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)
@unassumingEyes - A belated response to your last journal entry: if I'm not mistaken, a few of our guys have captured Nicolás Maduro. Trump claims we will "run the country" until a suitable gov't can be installed. This is almost certainly an attempt to distract people (both American & non-) from the ongoing debacle of the Epstein files. Have you ever heard of the movie Wag the Dog?... If so, then you understand what this Venezuela 💩 is all about.
This is not the first time our forces have intervened in a foreign country for mostly domestic purposes...my prediction is it will not end well. There is no reason--given your nationality & location--why you need to obsess over it. If I lived in your country, my main concern would be India; China would run a close 2nd place.
@slowdecline48 no offense to any Indians, but I dont know a single person in my country who genuinely percieves India as a threat. Said with the utmost apology to the Indians.
So, the US technically just went and took over Venezuala? Is that legal according to international laws, or is everyone looking the other way, again?
I'm not an expert on international law but no, I doubt it's legal... Russia's invasion of Ukraine is not legal under today's laws as it is a war waged for reasons other than national self-defense. I would imagine the UN & other transnational orgs view our moves in Venezuela the same way, even though we haven't deployed anywhere near as many forces as Russia has.
Not everyone is looking the other way. One leader who spoke out against our operation so far is--you won't believe this--Marine le Pen. She's head of the most right-wing party in France! When someone like her criticizes a unilateral action, you know you screwed the pooch...but then, Trump & his administration ain't listenin'. There is plenty of sharp criticism from within the US as well. Other than Trump's lackeys like Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth & his hard-core "MAGA" constituency, no one likes what he's doing.
me: Gotta drive my friend to work at six in the morning...there's plenty to do this year!...I need to build another cane. Let's get started!...
Also me:
"Through deep-learning algorithms, computers are learning to simulate us — the way we look, the way we speak, the way we move, the words we use. They are becoming experts at pastiche. They collect the traces of ourselves that we leave behind online — the data of beingness — and they weave that data into something new that resembles us. The real is the raw material of the fake."
- Nicholas Carr
For more of the above, click here (I recommend it)
@slowdecline48 hey, hope you dont mind me answering here
yes, i'll still be around. I might create another journal, albeit it would avoid certain topics for safety reasons. And I will visit your place here. Theres no cause for concern on that front.
@unassumingEyes No, of course I don't mind. Feel free to stop by anytime...I can't guarantee every post will be pleasant to read--I'm a member of Cups, after all--but yeah, if you want to kill some time here & read my journal, go ahead. I look forward to whatever threads you start in the future.
Every so often, it helps to remember how much you've achieved in this life.
(You may need a reminder)
Yep...I've been sneezing & sniffling the last few days. Other people have, too. And I know why... The allergy ordeal has begun.
...
I hate this time of year.
Vestibular migraine s*** ruined the whole day.
Hey, @unassumingEyes...hope you're doing okay tonight, girl....I think about you from time to time.
@slowdecline48 hey uncle slow. Wish i'd seen this last night...it was a bad one. Appreciate the message. Im the same as always...hope youre doing good
THREE EVENTS THAT COULD SLOWDOWN OR CAUSE A BEAR MARKET IN 2026
::
- from investing.com
Remember: take all statements about future finance with a few grains of salt. The business cycle is inevitable, but short-term predictions/projections are always dicey.
Looks like it will be a busy week for me.
Am not sure where I'll get the energy for it... 😴
[cw: venting, opinions, salty language]
Solitude isn't a problem...until you see someone else find company. At that point the contrast throws everything into sharp relief.
Even then, what's the point of complaining? I'm 50*, not ugly but not especially good-looking either, with chronic conditions & I do not own a house. Also, I live in BFE1 in the South...it has nice people all in all, but not too many single ladies around. Even if there were, I don't have a lot in common with most of the natives...this has often been the case in every place I've lived, but it's especially true here. I'm not native-born, I don't go to a Baptist church (in fact I am not, & never will be, a believing Christian), I've never gone hog hunting (I've nothing against it but certainly wouldn't use dogs--that ain't my style), I'm not patriotic nor a Trump fan...you get the idea.
Then of course there's my age. Whoever said "age is nothing but a number" didn't know jack s***. Where you are at in life makes a difference. It can make all the difference. You don't see too many people 20+ years apart in relationships, unless it's a sugar baby arrangement...which is entirely transactional. Not my thing & never has been. Why would I want to pay thousand$$ for what--when you get down to it--is basically a f*** puppet? Pretty expensive 🐱, if you ask me...& if you get in trouble, she won't be there when the chips are down. Only a woman you have a real relationship with will do that.
And at this point, a real relationship would be nice. But it isn't likely.
My friend may be about to find someone for himself...just wish I could have someone to keep me warm at night, too.
...
*Which is horrible. I wish I had died at 35...seriously.
1Butt F**k Egypt. Go check out Urban Dictionary if you don't know what that means.
I get the territory being rougher (I too live in a similar political space) and the choices being slimmer as you age. But you still never know what might suddenly show up. So keep your eyes open my friend. (But it's okay to feel lonely too). @slowdecline48
@bestVase7265 Thanks for stopping by. Just for perspective, I'm originally from one of the "blue states"...politically I don't fit in there, either. 😄
Sometimes we don't quite fit in anywhere politically. That's what comes from our horrible tendency to put people in boxes. No one quite fits. We are all made up of too many complicated, contradictory components. But that's also why we can never be sure what exactly will happen next. @slowdecline48
@bestVase7265 There's truth in that. However...in my experience, many people fit themselves into categories, some of them quite eagerly. Oh well 🤷🏼♂️ If that's how they want to live, so be it.
