"Run for the hills"

This song was recently a header for a talk show I listen to on the radio. It is a sports show and this song as played by this sports show today has nothing to do with politics, but could easily apply to today's politics.

Whenever Mitt Romney speaks or makes any presentation, I cannot see him as president of this country. I am not impressed with the fact that he is a multimillionaire, with wealth I can only dream of.

I am sure he made money the "old-fashioned way." But in its truest sense, he did not earn it from scratch, but like many multimillionaires, or billionaires, he inherited it. It is nice to hit the proverbial "home run" in life. But when you start at third base, it ruins the accomplishment.

I think that to be a corporate lion is commendable, but does not translate into being a good president. But most if not all of the past presidents have been wealthy. And some of them have been phenomenal presidents. I think the best example is John F. Kennedy. The Kennedys are incredibly wealthy. That notwithstanding, John F. Kennedy had a heart for poor people and made it his mission to assist the less fortunate.

Now, as most people know, John F. Kennedy was no saint. He was far from being loyal to his wife. His extramarital affairs/1 nighters with women on a worldwide scale have been well documented. But these kind of shenanigans do not take away from the fact that he took care of many of the underprivileged in society.

I have always been proud of being an American, I never want to be ashamed of our president on the worldwide stage. I look to past presidents, some who are not the most glamorous, or shine with great public speaking, but very few, if any, that are shameful. Let us please not start with this election. And that is all I am gonna say about that.

One for the road, "He had the snake, the size of a sewer pipe living in his rib cage, and I felt like a pickled priest who was being flambéd."

Jimmy

A mind is a terrible thing to waste.

There are many ways to waste the mind. One is to fall victim to propaganda and commercialization. This includes excessive exposure to television and radio, while abstaining from reading. 
This also includes free thinking and imagination. Similar to being a communist regime where people are controlled by one the common theme, to serve their country and/or leader.

Sometimes people feel locked into a common movement for political party, even in a socialist regime. It can be argued that this is happening in this country which is supposedly purely capitalistic.

Even worse, one can waste their mind by simply not using it. Not thinking, being controlled 100% by forces outside their control. People who are not trying to tune people out by ignoring them, people who are just tuned out themselves.

One for the road, "Comatose yet walking still."

Jimmy

The closer

It never bothers me when people are arrogant, especially when they can back it up. This is most impressive because their arrogance sets the bar very high, and that notwithstanding , they succeed.

These people often make reference to themselves in the third person. For example, I applaud Rickey Henderson, the baseball player who used to play for the Oakland Athletics, and the New York Yankees. He often told the first baseman that he would be stealing second base, "Ricky is going to steal second base, and there is nothing you can do to stop Ricky."

Another example is when a surgeon has "the God complex." When a skilled surgeon thinks of himself as the savior, saving a person who is dying and facing fatal conditions. Now this level of arrogance is certainly an increase from the former level. 

The surgeon has to have this sort of confidence to be able to succeed under immense pressure.  Most would want that surgeon to be operating on them irrespective of his confidence level.

Similarly, for that matter, most would want the aforementioned baseball player. Some athletes exhibit confidence without overtly showing it.

For example, Lebron James does not brag about his skills. It is obvious that he is a superhuman basketball player, undoubtedly he knows it, and all he has to do is do it, which he does. Kobe Bryant is another example of someone who just does it without talking about it.  He is known as one of the most foremost closers in the entire NBA .

But actually, we are not on the basketball court, and we cannot hear what they are saying to each other. Many former professional basketball players said that Larry Bird talked the most smack, and the public never knew.

Confidence can be an asset, but one must hone it.

One for the road, "The killer awoke before dawn, he had his boots on."

Jimmy

The Seeker

As I often do, when I have a spare moment, I will let my consciousness stream freely and use Google to lead me in the direction I want to go. I am always fascinated by how this program can cover almost every train of thought, inquiry, and subject. I try to push it to the limit and see how it responds. More often than not, it takes me in the direction I want to go.

I am also intrigued as to what others are seeking to find.

My nephew is learning how to play chess. He came to me to ask me how to play.  Of course I tried to help, but I had not played for nearly 20 years. What I did not tell him, was that I was not a very good player, and forgot the basics of the game. I quickly consulted Google and looked it up to refresh my memory.

I quickly revert to backgammon, more my speed. Much less intellect required. Challenging, but on a lower level. 

One for the road, "A rose is a rose, but a cigar is a good smoke."

Jimmy

Weary, feeling small...

I went on Google to try to find the famous Simon and Garfunkel concert in Central Park in New York City. I have always appreciated their music together.

To go to their concert today would be very costly, and they are well past their prime. Out of those two, I would more likely want to hear Art Garfunkel, but his voice can never attain the levels he once did.

I want to keep my pristine image of the band in its heyday. I always enjoyed the range of Garfunkel singing songs, particularly "Bridge over Troubled Water."

I guess I would enjoy the other songs that are timeless. It is just not worth it for me. The major obstacle is the price of the ticket, especially in light of the loss of quality with their aging.

One for the road, "And a rock feels no pain, and an island never cries."

Jimmy

Midnight express

I was perusing through a few movies that I have seen in the past. I was looking for a movie that would really bring out feelings and lasting impressions. I decided to revisit, "Midnight Express."

I would highly suggest that if you have not seen this movie, to see it.
I will not give away any of the details, but I believe the movie came out in 1978. All I can say it is a bad idea to try to smuggle hashish out of Istanbul, Turkey.

It was Oliver Stone's directorial debut. It was a small budget film, that was nominated for many Academy Awards, most notably best picture. I also know that the Turks welcomed him with open arms, but after filming commenced prior to the finish, he was kicked out of Turkey, and finished the movie in Malta.


Now, I do not believe in disrespecting or denigrating the laws of another country. But I do believe that the punishment should be commensurate with the crime. In this case, it was not. William Hayes, rest his soul, found out the hard way, but nonetheless…

One for the road,
"You be cool for twenty hours and I'll pay you twenty grand..."

Jimmy

Trapped

There are times when people are trapped, cornered into the position where there is little place to move. It gets to a point where there is no movement, not even lateral movement.

Often people feel they are trapped at their position or particular job. There is no room for them to continue to reach higher levels. But what I am talking about is the more basic inability to move. At least the aforementioned can actually go to work and get out into a working environment.

What I am referring to are those who cannot, literally move or integrate with the community. They are confined to their space where they live. After all while, they no longer feel like doing anything.

What is especially disappointing is when that circumstance happens randomly. One becomes a victim of their environment, sickness, or mental health. In those situations, they are unable to physically and/or mentally move on.

On its most basic level, one feels like they are in a straitjacket with nowhere to go. I never pass judgment on those who are in that position. Often I see it in the eyes of the homeless, or prisoners, or sick people at the hospital. Passing greetings or a smile gets them through the moment. Sometimes it lasts longer.

My heart bleeds for these people. But in reality, that position, could happen to anyone in a heartbeat.

Once the road, "Love lost, such a cost, brings me things that might get lost going home to you."

Jimmy