Viral Vicissitudes

Space- the new hot commodity  Used to be…space and time  As time has faded … Space took its place - project 2025 is the new 2001...Space Odyssey... As dancing with the stars gave weigh to storage wars… Air-lines are charging more (for) overhead…bins Here come lighter weight times - backpacks… Find you in line...collapsing, water bottles...  Produced at higher volume with larger storage capacity… Watch your overhead - as it can shift, in midflight...ask any politico (fore and aft, the election) (P.S. - almost ran out of space...you can also bring one of those thin space blankets, which are no longer a rite of passage...can’t  say I didn’t warm you) 

House-keepers, and their Master-minds (AI style)  We’ve come to an agreement A meeting of the minds A rearranged household A marriage of convenience  Producing prodigy- Mind-sleepers ("Ah, I'll take it from here") 

Arms and their dealers, healers Is it just, me? That when I heard about the emergence of some new prosthetic devices, that allow an individual to fully function again...many of which lost their appendages due to land mines and other implements, arm-aments, during one of the many modern warfare actions around the globe, that I could not help but wonder what other force might be at play here...and how the so-called balance sheet of one, might what both accountants and war analysts refer to as "bleed into the other..."  Less artificially: "Minerals and their rites" - the next casual observance, of another casualty.  

Pause, for emphasis...parenthetical comments, quote-ations and their marks. Questionable value.  Trade, wars? ("I'll show you our mines, if you...") Hate, crime?  ("So do I, can't think of any I take a liking to") Social, Security? ("I meant In- given all the Trust busters in our House")  Identity, Politics? ("More like Indemnity, make it a double - no one's accountable, zero pay out") Word, docs? ("Doubt it, they're too busy these daze, doing electronic records") Guv Intelligence? ("Well, only of the AI variety, all other cooler minds have been pre-veiled") Un-do Influence?  ("Gonna be hard, given how many Influencers are now, on the scene")

Un-attended, and its consequences Peril-US Parent-less Punctuation: As in the effects, let alone the affect, that might attend, when parents in particular... Don't, DO NOT... Pass Go, or other opportunities...invites to attend, participate, or even volunteer... No Exclusions:   Nor excuses, including when told by your school-age...college bound..."I'm good..."  It's Hysterical: I meant to say, it's history, "in the making..." As in plenty of previous encounters with what's pertinent to the practice of parenting, throughout the almost five decades as a practicing practitioner, myself...  Abdication Nation: And a-parently throughout the entire Westen hemi-sphere...the trend downwards...what's become trendy... Pew! Sounds about right to me, that according to this "nonpartisan fact tank😔" as to the increasing trend of people, adults of child bearing age, whether or not part of a couple, partner-ship, are deciding to forego having child...

Still, dropping wait? "Gimme a brake!" AKA "...to not give some situation or decision pause for any hesitation, concern, or further consideration..." AKA "Jump on it!" AKA "Get it, while it's hot! PS... "Before it's not!" B4 (AKA A-head, of time): Some thoughts I had that, even for an "early riser" may lead to some unrealistic expectations, and set me up for a big fall, out of bed...realizing I may, myself may be infected, after issuing early warnings to some youngsters of our own, that "buying into" all those adds that you can have it...ALL...NOW...may lead to a degree of frustration (if a "Royal Fit"! is any measure)... Hear I am: As in take my own add-vice, I told myself, as I looked out the door, to see what they may have left ("you-know-who") - despite the fact that I had NOT ordered anything..."just checking" I assured her... Early and often: "Anything worth waiting for......

  "All prescient, and other wise accounted for..." Getting re-schooled: As in geo-political, land-mark deals..."I could have told them that the way they were going about this, war settling business, was way off base...they had three years to come to the table and I've been in office for what, lease than three months..."  Dip-lomatic Relations: As in a state of knew-trality..."I don't care who is who from who-knows-where, just looking to see who is offering the best deals, after they've just been spinning their wheels...we'll absorb the cost of rebuilding as long as they allow U.S. to incorporate them, their mineral rights..." Co-Incidental Contact:  Mean-while, across the ocean, then hip-hopping across the DMZ, comes news that that North Korea is now, once again re-opened to Westerners (let alone Southerners) for the first time since the (1918?) pandemic..."How do you account for that, Mr. President?" as asked at the press confere...

Obstacles, of course. On the course... Path-weighs, to (good) citizenship.  Be humble, you'd fumble... Check lists… As in check for yourself and check off the boxes next to the itemized list of qualifications that one must possess, at a minimum, to be considered for full citizenship. So, I get a free pass for having passed the "Minimum Age" requirement, as well as "Permanent Resident Status" (thanks largely to my parents). But here comes the rough portion on the pavement, a curve on the roadway..."Good Moral Character" -- I put a little hash tag next to it, as an item I intend to get back to, after filling out, completing the other requirements. Then comes "English Proficiency" which, for the average American child, based on current tests that sample reading and writing...they'd have to put a ? here. But then, another core, sore subject in our schools, comes "Civics" (101) - in being able, after the examiner has selected just 10...

AI is nigh; give it a try... Anything knew here?  As in artificial ingredients that were introduced to us at our breakfast table and gradually spread to…spreads and stuff. While intelligence came to us in slower and even smaller doses than what we absorbed through our alphabet cereal…So, whose brainy idea was it to combine them in one package…a textile known as soft wear…that curiously gets woven into the hardware, to simulate, imitate, accelerate, our fate… “you’re no longer needed”  Man (and woman) meet machine match: Well, at least in the form of a computer program, one which managed to trick them into an identity crisis…well, at least a situation where the interrogator mixed up who was who…or what, as in the case of the …"Turing test" which came to pass just shortly after the first digital computers came into being and well before the term was coined, but now having earned so much capital, is now capitalized AI.  Not only ushering in an age whereby "machines can use ...

 Presidents and their vices; vices and their chairs.  Re: arrangement: as in historically, when did the person in head of anything start needing someone, to lean on…🎼? After thoughts: come...the vice Presidents...along with their attendants...attendance at...their assigned special projects...and other-wise "they are out...on assignment". I'm keeping them out of harms way, at arm's length...(or whatever "one heartbeat" away from the President represents in air speed), when they fly...the so-called "Johnson Rule" named after the 44th... A has been, hasn't always...been a stepping stone, but more of a "runner-up" (as in who came in second in the Presidential election)..."got to give them something for their efforts" was the line of reasoning, it appears. This, versus an "also ran" or one, a recent exception, who actually never did but got nominated...confused yet? As in, what we went through in our individual develop...

"What, in the hell...?!" Precedence Day Sales, Monopoly Money. When Hell freezes over... an age old saying that has special significance for residents of Hell, Michigan, both before and now, after our home groan football team made it...almost...to the Super bowl... To Hell and back... another saying that has a special place in our Meta-farcical world, but one I experienced as both passenger and driver, as in car and bike, given the proximity to my college... All hell to pay... a saying that has new, updated implications, given this President that is setting precedence in setting up all these new land deals...and given that Hell is still ..."an unincorporated community without legally defined boundaries or population statistics of its own..." That was until now. "Kind of like Hotel California, but cooler...I say buy it..."   

 Pro Russians, Russian  prose..."This land is my...𝆕"  and Cons- the latter being a group of special interest, special interest groups, the ones schooled and hopefully well, experienced in the art, science of negotiations, which could, if brought to a successful conclusion, find these restless "Ruskies" (experienced negotiators are allowed such terms) released back out into what’s termed in hostage and prisoner release rhetoric “general populace”. Another round of negotiations in yet another war zone to complete yet another mother of a campaign promise… Making Connections - dot to dot, forget me knot…as in when was the last time you heard about these meddlesome men... Detectors, defectors, and deflectors...Oldie Garchies!   Sometimes it takes an insider to see outside the lines …”Edward, is the snow done?” And it takes a land grabber, I mean developer with an unlimited budget, a man of imagination... to see the “great expanse” (read "expense") as in Siber...

Ethic Cleansing and its Political Machinery - A two-storial Two machines, two steps: Both of which will be required to clean out, as the present administration points out, the dirt that was spread around by the previous occupants, that was, of course, of EPIC! proportions... Step one: Select a machine that will do the most work and the least harm...a nice combination of cutting down on both personnel and environmental impact, as you prep to wash what in "dirty laundry" is also termed, your more personal affects..."they tried me and tried me once again...dirty rotten...$#*&!!" Step one, not quite done: select a deter-gent with the most deterrence, the one that through modern chemistry have been shown to not only make the articles you are trying to cleanse "Spic and Span" both at once, but also keep the legal beagles at bay, provide a pleasant scent that will take them off the hunt... Step 2: (while it's even it comes out a bit odd) - Select "ag...

 Hallmarks of Love, Cupid couplets… Out of the mouths of babes… “While candy is still dandy (sugar free, sans Aspartame) … Money is still like honey (counting for inflation and gift cards only, given cash has gotten cold)... And a special flower (hypoallergenic variety) still has power… So...when all has been said and done… By the looks on their (nonagenarian) faces, the bliss you can’t miss… “When words no longer suffice, take our advice… Never fall out of love at the same time” ?!?!  While probably not found in a Valentine's Day card, here it is... A love bird’s rhyme... Cherish the time. 

 Sum of these, one of DOGE: Elon and his X’s… A pre-cautionary… Primer on privy… What one thinks they know, another already knew, about you… No-Bell - need a Hint-on...physics and its laureates, one of whom who tells us don't rest on our... laurels...what they in the field of AI achieved. If this pioneer is Oh-pining away, about the "potential dangers, pitfalls..." what can the rest of us expect? Should it not serve as a hair raising harbinger... AI is nigh, as in closer than you even think... In your head, before you even get out of bed. In the hands of a few, could put us all into, or even kick us out.. As in off "Jeopardy!" As in "OK Mr. Smarty Pants..." "Watson" was it's code name but I like this term of endearment better…so you think you can out think Mr. Jennings? Walked away with a cool million...and eventually, returning in the Tournaments of Champions...and then took over the whole show...   Your Host is toast...an indicator this...

"Steel yourselves" Tarrifying news: And its message, essentially. Is to "Ready yourselves for some unpleasant trees..." at least the artificial variety, especially those containing a certain, YTBD amount of steel... Skip the coin flip: "It's a HUGE waste of time!" (as in this Bowl build-up) This after US all being "nickel and dimed" to death. Another term for price gouging (ticket scalpers and company), but also what these reductionists seem to have in mind, by revamping the money tree, first ridding U.S. from those so-called "pretty pennies" and the things that are so costly that they curiously become associated with them...along with "don't take any wooden nickels" (which ushered in the age of bit coins as well as chipped teeth), as a cautionary strategy and finally, a throwback to "brother, can you spare a dime?" as a plea from the smallest but more valued coin, that are most easily lost, in the process......

 Just a hint of mint, punny money. Only makes sense…that following my earliest sense-ational experience with the flavor that found favor with us children, whenever we visited “Nana” - ever present and plentiful- as in bowls full, in a few appointed places that were just within our reach, that somehow did not “ruin your appetite” (parental guidance that was not always readily available at our grandparents home) - and followed, on occasion, if we cleaned our plates (one way or the other) we were afforded an “after dinner” one. Both types of which leaned towards either pepper- or winter- (no matter the season there was always a reason). And as times progressed, so did we, as in curiously, going from the solid, to consuming a liquid variety, in order to either freshen or cover up, something else we had discovered, along the way...All the way to where we find ourselves. In a time and place, one of ever increasing "independent" voters, that the federal agencies that are in charge o...

SUPER POOPER: I got scammed!   And now, I'm slammed - talk about falling behind! The after affects... Can't win, for losing... "The longer I watched, the more I fell behind...traded chores for bores" Watch parties, tail gators... The ones dragging their tails, into work...finding fingers, wagging in their face... National Holler day... As in "Quit stalling around and get your behind, back to work!" As in not much getting done, as so many busy in the "Occupied" position...   The few not sleeping in the pooper, wandering in a stupor... "I stayed up for this?!"  Return the resolve... "No more going in tired, might end up getting my butt fired..." (at least until March Madness rolls around😁) Company Crackdown: On behalf of those Johnny-come-lately's, and those otherwise late getting to the John... “Access Denied” 😓 Coming back soon: Another post souper bowl post - "RU in Mint Condition?" 

SUPER STUPOR - Bowl you over! affects: Whetting, betting, and vetting.   All about conditioning: Of course it is. That is, the team that's in the best shape, this far into a season, where studies of well-seasoned athletes show are hardly in any condition to get out of bed, let alone, be ready to put on a SUPER DUPER show. You know, the ones that, upon close analysis, the ones that dig behind the scenes, to find out if the "depth charts" lack depth. As in vetting. But..."the show must go on!" as the saying goes, and one that has the makings of a great locker room speech, especially if it's a team that's already bruised and battered, having their proud history at risk, after a dismal first half. Kind of like an underwhelming half-time show we've gotten used to... As for the rest of us: The so-called weekend, or Walmart warriors, that can at least, if not get up and dash the forty like a pro -- a key indicator a scout, scouting the ever-covered "Co...

Ex-tolling Virtues, Duty bound.    Forget about tariffs ...if you will, can, for just a minute (as in "they're on pause, for the moment, until, we can get a better deal..."). You know, the imposition of taxes on goods being brought here to U.S. for our us and enjoyment. Oh, yeah, the specific, exceptional case of all those taxes that this admin. made its brand to bring down. Which they said they saw as part of their sworn duty, to uphold, in terms of the rights of the rest of U.S. AKA... In purse suit of freedoms ...liberty, happiness even. All this while not raising, even lowering taxes, which raised a few eyebrows, as well as campaign contributions (something about "paying it forward...short term pain for...")  Sounds Virtue-US, eh?  With the emphasis on "eh" given the source of future income from the north country, the country to the north whose name, apparently, is about to be changed, absorbed, as in "Incorporated". Oh yeah, forgot to me...

Sight Seer - the ayes! have it (in sight). Setting your sites: As in your travel itinerary, prioritizing what you want/intend on seeing in the limited time, allotted... Visual-eyes: Different versions, dimensions represented in the course of just one interview, regarding what this President has in mind "...who spent little time scrutin-izing...then seeing what the previous administration's view of foreign policy, vapor-ize..."  "Picture this" Sharing the grand, HUGE vision of what might lie ahead, "out there, on the strip..." Does he know something, in terms of what might be developing, as in what the previous Dons had in mind, the first time they imagined, then oversaw the development of the "Sands" (hotel plus casino)...? "Grand Illusion" The seventh album by Styx that was released (know co-incidence) on 7-7-77, which was five years after "Superstition" was released, which represented a "pivotal shift" in Stevi...

  Helping out, checking in: pastoral posturing. Question-able(s): As in..."No matter where, when...I would get asked by Jimmy..."  "What's happening...here, there...?" The four main questions that he, their "personal pastor" would get asked, in a reversal of roles...when he went to visit the former President, even when home, bound… Fearsome, for some's:  "How you been...?   Where, in the world, have you been...?   Who have you been helping...?   How can I help you, help, them...out?"    Exit, the Enter-loper: "Don't be...a stranger...come on back and see us again, y'all..." Lending a hand... even when they, themselves, could barely stand... May we be inspired... by what transpired, never tired, of helping out, even when shut in.   “If it’s not too much to ask...” J.C. could even make a pastor perspire.

  The state of the state of our minds, on bill-boreds. The fix is... having recently returned to our "home, state" we could not help but notice...in some contrast to the ones in other states (four consecutive ones on the same "I" highway) it was a bit rough going (coming home, more accurately) the first few miles as well as entering/exiting our otherwise nicely appointed "Well, Come" center, that what was our outgoing governor's first priority, was a bit under...whelming. As in rough pavement (our car noticed it first)... Speaking of Priorities... time and time again, as in having two out of three senses come alive, after a sustained calm...inundated by billboards featuring three prominent themes, which collectively, we agreed, managed to...   Litter the Land-scape… a visual mis-add-venture, that we did not miss in the slightest ("out of sight..." line) - perhaps a cause Celebre for bringing back the "no littering" ones... Themes, m...

Had your fill, of Phil; Troubled over Tariffs?  Shadow wars: What's in store for You, Me, and U.S. In the short run: "Six of one, half dozen of the other...I'm kind of divided on this..." It's what happens around here, when it's so foggy, overcast that he couldn't make out, weather or not... A man-date: "There will be some short term pain, but long term gain..." Kind of like "Winter, winter, chicken dinner...?"  Market, forces:  When and if Phil meets the Donald...Duck!" 

 A weigh, with words… Anthro-pomorphically speaking - it’s one thing and a whole genre of calling out animals - frequently in response to us in saying silly things to them...”look who's talking” - but quite another to have some thing take on human like… A weighty subject… The queue and eh?, of what the bar-bells would ring in on and the other things that have been otherwise been lying around, would weigh in on, if you'd come and visit your favorite place of fit-ness... Meet you half weigh… A massive, but hopefully very gradual buildup… Followed by an inevitable let-down… “Please let me down easy, does it…" How many times do I have to repeat my-self…notations in rotations...that add up to transfor-mation (maybe) Dropping weight RU? We’ll, don’t drop me while doing so…talk about taking a pounding! Bulking up, on the other hand...arm, bye-ceps...in which case you'll want more weight, less, slow reps...please don't confuse me with those other guys over there, the newfa...

 Take it…to the House! Legislatures and their actions There’s plentiful historical precedent or football players and other athletes becoming active in politics but what about a rule, role reversal …could they tackle such a job? Red zone…offensive -- "You blue it again, you're fired!" Stiffen resolve as in goal line defense...”This bill will not even make it to the House floor!” Then there are all those virtue signalers and their Steelers..."Great comeback, kid" So, yeah, I guess they're...well, equipped for such a campaign and from what I hear and read, there will be plenty of Feds (USFL team that lasted one season, due to its mediocrity, while not lacking in entertainment value) in search of a new team. We could be in for a sequel to "The Replacements" which left me, wanting more...