Have an excellent weekend. See you bright and early Monday morning. November here we come, ready or not.
Friday, October 30, 2026
Aristotle
"Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom."
"The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet."
"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."
"Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all."
all quotes by Aristotle
"The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet."
"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."
"Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all."
all quotes by Aristotle
Hair And Nails
From AI Gemini:
Hair and fingernails grow at fairly steady average rates, though individual factors like genetics, age, and overall health can cause some variation.
Here is how much they typically grow in one month:
1. Hair Growth
- Average Growth Rate: About 0.5 inches (or roughly 1.25 cm) per month, which totals about 6 inches per year.
- Context: This rate applies to scalp hair for both males and females. Growth occurs in cycles (anagen, catagen, and telogen phases), meaning individual hairs grow at slightly different times, which is why shedding and continuous growth happen simultaneously.
2. Fingernail Growth
- Average Growth Rate: About 0.1 inches (or roughly 2.5 to 3 mm) per month. - Context: Fingernails grow about three to four times faster than toenails. On average, it takes roughly 3 to 6 months for a fingernail to completely regenerate from the cuticle to the tip. Interestingly, fingernails on a person's dominant hand tend to grow just a fraction faster due to increased blood circulation and daily use.
Hair and fingernails grow at fairly steady average rates, though individual factors like genetics, age, and overall health can cause some variation.
Here is how much they typically grow in one month:
1. Hair Growth
- Average Growth Rate: About 0.5 inches (or roughly 1.25 cm) per month, which totals about 6 inches per year.
- Context: This rate applies to scalp hair for both males and females. Growth occurs in cycles (anagen, catagen, and telogen phases), meaning individual hairs grow at slightly different times, which is why shedding and continuous growth happen simultaneously.
2. Fingernail Growth
- Average Growth Rate: About 0.1 inches (or roughly 2.5 to 3 mm) per month. - Context: Fingernails grow about three to four times faster than toenails. On average, it takes roughly 3 to 6 months for a fingernail to completely regenerate from the cuticle to the tip. Interestingly, fingernails on a person's dominant hand tend to grow just a fraction faster due to increased blood circulation and daily use.
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Thursday, October 29, 2026
Саша Квашеная - 'Sweet Dreams'
"Sasha Kvashenaya is a Russian singer, cover artist, streamer, and vlogger. She is known for her YouTube channel featuring covers and live performances of songs in various genres. Born July 29, 1999 (age 27 years), Prechistoe, Russia"
'Carnival Of Souls' 1962
Cult Film - Horror, Mystery - Full Length Movie
I recently watched this, it's unusual. The story behind it is quite interesting too, i.e. the actors, director, how it was made etc.
I recently watched this, it's unusual. The story behind it is quite interesting too, i.e. the actors, director, how it was made etc.
Rilke
"Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer. - Rainer Maria Rilke
World-Line
world-line - "The path of a pointlike object in four-dimensional spacetime is a line called the object’s world-line. To every moment in time corresponds one point of that world-line giving the position of the object in space at that particular moment."
Kale Versus Rapini Versus Spinach
From AI Gemini:
Here is a succinct breakdown of the primary nutritional differences between kale, rapini (broccoli rabe), and spinach:
Kale
- Standout Nutrient: Vitamin K (massive amount) and Vitamin A.
- Profile: Exceptionally high in antioxidants (beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin) supporting eye health. It is also a very good source of Vitamin C, calcium, and fiber, though it contains higher levels of oxalates and plant compounds that can slightly bind minerals (though less than spinach).
Rapini (Broccoli Rabe)
- Standout Nutrient: Vitamins A, C, and K, plus notable plant-based protein.
- Profile: Belonging to the brassica (mustard/cabbage) family rather than true greens, rapini is rich in cancer-preventing glucosinolates (similar to broccoli). It provides a solid mineral profile (calcium, iron, potassium) and is lower in oxalates, making its calcium and iron easier for the body to absorb.
Spinach
- Standout Nutrient: Folate (Vitamin B9) and Iron.
- Profile: An outstanding source of iron, magnesium, and potassium, alongside very high levels of vitamins A, C, and K. Its primary drawback is a high oxalate content, which binds to minerals like iron and calcium, reducing their overall bioavailability unless cooked or paired with Vitamin C.
PS - AI recommends Kale if we could only eat one of these greens for whatever reason.
Here is a succinct breakdown of the primary nutritional differences between kale, rapini (broccoli rabe), and spinach:
Kale
- Standout Nutrient: Vitamin K (massive amount) and Vitamin A.
- Profile: Exceptionally high in antioxidants (beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin) supporting eye health. It is also a very good source of Vitamin C, calcium, and fiber, though it contains higher levels of oxalates and plant compounds that can slightly bind minerals (though less than spinach).
Rapini (Broccoli Rabe)
- Standout Nutrient: Vitamins A, C, and K, plus notable plant-based protein.
- Profile: Belonging to the brassica (mustard/cabbage) family rather than true greens, rapini is rich in cancer-preventing glucosinolates (similar to broccoli). It provides a solid mineral profile (calcium, iron, potassium) and is lower in oxalates, making its calcium and iron easier for the body to absorb.
Spinach
- Standout Nutrient: Folate (Vitamin B9) and Iron.
- Profile: An outstanding source of iron, magnesium, and potassium, alongside very high levels of vitamins A, C, and K. Its primary drawback is a high oxalate content, which binds to minerals like iron and calcium, reducing their overall bioavailability unless cooked or paired with Vitamin C.
PS - AI recommends Kale if we could only eat one of these greens for whatever reason.
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Wilkins
'Genius grant' winner Immanuel Wilkins explains how he weaves Black history into his music by Joel Rose, Michelle Aslam, and Sarah Robbins
Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Pigeon
“Arguing with idiots is like playing chess with a pigeon. No matter how good you are, the bird is going to shit on the board and strut around like it won anyway.” - Shannon L. Alder
Amathia
Amathia - "Unlike simple ignorance (agnoia), which is an empty space or lack of exposure that can be cured with a book or an experience, amathia is a conscious choice to reject evidence and resist correction."
"Instead of using intelligence to seek truth, an amathic person uses their intellect and knowledge as a tool to defend existing beliefs, egos, or tribes."
"Socrates viewed amathia as a primary moral and intellectual failure—and the most dangerous form of ignorance—because the individual smugly believes they already know enough and refuses to recognize their own limits."
"Stoic philosophers like Epictetus regarded amathia as a core source of human error and evil, born out of poor character, pride, and ideological rigidity rather than a lack of mental capacity."
"Instead of using intelligence to seek truth, an amathic person uses their intellect and knowledge as a tool to defend existing beliefs, egos, or tribes."
"Socrates viewed amathia as a primary moral and intellectual failure—and the most dangerous form of ignorance—because the individual smugly believes they already know enough and refuses to recognize their own limits."
"Stoic philosophers like Epictetus regarded amathia as a core source of human error and evil, born out of poor character, pride, and ideological rigidity rather than a lack of mental capacity."
Wičháŋpi Wóyute
Medium: Star Feeding: A Native American Ritual for Adoption’s Deepest Wound
"Lakota healers understood something modern therapy still struggles to grasp. A wound kept inside grows. It does the opposite of heal: it multiplies. A wound kept inside shapes everything around it like a seed planted in the center of a life."
Monday, October 26, 2026
'Ye Soldier's Tale'
My other brand new solo classical guitar release, 'Ye Soldier's Tale' is music written during the Renaissance music era.
Sunrise
I go out for an early morning walk on most days, and this was sunrise today, Monday morning. It's rather beautiful.
Why
I asked AI Gemini for five reasons why some people want other people to fail.
AI Gemini:
It is a sobering aspect of human nature that someone else's success can sometimes trigger a desire to see them stumble. When people root for others to fail, it is rarely about the person who might fall; instead, it is almost always a reflection of the observer's own internal struggles, insecurities, or worldview.
Here are five solid psychological reasons why some people want others to fail:
1. Relative Deprivation and Insecurity
Human beings have a strong, often subconscious habit of evaluating their own worth and success through social comparison. When someone close to them achieves a major milestone, it can involuntarily highlight the observer's perceived shortcomings or lack of progress. Rather than putting in the difficult work to elevate themselves, wishing for the other person to fail is a psychological defense mechanism that narrows the gap, making the insecure person feel temporarily equal or safe from inadequacy.
2. Protection of the Ego and Self-Image
Witnessing a peer succeed can feel threatening to an individual's self-esteem, particularly if they operate under a rigid, zero-sum mindset—the belief that the world has a strictly limited amount of success, happiness, or status to go around. In this view, someone else's win feels like a personal loss. Hoping for a downfall is an attempt to protect the ego from having to confront uncomfortable questions about one's own ambition, talent, or effort.
3. Resentment Over Perceived Unfairness
Sometimes, the root is a sense of grievance—whether justified or distorted. If an individual believes that someone else achieved success through luck, favoritism, or unethical shortcuts rather than merit, bitterness can take root. The desire for that person to fail becomes a craving for cosmic justice or karma, where the observer hopes the universe will correct what they perceive as an unfair imbalance.
4. Schadenfreude and the Relief of Pressure
Schadenfreude—experiencing pleasure or satisfaction at another's misfortune—often flares up in highly competitive environments. When someone who appears competent, confident, or constantly successful makes a mistake or fails, it humanizes them and relieves the intense social pressure others might feel to measure up. Seeing an "overachiever" fall can provide a temporary, comforting release from the anxiety of competition.
5. Misery Loves Company
People who are profoundly unhappy, stagnant, or unfulfilled in their own lives often struggle to witness genuine joy or thriving in others. Success acts as a mirror reflecting their own dissatisfaction, which can breed quiet resentment. In these cases, wanting someone else to fail is driven by a desire for uniformity—if everyone else is struggling or grounded too, the unhappy person feels less isolated in their misery.
AI Gemini:
It is a sobering aspect of human nature that someone else's success can sometimes trigger a desire to see them stumble. When people root for others to fail, it is rarely about the person who might fall; instead, it is almost always a reflection of the observer's own internal struggles, insecurities, or worldview.
Here are five solid psychological reasons why some people want others to fail:
1. Relative Deprivation and Insecurity
Human beings have a strong, often subconscious habit of evaluating their own worth and success through social comparison. When someone close to them achieves a major milestone, it can involuntarily highlight the observer's perceived shortcomings or lack of progress. Rather than putting in the difficult work to elevate themselves, wishing for the other person to fail is a psychological defense mechanism that narrows the gap, making the insecure person feel temporarily equal or safe from inadequacy.
2. Protection of the Ego and Self-Image
Witnessing a peer succeed can feel threatening to an individual's self-esteem, particularly if they operate under a rigid, zero-sum mindset—the belief that the world has a strictly limited amount of success, happiness, or status to go around. In this view, someone else's win feels like a personal loss. Hoping for a downfall is an attempt to protect the ego from having to confront uncomfortable questions about one's own ambition, talent, or effort.
3. Resentment Over Perceived Unfairness
Sometimes, the root is a sense of grievance—whether justified or distorted. If an individual believes that someone else achieved success through luck, favoritism, or unethical shortcuts rather than merit, bitterness can take root. The desire for that person to fail becomes a craving for cosmic justice or karma, where the observer hopes the universe will correct what they perceive as an unfair imbalance.
4. Schadenfreude and the Relief of Pressure
Schadenfreude—experiencing pleasure or satisfaction at another's misfortune—often flares up in highly competitive environments. When someone who appears competent, confident, or constantly successful makes a mistake or fails, it humanizes them and relieves the intense social pressure others might feel to measure up. Seeing an "overachiever" fall can provide a temporary, comforting release from the anxiety of competition.
5. Misery Loves Company
People who are profoundly unhappy, stagnant, or unfulfilled in their own lives often struggle to witness genuine joy or thriving in others. Success acts as a mirror reflecting their own dissatisfaction, which can breed quiet resentment. In these cases, wanting someone else to fail is driven by a desire for uniformity—if everyone else is struggling or grounded too, the unhappy person feels less isolated in their misery.
Friday, October 23, 2026
'La Volta'
I've got a brand new solo classical guitar track out today. La Volta is a dance from around 1600. I hope you enjoy it.
Kennedy
"One person can make a difference, and everyone should try."
"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."
"Persons are judged to be great because of the positive qualities they possess, not because of the absence of faults."
All quotes by John F. Kennedy
"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."
"Persons are judged to be great because of the positive qualities they possess, not because of the absence of faults."
All quotes by John F. Kennedy
Life
From AI Gemini:
The 1946 film 'It's a Wonderful Life' with Jimmy Stewart, was scrutinized by the FBI during the Red Scare in the late 1940s, though it was never formally or officially banned or denounced by the bureau as an institution.
The background to this unusual piece of cinematic history involves a few key elements:
- The Context: Following World War II, J. Edgar Hoover’s FBI and the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) launched a sweeping campaign to root out alleged communist subversion and propaganda in Hollywood.
- The Informant's Report: As part of this effort, FBI agents and informants reviewed numerous films. An internal 1947 memo recorded the opinion of a studio source/informant who claimed that Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life contained "communist tendencies".
- The "Subversive" Logic: The rationale behind the suspicion sounds absurd in hindsight. The bureau's notes argued that the film attempted to subtly malign the capitalist system by portraying the wealthy banker, Mr. Potter, as a cruel, grasping villain. Investigators also worried that highlighting the struggles of the "common man" and pitting a small cooperative building-and-loan association against a wealthy corporate titan could foster anti-capitalist sentiment.
- The Outcome: While the FBI logged these concerns and shared information with HUAC, the committee ultimately chose not to take action against the film’s director or writers. Despite the paranoia of the era, the movie was never suppressed and went on to become one of the most beloved holiday classics in American history.
The 1946 film 'It's a Wonderful Life' with Jimmy Stewart, was scrutinized by the FBI during the Red Scare in the late 1940s, though it was never formally or officially banned or denounced by the bureau as an institution.
The background to this unusual piece of cinematic history involves a few key elements:
- The Context: Following World War II, J. Edgar Hoover’s FBI and the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) launched a sweeping campaign to root out alleged communist subversion and propaganda in Hollywood.
- The Informant's Report: As part of this effort, FBI agents and informants reviewed numerous films. An internal 1947 memo recorded the opinion of a studio source/informant who claimed that Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life contained "communist tendencies".
- The "Subversive" Logic: The rationale behind the suspicion sounds absurd in hindsight. The bureau's notes argued that the film attempted to subtly malign the capitalist system by portraying the wealthy banker, Mr. Potter, as a cruel, grasping villain. Investigators also worried that highlighting the struggles of the "common man" and pitting a small cooperative building-and-loan association against a wealthy corporate titan could foster anti-capitalist sentiment.
- The Outcome: While the FBI logged these concerns and shared information with HUAC, the committee ultimately chose not to take action against the film’s director or writers. Despite the paranoia of the era, the movie was never suppressed and went on to become one of the most beloved holiday classics in American history.
Thursday, October 22, 2026
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Four
From AI Gemini:
At age 75, key nutritional goals focus on preserving lean muscle mass, protecting bone density, maintaining cognitive function, and supporting digestive and cardiovascular health.
4 Foods to Consume
- Fatty Fish (e.g., Salmon, Mackerel, Sardines): High in omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), which reduce systemic inflammation, support brain health, and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. They also provide high-quality protein to combat age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia) and vitamin D for bone strength.
- Greek Yogurt (or Kefir): Packed with calcium, high-density protein, and probiotics. Calcium and protein work together to maintain bone mineral density and muscle mass, while probiotics support gut microbiota diversity, which naturally declines with age and affects nutrient absorption.
- Leafy Greens (e.g., Spinach, Kale, Collard Greens): Abundant in vitamin K, lutein, folate, and fiber. Vitamin K is essential for bone mineralization and cardiovascular function, while lutein and folate support eye and cognitive health. The dietary fiber also aids slow digestive transit.
- Berries (e.g., Blueberries, Blackberries): Packed with flavonoids and soluble fiber. Antioxidants help protect cellular integrity against oxidative stress, while soluble fiber assists in regulating cholesterol levels and stabilizing blood glucose.
---
4 Foods to Avoid or Minimize
- Ultra-Processed & High-Sodium Foods (e.g., Canned Soup, Processed Meats): Excessive sodium elevates blood pressure and increases arterial stiffness, placing added burden on the cardiovascular system and kidneys. Highly processed foods often lack essential micronutrients while adding empty calories.
- Sugary Beverages & Refined Carbohydrates (e.g., Soda, White Bread, Pastries): High glycemic loads trigger rapid blood sugar spikes and promote insulin resistance. They offer minimal nutritional density and contribute to systemic inflammation without supporting muscle or bone maintenance.
- Unpasteurized Dairy or Raw/Undercooked Foods (e.g., Raw Milk, Soft Cheeses, Rare Meats): Immune function naturally wanes with age (immunosenescence), increasing susceptibility to foodborne pathogens like Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli, which can cause severe gastrointestinal and systemic complications.
- Excessive Alcohol: Aging decreases total body water and slows liver metabolism, making the body more sensitive to alcohol's effects. Chronic or excess intake impairs balance, interacts negatively with common medications, disrupts sleep patterns, and accelerates bone density loss.
At age 75, key nutritional goals focus on preserving lean muscle mass, protecting bone density, maintaining cognitive function, and supporting digestive and cardiovascular health.
4 Foods to Consume
- Fatty Fish (e.g., Salmon, Mackerel, Sardines): High in omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), which reduce systemic inflammation, support brain health, and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. They also provide high-quality protein to combat age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia) and vitamin D for bone strength.
- Greek Yogurt (or Kefir): Packed with calcium, high-density protein, and probiotics. Calcium and protein work together to maintain bone mineral density and muscle mass, while probiotics support gut microbiota diversity, which naturally declines with age and affects nutrient absorption.
- Leafy Greens (e.g., Spinach, Kale, Collard Greens): Abundant in vitamin K, lutein, folate, and fiber. Vitamin K is essential for bone mineralization and cardiovascular function, while lutein and folate support eye and cognitive health. The dietary fiber also aids slow digestive transit.
- Berries (e.g., Blueberries, Blackberries): Packed with flavonoids and soluble fiber. Antioxidants help protect cellular integrity against oxidative stress, while soluble fiber assists in regulating cholesterol levels and stabilizing blood glucose.
---
4 Foods to Avoid or Minimize
- Ultra-Processed & High-Sodium Foods (e.g., Canned Soup, Processed Meats): Excessive sodium elevates blood pressure and increases arterial stiffness, placing added burden on the cardiovascular system and kidneys. Highly processed foods often lack essential micronutrients while adding empty calories.
- Sugary Beverages & Refined Carbohydrates (e.g., Soda, White Bread, Pastries): High glycemic loads trigger rapid blood sugar spikes and promote insulin resistance. They offer minimal nutritional density and contribute to systemic inflammation without supporting muscle or bone maintenance.
- Unpasteurized Dairy or Raw/Undercooked Foods (e.g., Raw Milk, Soft Cheeses, Rare Meats): Immune function naturally wanes with age (immunosenescence), increasing susceptibility to foodborne pathogens like Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli, which can cause severe gastrointestinal and systemic complications.
- Excessive Alcohol: Aging decreases total body water and slows liver metabolism, making the body more sensitive to alcohol's effects. Chronic or excess intake impairs balance, interacts negatively with common medications, disrupts sleep patterns, and accelerates bone density loss.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Flower
A neighbor was having a very tall tree removed. The tree service left the very top of the tree intact before it was felled. To me, this looked like some type of flower and just as I took the photo, sunlight hit the very top.
Schiele
Egon Schiele 1890-1918 - 'Woman with Red Hair in a Black Coat' AKA 'Portrait of a Woman' 1908–1909
Apotheosis Or Divinization
From AI Gemini:
The deification of humans—known formally as apotheosis or divinization—is the practice of raising mortal individuals to divine status. Across human history, this tradition evolved from living kingship rituals to religious canonization and modern ideological veneration.
Living Gods & Divine Kingship
c. 3000 BCE – 400 BCE
- Ancient Near East & Egypt: Egyptian Pharaohs were worshipped as living incarnations of Horus and sons of Ra, maintaining cosmic order (Ma'at). Mesopotamian rulers like Naram-Sin of Akkad claimed divinity directly by wearing horned helmets reserved for gods.
- Greco-Roman Mythology: Hero cults elevated legendary mortals (e.g., Heracles, Achilles) after death due to extraordinary feats or divine lineage.
Political Apotheosis & Imperial Cults
c. 330 BCE – 300 CE
- Hellenistic Monarchy: Alexander the Great adopted Egyptian and Persian customs, claiming sonship of Zeus-Ammon and demanding divine honors (proskynesis).
- Roman Imperial Cult: Beginning with Julius Caesar (Divus Julius), deceased emperors were formally declared gods by decree of the Roman Senate. Living emperors used the imperial cult to unify diverse territories under civic loyalty.
Theological Shift to Spiritual Deification
c. 300 CE – 1500 CE
- Eastern Christian Theology: Early Church Fathers established theosis (deification through grace), summarized by Athanasius: "God became man so that man might become god." Rather than political worship, human nature is transformed through union with Christ.
- Asian Traditions: Mahayana Buddhism popularized the veneration of Bodhisattvas (enlightened humans deferring Nirvana to save others), while Taoist sages were canonized into the divine pantheon.
- Saintly Canonization: Christianity shifted from imperial deification to formal sainthood, where holy humans mediate between God and mortals rather than replacing deity.
Modern Secular & Symbolic Shifts
1800s – Present
- Political Cults of Personality: Modern authoritarian regimes shifted apotheosis into secular totalitarian contexts (e.g., the embalming and quasi-religious veneration of Lenin and Mao Zedong).
- Transhumanism: Contemporary philosophy and tech futurism seek technological deification—aiming for functional immortality, radical cognitive expansion, and mastery over biological limits.
The deification of humans—known formally as apotheosis or divinization—is the practice of raising mortal individuals to divine status. Across human history, this tradition evolved from living kingship rituals to religious canonization and modern ideological veneration.
Living Gods & Divine Kingship
c. 3000 BCE – 400 BCE
- Ancient Near East & Egypt: Egyptian Pharaohs were worshipped as living incarnations of Horus and sons of Ra, maintaining cosmic order (Ma'at). Mesopotamian rulers like Naram-Sin of Akkad claimed divinity directly by wearing horned helmets reserved for gods.
- Greco-Roman Mythology: Hero cults elevated legendary mortals (e.g., Heracles, Achilles) after death due to extraordinary feats or divine lineage.
Political Apotheosis & Imperial Cults
c. 330 BCE – 300 CE
- Hellenistic Monarchy: Alexander the Great adopted Egyptian and Persian customs, claiming sonship of Zeus-Ammon and demanding divine honors (proskynesis).
- Roman Imperial Cult: Beginning with Julius Caesar (Divus Julius), deceased emperors were formally declared gods by decree of the Roman Senate. Living emperors used the imperial cult to unify diverse territories under civic loyalty.
Theological Shift to Spiritual Deification
c. 300 CE – 1500 CE
- Eastern Christian Theology: Early Church Fathers established theosis (deification through grace), summarized by Athanasius: "God became man so that man might become god." Rather than political worship, human nature is transformed through union with Christ.
- Asian Traditions: Mahayana Buddhism popularized the veneration of Bodhisattvas (enlightened humans deferring Nirvana to save others), while Taoist sages were canonized into the divine pantheon.
- Saintly Canonization: Christianity shifted from imperial deification to formal sainthood, where holy humans mediate between God and mortals rather than replacing deity.
Modern Secular & Symbolic Shifts
1800s – Present
- Political Cults of Personality: Modern authoritarian regimes shifted apotheosis into secular totalitarian contexts (e.g., the embalming and quasi-religious veneration of Lenin and Mao Zedong).
- Transhumanism: Contemporary philosophy and tech futurism seek technological deification—aiming for functional immortality, radical cognitive expansion, and mastery over biological limits.
Monday, October 19, 2026
Heinlein
"A dying culture invariably exhibits personal rudeness. Bad manners. Lack of consideration for others in minor matters. A loss of politeness, of gentle manners, is more significant than is a riot."
― Robert A. Heinlein
― Robert A. Heinlein
Friday, October 16, 2026
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Regret
"Make it a rule of life never to regret and never to look back. Regret is an appalling waste of energy, you can't build on it it's only good for wallowing in." - Katherine Mansfield
(Jim here - I say regret those things that make that feeling of regret arise in your life, and once you feel regret for that action, let it go, commit to never doing it again, and move on.)
(Jim here - I say regret those things that make that feeling of regret arise in your life, and once you feel regret for that action, let it go, commit to never doing it again, and move on.)
Jackie
There's was that period when I would post the live eagle cam of Jackie and Shadow.
CBS News: Big Bear bald eagle Jackie's cause of death revealed by Dean Fioresi
Fuller
All quotes by R. Buckminster Fuller
"You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete."
"Never forget that you are one of a kind. Never forget that if there weren't any need for you in all your uniqueness to be on this earth, you wouldn't be here in the first place. And never forget, no matter how overwhelming life's challenges and problems seem to be, that one person can make a difference in the world. In fact, it is always because of one person that all the changes that matter in the world come about. So be that one person."
"People never leave a sinking ship until they see the lights of another ship approaching."
"You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete."
"Never forget that you are one of a kind. Never forget that if there weren't any need for you in all your uniqueness to be on this earth, you wouldn't be here in the first place. And never forget, no matter how overwhelming life's challenges and problems seem to be, that one person can make a difference in the world. In fact, it is always because of one person that all the changes that matter in the world come about. So be that one person."
"People never leave a sinking ship until they see the lights of another ship approaching."
Empath
"An empath is a person with high sensitivity to emotions—able to understand what others feel and, in some cases, feel emotions as if they were their own. Empathy is described as a human emotional skill, not something magical or psychic."
Very Well Mind: What Is an Empath and How Do You Know If You Are One? by Leah Campbell
Very Well Mind: What Is an Empath and How Do You Know If You Are One? by Leah Campbell
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Walk This Long Per Day And Slash Heart Disease Risk By 300%
Like all videos about health on YouTube, it's never a one size fits all situation. If the information is valuable, great. If it's not valuable, let it go, no harm, no foul.
No Doubt - 'It's My Life' 2003
She's a lot of fun but, technically speaking, she was singing flat in the wrong spots.
Vivid
"Hyperphantasia is the condition of having exceptionally vivid mental imagery—so clear it can feel “as vivid as real seeing.” It is often described as the opposite of aphantasia, where people report little or no mental images."
Content
This will lead you to adult like content, historic fetishism before World War 1.
Messy Nessy's Cabinet: Meet the Richards: The Parisian Couple who Commercialised Fetishism
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Seneca
"True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is sufficient, for he that is so wants nothing. The greatest blessings of mankind are within us and within our reach. A wise man is content with his lot, whatever it may be, without wishing for what he has not." - Seneca
About Seneca:
"Lucius Annaeus Seneca (c. 4 BCE – 65 CE), known as Seneca the Younger, was a prominent Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, dramatist, and essayist of the Silver Age of Latin literature."
"In 65 CE, Seneca was implicated in the Pisonian conspiracy to assassinate Nero. Though his actual degree of involvement remains debated, Nero ordered him to commit suicide. Seneca accepted the command with Stoic composure, taking his own life in the traditional Roman manner."
About Seneca:
"Lucius Annaeus Seneca (c. 4 BCE – 65 CE), known as Seneca the Younger, was a prominent Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, dramatist, and essayist of the Silver Age of Latin literature."
"In 65 CE, Seneca was implicated in the Pisonian conspiracy to assassinate Nero. Though his actual degree of involvement remains debated, Nero ordered him to commit suicide. Seneca accepted the command with Stoic composure, taking his own life in the traditional Roman manner."
Monday, October 12, 2026
Walking Diary On Monday
I left the house at 7AM for my daily morning, first thing, walk. I passed four dog walkers including the tall thin woman with the little dog, who walks very fast and always smiles and says hello. I passed three walkers without dogs, including one very serious looking woman who was deeply involved in her thoughts. The fall leaves are here, very pretty, as we get into the reds and oranges. The Catholic Church was about to have an early morning Mass. The Halloween decorations are up and seem the most elaborate of any year.
Rilke
“Make your ego porous. Will is of little importance, complaining is nothing, fame is nothing. Openness, patience, receptivity, solitude is everything.” - Rainer Maria Rilke
Friday, October 09, 2026
'Bransle De Bourgogne'
This is my new solo classical guitar track with G2 Records, just out today. The music was written by Robert De Visee in the 1600s. De Visee was a musician in the court of King Louis XIV and King Louis XV of France. This is upbeat dance music 1600s style. Imagine elegantly dressed people in the king's court, smiling and flirtingly bowing or curtsying to each other while this music was happening.
Walking Diary On Friday
Did my first thing early morning walk today, like most days. I started the first thing walks several months ago. The temperature was in the 40s, so I had on a sweater, a jacket, light gloves, and a hat. I saw three dog walkers and I politely walked in the street so the walkers could have the newly renovated sidewalk. I did not see the tall thin woman with her small dog who likes to walk very fast and always smiles. Everything seemed about as normal as ever. The Sun now rises in the 7AM area, and the clouds and sky at sunrise are rather impressive. The Republicans in the area have lots of yard signs, while the Democrats have few. It is a solidly Democratic area, and no one around here believes the Republicans will win in this town in November. I walked quickly and my new On Clouds are great, it's a great shoe.
High Heals
From AI Gemini:
Historically, women began wearing high heels by borrowing a trend from male fashion during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. High heels didn't originate as feminine footwear; they were created for military function and masculine status before being adopted by women.
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The Persian Cavalry Origin
In the 10th century, Persian horse soldiers wore heels to secure their feet in stirrups while riding, giving them a stable base to stand up and shoot bows effectively.
When Shah Abbas I sent a Persian diplomatic delegation to Europe in 1599, European aristocrats were captivated by Persian military style. High heels quickly became a symbol of masculine power, status, and luxury across Western European courts.
---
Why Women Adopted the Heel (1600s)
During the 1630s, European women’s fashion adopted several traditionally masculine elements—including short-cropped hair, hats, epaulets, and heeled shoes—as part of a broader cultural movement toward a gender-neutral or androgynous aesthetic among the upper classes.
1500s: Practical Precursors: Chopines
Before heels proper, Venetian noblewomen wore tall platform shoes called chopines to keep long gown hems off dirty streets. These served as an early precedent for elevated women's footwear, signaling wealth through immobility (wearers often needed servants to help them balance).
1630s: Fashion Borrowing & Masculine Trends
European women officially adopted heels by copying men's riding and court fashions. Higher heels visually elevated stature and signaled elite social status, showing the wearer didn't need to perform manual labor.
Late 1600s: Gender Differentiation in Heel Design
Men's and women's heels began to split visually. Men wore thick, broad heels for stability and stature, while women’s heels became narrower, curved, and more ornamental, designed to peek out from underneath full skirts.
Men Abandon the Heel
Late 1700s
Following the Enlightenment and the French Revolution, men discarded ornate dress, bright colors, and heels in favor of practical, understated attire ("The Great Male Renunciation"). Heels became almost exclusively associated with female fashion from that point onwar
Historically, women began wearing high heels by borrowing a trend from male fashion during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. High heels didn't originate as feminine footwear; they were created for military function and masculine status before being adopted by women.
---
The Persian Cavalry Origin
In the 10th century, Persian horse soldiers wore heels to secure their feet in stirrups while riding, giving them a stable base to stand up and shoot bows effectively.
When Shah Abbas I sent a Persian diplomatic delegation to Europe in 1599, European aristocrats were captivated by Persian military style. High heels quickly became a symbol of masculine power, status, and luxury across Western European courts.
---
Why Women Adopted the Heel (1600s)
During the 1630s, European women’s fashion adopted several traditionally masculine elements—including short-cropped hair, hats, epaulets, and heeled shoes—as part of a broader cultural movement toward a gender-neutral or androgynous aesthetic among the upper classes.
1500s: Practical Precursors: Chopines
Before heels proper, Venetian noblewomen wore tall platform shoes called chopines to keep long gown hems off dirty streets. These served as an early precedent for elevated women's footwear, signaling wealth through immobility (wearers often needed servants to help them balance).
1630s: Fashion Borrowing & Masculine Trends
European women officially adopted heels by copying men's riding and court fashions. Higher heels visually elevated stature and signaled elite social status, showing the wearer didn't need to perform manual labor.
Late 1600s: Gender Differentiation in Heel Design
Men's and women's heels began to split visually. Men wore thick, broad heels for stability and stature, while women’s heels became narrower, curved, and more ornamental, designed to peek out from underneath full skirts.
Men Abandon the Heel
Late 1700s
Following the Enlightenment and the French Revolution, men discarded ornate dress, bright colors, and heels in favor of practical, understated attire ("The Great Male Renunciation"). Heels became almost exclusively associated with female fashion from that point onwar
Thursday, October 08, 2026
Meels National - 'The Wizard' - Live At Glacier National Park
She gets points for an unusual setting for a performance...
Poe
"Believe only half of what you see and nothing that you hear."
"There is no beauty without some strangeness."
"I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity."
all quotes by Edgar Allan Poe
"There is no beauty without some strangeness."
"I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity."
all quotes by Edgar Allan Poe
Peter Gabriel - 'Sledgehammer' - Play Along - Guitar
I tried this, but for guitarists, I believe the guitar is tuned down a half step to Eb, Ab, Db, etc.
Wednesday, October 07, 2026
Measles
Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Utah are the worst hit states with over 500 cases per state.
USA Today: This disease has now been declared an emergency. Maps show where it's spreading by Janet Loehrke
Tuesday, October 06, 2026
Divinization
I'll be posting more about this in the future.
"Apotheosis refers to the elevation of a person to divine status, often seen in ancient cultures, while divinization is a Christian theological concept describing the transformative process by which humans become united with God.
"Apotheosis refers to the elevation of a person to divine status, often seen in ancient cultures, while divinization is a Christian theological concept describing the transformative process by which humans become united with God.
Ginger
From AI Gemini:
Fresh ginger root is a powerhouse ingredient that brings far more than just bright, zesty flavor to a stir-fry. Most of its health benefits stem from gingerol, the primary bioactive compound responsible for its distinct aroma, sharp taste, and medicinal properties.
---
Key Health Benefits
1. Potent Anti-Inflammatory Action: Gingerol helps inhibit the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the body. Incorporating fresh ginger into your regular diet can help reduce systemic inflammation and ease joint stiffness or muscle soreness after physical activity.
2. Aids Digestion & Motility: Ginger stimulates digestive enzymes and speeds up gastric emptying—the rate at which food leaves the stomach and enters the small intestine. Adding it to a stir-fry supports smoother digestion and helps prevent post-meal bloating or heaviness.
3. Strong Antioxidant Support: The compounds in fresh ginger neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, supporting long-term cardiovascular health and cellular function.
4. Immune & Antimicrobial Properties: Fresh ginger contains active natural compounds that support immune defense, offering mild antibacterial and antiviral protection against common seasonal bugs.
5. Metabolic & Blood Sugar Support: Studies suggest ginger helps improve insulin sensitivity and support steady blood sugar levels after meals, making it a great functional addition to carb- or vegetable-rich stir-fries.
Cooking Tip: Sautéing grated or matchstick ginger in a little healthy cooking oil at the start of your stir-fry releases its lipid-soluble antioxidants without destroying its beneficial compounds, striking a great balance between maximum flavor and nutrition.
Fresh ginger root is a powerhouse ingredient that brings far more than just bright, zesty flavor to a stir-fry. Most of its health benefits stem from gingerol, the primary bioactive compound responsible for its distinct aroma, sharp taste, and medicinal properties.
---
Key Health Benefits
1. Potent Anti-Inflammatory Action: Gingerol helps inhibit the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the body. Incorporating fresh ginger into your regular diet can help reduce systemic inflammation and ease joint stiffness or muscle soreness after physical activity.
2. Aids Digestion & Motility: Ginger stimulates digestive enzymes and speeds up gastric emptying—the rate at which food leaves the stomach and enters the small intestine. Adding it to a stir-fry supports smoother digestion and helps prevent post-meal bloating or heaviness.
3. Strong Antioxidant Support: The compounds in fresh ginger neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, supporting long-term cardiovascular health and cellular function.
4. Immune & Antimicrobial Properties: Fresh ginger contains active natural compounds that support immune defense, offering mild antibacterial and antiviral protection against common seasonal bugs.
5. Metabolic & Blood Sugar Support: Studies suggest ginger helps improve insulin sensitivity and support steady blood sugar levels after meals, making it a great functional addition to carb- or vegetable-rich stir-fries.
Cooking Tip: Sautéing grated or matchstick ginger in a little healthy cooking oil at the start of your stir-fry releases its lipid-soluble antioxidants without destroying its beneficial compounds, striking a great balance between maximum flavor and nutrition.
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