my journal: various subjects, opinionating, CW at times
The title explains itself.
If you're interested in the ramblings of a middle-aged man with chronic conditions who, at times, sees things a little too clearly for his own good, then read on.
Sometimes I get political, but it won't be all the time.
I don't mind comments in general but if you're going to differ with what I write, that's fine--as long as you can explain your position clearly & reasonably. Rants, shouting & general incoherence will be ignored or flagged, depending on the situation. Try to remember that not everyone else in this world holds your beliefs.
Every so often I may post art or snapshots of projects I'm working on.
If you're still interested after reading all the above, great. (I do wonder at how much time you have on your hands, though)
How in the flying f*** does anyone read an Umberto Eco novel??
...the man needed an editor, ferchrissakes.
Dazed AF this morning, but that's par for the course... Yesterday my stomach was acting up the minute I woke up. Today it's the vestibular s***. I hate chronic illness.
Not everything is bad, though...Not sure what I dreamed about last night, but I do recall that both dreams seemed like they were lengthy. And adventurous. I was a cross between Indiana Jones (back when he was a real action hero, before that atrocious 2023 sequel) & the guy in the Solid Snake video game.
...dammit, I need to eat something...
Lately it has occurred to me that any construct of belief--religious, secular, political, whatever--when left on its own to transmit from one mind to another, will eventually grow to dominate every human consciousness on the planet. It will also have (or generate) a theoretical basis as to why it will or should eventually direct all human life, & why such a state of affairs is desirable & good.
What does the above all mean? If it's true then it means, among other things, that tolerance as a social principle is 1] strictly temporary & 2] unsustainable in the long run. If 2+ belief systems have the allegiance of a certain %age of population A, those systems cannot peacefully coexist indefinitely. Each will spread as believers try to convert people & recruit new members...if belief systems could want, it would be the "goal" of each system to inhabit all the minds in pop A exclusively. Thus, tolerance--whether informal or official--must eventually give way to
- hegemony of one belief system over any others within pop A.
- exclusive allegiance from pop A with no other beliefs entertained or thought about, or
- pop A splitting into two or more populations, each under the domain of a separate belief system.
If, as Dawkins said, memes are as self-perpetuating as genes, then human brains are the common terrain where they move to & from...& from which they "want" to remove each other. Political & religious tolerance is, in the long run, impossible.
Got an appointment this afternoon for an eye exam, & new glasses. I lost my old pair yesterday morning...considering they were well over two years old (maybe three!), I figured that was a hint that I needed up-to-date specs. Had to go to the nearest Wally World* to schedule it since the optics place in town is booked up through September(!)...the word is that place is expensive too, even for people with insurance coverage.
Because my health issues are acting up today, I drove to Wally World early. Am now in the parking lot with the sunshade in the windshield, the windows rolled down & the seat back & down... Nothing to do but rest, & hope the breezes keep coming.
...
*Wal-Mart.
Edit: The eye exam went well enough, but I learned that without prescription eyeglasses I am legally blind. Which means I shouldn't be driving anywhere.
...Muhammad jumped up & played the f***ing fiddle, man....
How else am I supposed to get around?...I don't own a bike anymore & even if I did, riding from my land into town (or back) would be a long way to go. Especially in this heat.
My specs & shades won't arrive until sometime next week...probably around the 16th, maybe the 18th at the latest. Wonder if I should stay in a motel in town until then? It might be safer, driving-wise...maybe get a room Monday through Friday, if I can afford it? Or for a slightly shorter period...
MUCH-NEEDED COMIC RELIEF:
@slowdecline48 So all those Florida man memes.. they are real?!😮
@azurePond Yep. Florida Man is the world's worst superhero...& unlike all other superheroes, he actually exists. 😆 He has two powers: he cannot be killed permanently--he always comes back after dying--& he is chaos & incompetence incarnate!
Florida Woman is real, too. Same powers, different gender. 😃
@slowdecline48 
Looking at the world through tired eyes
Finally got around to posting a photo from early last month. See it if you like.
Until a few days ago I was in two subcommunities here; now I'm in just one...& that one, I barely get to as it is. A brief explanation is here.
I don't participate in this place the way I used to...my move to my land & having more things to do was definitely a factor.
Those of you who don't use tools &/or aren't into DIY life may not understand this, but...I love my shop grinder.
Bought it a good while back at a pawn shop (used of course) for not much money, all things considered. Even with the old grinding wheels on it...Moses in a Cadillac, what a machine!
I ground the edges on my two hatchets a bit thinner & more acute. They need finishing with files but even so, it took less than 10 minutes--including the times I dipped the hatchet edges in water!* I'd expected it to take a half-hour at least.
....
*to prevent overheating of the metal
@slowdecline48 Omg they are awesome aren't they?
@slowdecline48 Tbh I don't either. Not the way I used to, maybe for some of the same reasons... who knows lol
Did you decide to stay in town til you get your new glasses?
@mytwistedsoul Tonight is my last night in town. Been in a room in the usual motel...figured out how to max out the advantage while I'm here. It's not just a place to sleep & shower--it also has electrical outlets. Yesterday I ground the edges on my two hatchets a bit thinner, & took the rust off the two shovels I scavenged (in '24 &...'23, I think). Gotta love an angle grinder with a steel brush wheel on it. 😁 Now all that's left is replacing the handle on one & sanding & refinishing the handle on the other, then they'll be ready for digging.
The first job for 'em will be for a foundation for a storage shed...so I can get my stuff out of that d∆mn rental unit. That will be an initial expense but also savings in the long run...my only worry is temperatures inside the shed. It will need insulation...so much to think about now...
@slowdecline48 I would imagine those storage places aren't too cheap either. So definitely a savings in the long run. Good thinking to make use of the electric there at the motel!
Do you make supply lists for what you're building? Saves on trips lol
How's the new glasses?
I dunno, I don't have 'em yet. Only got a text notification this afternoon...a half-hour before the Wally World optics place closed for the day. 🙄
@slowdecline48 Oh! That's helpful! Smh 😕
Parked in one place currently, & avoiding the church people today.
Edit: in a different place now because it's shadier. I still haven't been bothered by any churchgoers, luckily. 🤞🏻
Isn't it odd, how ordinary familiar surroundings can look so strange & new when you first wake up?...
...
(Good thing it doesn't happen every time)
