Guffaw in AZ
‘everything that’s old is new again’
Building Character
I’m all about building character.
Not THIS kind…
Largely because of errors-in-judgement I’ve made in my own life, I find myself drawn to other’s opinions with regard to how one should live. And I sometimes even try to apply them to my standards, and see how (or if) they fit.
I’ve occasionally referred to The Art of Manliness in this blog. While much of what is written there is a how-to, some of it is a paradigm-breaking thing. Thinking outside the box, as it were.
This recent essay challenges the mold of modern parenting. The one wherein a parent tells the child they can accomplish anything if they put their mind to it. Now my parents tried their own version of this which was I wasn’t living up to my potential. Not exactly a positive message. I tried to encourage my own daughter, but let her figure out her own limits for herself. She wasn’t necessarily supposed to live my dreams. She was to live hers.
“You can do anything you put your mind to!”
“The sky’s the limit!”
“You’re the best!”
“Follow your dreams!”
Did you hear these kinds of things growing up? Your parents sure meant well. They really felt like you were the most special creature to arrive on planet earth – a beautiful boy full of limitless possibilities. You could do anything in the world!
But now that that boy is grown up and in his twenties, you might find that such encouragement has become more paralyzing than motivating. If your possibilities really are endless, how will you ever decide which path to take and what to do with your life? (TAOM)
I would encourage you to visit the link above and also read the other essays. I often learn things there – and I’m old!
Better than thinking I can blow up the Earth because it blocks my view of Venus!
Technology – Retro and Otherwise
We are living in a miraculous time - technologically speaking.
Having recently acquired a new (to me) smart phone, I’m still learning and appreciating all the things this appliance can do for me. Thus far: alarms to remind me to do stuff, answering questions via Internet, checking Email, taking photographs, watching TV and even making and receiving calls (!)…all from a lightweight, flat device which fits easily in my front right pocket.
I even downloaded a Kindle app, and have a couple books to read, if a real one is not available!
As I said, miraculous!
A friend sent me evidence of yet another technological miracle, below:
| AMAZING TECHNOLOGY FROM JAPANYou will not be able to know what is ahead until you have seen the 4 pictures and read the explanation of what they are. Our future is here. Incredible!! What an age we live in. Look closely and guess what they could be. Are they pens with cameras? Any wild guesses? No clue yet? Ladies and gentlemen…. congratulations! You’ve just seen something that will replace your PC in the near future. Here is how it works: In the revolution of miniature computers, scientists have made great developments with blue tooth technology. Can anyone say, ‘Good-bye laptops!’Looks like our computers are out of date… again!!! |
Amazing! Although I like the tactile feedback of a real keyboard. I’m old-school, remember? :-)
Speaking of which, I was looking for accessories for my new toy cellular telephone, and ran across this:
THIS is a dock in which to place my cell phone to allow me to use it like an old land-line telephone. What?!
Everything that’s old is new again!
PS – I’m not getting a retro-phone dock.
h/t Carol
I used to know a guy…
…who was a friend, a mentor, a good guy. A gun guy, Gunsite graduate. A libertarian. Sadly, we are no longer in touch.
He used to say he’d not know how he’d react if things got so bad in this country, that if he was stopped and asked, “Papiere, bitte!” “PAPERS, PLEASE!”, what he might do?
I’m sorry to say, Bud, that day has come.
Here’s hoping none of us loses their cool if asked.
h/t/ wirecutter, John
So, they got the bastard.
AND, as it’s Massachusetts, and he’s being charged* with acts of terrorism, killing at least four people, wounding 180+ others, evading arrest, shooting at authorities, killing a police officer, etc., I fully expect a show trial (complete with the trashing of the United States), followed by 3 years in minimum security. Or probation.
Have they actually called this terrorism, yet, or is it ‘workplace violence’, like the Ft. Hood guy?
Perhaps he’ll be out in time to run for Congress in 2014?
Of course, I’m jaded.
(and YES, I know he’ll be doing federal time. This is more a comment on ‘the system’, and the courts in Massachusetts)
*correction – he’s not yet been charged.
Slow and Steady Wins the RACE…
with the help of factual reporting.
Bob Owens shared with us the sins-of-omission, as committed by CBS ‘News’. (and also reportedly PBS, et al) As well as sins of commission.
It seems they are going out of their way to blame the Tea Party movement for yesterday’s atrocities at the Boston Marathon. With no facts as yet in to support their rant.
Of course, this is not news. Much of the mainstream media has been anti-Tea Party since their inception. Remember the claims of racist epithets and spitting toward liberal Congress folks? Remember the proof of these acts? Neither do I.
They’ve scoured Tea Party events, looking for something on which to hang their hats of hate and violence. And found very few provable hat racks. I don’t think we can say the same for the leftist/anarchist OWS movement.
Quelle surprise.
I believe much of this comes from two directions. Those folks who truly believe in the vision of the President – and anyone who disagrees with him must be racist. And the members of the media who laud leftist causes all day – excluding the principles on which this Nation was founded. Like the Constitution.
Define irony – Members of the press who beat the drum of the First Amendment all day about their right to write whatever they please. Including supporting an agenda which leads to restriction of that same free press.
Nanny Bloomie is at it, AGAIN!
Alphecca tells us, that yet again, pesky NannyStater Fascist NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg is back at it!
Bloomberg Launches $12 Million Dollar Gun Control Campaign
The leftist press — NBC, ABC, CBS, NPR, NY Times, et al — love to complain if the Koch brothers donate to or fund money to conservative causes. They conveniently ignore the millions that George Soros spends on liberal ones.
And, when the NRA flexes its money lobbying for what its members wants it to, gun rights, the same liberal press expresses outrage. Will they do the same when NYC Mayor Michael Blowhard outspends them (this, after just spending other millions in support of anti-gun candidates around the country in recent state elections) on anti-gun, gun control advertising? That was a rhetorical question:
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has announced a new $12 million television ad campaign that will push senators in key states to back gun control efforts, including comprehensive background checks.
The Right To Be Left Alone used to be one of the many rights affirmed (not granted) by the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Apparently, Mayor Bloomberg is not aware of this legal precedent. Of course, neither is the current federal government. (see Obamacare)
Sigh.
Sorry to harsh your mellow, but, this just in…
Senate Committee Approves Assault Weapons Ban
WASHINGTON – The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday approved a renewed assault-weapons ban, advancing the measure to the Senate floor where it will face intense resistance from Republicans and other gun-rights supporters.
The bill was approved by the committee on a party-line, 10-8 vote. Chief sponsor, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said she knows “the road is uphill” for the legislation, but sought to press her colleagues to consider the bill.This doesn’t mean we can rest on our laurels – quite the opposite. PLEASE keep the pressure on our Senators to separate the wheat from the chaff and NOT support this further rights-encroaching legislation!Gun destruction in Mexico
Or, soon coming across the border…Brought to you by enemies both foreign and domestic.h/t We the people
PHEW! That was close!
threedonia, in the midst of all the horrific news regarding the ever-fascistic encroachment of government bring us good news…
The TWINKIE is returning!
The new owner of Hostess Brands Inc’s snack cakes hopes to have Twinkies back on U.S. store shelves by this summer, according to a member of the purchasing group.
“Our family is thrilled to have the opportunity to reestablish these iconic brands with new creative marketing ideas and renewed sales efforts and investment,”Daren Metropoulos, a principal at his family’s private equity firm, told Reuters in an email on Tuesday.
“We look forward to having America’s favorite snacks back on the shelf by this summer.”
I guess this means when we complain about the sardine-seating in the cattle cars headed to the ‘re-education’ camps, and are told “Let ‘em eat cake!” we will again have another choice of chemically enhanced sponge cake tubes, with cremey filling (no dairy involved – hence the spelling creme) from which to choose!
That, and a 16+ oz. soda to celebrate Freedom’s return! Or not.
It’s March 6, Again!
…and I cannot believe I’ve been blogging for TWO YEARS!
Two years ago, today, I began writing this blog.
I’d been on disability, and passed the time on the Internet reading blogs. I was frankly looking for some female friends who liked guns, and found some female gun bloggers. Unfortunately, these were in Ohio, Indiana and Idaho. They became my blogmothers. (Note-to-self: find female gun bloggers in AZ!)
I had no clue what I was doing. Some would say I still don’t.
In the past two years I’ve learned to write in paragraphs, write about those things I know, and to be disciplined. (sometimes)
I’ve written at least one blog post daily (sometimes two, occasionally three, once or twice four) every day.
And I’ve included a cartoon, a tasteful photo of a beautiful woman and a You Tube clip of my choosing, every day, as well.
And a quote of the day.
I told a couple friends locally I was writing a blog, and, before I knew it, I had followers (!)
Follower number 10 was North , the first person not actually known to me at the time. Since then he and many others have become friends!
As of this post, I have 89 followers, including a female blogger in Pakistan.
Over 164,821 pageviews! (if we include the 84K from the first year’s BLOGGER version) 5,397 comments, (some of which weren’t even from me!)
I’ve written 1,146 posts, about 2/3 of which were of my own authorship (not stolen borrowed or expounded upon from another blog).
And I’ve made many friends in the United States, and around the World.
I’m proud to say I’ve actually met some of these folks, and spoken with others on the telephone. Some have regularly communicated via email. A few have become close. One even gifted me ammunition! I’m both proud and humbled.
And still amazed.
One of my early followers was my good friend Mark Bell, who passed away February 1, 2012. He told me one of his first stops every morning was Guffaw in AZ. I like to think he still stops by.
I will continue to strive to report the facts and truth as I know them, for as long as I am able, and I care to.
And perhaps a few more PI stories.
I’ve tampered with amended The Usual Suspects to add those who have been friends and contributors and delete those who have stopped blogging. Sadly, some have passed away.
My thanks to all of you for your support.
I remain,
Your obedient servant,
Guffaw
Ther’s a LOT of this going around, Part Two…
My roommate made a recent observation which seems to be borne out in fact:
More people with whom we are acquainted or have knowledge of seem to be going through more health-related stuff in their lives than ever before.
(I think she was more graphic in her statement.)
The point being, seems as if folks are more ill, are having more accidents, have relatives with horrible health conditions and stuff in their lives. I suppose part of the observation could be accounted for by the instantaneous nature of Internet communication, worldwide, but certainly not all.
And yes, we are older, but not all persons involved are older than us. Some, are in fact much younger. And it’s not all based on living in a specific geographic or geopolitical environment.
As I write this, I’m thinking about Brigid’s brother, my roomie’s stepmother, my stepbrother-in-law, and a close friend’s father, among many others.
Is this something superstitious, or Biblical in nature? Or are the facts being compounded based on emotional content, skewing the conclusion?
Keep a good thought, take care of yourselves, and tell those near and dear you love them. And hold them close.
Because, you never know…
