Paradise & Utopia

Floaters. Remember floaters? Seems like they were like hula hoops or pet rocks. Every now and again, during an eye examination, a doctor will ask, "Do you ever have floaters?" The fact that I'm supposed to know what he's asking about confirms that they exist, or, at least that they once did.

Mostly I seem to remember that the more you tried to look at one, the quicker it drifted away. Floated.

Happiness is like that, isn't it? Meditation. Thoughtful living. Give a beggar a mansion and he's gonna worry about upkeep, insurance, the neighbours fence.

I'd like to advise you on accepting this beautiful existence. I would if I knew.

Give us peace on earth and end this dreadful, dreadful war.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h79TPsAIWjs
 

Rain Barrels and Monkeys

They're not the boss of you. You hear some version of that all your life, and yet you stay in line, nose to the grindstone and your pants pulled up. Well, I suppose I've lived a little out of the mainstream, but only a little. No more. From this point forward I'm living like my party's in power, the good guys are in charge, my team won.

My team, by the way, consists of the underdogs, the kind ones, the folks who understand that it's a short ride and every second that you waste is a second that you've lost. A good nap, by the way, is not a waste. Neither is any time that you spend making someone, or something, happy.

There's plenty of tragedy in this world and there always will be. Use your love like a fireman uses water. You're the boss.

Give us peace on earth and end this dreadful, dreadful war.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4loLXZutaiM

 

Why Quit Now?

Most days I desperately want to quit. Social media, that is. I'm so sick of spilling my coffee, only to be inundated with ads for paper towels before I can get to the kitchen. Oh, yeah- I don't want to see the big, bold headlines that Willie has died again and that Neil has passed out onstage in front of six million fans while debasing Donald Trump, whose mother had a secret bible that she got from Mary Magdalene.

Who knew that I would ever miss the good old days of imaginative fake news headlines:

"Pitbull Eats Mobile Home"

"Hillary Pregnant With Alien Baby"

"Arthur Godfrey's Three-legged Son Makes Olympic Team"

If I lose track of my dear friends' birthdays and funeral notices, I will have cut nearly all ties to the USA. Keep reading these blogs. The fact that I haven't said anything important yet increases the odds that I might at any minute.

Give us peace on earth and end this dreadful, dreadful war. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X7mdCx7SZA

 

 

What This Town Needs

Expats leave homes for different reasons. A new place becomes home. If we're all just walking each other home, let's just keep on walking. Keep loving. Rock breaks scissors but love conquers all. Tell 'em Groucho sent you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kGaKT7dMyQ

 

Write Real

Sometimes it's easy to forget that there are more good people than bad. I won't debate the definition of "good" or "bad" here. The ones in charge have succeeded in having us argue about politics, religion, immigration and equality. I still know a good guy when I see one and I'll bet that you do, too.

Be still.

Give us peace on earth and end this dreadful, dreadful war.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0ae6WXvMA0

 

Waiting For A Bus

If religion and politics are basically control tools, I have a suggestion. Don't play. 

Do any of those jokers in government or in the pulpit ever look like they're having a good time? No, of course not. Take a look at a kid in a mud puddle. Watch a cat with a box.

Whistle a tune and you're a songwriter. Paint animals and sunsets on your shoes and you're an artist, a fashion designer. 

Get your mind into the gutter and keep it there. Love like your life depends on it.

Give us peace on earth and end this dreadful, dreadful war.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW3VNAkCf-4&list=RDJW3VNAkCf-4&start_radio=1

 

So They Say

As always, some things are better, some things are worse. Do you suppose we're near some end, or do you see a Golden Age on the horizon?

Today's villains are world class. I suppose we have Marvel comics to thank. That, politics and religion.

Heroes seem scarce. Maybe I just don't know where to look anymore. Bruce and Lucinda are still at it, more fiercely than ever. Jesse Welles is here. There are some old school journalists sub-stacking here and there. A young  reporter couldn't find a job. 

Don't give up. Peace and love have been down before.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK7dNU_8myA&list=RDfK7dNU_8myA&start_radio=1