Common Enemies 5-on-1 Post 3/27/2020

This week's topic is Common Enemies. To many a common enemy is the great uniter - that unifying event or thing that will unite us and push us forward through these seemingly hopeless days of divisiveness in which we find ourselves mired. After all, is not the enemy of my enemy my friend?

For years the government of the United States embraced any leader or country that opposed our enemy -  a situation that gave us a strategic  ally in Iraq under the leadership of Saddam Hussein - in our struggles with Iran. That policy gave us Russia (actually the Soviet Union) as an ally against Nazi Germany and China as an ally against Japan during World War II. Clearly as a foreign policy tool we must be said to embrace as friends the enemy of our enemy when it suits us. Alas, we often change suits, and we have a very substantial closet with many suits.

But does our predilection for embracing the enemy of our enemy as our friend really serve us well? We certainly may not have been on the victorious side in World War II without the allies we had in the Soviet Union and China but where would we be today without our allies in Germany and Japan?  Need  we fear an alliance between Russia and China? What if we take foreign policy off the table?

If ever we had a circumstance that calls for unified action we are experiencing it today. The Covid-19 Pandemic calls for unified action on a level heretofore never witnessed. Humanity is facing off with Covid-19 and the survival of millions hangs in the balance. Covid-19 is a universal enemy - it cares not who or where it assaults mankind - rich western societies and the poorest cultures amongst us are equally at peril.

Though somewhat late (up to two months) to the party, 45 was moving in the right direction - or so it seemed.  In typical 45 fashion, our President has contradicted himself and his experts regularly in his briefing sessions. Here is a link to some of his stuff
Fact checking 45

The governor of Mississippi (Tate Reeves) on Tuesday signed an executive order that effectively overrode safety measures implemented by other officials during the coronavirus outbreak. It seems Mississippi's governor knows best how to protect its citizens. Reeves has, though, declared a state of emergency - care to wager whether that is a requirement for federal funding? 

Gov. Tate Reeves' order classified businesses including gun shops, department stores, and real-estate offices as "essential." It also urged employees to work from home "to the extent feasible." It sure makes me feel better to know that gun shops are essential. They cannot fight the next Civil War without those guns ya know, and surely some evil bastard will try to steal their grits or shine so the good citizens of Mississippi'd best be ready to defend them to the bitter end. And isn't it a pity that you cannot shoot those damned coronaviruses. Wait - if they declare coronavirus carriers non-essential then they'll just have to be considered collateral damage and that is to be expected in times of war. Good old Tate.

Tate advised citizens to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people but said that "this does not apply" to places such as offices, airports, and grocery and department store. One must disperse the virus efficiently.

Then there is the multi-trillion dollar rescue package bill just approved by the Senate. That'd be the bill in which the GOP blocked voting reforms that would make it much easier to cast ballots by mail in the fall presidential election that was unveiled Wednesday.

I am beginning to think we are incapable of even agreeing on something as basic as the Pandemic - and its threat. Of course the Millennials are blaming us Baby Boomers for all the problems we face these days. It's a  generational thing I suppose - regardless of the facts. And of course we have been told the virus is most dangerous for older people. Gotta love Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick who seems to say those older folks - the grandparents -are expendable when he says “No one reached out to me and said, ‘as a senior citizen, are you willing to take a chance on your survival in exchange for keeping the America that all America loves for your children and grandchildren?’" “And if that’s the exchange, I’m all in. That doesn’t make me noble or brave or anything like that. I just think there are lots of grandparents out there in this country like me." that would willingly sacrifice themselves for the greater good. Let's ask grandchildren if that is an acceptable approach, bearing in mind that younger people are now dying from the virus - or maybe we should just let the virus spread unchecked and let God sort it all out. We'll just let it burn itself out naturally and let those left standing take over.

We clearly have a common enemy in Covid-19, and we need to suppress that curve Dr Tony Fauci talks about. We need to be on the same page as we fight this thing and yes the battle will cause economic harm around the world. Recession and possibly Depression lie ahead. Been there, done that - and will do it again if required. The time to politicize everything is over. Regardless who is responsible for leading the fight, 45 will claim any  success is his. Let him. You need only listen to one of his updates to understand the truth. Let 45 beat his chest like an angry Orangutan. Just be sure to vote in November. And regardless how many times Mike Pence says thanks to your leadership Mr President you will know that 45 drug his heels and waited too long to get ahead of the curve on this one, and vote accordingly. 

Be sure to visit the other four bloggers in our group - there should be some interesting takes on our topic, They are Ramana, Padmum, Sanjana & Conrad 

One final note - Next Tuesday, 3/31 I board a big old jet airliner and head back to North Carolina. See ya next week, same bat time and different bat channel.

Panic 5-on-1 3/20/2020

This week's topic is Panic - that sudden overwhelming fear, with or without cause, that produces hysterical or irrational behavior, and that often spreads quickly through a group of persons or animals, an instance, outbreak, or period of such fear (Dictionary.com). Somehow I think everyone understands that meaning in these times dominated by the coronavirus pandemic we are currently experiencing.

Panic that generates fear that somehow induces people here in the USA to purchase vast quantities of supplies they think must be stockpiled. One thing is for certain - no matter how many people do not survive the virus, they will most certainly pass on with clean behinds. Most goods being purchased are quantity restricted, just like the grocery delivery order I just made for my daughter and grandson in Hickory, NC. Every item was restricted to a limit of 2. That is a new experience for me with Walmart.

Panic - the thing that causes governments to force people to stay at home and change their social interactions to a somewhat more restrictive version that is called for during these times.I freely admit I stayed home during most of the past 7 months. Now that it is mandated by officials, I am mildly perturbed - even knowing full well it is a necessity in these times. No shaking hands. Even bumping elbows increases one's chance of being infected. It has become a namaste world - loosely translated, I bow to you. India and its neighbors had it right all along. 🙏


Travel restrictions abound. So far, my return flight to North Carolina is still on, but that could change any day. Traveling in an enclosed aluminum tube does not sound  like a good thing but it certainly sounds better than a 5-day train or bus ride or a 3-4 day car trip. I am not particularly happy with the lower level of medical resources available where I am headed either but I have a 10-yr old grandson to care for.

Businesses are being shuttered unless they are deemed "essential". Dunno about all y'all but I could sure use a stiff shot of single-malt but bars are not considered essential. I beg to differ, but I am just a single voice. A loud voice but still just a single voice.😀

The Coronavirus is the first thing to come along in a long while to impact our western culture to this degree. We thought we were impervious to these things - we are not a third world culture after all. But Covid-19 is an equal opportunity virus. It does not care how sophisticated, wealthy or poor you are. Initially we even thought it was really only particularly harmful to older folks, specifically those with underlying conditions and repressed immune systems - people like me. Now we are seeing more and more serious cases in younger people. No free passes millennials - start paying attention.

So what do we need?

Its really quite simple, even if like me you are in the primary targeted group. Panic is the worst thing you can do. Use some common sense. Stay at home as much as possible. Order food delivery whenever you can afford it as restaurants are businesses with razor thin margins and are at risk of shuttering permanently. Order groceries for pickup or delivery. Keep interpersonal contact to an absolute minimum. Don't shake hands.

You probably pay a tidy sum for entertainment - now is a good time to binge that series on Netflix, Play some games with friends on your laptop or phone. I know for a fact I am contributing to the well-being of my friend Kathi because she keeps kicking my ample butt in Words 2.  Try having some real conversations with family members or friends. There certainly is enough going on these days so topics for conversation are plentiful. Snowed in? Stay warm and don't go outside. Read that book that has been collecting dust on the table. Listen to some music.

Remember - this too will pass, it will just take time. Yes there will be hardships and inconveniences but it will pass. Are you a person of faith? You know what to do. Driven by logic and science? Same thing. And should you somehow come down with the virus, do not quit fighting. Fight as long and hard as you can.

That is my quick take on Panic - be sure to visit our other bloggers and see what they have to say. See ya next week.

Ramana, Padmum, Sanjana & Conrad

🤭🥓🤪🤩🧐🤯🤫🤥🥴🤠🦞☘️⚡️️️️️ 4-on-1 03/13/2020

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No - my blog was not taken over by nor was it invaded by a rabid tagger - it was taken over by the mad Emoji lady. Emojis - those  little graphical items that are included in emails and other written communications. Tagging by geeks? Who woulda thunk.

Do you know there is a reference website - Emojipedia  - that documents the meaning and common usage of emoji characters? If, like me, you are not an emoji user or would simply like to understand  what the little buggers mean, click on the link and wander through the world of emojis. Emoji enlightenment is but a mouse click away. Emojipedia even ran a adopt an Emoji program (now concluded). Check it out in the clip below.

Now you may be somewhat curious as to when Emojis came into being.  Through the Freedom of Emoji Information Act of 2000, I submitted a request for information on the creation of Emojis. I received several examples, including this  message entirely in Emojis that depicts a shopping list for a party and the Friday shopping list for pre-catholic cave wives and cave husbands.

Friday Dinner

Shopping list

Clearly Emojis have existed for eons, and they simply remained dormant until their discovery by computer users. So why the Renaissance we are currently experiencing? It is really rather simple if you think about it. Take that last sentence for example - on its own  it could be sarcastically, friendly or insert any adjective you prefer. But if you add an Emoji or 10 it can be more readily understood in the proper context - It is really rather simple if you think about it 😂 Simply adding a smiley shows no sarcasm intended. Emojis help clarify things in text when the intent of a comment is not clear -add a ❤ emoji if you love a comment. Get a dear John/Jane email? If you are sad then add a 💔(broken heart). Angry about it?  😠 Respond with an angry face. Glad to be rid of the person?  Try a Snoopy Happy Dance emoji. Really ticked off?  Try the Frankenstein Emoji. Your choices are virtually limitless.


 Are you a Windows 10 user? Press the Windows key and the . key simultaneously and see the emojis built in (go ahead - you know you want to try it!), Not enough for you? you can make your own - here's a link - Make your own emojis.There are several such links, Google emojis? Well you can Google Emojis and get a bunch of stuff but if you want Google "Emojis" then Google "Google Emojis".  FYI those "s are simply for emphasis - they do not need to be added to your Google search. Figure out how to use clip art like those above as Emojis,but beware of copyright infringement.

As you can see by now there is a world of emoji stuff available to you. You can just use the basics or get as sophisticated as you choose. Personally I am a minimalist when it comes to Emojis. Less is better. Try to make some unique Emojis so you can create your own brand - everyone seems to want a brand of their own these days. If you write, perhaps your editor uses or can use Emojis in his/her efforts to make your work more readable. I admit - my editor has a great point when she said Emojis can help clarify written text - something not necessarily required when spoken in conversation. 

That's it for my quick shack take on this week's topic. Be sure to visit my cohorts and see what they have to say - Ramana, Padmum & Sanjana. See ya next week, same

same

 the mad emoji lady's personal Emoji is below

Disappointment 3/6/2020

This week's topic is Disappointment and it was my suggestion. It is the first topic for the 4-on-1 blogging group,  being joined by Sanjana this week as our ranks continue to expand. There is further expansion in the wind as we will soon  be rejoined by one of the original Loose Bloggers. Please be sure to check the other 3 current members for their takes on Disappointment - Ramana, Padmum & Sanjana.

Life consists of a succession of events, large and small, happy and sad, good and bad. How we react to those events coupled with the events themselves offers the roadmap of our lives. Often - if not always - it is how we react to the disappointing outcomes that shapes the quality of our lives. For instance if in school you did poorly on an exam, you study harder for the next one to elicit a more satisfactory result on the next exam, or as  in my case to simply survive the course (calculus). I earned a hard fought C in that course, a grade that would be unacceptable in any other course. I studied my rear end off to get that C, and I was proud of it plus it convinced me I was at the limit of my mathematical competency, and so I would be ill-advised to pursue any occupation requiring higher math.

We are often told here in the USA that we can be or do anything we want if we work hard enough. That simply is not always the case - whether I wanted it or not I could never be a world-class sprinter, although for my size I was considered very fast as a defensive lineman and ran very competitive 40-yard sprints, something that is important to an American-style football lineman. As a child and through my teens the thing I most wanted to be was a baseball pitcher. I could

look the part, as the photo shows but alas - in coaches eyes I was more suited for football and eventually injuries put an end to my dreams of being a professional baseball player. I was able to continue with the sport well into my forties by playing softball. I adapted to the disappointment (no more baseball)by changing my expectations and more closely aligning them with my abilities. Although hitting a softball over 300 feet, it was not the same as hitting a baseball 400 feet (which I did on several occasions), playing softball was one of my favorite activities.

Of course the example above is  not one of life's major disappointments - there were certainly several of those aka the death of an infant sibling, the death of my wife, the loss of a close friend and more. In each case, my response to the event dictated how life would be from that event on. Choices I made after those events pointed me in directions that would land me in North Carolina, far and away my least favorite of the many places I have lived. In fact, I am headed back there on the last day of March, a major disappointment as I had hoped my return to California last August would be permanent. However, the way I respond to the disappointment will likely dictate how my relationship with my 2 children living there remains fractured or can be repaired. A very special friend has pointed out some of my shortcomings in that regard and suggested options that could very well be the salve that leads to healing. Time will tell.

Though we cannot eliminate disappointment from our lives, we certainly can impact it by aligning our expectations more closely with reality or by recognizing what was once a disappointment may be in hindsight the correct outcome. I am not suggesting we stop dreaming or telling our kids to dream big. I am  suggesting we recognize the value of realigning those expectations and realizing that what we want is  not always what we need.

 I firmly believe that by constantly realigning our dreams and actions to more closely reflect our individual realities as we travel down life's highways and by ways, life will never get boring and will ultimately not be disappointing when taken in total. Treat people well and you will stay ahead of the curve. 

That's my shack take on Disappointment, so I'll see ya next week, same bat time and same bat channel.