Compilation of short MORNING THOUGHTS.

Previously posted on my Facebook Page.

Before the pandemic, it was already hard to meet new friends in person. We are bombastically “connected” via the internet--but we are also wallowing in utter disconnect. The more “transparent” we could be, the more we ignite mistrust, doubt, and awkward distance from others. Hateful divides aided by politics worsen reaching-out. Then comes Covid-19. When these blow over, add fear of catching the virus to our paranoia. But I still wanna see you in person, uh huh. 👈👽👉

Children now, adults later. Children’s world, adult world. Children should frolic with life the way an evolving mind naturally does, with adult guidance—not control or imposition. This is their world, not ours. Our reality—pains, joys, failures, victories—isn’t necessarily theirs. Our politics as well as our religion aren’t theirs. I had many childhood “frolic” that I outgrew. Examples: Cowboys & Indians, John Wayne, and “Combat!” Yet I evolved into an anti-war activist. 👶👧👴

I know, I know. LOL! I am not good at (romantic) relationships. But I was raised by women. Goodness guidance, martial discipline, financial fundamentals. Women rule the household roost. For example, in these pandemic times when 10 from my immediate family got hit, and recovered, from Covid—women took charge. A niece is currently ill of lupus and now at the ICU. Women or the eldest sister lead ways to work things out. Men basically follow. No problem. We heed. 

       Sure, there are delinquencies and misbehaviors but Women as focal power in the household is a cultural fact in the Philippines. In fact, this isn’t even a subject for discussion. We just live that way. I live that way. Until I got enmeshed in the surreal complexities of love. LOL! That discussion requires elaboration. 👩‍🦰👩‍🦱👩‍🦳

In my most virulent years as a Leftist activist, I was also a huge fan of rock musicians, writers, artists, and Hollywood personalities whose (party) politics didn't necessarily share mine. Charlton Heston, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Lynyrd Skynyrd etcetera. I enjoy their art per se but I am not interested in their other selves beyond their work. Hence, I find it weird and whacked that each time a known person reveals what he/she had for dinner, things “change.”☮️☯️☮️

Racism is not discussed as frequently by those who are victimized or ridiculed by it. Racism could be juvenile light or monstrously evil. When others view me as less literate, dumb or clueless of what’s going in outside of the islands, that is subtle racism. Tolerable. Racism that is pure evil is physical violence, and trade “subjugation” by rich nations over poor nations on bilateral talks table. Those, we should fix. But the ignorant snide? I just shrugged it off. ☮️☯️☮️

Finished the Spanish series “Money Heist.” The story is fantastic; hard to happen. But somehow it makes many viewers feel good. Fast-paced riff and operatic melodrama. And the finale nailed it! GDP growth rate is good. But economic “goodness” mostly serves the 1 Percent, not the majority. The Spanish title of the series is: “La Casa de Papel” or the house of paper, or gold. But it's all paper, all brass. A complex web of economic trickery that benefits the elite. 📺💰📺

Huge fan of Neil Young. I am. But two songs are outta my playlist: [1] “Rockin' in the Free World.” Freedom to say whatever? I now credit that song to Rick Astley. [2] “The Needle and the Damage Done.” We gotta think first before we give in to whatever just because it is pitched as feel-good stuff? Nikki Sixx is more credible. Meantime, I am playing “Looking Forward,” much better. “I'm going to live / Like a free-roamin' soul / On the highway of our love.” 🎸🎼🎸

Neil Young, Joni Mitchell. Eric Clapton, Van Morrison. On two opposing sides of the vaccination caterwaul. Meantime, most rock legends—who sold their back catalogue to Big Profit for $millions$--should lessen the rants that only divide the people. Instead, why not do another Band Aid initiative? With or without vaccines, 6 million people die in Africa annually from various deadly diseases. I mean, Mr Young sold his songs to investment firm Hipgnosis for $150 million. He got moolah. 

       As I type this, only 4 percent of Sub Saharan Africa are Covid-vaccinated. It’s not because they don’t want to. You know why. They are Planet Earth’s poorest. So while the world’s superpowers are busy with the Ukraine Drama, why don’t Neil, Joni, Eric, Van and others do the pro-active gig and help those who really NEED help? 🎼🐈🎼

My professional writing years were uncomplicated: Wrote, filed, got printed, went home. Day after day. Weird to engage readers after submission of story. Like how it is on Social Media where eerie, rude comments are the thingy. Mental energy, valuable time wasted. There is a feature on Facebook that limits comments to your Page, only those who are grown up enough to talk can comment. Click it and have peace of mind. Meantime, keep on writing/posting.

       Writing per se calms me down. Responding to people as old as I am (or older) with 3-year old brain cells isn’t something that I am excited to do, ever. I am not raising kids anymore. Read me or you don’t, stay or leave. But I still write. ✍️🖐✍️

Errands with Marta The Nicer. My regular programming will be adjusted a bit because I am mobile. Huge thing that gets my brain cells hot and active: Ukraine Drama Redux played up as “Defend Ukraine” though it is pretty much “Defend Big Energy interest or sell the natural gas” issue. This is how brilliant superpowers negotiate profit, they do the macho chess game and push some (trade) pressure points. And humanity outside of Ukraine, watching via our gadgets, buys into it. ?⛽️🚙

Compilation of short MORNING THOUGHTS.

Previously posted on my Facebook Page.

For an hour, I read my Homepage before getting up. Know what others are thinking. The young exude darkness that is mostly personal. Family and relationships. Meanwhile, the majority of those my age are into juvenile fun like memes and videos. Though the “old” are divided in two: Those who click/share silliness that they’d normally castigate the young about; and those who post long discourses about life, politics, and correct way of eating ramens. Young and old are one on the subject of dogs. 📱👇📲

When a TV series or movie “moralizes,” it really frustrates me. More so, if the narrative is told on a misleading manner. The 3rd episode of Season 2 of “Ted Lasso” focuses on the soccer team’s corporate sponsor, Dubai Air which is UAE owned. The show claims the UAE pollutes Nigeria. Dubai’s Azur Oil is present in the country but the top three foreign oil giants are operating out there: Netherlands’ Shell, U.S. 's ExxonMobil, and France’s Schlumberger. Can’t the series simply do comedy? ?⛽️📺

Movie clichés? Examples: [1] Smells milk from out of the fridge. [2] Before heading out the door, character stops. There's one more line to say. [3] “Throws up” scene. [4] Covers boobs after lovemaking as though shy that partner sees `em. [5] Exhales while in the shower. [6] Runs to the airport before sweetheart boards in only to realize she didn’t. Turn around, boom! [7] Jason Voorhees drags himself to catch a victim who runs fast, on Nikes. But Jason still gets her in 3 seconds! 🎬🎭🎬

Whenever a famous person dies, we adorn our Page with adulation, superlatives, good stuff. That’s cool! Just thinking, while Social Media or other platforms offer us accessible and worldwide-reaching tools to “publish” whatever we are thinking, why not also post tributes to unknowns. Like our kin, friends, or people we’ve heard did admirable deeds as well. A “nobody” person need not die via OD, shot by a cop, or choked on 15 hotdogs to deserve Respect as they leave Life. 👍👍👍

Like many, my family also wrestles with Covid-19. Eight of us were hit but recovered fast. In between: A Dengue fever hit and lupus recurrence. Challenges. Fact of life. Meantime, energy spent on “pandemic as a political/partisanship” dartboard doesn’t help any. Yet flawed leadership amidst crisis is also a fact of life. But while waiting for good government and the end of scourge, let’s chill. Life doesn’t say all fours on rock `n roll ain’t fun over our Left or Right. 👈🎸👉

A lesson in peaceful intervention was displayed by Steven Adams of Memphis Grizzlies in last night’s game vs Chicago Bulls. Mr Adams took matters into his own burly arms, literally, after Bulls center Tony Bradley rammed a hard foul on Grizzlies’ Ja Morant. Before the silliness evolved into a real fight, the 6’11’ Adams carried—yes CARRIED—the 6’10” 248-pound Bradley away. No, he ain’t Jason Momoa’s bro. But New Zealander Steven is the real Aquaman! 🏀🤣🏀

Unfriending people that we engage/d in silly arguments is reasonable enough. But what is the sense in unfriending those that we don’t even talk to? Because what they post is contrary to what we believe in? Then I’d be unfriending 15-20 people each day, LOL! “Friend” only those who “thumbs-up” my guts? Nope. I learn from those who don’t share my truths. So let it rip but I don’t need to rant back. Yet I’d like to know what you’re thinking. My Page is public; not a cult. 

       I don’t get it why some type up, “Don’t who voted for Mr Bean, get out of my Page!” Or “Those who are unvaxxed, get lost!” You don’t even talk to them. Let `em rock as you rock out yourself! LOL! 👍🤖👎

Social Media reveals the dark, silly and “juvenile” aspects of our character that we’d normally “hide” before there was Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok etcetera. I mean, we as adults or middle-aged grownups. Going through memes 24/7, especially those posted/shared by people my age or older, many are meant to insult or ridicule the “other side.” They meant “funny,” of course. But funny can be offensive to many. We know those. We are old. Just saying. 🤪💻😂

Many say they are leaving or taking a break from Facebook. I understand. I tried as well. In vain. Unless I am kicked out or Facebook shuts down for good, I am here. Active. It keeps my sanity on “even ground.” I post as I write as I breathe. It doesn’t matter if I get 2 likes or 200 likes or none. FB is my exhale. But I also do a lot of “in-betweens.” As long as I “facebook” (verb) in a structured manner based on a daily timeframe, I am good as I am still here. 

       Being away from home-country and family, Facebook offers me an accessible and convenient device, 24/7, to get “connected” with comfort zones and emotional lifelines. And I always enjoy knowing what others think and feel, even before internet days—hence I evolved into a journalist/writer. As long as my daily routine/ritual and OCD madness (for my other life’s “fixes”) isn’t derailed by senseless chats/arguments in here, I am good. I think I am doing fine avoiding immature debates here so far. 🤪💻😂

News TV that is all partisan political angling. No straight-up news. When News is “discussed,” it’s blatant Democrat or Republican. What irks me are the juvenile-styled insults and streetside ridiculing. This morning, I tried to tune in Headline News, CNN bud but “less-CNN,” you know what I mean? But anchor Robin Meade looked sleepy, exhausted, or sick. So I got lazier watching, with Arrow and Cyd. Arrow insisted on switching to the Animal Channel instead, her favorite. 📺😴📺

More Spam Tales, and other stuff.

Previously posted on my Facebook page. Or written years ago, unedited/not updated.

MORE SPAM TALES. The subject matter says, “What have you cooked lately?” From someone with only a first name, that is also the first name of one of my daughters. So I clicked. Someone was selling me pot (I mean, Le Creuset kitchenware), not what you're thinking. [2] A startling email comes in, heading: “What is wrong with your neighbor?” sent by a dude named Alfred. So I thought, maybe a concerned fella who shares my frustration over neighbors who whine a lot when Georgia barks 7 consecutive times 7 times a month, dig? So I clicked. It was a campaign blurb from a politician in my state.

       Days ago, I got an email with a subject that said, “Happy Birthday! How are you these days?” Sent by a (supposedly) lady whose name was an ex's name, right? Oh well, an ex-girlfriend has forgiven my past shenanigans—after 15 years??? So I clicked. It was a spam-pitch to a weekend in a spa/resort in Charleston, 25 percent discount with free volcanic stones (whoa!) and meditation CD by Yanni—if I purchase the offer in two days with a credit card. Damn! I was in Las Vegas?!? LOL!

       An older lady, supposedly a common friend of a number of FB friends (that I know in person), wanted to be friends. So no problem... Internet friends evolve into “outernet” (my word) friends. Then she asked for my email address. No problem. Then she talked about God and a $5 million sitting in a Nigerian bank waiting for me. I immediately unfriended her. I don't need $5 million to support my ramen noodles addiction! LOL! That's too much moolah! 😏😒🤨

I RESPECT those who unfriend “friends” due to differences in choices in presidential candidates, food/eating behavior, ideological preference, religious faith, or March Madness bracketology. But me? I prefer my FB “friends” to be very diverse. Like a Chinese-Italian-Pan American buffet. I dig a marketplace of crisscrossing sensibilities and scrimmages of views—as long as people “speak up” with words rather than spit out one-line or one word snides. Well, wit and intelligence or idiocy and jerkness come not just from my side of the fence—wisdom and coolness as well as dafuqness and stupidity also emanate from the other side or somewhere in the middle. 

       The universe is a world-music open jam. Just because some people don't agree with me—doesn't mean that they are dumb or nincompoops. That is ignorance. Let us try to learn life from people who seem so different from us—and not just from those who sing in our own choir. Dig? 🏛🗽🏛

THERE is a lot of “news” these days that point to other countries and cultures inferring that these people/governments need to clean up their act because our system is much better—instead of in-depth/investigative reportage about local/domestic issues that hit the gut. It's fine to write about international happenings if these somehow revolve around our government's foreign policy and other internal concerns but if we are just going to pick on peoples' ways and lifestyles with the aim to accentuate that they suck and need to behave because we said so, our so-called voice will only fall bounce back at us. 

       If others eat snails dipped on bilimbi sauce so be it, we have our own bizarre foods to enjoy. If others jail people for “mere” spray-painting one's new Buick so be it, we got our own share of dafuq laws to amend. There are so many matters within our fences, basic and important, to cover as media practitioners other than write stories that are more replete with “opinionated” self-righteous yarns than straight info (4 Ws, 1 H). Otherwise, it'd be more sensical for (some of) the current media to just post a damn funny cat video or a Bee Gees song like “Stayin' Alive.” I am talking about me as a Filipino and a resident of America, the Philippines and the US of A. 🙂🙃😎

Compilation of short MORNING THOUGHTS.

Previously posted on my Facebook Page.

Sad. Yesterday: 9/11. Yet not many posted thoughts about it. Most that I read are the usual Trump shaming. How quick the reverb of Jan 6 muted Uvalde or how many know that there have been 314 U.S. mass shootings this year, so far? Inflation is still 8.5 percent. Average inflation between 2016 and 2020: 1.9 percent. Gasoline per gallon is over $3. Same month, 2020: $2.06. Do we care? Anything Trump is the undisputed highlight of media fancy and American primetime. 👈👀👉

I am never extreme. Or either/or kind of dude. I got definite no’s as private thingies but I am basically here and there where stuff and things are essentially cool to the majority. Issues that I don’t agree with don’t prod me to lose friendships. Takes more than those. I eat anything that is called Food. I drink all beers or kinds of alcohol/intoxications with a personal limit. Etcetera. People? Left, Right, Center, wherever. Let’s talk about it. Complete sentences only. 😛🤓😎

Queen Elizabeth has died. She is 96 years old. We age and then we pass away. Amidst all the superlatives, I view Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor as the Queen of Great Britain which colonized, subjugated, and plundered many nations for centuries. In current times, the Royals receive $86 million in annual “sovereign fund” from taxpayers. A fitting legacy would be allotment of at least half of the Windsors’ yearly dough to poor Africa, which they ruled for years.☮️☮️☮️

Facebook posts are mostly about four subjects: (1) Funny, non-political memes. (2) Private/TMI drama. (3) Grownup insight. And (4) Irritating same political dissing as in the last 6 years. The first three are fine with me. Seldom I read #3. But I get overwhelmed by #4. Those snides, asides, crassness etcetera are usually consigned as high school crap/jokes in my time, you know what I mean? But sadly, on Social Media, those shamings are posted by old people, or older than me. 🗣👥🫂

A flawed cultural mindset among Filipinos is defined “colonial mentality.” For example, those who are U.S.-educated think they are smarter than those who studied back home. Or anything “stateside” is the best. A whiter skin, “pointed” nose, taller height, kickass New York (or British) accent means you are “better.” As (former) editor/writer for Fil-Am newspapers in NYC and Los Angeles, I came across this annoying discriminatory attitude among my “kababayans.” 🇵🇭🐓🇵🇭

Annoying bickering politicians are all narcissism gig. Or they are simply telling their PAC benefactors that they haven’t forgotten the quid pro quo? Party supremacy wrestle: Blame Right, diss Left. Bipartisanship is integral in participatory democracy. But then the infighting, headbutting, or juvenile murkthrow have slid louder onto their blocs. Hence, many are confused what’d be the apt policies and/or deserving leadership. So they just refuse to vote at all. 🗣👥🫂

Unless I live in Iran or North Korea—then this “banned books” would be real. Banned books in a county in Tennessee and the entire Florida public school system isn’t “banned books.” There are 50 states and 3,006 counties in the U.S. Cross state lines and purchase a book! What about Amazon or eBay? My question is: Do you really read a book? My issue: Ban the gadget at least 3 hours a day so we are rested from memes and instead read “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy. 📚📚📚

Clearly, climate change is President Biden’s focus—alongside its contradiction, a hawkish foreign policy. Meanwhile, sure we can fix half of the world’s environment but if the other half is “unfixed,” what is the point? We are one Earth. The issue is both complex and linear. Then I point at Ukraine War and the battle for oil. So I question the sincerity. If superpowers end wars instead of pursuing them, then we can indeed stay true with “climate change.” But when?☮️☮️☮️

Memes, not including the obvious funny stuff—are like placards or billboards that howl a protest call or promotes a product. Placards could be cryptic sometimes but mostly straight to the point: Change! Billboards can be subliminal but the point is delivered: Buy! Memes though are different. Whether they are political or business, many are outright lies, distortions, or misleading. Or simply don’t make sense at all. I guess, that’s what we call “influencing.” Or rebranding? 🤨🧐🤪

Unless I decide to carry on a non-sexual friendship with an ex, all my (romantic) relationships in the past—are closed books. No interest in finding out what’s going on with their life and no please don’t talk about me. I sincerely wish them the best. “Moving on” is serious business to me. As Boz Scaggs sang: “Once a story's told / It can't help but grow old.” I do dig “old” but that’d be books by Paul Theroux, movies by Akira Kurosawa, songs by Bee Gees, and wisdom by grandma. ⏰📺☎️

About Dogs and Cats and their Buddies. And Jokes.

Previously posted on my Facebook Page. 

OBEDIENCE Training usually refers to the training of a dog and the term is most commonly used in that context. The training makes an effort to teach the dog to reliably respond to basic verbal commands such as “sit,” “down,” “come,” and “stay.” Good. In case your dog gets smarter than that, and now knows how to google, click a Netflix series, chat with the Amazon delivery person, act as a reliable sous chef, among others–that’s because the cat trained them. 🐕👍🐕

GOOGLE search says dog breeds that are often independent include the sighthounds, some of the spitz breeds, most of the terriers, some of the working dogs, and some others. As per my experience with babedawgs, all of them are independent-minded, especially those who coexist with cats (who are naturally geniuses) under one roof. Thing is, we stereotype dogs like how we stereotype people. Ha! We fail to recognize their true value as Republicans or Democrats. LOL! 🐕🐩🐕‍🦺

ACCORDING to on heterosexual couples, women were more likely to date a man with a dog because he appeared more responsible, empathetic, and caring. Men, get that? Now go adapt a dog at Brother Wolf and hang at Westville Pub’s patio. 👨‍🦰🐕👩‍🦰

NO secret that pets can contribute to your happiness. Studies show that dogs reduce stress, anxiety and depression; ease loneliness; encourage exercise and improve your overall health. For example, people with dogs tend to have lower blood pressure and are less likely to develop heart disease. However, another study revealed that dogs tend to leave the house, with cats, when owners seem unable to shake the political hate. You know what I mean? They can’t cure those. 🐕🥰🐈

MOST dogs were born to be in the spotlight and really love being photographed. Other pups may be less willing to hold still and look at the camera though. Arrow used to love photos when she was young. Not that enthusiastic anymore. When koolcats Ching and Fizz arrived here, and Ching took most attention, Arrow simply gave way to the new rock star, the boss. Fizz doesn’t really care about photos and stuff. She prefers to be alone, mostly. 🐕👑🐕

TYPICAL American alcoholic beers average 4 percent to 5 percent alcohol (ethanol) by volume, but some can be much higher. Beer contains minerals such as magnesium, potassium, selenium, and B vitamins. Get that? B vitamins. B vitamins. 🍺🍻🍺

CANINE drama queens are known as “reactive” dogs. As with human drama queens (and kings), reactive dogs respond in an overly emotional manner to life events―even rather mundane ones. Arrow can be a drama queen, too. When she sees our friend Lucy walking with Brando (her dog) up the hill, Arrow would go “OMG! My friends!!!” When there’s too much noise outside, “OMG! WTF!” When we go for a ride, “OMG! OMG!” Just being Arrow. 🐕😭🐕

EXPERTS say cats secretly hate having their picture taken constantly. You might like to take photos of your cat, but what you might not realize is that your cat might now want your phone in their face 24/7. Not in my years of experience with cats though. (The late) Elle Cyd The Koolcat loved photo-shoots. These days, Fizz may not so high and hot with my cell cam on her face (she is generally aloof) but Ching is always ready for a nice shoot. Whenever, wherever. 🐱📸🐱

STAY-AT-HOME dad is a father who is the main caregiver of the children and is generally the homemaker of the household. I am a stay-at-home dad, pretty much. But to a dog and two cats. Uh huh. 🧓👶🧔‍♂️

The USDA peels or scrubs and washes produce samples before testing, whereas the FDA only removes dirt before testing its samples. Even after these steps, the tests still find traces 251 different pesticides. So don’t give me the damn wellness food lecture. Eat! 🥦⛽️🥬

Compilation of short MORNING THOUGHTS.

Previously posted on my Facebook Page.

A popular meme says if you don’t know how to plant, you will never eat—or something to that effect. Very true in the past. People grew (or raised) their food and then sold the rest. Then life evolved. With the way ideological overreach influences stuff these days? Lab-grown foods and “automated” farmers acting/reacting based on algorithm, and most likely weather will be regulated soon by AI? Those who plant old-school way will be outlawed as guerrillas or rebels. 🌿🪺🪴

So Liz Truss resigned. The U.K., of recent years, is marred with/by awful leadership. Theresa May and Boris Johnson both resigned. Tough in Europe right now, tougher than the U.S. That is why we’d focus more on Trump’s mouth than his 3.6 percent inflation average. Or Biden’s performance, 8.2 inflation rate from double-digit. In so short a time as PM, Liz went from here to there and back. Ineptitude and indecisions as Britain reels from a 13.6 percent inflation. 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

Sports News: “Hornets guard James Bouknight arrested on suspicion of DWI.” How many times do we read news of this sort? Many times. I guess, the 22-year old Jimmy got thorough tongue-lashing from mom? His salary in the NBA is $4,787,804! You don’t earn that moolah even after a PhD. I am not saying that Mr Bouknight’s career is over on his 2nd year. Just saying that’d be a way to ruin your cool job. And he isn’t even near the quality play of a LeBron, Luka, or Zion. ‍👎 🏀 👎

What’s great about streaming TV is cultural diversity. We get to watch movies from other countries beyond Hollywood. Different worldview or takes on life and living. Before Netflix, Hulu etcetera, I used to borrow foreign films on DVDs at public libraries in Asheville: Abbas Kiarostami from Iran, Zhang Yimou from China, Akira Kurosawa from Japan, and many more. These days of streaming, my favorite foreign cinema is Nordic or Scandinavian. Try them. 🎥🎞📽

Former (Asian) NBA star Jeremy Lin is talking. Saying, he felt slighted by racist remarks from fellow pro ball players. I say, that’s how it goes. When Yao Ming was new in the league, he was openly ridiculed by opposing players on the bench. You can see the heckling on your TV screen. Filipinos are mostly mixed like Jordan Clarkson and Jalen Green so they don’t look like Pinoys. They’re fine. I say, that’s just the way it is. BTW, the new season of NBA starts tonight. Fun! ?⛹️‍♂️🏀

My dream last night was disturbingly enlightening and a sort of my life’s figurative gist, sort of. As ever, my night dreams are complete hyper activities, with “real” people (that I know). My dearly departed mother is always in my dreams, alive. Dreams are endlessly fascinating. Fact is, our brain and body stay remarkably active while we are asleep. Sleep is important to a number of brain functions, including how nerve cells neurons communicate with each other. Uh huh. 🥱🛌😴

In the 1970s (to `80s), I used to diligently listen to Casey Kasem’s “American Top 40.” I’d keep a notebook to keep tab of the standings, each week. Then RPM singles got swallowed by CDs; LPs turned into mixtapes. The individual song was gone in favor of the 1,001 sounds in an iPod. I don’t listen to “new” songs that much anymore. Derivatives of the past; heard `em all. Lyricism has lost creative glow. So I still follow Mr Kasem’s list though he’s long been gone. 🎹🎸🎼

Glad that I notice I get less annoying partisan/political shaming posts via the Group site “Suggested for you.” Facebook has already purged them? I am enjoying the Filipino cooking site “Kusinela.” A young lady, barely on her teens, cooks old-school outdoors on firewood. Very refreshing, nostalgic, and educational. I am also hooked on dog videos, especially featuring a wackadoo Chinese dude and his two witty Golden Retrievers. Are those dogs really doing those? LOL! 🥘🐕😂

The thinking that the New Left is Communist—is grossly misinformed. I always hear/read such a clueless assertion. In Communism, most property and economic resources are owned/controlled by the state rather than individual citizens; under Socialism, all citizens share equally in economic resources as allocated by an elected government. I don’t think the Democrats, which are funded by corporate wealth as do the Republicans, propagate those ideals. 🗣👥🫂

Showbiz gimmickry. Madonna posts “I'm Gay!” video. Madonna Louise Ciccone, now 64, has nothing to prove anymore. 1980s decadent confection are over. Yet, I agree, a ride on “correct” wagon these days ups your sales mojo; mere random quip on the contrary will dump your retirement ass in a hell of “shameful” dirt. So what if Madonna is gay, lesbian, and suddenly trans? Madonna is Madonna. But this is the age of Lizzo, Cardi B., and Dua Lipa. Next, please! 😛😜🤪

RECOMMENDED: Music. “Main Course” by Bee Gees.

RECOMMENDED: Music. “Main Course” by Bee Gees. Released in 1975. This album marked a major change for the Bee Gees: From the brothers Gibb’s 1960s confectionary melodicism, “Main Course” goes R&B, soul and funk, which punctuated their 1970s output—leading to “Saturday Night Fever” era disco madness. 

       Architect of this transformation was producer Arif Mardin and engineer Karl Richardson + keyboard player Blue Weaver. Actually, they began crafting this sound, anchored on Barry Gibb’s rich falsetto, in the previous album “Mr. Natural.” The turn proved to be successful and eventually rejuvenated the group's career and public image, particularly in the U.S.

       Sure, many call it disco with a smirk. But the music was essentially rhythm & blues that was technologically current, featuring ample use of synthesizers and dual bass lines. The cut “Wind of Change” is an apt example, interspersed with thick percussion backbeat and horn highlights. “Jive Talkin’” is another showcase of R&B inventiveness. 

       Of course, in this album you still get the obligatory Bee Gees sentimental shimmer via Robin Gibb’s lucid tremolo and Barry’s whispery baritone: “Country Lanes,” “Come on Over,” “Baby As You Turn Away.” The last album that featured Barry’s falsetto, though not dominant but it later on flourished in SNF time’s "You Should Be Dancing" and "Stayin' Alive.” 🎼🎹🎼