We hope ...
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Trepidation II
Best case: I rent our apt at R today.
Worst case: new negotiations after low appraisal
Alt: no news today
Ah, me. They configure this process for maximum stress.
Worst case: new negotiations after low appraisal
Alt: no news today
Ah, me. They configure this process for maximum stress.
Trepidation
Sourdough has different procedure, which I haven't mastered yet.
Second loaf about to go in.
Second loaf about to go in.
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Knowing
The end of my story "The Epistemoligical Uncle":
And so — as the train pulled away past the encouraging and energetic waving of my parents, leaving Judy and the carefree idyll of my youth somewhere behind in the vast stretch of harvest-ripe golden grainland, and moved forward into the wind to begin the long journey to college — I settled into my seat, closed my eyes and for the first time began to realize how little I knew and how uncertain would be the knowing yet to come; so that by the time the train announced its departure from Adam, sounding like the howling of my Uncle Buck, "Do you really knoooooooooow?," I knew I didn't know what had really happened between Judy and me, or why Uncle Buck drank, or what was waiting for me at college.
I didn't know much of anything, though I didn't yet know that this itself was knowing.
xxx
Political pundits never seem to question their certainty.
And so — as the train pulled away past the encouraging and energetic waving of my parents, leaving Judy and the carefree idyll of my youth somewhere behind in the vast stretch of harvest-ripe golden grainland, and moved forward into the wind to begin the long journey to college — I settled into my seat, closed my eyes and for the first time began to realize how little I knew and how uncertain would be the knowing yet to come; so that by the time the train announced its departure from Adam, sounding like the howling of my Uncle Buck, "Do you really knoooooooooow?," I knew I didn't know what had really happened between Judy and me, or why Uncle Buck drank, or what was waiting for me at college.
I didn't know much of anything, though I didn't yet know that this itself was knowing.
xxx
Political pundits never seem to question their certainty.
Russellville
Has a 1 BR for us. Occupy late Feb, perfect. Waiting on appraisal report.
posted from Bloggeroid
News
If you look at the news from the point of view of a dramatist, it's very boring. Endless repetition. Verbs never change, only nouns. Zzzzzzz!
posted from Bloggeroid
Nature
She doesn't give a shit about all the political hot air driving the main, alternative and social media. She presents an equal opportunity wrath and destruction. The final irony of the gods: we are indivisible.
posted from Bloggeroid
Hot air
Several years ago I made a short video about how global warming is caused by human hot air. I was on to something, which is worse now.
So many self-appointed political experts, left and right, expounding on abstract issues and defining blame while an historically urgent reality, a mentally ill man in the WH, screams for immediate focus and attention.
And some lefties still defend Russia! They need to listen to Pussy Riot!
Women need to step up and harness the energy of dissent. Men need to shut up and get the fuck out of the way.
So many self-appointed political experts, left and right, expounding on abstract issues and defining blame while an historically urgent reality, a mentally ill man in the WH, screams for immediate focus and attention.
And some lefties still defend Russia! They need to listen to Pussy Riot!
Women need to step up and harness the energy of dissent. Men need to shut up and get the fuck out of the way.
posted from Bloggeroid
Strategy
The women's march was extraordinary because of the images in this age of media. Huge numbers, widespread. This must be replicated to keep the pressure on and force Trump to over-react, losing supporters in Congress. One hopes.
Cooking fool
Over 4 hrs into day long tomato sauce ... ribs in Korean marinade for dinner tonight or tomorrow ... second sourdough loaf tomorrow and today sourdough blueberry pancakes for breakfast.
What else can I conjure up?
What else can I conjure up?
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Pankaj Mishra
Started his THE AGE OF ANGER, early on very impressed, a cogent discussion of today's world.
posted from Bloggeroid
Russellville
An escape from the world, no doubt about it. Like living in a hotel in Switzerland. Write, read, play ukulele, eat at one of three options (or at home), let weekly housekeeping deal with mess, watch nightly movies that appeal to me, bake bread for strangers, hop the MAX, walk to Starbucks, play games or join groups, or hide in secluded spots inside and out ... I expect to love it. But I worry about Harriet. Hard to please. And having a bad day.
Sick at heart
Krugman writes that Trump or the Republic will be gone within the year. Sounds about right to me.
More protest + more Trump response = martial law
Seems inevitable to me. Then what? In revolutions, often what matters is which side the Army is on. I have no idea.
More protest + more Trump response = martial law
Seems inevitable to me. Then what? In revolutions, often what matters is which side the Army is on. I have no idea.
posted from Bloggeroid
The challenge
The anti-Trump resistance will fail if we don't ditch establishment Democrats
http://gu.com/p/5zzef?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid
xxx
And it should be led by women.
http://gu.com/p/5zzef?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid
xxx
And it should be led by women.
posted from Bloggeroid
Danger zone
Lessons of Holocaust being forgotten, says Prince Charles
http://gu.com/p/5pvzp?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid
http://gu.com/p/5pvzp?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid
posted from Bloggeroid
Monday, January 30, 2017
Sourdough
First try, much went wrong ... Continued to check taste ... Do better next time.
posted from Bloggeroid
The bottom line
"Precisely because the problem is one of temperament and character, it will not get better. It will get worse, as power intoxicates Trump and those around him. It will probably end in calamity—substantial domestic protest and violence, a breakdown of international economic relationships, the collapse of major alliances, or perhaps one or more new wars (even with China) on top of the ones we already have. It will not be surprising in the slightest if his term ends not in four or in eight years, but sooner, with impeachment or removal under the 25th Amendment. The sooner Americans get used to these likelihoods, the better."
http://pubx.co/xaWxJx
http://pubx.co/xaWxJx
http://pubx.co/xaWxJx from Bloggeroid
Good morning
The Muslim ban has brought the US close to constitutional crisis
http://gu.com/p/5zte7?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid
xxx
Many, many predicted disaster from a Trump presidency. Not many this quickly -- though HRC did. Are there enough sane Republicans in Congress to deal with this before he declares martial law?
http://gu.com/p/5zte7?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid
xxx
Many, many predicted disaster from a Trump presidency. Not many this quickly -- though HRC did. Are there enough sane Republicans in Congress to deal with this before he declares martial law?
posted from Bloggeroid
Sunday, January 29, 2017
Martial law
Some weeks ago I predicted T would declare martial law this summer. Alas, likely sooner than that.
Trump v. Clinton
Those progressives who saw no difference between T and C look like imbeciles now. However, there is a broad perspective in which this makes sense, and history could make it so. What this perspective ignores is present tense on the ground human suffering, as with refugees and immigrants. Some progressives get so abstract and theoretical, they become blind and deaf to the tears and cries right in front of them.
For the record, Trump. is considerably more inept and dangerous than Clinton.
Unless a new progressive coalition is led by women, I have little hope for its success.
For the record, Trump. is considerably more inept and dangerous than Clinton.
Unless a new progressive coalition is led by women, I have little hope for its success.
I am not your Negro
Upcoming documentary on James Baldwin, as good as any American writer in my lifetime. Just preordered script.
Saturday, January 28, 2017
No surprise
Trump isn't surprising me, unfortunately. He is being himself. Those, especially progressives, who saw no difference between Trump and Clinton, or who thought the office would change him, were blind to reality. There's a lot of it going around.
And Putin won't change either. Once a KGB officer ...
But his supporters continue to surprise me. And depress me.
And Putin won't change either. Once a KGB officer ...
But his supporters continue to surprise me. And depress me.
posted from Bloggeroid
A humane country
“To those fleeing persecution, terror and war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength.”
— Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, on Twitter.
— Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, on Twitter.
posted from Bloggeroid
Fixed!
Asked myself, what did I do differently? Had countdown titles with no post. Added post, fixed. Logic rules.
Temporary "fix"
Reduced days on start page until I figure out how to get column back, content of which is now below posts. Bummer.
Waiting game
... next 3 or 4 days, waiting for appraisal report. If cool, rent storage for H's remaining downsizing, to deal with ASAP at R, and rent a 1 BR, our new home, and begin moving boxes. Once we rent, we'll have a meal ticket, begin using it.
Knock on my wooden head - which is getting sore.
Knock on my wooden head - which is getting sore.
Friday, January 27, 2017
Spin
The progressive press, by and large, is pretty pathetic, spinning the news as egregiously as their rightwing counterparts. Give me the BBC.
posted from Bloggeroid
Observation
"That’s right: we now live in a world where overwhelming evidence of anthropogenic global warming is available but Trump declares the evidence does not exist, and a complete lack of evidence of voter fraud leaves Trump insisting voter fraud exists.
Reality hasn’t been turned upside down. It’s been twisted inside-out."
--PoliticusUSA
Reality hasn’t been turned upside down. It’s been twisted inside-out."
--PoliticusUSA
Thin souled
'Trump doesn't care about culture': how will his presidency affect the arts?
http://gu.com/p/5nk49?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid
http://gu.com/p/5nk49?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid
Thursday, January 26, 2017
Literary awards
I've received awards during my career, I've not, and on several occassions I've been a judge, giving awards to others. Some thoughts.
Hands down, the most satisfying awards are those I did not apply for. The others turn writers into marketers, a perversion of literature and its support.
Most awards would better support literature by being a lottery. This would remove personality and politics from the procedure.
Awards are not about writers and literature. They are about judges and personal taste.
Awards with entry fees make a bad situation worse.
The quickest, easiest way for a new arts organization to gain credibility is to give an award. A shameful reality.
Since awards are a crapshoot, respect for language and honesty would make them a literal crapshoot, that is, A LOTTERY.
Hands down, the most satisfying awards are those I did not apply for. The others turn writers into marketers, a perversion of literature and its support.
Most awards would better support literature by being a lottery. This would remove personality and politics from the procedure.
Awards are not about writers and literature. They are about judges and personal taste.
Awards with entry fees make a bad situation worse.
The quickest, easiest way for a new arts organization to gain credibility is to give an award. A shameful reality.
Since awards are a crapshoot, respect for language and honesty would make them a literal crapshoot, that is, A LOTTERY.
Sodom
Finished my novel. Salinger said an artist's only task is to aim for perfection by his own standards. By this ruler, I've done the best work I can do with this book. Can't do better.
I'll still write. A memoir of ideas long brooded. Short stories, where I began.
And one hoop to go.
I'll still write. A memoir of ideas long brooded. Short stories, where I began.
And one hoop to go.
Bigger picture
Speedy universe expansion challenges Einstein’s theory
http://gu.com/p/5nzgv?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid
http://gu.com/p/5nzgv?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid
Slow cooking, all day long
Turkey legs in oven, tomato sauce on stove. Good smells today!
posted from Bloggeroid
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
International humanity
Dutch respond to Trump's 'gag rule' with international safe abortion fund
http://gu.com/p/5nt2y?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid
http://gu.com/p/5nt2y?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid
posted from Bloggeroid
California rules
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/1/25/1624918/California-is-not-turning-back-not-now-not-ever
Sanest state in nation. I miss it, still consider it home, get teary eyed watching game in Rose Bowl and seeing San Gabriel mountains, my front door view growing up.
Sanest state in nation. I miss it, still consider it home, get teary eyed watching game in Rose Bowl and seeing San Gabriel mountains, my front door view growing up.
posted from Bloggeroid
Slow motion
Watching the political scene is like watching an impending disaster in slow motion and hoping for a last minute rescue.
posted from Bloggeroid
What I look forward to
Writing regularly again.
Practicing ukulele regularly again.
Engaging fantasy of living in a hotel.
Meeting new people.
Riding MAX (stop at doorstep) to new places.
Watching movies in Russellville theater.
Baking bread for new customers.
Explorations unknown.
Practicing ukulele regularly again.
Engaging fantasy of living in a hotel.
Meeting new people.
Riding MAX (stop at doorstep) to new places.
Watching movies in Russellville theater.
Baking bread for new customers.
Explorations unknown.
posted from Bloggeroid
Moving forward
Waiting for appraisal to be scheduled.
Received tentative closing statement. We're in better shape than I projected.
Russellville is ready for us.
This is great. Trump is horrific. Zero sum universe.
Received tentative closing statement. We're in better shape than I projected.
Russellville is ready for us.
This is great. Trump is horrific. Zero sum universe.
posted from Bloggeroid
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Fear and deep sorrow ...
... about the political climate. The arrogance of Clinton camp, taking rust belt for granted when on the ground staff were screaming she was in deep trouble, turned the election. She lost it herself.
And now we get tests of courage: who steps up against challenges that erode already damaged parameters of free speech, equality and choice?
And what about the conflict between the hidden tyranny of corporate power and the visible tyranny of a mentally ill con man? Some say the former will use him - and dump him. We'll see.
Come on, Russellville!
And now we get tests of courage: who steps up against challenges that erode already damaged parameters of free speech, equality and choice?
And what about the conflict between the hidden tyranny of corporate power and the visible tyranny of a mentally ill con man? Some say the former will use him - and dump him. We'll see.
Come on, Russellville!
posted from Bloggeroid
A predictable direction/disaster
Resurrection of Keystone and DAPL cements America's climate antagonism
http://gu.com/p/5nbyf?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid
xxx
How much will it take before Hillary-hating progressives realize Trump is far, far worse? Will they belatedly work to stop him?
http://gu.com/p/5nbyf?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid
xxx
How much will it take before Hillary-hating progressives realize Trump is far, far worse? Will they belatedly work to stop him?
Reality
Two shocks rattling in my brain: a mad man in the WH; and we actually sold the house. Feb 27 should be first night sleeping at Russellville.
A good place to disappear!
A good place to disappear!
"I prefer not to."
Herman Melville's Bartleby and the steely strength of mild rebellion
http://gu.com/p/5j239?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid
http://gu.com/p/5j239?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid
Monday, January 23, 2017
Wooden head
Knock, knock! Reached post inspection agreement on house sale! Leaves only appraisal to screw it up. Looking damn good.
Orwellian
CBS News confirmed reports that President Donald Trump brought a studio audience to his visit with the CIA on Saturday. The news agency reports that an official said the visit left a wake of “unease,” “made relations with the intelligence community worse,” and was “uncomfortable.”
xxx
Progressives who disregarded or under-estimated the danger of Trump hopefully now are resisting this sick madman. They did NOT give T the election but their energy is needed now. This is an historic crisis and we've just begun.
xxx
Progressives who disregarded or under-estimated the danger of Trump hopefully now are resisting this sick madman. They did NOT give T the election but their energy is needed now. This is an historic crisis and we've just begun.
posted from Bloggeroid
Cheddar bread
Earlier cheese breads just ok but this is really good. First with artisan flour using la cloche.
posted from Bloggeroid
Character
Don't any of Trump's inner circle or supporters, don't any elected Republicans, care that a lying conman, possibly mentally ill, is President of the United States? Has the national character shrunk this low?
posted from Bloggeroid
A tough week ...
... of negotiations, I expect. Ends up the potential buyers made their offer above listing without ever seeing house and property in daylight. Amazes me. So they and agent came by yesterday. Also had inspection results, not yet shared with us. They clearly want house but at what final price?
Appraisal should be soon as well.
What happens, happens. I'm impatient to move but not panicked to sell.
In a week or ten days, we should know where we stand.
Appraisal should be soon as well.
What happens, happens. I'm impatient to move but not panicked to sell.
In a week or ten days, we should know where we stand.
posted from Bloggeroid
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Letter of the moment
November 29, 2016
Dear President Obama,
We are writing to express our grave concern regarding the mental stability of our President-Elect. Professional standards do not permit us to venture a diagnosis for a public figure whom we have not evaluated personally. Nevertheless, his widely reported symptoms of mental instability — including grandiosity, impulsivity, hypersensitivity to slights or criticism, and an apparent inability to distinguish between fantasy and reality — lead us to question his fitness for the immense responsibilities of the office. We strongly recommend that, in preparation for assuming these responsibilities, he receive a full medical and neuropsychiatric evaluation by an impartial team of investigators.
Sincerely,
Judith Herman, M.D.
Professor of Psychiatry
Harvard Medical School
Nanette Gartrell, M.D.
Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry
University of California, San Francisco (1988-2011)
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School (1983-87)
Dee Mosbacher, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Clinical Professor
Department of Community Health Systems
University of California, San Francisco (2005-2013)
Dear President Obama,
We are writing to express our grave concern regarding the mental stability of our President-Elect. Professional standards do not permit us to venture a diagnosis for a public figure whom we have not evaluated personally. Nevertheless, his widely reported symptoms of mental instability — including grandiosity, impulsivity, hypersensitivity to slights or criticism, and an apparent inability to distinguish between fantasy and reality — lead us to question his fitness for the immense responsibilities of the office. We strongly recommend that, in preparation for assuming these responsibilities, he receive a full medical and neuropsychiatric evaluation by an impartial team of investigators.
Sincerely,
Judith Herman, M.D.
Professor of Psychiatry
Harvard Medical School
Nanette Gartrell, M.D.
Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry
University of California, San Francisco (1988-2011)
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School (1983-87)
Dee Mosbacher, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Clinical Professor
Department of Community Health Systems
University of California, San Francisco (2005-2013)
Saturday, January 21, 2017
The Glass
Half-empty: Only a violent revolution, as in the past, can remove the corporate power brokers and lead to a genuine redistribution of wealth and freedom. The two party system is impotent. There is no genuine revolution that is peaceful.
Half-full: Women, by their biological differences, are perfectly placed to create and lead a revolution not driven by testosterone and warrior myths, which might lead to methods and results never seen before. They are the last peaceful alternative and hope.
Half-full: Women, by their biological differences, are perfectly placed to create and lead a revolution not driven by testosterone and warrior myths, which might lead to methods and results never seen before. They are the last peaceful alternative and hope.
The march
Best thing about it, cut across labels and stereotypes, included women and men, poor (including homeless) and rich, blue and white collar, straight and LBGTQ, all races, American and international, probably the most widespread and diverse connected protest marches in human history.
I heard someone dismiss the marchers as naive, elite women. He either is very uninformed or his misogyny is showing.
Of course, the question is, Now what?
I heard someone dismiss the marchers as naive, elite women. He either is very uninformed or his misogyny is showing.
Of course, the question is, Now what?
posted from Bloggeroid
Glimmer of light
'This is the upside of the downside': Women's March finds hope in defiance
http://gu.com/p/5mjkd?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid
http://gu.com/p/5mjkd?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid
posted from Bloggeroid
YouTube saves the day again
https://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=FSYgi1aGNlA
Unplugging toilet without plunger.
Unplugging toilet without plunger.
posted from Bloggeroid
Protest and violence
Yesterday, typically, protest in Pdx deteriorated into violence. Today a much larger protest, organized and led by women, was 100% peaceful.
posted from Bloggeroid
Historic
Voices from the march on Washington: 'You better pay attention to us now'
http://gu.com/p/5mjc7?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid
http://gu.com/p/5mjc7?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid
posted from Bloggeroid
As historic as "I have a dream" ...
Trump's first 24 hours bring global protests, a dark speech and uncertainty
http://gu.com/p/5mj7e?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid
http://gu.com/p/5mj7e?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid
posted from Bloggeroid
Fantastic!
The women are doing this right, AROUND THE WORLD! Can they maintain the energy? The Women's Freedom Party?
posted from Bloggeroid
Hope
Millions of women marching around the world! If they can sustain this energy into an international movement, focus on biology where men cannot take over (body issues, biology defining politics), they could lead a powerful progressive movement. "The upside of the downside," as Gloria Steinem put it.
But you have to stream this historic event on the net because CNN thinks it's more newsworthy to watch Trump sit in church. Shameful!
But you have to stream this historic event on the net because CNN thinks it's more newsworthy to watch Trump sit in church. Shameful!
posted from Bloggeroid
Media
Why is a president going to church news? Why more important than hundreds of thousands of women marching around the world?
posted from Bloggeroid
Friday, January 20, 2017
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