Living, With Wallace ( Reid ) Lockhart

Iron is Master of Them All

2011-02-22T13:17:00.000-08:00

Gold is forthe mistress -- silver for the maid -Copper for the craftsman cunning at his trade."

"Good!" said the Baron, sitting in his hall, "But Iron - Cold Iron -- is master of them all."

~ Rudyard Kipling
BEIRUT, Lxebanon, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Amid a reported bloodbath in Libya and the Arab world in turmoil amid much Western hand wringing about selling weapons to dictatorial Arab regimes, the world's arms dealers are touting their wares at the Middle East's biggest defense exhibition in Abu Dhabi...more...

A Reasonable Expectation

2011-01-23T12:33:00.000-08:00

I think it's reasonable to expect that people didn't listen in on conversations I'm having in public. If I'm speaking loud enough for people walking by to hear a few words, that's one thing. But to lurk at my shoulder as a passive participant of the conversation is another. That's when I take the opportunity to adjust my conversation, and address that eavesdropping individual as an intruder.

There are those who hold private conversations, publicly on the cell-phones. They may be close enough to hear my private conversation, and I might inadvertently hear bit's and pieces of one side of that conversation. It's only reasonable that we tune each other out and go on with our own business. But there's another party, lurking passively in my conversation that I'm not comfortable with; the person on the other end of the cell-phone conversation...

How do I address that other person as an intruder? I can of course go silent, when someone with a cell-phone gets close. But to do anything more would get close to intruding on another person's reasonable expectations. Clearly, we need a new standard, or etiquette in this new digital age.

If We, as a People don't establish some code of behavior concerning privacy and free speech the Government is going to do it for us. And we better do it quick, because there are some really confusing laws on the books ( varying from State to State ), and it would seem that many of those laws were crafted in an age where these problems weren't anticipated. Many have noticed that there are some double standards as well.

How did it come about, that the police can eavesdrop, wire-tap and otherwise over-ride an individuals reasonable expectation of privacy while prosecuting those who use common cell-phones to record common activities involving the police? It seems that the Rights addressed in the Constitution have been perverted, with the effect of limiting the individuals freedoms and at the same time nullifying the restrictions put on Government.

I can only guess that Law Enforcement has for a long time enjoyed a comfortable measure of control of conversations they have while performing their routine duties, such as a traffic stop. If you add a cell-phone to the situation, they may feel much like I do when a person is standing close ( as I mentioned above ). I can understand that, and I suspect the police officers themselves aren't as hostile to the presence of recording equipment ( cell-phones ) as their superiors seem to be. I think the officers just want their tickets to stick in court.

This issue is going to be argued in the Court of Public Opinion for quite a while before it gets to the Supreme Court. In the meanwhile, I'm taking a hard look at my own cell-phone habits looking at what's reasonable ( or not ) in the way I behave privately, in public...

Billy Should Have Kept His Mouth Shut

2011-01-23T00:36:00.000-08:00

Billy got a surprise visit from the local police the other day, just before he clocked out at the Noodle Factory. Apparently someone took his words a bit more serious than he would have liked, or perhaps they reacted different than he expected.

"If I don't get that promotion to lead man, I'm come in here and shoot a bunch of folks!"

The next morning, everyone was watching to see if Billy showed up for work, whether he was fired, or maybe even in jail. He showed, and the plant has something to talk about for quite a while. It's not been but a few days since a man took a gun and shot a lot of people down in Arizona, and with those stories still playing in the News Media folks were really wondering how the local law was going to deal with threats of mass violence.

Is Billy a nut? No, he's a blow-hard. Is he dangerous? No, not unless you walk behind his fork-lift while he's busy. Is he going to lose his hunting privileges? Quite likely.

So, what to do now? Is it the Company's duty to point this red-neck to a shrink? Should his friends get closer, and try to figure out what's going on in his head, at home, or in his life that would push him to be so...stupid? Or should everyone at work shy away, and let him deal with this on his own? I like the guy, and really like the venison he shares with his friends so I think I'll keep him as a friend....

You probably will never read about the incident in the papers. I suspect this sort of thing goes on a lot around the world, and goes unreported.

Tax Returns, It's the Stimulation Stupid!

2011-01-22T22:14:00.000-08:00

A low fire has been burning in me for nearly a year now. It's been that long since I last filed my Federal Taxes.

Things have changed a lot over the decades that I've been filing. I started forty years ago, when I was in High-School. I can remember taking a class that taught us about all the forms, starting with the simple 1040. Today, I still file that simple form because...well...my taxes and income pretty damn simple to figure.

I give the Guberment a chunk of my money each week, they hold onto it ( sorta like a loan ) until they figure out that I don't owe them very much because...well I don't earn very much! So what's the point? Stimulation Stupid..

I know I'm stimulated, I get this way every January. Just thinking about all my bucks coming back ( well...most of them ) gets my blood pumping. Even though I know most of the Return will go to paying bills and such, I know there's going to be enough this year to buy something I've wanted for several years.

I want a knew computer! And that's the attitude that stimulates the National Economy. I know I'm not the only one anticipating an opportunity to walk into a high-dollar retail store and flop down some big bucks on the latest and greatest appliance. Half the Nation is going on a spending bing in the next month or two. That's got to help the economy a little bit.

And I'm more than happy to do my small part...being a good citizen and all that...

Back to Work in a New Year

2011-01-09T17:02:00.000-08:00

I'm leaving for work at the Noodle Factory in a few hours, and I am actually looking forward to seeing those folks. Vacation was just what I needed to pump my motivation up. More than a week idle has given me new energy and even new hope that this New Year will be better than the last. I surely hope so.

I don't expect to be very busy for the next few months at the Noodle Factory, as we have just finished our busy season. Now is the time to check the inventory, pull maintenance and clean, clean clean! It takes a lot of cleaning to keep a food processing plant running.

My wife will no doubt be happy to see me leaving the house, we've both been shacked up for most of the last week or so. She is used to having the place to her self for eight or nine hours every day, and me being at work lets her do all those wonderful and important thing she enjoys like; watching Oprah, The View and such. Blah...

She'll also enjoy using her computer while I'm gone, as mine broke last week and she's been kind enough to let me use her lap-top. Now she can play all those on-line games with her inter-net buddies for hours on end! Go girl! You know you love it!

He Didn't Burn Wood Anymore

2011-01-06T03:26:00.000-08:00

We cut this wood from trees that once stood along the lane to his old pasture, and stacked it along the fence. We would have stacked it outside of his door, but he didn't burn wood anymore.

He had acres and more acres of wood, and an excellent stove that he had burned his own wood in for decades. But no more, as his insurance company pretty much forbid him to keep a fire. They said it was too risky.

An old man without a fire, and with wood to burn.

My Grandfather didn't live long after that, no wood to cut, carry and stack. No ashes to spread over the garden on those snow covered winter days. His axe was a part of him, and his woods were a part of his life too. And that old stove was surely the center of his existence.

Grandma had her chair, and sat at a distance from the stove that was comfortable for her. The grandchildren, and their children had their on comfortable spots too. We played at our Grandparents feet, and learned to respect that old man's authority over his stove, that farm and our family. It was a most natural order of life. And it's end seemed so unnatural, when he was forbidden to have a fire in his own home.

Our home, and our family lost it's flame soon after.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T12:23:00.000-08:00

I'm going out into the snow today, it's Christmas Eve. It's a very special day people.

Take Her Out to the Ball Game

2010-05-13T15:12:00.000-07:00

My sister Graduated from the Southern Illinois University this week! We're really proud of her, especially because she decided to go back to school so many years later.

Melissa attended the SIU over thirty years ago, and we shared a trailer for a semester. I studied math and and science, she studied English. Life has a way of side-tracking us from our goals, she went her way and I went mine. Neither of us got our degrees...

But, when she bought a home near the campus, she decided to finish what she had started so long ago. And now she's done it! Caps, gowns and all of that!

Our niece decided to celebrate the event by taking Melissa to baseball game in St Louis. Both are huge Cardinal fans. This is a pic my niece posted on Facebook ( ok, I snagged it ! ). The Cards lost the game, but that didn't bother the girls too much.

Congratulations Melissa!

Passing the Hat for Roger

2010-04-19T05:51:00.000-07:00

The hat made it's way from table to table in the break area, half filled ( or half empty? ) with dollar bills. It was payday and several whispered remarks echoed the sentiment, "I wish I had more but I haven't cashed my check yet, will you be doing this again next week?" I put my dollar in the hat as my thoughts drifted back to the many days Roger and I had worked together.

He enjoyed working, and his attitude was encouraging to all of those around him. Rare was the day that I didn't see him in the break area or the parking lot with his hands full of cd's, t-shirts or something to sell. The man was forever busy, and looking to make a dollar. And he was honest.

They found Roger face down in a ditch last week, with a bullet in the back of his head. The police have found the van he used to shuttle workers from Jackson County to the Pasta Plant were he had worked until he started his own shuttle company. No one heard the shot, no one in the neighborhood knew Roger. Those who live in that Housing Project are tight lipped.

He was a Family Man, Christian, Conservative and black. I didn't capitalize the word black, because I don't think Roger would have liked that. Roger was a Business Man that just happened to be born black in a white community.

There's a big hole where Roger used to stand. No one is sure how this happened ( yet ), but we all know there will be hell to pay when the truth does come out ( and it will ). It's going to be a long hot summer here. The heat is on.

It's Monday, and I've had time to think about all of this. I'll be talking to Marge, she was the last passenger Roger dropped off, and one of the last to speak with him. She will have the hat, and I'll have a few more dollars to send to his family. She may also have some news.

Junior Has a New Home

2010-04-09T14:29:00.000-07:00

There was a knock at the door about an hour ago, and now one of my pups has left for his new home. Not far away, but not close by either.

Junior was the second of four to go, and I know the remaining two will go sooner or later. There just isn't room here for them. Room in our hearts, space in our fenced yard, but the house just isn't big enough. He'll be going to an older couple's home just outside of town, where he'll have the room and love he deserves and needs. That's all good, but I miss him already.

I'm not going to pick favorites anymore, and I'm not going to name them either. They're whelped here, weaned here, and then they go away. They don't usually go far, and we nearly always keep in touch with their new owners. That's what brought the knock to our door, a lady with one of our pups brought an old friend of hers to us because her friend's husband had lost his dog the other day ( he doesn't know that he's getting a puppy yet ). I hope he keeps the name Junior.

I'm going to find out her husband's name tomorrow ( probably Bubba, Boo, or Billy-Bob ). I have no idea why some hulking, red-neck, back-hoe driving dude would ever want a wiener dog...but it doesn't matter because I'm not doing this anymore. Two more pups, and that's it for me.

A Marvelous Game

2010-01-23T16:59:00.000-08:00

I've been playing a marvelous game on-line for the last month or so. Tribal Wars seems to be all about conquest, exploitation and domination. Marvelous!

Starting with a village that supplies you with resources ( wood, clay and iron ), and building an army to pillage the resources of neighboring barbarian villages ( those that aren't blessed with a tyrant such as myself ) so that you can research and develop more and better soldiers and weapons to explore and exploit more distant villages. Marvelous!

When you're secure in your military strength, feel free to attack other tyrants! Or, if your not so secure join them in a larger quest against even larger groups of villages ( Tribes ). Marvelous!

I did well in the first several weeks, exploiting, building and researching to the point where it seemed worthwhile to join a tribe and take the game to a higher level. It took about a week for the tribe and I to get to know enough about each other, and then wham, they turned on me and decimated my original village. Not so Marvelous...

But that's ok, I've learned a valuable lesson; it's not by honorable conquest and subjugation of barbarians alone that elevates a tyrant. One needs to treacherous and conniving as well. I suspect that the greatest reward from this marvelous game will be the opportunity to slip a dagger in the back of my closest ( and most powerful ) ally. Marvelous!

All things considered Tribal Wars provides a marvelous provides a marvelous alternative to reading the news about the real world, and real people. Damn Marvelous!

A Stew Without Onions

2010-01-16T17:04:00.000-08:00

I've been following several conversations on several Multiply Groups that remind me of a story I heard years ago; A lady wanted to make a stew, so she set off to the Grocery Store with a list;

potatoes,
tomatoes,
onions,
carrots and
stew meat.

She found nearly everything with no problems, but could not find any onions. She asked the kid that was stocking the shelf in the Produce Section if there were any onions.

The polite young man shook his head and told her the truck wouldn't be in till the next day. Disappointed, the lady took everything ( minus the onions ) to the check-out counter and asked the clerk the same question.

She got the same polite answer, with the advice that she should come back the next day. She went home disappointed and very frustrated. On a whim she called the Grocery Store on the telephone and was connected with the manager of the store, and asked him about the onions.

Although the manager was having a very bad day, with trucks being late and customers complaining, he was very diplomatic in his response to the lady's repeated question.

Q: "Ma'am, if you take the Po out of potato, what do you have left?"
A: "Well young man, I suppose you'd have tato."

Q: "That's right ma'am, and if you took the to out of tomato what would you have left?"
A: "I suppose you'd have mato..."

Q; "That's correct ma'am, just one more question. If you took the F out of Onion, what would you have?
A: "Well...I really don't know young man, there's no F in Onion..."

Q: "Now do you understand? There ain't no F' n Onions ! "

And that's how many of the conversations go in the Help Groups I belong to. I just thought I'd share that...

So...if you take the Pe out of Petition, and the Se out of Sedition...what happened to the F in Revolution ?

Out, Into the World

2010-01-07T02:56:00.000-08:00

This week, home alone with the wife and dogs has been the best week for a long time. I took the trash out Tuesday Night, other-wise I haven't been out of the door! I'll be going out today, but just to the Pasta Plant to pick-up my paycheck ( I'm on vacation ), a carton of cigarettes and maybe some hooch if the wife doesn't complain too much.

The snow started falling late yesterday while I was obsessively following the flame war that erupted several days ago here among some of my on-line buddies. Such a contrast, cool flakes falling silently in the night while hot tempers raged on my monitor. Weird really, watching out the window to see the natural wonder of winter, and watching my monitor to see equally natural heat of human passions. I've been a total voyeur this week, not going out into the former and not really getting involved in the latter.

I woke this morning to find both the outer world and this inner, virtual world at peace, cool and silent. I'm gonna take the camera I think. Just to show some of my on-line buddies that the world abides.

The main roads are clear, though the side streets probably won't get plowed for a day or too. No matter, it's just a few miles to the Pasta Plant. Those folks will be rushed, running and hollering at each other in their efforts to produce, produce produce! Another contrast, me at peace at home and them struggling so. Come next Monday, I'll be back in the thick of that world made so brutal by our own passions and frustrations. But not today...

I'll be back in a few hours. So you folks try to enjoy your world(s) while I'm out there.

Gallatin County Sheriff, Wife, and Son Indicted for Solicitation of Murder for Hire

2010-01-03T20:18:00.000-08:00

It's getting hot here in Southern Illinois. It may be January, and the ground may be frozen but if you stand next to the jail in Murphysboro you may feel the heat that the Feds have brought to the Heartland. A neighboring Sheriff selling drugs from his squad car and his family plotting to kill witnesses, now that's hot news!

WJBD - Salem ( IL ) has the story:

Gallatin County Sheriff, Wife, and Son Indicted for Solicitation of Murder for Hire: "The Gallatin County Sheriff along with his wife and adult son have all been arrested on Jackson County warrants charging solicitation of murder for hire. The sheriff, 47-year-old Raymond Martin, was already in the Jackson County Jail at Murphysboro on federal indictments for distribution of marijuana and carrying a firearm during and in relation to drug trafficking.

The new indictments also charge Martin's 36-year-old wife Kristina and 20-year-old son Cody. They were arrested when they came to visit the former sheriff at the Jackson County Jail on Saturday. Each is being held on one-million dollars bond apiece.

The charges accuse Raymond Martin of conspiring with his wife and son of plotting to have witnesses murdered who were expected to testify at his upcoming drug trial. The witnesses allegedly involved have not been identified.

The solicitation of murder for hire charge is a Class X felony and carry a sentence of 20 to 40 years in prison. Martin has not resigned his job as sheriff in the far southeastern corner of the state."

This story can only get more interesting. I just hope no one gets hurt ( or burnt ) as the drama unfolds.

Your Ancestors Are With You

2009-12-31T15:16:00.000-08:00

And some times it gets really spooky. I've had several encounters with the dear departed in the last decade, and for better or worse each was a life-changing event. I'm not writing about ghosts or goblins, or troubled spirits that linger in our world. This is about real events, real people and the effect they have long after they are gone.

My Grandmother ( on my father's side ) was a grand manipulator, and at ninety-five the matriarch of a Klan that spanned most of the North American Continent. Her annual family reunions are attended by thousands. But, I never knew the extent of her power till my wife and I visited my sister last Thanksgiving. Grandma blew my mind ( ok, she used my sis to do the work, but it was Grandma pulling the strings from...where-ever... ).

After my wife, my sister and I carved and ate the turkey, the pumpkin pie and all that...we retired to the living room where Sis had recently put much af Grandma's relics up for display ( crochet hooks and hoops, butter molds, etc ), it was well done. My Sis has an eye for art ( and craft ), and the new additions to her home reflected her respect and affection for her family and culture. She's like that, my Sis is...

In a casual voice, Sis said, "Hey Wally, listen to this."...and out of the corner of my eye I glimpsed her hand touch the play button on her answering machine....whoa...it was the voice of my dear Grandma, calling Sis from the Hospital several years before;

"...Hey sissy, it's me and I'm going home now...Grandpa's not doing well, but we'll talk about that when you visit this weekend. I don't know If I'll be able to lift that big skillet to fry chicken, but oh well...I have a few knick-knacks you'll probably want to look at..."

I froze, immobile where I stood. That voice, it shook me and still affects me. Grandma's out there, in a virtual world of her own creation.

That message ( and more ) have since been transferred to other digital media, and she ( Grandma ) has gone www.com. This is the spooky part, there is no stopping her. And here's the kicker, Grandma was tied deeply into Illinois politics ( Democrat in a traditionally Republican State ). She was a huge asset to our most recently elected Governor, Rod Blagojavich who has been impeached, ousted, whatever...Grandma's pissed ( ok, this is just my speculation, but I know what angers the old bird ).

I want anyone that reads this to suspend their dis-belief for just a moment. You don't believe in spooks, you don't believe in ghosts. But, many ~do believe in~ the Internet. You can feel the effect of a voice from the past. Please understand where I'm coming from.

Some of your departed parents, some of your grandparents and many of your ancestors gave a lot to get you where you are today. A few of them where crafty enough to reach into your present tense. Obama is a master of that hyper-rhelm that you hold so dear.

It's not about bits and bytes. It's about logic, reason and the desire to affect the world long after you have departed. Like Grandma...( God bless her ).

Shot Gun Season

2009-11-21T12:03:00.000-08:00

Deer hunting has begun in Illinois, and the woods are full of Shot Guns loaded with deer slugs. Half the men I know preparing to climb a tree to their deer stand in the early pre-dawn hours, hoping to bag that big buck at the crack of dawn. Southern Comfort sales are at a seasonal high, so I would advise everyone to stay out of the woods this morning.

And the deer a running everywhere! You can't drive down the road without worrying that one will leap in front of your vehicle. And in the twilight of dawn, obscured by recent fog there have been more than a few road-kills in this area. That's when cell-phones come in handy, drag that doe to the side of the road and call your buddy for a tow and some help loading her into his pick-up. Meat is meat, and times are hard.

The State calls it a Harvest and several thousand will be taken this week. White Tails are plentiful in Southern Illinois, and many years see an over-population that leads to leaner, smaller animals. Not so this year, they should be well fed by the crops still in the field ( corn harvest has been delayed six or eight weeks by rain ). Many fields will remain unharvested till the ground freezes enough to bare the weight of the heavy equipment required to get it out. That's good news for the survivors of this years harvest.

A neighbor sent over a large meatloaf she made with venison last week ( road-kill no doubt ), it was fantastic! I have several friends that have promised to sell me Deer Sausage ( it looks like Salami, about two feet long ). Most mix the sausage 50% Venison, 25% Pork, 25% Beef. I like it with Ritz Crackers and hot mustard. I've still got a Deer Heart in the freezer from last year, I suppose I should put in a crock-pot tomorrow to make room for more.

It's Shot Gun Season, you folks be careful out there!

Comic for November 13, 2009

2009-11-13T06:05:00.000-08:00

Comic for November 13, 2009

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The Children Did Not Come Out Tonight

2009-10-31T23:09:00.001-07:00

My wife was disappointed but not greatly, when no kids came Trick-or-Treating on this Halloween. Disappointed because she enjoys handing out treats to all that come to our door, dressed as goblins and monsters. Not greatly disappointed because she was feeling poorly, and I was at work and not able to enjoy the night with her. This leaves us with much candy to enjoy for the next few weeks.

The weather has been foul for weeks, cold and drizzling rain that tends to dampen any festive spirits. And, the flu season is at it's peak so I doubt if many parents were eager to take their children from door to door. Fortunately for the kids, there was an alternative this year. Church.

Several local Churches got together and invited everyone to the local school gymnasium to celebrate(?) Halloween. Which seems rather odd to me, as most Churches are dead-set against anything to do with witches, goblins and the like! Oh well, if Jesus can tolerate Easter Egg Hunts and Christmas Trees perhaps a few Zombies would be ok too.

But I remember when Halloween was more than a Sugar Rush, better than a Costume Contest. It was an opportunity to get even with Teachers, Preachers and the local cop for all those little things they represent to kids; rules, manners and social graces.

Halloween was a night when latent Juvenile Terrorists went out armed with bars of soap to decorate neighbors windows with vulgarities. We waged war on out-houses, tipping them over ( even better if a teacher was in it ). And toilet paper, roll upon roll of tissue to adorn the trees of the grumpiest neighbor.

It's kinda sad really, my wife and I with all this candy and those kids at the school with the preachers. It almost makes me wish I'd wake up to find the wind-shield of my car soaped, "Eat Shit Wallace! You Suck!".

The Rain Came to Stay

2009-10-30T10:42:00.000-07:00

It's been raining for a week or more, and there is no sign of the sky clearing for weeks to come. The ground is saturated, and the water is backing up in the streams and creeks that feed the rivers. It doesn't happen every year, but often enough to be called normal weather for this land between the rivers.

The farmers' corn and soy bean crops are left standing in the fields. Fields too wet to support the harvest equipment. Farmers may have to wait for the ground to freeze before they can get their crops out.

The deer and other animals are moving to high ground, leaving the safety of the brush and moving across the many highways. Driving can be hazardous on rainy nights, and moving deer add to the danger.

My roof leaks...drip...drip...drip...

2009-10-02T06:55:00.000-07:00

google-site-verification: google644b6d51e87d3f13.html

Early Morning Thoughts

2009-07-20T23:13:00.000-07:00

Again, my mind wanders as I wait for my ride to work in these early am hours. I ponder the nature of Wealth, and Worth and my mind drifts back to memories of my Grandfather who died several years ago. He was a farmer, a Family Farmer which is different from most farmers these days as they own their land, do most of the work themselves and answer to themselves and the market.

Grandpa worked till the end, and when he stopped working the end came as he knew it would. His farm wasn't large, as he never intended it to be so. The farm was his retreat. That battle-scarred old man probably never read about Waldon's Pond as he only finished the sixth grade in school. But, he embodied that spirit more than anyone I ever met.

In the end, the entire family ( except for me, as I knew his secret ) was shocked to find out he had no money, no wealth, and they were not pleased to find that over the years he had been giving it away, acre by acre to my brother who had been working beside him for decades. He knew all along that you can't take Wealth with you, and that if his life was to have any worth he'd have to pass Wealth on.

What is Wealth? Grandpa knew that there was no way in the world that my brother could ever buy a farm of his own with money he had earned. That's what Wealth is, more than you could ever acquire honestly. And he knew that my brother's dream, and goal in life was to find his own seperate peace, and work that dream for him and his. For them work is the goal, not the means to an end. This definition of Wealth is quite different than what you'll find in the dictionary, or on the Oprah show.

I'm of to my job now, a job I really do enjoy because it suits me. And I'll be daydreaming all day, probably thinking about how I no longer have to help my brother take care of those damn hogs...

Thanks Grandpa, thanks Ed, dream on...

A Rainy Fourth of July

2009-07-04T18:59:00.000-07:00

Storms moved across the area all day on this 4th of July weekend. Me and mine kept ourselves dry inside all day ( except for a short trip to the local mini-mart in Cutler IL ). Most of the local fire-works displays and festivities were scheduled for this evening, so I imagine a lot of folks will be disappointed.

It looks like storms will continue through the weekend, I hope everyone drives safely.

Blues celebration fills Grant Park - Chicago Breaking News

2009-06-13T02:08:00.001-07:00

I'm seriously thinking about taking a day off work so that I can go to Chicago. I sure hope somebody takes some video of this event, and posts it on youtube! Let me know if you're in the Chicago area. I'd need a place to crash ( late Saturday night till early Sunday morning ).

June 12, 2009 7:29 PM | No Comments

The 26th annual Chicago Blues Festival is underway this weekend in Grant Park in downtown Chicago, on five stages spread out around the Petrillo Bandshell on the corner of Jackson and Columbus Drives.

It's the world's largest free blues festival, and will be held through Sunday. We will be adding to the photogallery throughout the festival.

Vince Agwada performs with the Chicago Blues Experience at the Chicago Blues Festival on Friday. (Tribune / Zbigniew Bzdak) MORE PHOTOS

via chicagobreakingnews.com

Posted via web from Wallace's posterous

Twister

2009-04-26T05:01:00.001-07:00

A friend of mine's mother sent him a pic of a funnel cloud that
crossed the road in front of their vehicle several weeks ago. If
you've ever seen a twister, or if you've ever heard one passing near
by with the sound of a freight train you'll never forget it.

It's tornado season here in what we call 'Tornado Alley', stretching
from Texas to Chicago in a N by NE line. Often, twisters come in pairs
and triplets that can devastate entire towns and villages along their
path.

At noon, in the village I live in Church Bells chime. In the next town
down the road sirens scream at noon. They have memories of
destruction, and test their warning system daily. We pray a lot.

Posted via email from Wallace's posterous

Smooth - Carlos Santana

2009-04-26T02:48:00.000-07:00

Learning To Mow From An Expert

2009-04-17T17:46:00.001-07:00

The sun was out for two days in a row, so we finally had a chance to get the lawn mowed. We've been looking for a riding mower for weeks now, but have had no luck. So, we hired an expert ( that's her, standing next to the young man on the mower ), that is to say we talked to a neighbor lady who had a son that needed to earn some money ( he mumbled something about a hat that he really wanted at Walmart when I asked him what he would spend the $15 on ).

Mom was a patient teacher, and was standing close by from beginning to end.

Things got a little tough, that is to say the lawn wasn't quite dry yet. So like a good Mother, she gave her son a 'little boost'. Sometimes there's no better lesson than a little applied energy.

When he got going again, he finished the lawn in short order.

The young man is eleven years old, but big for his age. In another year or so I'm sure he'll be hiring himself out to local farmers. By then, he'll have developed the skills, and the confidence to handle much larger equipment. But I think he'll always remember this day, when Mom had enough confidence in him, to allow him to take his first step into a 'Man's World of Great Big Toys'....

Talent, Poise and Presentation

2009-04-12T15:11:00.001-07:00

I got this replacement video from Linda, thanks Linda!

Posted via web from Wallace's posterous

Happy Easter

2009-04-10T03:22:00.001-07:00

I want to wish everyone a Happy Easter!

Wallace...

Posted via email from Wallace's posterous

Of Captains and Pawns

2009-04-09T00:47:00.001-07:00

Captain Richard Phillips was taken from his ship ( Maersk Alabama, a US flagged ship ), about 500km off the Coast of Somalia yesterday.

Posted via email from Wallace's posterous

I, Government

2009-04-02T00:39:00.001-07:00

I'm wondering if Assimov's 'Laws of Robotics' should be applied to Government ( as if the Government was an artificial person ). Our Government isn't really alive you know, but it does present that illusion. That illusion does have power though, and power must be managed well. So, why not manage Government as Assimov suggests?

I would rewrite the laws to state;

Government may not injure a human, or through inaction allow a human to come to harm while it obeys the will of the people. Nor should Government allow itself to be altered or abolished as long as it protects and serves the people above it's own interest.

These principles could marry the American Conservatives passion for the individual, and the American Liberals desire for a Nanny-State.

This, of course assumes that Government has it's own interests, identity and spirit.

Posted via web from Wallace's posterous

Subterranean Economic Blues

2009-03-28T18:36:00.001-07:00

With huge bonuses going to executives of many large corporations, I have to as, "What do they do with all that money?" My personal contact with the wealthy is limited to short trips in the taxi that I drove for twenty years, so my understanding of that social class is limited to that perspective. Those folks do tip big.

I left that job eight years ago when I returned to the agricultural community where I was born and raised. Most of all I miss the tips, that little bit of 'dash' that provides the instant gratification that is practically non-existant in a rural setting. Tips are a large part of the under-ground economy that you will find in any city, subterranean so to speak. I liken my sense of loss to Bob Dylan's Subterranean Homesick Blues. So, what is the connection between the underground, Bob Dylan, corporate bonuses and my blues? Let me explain;

There is a line in Bob's song ( click on link above ), '...the pump don't work, cause the vandals took the handles...' That particular lyric has mystified myself and many others for years. Now I understand; Without the bonuses, corporate executives can't support the thousands of low-lifes ( like myself ) that depend so much on their filthy lucre. The pump is the economy, and the handle is instant gratification ( TIPS = to insure prompt service ).

When those executives left their homes to appear before the US Congress, I have no doubt that they tipped everybody they met along their route to those hallowed halls. I'm just guessing, but I'll bet they laid out thousands of dollars in largess that they fully expected to 'trickle down' through the economy, and thus 'stimulate' that same economy. Limo drivers, sky-caps, and valet parking assistants are just a few of those that benifit from their 'cash flow'. That is just the way the weathy contribute to society ( except for wealthy Canadians, they don't tip ).

How much of our lives, our jobs and our Government is dependent on an under-ground economy? For the last eight years, my wife and I have supported ourselves with minimum wage jobs, so we really don't feal the pinch like we would have 'back in the day'. The blues I feel are more nostalgic, than financial.

I'm also grateful that circumstances put disance between myself, and a very corrupt system that depends so much on instant gratification.

And about that pump, my neighbor has an old one in his back yard that works well ( if you work it )

Posted via web from Wallace's posterous

President Obama fills out his March Madness Bracket

2009-03-19T03:06:00.001-07:00

Barry likes Duke ( but says they won't go all the way ). I can get behind the Pres. on this issue ( especially since he proved himself with his Super Bowl pick ( he went with Pittsburgh, I liked Arizona ).

Thanks FANDOME!

Posted via web from Wallace's posterous

Rumors of Wars

2009-03-15T05:09:00.001-07:00

I am worried that the US and Mexico may soon escalate the 'War on Drugs' from a strategy of enforcement by civil authorities, to a shooting war on the border between the nations. Mexico has been using it's military for several years now in it's efforts to battle the Drug Cartels influence and control over several of their states. The US has supported Mexico's efforts with much money, and advisors under the banner of 'The Merida Initiative', but has refrained from deploying Federal Troops to the Mexican border ( although National Guard Units from the region have been alerted to the possibility of such a deployment ).

Living far north of the border ( in Illinois ) doesn't remove the affects of a conflict on the Rio Grande, as so many folks from south of the border live as neighbors and work beside mid-west citizens. If the US where to use Federal Troops to battle the Drug Cartels in the States, or ( God forbid ) in Mexico, would fear dictate the relationship between this minority and Non-Latinos? Certainly different states and regions of the US would react differently, but would the Federal Government be able to establish a workable general policy for dealing with conflicts inside the US?

One would hope that the Obama Administration is looking for models of past conflicts, and judging them for their successes and failures. The Internment of Japanese Americans during the Second World War comes to mind, which brings up the issue of immigrants and Americans of Mexican descent that are ( or will be ) serving in the US military.

I have asked several questions, to which I have no answers. While we all worry about our involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq, perhaps we should also be concerned about events that are not so far over the horizen..

Thanks to Sgt. Mancini for the photo.

Posted via web from Wallace's posterous

2009-03-08T18:05:00.001-07:00

"I'm just glad I have a job," is a phrase heard more often lately. My thoughts echo that sentiment as I 'tag' news articles that focus on the economy, bailouts and legislation aimed at keeping American's on the job ( and in their homes ).

My shift at the Pasta Plant is scheduled for the weekly start-up, which means that in a few hours I'll be walking into a production area all gleaming and shiny from Saturday's clean-up shift. All the chrome will shine, the floor will be empty, and the plant will be relatively quiet for a few hours until production ramps up and the flour dust begins to fly.

Pasta is cheap food, and is not likely to suffer in the market-place like so many other products. Also, most of your major brands of pasta that are sold in your super-market are produced by a few companies. So I'll probably not get that pink-slip that so many are seeing lately.

Concerning my home, I am buying one but not with the help of a bank. I guess my wife and I didn't qualify for a loan as so many upwardly mobile folks did in the last several decades. We found a man willing to sell with a 'contract for deed'. Looking back, I think we are the fortunate ones ( not having to worry about banks and loan companies ). As long as 'our man' is solvent, so are we, and since we haven't missed any payments I'm sure he considers us an asset, rather than a liability.

Posted via web from Wallace's posterous

Don Surber » Blog Archive » Jesus and the Democrat

2009-03-07T22:26:00.001-08:00

Today’s viral e-mail that’s making the rounds. It’s cute.

Come on. You want to read it:

A Republican in a wheelchair entered a restaurant one afternoon and asked the waitress for a cup of coffee. The Republican looked across the restaurant and asked, ‘Is that Jesus sitting over there?’

The waitress nodded ‘yes,’ so the Republican requested that she give Jesus a cup of coffee, on him.

The next patron to come in was a Libertarian with a hunched back. He shuffled over to a booth, painfully sat down, and asked the waitress for a cup of hot tea.

He also glanced across the restaurant and asked, ‘Is that Jesus over there?’

The waitress nodded, so the Libertarian asked her to give Jesus a cup of hot tea, ‘My treat.’

The third patron to come into the restaurant was a Democrat on crutches. He hobbled over to a booth, sat down and hollered, ‘Hey there, honey! How’s about gettin’ me a cold glass of Miller Light?’ He, too, looked across the restaurant and asked, ‘Is that God’s boy over there?’

The waitress once more nodded, so the Democrat directed her to give Jesus a cold glass of beer. ‘On my bill,’ he said.

As Jesus got up to leave, he passed by the Republican, touched him and said, ‘For your kindness, you are healed.’ The Republican felt the strength come back into his legs, got up, and danced a jig out the door.

Jesus also passed by the Libertarian, touched him and said, ‘For your kindness, you are healed.’ The Libertarian felt his back straightening up, and he raised his hands, praised the Lord and did a series of back flips out the door.

Then Jesus walked towards the Democrat. The Democrat jumped up and yelled, ‘Don’t touch me. I’m collecting disability.’

I wonder how the Democrats would tell it…

via blogs.dailymail.com

Posted via web from Wallace's posterous

State of the Individual

2009-02-25T13:54:00.001-08:00

Much attention has been given to Pres. Obama's 'State of the Union Address'. Sadly I couldn't watch the speech as I was at work, fortunately the entire world was watching so I can read all about it today ( I'm taking the day off work ).

My question is, "What about the 'State of the Individual' ?" Is Individuality still an issue in this new age ( 2000+ )? From what I've seen lately, most people still think, speak and act as a herd while making little effort to express their individual hopes and needs.

I may be very similar to the many people you meet in life, but I still flatter myself with at least an illusion of uniqueness! I still try to be creative, and look for new ideas that are relevant to my life, and my dreams. These are a few things that I do to seperate myself from the herd, and establish myself as an individual;

I sing out-loud in public. I don't have a voice that people would pay money to hear, but singing the music I like tells the world that I am important, and my feelings are relevant.
I make up new words. Inspeculation is my latest effort at word-smithy. It refers to the uncertainty of enquiring minds, a bit more than an educated guess, but without the research required to establish something as fact.
I challenge assumptions. Just because things have always been done a certain way, doesn't mean that things always have to be done that way. Most of the time it is a best-guess solution to a problem that is accepted as policy.

What is the State of Your Individuality, and what do you do to express your uniqueness?

Word for the day; Intactitude ( Humpty Dumpty's condition before his fall ).

Posted via web from Wallace's posterous

It's Barry

2009-01-20T04:51:00.000-08:00

And here it is folks! White House.gov is still on line! It looks like Barry has moved in!

Breaking News; A New Year Has Arrived ( 2009 )

2009-01-01T08:12:00.000-08:00

It's time to put up the new calendar, 2008 has passed away! And right on schedule, 2009 is up and running.

How many folks make the mistake of dating checks with the old year instead of the new in January? I bet a lot do!

Dixie left us yesterday. Our house is not the same.

2008-12-20T17:50:00.000-08:00

Dixie left us yesterday. Our house is not the same. For seven years we were blessed with the company of one of the worlds most loving creatures, and now we are left with memories, photos and a hole in our lives where she used to live.

She left us four puppies, four wonderful new lives that we will love, cherish and nurture as we did here other pups. My wife is bottle-feeding them, and they are doing well. Dixie's friend Natalie has decided to adopt the four, and nurtures them as if they were her own litter. Between my wife's efforts, and Natalies motherly instincts we have every reason to believe the four will grow to be as healthy and loving as their mother.

The photo is of Dixie, as she sat in our doorway soaking up the warm sun, and watching my wife as she worked at her desk. My wife is suffering the loss of her close friend even more than I.

Have you ever lost a friend, and wished you had the chance to say goodbye? I was at work when I got the sad news, I so wish I had been there, just to hold Dixie, and tell her I loved her...and goodbye.

"Goodbye Dixie...I'll be looking for you...".....

Mumbai on Twitter

2008-11-26T18:46:00.000-08:00

The ongoing crisis in India has twitter going as fast as I've seen it in the few weeks I've been on Twitter.

On the Job Accident

2008-11-21T21:41:00.000-08:00

An accident has happened at the factory where I work.

It's Saturday morning, and as usual I'm up a few hours early to read the many news-papers that I subscribe to in my Google Reader. Most news is bad news, and most news is from distant and unfamiliar places about events that affect us indirectly. Not so this morning.

I'm reading this news-feed from the local newspaper about how a young man was severely injured. I had heard nothing of this when I left yesterday at 3pm, so I'm assuming it happened on either the second, or third shift. Being Saturday, most of my friends won't have heard this news when they arrive for work because the local Television news at this early hour is mostly farm and weather related.

This is not the first accident at hour plant, in fact there have been several severe accidents in the last few months. There have been explosions, and other events that should have drawn the attention of the media and Government. I read very little of these events in the news media. The equipment and the environment we work in is dangerous, and heavily regulated by State and Federal Agencies ( OSHA, etc ), and we have seen several inspections lately by these agencies.

On a normal Saturday schedule, we don't usually see much of Management at the Pasta Plant. I expect to see a lot of suits and ties today. This will be interesting to watch, as my shift supervisor is out for vacation and his assistant has been in charge for the last week.

I am debating whether to tell my wife about this news before I go to work. I don't want her to worry, but I don't want her to hear about from the local gossip mill while I'm gone either. For many years I drove a taxi, and she worried all that time. When I took this job, she seemed more secure. I hope this doesn't change things.

It changes things, a lot of things for a lot of people around here...

Here's what I read a few minutes ago. I hesitate to include the full article that I quote below, as it does include the name of my employer. If you click on the link, you will be directed to the full article as it appears in our local paper.

"...employee said he was suffering physical and emotional pain Friday after losing his right arm in a work accident at one of the company's Steeleville plants.

Speaking by telephone from Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Jeremy Stanley, 29, said he was surrounded by family members and friends in his hospital room. According to preliminary medical reports from Sparta Community Hospital, Stanley's arm was caught in a mixing bowl and got amputated at the elbow. He also suffered numerous cuts on his upper right arm..."

Link

Washington Times - Whistleblower asked to reveal illegal FBI acts

2008-11-13T23:01:00.000-08:00

This could get interesting! Now that the election is over, and the Bail-out is in full swing and yesterday's news, bloggers and pundits are in search of scandle. This jus might be the main topic for the next few months in the blog-o-sphere.

The FBI has engaged in unlawful acts while carrying out a Bush administration intelligence-gathering program that allows surveillance of U.S. citizens without warrants, says an a well-known FBI whistleblower who has been asked to air his allegations to the Justice Department.

Link

xxx

Obama Resigns!: Pics, Videos, Links, News

2008-11-13T11:11:00.000-08:00

Link

Speak Now, or Forever Hold Your Peace

2008-11-03T15:03:00.000-08:00

Vote. It's your voice in Government.

If you don't vote, you have abdicated your proper power of speech in Government. You may feel disenfranchised, marginalized or side-lined and that your vote doesn't count. You may be right, but vote anyway.

If you don't express yourself at the polls, then whatever you say from now in is rendered mute, and irrelevant. This opportunity is like the moment just before a preacher pronounces two people man and wife;

"...Speak now, or forever hold your peace..."

A Note With My Pay-check

2008-11-01T18:52:00.000-07:00

I opened my the envelope, and found a rather long note included with my check. From the owner and CEO of the company that I work for, to all the employees, letting us all know how he felt about the up-coming elections. It was a long letter that promoted John McCain. I wasn't surprised that my boss was a Republican.

He made some good points, and I had to agree with most of what he wrote. I did notice that Obama's name wasn't mentioned at all. Not once.

Nor was any mention made of the Employee Free Choice Act ( EFCA ) made. For those that aren't aware, EFCA is making it's way across Capital Hill, and will most likely be on the new Presidents desk when he assumes office next year. This piece of Legislation would have a major impact on American Business, as well as Labor and for my boss not to even mention it seems rather odd. Unless he doesn't want to broadcast the news that he's about to lose a lot of control over his work-force.

I watched as about a hundred co-workers opened their envelopes, read the note and walked silently away. That's odd, I thought to myself. Not a word. I could see at least a dozen Obama t-shirts in the crowd, and no McCain shirts. You'd think there'd be some remark made about the note, and the owners political stand.

Several years ago I asked a coworker if there had ever been a union at the plant. He said there'd been a vote, but it had been voted down because unions would raise wages, kill the company and we'd all be out of a job. That sounded a little odd to me because I knew that it wasn't unions that shut all the mines down in this area, it was the EPA and a Republican President ( Ronald Reagan ). Odd, unless the guy asked was afraid to say anything else.

Many folks think that a secret ballot is one way to give a voice to those who are afraid of speaking out on things that seem 'a little odd'. And I agree that when the curtain is drawn on the booth your employer won't know how you vote, so you can vote in your interest instead of his. But is the path to the booth supposed to be a secret trail, hidden so that employees don't lose their jobs when the whisper about organizing or establishing a union?

EFCA will allow union organizers to move freely in the community, collecting signatures on applications for membership in a union. If the organizers get signatures of more than half the number of employees in a company, then the union is established without the permission, or even the involvement of the company.

There's more written into EFCA that will have even greater effects on our lives, and I find it very odd that nobody in the mainstream press, and very few pundits on the internet even mention it. Odd, unless they are afraid to speak...

Fences

2008-10-28T07:31:00.000-07:00

I've read that good fences make for good neighbors. Nonsense. I put up a fence around my backyard several weeks ago, and I have had nothing but problems from my neighbors.

First, the guy said I had to move it back three feet, due to a village regulation or something like that. Nonsense, that rule only applies to privacy fences. Besides all that, he was there when I planned it, and we eye-balled the property line and compensated for the three feet rule. He was there when they built the fence ( I was at work ), and never said a word.

The ass waited for two hours after the fence was up, to tell us we had to move it. It told him to kiss my butt, and I'd pee on any papers he served me. He thought I was stupid I guess. I hope he has fun paying for a survey ( that's just the beginning of the legal process ).

So how does this apply to Nations? Do fences make for good International Neighbors? I doubt it.

The "bailout" of the US financial sector - a knol by Knol Debates

2008-10-07T11:59:00.000-07:00

There is a not too well known site provided by Google; Knol. It's been around for a while, and I've published a few, short 'knols' ( short for knowledge ). It hasn't had much success, as it is little advertised and not very flashy.

Knol is trying something new that may help boost the ratings of this little known project that I believe has a lot of potential. Knol is hosting the first in a series of debates.

Economists from the Cato Institute and the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) have offered opening arguments on what should come next now that the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act is law. If you'd like to get involved in the solution, rather than languish in the problem, I'd strongly suggest you read these opposing viewpoints presented by credible think-tanks that actually crave your comments and suggestions.

The Issue
" There's been a good deal of news lately. Major financial institutions are struggling to stay solvent. The stock market is a roller coaster, and the government has already intervened a number of times to try to stabilize the economy.

This knol presents a debate on what actions should be taken to improve economic conditions now that the emergency economic stabilization act is law...more "

And while you're at knol, feel free to comment on my small contribution to the 'how-to-do-it' region of the blogo-sphere. I'm not sure if you have to register to comment, but what the heck, it's free....

Round Tuit

2008-08-24T09:08:00.000-07:00

I got this from my wife, along with a honey-do list. I'll be busy for a few hours today, but I'll be back later in the evening.

Thanks for being great friends and buddies, and thanks for visiting.

Day-shift, again

2008-08-19T22:51:00.000-07:00

Arrggghhh....I hate waking in the early AM....

Coffee...two cups. Now I can think....maybe....

I have an hour to get ready for work, and half an hour to read my mail. Then I'm off to the Pasta Plant to put little tiny noodles in little boxes. Today is different though, I'll be riding in our new ( pre-owned ) mini-van.

Jose' came through with the title yesterday, we've been waiting for several weeks. Jose' is from Mexico, and has to return for a period of time to reapply for his visa. So...he sold us his mini-van! He's a great kid ( about 22 years old ), and a good worker ( actually he's had several promotions and is in line for a supervisors job ).

When Jose' and his wife and child showed up with the van ( his wife and child were in their other vehicle, a nice new Ford truck ), I began to wonder how he could afford two nice vehicles on the wages he and his wife make. It turns out that he doesn't pay taxes, if he only stays for five years ( that's why he's leaving, to re-establish his tax-exempt visitors status ).

Now he's off to Mexico, were he'll have at least several thousand dollars to live on for half a year before he comes back to resume his job at the Pasta Plant.

Mexican nationals make up about one third of our work force. From what I've seen and heard in the last five years, nearly all are legal. We did have a small raid by INS about four years ago, it would seem that three Mexicans had the same Social Security Card. ( how does that work? )

My wife and I are going for a 'drive' this afternoon, and I'm taking the camera. It will be nice to ride around with Air Conditioning for once ( of course our old Mercury had the standard four-by-fifty-five AC unit; roll down four windows and drive fifty-five mph ).

I'll post some pictures....

See ya....

Before and After

2008-08-03T13:21:00.000-07:00

This is me, as I looked for a barber. There are many in Sparta IL, but I'm really picky when it comes to letting someone close to my neck with a sharp object in their hand!

In this picture, I'm standing in front of a modern, uni-sex shop who's prices start at $14. That's why I'm laughing!

I did go in, and tried to talk to the lady at the front desk, but she was really pushy, and the first thing she wanted to know was my phone number ( ? ). What the....

I don't give out phone numbers, SSAN numbers and such to every merchant I meet, so I laughed, and asked if I could get my beard cut off, and maybe a shave too. No such luck, so it was off to the next shop, laughing....

I found the shop I was looking for in the old part of town. If you look close, you can see the prices on the wall ( hair-cut includes beard ! )

I talked with the two barbers for about half an hour while one cut my hair and beard. We spoke of good times, and bad. We found we had a lot in common.

And during the entire visit, no one asked for my phone number, SSAN number, proof of residency or any thing like that. I'll be going back for trims and such, and maybe just to talk a bit.

So, what do you think? Before or After, Better or Worse? $14 or $7.50 ( + tip )?

Going to an Auction

2008-08-02T18:36:00.000-07:00

My wife and I had planned to buy a mini-van today, but that didn't work out well. The young man called and said his girl-friend couldn't find the Title! Oh well...maybe she didn't want him to sell it.

We did go to an auction, to look for a riding lawn mower. We got there early, and found several that would work for us, but we had other errands so we left, hoping to come back in time to bid on the red one in the picture to the right.

On the way, I got some photos of a lot of great stuff! Old toys, Shot-guns and magazine collections. I really wanted the National Geographic collection, but I have no idea where I'd put them in our small home.

Somebody spent a lot of time reading, and dreaming of distant places. I will always wonder who bought these magazines, and how much they sold for.

I really loved this wagon load of toys, and I especially liked the black truck in the middle of the table.

Some guns, nothing special. Just a few hunting rifles and shot-guns. I imagine anything rare or valuable went to the children or heirs.

Anyway, if you want to hear what an auction sounds like, check the video out. It's a short ( one minute ) clip. I just love the cadence of the auctioneer's voice!

"The Stone-Age Did Not End For The Lack Of Stones"

2008-07-17T14:30:00.000-07:00

Sometimes someone says something so tightly wrapped, so direct, but yet somehow enigmatic...it sticks in your mind.

Mirrors, Reflections and Introspections

2008-06-21T20:57:00.000-07:00

( through the looking glass, darkly )

I have an old friend, who has often given me a different perspectives on life, my life, and me. Jiban was raised in India, and moved to the U.S. as a young man. He spent several years in our Air Force, and has become quite American ( except for his accent, he'll never shake that ). He also drinks a lot.

His mannerisms, and the way he phrases his thoughts have always intrigued me and serve to illustrate my perceptions and how we all construct a 'reality' that is quite unique. A few of his common phrases that I noticed;

"Wally, I'm standing beside myself with puzzlement..."
"The words...they fuck in my mouth..."

Though we had vastly different backgrounds, we had much in common. We both drove taxi, and spent the majority of our after-shift hours drinking, and rapping ( mostly about our job, the purpose of the universe, and the differing merits of king-crab and dungeness crab ), and we agreed that the world is not as it seems. An illusion, yes, but not one perpetrated by global conspiritors, evil spirits or the illuminati. The illusion is a necessary function of our individual minds.

There are of course masters of illusion, that dominate the world we experience. The Main-stream News Media comes to mind easily. And then there's Hollywood, and the star making machinery. Politics? Do you actually believe what our leaders say/promise? Religion? Education/indoctrination? I can go on for hours about the illusions that we accept in the external world, but are you ready to accept the internal illusions that you hold so dear?

We have blind spots, and the mind is the machine that fills those voids in our perception. I'm speaking of a very real function of our minds, but it is explained better in L-6 THE EYE, 'Fig. 3. Test for the blind spot'. It's an easy, painless test that can be done in a few seconds, but be warned, you might not want to learn how to doubt your eyes. If you've made life changing decisions on the axiom, 'seeing is believing' you probably should not read the article...I digress...

How does one 'stand beside' oneself? And can you do it with someone, or thing called 'puzzlement'? I suspect the poetry of language polishes the mirror of reality in our minds, and the words we use to describe our perceptions can trip all over themselves ( they fuck in my mouth ) trying to make sense of the natural fiction we describe as reality, self, history, politics and religion.

Look into a glass mirror. Is that you? I don't believe so. You are witnessing an animation, a creation that put's Disney Studios to shame. Jiban and I saw that distortion of truth, and decided it would be easier to get drunk than to share our thoughts on the matter with the world. Some cats are like Jiban and I because we are intrigued by the image we see in mirrors, some cats are like you and most of the world and see the image as 'reality'. Some cats go ape-shit over cat-nip...

" alt="me, under a tree, painting me under a tree" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1061/718706248_8a48e23391_m.jpg" align="left">

Years ago, someone hid a mirror in plain sight by removing the frame and any other clue that it was in the room. As I idled in the area, I politely ignored the only other person in the room ( my reflection ), and for several minutes casually observed, and innocently judged the other by his appearance. I was 'standing beside myself' at an epic moment in my personal history. My idyllic world was soon to beshattered, as I fell from the grace of a lesser god.

I noticed that his socks were miss-matched, as mine usually were, and as my eyes raised to meet his I saw in my dopple-ganger's face a reflection of my own puzzled thoughts...and then my mental animation programming kicked in to gear and I watched that face, that man, that 'other' transform before my eyes into...me! It was a fully automatic transformation, and totally out of my conscious control. The transformation seemed to be an animation process at that moment, but now i recognize that process as the 'reality', and the end result as the illusion.

Had I not noticed the mis-matched socks, my unconscious mind would have accepted him at 'face value'. I would have remained like you, and most of the world ( including the cat that ignores mirrors ) confident in my share of the collective hunch. You are the fortunate ones, Jiban, myself, and a few cats share the dubious honor of enlightenment.

If you share any of these sentiments, I suggest art as a therapy ( or better yet, art as a religion ). Art and artists are accepted in most western societies, and introspection is expected. If you don't have time to sit in front of a mirror, or get tired of self-portraits then I suggest poetry. Better that the words fuck in your mouth, than in your mind...

U.S. May Free Up More Land for Corn Crops

2008-06-20T18:29:00.000-07:00

New York Times
By David Streitfeld
Published: June 21, 2008

CHICAGO — Signs are growing that the government may allow farmers to plant crops on millions of acres of conservation land, while a chorus of voices is also pleading with Washington to cut requirements for ethanol production.
Senator Charles E. Grassley, Republican of Iowa and one of Capitol Hill’s main voices on farm policy, on Friday urged the Agriculture Department to release tens of thousands of farmers from contracts under which they had promised to set aside huge tracts as natural habitat...more

Wallace's opinion;

This is extraordinary news, but I'm not really surprised. I've been following the crisis in the global food supply since I read Peter Casier's article 'The Global Food Crisis: A Perfect Storm'. Peter works for the UN, out of Rome and was one of the first bloggers to bring the issue to the world, preceding the World Food Summit recently convened in Rome. I made a list of related articles from around the blogo-sphere as they were published, and as the story developed I began to notice an obvious politicalization of the issue. I refer to that development as Political Hay ( As in; make hay, while the sun shines. By the way, these links are informative but I put them here primarily for corroboration ).

I knew hysteria had reached it's peak, when I read 'Obese blamed for the worlds ills' on the BBC Health page. Everybody and there brother was capitalizing on the tragic situation. From Africa to Iran, from Brazil to Burma, everybody except President Bush that is.

But now I see what a Lame Duck can do with a little patience. He can hand every corporate farm in the nation a fat bonus at the expense of land management, wet-land habitats, game reserves and the governments largest conservation program. These corporations have already been paid to leave the land fallow, and now those contracts may be waved. Do people understand that much of the corporate land that's been flooded is insured? That's two payoffs.

Now these corporations have a chance to plant a crop for a third payout from a highly ( and artificially ) inflated market.

Does anyone remember James Watt? He was Reagan's Secretary of the Interior that was forced to resign, after he did so much for so few. He made hay for Reagan's cronies, and it looks like Senator Charles E. Grassley, is trying to do the same for our current Republican President.

As for removing the requirement to plant a percentage dedicated to ethanol, what a crock. Do we really think that these corporate farms are going to pass up fourth payout at today's fuel prices?

p.s. I focused on corporate farms, because family farms receive only a fraction of the benefits, and have the least political clout. But just watch the news in the next few weeks, it will be mom and pop interviews that give a friendly face to the political hay making. What a crock

French Police Arrest Serial Garden Gnome Thief

2008-06-15T09:10:00.000-07:00

Few people are aware of the GGLF ( Garden Gnome Liberation Front ), and most of them speak French so fewer yet pay attention. But mark my words, justice will catch up to this shadowy threat to civilization! When I first read these headlines, I was sure the authorities were about to close in on these lawn terrorists. However, as I read on, I found that these heineous acts were most likely committed by one person ( no doubt a copy-cat ).

Not to fear, I'll keep the world posted on any progress in the battle against the GGLF.

Spiegel - Online - International
06/12/2008

Police in Bretagne have arrested a 53-year-old man suspected of the thefts of 170 garden gnomes. However, it is proving difficult to return the gnomes to their real owners -- the thief painted them different colors, making identification tricky.

When garden gnomes go missing in France, most are tempted to blame the shadowy Garden Gnome Liberation Front. The group has been linked to the disappearance of dozens of miniature garden residents over the years.

Not this time, however. Some 170 gnomes and other ornaments have been stolen in the north-western region of Bretagne recently. And it appears to be the work of a serial garden gnome thief acting on his own...more

A Bridge to Hawaii - Biker Folk Story

2008-05-01T11:46:00.000-07:00

A man riding his Harley was riding along a California beach when suddenly the sky clouded above his head and in a booming voice, the Lord said, 'Because you have tried to be faithful to me in all ways, I will grant you one wish.'

The biker pulled over and said, 'Build a bridge to Hawaii so I can ride over anytime I want.'

The Lord said, 'Your request is materialistic. Think of the enormous challenges for that kind of undertaking; the supports required reaching the bottom of the Pacific and the concrete and steel it would take! It will nearly exhaust several natural resources. I can do it, but it is hard for me to justify your desire for worldly things. Take a little more time and think of something that could possibly help mankind.'

The biker thought about it for a long time.

Finally, he said, 'Lord, I wish that I and all men could understand women; I want to know how she feels inside, what she's thinking when she gives me the silent treatment, why she cries, what she means when she says nothing's wrong, and how I can make a woman truly happy.'

The Lord replied...

'You want two lanes or four on that bridge?'

A Turd in Your Pocket

2008-04-07T08:43:00.001-07:00

Note; this is an imported entry from July, '07. Origanally posted on Mulitiply.com

The shit hit the fan today at work, and you could smell it all over the county. Prejudice, and pride are like that ( like a turd in your pocket, after a while you get used to the smell, but folks you meet notice it right off ). I'm speaking of the police, escorting a few of our fellow workers out of the building, and down the road. I didn't follow, but I'm assuming that they were met at the county line by an escort from the next county, just to make sure they 'got home safe'.

A little background; I work in a large factory, that makes pasta ( and stove-top stuffing ). The work, at any level is not hard, or challenging. There are four basic job descriptions. Bulk Pasta; mixing flour and water in a big bucket. Production; putting noodles in a bag, or box. Material Handling; stacking boxes. Shipping; putting stacks on trucks. With this in mind, realize that any large problem, is most likely the result of conflicts, or nonsense brought to work by the people

Last year, a woman ( white, I'll call her Dae ) had a baby, fathered by another employee ( black, call him Dee ), but not her husband ( Supervisor, and Joe ). Dae, and Joe are my neighbors, so I have been a little too close to the obvious conflict. Between the couples home, and mine, lives the Dae's mother, Sue, who is the matriarch of an extended family ( let's call it a clan ). And from my window, I watch the constant coming and goings of nearly half the factory that I work at. One frequent visitor is Dae's father Don ( a fork lift driver ), who is still married to Sue, but lives with Mae, who also works at the factory, and supervises Dee on line #18.

Several weeks ago, Dae and her new-born moved away with Dee, where they enjoy their self-induced chemical euphoria, much to the dismay of Dae's father Don ( he had a heart-attack last year, and everyone's worried if the stress will be the end of him ). His anger was on display several times over the last two weeks, twice he was held at bay by several senior supervisors that were succesful at stopping him from whooping the young black man's ass. This didn't please his significant other ( Mae ), who told Dee ( he works on Mae's production line ) that he was a 'nigger', and then she told Dae ( who operates another line nearby ) that she was a whore. That's when the turd came out of the pocket.

What I don't see out my window at home, I get to watch from my loft at work. I work above the general production area, and can see nearly all that goes on. And frankly, I'm glad to see it all come to head today. As much as I like good drama, watching Dae act out her 'mandingo' fantasies for the last year or two has really begun to affect my life, my workplace, and the health and welfare of many friends and neighbors. You see, Dee aint the father of Dae's mullato baby, he's just another bit actor in her passion play. I don't think he realized that, until the cops showed up...

I've been talking to my friend Dee a lot over the last two weeks, and he's been sure that he's the victim of racism and bigotry. As he screws his boss's wife, he no doubt is planning his discrimination suit. The last thing he told me was, 'If I get transfered to another shift Wally, you'll know I'm right!" My response was, "If Dae get's transfered, and you don't, where's the discrimination?" His face was blank, as if he hadn't thought of that option. Don, most assuredly had thought of getting his daughter transfered, and today it all came down...

Did I forget to mention the Mexican that works with Mae and Dee on line #18? Rumor was, Dee and Diego were supposed to meet in front of the liquor store ( where we all cashed our pay-checks today ), and settle their own personal problems the old fashioned way. Sadly, I didn't get to see that drama. The police were waiting just outside the break-room, as Dee was being escorted to the Safety Supervisor's office. Piss test. He failed, gee...did daddy Don have anything to do with that? Diego ( the mexican ) strutted around all day, having presented himself with dignity befitting his machismo.

From this point on, the drama was set in the parking lot, and I didn't get to see much more, as my wife was determined to get us out of there before the three way race riot ensued. Tension was building as we left, but I'm assured I'll get the final episode from my wife in the morning ( Stephanie works with Sue, Don's wife, but not the woman he lives with, that's Mae ) who lives between us and Joe, the cuckold husband who is wondering if he can get the vascectomy reversed ( he had it done three years ago, so you see, for him it's not really a black/white/Mexican issue, it really has a lot to do with machismo ). Steph will fill me in, and I'll continue this saga of shame tommorow.

In the meantime, does anyone know anyone who works for the 'Jerry Springer Show'? This shit is real, and I can't do the story justice. I'd give anything to see this bunch on TV.NT>

There's Something About the Fog

2008-03-14T18:03:00.000-07:00

There's something about the fog, something ominous, foreboding. It hangs gray, and lifeless between I and the world. A damp shroud. Hushed sounds with no echoes. Muted voices. And a steady, drip...drip...drip...

What nether world is home for that early morning shroud? Where does it flee to at first light? A dark cellar no doubt, under a cold stone fortress of Doom. Doom I say, and say again Doom! Why else would this harbinger of ill slip silently from the light, but to hide itself under those dark halls?

And who is the Master of those stone walls? Wicked I say, and say again, He's Wicked in all his gloom, and doom. And hungry...

What fruits has his lackey fog brought to that evil table? Will they feast on echoes of life, and the sharp edge of voices stolen from the early hours? It is wrong I say, and say again wrong to lurk in the shadows, and dine in the dim light stolen from the morning!

Misery and grief, are the diet of Doom...

Cool Water, on Bare Feet

2008-03-11T20:53:00.000-07:00

Last October, I notice an old pump, in a neighbor's backyard. The memories flowed from my memory well. Cool memories of water on the hot days of my youth on the farm. Hot years, no rain for months. Dust, and more dust, on and in and around everything.

But the well never went dry. The red pump, on a cool well that stood at the center of our lives in the dry years. The hard years. Years before water was sold in disposable plastic bottles that could make dust shine. Before vending machines, microwave ovens, and other means of instant gratification. I don't trust those little plastic bottles.

The well was true, the pump was dependable, and the water was always cool for those willing to take it's handle, and work it. I remember working that pump, and how I hated the burn in my arms as I worked the handle while my brother carried the water to the hogs. Hot, dusty hogs standing knee-deep in dust. And I remember the cool water that trickled across my bare feet while I pumped.

I left that farm as soon as I was able. I kept the pump in the back of my mind. And when I see an old pump, the memories flow cool like water from a deep well.

Cool water, on my bare feet. It don't get no cooler than that in a dust-bowl...

Looking down from my loft

2008-03-11T03:31:00.000-07:00

Looking down from my loft, I watch the steady drop of bags on the belt. Pasta, moving from bulk, through packaging, and on to delivery.

I watch down as I often do, as the two 'triangles' chug out bag after bag of pasta. I'm normally trapped upstairs with my two machines, I supply the cases that pasta is shipped in.

I have one of very few jobs that allows me to stand idle, watching. My veiw from the loft is wide and far, I see much more of the plant than just my assaigned area. I have learned that most people don't look up often. Their world is flat.

The verticle nature of my job suits my ego just fine.

Friends Gather, to Support a Neighbor

2008-03-09T08:20:00.000-07:00

In a small town, there is a small tavern. The Pine st Bar serves the residents of Steeleville IL, and the surrounding rural community.

Small towns enjoy intimacy that larger communities lack. Friends and neighbors are much more aware each other, and in this small community, they joined together to help a friend in need.

Franco was ill, and spent quite some time in a local hospital. The bills grew quite large, and he was unable to work. Franco's friends got together, and decided to raise some funds, to help the man with his overwhelming bills. That's not a rare event in small towns, that's the norm.

Franco's friends brought him to the Pine st Bar, where they had a raffle, and an auction. The price of drinks was adjusted, to suit the occasion, and the additional money generated was added to the fund.

My wife donated a basket of scented candles, and they were sold to the highest bidder for $25. I had bid $15, and was pleased to see someone out-bid me.

My wife won two shirts, and a $5 certificate from Domino's Pizza. Franco won the 50/50 drawing! That was an amazing display of good fortune, as the 50/50 drawing was designed to split the proceeds from the sale with Franco, and it turned out the he won it all! The 50/50 tickets were sold at $1 ( or 6 for $5 ), and Franco received $300!

Food was cooked outside on Bar B Q grills, and sold to Franco's friends. Braughts Hamburgers Hot Dogs, Potato Salad, several cakes, and many types of chips where offered. All you could eat $6 per plate.

My wife ate Hot Dogs, a Hamburger, and Potato Salad. I enjoyed at least 5 large Braughts! The food went well with the Budweiser, and shots of Jack Daniels that I was drinking.

It's a good thing my wife doesn't drink, and was able to drive us home safely because I got plowed! ( It was for a good cause, so my wife didn't complain. I haven't been drinking much lately, at her request, so a noble cause is served me well. )

This is Franco. He drives a truck, and hauls coal for a living ( when he's healthy ).

Although I didn't know Franco prior to the fund-raiser, my wife had got to know him well where she works ( Stephanie works at a small convenience store, that many truckers frequent for coffee, and sandwiches ). I was able to speak with him for quite a while, and found we had much in common. It would seem that his health went bad, due to overwork, and ignoring the symptoms of a serious illness.

I had done the same, years ago. My passion for my work wouldn't allow me to stop and rest. The work ethic is strong in this community, and sometimes it brings us grief.

Franco is a good, hard working man. It pleases me to see so many of his friends stepping in to help, when he needs to rest.

Ice Storm in March

2008-03-04T19:59:00.000-08:00

Ice clings to the hedge, green leaves captive to a crystal coat left by a the frigid fog of Early Spring. Beneath this mantle cold and clean, the hedge waits to dawn it's coat of green.
Tender twigs with unborn buds stand shocked, in their brittle blanket of ice. Their rigid posture reveals life's unwavering mission; endure, and bloom in good time! Ironicly, the crystal coat may actually protect the hedge from the even harsher weather predicted.

Looking up past the hedge, the fog shrouds the trees. The misty gray background forshadows the impending snow sure to follow the ice. It's March in Southern Illinois, and no predictions are reliable. Only the underlying feeling of a continuing winter, and the hope for the eventual explosion of green are for sure.

Do you feel the force of life within you, perhaps it too is shrouded by this artictic adversity of life? Let the chilly blanket wrap you, stand tall, be patient. The frigid fog of desolate feelings will lift, and you, like the hedge will meet the warm Sun of New Life, when the time is right. It is the seasons, it is the times.

Your are the life.

There, and back again

2008-03-01T21:44:00.000-08:00

One day last summer, my dogs began to bark. That is not unusual in itself, but the tone of the voices was full of an excitement that is reserved for special events. One look out the front door, a grab for the camera, and a moment in small-town America was captured! A boy, on a pony, with a dog. Three travelers, exploring their world! Three pilgrims, on a quest. Three reasons to love life, and the world we live in. Can there be anything so grand? In their minds, are they Ishmael, on their way to sea, or Don Quixote, searching for dragons? My dogs voices escorted them out of sight. As they disappered around the bend, I could hear the saddness in my dogs voices. The wanted the magic, they wanted the journey. Pepper and I have been there, and back again. Perhaps it's time for Shadow and I to take a road trip...

Cleaning Fish With Grandpa

2008-02-29T16:54:00.000-08:00

Cleaning fish with Grandpa.

My sister watched with new emotions. Having spent the day at the pond with our Grandfather, she was totally engaged in this unexpected aspect of life. The timid, sensitive nature of the young girl was bolstered by his confidant strokes, as he scraped scale from flesh, and flesh from bone.

New images in her eyes, new smells in her nose. New respect in her heart for the man she loved and trusted. She admired the confidence of his knife as it transformed a flopping fish into a more familiar sight. Food.

She had spent much time on the farm, but mostly with our Grandmother in the kitchen. She had watched Grandma batter and fry the fish many times, but this was something new, exciting, dreadfully exciting!

Blog Table of Content

2008-02-29T15:02:00.000-08:00