Life On A B-I7

All Christians Should Be Liberals

It’s not too hard to figure this one out, except this is not the norm — in far too many cases.

Why?

If you take a close look at political leaders on the right what you see is a manifesto that leverages sexism, racism, and homophobia in order to garner votes. This is a great way to appeal to the baser instincts in people, but is this really the way Christians should be looking at their fellow humans. After all, who can possible argue against the statement that Christ is likely the greatest liberal in all of human history? (At least that I know of in the Western World.) There shouldn’t bet a difference between religion and politics when it comes to ethics or morals. That is where I think things tend to get confusing for a lot of religious people. My notion of the two is tightly woven. If your theology is not a guiding light for your politics, then you are missing the religious points that Christianity wants you to incorporate into your life. To put it simply, you can’t go to Church on Sunday and be a bigot Monday through Saturday, nor can you be the sort of religious person that ignores the plight of your fellow human.

Crazier Than I Am

Donald Trump is losing his mind. It would be a wonderful day indeed if his enablers woke up and banded together to have him impeached. Better yet, impeached and committed.

Why do I waste my time writing fantasy?

Because it makes me feel better.

Nobel Peace Prize

The announcement of this year’s winner of the Nobel Peace Prize having been awarded to someone other than Donald Trump is a genuine relief. He has campaigned aggressively for the award but despite his almost constant argument, the committee awarded the prize to Maria Corina Machado of Venezuela. What makes the committee’s decision even more satisfying to those of us that think Mr. Trump is the last person on earth to have earned the award, is the fact that Machado has worked tirelessly for democracy in Venezuela against it’s authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro. No small hint of irony there, since Donald has worked tirelessly himself to move the United States in that same direction. The United Sates today resembles Venezuela more than it resembles it’s former self before the uniquely under-qualified and overblown king of bragging and whining. took office. (That name, a good one, was taken from a New York Times article.)

What To Publish?

These are the choices Austin Kleon makes when determining what to publish in his newsletter.

I take a slightly different approach.

Is it useful or interesting?

Yes: Share It,

No: Share It,

I Don’t Know: Share It.

Anxious or Bewildered

I get anxious when I see a teenager on an electric bike. Anxious might be too strong a word, bewildered might be better. I realize there are two types of electric bikes, pedal assist and full electric, I’m talking about both, but particularly the full electric. Electric bikes are for old people with arthritis. When I see a teenager ride by without having to exert energy to move, and move rapidly it should be noted, it gives me pause. By giving kids electric bikes we aren’t giving, we are taking away. I know this makes me sound old. I realize the cat is out of the bag and there is no going back when it comes to electric bikes, but there is still a part of me that thinks kids on electric bikes are missing out on something very important. A sense of self-reliance. A sense of putting effort into “getting somewhere.” I can’t help but think this will have an impact on other aspects of their lives once they become adults. We shall see.

Why Not?

Shhhhhhh…

I have a new goal. I want to be the oldest person to ride a bicycle across the United States. It looks like the current record is 85 years old. It will be a couple of years before I can challenge that record. (About 12 to be exact.) But why not have a goal? I’ll keep you posted here on my progress from time-to-time. Right now I’m recovering from a torn meniscus. Playing Pickleball is something I’m going to have to monitor closely if I want to have the legs 12 years from now to accomplish this goal.

The Cat is No Dummy

He leads me wherever he needs me to be. That is primarily two places, the back door or his food dish. I keep the back door closed and his food dish picked up because I find the game amusing. He will get my attention with a concentrated stare, or if he is close enough he will nuzzle me or gently paw me. He started out using his claws to paw me but I have since taught him to paw gently without using his claws, another sign of his intelligence. Anyway, I’ll stop what I’m doing and he will lead me in the direction he wants me to go. I will hold his tail while we walk to his dish or the back door. He doesn’t mind. He knows I’m following him without his having to look back. Just to make things a bit more interesting, occasionally I will let go of his tail and head off into another room. I’m sure he finds this a bit annoying but he doesn’t let on, he’ll just come find me and start the entire process over again. He probably knows I’m messing with him and simply takes it in stride. Another sign of his intelligence.

Overland Prep List

Graciously provided by Ellie. (No doubt with help from someone that is tired of watching me fumble around.)

• Fill fuel RotoPaks with high-test
• Fill propane containers
• Fill water RotoPaks
• Fill trailer water tank
• Buy case of water bottles
• Yeti power pack
• Electric blanket
• Bring fully charged handheld radios. (Future: install a hardwire radio.)
• IPAs for six days (or however long we will be out)
• Rye Whiskey (Amaro Averna for Manhattans optional)
• Freeze large ice cubes
• Ignik Fire Box
• Tools
• Spatula, both soft and a scraper style

Note: AluBoxes should be dedicated to specific uses.

Congratulations

Congratulations on your baby soon-to-be. You are going to be a wonderful mother. I remember when you were a baby yourself. Watching you grow up has been a privilege for me and I could not be more proud of you. I am looking forward to seeing your little one grow up to be just like mom!

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 79

Keep away from bad people. That is a complicated statement. You’ll know bad when you see it if you are consciously trying to be good. In every case, judge your own behavior first. That will show you the right path. If you find yourself being nice to someone’s face then speaking ill of them later when they are not in your presence, you have work to do.

Friendly or Polite or Both

I live in Redmond Oregon. The number of people here that call me “Sir” is amazing. I came from Seattle. It could be my imagination, but people here are more polite, not to mention more friendly. I like that. There’s nothing wrong with Seattle, but I don’t want to move back there. I like it here. I like people calling me sir. Of course it could be my age. It could be they see an old person and they feel it’s their obligation to use that moniker. Even that is saying something positive. Bottom line, for my money people here are both friendly and polite and I really appreciate that.

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 78

Every person you meet every day is an opportunity for kindness. Seeking to be kind to and understand that person benefits both of you. The attempt at kindness leaves you better off regardless of the outcome. The benefit to be obtained is not dependent on the other person’s response.

Retribution

It’s consoling in a morbid way that Trump, instead of governing, has shifted his focus of late to retribution against has (many) perceived enemies. It means he is concerned about the outcome of the mid-terms and he has decided to get his licks in while he still can… with luck before he is impeached… again.

On a separate note, if the Governor of Illinois and the Mayor of Chicago are actually “locked up,” it will be the end of Democracy in America. Look for the Governor to be a candidate on the Democratic Ticket in 2028.

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 77

Don’t be afraid to share your wisdom and insight with others. Friends or strangers, makes no difference. Remember though, your behavior is a better teacher than words. If your words are not backed up by your behavior, you should think twice about sharing them. If you possess some wisdom or some insight, you are obligated to share it if someone is in need of that, but sharing does not mean forcing that upon others.

An Open Letter

Dear Mike,

You are one sneaky S.O.B. You do not provide a contact form on your legislative website, you only accept contact by email, and then only if the respondent first provides a zip +4 for validation.

On another note, if you are counting on God to forgive you for your servitude to someone as corrupt as the earthly master you have chosen to serve, you are in for a surprise on the day of reckoning. You do believe in a day of reckoning don’t you? You give every indication that you do by your pious and self-righteous demeanor…

As evidence of your corruption, you’ve kept your caucus out of Washington DC so they don’t have to answer questions from Democrats or the press. You’ve also told your caucus not to hold meetings in their home districts because you don’t want them to have to answer questions from their constituents. What part of responsible government, don’t you understand? If the means can’t be justified then neither can ends.

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 76

Supreme Court Justice, Oliver Wendell Holmes once said “Evan a dog distinguishes between being stumbled over and being kicked.” The good person doesn’t leap to a hasty judgment. Be tolerant in your view of other people’s actions. Look for the facts behind their actions before you rush to judgement. Before you assume you’ve been kicked.

Self-Betrayal

If you go along with an untruth, an untruth that is apparent to all reasonable people, and you do so out of fear that disagreeing with that untruth will reflect poorly on you in the eyes of someone you admire or want to ingratiate yourself with, you are committing an act of self-betrayal. Anyone who expects you to behave in this manner is a tyrant.

I think you know what I’m talking about…

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 75

If someone is irritating you don’t expect the situation to become magically better. It falls upon you to take action. Tell them what it is they should be doing differently. If you choose not to engage with them, then your best choice is to let the situation rest avoiding any further anguish on your part.

You have three choices: engage, be angry, or dismiss. The best option is to engage. If you’re not comfortable with that option, then you should dismiss. Getting angry is bad for your soul and does nothing to change the situation.

ALCS Game 2

Mariners vs. Blue Jays in Toronto ALCS Game 2

Mariners Pitching

Blue Jays Pitching

Play by Play

Mariners 1st

• Arozarena leadoff walk
• Cal Raleigh walk
• Rodriguex three run homer
• Naylor single up the middle
• Naylor steals second standing up
• Canzone strikes out

Blue Jays 1st

• Springer doubles
• Lukes E3 Springer to 3rd Lukes to 2nd
• 6-3 Lukes to 3rd
• Barger strikes out
• Kirk singles to right center Lukes scores

Mariners 2nd

• Robles F9
• Crawford F6
• Arozarena strikes out looking

Blue Jays 2nd

• Clement singles into short center
• Schneider 3U Clement to 2nd
• Gimenez 3-1 Clement to 3rd
• Springer (third strike not called) Walks
• Lukes singles to right, run scores, Springer to 3rd
• Guerrero 4-3

Mariners 3rd

• Raleigh F9
• Rodriguez walk
• Polanco FC 4-6
• Naylor single to enter Polanco to 3rd
• Suarez F8 (diving catch)

Blue Jays 3rd

• Barger 4-3 (first batter out, good)
• Kirk F9
• Varsho K

Mariners 4th

• Canzone 4-3
• Robles F8
• Crawford F9

Blue Jays 4th

• Bazardo in for Gilbert
• Clement 2-3 (very close)
• Schneider KO
• Gimenez F7

Mariners 5th

• Arozarena E4 takes second on throw out of play
• Raleigh intentionally walked (tremendious respect)
• Rodriguez KO (fastball)
• Polanco HOME RUN 3 RBIs
• Naylor K
• Suarez KO

Blue Jays 5th

• Springer 3-1 (great diving stop by Naylor, Springer gave him a pat as he ran by)
• Lukes base hit to right center
• Guerrero 1-3 Lukes to 2nd
• Barger 1-3

Mariners 6th

• Garver TRiPLE off the wall in left center
• Robles 5-3
• Rivas pinch running for Garver
• Crawford singles to left scores Rivas from third
• Arozarena K
• Raleigh K

Blue Jays 6th

• Kirk 4-3
• Varsho F9 (the park held it)
• Clement F8

Mariners 7th

• Rodriguez KO
• Polanco single to right
• Naylor HOME RUN 2 RBIs
• Suarez walk
• Rivas walk
• Robles walk BASES LOADED ONE OUT
• Crawford F8 RBI
• Arozarena K

Blue Jays 7th

• Clement 6-3
• Gimenez reaches
• Springer F9
• Lukes K

Mariners 8th

• Raleigh F5
• Rodriguez K
• Polanco F2

Blue Jays 8th

• Guerrero walk
• Barger F7
• Kirk walk
• Varsho F9
• Clement F8

Mariners 9th

• Mastrobuoni KO
• Suarez single to right
• Rivas F9
• Robles K

Blue Jays 9th

• Schneider walk
• Gimenez K
• Springer 5-4-3 game ending double play

Game Summary

The Umpire was very tight with his strike zone. The Mariners WANT another shot at Los Angeles after the season ending sweep by LA. Does pitching win pennants or does hitting? Today proved that it’s both, but you HAVE to have pitching. Taking the first two games of the series gives the Mariners an 89% chance of taking the series. Seven Blue Jays pitchers is a lot. Hancock looked shaky in the last two innings but he got the job done. The story was Mariners pitching and hitting combined.

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 74

It is better to heal yourself than to seek revenge. Healing is not always easy, but rest assured it is good for your soul and will make you a happier and more content person.

How sad it is that we have a leader that epitomizes the tragedy of seeking revenge. Tragic for him who is seeking, and also tragic for those who are his targets.

It amazes me that the leaders around him, those that support him in particular, don’t see the importance of this life lesson and are not expressing outwardly how wrong this attitude is for all concerned. Tragic as well how many of those that voted for him are blind to this reality.

ALCS Game 1

Mariners vs. Blue Jays ALCS Game 1. This is my simplified score card. I like it better than an official score book version of the game because I can better describe and save the highlights of the game. That’s what really matters to me anyway.

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 73

“If all you do today is pause, breathe, and show up with kindness… that’s a beautiful start.”

Back on the Bike

I’m back on the bike after a long hiatus. I’m not at liberty to say how long, but let me say that if I did tell you, I would be embarrassed. I had forgotten how good riding feels. It wasn’t my favorite sort of ride. It was a combination of road and gravel riding, about 10 miles on each surface for a total of just over 20 miles. I rode about 16 miles in the previous three days, so that was a fair jump in output. I have to confess, I did the 20 miler on an electric mountain bike, I wouldn’t have been able to keep up with the 30 somethings on the ride if I had tried to do it under my own power. It still felt good. I got kudos on Strava from one of the boys after finishing. That was gratifying. Will I keep riding? You bet. I want to be in shape come spring to do another Trans Am, number three. You heard it here first. Now I am committed. It won’t be easy, besides getting into shape, I need to recover from a torn meniscus. I’m progressing with that, it’s starting to feel better, so that is encouraging.

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 72

Don’t preface your remarks to someone with phrases like “I’m going to be honest with you,” or “No disrespect intended.” When you do that you are calling into question the honesty of all your statements. Just put your thoughts out there and let them take on the life they were intended to have. Let your comments be as permanent as your tattoos. (Maybe that’s why I got a couple of tattoos…)

Red vs. Blue Part Deux

See Journal Entry on 10/9

I think the reason there are people that want to take the country back to the previous century, is simply because they don’t have the capacity to deal with modern society’s complexity. It’s ironic because the leaders implementing this transformation are not dumb. They are the opposite of dumb in fact, but there is a vital part of their capacity to deal with the complexity of modern society that is simply missing from their intellectual makeup.

Oversimplification? Perhaps. Give me a better answer… please…