WHEN in the course of human Events, it becomes necessary….
Rant0matic: “I’m Mad As Hell” Thales types for me
byVanderleunonMarch 11, 2020
It’s old but it’s gold…
Miley Cyrus can twerk all she wants and people cheer. Pop culture can spit out clickbait all over Facebook (the 10 best things about X — who gives a shit?) all day long, and folks go for it.
People can go goo-goo for Lady Gaga and start a firestorm over Team Jacob and Team Edward. The SFWA can give out awards to cherished Leftists in a misguided attempt to change the culture, and some idiot can write a novel about Dinosaur Sex and it sells. Lena Dunham, a rich white woman, can sit there droning on about how she’s oppressed and people buy it. Rosie O’Donnell can stuff her face with donuts, talking about fat-shaming while some dude wanders down public streets twirling his genitals like a helicopter saying “accept me, for I am the future.”
To me it’s all noise, it’s a toilet full of shit that just won’t flush, it’s the scent downwind of the sewage treatment plant, the fungus stuck permanently underneath your toenails. It is the sludge at the bottom of the beer bottle, warm and stale, it is the shut-in, sickly pale. It is the furtive glance in a bad part of town, the checker counting coins with a frown. It is the storm cloud gathering on a beachy day, the slow driver blocking your way. It is that nagging sinful thought when you sit down to pray. It is the toilet paper that tears, the stench that won’t wash away. And when you wake up, it’s another day knowing that these fucks are here to stay.
And people wonder why old guys are often grouchy. We remember when, and we see now; it is painful to know the good and gracious and gentle that have all died painful deaths. And the good that was here will not be known by the coming generations, they may hear stories from old guys like me but they will not know the truths of it. They can’t.
There is a Biblical reference in there someplace but I cannot distill it, and further references to coming plagues and destruction as seen in past civilizations, but those are tiresome and too intricate for the moment. Everything has it’s price I guess but who could’ve seen that price paid with the vanishing smell of saddle soap on a ball glove, the sun on your back at the beach, and that cute girl and your first kiss.
Those are gone, buddy, might as well get out of the way because this here? Why, this is PROGRESS son! No you cannot doubt the artistic genius of Piss Christ and no, you cannot question the wisdom of encouraging girls to invade the boy scout troop, and please do not forget to glorify the celebration of a man kissing his husband and no, you cannot call him Mayor Poopydick.
But you must get out of the way, old man. Out of the way because you are impeding the replacement of your successful societal and cultural achievement with Bold-New-In-Your-Face. No more noise from you if you value what little life you have left. Remember, the State will decide what your worth is and you shall be grateful for it. Old man.
VanderleunMarch 11, 2020, 10:22 AM
“Everything has it’s price I guess but who could’ve seen that price paid with the vanishing smell of saddle soap on a ball glove, the sun on your back at the beach, and that cute girl and your first kiss.”
Sitting up here on top of the world I may be getting close to old at 81, but, unless I’m watching or reading about the doings and happenings elsewhere on my computer, I’m seldom grumpy.
When I look out the window and see the moose munching the willows, or walk down my trail to the river shop and find fresh lynx tracks, or tip a shot of Irish while watching a brilliant sunset or the dancing Northern Lights, I often find myself repeating a phrase heard from my friends down under; She’ll be right, mate.
JackMarch 11, 2020, 1:51 PM
My dad was a bomber pilot in WWII and he flew 2x as many missions as he was required to fly, he seemed to love bombing the living hell out of Germans and I dunno, maybe he didn’t have anything better to do except help end the war.
Anyway, as the turmoil of the 60’s unfolded and things kept getting more and more unsettled he told me that he really did regret what he could faintly see coming and he said that the future would be much, much worse than the past because the world was going to lose its mind. He also said that the only way to keep any kind of sanity in the world was to have a World War every 30 years or so because there are always too many people in the world and of those, most are just too f’ing stupid to live as they should. I have come to agree with him, particularly about the future becoming much worse than the past.
So, anyway each day unfolds a new leaf in “the future” and the old man was right, things really are going to Hell in a handcart. I don’t chill with other people much and I’m damned sure not afraid of dying so the future really doesn’t bother me. But this Coronavirus thing is going on and like any other virulent thing, some people will catch it and others will not. But, events can never be viewed by society for what they are and common sense ain’t gonna prevail. Matter of fact, things like this generate a lot of humor. Like this:
James O’Neil is right. There’s the pixelated box of colors sitting here on my desk and there’s the reality box of colors, on my office wall, with a venitian blind and curtains. One’s real and the other pretends to be real. The pretender only has a life because I pay the electric bill. (pause)
I just walked over and looked out that curtained window, and since it’s chilly outside and about an hour or so ago I filled the feeder and 2 suet cages the partying birds were legion. Probably 30 cardinals, lots of black caps and titmouses, sparrows, 3 or 4 types of woodpeckers and half a dozen mourning doves scoring the mulch. LIFE! Nature!
If all I had was a computer. If I had no access to nature everyday. I don’t think I would be human any more. More like an automatron. I read shit on the box of colors (BOC) and after a while I have to get outside. I just hafta. This BOC will kill ya if you let it. Don’t let it. Fear the reaper. (it’ll come to ya)
ghostsniperMarch 11, 2020, 2:02 PM
scouring, not scoring
rabbit tobaccoMarch 11, 2020, 2:44 PM
If you follow a sick society,
what does that make you?
Fletcher ChristianMarch 11, 2020, 5:09 PM
I have thought for a while that, if we are lucky, this time we are in now will be a Time of Troubles between a better time and one better still.
If we are lucky, the thoughts of people like Eric Drexler may take form and we might transition into a post-scarcity society with an average lifespan in the hundreds of years, and weakly godlike entities in charge.
But to get there, we have to hold the line against both those who want to destroy freedom in the name of equality and those who want to do the same, but in the name of religion. Any religion; Nehemiah Scudder waits in the wings, at least in the USA.
snakeMarch 11, 2020, 7:09 PM
Dan Patterson is onto something.
Snakepit KansasMarch 11, 2020, 7:23 PM
Fat fingers here, sorry. Dan Patterson is onto something. The Jews were released from slavery by the hand of God, but those folks quickly decided their improved situation was not as good as they wanted or deserved. They then rebelled horribly against the hand that fed them. The hand that helped them. No different than today with folks in the US that are never satisfied with what they have, yet live in an abundance of opportunity. We rebel. We blame God or no longer acknowledge Him and seek pagan things as a solution. On a different scale we with faith are guilty of this also, but should know better. When things are good, maybe we pray and worship less. In times of distress we reach back to Him. I am guilty. We are not perfect, but forgiven. He made us and He knows. He always accepts us back with open arms.
Real World Address for Donations, Mash Notes and Hate Mail
Gerard Van der Leun
1692 MANGROVE AVE
APT 379
Chico, Ca 95926
Green Pants Interior by Klahn
Who Am I? by Carl Sandburg
My head knocks against the stars.
My feet are on the hilltops.
My finger-tips are in the valleys and shores of universal life.
Down in the sounding foam of primal things I reach my hands and play with pebbles of destiny.
I have been to hell and back many times.
I know all about heaven, for I have talked with God.
I dabble in the blood and guts of the terrible.
I know the passionate seizure of beauty
And the marvelous rebellion of man at all signs reading “Keep Off.”
My name is Truth and I am the most elusive captive in the universe.
Duty, Beauty, Liberty, Country, Honor, Family, Faith — Plus a few simple easy to follow rules for guys
Men saw the stars at the edge of the sea
They thought great thoughts about liberty
Poets wrote down words that did fit
Writers wrote books
Thinkers thought about it
Take it where you find it
Can’t leave it alone
You will find a purpose
To carry it on
Mainly when you find it
Your heart will be strong
About it
Many’s the road I have walked upon
Many’s the hour between dusk and dawn
Many’s the time
Many’s the mile
I see it all now
Through the eyes of a child
Take it where you find it
Can’t leave it alone
You will find a purpose
To carry it on
Mainly when you find it
Your heart will be strong
About it
[Chorus]
Lost dreams and found dreams
In America
In America
In America
Lost dreams and found dreams
In America
In America
In America
And close your eyes
Leave it all for a while
Leave the world
And your worries behind
You will build on whatever is real
And wake up each day
To a new waking dream
Take it where you find it
Can’t leave it alone
You will find a purpose
To carry it on
Mainly when you find it
Your heart will be strong
About it
[Chorus]
Change, change come over
Change come over
Talkin’ about a change
Change, change
Change come over, now
Change, change, change come over
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I see my light
See my light
See my shining light
I see my light
See my light
See my shining light
Gerard Van der Leun
Comments on this entry are closed.
And people wonder why old guys are often grouchy. We remember when, and we see now; it is painful to know the good and gracious and gentle that have all died painful deaths. And the good that was here will not be known by the coming generations, they may hear stories from old guys like me but they will not know the truths of it. They can’t.
There is a Biblical reference in there someplace but I cannot distill it, and further references to coming plagues and destruction as seen in past civilizations, but those are tiresome and too intricate for the moment. Everything has it’s price I guess but who could’ve seen that price paid with the vanishing smell of saddle soap on a ball glove, the sun on your back at the beach, and that cute girl and your first kiss.
Those are gone, buddy, might as well get out of the way because this here? Why, this is PROGRESS son! No you cannot doubt the artistic genius of Piss Christ and no, you cannot question the wisdom of encouraging girls to invade the boy scout troop, and please do not forget to glorify the celebration of a man kissing his husband and no, you cannot call him Mayor Poopydick.
But you must get out of the way, old man. Out of the way because you are impeding the replacement of your successful societal and cultural achievement with Bold-New-In-Your-Face. No more noise from you if you value what little life you have left. Remember, the State will decide what your worth is and you shall be grateful for it. Old man.
“Everything has it’s price I guess but who could’ve seen that price paid with the vanishing smell of saddle soap on a ball glove, the sun on your back at the beach, and that cute girl and your first kiss.”
That touches my heart, Dan. Thanks.
Sitting up here on top of the world I may be getting close to old at 81, but, unless I’m watching or reading about the doings and happenings elsewhere on my computer, I’m seldom grumpy.
When I look out the window and see the moose munching the willows, or walk down my trail to the river shop and find fresh lynx tracks, or tip a shot of Irish while watching a brilliant sunset or the dancing Northern Lights, I often find myself repeating a phrase heard from my friends down under; She’ll be right, mate.
My dad was a bomber pilot in WWII and he flew 2x as many missions as he was required to fly, he seemed to love bombing the living hell out of Germans and I dunno, maybe he didn’t have anything better to do except help end the war.
Anyway, as the turmoil of the 60’s unfolded and things kept getting more and more unsettled he told me that he really did regret what he could faintly see coming and he said that the future would be much, much worse than the past because the world was going to lose its mind. He also said that the only way to keep any kind of sanity in the world was to have a World War every 30 years or so because there are always too many people in the world and of those, most are just too f’ing stupid to live as they should. I have come to agree with him, particularly about the future becoming much worse than the past.
So, anyway each day unfolds a new leaf in “the future” and the old man was right, things really are going to Hell in a handcart. I don’t chill with other people much and I’m damned sure not afraid of dying so the future really doesn’t bother me. But this Coronavirus thing is going on and like any other virulent thing, some people will catch it and others will not. But, events can never be viewed by society for what they are and common sense ain’t gonna prevail. Matter of fact, things like this generate a lot of humor. Like this:
https://www.fox13news.com/video/663086
James O’Neil is right. There’s the pixelated box of colors sitting here on my desk and there’s the reality box of colors, on my office wall, with a venitian blind and curtains. One’s real and the other pretends to be real. The pretender only has a life because I pay the electric bill. (pause)
I just walked over and looked out that curtained window, and since it’s chilly outside and about an hour or so ago I filled the feeder and 2 suet cages the partying birds were legion. Probably 30 cardinals, lots of black caps and titmouses, sparrows, 3 or 4 types of woodpeckers and half a dozen mourning doves scoring the mulch. LIFE! Nature!
If all I had was a computer. If I had no access to nature everyday. I don’t think I would be human any more. More like an automatron. I read shit on the box of colors (BOC) and after a while I have to get outside. I just hafta. This BOC will kill ya if you let it. Don’t let it. Fear the reaper. (it’ll come to ya)
scouring, not scoring
If you follow a sick society,
what does that make you?
I have thought for a while that, if we are lucky, this time we are in now will be a Time of Troubles between a better time and one better still.
If we are lucky, the thoughts of people like Eric Drexler may take form and we might transition into a post-scarcity society with an average lifespan in the hundreds of years, and weakly godlike entities in charge.
But to get there, we have to hold the line against both those who want to destroy freedom in the name of equality and those who want to do the same, but in the name of religion. Any religion; Nehemiah Scudder waits in the wings, at least in the USA.
Dan Patterson is onto something.
Fat fingers here, sorry. Dan Patterson is onto something. The Jews were released from slavery by the hand of God, but those folks quickly decided their improved situation was not as good as they wanted or deserved. They then rebelled horribly against the hand that fed them. The hand that helped them. No different than today with folks in the US that are never satisfied with what they have, yet live in an abundance of opportunity. We rebel. We blame God or no longer acknowledge Him and seek pagan things as a solution. On a different scale we with faith are guilty of this also, but should know better. When things are good, maybe we pray and worship less. In times of distress we reach back to Him. I am guilty. We are not perfect, but forgiven. He made us and He knows. He always accepts us back with open arms.