I returned to Slob Manor (read: rental housing) this afternoon, I noticed that there were several flies and mosquitoes in the house. Naturally, they all ended up in my squalid room. What else is new? By the way, the second floor common area smells really bad. There are several packages of rotting fast food lying around. The extreme heat of the past few days have acted as a catalyst to the process of food (i.e., meat and poultry) decay.
As to be expected, I have not divested my copy of the NLT (New Living Translation) Study Bible. It is still lying around in my squalid room. I have debated with myself for days about the issue. In the end, I keep deferring my decision. There really shouldn't be any decision necessary since I have already determined that the credibility of the Good Book is rather low. The NLT Study Bible is better off stacked on a shelf in the library where unsuspecting patrons can use it.
The furor on the Pure T 'n A site is the "torrent" of the first hurdy-gurdy video of Colombian hottie Esperanza Gomez from the DVD, "South Beach Cruisin' 3" (Justin Slayer Productions). Danno (in Colombia) had mentioned that there are myriad Latino hotties to be appreciated. He apparently wasn't kidding. Should the ol' lavahead consider moving to Colombia?
When I returned to Slob Manor (read: rental housing) this afternoon, I noticed that there were several flies and mosquitoes in the house. Naturally, they all ended up in my squalid room. What else is new? By the way, the second floor common area smells really bad. There are several packages of rotting fast food lying around. The extreme heat of the past few days have acted as a catalyst to the process of food (i.e., meat and poultry) decay.
As to be expected, I have not divested my copy of the NLT (New Living Translation) Study Bible. It is still lying around in my squalid room. I have debated with myself for days about the issue. In the end, I keep deferring my decision. There really shouldn't be any decision necessary since I have already determined that the credibility of the Good Book is rather low. The NLT Study Bible is better off stacked on a shelf in the library where unsuspecting patrons can use it.
The furor on the Pure T 'n A site is the "torrent" of the first hurdy-gurdy video of Colombian hottie Esperanza Gomez from the DVD, "South Beach Cruisin' 3" (Justin Slayer Productions). Danno (in Colombia) had mentioned that there are myriad Latino hotties to be appreciated. He apparently wasn't kidding. Should the ol' lavahead consider moving to Colombia?
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Back to Liliha
My Nissan® Frontier truck and I were on our way to Hawai'i Kai at 8am this morning. Moms had an appointment with the opthamologist in Liliha. We arrived with plenty of time. Naturally, I had to search for street parking, which is a nightmare in Liliha. Once again, moms was somehow bypassed in the queue. I watched as every patient that came in before and after moms departed. Some of the staff even went to lunch. I even had time to walk to the Foodland on School Street to purchase a cup of coffee. Moms was finally done around noon, a full two hours after our arrival. I urged moms to find another doctor, but moms is reluctant to do so.
On the way back, moms and I stopped at Foodland in Koko Marina to purchase a couple of bento for lunch. Later, moms served Foremost® coffee and vanilla ice cream for dessert. I kept moms company until 2pm. Then, I went about my usual urban nomad routine.
Incidentally, the cup of coffee that I consumed earlier had a profound effect on me at the gym. My heart rate was somewhat elevated during my weight workout, which I found to be distressing. However, I had a lot of energy and was able to complete all of my sets with vigor. No doubt, that is why I see many of gym meatheads drinking high-caffeine "energy" beverages prior to engaging in their workouts. My cardio workout probably dissipated what was left of the toxic caffeine in my bloodstream. I am just glad that I am no longer addicted to caffeine.
On the way back, moms and I stopped at Foodland in Koko Marina to purchase a couple of bento for lunch. Later, moms served Foremost® coffee and vanilla ice cream for dessert. I kept moms company until 2pm. Then, I went about my usual urban nomad routine.
Incidentally, the cup of coffee that I consumed earlier had a profound effect on me at the gym. My heart rate was somewhat elevated during my weight workout, which I found to be distressing. However, I had a lot of energy and was able to complete all of my sets with vigor. No doubt, that is why I see many of gym meatheads drinking high-caffeine "energy" beverages prior to engaging in their workouts. My cardio workout probably dissipated what was left of the toxic caffeine in my bloodstream. I am just glad that I am no longer addicted to caffeine.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
What Do I Know?
The days are becoming much more difficult for me to tolerate. After all, I live in the empire. Unfortunately, I am not one of the privileged empire citizens. Rather, I am a member of the scum class. With the economy is full swing toward a recovery of the "bubble" status quo, I find myself being left behind again. I am barely scraping by on nothing, but I am privy to witness the masses of consumers who have returned to rampant spending with a vengeance. Where are they getting the money?
At the library, I reluctantly resumed reading Christopher Hitchen's book, "god is not Great." Frankly, I am now enjoying the book. Too many of his points are valid. And, truthfully, I share his disdain for organized religion and false religious doctrine. Oh well.
Ever since I have become an agnostic, an agnostic creationist, by default, I have had severe bouts of disillusionment. I have also experienced both existential and metaphysical crises. Not a day goes by without a sense of loss and befuddlement. The whole issue is an intellectual conundrum, not an emotional one. At this point in time, I have no way to reconcile my state of mind. An atheistic evolutionist like Hitchens has already accepted that humans have been left to their own devices. There is no reason to wallow in discord over the human tragedy. After all, that's part of evolution. There are no real philosophical questions pertaining to life. Humans are simply animals. I suppose that I was expecting human life to be something more than it is. Alas, what do I know?
At the library, I reluctantly resumed reading Christopher Hitchen's book, "god is not Great." Frankly, I am now enjoying the book. Too many of his points are valid. And, truthfully, I share his disdain for organized religion and false religious doctrine. Oh well.
Ever since I have become an agnostic, an agnostic creationist, by default, I have had severe bouts of disillusionment. I have also experienced both existential and metaphysical crises. Not a day goes by without a sense of loss and befuddlement. The whole issue is an intellectual conundrum, not an emotional one. At this point in time, I have no way to reconcile my state of mind. An atheistic evolutionist like Hitchens has already accepted that humans have been left to their own devices. There is no reason to wallow in discord over the human tragedy. After all, that's part of evolution. There are no real philosophical questions pertaining to life. Humans are simply animals. I suppose that I was expecting human life to be something more than it is. Alas, what do I know?
Monday, August 24, 2009
Not Ready for Prime Time
Another visit to Hawai'i Kai went well. Moms and I made the usual rounds with lunch courtesy Zippy's. Later, moms served fresh cinnamon rolls and Foremost® coffee ice cream for dessert. I kept moms company until 1:30pm. Then, I embarked on the usual routine for the rest of the afternoon. Obviously, I had to eventually return to the dump known as Slob Manor (read: rental housing).
Earlier, I checked my cell phone voicemail for the first time in a long time. There were three messages from Ralph, a dean at HCC. He had a couple of classes that were available for me to facilitate. Sadly, I only heard the messages after-the-fact. In any case, I am not ready to return to wage slavery. Although I need money to survive, I am just not prepared to engage in gainful employment. I don't even possess the proper wage slave attire. Sheesh!
Earlier, I checked my cell phone voicemail for the first time in a long time. There were three messages from Ralph, a dean at HCC. He had a couple of classes that were available for me to facilitate. Sadly, I only heard the messages after-the-fact. In any case, I am not ready to return to wage slavery. Although I need money to survive, I am just not prepared to engage in gainful employment. I don't even possess the proper wage slave attire. Sheesh!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Why Bother?
Another urban nomad kind-of-a-Sunday ... slightly out of the ordinary. I received mail from Capital Pacific Group. I am supposed to submit some documentation including copies of the stock certificate which is not in my possession. Well, I assume that the case is now closed. At the gym, I was able to catch a microsecond glimpse of the hottie gym trainer just as I arrived. Baby was looking mighty fine. Later, I was able to procure a Yakitori Bento at Foodland in Ala Moana Center.
The Route 24 bus arrived earlier than usual because there was a different driver. When the bus was passing through Waikiki, two young hotties boarded. They were wearing skimpy bikini tops and extremely tight and skimpy shorts (most likely hiding skimpy thong bottoms). They sat in the back of the bus along with me. I was the sole passenger in the back of the bus. The smell of coconut suntan lotion was overbearing. Several guys kept looking back to catch a glimpse of the babes. The two babes kept comparing tans and tugging on their skimpy tops. Little was left to the imagination. After we passed the Diamond Head stop and Kahala Mall, I began to wonder where the two hotties were going. Certainly they weren't planning to visit Upper Aina Haina.
I pulled the cord to signal a stop at the Aina Haina Shopping Center. The babes then asked me for directions to the beach. Essentially breaking my vow of silence, I told them that they had to transfer to another bus. They alighted at the Aina Haina Shopping Center with me. They told me that they wanted to go to a beach where they could sunbathe topless. Ho boy! I gave them directions to the bus stop across the street so that they could board either the Route 22 or 23 bus. The babes had an unusual accent, but I was not able to ascertain its origin. The two hotties thanked me and departed.
The rest of the day was quite mundane in comparison to my chance encounter with the two gorgeous young hotties. The dreaded laundry chores, my squalid room in Slob Manor (read: rental housing), the ant farm residing in my Nissan® Frontier truck ... oh, the horror!
Last night, I installed KompoZer, a WYSIWYG editor for Web pages. I also copied the journal archive to my computer desktop. I played around with both KompoZer and Screem, but I am not certain whether I want to go through the trouble of revamping the old journal. Why bother? Anyway, I ended up uninstalling and reinstalling both applications until I settled for Screem.
The Route 24 bus arrived earlier than usual because there was a different driver. When the bus was passing through Waikiki, two young hotties boarded. They were wearing skimpy bikini tops and extremely tight and skimpy shorts (most likely hiding skimpy thong bottoms). They sat in the back of the bus along with me. I was the sole passenger in the back of the bus. The smell of coconut suntan lotion was overbearing. Several guys kept looking back to catch a glimpse of the babes. The two babes kept comparing tans and tugging on their skimpy tops. Little was left to the imagination. After we passed the Diamond Head stop and Kahala Mall, I began to wonder where the two hotties were going. Certainly they weren't planning to visit Upper Aina Haina.
I pulled the cord to signal a stop at the Aina Haina Shopping Center. The babes then asked me for directions to the beach. Essentially breaking my vow of silence, I told them that they had to transfer to another bus. They alighted at the Aina Haina Shopping Center with me. They told me that they wanted to go to a beach where they could sunbathe topless. Ho boy! I gave them directions to the bus stop across the street so that they could board either the Route 22 or 23 bus. The babes had an unusual accent, but I was not able to ascertain its origin. The two hotties thanked me and departed.
The rest of the day was quite mundane in comparison to my chance encounter with the two gorgeous young hotties. The dreaded laundry chores, my squalid room in Slob Manor (read: rental housing), the ant farm residing in my Nissan® Frontier truck ... oh, the horror!
Last night, I installed KompoZer, a WYSIWYG editor for Web pages. I also copied the journal archive to my computer desktop. I played around with both KompoZer and Screem, but I am not certain whether I want to go through the trouble of revamping the old journal. Why bother? Anyway, I ended up uninstalling and reinstalling both applications until I settled for Screem.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Same Ol' Grind
Back to the same ol' grind ... another urban nomad kind-of-a-day. There's absolutely nothing new to report. I followed the same old routine. Nothing exciting occurred. None of my remaining useless possessions were divested. I spoke to absolutely no one. And, the ant farm is still thriving somewhere in the unibody of my Nissan® Frontier truck.
When all else fails, then the discussion must turn to Ubuntu Linux. Actually, there's nothing new to report. I have taken to disabling more and more of the various "bells and whistles" of the operating system. Why didn't I just opt for Xfce instead of Gnome®? Alas, Ubuntu has served me well, even though I have encountered a few problems. I am still searching for new applications to install that will give me something to do while I am locked in my squalid room at Slob Manor (read: rental housing) all evening. Sheesh!
When all else fails, then the discussion must turn to Ubuntu Linux. Actually, there's nothing new to report. I have taken to disabling more and more of the various "bells and whistles" of the operating system. Why didn't I just opt for Xfce instead of Gnome®? Alas, Ubuntu has served me well, even though I have encountered a few problems. I am still searching for new applications to install that will give me something to do while I am locked in my squalid room at Slob Manor (read: rental housing) all evening. Sheesh!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Ant Farm
Admissions Day ... well, since this is the 50th year that Hawai'i has been a subservient state of the empire, the holiday has been renamed "Statehood Day" for the occasion. I wonder what the Native Hawai'ians think about the celebration. After all, they got the "short end of the stick" back then.
I was on my way to Kahala Mall on the bus at 8:15am this morning. As to be expected, I spent the time at Barnes & Noble®. I decided to opt for real coffee rather than the sludge that passes for decaffeinated coffee. I am not going to commence my caffeine addiction again, so I need not worry. I only have a few years left to exist, so I may as well not live so "prophylactically." I perused my favorite Linux magazine, Linux Format (from the UK).
On the way back to Slob Manor (read: rental housing), I stopped off at Foodland in the Aina Haina Shopping Center. I purchased a banana and a small bag of Nabisco® Teddy Grahams for lunch. I had to wait 30 minutes for the next bus, so I ate my puny lunch at the us stop. When I finally set foot in my squalid room at 12:30pm, I decided to wash my Nissan® Frontier truck. I completed the task at 2:20pm.
I drove my truck to Koko Marina and found shaded parking. At the gym, I was going through the motions of my usual workout. However, during a shoulder press set, I felt a sharp pain in the middle of my back, specifically my spine. I knew that I was postured wrong when I attempted the set. What a maroon! I quickly mummified my weight workout and moved on to my cardio workout. I no longer take any chances. No pain, no gain ... no problem-o.
Afterward, I purchased half of a lamp-baked chicken and another small bag of Nabisco® Teddy Grahams at Foodland for dinner. When I returned to Slob Manor, I enjoyed my tasty meal, along with a green salad sans dressing, a navel orange, and ice cream for dessert.
At 7pm, I had to put a couple of things in my Nissan® Frontier truck when I noticed a trail of ants along the outside of the driver's side window. Upon closer scrutiny, I discovered that there were thousands of ants all over the truck. There is apparently an ant farm somewhere in my truck. I immediately engaged in mass genocide. In fact, I had to use the Hot Shot® Roach & Ant Killer to assist in the atrocity. An hour later, the situation was somewhat under control. Yep, another day in the life of Mr. Nobody.
I was on my way to Kahala Mall on the bus at 8:15am this morning. As to be expected, I spent the time at Barnes & Noble®. I decided to opt for real coffee rather than the sludge that passes for decaffeinated coffee. I am not going to commence my caffeine addiction again, so I need not worry. I only have a few years left to exist, so I may as well not live so "prophylactically." I perused my favorite Linux magazine, Linux Format (from the UK).
On the way back to Slob Manor (read: rental housing), I stopped off at Foodland in the Aina Haina Shopping Center. I purchased a banana and a small bag of Nabisco® Teddy Grahams for lunch. I had to wait 30 minutes for the next bus, so I ate my puny lunch at the us stop. When I finally set foot in my squalid room at 12:30pm, I decided to wash my Nissan® Frontier truck. I completed the task at 2:20pm.
I drove my truck to Koko Marina and found shaded parking. At the gym, I was going through the motions of my usual workout. However, during a shoulder press set, I felt a sharp pain in the middle of my back, specifically my spine. I knew that I was postured wrong when I attempted the set. What a maroon! I quickly mummified my weight workout and moved on to my cardio workout. I no longer take any chances. No pain, no gain ... no problem-o.
Afterward, I purchased half of a lamp-baked chicken and another small bag of Nabisco® Teddy Grahams at Foodland for dinner. When I returned to Slob Manor, I enjoyed my tasty meal, along with a green salad sans dressing, a navel orange, and ice cream for dessert.
At 7pm, I had to put a couple of things in my Nissan® Frontier truck when I noticed a trail of ants along the outside of the driver's side window. Upon closer scrutiny, I discovered that there were thousands of ants all over the truck. There is apparently an ant farm somewhere in my truck. I immediately engaged in mass genocide. In fact, I had to use the Hot Shot® Roach & Ant Killer to assist in the atrocity. An hour later, the situation was somewhat under control. Yep, another day in the life of Mr. Nobody.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Bottom Line
Another urban nomad kind-of-a-day has been sacrificed to mediocrity. No details are necessary. I should mention that I did not sleep well again last night. I was awakened by my own stupidity every two hours. Naturally, each awakening required that I "drain the lizard." Thus, I was completely fatigued all day.
The days pass very quickly. I now find myself going through the motions of existence from dawn until dusk. I have lost all concept of meaning or purpose. Even the homeless have a purpose ... survival. I don't even seem to care one way or the other about my survival. Of course, living in a perpetual dump like Slob Manor (read: rental housing) can have a profound and adverse effect on one's psyche.
Divestiture of my useless possessions has come to an abrupt halt. The same crap is still lying around all over my squalid room. I simply ignore the crap, or I move it from one place to another if it is in the way. Eventually, in the "eleventh hour," I will simply dump everything or donate all of it. What else can be done?
I really have had no thoughts in the past two days. My mind continues to draw a blank, even when I read the disgusting "mainstream" or alternative news. Ever look down the hole in a portable latrine? That's exactly what I see and smell when I read the news these days. In fact, the news can be quickly summarized: The filthy rich scum are getting richer, and the poor losers are losing everything including their lives. That's the "bottom line."
The days pass very quickly. I now find myself going through the motions of existence from dawn until dusk. I have lost all concept of meaning or purpose. Even the homeless have a purpose ... survival. I don't even seem to care one way or the other about my survival. Of course, living in a perpetual dump like Slob Manor (read: rental housing) can have a profound and adverse effect on one's psyche.
Divestiture of my useless possessions has come to an abrupt halt. The same crap is still lying around all over my squalid room. I simply ignore the crap, or I move it from one place to another if it is in the way. Eventually, in the "eleventh hour," I will simply dump everything or donate all of it. What else can be done?
I really have had no thoughts in the past two days. My mind continues to draw a blank, even when I read the disgusting "mainstream" or alternative news. Ever look down the hole in a portable latrine? That's exactly what I see and smell when I read the news these days. In fact, the news can be quickly summarized: The filthy rich scum are getting richer, and the poor losers are losing everything including their lives. That's the "bottom line."
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Writer's Block
My Nissan® Frontier truck and I spent the day in Hawai'i Kai visiting moms. We only made the rounds at Foodland in Koko Marina. For lunch, moms served homemade Beef Curry, fresh aku sashime, lamp-baked chicken, fresh vegetables, and rice. For dessert, moms served Foremost® coffee ice cream. I kept moms company until 1:30pm. The rest of the day was a formulaic urban nomad kind-of-a-day.
What is truly amazing is that I have nothing pertinent to discuss in the "blog." I did not sleep well last night, which may be the cause of "writer's block." Well, my life and life-style are both in stasis. So, there nothing new or interesting occurring. In other words, same ol' shit. We'll just leave it at that.
What is truly amazing is that I have nothing pertinent to discuss in the "blog." I did not sleep well last night, which may be the cause of "writer's block." Well, my life and life-style are both in stasis. So, there nothing new or interesting occurring. In other words, same ol' shit. We'll just leave it at that.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Nadab & Abihu
Another day in the Pauline Christian empire ... another urban nomad kind-of-a-day. We've got three failed wars with no clear objectives in the Middle East and Central Asia. We've got no real health reform plan. What we do have are a bunch of allegedly Christian (Pauline) politicians on both sides of the aisle. Obama is also a Christian. Almost every asswipe on the street is Christian. There's a damned church with a displayed cross on nearly every block. So, what went wrong?
At the library, I decided to commence reading Christopher Hitchen's book, "god is Not Great: How Religion Ruins Everything." Although I learned a few new tidbits of information, I was put off by Hitchens' condescending verbal demagoguery, which is really just about the same kind of crap that I would expect from religious fundamentalists. Hitchens is obviously an atheistic evolutionist, essentially a "New Age" religion of its own right. Thus, I mummified the reading of the book indefinitely.
At the gym, I was surprised to see the hottie gym trainer working with a gym member. I do not wear my dork glasses during my workouts, so I was not truly able to effectively peruse baby's hotness. As you know, baby looks a lot like Lexi Stone (aka Angela McLin). Whew!
"Onstage before thousands of believers weighed down by debt and economic insecurity, Kenneth and Gloria Copeland and their all-star lineup of 'prosperity gospel' preachers delighted the crowd with anecdotes about the luxurious lives they had attained by following the Word of God." So began the article titled, "Believers Invest in the Gospel of Getting Rich," that appeared on the NY Times site. The damned fools are not worshiping Molech. They are worshipping the Good Book God (of Judaism, Christianity, Paulinity, and Islam). Why weren't they all struck down for debauchery? Heck, remember when Nadab and Abihu were allegedly charbroiled by the Almighty for swinging around the wrong kind of incense in their lamps in front of the Tabernacle?
At the library, I decided to commence reading Christopher Hitchen's book, "god is Not Great: How Religion Ruins Everything." Although I learned a few new tidbits of information, I was put off by Hitchens' condescending verbal demagoguery, which is really just about the same kind of crap that I would expect from religious fundamentalists. Hitchens is obviously an atheistic evolutionist, essentially a "New Age" religion of its own right. Thus, I mummified the reading of the book indefinitely.
At the gym, I was surprised to see the hottie gym trainer working with a gym member. I do not wear my dork glasses during my workouts, so I was not truly able to effectively peruse baby's hotness. As you know, baby looks a lot like Lexi Stone (aka Angela McLin). Whew!
"Onstage before thousands of believers weighed down by debt and economic insecurity, Kenneth and Gloria Copeland and their all-star lineup of 'prosperity gospel' preachers delighted the crowd with anecdotes about the luxurious lives they had attained by following the Word of God." So began the article titled, "Believers Invest in the Gospel of Getting Rich," that appeared on the NY Times site. The damned fools are not worshiping Molech. They are worshipping the Good Book God (of Judaism, Christianity, Paulinity, and Islam). Why weren't they all struck down for debauchery? Heck, remember when Nadab and Abihu were allegedly charbroiled by the Almighty for swinging around the wrong kind of incense in their lamps in front of the Tabernacle?
Monday, August 17, 2009
Merry-Go-Round
Another visit to Hawai'i Kai went well. Moms and I made the usual rounds with lunch courtesy Panda Express®. My visit with moms ended at 1:45pm. Afterward, I visited the Hawai'i Kai library for a few minutes. I was able to find Jared Diamond's book, "Guns, Germs, and Steel." I spent the time perusing the book.
At the gym, I decided to only do my cardio workout. My original workout plan (when I switched to a seven days per week workout) was to have one day off from weight training. Foolishly, I have been ignoring the plan. Little wonder why I end up injuring myself. The body, especially a frail "old man" body, needs to rest and rejuvenate.
I was still quite filled from lunch when dinner time arrived. I settled for a $1.50 Banquet® frozen turkey meal, which I purchased at Foodland after my gym workout. By "American" standards, the meal is quite pathetic. However, I found the tiny dinner to be delicious. In addition, there are possibly billions of malnourished people in the world who would love to eat even one meal just like it.
Moms had given me more religious literature. "Don't just look at it," moms said. "Read it." As you may recall, I had decided that I can no longer take such religious literature seriously. I will peruse the articles, perhaps reading the more innocuous ones. Moms' church is "way out in left field" with interpretations of Scripture that tax the imagination. The whole foundation of the church is on shaky ground, so to speak. I have discussed that matter previously in the "blog." Mind you, I had thought of giving my copy of the NLT (New Living Translation) Study Bible to moms. However, moms' church has its own translation, and no other version is allowed. Of course, I have discovered that the latter translation is riddled with serious errors. Obviously, none of that really matters since there is little evidence to believe that any translation is credible, considering that most of what is considered to be Scripture was essentially selected arbitrarily from a gamut of questionable material. Little wonder why there is a problem of consistency in the Good Book.
Alas, for me, all that's left is the exodus. I am living in a civilization that will go through a tragic descent, and I don't want to be here when that happens. The global economy is based upon "American" consumerism. Thus, all that's being done to save the "system" is really just a means to jump-start consumer spending. No one else can spend money frivolously like an "American." No one else can do so with an air of religious arrogance like an "American." So, the stage is being set for another "bubble" even bigger than the last. I can feel it coming. I don't want to go through that crap again. I don't want to be here with all those praying Pauline Christians, the biggest hypocrites known to humans. It's a bad-ass merry-go-round, and I need to alight as quick as possible.
At the gym, I decided to only do my cardio workout. My original workout plan (when I switched to a seven days per week workout) was to have one day off from weight training. Foolishly, I have been ignoring the plan. Little wonder why I end up injuring myself. The body, especially a frail "old man" body, needs to rest and rejuvenate.
I was still quite filled from lunch when dinner time arrived. I settled for a $1.50 Banquet® frozen turkey meal, which I purchased at Foodland after my gym workout. By "American" standards, the meal is quite pathetic. However, I found the tiny dinner to be delicious. In addition, there are possibly billions of malnourished people in the world who would love to eat even one meal just like it.
Moms had given me more religious literature. "Don't just look at it," moms said. "Read it." As you may recall, I had decided that I can no longer take such religious literature seriously. I will peruse the articles, perhaps reading the more innocuous ones. Moms' church is "way out in left field" with interpretations of Scripture that tax the imagination. The whole foundation of the church is on shaky ground, so to speak. I have discussed that matter previously in the "blog." Mind you, I had thought of giving my copy of the NLT (New Living Translation) Study Bible to moms. However, moms' church has its own translation, and no other version is allowed. Of course, I have discovered that the latter translation is riddled with serious errors. Obviously, none of that really matters since there is little evidence to believe that any translation is credible, considering that most of what is considered to be Scripture was essentially selected arbitrarily from a gamut of questionable material. Little wonder why there is a problem of consistency in the Good Book.
Alas, for me, all that's left is the exodus. I am living in a civilization that will go through a tragic descent, and I don't want to be here when that happens. The global economy is based upon "American" consumerism. Thus, all that's being done to save the "system" is really just a means to jump-start consumer spending. No one else can spend money frivolously like an "American." No one else can do so with an air of religious arrogance like an "American." So, the stage is being set for another "bubble" even bigger than the last. I can feel it coming. I don't want to go through that crap again. I don't want to be here with all those praying Pauline Christians, the biggest hypocrites known to humans. It's a bad-ass merry-go-round, and I need to alight as quick as possible.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Dogma of Fools
Another urban nomad kind-of-a-Sunday ... nothing went quite as planned. However, I simply dealt with the issues and continued on with my itinerary. In effect, I did not have a good day. I am constantly surrounded by asswipes, most of whom are probably Pauline Christians. Why do we not have a better society if its people are allegedly religious?
I spent an hour early this morning at Kawaikui Beach Park. I was almost run down by an impatient asswipe in his 4000-pound motorized chair (read: automobile) as I walked across the street in the crosswalk. The fool was probably a Pauline Christian. Fortunately, I was able to clear my head while at the beach. Why did I even bother?
My only purpose for being in town on Sunday is my attendance at the gym. I also check my mail at the Post Office. My workouts are becoming meaningless to me again. I am simply going through the motions, just for the sake of my health. Why?
My excursion to Ala Moana was fruitless as I was not able to procure a bento at Foodland. I ended up at Foodland in the Aina Haina Shopping Center. The Aina Haina store is apparently being cleared out in preparation for remodeling. During that time (about four months duration), the store will be closed. What will I do then?
Once back in my squalid room at Slob Manor (read: rental housing), I had a bout of "existential crisis," whatever that means. I began to question my ability to see the exodus through completion. I surveyed my useless possessions and quizzed myself about why they have not been divested. I suffered a mild anxiety attack when I realized that I do not have much time left to "kickin' the can." When am I going to snap into action?
I spent an hour early this morning at Kawaikui Beach Park. I was almost run down by an impatient asswipe in his 4000-pound motorized chair (read: automobile) as I walked across the street in the crosswalk. The fool was probably a Pauline Christian. Fortunately, I was able to clear my head while at the beach. Why did I even bother?
My only purpose for being in town on Sunday is my attendance at the gym. I also check my mail at the Post Office. My workouts are becoming meaningless to me again. I am simply going through the motions, just for the sake of my health. Why?
My excursion to Ala Moana was fruitless as I was not able to procure a bento at Foodland. I ended up at Foodland in the Aina Haina Shopping Center. The Aina Haina store is apparently being cleared out in preparation for remodeling. During that time (about four months duration), the store will be closed. What will I do then?
Once back in my squalid room at Slob Manor (read: rental housing), I had a bout of "existential crisis," whatever that means. I began to question my ability to see the exodus through completion. I surveyed my useless possessions and quizzed myself about why they have not been divested. I suffered a mild anxiety attack when I realized that I do not have much time left to "kickin' the can." When am I going to snap into action?
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Cosmos, Bios, Theos
Another urban nomad kind-of-a-day ... a scorcher, to say the least. Hurricane Guillermo is on its way, although it will probably fizzle out before reaching Hawai'i. There will probably more rain next week.
At the library, I completed reading the book by Dorothy Allford titled, "Instant Creation: Not Evolution." I then commenced reading, "Cosmos, Bios, Theos: Scientists Reflect on Science, God, and the Origins of the Universe, Life, and Homo Sapiens," edited by Henry Margenau. There is one thing that I have to say about my time in the library: so many books, so little time.
At times, I find myself quite horrified at the fact that I have, by default, become a pseudo-agnostic. I am still a firm believer in the Creator. However, I am entirely certain that the Creator is not God (of Judaism, Christianity, Paulinity, and Islam). The universe had a finite beginning and it will have a finite ending. As for our own solar system, the sun will eventually become a dark star. The earth itself will change as its core cools. That may be aeons away, but the fact that our solar system also has a finite lifetime is irrefutable. Thus, the various religious beliefs that there will be eternal life and some kind of permanent deified kingdom on earth are simply hogwash.
Dogmatic religious believers may insist that the Almighty will find a way to recharge the sun and prevent the expanding universe from coming apart, but that does not make sense. Why would the Creator have designed a finite physical universe to begin with? The laws of the universe are already in place. Even then, the history of humans has proven that we are on a collision course with destruction at our own hands. Global climate change, Peak Oil, and overpopulation will bring an end to human civilization if a global war does not bring about a horrific decimation of humans first. Clearly, Divine Intervention is probably our only hope to survive. However, there is no reason to believe that such an event will take place.
As a pseudo-agnostic, I am inclined to believe that the Creator had a much different purpose for the earth and its lifeforms than what religious dogma suggests. Since the entire physical universe has a finite lifetime, then the lifeforms on the planet will not be endowed with any special privileges beyond that. The latter is not the kind of realization that makes one's day.
At the library, I completed reading the book by Dorothy Allford titled, "Instant Creation: Not Evolution." I then commenced reading, "Cosmos, Bios, Theos: Scientists Reflect on Science, God, and the Origins of the Universe, Life, and Homo Sapiens," edited by Henry Margenau. There is one thing that I have to say about my time in the library: so many books, so little time.
At times, I find myself quite horrified at the fact that I have, by default, become a pseudo-agnostic. I am still a firm believer in the Creator. However, I am entirely certain that the Creator is not God (of Judaism, Christianity, Paulinity, and Islam). The universe had a finite beginning and it will have a finite ending. As for our own solar system, the sun will eventually become a dark star. The earth itself will change as its core cools. That may be aeons away, but the fact that our solar system also has a finite lifetime is irrefutable. Thus, the various religious beliefs that there will be eternal life and some kind of permanent deified kingdom on earth are simply hogwash.
Dogmatic religious believers may insist that the Almighty will find a way to recharge the sun and prevent the expanding universe from coming apart, but that does not make sense. Why would the Creator have designed a finite physical universe to begin with? The laws of the universe are already in place. Even then, the history of humans has proven that we are on a collision course with destruction at our own hands. Global climate change, Peak Oil, and overpopulation will bring an end to human civilization if a global war does not bring about a horrific decimation of humans first. Clearly, Divine Intervention is probably our only hope to survive. However, there is no reason to believe that such an event will take place.
As a pseudo-agnostic, I am inclined to believe that the Creator had a much different purpose for the earth and its lifeforms than what religious dogma suggests. Since the entire physical universe has a finite lifetime, then the lifeforms on the planet will not be endowed with any special privileges beyond that. The latter is not the kind of realization that makes one's day.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Guns, Germs, & Ants
The morning began with a drive to Kahala Mall in my Nissan® Frontier truck. I had an appointment with the dentist for routine cleaning and examination ($134 out-of-pocket expense). Sadly, I was told that my upper porcelain crown was chipped. I do not need to replace it quite yet. I then realized that I had become quite careless and began chewing food (e.g., hard granola) on the left side of my mouth where I have two porcelain crowns. Foolishness always results in more foolishness, often costly. However, I must say that continuously chewing on one side of the mouth is monotonous.
Afterward, I drove to Hawai'i Kai. Moms was home when I arrived. Moms and I only made the round in Koko Marina. We ate lunch at Yummy's. Later, moms served Foremost® coffee and vanilla ice cream for dessert. I kept moms company until 1pm. Then, I spent about an hour of time at Koko Head Park. The rest of the afternoon followed the usual formulaic itinerary (i.e., workout at the gym and shop for food).
When I returned to Slob Manor (read: rental housing), I had to perform the usual chores which included taking the trash can out to the curb for collection tomorrow. I also had to fish out green waste from the blue (i.e., newspaper, cardboard, plastic, glass, and aluminum) recycling bin and put it into the green waste recycling bin. Obviously, there are idiots at Slob Manor who do not know the difference.
Then, in my squalid room, I came to discover than the sugar ants had somehow found a way into an unopened box of Hawai'ian Host® Macadamia Nut Chocolates that moms had given me. I was extremely perturbed and ended up engaging in a massive ant genocide pogrom. Although all of the candy was coated with sugar ants, I washed off each piece individually and put them all in a plastic bag. Yes, I will be eating the candy. Then, I took the bag of candy and all of the other non-refrigerated food items that were in my squalid room and put them in the fridge (including my package of Nabisco® Mini Teddy Grahams). The sugar ants are scouting everywhere in Slob Manor ... on every square inch of flooring, on the furniture, in the bathrooms, in the kitchen, on the walls, and even in the two fridges (albeit frozen from the cold). Ironically, only my squalid room has the least number of scouting sugar ants. Perhaps that big-ass can of Hot Shot® Roach & Ant Killer that is sitting on the floor is a major deterrent. Baha! Ha! Ha! Haaaa!
I have been watching the National Geographic® series "Guns, Germs, and Steel" on line since last night. There are three parts to the series based upon Jared Diamond's book of the same name. I am glad that I am able to view the series since the only copy of the book at the library has either been lost or stolen.
Afterward, I drove to Hawai'i Kai. Moms was home when I arrived. Moms and I only made the round in Koko Marina. We ate lunch at Yummy's. Later, moms served Foremost® coffee and vanilla ice cream for dessert. I kept moms company until 1pm. Then, I spent about an hour of time at Koko Head Park. The rest of the afternoon followed the usual formulaic itinerary (i.e., workout at the gym and shop for food).
When I returned to Slob Manor (read: rental housing), I had to perform the usual chores which included taking the trash can out to the curb for collection tomorrow. I also had to fish out green waste from the blue (i.e., newspaper, cardboard, plastic, glass, and aluminum) recycling bin and put it into the green waste recycling bin. Obviously, there are idiots at Slob Manor who do not know the difference.
Then, in my squalid room, I came to discover than the sugar ants had somehow found a way into an unopened box of Hawai'ian Host® Macadamia Nut Chocolates that moms had given me. I was extremely perturbed and ended up engaging in a massive ant genocide pogrom. Although all of the candy was coated with sugar ants, I washed off each piece individually and put them all in a plastic bag. Yes, I will be eating the candy. Then, I took the bag of candy and all of the other non-refrigerated food items that were in my squalid room and put them in the fridge (including my package of Nabisco® Mini Teddy Grahams). The sugar ants are scouting everywhere in Slob Manor ... on every square inch of flooring, on the furniture, in the bathrooms, in the kitchen, on the walls, and even in the two fridges (albeit frozen from the cold). Ironically, only my squalid room has the least number of scouting sugar ants. Perhaps that big-ass can of Hot Shot® Roach & Ant Killer that is sitting on the floor is a major deterrent. Baha! Ha! Ha! Haaaa!
I have been watching the National Geographic® series "Guns, Germs, and Steel" on line since last night. There are three parts to the series based upon Jared Diamond's book of the same name. I am glad that I am able to view the series since the only copy of the book at the library has either been lost or stolen.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Truth to Power (Reprise)
The humidity has been fairly high during and after the big rain (i.e., the fizzled out Hurricane Felicia). Everything is saturated with water. Even the floor of my squalid room at Slob Manor (read: rental housing) feels wet. Nonetheless, another urban nomad kind-of-a-day was successfully carried out. Same routine, same itinerary.
I am not sure why I continue to keep the NLT (New Living Translation) Study Bible. A few weeks ago, I had vowed to donate it to the library. Yet, it is still in my possession. Obviously, the book will not protect me from evil spirits. Nor will it inspire me to become "born again" anytime in the future. Perhaps I just cannot face the loss of a $40 "investment." In fact, what is even more ridiculous is that I have a "lifetime" subscription to the on-line version of the NLT Study Bible. The on-line version is identical to the printed version with a few additional features.
By the way, I am getting quite fatigued with the idiotic nonsense that passes for news these days. Take the healthcare issue. The whole deal would not be an issue if the empire were not involved in costly wars of its own making in three Central Asian nations. The amount of money being doled out for those wars is mind-boggling. Oddly, even the anti-war movement has slowly faded from the scene. The fact of the matter is that the ruing elite (i.e., the moneychangers and powers-that-be) want and need those conflagrations. We, the peons, are not given the real reasons for the wars. Thus, we are left with speculation and myriad conspiracy theories. Yet, the empire is allegedly going through a stunning economic recovery even amidst high unemployment and the continuing aftershocks of the collapse of the real estate "bubble." Nothing makes sense.
I suspect that a simultaneous recovery/collapse of the "system" is in the making. The dual nature of the event is determined by social class. The "system" as it serves the ruling elite will be recovering in a spectacular fashion with enormous increases in wealth. On the other hand, for the peons, imminent collapse is lurking around the corner. The ruling elite have, in essence, separated the peons and working class wage slaves from the actual economy. Thus, unemployment, foreclosures, and homelessness will remain the only choices for the lower classes. The idea is to expedite the "great die-off" for the lower classes through self-inflicted means, if possible.
The consolidation of the classes into only two distinct group, rich and poor, has been in the making for a while. The "offshoring" of jobs was one of the miracles of two-class separation. The so-called "boom/bust" cycles were another useful tool as I discussed recently. The trick, of course, is to "goose" the "system" to produce continued "growth," all the while decimating the poor from the ground up. Eventually, the lower levels of the rich class will be consumed in the fire of greed as well. The concept is something similar to what Jared Diamond discussed in his book, "Collapse." The small ruling elite remnant are only assuring that they will be last ones to suffer the ultimate consequences of their own actions.
Wars, too, are another useful tool to expedite the "great die-off" through selected class and ethnic "cleansing." Remember that the empire is the only nation in history to have used nuclear weapons on, not one, but two large civilian populations in Japan during WWII. Harry Truman used the opportunity to showcase the weapons to the then-Soviets who were just hours away from intervening in Japan. Of course, the then-Soviets had their own nuclear arsenal within a matter of months, much to Truman's chagrin. Obviously, none of the obliterated civilian population had any say in the matter.
Right now, I personally have the advantage of being one of the early victims of the empire's latest domestic economic carnage. I am one of the used and discarded peons. Thus, I am "under the radar." I want to use what little stealth that I have obtained to exit the "system" quietly. Then, I'm outta here!
I am not sure why I continue to keep the NLT (New Living Translation) Study Bible. A few weeks ago, I had vowed to donate it to the library. Yet, it is still in my possession. Obviously, the book will not protect me from evil spirits. Nor will it inspire me to become "born again" anytime in the future. Perhaps I just cannot face the loss of a $40 "investment." In fact, what is even more ridiculous is that I have a "lifetime" subscription to the on-line version of the NLT Study Bible. The on-line version is identical to the printed version with a few additional features.
By the way, I am getting quite fatigued with the idiotic nonsense that passes for news these days. Take the healthcare issue. The whole deal would not be an issue if the empire were not involved in costly wars of its own making in three Central Asian nations. The amount of money being doled out for those wars is mind-boggling. Oddly, even the anti-war movement has slowly faded from the scene. The fact of the matter is that the ruing elite (i.e., the moneychangers and powers-that-be) want and need those conflagrations. We, the peons, are not given the real reasons for the wars. Thus, we are left with speculation and myriad conspiracy theories. Yet, the empire is allegedly going through a stunning economic recovery even amidst high unemployment and the continuing aftershocks of the collapse of the real estate "bubble." Nothing makes sense.
I suspect that a simultaneous recovery/collapse of the "system" is in the making. The dual nature of the event is determined by social class. The "system" as it serves the ruling elite will be recovering in a spectacular fashion with enormous increases in wealth. On the other hand, for the peons, imminent collapse is lurking around the corner. The ruling elite have, in essence, separated the peons and working class wage slaves from the actual economy. Thus, unemployment, foreclosures, and homelessness will remain the only choices for the lower classes. The idea is to expedite the "great die-off" for the lower classes through self-inflicted means, if possible.
The consolidation of the classes into only two distinct group, rich and poor, has been in the making for a while. The "offshoring" of jobs was one of the miracles of two-class separation. The so-called "boom/bust" cycles were another useful tool as I discussed recently. The trick, of course, is to "goose" the "system" to produce continued "growth," all the while decimating the poor from the ground up. Eventually, the lower levels of the rich class will be consumed in the fire of greed as well. The concept is something similar to what Jared Diamond discussed in his book, "Collapse." The small ruling elite remnant are only assuring that they will be last ones to suffer the ultimate consequences of their own actions.
Wars, too, are another useful tool to expedite the "great die-off" through selected class and ethnic "cleansing." Remember that the empire is the only nation in history to have used nuclear weapons on, not one, but two large civilian populations in Japan during WWII. Harry Truman used the opportunity to showcase the weapons to the then-Soviets who were just hours away from intervening in Japan. Of course, the then-Soviets had their own nuclear arsenal within a matter of months, much to Truman's chagrin. Obviously, none of the obliterated civilian population had any say in the matter.
Right now, I personally have the advantage of being one of the early victims of the empire's latest domestic economic carnage. I am one of the used and discarded peons. Thus, I am "under the radar." I want to use what little stealth that I have obtained to exit the "system" quietly. Then, I'm outta here!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Recovery Now!
The rain finally arrived last night after a series of light showers that commenced at 5pm yesterday afternoon. Only slightly gusty winds accompanied the rain. The rain itself continued steadily until 5am this morning. Oddly, the weather was actually quite nice when I departed for town on the bus. However, in town, light showers were intermittent all day. Another urban nomad kind-of-a-day was not hampered in any way. Same routine, same itinerary.
I completed reading Bart Ehrman's book, "God's Problem." In actuality, I had only read the first couple of chapters prior to the book's disappearance from the library’s shelf a couple of months ago. Frankly, I am glad that my reading was preempted. I was probably not quite ready to digest Ehrman's opinions at the time. In the end, though, I discovered that I had independently come to many of the same conclusions that Ehrman did. And, I am now a pseudo-agnostic.
The stock market continues to surge because ... the recession is over! We are now in the biggest recovery in the history of empire. Thank goodness. Thus, the Fed kept short-term interest rates at zero percent so that it would be funneled into equities, thereby creating the "multiplier" effect. I am so glad that the recession is finally over. The "boom" times are back again. Unemployment is declining. Consumer spending is up. Homelessness is decreasing rapidly. Foreclosures are dropping off. Bank lending has taken off. Home prices are once again going up, so now is the time to buy real estate. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are finally paying off, with victory just around the corner. There has never been a better time to live in the empire. God (of Judaism, Christianity, Paulinity, and Islam) bless America! Land of the free. Home of the brave. Where wrong is right.
I completed reading Bart Ehrman's book, "God's Problem." In actuality, I had only read the first couple of chapters prior to the book's disappearance from the library’s shelf a couple of months ago. Frankly, I am glad that my reading was preempted. I was probably not quite ready to digest Ehrman's opinions at the time. In the end, though, I discovered that I had independently come to many of the same conclusions that Ehrman did. And, I am now a pseudo-agnostic.
The stock market continues to surge because ... the recession is over! We are now in the biggest recovery in the history of empire. Thank goodness. Thus, the Fed kept short-term interest rates at zero percent so that it would be funneled into equities, thereby creating the "multiplier" effect. I am so glad that the recession is finally over. The "boom" times are back again. Unemployment is declining. Consumer spending is up. Homelessness is decreasing rapidly. Foreclosures are dropping off. Bank lending has taken off. Home prices are once again going up, so now is the time to buy real estate. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are finally paying off, with victory just around the corner. There has never been a better time to live in the empire. God (of Judaism, Christianity, Paulinity, and Islam) bless America! Land of the free. Home of the brave. Where wrong is right.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Eridu Genesis
So far, there has only been a few scattered showers on O'ahu. Apparently, Hurricane Felicia has been downgraded even further, although there might be some heavy rain tomorrow. Thus, the urban nomad kind-of-a-day was not hindered in any way. Same routine, same itinerary.
Moms had purchased a bag of Nabisco® Mini Teddy Grahams at Longs® for me. I must admit that it is one of the better snacks around. Not too sweet. Low saturated fat. Obviously healthier than ice cream. I am eating some as we speak.
Did you check out the Library of Halexandria site? Apparently, more than an open mind is needed when perusing the information on the site. An active imagination is the real prerequisite. I am not about to embrace the thesis concerning extraterrestrial intervention in the fate of humanity. Nor am I willing to entertain the idea that humans were a genetic experiment by the those extraterrestrials to supply a need for slaves to mine gold. Why, pray tell? The thesis still does not explain the origin of life. The extraterrestrials had arrived on an earth populated by plants life, ocean life, animals, insects, and apes (to genetically modify to become humans). The thesis itself was an "interpretation" of various Sumerian legends.
Moms had purchased a bag of Nabisco® Mini Teddy Grahams at Longs® for me. I must admit that it is one of the better snacks around. Not too sweet. Low saturated fat. Obviously healthier than ice cream. I am eating some as we speak.
Did you check out the Library of Halexandria site? Apparently, more than an open mind is needed when perusing the information on the site. An active imagination is the real prerequisite. I am not about to embrace the thesis concerning extraterrestrial intervention in the fate of humanity. Nor am I willing to entertain the idea that humans were a genetic experiment by the those extraterrestrials to supply a need for slaves to mine gold. Why, pray tell? The thesis still does not explain the origin of life. The extraterrestrials had arrived on an earth populated by plants life, ocean life, animals, insects, and apes (to genetically modify to become humans). The thesis itself was an "interpretation" of various Sumerian legends.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Modern Slavery
My Nissan® Frontier truck and I were on our way to Hawai'i Kai at 8:40am this morning. The agenda was slightly different because moms had a doctor's appointment at Queen's Hospital. On the way back to Hawai'i Kai, we stopped off at Kahala Mall. Moms shopped at Longs®. Then, we ate lunch at Panda Express®. We made one last stop at Foodland in Koko Marina. Later, moms served Foremost® coffee and vanilla ice cream for dessert. I kept moms company until 2:30pm. The rest of the afternoon followed the same routine as always when I am in Hawai'i Kai.
I have been giving a bit of thought lately to modern slavery. I am speaking specifically of the class of rank-and-file peons who are in subjection to the moneychangers and powers-that-be. In the days of old, slaves were "savages" who were abducted and forced into menial labor. A major problem with traditional slavery was the possibility of a violent revolt. The slaves would have to be "put down," which resulted in myriad problems including the need to replenish the workforce. Modern slavery has circumvented that problem by several means, including the illusion of the "ownership society," employment as a "professional career," consumerism, and financial encumbrances (i.e., taxes, loans, and so forth). The modern slave believes that he is in total control of his life. He has been indoctrinated. The moneychangers and powers-that-be control the slave class using nefarious methods, one being the "boom/bust" cycles prevalent in "serial bubble" economies. The latter method exploits the creation of money by debt. The slaves do what slaves do best and aid in the creation of money and wealth during the "boom" times. They build their little sand castles on the beach. Then, like the waves during high tide, the ocean pummels the sand castle, and the grains of sand of the former edifice drifts out to sea. That, my friends, is the wealth transfer that occurs during the "bust" times. The slaves are needed to create more money and wealth. Then, the upper echelon takes it away through means which leave the slave believing that he was at fault for his loss. Because the slave has no one else to blame but himself, he will strive to better himself as a slave. Thus, the cycle continues.
In a nutshell, modern slaves are needed to create the wealth and add value to "things" prior to all of it being stolen by the moneychangers and powers-that-be. Giving the slaves the illusion of self-determination insures the slave's tenure. That is, of course, the reason why money is made out to be a scarce resource for the slaves. Yet, money, by definition is a joke whether the latter be fiat currency or "precious" metals. Money is not simply a medium of exchange. Money is the glue that keeps slavery intact.
Well, I have finally located the Library of Halexandria site, albeit by a circuitous route. I was specifically looking for "ancient" history, notably about the Sumerian society. Yes, I am embarking on my plan to find some basis in the Creation that has a commonality in various myths, legends, oral traditions, and written accounts from ancient times. The Halexandria site is quite elaborate and fairly comprehensive. Upon reading some of the material, I was quite taken aback. Simply stated, an open mind is required prior to navigating the site.
I have been giving a bit of thought lately to modern slavery. I am speaking specifically of the class of rank-and-file peons who are in subjection to the moneychangers and powers-that-be. In the days of old, slaves were "savages" who were abducted and forced into menial labor. A major problem with traditional slavery was the possibility of a violent revolt. The slaves would have to be "put down," which resulted in myriad problems including the need to replenish the workforce. Modern slavery has circumvented that problem by several means, including the illusion of the "ownership society," employment as a "professional career," consumerism, and financial encumbrances (i.e., taxes, loans, and so forth). The modern slave believes that he is in total control of his life. He has been indoctrinated. The moneychangers and powers-that-be control the slave class using nefarious methods, one being the "boom/bust" cycles prevalent in "serial bubble" economies. The latter method exploits the creation of money by debt. The slaves do what slaves do best and aid in the creation of money and wealth during the "boom" times. They build their little sand castles on the beach. Then, like the waves during high tide, the ocean pummels the sand castle, and the grains of sand of the former edifice drifts out to sea. That, my friends, is the wealth transfer that occurs during the "bust" times. The slaves are needed to create more money and wealth. Then, the upper echelon takes it away through means which leave the slave believing that he was at fault for his loss. Because the slave has no one else to blame but himself, he will strive to better himself as a slave. Thus, the cycle continues.
In a nutshell, modern slaves are needed to create the wealth and add value to "things" prior to all of it being stolen by the moneychangers and powers-that-be. Giving the slaves the illusion of self-determination insures the slave's tenure. That is, of course, the reason why money is made out to be a scarce resource for the slaves. Yet, money, by definition is a joke whether the latter be fiat currency or "precious" metals. Money is not simply a medium of exchange. Money is the glue that keeps slavery intact.
Well, I have finally located the Library of Halexandria site, albeit by a circuitous route. I was specifically looking for "ancient" history, notably about the Sumerian society. Yes, I am embarking on my plan to find some basis in the Creation that has a commonality in various myths, legends, oral traditions, and written accounts from ancient times. The Halexandria site is quite elaborate and fairly comprehensive. Upon reading some of the material, I was quite taken aback. Simply stated, an open mind is required prior to navigating the site.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Invisible Monk
Another urban nomad kind-of-a-Sunday was devoid of the usual stupidity. Everything went like clockwork. I could not have been more pleased. The itinerary? We all know the drill.
I am beginning to feel that I have discussed in both the old journal and the "blog" everything that needs to be discussed. There is little new content. As an example, I contemplated the discussion of the detestable nature of certain guys with respect to babes as applied to George Sodini. However, I have discussed that matter from my own perspective ad nauseam in the old journal. To compensate for no content, I have resorted to the timeless method of redundancy, currently exploiting the "urban nomad" theme. Heck, the only novel discussion so far has been my cheesy exposé of bad religion. Little wonder why there have been absolutely no legitimate readers of the "blog" in well over a month.
As useless as it is, the "blog" will continue in its daily format. However, I must rethink the use of redundancy. Yes, I have thought of just discontinuing the "blog," but I recollected that the "blog" is mandated to continue until the exodus is completed. I could put more of my thoughts into writing, but I actually think about very little these days. And, now that I have determined the futility of seeking spirituality, there is one less venue of discussion.
Well, I suppose that the outcome was predictable. After all, I have almost completely removed myself from the so-called "mainstream" and of human life. I have voluntarily cut off all contact from friends and family (with the exception of moms). I know absolutely no babes. I have no connection to the working world. I spend most of my time at the library. My only real interface with the outside world is the gym, which is marginal at best. In the evening, I lock myself in my squalid room at Slob Manor (read: rental housing). I no longer leave the door of my squalid room open. Seemingly, claustrophobia no longer afflicts me.
I find that I already have difficulty in maintaining even superficial conversation. I don't even care to talk, which is why my cell phone has been powered down for about a year. I have no desire to call anyone or to receive calls. I feel no regret for my inaction. Frankly, I feel nothing. I am nothing. I am the Invisible Monk.
I am beginning to feel that I have discussed in both the old journal and the "blog" everything that needs to be discussed. There is little new content. As an example, I contemplated the discussion of the detestable nature of certain guys with respect to babes as applied to George Sodini. However, I have discussed that matter from my own perspective ad nauseam in the old journal. To compensate for no content, I have resorted to the timeless method of redundancy, currently exploiting the "urban nomad" theme. Heck, the only novel discussion so far has been my cheesy exposé of bad religion. Little wonder why there have been absolutely no legitimate readers of the "blog" in well over a month.
As useless as it is, the "blog" will continue in its daily format. However, I must rethink the use of redundancy. Yes, I have thought of just discontinuing the "blog," but I recollected that the "blog" is mandated to continue until the exodus is completed. I could put more of my thoughts into writing, but I actually think about very little these days. And, now that I have determined the futility of seeking spirituality, there is one less venue of discussion.
Well, I suppose that the outcome was predictable. After all, I have almost completely removed myself from the so-called "mainstream" and of human life. I have voluntarily cut off all contact from friends and family (with the exception of moms). I know absolutely no babes. I have no connection to the working world. I spend most of my time at the library. My only real interface with the outside world is the gym, which is marginal at best. In the evening, I lock myself in my squalid room at Slob Manor (read: rental housing). I no longer leave the door of my squalid room open. Seemingly, claustrophobia no longer afflicts me.
I find that I already have difficulty in maintaining even superficial conversation. I don't even care to talk, which is why my cell phone has been powered down for about a year. I have no desire to call anyone or to receive calls. I feel no regret for my inaction. Frankly, I feel nothing. I am nothing. I am the Invisible Monk.
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Riders on the Storm
Another urban nomad kind-of-a-day waited in anticipation of nothing. At the library, I completed reading Jared Diamond's book, "Collapse." I happened to discover that Bart Ehrman's book, "God's Problem," was finally back on the shelf. So, I will complete its reading. The rest of the day followed the formulaic routine. By the way, the weather has been quite nice, even as we anticipate the arrival of Hurricane Felicia (now downgraded to a Category 1 Tropical Storm).
Diamond's book, "Collapse," was quite interesting, although he tended to downplay the current global situation (read: crises). Frankly, I believe that a quiet storm is emerging, aside from Hurricane Felicia. Humanity is on a collision course with its own destruction as Peak Oil and global climate change accompany massive greed to create a whole slew of cascading problems. We are probably past the "tipping point" (or the "point of no return"). Everything in the "system" is operating at "bare bones" efficiency. Just one glitch could bring the whole global "house of cards" down including our access to food and water supplies. A sober supplement to Diamond's book is an article written by Richard Heinberg that appeared on The Oil Drum site titled, "Temporary Recession or the End of Growth?"
Well, there's something new at TheBus site, namely the GPS-enabled bus arrival time calculator called HEA (Honolulu Estimated Arrival). It appears to be formatted for mobile devices, so I will bookmark it in my Palm® TX's browser. In theory, I should be able to determine the exact time that the bus will arrive at a particular bus stop. Well, at least we got something for the recently raised $50 bus pass fee. Incidentally, I checked HEA for accuracy. I inputted the stop number ("205" for Kawaikui Beach Park) into the search field (street names are also allowed). Then, I looked out the window of my squalid room in Slob Manor (read: rental housing) to confirm the time with the actual arrival of the bus. The HEA time was correct. Ain't that somethin'?
Diamond's book, "Collapse," was quite interesting, although he tended to downplay the current global situation (read: crises). Frankly, I believe that a quiet storm is emerging, aside from Hurricane Felicia. Humanity is on a collision course with its own destruction as Peak Oil and global climate change accompany massive greed to create a whole slew of cascading problems. We are probably past the "tipping point" (or the "point of no return"). Everything in the "system" is operating at "bare bones" efficiency. Just one glitch could bring the whole global "house of cards" down including our access to food and water supplies. A sober supplement to Diamond's book is an article written by Richard Heinberg that appeared on The Oil Drum site titled, "Temporary Recession or the End of Growth?"
Well, there's something new at TheBus site, namely the GPS-enabled bus arrival time calculator called HEA (Honolulu Estimated Arrival). It appears to be formatted for mobile devices, so I will bookmark it in my Palm® TX's browser. In theory, I should be able to determine the exact time that the bus will arrive at a particular bus stop. Well, at least we got something for the recently raised $50 bus pass fee. Incidentally, I checked HEA for accuracy. I inputted the stop number ("205" for Kawaikui Beach Park) into the search field (street names are also allowed). Then, I looked out the window of my squalid room in Slob Manor (read: rental housing) to confirm the time with the actual arrival of the bus. The HEA time was correct. Ain't that somethin'?
Friday, August 07, 2009
Quiet Storm Redux
My Nissan® Frontier truck and I spent most of the day in Hawai'i Kai. Just before moms and I departed to make the rounds at Koko Marina, my sister-in-law drove up. She was apparently taking the day off after a dentist appointment. Moms and I ate lunch at Zippy's before shopping at Foodland. Later, moms served Foremost® coffee and vanilla ice cream for dessert. I also helped moms carry a package of fruit to a neighbor's house. Then, I departed earlier than usual for obvious reasons.
I was very fortunate to find shaded parking when I drove back to Koko Marina. My gym workout was executed at a leisurely pace because the whole place was surprisingly not crowded. I did my own food shopping afterward. Subsequently, I drove back to Slob Manor (read: rental housing).
Hurricane Felicia is apparently heading directly to Hawai'i from the East. It is supposed to arrive on Sunday evening or Monday morning. At this point in time, the hurricane has been downgraded to a "Category 2 Tropical Storm." I suspect that there will still be heavy rainfall even it fully downgrades to a quiet storm. People are frantically stocking up on emergency supplies, according to the local news. I am doing nothing to prepare. Stocking food is useless, especially if the electric power goes out. Perhaps an inventory of "emergency" cheap booze is in order.
I was very fortunate to find shaded parking when I drove back to Koko Marina. My gym workout was executed at a leisurely pace because the whole place was surprisingly not crowded. I did my own food shopping afterward. Subsequently, I drove back to Slob Manor (read: rental housing).
Hurricane Felicia is apparently heading directly to Hawai'i from the East. It is supposed to arrive on Sunday evening or Monday morning. At this point in time, the hurricane has been downgraded to a "Category 2 Tropical Storm." I suspect that there will still be heavy rainfall even it fully downgrades to a quiet storm. People are frantically stocking up on emergency supplies, according to the local news. I am doing nothing to prepare. Stocking food is useless, especially if the electric power goes out. Perhaps an inventory of "emergency" cheap booze is in order.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Bad Religion
"Tent cities springing up all over America are filling with the homeless unemployed from the worst economy since the 1930s. While Americans live in tents, the Obama government has embarked on a $1 billion crash program to build a mega-embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, to rival the one the Bush government built in Baghdad, Iraq." -- Paul Craig Roberts from "The Expiring Economy" on the Counterpunch siteAnother urban nomad kind-of-a-day was once again punctuated by nothing. And, absolutely nothing differentiated today from any other urban nomad kind-of-a-day. Nothing from nothing leaves nothing.
By the way, did you notice the similarities between George Sodini and the ol' lavahead? Both workout at a gym, are detestable to babes, are loners, own property, don't watch the tube, have decent bank accounts, spend too much time on the computer, and have exodus plans (although Sodini's "exit plan" was much more gruesome). Sodini's greatest fear ( aside from not finding a babe) was forced emancipation from wage slavery. The ol' lavahead has already been emancipated. Sodini was 48 years old at the time of his demise. When the ol' lavahead was that age, he was gallivanting around with young hotties. You may also recall his foolish obsession with the Persian hottie (read: "former friend") at that time, although the latter account had to be purged from the old journal.
Seriously, though, the most disturbing part of Sodini's journal (link in yesterday's "blog") was the following entry:
Maybe soon, I will see God and Jesus. At least that is what I was told. Eternal life does NOT depend on works. If it did, we will all be in hell. Christ paid for EVERY sin, so how can I or you be judged BY GOD for a sin when the penalty was ALREADY paid. People judge but that does not matter. I was reading the Bible and The Integrity of God beginning yesterday, because soon I will see them.None of the "mainstream" news sources included the quote. Belief in flawed doctrines of religion really seem to empower the weak and oppressed masses, often causing them to commit atrocious acts. Is that not the same kind of mindset observed in early Jewish and Christian (read: Pauline) martyrs? Do we not see this today with Islamic martyrs and Christian dispensationalists?
My tolerance for organized religion is rapidly waning. Already, I have gauged the credibility of the Good Book as negligible. Now, I am moving from a pseudo-agnostic to a pseudo-atheist. While I am still certain that there is a Creator, I am even more certain that the latter is not God (of Judaism, Christianity, or Islam). Religion creates the false hope for Divine Justice. When justice is not dispensed by the Almighty, the victims of injustice take matters into their own hands using Scripture as their justification. We have seen this happening time and again throughout history. We humans would have been far better off without the invention of religion.
I have also been reconsidering my dream of visiting the "Cradle of Civilization" or other ancient world sites. Why bother? Why would I want to see the crumbling ruins of what were once monuments or tombs of deified human rulers, or visit the moldy temples of imaginary gods? I am better off seeking out the natural wonders of the world, unspoiled by human foolishness. Just to see something not defaced or ruined by human hands would be nice.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Going "Janitorial" (Reprise)
Another urban nomad kind-of-a-day was punctuated by nothing. Incidentally, the Pure T 'n A site never came back on-line last night. What a pity. As for the day, can you say, "Same ol' shit"?
The only deviation from the mundane was the restoration of my monk haircut at the Institute of Hair Design. I also mailed the signed contract to Capital Pacific Group. Let's see what happens next. And, of course, I performed the dreaded laundry chores once I was back at Slob Manor (read: rental housing). I have been performing the dreaded laundry chores on Sunday and Wednesday every week, so I no longer need to mention this rote tidbit.
Well, wouldn't you know it? The clown who went "janitoral" at a gym in Pittsburg was upset about the babe situation. Here's an excerpt from Yahoo! News:
The only deviation from the mundane was the restoration of my monk haircut at the Institute of Hair Design. I also mailed the signed contract to Capital Pacific Group. Let's see what happens next. And, of course, I performed the dreaded laundry chores once I was back at Slob Manor (read: rental housing). I have been performing the dreaded laundry chores on Sunday and Wednesday every week, so I no longer need to mention this rote tidbit.
Well, wouldn't you know it? The clown who went "janitoral" at a gym in Pittsburg was upset about the babe situation. Here's an excerpt from Yahoo! News:
George Sodini seethed with anger and frustration toward women. He couldn't understand why they ignored him, despite his best efforts to look nice. He hadn't had a girlfriend since 1984, hadn't slept with a woman in 19 years. "Women just don't like me. There are 30 million desirable women in the US (my estimate) and I cannot find one. Not one of them finds me attractive," the 48-year-old computer programmer lamented in a chilling diary he posted on the Internet.The quote is from Sodini's journal (also archived at LoserNet in case the site disappears). Had he read the ol' lavahead's journal and "blog," he could have spared himself the agony. He could have learned how to become a monk or an urban nomad instead.
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Zero Putz
Another urban nomad kind-of-a-day ... nothing noteworthy to report. The itinerary? We already know the drill, don't we?
I happened to see Les the putz walking around the library after I returned from eating my paltry lunch under the coconut trees in the Capitol district. He saw me and looked the other way. What a maroon! He's shunning me because I did not accept his solicitation to become a "born again" Christian. Les the putz is surely an odd fellow. You may recall how he belabored the point that he truly knows pain and suffering, as if he was some kind of martyr. He also wears an unusual pair of eyeglasses. The frameless lenses are big, thick, and perfectly round, like two spooky transparent circular disks hovering in front of his face. I have never seen anything like it. To be honest, I could easily imagine Les the putz going on a homicidal rampage (i.e., going "janitorial").
It's too bad that Les the putz did not want to chat. I could have shared with him my latest revelation ... there is no such entity as Christianity. In reality, the Christianity of the Gospels is really what I would label "Reformed Judaism," which historically comes after "Rabbinical Judaism," and "Second Temple Judaism." Followers of Jesus are therefore part of "Reformed Judaism." Christianity as we know it is the Church of the Apostle Paul. Should not such a religion be called "Paulinity"? I am not being sarcastic, by the way. One read of the Good Book quickly reveals that Paul's message is not always coincident with Jesus' teachings. In fact, Jesus was never concerned with establishing a church. Rather, he proclaimed that the "Kingdom of God is near." On the other hand, Paul's life was devoted to the founding, organizing, and maintenance of the church.
There have been a lot of good articles lately about the big rip-off of the rank-and-file peons. However, I and the rest of the rank-and-file peons appears to be quite content about being manipulated and robbed blind by the moneychangers and powers-that-be. So, I read the articles, then I put them out of my mind. The naysayers who have been warning us all along about the collapse of the "system" have ended up looking like idiots. There's a surge recovery going on right now even amidst massive unemployment. What the naysayers neglected to notice was the uncanny ability of the moneychangers and powers-that-be to "goose" the "system.
I happened to see Les the putz walking around the library after I returned from eating my paltry lunch under the coconut trees in the Capitol district. He saw me and looked the other way. What a maroon! He's shunning me because I did not accept his solicitation to become a "born again" Christian. Les the putz is surely an odd fellow. You may recall how he belabored the point that he truly knows pain and suffering, as if he was some kind of martyr. He also wears an unusual pair of eyeglasses. The frameless lenses are big, thick, and perfectly round, like two spooky transparent circular disks hovering in front of his face. I have never seen anything like it. To be honest, I could easily imagine Les the putz going on a homicidal rampage (i.e., going "janitorial").
It's too bad that Les the putz did not want to chat. I could have shared with him my latest revelation ... there is no such entity as Christianity. In reality, the Christianity of the Gospels is really what I would label "Reformed Judaism," which historically comes after "Rabbinical Judaism," and "Second Temple Judaism." Followers of Jesus are therefore part of "Reformed Judaism." Christianity as we know it is the Church of the Apostle Paul. Should not such a religion be called "Paulinity"? I am not being sarcastic, by the way. One read of the Good Book quickly reveals that Paul's message is not always coincident with Jesus' teachings. In fact, Jesus was never concerned with establishing a church. Rather, he proclaimed that the "Kingdom of God is near." On the other hand, Paul's life was devoted to the founding, organizing, and maintenance of the church.
There have been a lot of good articles lately about the big rip-off of the rank-and-file peons. However, I and the rest of the rank-and-file peons appears to be quite content about being manipulated and robbed blind by the moneychangers and powers-that-be. So, I read the articles, then I put them out of my mind. The naysayers who have been warning us all along about the collapse of the "system" have ended up looking like idiots. There's a surge recovery going on right now even amidst massive unemployment. What the naysayers neglected to notice was the uncanny ability of the moneychangers and powers-that-be to "goose" the "system.
Well, the tracker on the Pure T 'n A site went down at about 7pm HST. Then, the entire site went down a few minutes later. The problems are seemingly going from bad to horrendous. What is interesting is that the Web site was migrated to new servers a week ago. The tracker was supposed to be migrated to a new server, but I am certain that it has been delayed. Tracker timeouts are continuous and often run up to an hour or longer. Of course, the addictive nature of hurdy-gurdies do not allow any of the users to stop uploading and downloading new "torrents," even though their ratios may be affected. And, the site hosts a "private" tracker, so any complaints from the rank-and-file are quickly squelched with threats of banishment from the administrators. All in all, a good time for everyone.
Monday, August 03, 2009
Opacity
Another Monday found me and my Nissan® Frontier truck out in Hawai'i Kai visiting with moms. The itinerary was the same as usual. For lunch, moms and I ate at Panda Express® in the Hawai'i Kai Towne Center. Later, moms served Foremost® coffee and vanilla ice cream for dessert. I kept moms company until 2pm.
I was able to find shaded parking at Koko Marina immediately upon my arrival. I walked to the gym to perform my usual workout. Just before commencing my cardio workout, I noticed that there was no liquid soap in any of the soap dispensers including the showers. I asked at the front desk and was told that a shipment was coming in sometime soon. Just in case, I took a short break to check out Foodland and Price Busters. I wanted to purchase a small travel-sized bar of soap. Nada. So, I walked back to the gym to complete my cardio workout and enjoy a soapless shower afterward. Fortunately, the emergency shipment of soap did arrive in time.
I left the gym at 4:40pm, which was much later than usual. Not to worry. Where else do I need to be? I shopped at Foodland. Just as I was exiting, I ran into Mark. I had not seen him in ages. We chatted briefly. I promised to stop by his workplace to visit. Well, I arrived back at Slob Manor (read: rental housing) and immediately a wave of despondency hit me. Why do I continue to live in that dump? Why bother thinking about such nonsense when another urban nomad kind-of-an-evening is lurking around the corner?
I was able to find shaded parking at Koko Marina immediately upon my arrival. I walked to the gym to perform my usual workout. Just before commencing my cardio workout, I noticed that there was no liquid soap in any of the soap dispensers including the showers. I asked at the front desk and was told that a shipment was coming in sometime soon. Just in case, I took a short break to check out Foodland and Price Busters. I wanted to purchase a small travel-sized bar of soap. Nada. So, I walked back to the gym to complete my cardio workout and enjoy a soapless shower afterward. Fortunately, the emergency shipment of soap did arrive in time.
I left the gym at 4:40pm, which was much later than usual. Not to worry. Where else do I need to be? I shopped at Foodland. Just as I was exiting, I ran into Mark. I had not seen him in ages. We chatted briefly. I promised to stop by his workplace to visit. Well, I arrived back at Slob Manor (read: rental housing) and immediately a wave of despondency hit me. Why do I continue to live in that dump? Why bother thinking about such nonsense when another urban nomad kind-of-an-evening is lurking around the corner?
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Foolish Tidbits
Another urban nomad kind-of-a-Sunday ... nothing much to report. I happened to espy the hottie gym trainer for a few milliseconds. Baby was looking hot. The rest of the day was rote, just like last Sunday. Riding the Route 24 bus to Aina Haina was again a disappointment. The bus driver was going at such a slow pace that the Route 1 bus passed us by. So, to waste time until the next bus arrived. I rode through all of upper Aina Haina and alighted at the Aina Haina Shopping Center. The next Route 1 bus was 10 minutes late, so I still ended up waiting 30 minutes at the bus stop. A $50 bus pass sure goes a long way.
I was already in foul mood since I received in the mail a most distressing monthly report for the "condotel" unit. The dump was $530 in the hole last month. That's a full 44 percent loss, and the losses are rising every month. I am now essentially paying both the rent at Slob Manor (read: rental housing) and most of the "condotel" mortgage. I derive no benefit from keeping it in the hotel rental pool. In fact, it would be far cheaper for me to move back into the unit.
Yet, all I keep hearing about is the "recovery." No wonder that people are out in full force, and they are spending money like there is no tomorrow. Both Ala Moana Center and Kahala Mall were completely packed today. Perhaps they all feel more affluent since the stock market is surging, eh?
Incidentally, the landlord of Slob Manor is tentatively planning to an exterior staircase for the second floor. The idea is to seal off the first and second floors from each other. The landlord is currently seeking quotes for the construction work. If the plan goes through, then the Indian guy and I will be required to move to the first floor. Perhaps it's time for me to become homeless.
I was already in foul mood since I received in the mail a most distressing monthly report for the "condotel" unit. The dump was $530 in the hole last month. That's a full 44 percent loss, and the losses are rising every month. I am now essentially paying both the rent at Slob Manor (read: rental housing) and most of the "condotel" mortgage. I derive no benefit from keeping it in the hotel rental pool. In fact, it would be far cheaper for me to move back into the unit.
Yet, all I keep hearing about is the "recovery." No wonder that people are out in full force, and they are spending money like there is no tomorrow. Both Ala Moana Center and Kahala Mall were completely packed today. Perhaps they all feel more affluent since the stock market is surging, eh?
Incidentally, the landlord of Slob Manor is tentatively planning to an exterior staircase for the second floor. The idea is to seal off the first and second floors from each other. The landlord is currently seeking quotes for the construction work. If the plan goes through, then the Indian guy and I will be required to move to the first floor. Perhaps it's time for me to become homeless.
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Robbed Blind
Another urban nomad kind-of-a-day commenced earlier than usual. I departed for town on the bus at 8:15am. The reason? I could hardly wait to continue reading Jared Diamond's book, "Collapse." Yes, that's the culmination of the excitement in my life. Seriously, though, the book has been quite enlightening. I am certainly glad that I wasn't born a peon several thousand years ago. It's bad enough being a peon now. I am also grateful that I was not born into some of the wretched lands that exist today.
I have been contemplating why I am not a believer in "evolution" (i.e., the other side of the coin to creation). I once did believe fervently in "evolution." That's when I was a disciple in the church of science. However, "evolution" really makes no sense insofar as the human species is concerned. One would expect that humans would be vastly superior biological lifeforms given the alleged stages of "evolution." Instead, humans require much more in the way of resources than other lifeforms. We need clothes and shelter. We eat only certain kinds of food, much of which must be cooked. We also have a very tedious way of transporting ourselves. Only our minds are superior. Well, sometimes I observe people who make me want to rethink the evolutionary theory.
In reading "Collapse," I have come to understand how even a small population of humans can have an adverse and often irreversible effect on the environment. Yet, the rest of nature works together harmoniously sans humans. We humans are the anathema of "evolution." We may, in fact, end up destroying ourselves and most of the planet. On the other hand, why would the creator place foolish humans on the planet? To be honest, that question has me stumped.
I am attempting to adapt to a new "old man" routine at the gym. No, I am not just doing one set of exercises using ten pound weights. I have opted to do more sets (i.e., repetitions) by dropping the maximum weight by 20 pounds. I do something called the "pyramid" with increasing weight until the maximum, then I decrease the weight for a couple of sets. I am still maintaining my cardio workout. I have wanted to slack off, but I know that the heart palpitations would return with a vengeance.
Another urban nomad kind-of-evening awaits me. I will probably be "stewing in my own juices" because of the sad returns on my investments. Obviously, I and many others are being robbed blind by the "banksters." When money earns at a zero percent interest rate, that is indicative of a huge wealth transfer from the poor to the filthy rich.
I have been contemplating why I am not a believer in "evolution" (i.e., the other side of the coin to creation). I once did believe fervently in "evolution." That's when I was a disciple in the church of science. However, "evolution" really makes no sense insofar as the human species is concerned. One would expect that humans would be vastly superior biological lifeforms given the alleged stages of "evolution." Instead, humans require much more in the way of resources than other lifeforms. We need clothes and shelter. We eat only certain kinds of food, much of which must be cooked. We also have a very tedious way of transporting ourselves. Only our minds are superior. Well, sometimes I observe people who make me want to rethink the evolutionary theory.
In reading "Collapse," I have come to understand how even a small population of humans can have an adverse and often irreversible effect on the environment. Yet, the rest of nature works together harmoniously sans humans. We humans are the anathema of "evolution." We may, in fact, end up destroying ourselves and most of the planet. On the other hand, why would the creator place foolish humans on the planet? To be honest, that question has me stumped.
I am attempting to adapt to a new "old man" routine at the gym. No, I am not just doing one set of exercises using ten pound weights. I have opted to do more sets (i.e., repetitions) by dropping the maximum weight by 20 pounds. I do something called the "pyramid" with increasing weight until the maximum, then I decrease the weight for a couple of sets. I am still maintaining my cardio workout. I have wanted to slack off, but I know that the heart palpitations would return with a vengeance.
Another urban nomad kind-of-evening awaits me. I will probably be "stewing in my own juices" because of the sad returns on my investments. Obviously, I and many others are being robbed blind by the "banksters." When money earns at a zero percent interest rate, that is indicative of a huge wealth transfer from the poor to the filthy rich.
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