Swept Away

"There is a freaking tidalwave of ideological angst."
Copeland

About three-fourths of the earth is made up of oceanic water which has largely defied human intervention. 95% of the ocean floor is unexplored, and this just-released article related to the matter caught my attention: Oceans charge up new theory of magnetism.
The new and radical theory claims that sea currents are implicated in the magnetism that moves life on earth. That could be so, especially when Jupiter meets Neptune.

Neptune is the entity of chaos and confusion, and there is no evidence from my vantage point that anybody anywhere knows what's happening presently. Aquarius governs circumstance beyond one's control and with the Neptunian dissolution of boundaries, it's a veritable flood, considering Jupiter's juxtaposed inflation.

Realizing our limited control is a way to join with the broader cosmology. Mortals are not in charge. They are part of a flux. Especially when Jupiter stops at Neptune.

Neptune is allied with the alcohol saturated orgiastic releases of Dionysus as people get caught up in the frenzy for an infinite number of reasons. Some want this. Others want that. It's chaos unleashed. Neptune plus Jupiter. Good, bad, and indifferent in perfect unity, if lacking in productivity.

The moon's nodes are now at the 0 degree of Aquarius and Leo and here's what I think in terms of the socio-political. For the past year and a half, the public has been watching grand theater with animated superstars saying most anything for attention and control of the audience. Wild promises and threats have entertained the crowd with little basis in reality. They're fed up with it as mundane woes seriously increase and disappointments mount. It seems as though the rul-ees at 0 Aquarius would like some last minute attention paid to themselves. The drama of the South Node in Leo can exhaust itself, after all. It's only fair that the whole shebang gets the stage at 0 Aquarius for a brief moment. It's the whole group that rules, anyway, if the truth be known.

So as sea water is considered to be a part of the magnetic force that guides life on this planet, the salty tides carry on through. Big ones. The future (Aquarius) is a mystery (Neptune) but so what?

It's the perfect time for a breather. Control belongs to no one, so everyone is off the hook. Divine disorder.

A Penny for a Pirouette

LOL

"When scientists set out to trace the roots of human laughter, some chimps and gorillas were just tickled to help. Literally. That's how researchers made a variety of apes and some human babies laugh.

After tickling three human babies and 21 orangutans, gorillas, chimps, and bonobos, and analyzing the sounds, they concluded that people and great apes inherited laughter from a shared ancestor that lived more than 10 million years ago.
Upon measuring 11 traits in the sound from each species, researchers at the University of Portsmouth in England mapped how these sounds appeared to be related to one other. The result looked like a family tree."
Associated Press

Science, man. I wonder what that 10 million year old creature was laughing about.

Going Into Business

Looking Good

Aging and Oils

Well, I guess I was prophetic. There's so much human extrusion everywhere -- on the walls, on the floors, on the ceilings, in the streets, in the sewers, in the sky, in the rivers now. Not so much on the mountaintops, maybe. After a couple of cocktails in caveman mode last night, some of it actually looked good.

One elegant woman, in her late 60s or so, was exhibiting some interesting paintings in a 100 year old Victorian house/gallery midtown. After a lifetime of trying to make a business of it, she retired from her other job and returned to art classes. There she was on the old walls. No regrets. No resentments. Just canvas, oil, imagination, and enthusiasm. And time.
The hands of the clock actually turn around and around in the same place. No need to go anywhere, while it's busy coming.

Opening Reception 6:00-9:00

Here's a painting of an art opening in the caves of Lascaux. Cocktails, it seems, go hand in hand historically with artistic judgement.

Please Do Jive Me

I am pleased -- no thrilled -- to announce that I've found the best deal on coffee in a decade....$4.99 for 1#10 oz. In the bag are the makings for an excellent brew. Exotic, rich, and satisfying. It takes a minute but eventually it all comes.

The Importance of Education

Spring, Venus .....

And the Blues.

On Key

And on time.

I Surrender

To the Whims of Paradise
***

Tapping Into Life

The Rhythm of the Ages

Anna Harper, 88, has been tap dancing for 81 years.

I've been intending to learn how to tap dance for a long long time but being the slow poke I am I haven't gotten around to it yet. I see what I've been missing and it's with a great sigh of relief that I realize I need not rush nor regret my pace. My dream can still come true. Kicking the floor at 90. Dancing till the finale.

Palm Wine and Song

"The sweet, old West African tradition of palm wine guitar has few great players left. Palm wine music dates back to the days when Portuguese sailors first introduced guitars to West African port cities. Early African guitarists and bottle percussionists played at gatherings where revelers drank the fermented sap of palm trees, a traditional alternative to bottled beer.
Rogie, from Sierra Leone, was/is palm wine music's greatest ambassador. "

The blend of Portuguese and African music has created some of the finest in the world. Palm wine music combines the happy sounds of calypso from Trinidad to create music that belies the circumstances surrounding the origins in the days of the slave trade. This video slips in some reality about today as well. Satire certainly helps. No wonder I love calypso.

"Calypso rhythms can be traced back to the arrival of the first African slaves brought to work in the sugar plantations of Trinidad. Forbidden to talk to each other, and robbed of all links to family and home, the African slaves began to sing songs. They used calypso, which can be traced back to West African kaiso, as a means of communication and to mock the slave masters.
Trinidad was colonized by the Spanish, received large numbers of French immigrants, and was later ruled by the British. This multi-colonial past has greatly impacted the development of calypso in Trinidad. Many early calypsos were sung in a French-Creole dialect called patois. These songs, usually led by one individual called a griot, helped to unite the slaves."

The complex tapestry of language, music, political communication, and connection through travel across the oceans of the world never ceases to fascinate. Happiness is inexplicable and unpredictable, as it weaves in and out of tragedy. We get it all.

My Faith Redeemed

Venus Goes Direct at 29 Pisces

If you click onto this link you will find a remarkable experience awaiting.

"Susan is a reminder that it's time we all looked a little deeper. She has lived an obscure but important life. She has been a companionable and caring daughter. It's people like her who are the unseen glue in society; the ones who day in and day out put themselves last. They make this country civilised and they deserve acknowledgement and respect.
Susan has been forgiven her looks and been given respect because of her talent. She should always have received it because of the calibre of her character."

I knew something would happen when Venus reached 29 Pisces but never in a million years would have I expected this. Soul and inspiration pop up in the most unusual places, made ever so sweet in the midst of fear and hate over petty things and human realities. The first note Susan sang brought such a release of joy in the crowd, I can't help but think we are in special need of some redemption, some honesty, and have been unable to find it, trying to create it where it doesn't exist, encountering disappointment ... wondering about this thing called hope that's been marketed so extensively. Maybe it's the 29 Pisces, but here is the real thing. And it's rare. The honest treasures of life are woven in and among the threads invisibly. The quote above is from a wonderful article written about this eventful night which states that the beauty that matters is always on the inside. 29 Pisces Venus in its imperfect perfection.
Hugs, kisses, and infinite thanks to Tseka and Joe.

A Noteworthy Study

I'm pleased to announce that distinguished salt expert, Dr. Boron, together with colleague and biologist, Dr. Fern Fytoid, have been commissioned by the influential organization Scientists and Cellists for Immediate Radical Transformation to study the salt levels of public figures as a possible path to understanding why people behave very similarly to animals at a salt lick. Perhaps it is a mineral imbalance, he surmises, or something in their shoe polish.
Dr. Boron has had considerable success studying the licking behaviors of the South Dakota porcupine. He and Dr. Fytoid are going to combine the results and see if they can relate the natural world to the body politic, in terms of licking.

There have also been some parallels drawn to domesticated dogs and water bowls, but as yet, no one has been formally chosen to study these phenomena.

A Curious Conundrum

Regulation and Premature Exhilaration

The Nee ...andertall Man
Probably took a puff or two
From the fire, in the cave
And the Cro-Magnon too

"Smoking takes years off your life and adds dollars to the cost of health care. Yet nonsmokers cost society money, too -- by living longer.

House members described huge health care costs associated with smoking as they approved landmark legislation last week giving the Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate tobacco products. No one mentioned the additional costs to society of caring for the nonsmoking population that lives longer.

Smokers die some 10 years earlier than nonsmokers, according the Center for Disease Control, and these deaths provide a savings to Medicare, Social security, private pensions and other programs. Vanderbuilt University economist, Kip Viscusi studied the net costs of smoking related spending and found that for every pack of cigarettes smoked, the country reaps a net cost savings of 32 cents.

A Dutch study published last year said that health care costs for smokers were about $326,000 from age 20 on, compared with about $417,000 for thin healthy people, who, of course, live longer."
Erica Werner: The Associated Press

Hmmm ... What to do? let 'em die or tax them and hope you come out even, not including the costs of passing, administering, and enforcing the laws. I could use the $.32.

Blues singer Alberta Hunter. Painting: Rene Magritte

Thin Frogs and Skinny Snakes

I might not either.

"If you spend ages fattening up a frog with lots of delicacies, and then a big snake slips into his cage and eats him, you’ve pretty much wasted loads of your time and effort."

Probably. Or possibly?

Approbrium or Rocket-Charged Elevation?

64. Wei Chi / Before Completion

I had a consultation with the I Ching last night and the 64th hexagram presented itself for consideration. The volume had this to say:

The conditions are difficult. The task is great and full of responsibility. It is nothing less than that of leading the world out of confusion back to order. But it is a task that promises success, because there is a goal that can unite the forces now tending in different directions. At first, however, one must move warily, like an old fox walking over ice.

I read that and said, "Yeah. That sounds good. Easy for an old fox. I know this one. Take my sweet time."
Then it went on to say:

In times of disorder there is a temptation to advance oneself as rapidly as possible in order to accomplish something tangible. But this enthusiasm only leads to failure and humiliation if the time for achievement has not yet arrived. In such a time it is wise to spare ourselves the approbrium of failure by holding back.

Boy, do I get that one. The approbrium is something I'd love to miss. I feel like a primed rocket, though, but I recognize the wise advice being so generously offered here. I'm really not opposed to failure even. It's the approbrium I can do without. Not for this old fox.

King of the Blues

Simple blues in C

I'm howlin' like a coyote
Underneath the moon
Mad as a jackal
And dizzy as a loon
I'm wacked ... out ... almost split in two
Tryin' to please myself and tryin' to please you
Hey Mister, come hear what I gotta say
I am gonna do it
Anyway

A king has got his castle and a queen has got her throne
I'm gettin' kicked out of my happy home
There's an element of something thick in the air
And a big fat rat scratchin' round upstairs
And if ... you don't think I can stay
I am gonna do it
Anyway

When you're high upon the mountain, king of the hill
Pickin' and choosin', doin' what you will
Remember while I'm down here singin' the blues
That the high and the mighty got the most to lose

I'm stayin' out of trouble, this point in my life
Stayin' out of trouble, tryin' to do it right
I'm not hurtin' anyone and no one is hurtin' me
I'm just as nice as I can be
And if ...
You don't like what I do or say
I am gonna
Do it anyway
I am gonna
Do it
Anyway

Gee 1 or However Many

Your Excellence

The summit meeting will convene at Raging Universe this evening. The menu will consist of a whole wheat pita appetizer with capers and Mars-dried tomatoes. The main course will be meatless meat parmesan, and dessert will be non-existent. All wasted food will go to the crocodiles in the city zoo. Cocktails are being served beginning at 4:15 PM. Please bring your own napkins since we are on a very tight budget.

I am looking forward to your distinguished presence as together we solve the economic crisis currently taking place on earth.

P.S. Kiss my ass.

No Pollination Without Representation!

I'm not gonna entertain evil anymore
Bacteria trying to make my body home
Sneaky virus trying to crawl into my head
I'm afraid I'm gonna have to kill them all ... dead

I'm declaring war against the ones trying to run my body down
I will not have them there, wiggling all around
No destructive action tightening around me
No nauseating irritating disease

I'm afraid I'm gonna have to call in
The phagocytes
Going into enemy territory
For a great big fight
I'm afraid I'm gonna have to call up
Enlist my white blood cells
The battle is raging
Among my warring selves
Among my warring selves

Might as well get out and enjoy the spring, but be careful of microbes trying to do you harm! Immunity is the best policy.
From the tune Healing Light by JM

Sugar in the Cactus

The prickly road to you
pierced my mind's skin
My sweet
But in the blood of geometric shapes that poured
Brown rhythms found their way
to my feet
And you smelled
So sweet

My parched feet have cracked
With you gone
My sweet
I will stomp the floor
ever so lightly
In memory
Replete

Hard heels and balls
Squeeze the floor
Squeeze the floor
I still supinate
You know

Are You Sure?

I'm positive.

Uplifting

Obommy is the bestest in the hole werld. Daddy says he is the greatest even if he's steeling all his money, my fewture money, and my kids, my grandkids, and their kids money to save his frends bad banks. I like my frends too. Jazzy Lou is my favorite now. Mommy says he is NOT a narsa .... narcee .... narsissy. He just loves himself. And she wants him to be a big sicksess.

I'm so happy!!!!!

Ridiculous Circles

"You all just can't stand clear cut anything because then you have nothing to spend your circular ridiculous minds on."
Melanie

Melanie makes a good point. All my life, people have said to me, "Gee ... I never thought of it that way."
I have multi-Uranian influences on my tangential thinking, but I also attribute this not-linear approach to my Mercury square Neptune. I never reach a clear conclusion really. One doesn't seem to exist. But occasionally I get a clear cut with Mars, also square.

The circuitous path that Mercury-Neptune takes leads to rather imaginative places and I would probably have to agree. Some of them are extensively ridiculous. Some only moderately.

Interesting, no? How squares can be circles.

High in Afghanistan, Wild in America

Spirits In and Out of Bottles

On my worldwide odyssey many years ago, I was stopped in my tracks in Kabul, Afghanistan. There was an international traveling group comprised of all sorts of fascinating characters, among them a collection of Italian actors and movie-makers. Their warmth was infectious and the crowd quickly gathered around them, sparking, laughing, feuding, loving, and living together communally sharing all the money.

For one month I stayed, enchanted, with many memorable nights in the garden, the hotel gardener and maintenance man managing the hooka. He always excitedly warned us against Scorpions, calling them something like, gargedoons.

Then an empty bottle appeared.
It was supposed to have been previously filled with LSD, a popular recreation of the time, and water was added. Many of the group took a swig and entered an imaginary world hitherto unknown. For months, water was added continuously and the tiny receptacle kept giving.
"Nothing will happen," they reassured the unwitting recipients.
They really did think nothing would. The Afghani government generously supplied its national gardens for the travelers' amusements, and they were lovely.

We finally decided to pile into the Italians' VW bus and head for the hills of Pakistan. What a trip, with this noisy animated company of players! During the climb we encountered the unique moment in Kafiristan I told you about earlier.

My favorite was Alfonso, a tall, skinny redhead, who spoke no English. He did manage a little fractured French, and with my high school knowledge, we developed a surprisingly talkative relationship. I remember one night in Pakistan having a deep philosophical discussion about "la crise," one of many this crew always had.

These memories stay with me always, and sometimes I go through patches where the people around me are a little dull. Not so right now. I feel I've re-discovered the lost jubilation of my old thespians, artists, and all assorted creative, animated, troublesome, gregarious, outspoken people. A stage for the living in all their shades and variations.

I love Leo for it's acting nature, but I think most of all, I go for Pisces -- the creature who does it for IT, not for them. Lost in imagination, spirit unbottled.