Signs of Fascism

     Definition: a political philosophy, movement, or regime (such as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition. 

    Sounds like Trump and his supporters to me. They meet the definition. I wonder how many of Trump's supporters are aware enough to see it? They blame Antifa for any violence the Right perpetrates so I'm thinking not many. The ones who stand to make some big bucks if Trump returns to power certainly should know better. But I'm betting the majority of them are ignorant of where that support is taking us as a country. If they knew I'd doubt they would continue to support their former criminal and thief. 

Fear of Flying Signs

     Just got back from visiting with my son and his family in Georgia. Had anxiety attacks throughout both flights there and back. Partially due to wearing a mask for 11 hours straight getting there and 7 hours on the way back (direct) but mostly due to being in that big ol' jet airliner. Who knew I was this scared to fly. I sure didn't. Previous flights caused no were near the level of anxiety that these did although my last was nearly 20 years ago. I'm thinking that I'm much more in touch with my feelings about flying as I'm not in as much denial about those feelings. Becoming aware of and changing my behavior has gradually released many things that I previously buried and among those things were my actual feelings as I made my way through life. Crazy high were the walls that I maintained for too long. It was no fun but it's hard to deal with one's fears when one ignores them. Now I can face them and sort them out. Grateful be I.

Smart Phone Initialized

     So Tuesday I got the phone to work for outgoing calls and messages only. I could also receive messages but not phone calls and when someone called there was nothing on the line. No voice mail, no anything. Spent an hour on the phone and still couldn't get any love. While AT&T was sending me to their techs I was sidetracked by some BS while on hold and lost the connection. That was my last call for Tuesday as I'd reached my limit for profanity free conversation with people who were no help.

    Wednesday I made my final call and after an hour of holding and whatever I was in business. They reset the connection and I've finally joined the smart phone crowd.

    I'd like to thank You Tube for the many videos about how to navigate your new I-Phone 12 and get the most out of your phone. I'm finding them very helpful.

Signs Concerning a Smart Phone Purchase

     So I finally decided to get a smart phone. I've held off but as my home phone is useless in a power outage, I felt it was time. I did a bunch of online research and then began my journey began last Tuesday when I stopped by the T-Mobile store in Ukiah.

    They had the phone I wanted in stock at their warehouse and said it would be in shortly. I left with a sim card and thought we were through. Called them back Thursday to find that the phone was on back order and it would be several weeks before it would arrive. They'd be more than happy to upgrade to a more expensive phone that they had in stock which chapped my hide. Since I couldn't log into my T-Mobile account without my smartphone I was unable to cancel my order online which forced me to drive back to their Ukiah store in order to cancel the whole thing. Verizon was next.

    They had a store in Lakeport so I stopped by to get some quotes and was disappointed to say the least. I went home Thursday evening and started looking at what AT&T had to offer online.

    Decided to give AT&T a shot as I already had an account with them for my current phone and internet. This despite previously horrible interactions with their customer service department, including nearly a month where I was without internet during the holidays. Got someone on their website via phone and 90 minutes later I thought we'd completed the order. One problem during that process was that they were unable to ship the phone to my physical address. You know, the place where my utility lines end. Their wireless department seems to be using a USPS database to confirm shipping addresses and they won't ship to the PO Box that I'm given free due to USPS not delivering mail to our house. They can't seem to wrap their minds around the concept that the address where I get their services isn't in the USPS database. I asked him to look up my address via Google Maps to see that it fucking existed and that Fed-X and UPS delivered here at least once a month but that didn't matter to his software. I was forced to use the UPS Store's address in Lakeport for the phone's destination and my credit card company flagged the transaction and requested that I confirm it. I did that but the order is still on hold. AT&T tells me that it will ship shortly but it's Monday, the transaction hasn't cleared yet (Now I'm worried that they have the billing address wrong) and I'm getting nowhere with customer service. Even called the order department directly and got the same bullshit. The only order that they've confirmed is the one to stop my current phone and increase my internet payment. That's right, I'm keeping my phone number to go wireless with them and their dinging me for shutting my phoneline down to go wireless.....with them. Maybe once I've activated my new phone and combined my accounts (they opened a new one for the wireless order but I can't access it until I activate the phone) that might lower it again but I doubt it. Looks like I'm being royally fucked in about every aspect of this transaction. I haven't even seen exactly what I signed up for. They finally emailed a copy of the order I requested via phone today but there's nothing on it other than the phone I ordered. 

    As it stands, I'm starting to think this might be a sign but of what exactly I'm clueless. Maybe I should have let T-Mobile screw me without complaint. Possibly it means I'm in over my head with this type of transaction. My favorite so far is that these companies are here to get every fucking dollar out of you that they can by any means necessary and Jeffery don't do that. That's a problem but I doubt it's my problem. Just sayin'.   

More Signs of Rain

     Made it through our recent rains in pretty good shape. Clearlake has recovered quite a bit in a short period of time, that's for sure. The seasonal creek that runs behind our house surprised our backyard neighbor with the amount of water it carries. She installed a culvert last Summer that wasn't up to the task. Nancy tried to tell her that the creek would have it's way come Winter but they buried part of it anyway. Oh well, at least it left our backyard in good shape.

Chimney Sweeper Signs aka Retired and Suicidal

     It was time for our annual chimney sweep so we called a local guy who got back to us quickly and we scheduled him for last Saturday at noon. My first impressions when he got here was that he was older than dirt and barely walking. To say he looked frail would be an understatement. Needless to say, I stayed out of his way and let him do his thing. When he came down the ladder the first time he missed it with his second step off the roof and nearly fell. Nancy was there for that. He was able to pull out our fireplace insert but unable to push it back which I ended up doing. Then he cut himself on the new chimney top and just let the blood run down his hand as he joked about having less blood for dialysis next week. When he was through he expressed his wish to keep working until he died. He wanted to bite the big one on someone's roof then crash to the ground one last time. I still don't know what to think of that statement but something tells me we were close to it becoming reality. He did a great job though so he gets a pass for now. I'll keep an eye on the local paper to see if he gets his wish. 

Signs of Rain

     Not much so far but enough to chap Blaxter's hide. He can't decide where he wants to be and acts disgusted when he forces himself to venture forth in the rain. At least Blaxter doesn't require a litter box like most cats. This allows us to have a cat without the obnoxious odors that usually accompany ownership. Not that Blaxter would ever consider himself as being owned. Guests have had odd looks on their faces when he saunters in to inspect them a short time after their arrival. They've commented and asked what our secret was. Did I train him to use the toilet? Hardly. Nancy trained him to sit, to lay down and to shake but that's as far as she got. He lets us know when he needs to go out and we open the door. He's in charge of our relationship because eight years ago he chose to walk into our lives. 

    Blaxter initially lived at the local dentist's office with two other cats. All three were dropped off at our next door neighbors when the dentist closed his office. That was a year or so before we bought the house next door. During that time the other two cats died from the usual things that kill cats but not Blaxter. He survived the streets and the racoons and the coyotes then decided that we were his new humans. I think the brushings had more to do with that choice than anything else but I believe there's some love involved too. At least on our part.   

Signs of Language Issues Online

     I've recently had issues with a few orders I've made online and they were made worse by what I thought at first was just poor customer service. Once I applied my mind fully to the most recent incident it turns out the cause was more than likely translation errors. When I wrote the vendor to let them know that my laptop hadn't arrived they replied with the same Fed-X tracking number I'd been given previously which showed that it had been delivered. I started a claim through Fed-X and found out that the tracking number was for an order that was delivered to my town but not my address. An order that weighted over 60 pounds. Wrote the vendor with these details and was once again told that my order was delivered. My third reply to them started with a question, "Did you even read my previous email?" I then went on to detail (again) that the tracking number was not for my order. Shortly after they replied with a different tracking number that's going to ship today. No explanation. No apology. Just the tracking number. Hopefully they got it right this time. I'll know when the laptop gets delivered and until then I've been given signs that I might not receive exactly what I ordered. It's been quite entertaining so far but I expected that. After all, the laptop they sold me was top of the line and only $99 with shipping. What are the odds it's legit? Thought I'd have an answer by now.    

Signs of Racism (Yes, it's still happening in America)

     Check this out and tell me that systematic racism doesn't exist in America. In Georgia no less. 

MrMBB333 Signs

     Looking to see what's happening in the world? MrMBB333 is the place to go. His voice needs work but he comes up with some interesting videos. Enjoy.

Pedo Signs

     QAnon conspiracy theory is about top Democrats running pedophile rings and being generally fucked up human beings. Here's Trump with Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew at an exclusive pedophile event because Republicans always accuse their opponents of doing what they themselves are engaged in. In other words, here are some fucked up human beings and it turns out that they're Republicans. Imagine that.

Signs of Fear

     Trump ordered his former partners in crime to defy the subpoenas and not testify before the congressional committee that's investigating the January 6th insurrection. Obstruction of justice anyone? Where have we seen this before? Mueler's Report detailed at least 8 instances where Trump had obstructed justice. That's where you've seen it before. When the fuck will the justice department put out the indictments for the crimes that this piece of shit has committed? He needs to pay for his poor choices or any semblance of real justice in this country goes down the toilet. Just sayin'.  

Retirement Signs

     Thankfully the dreams about work are going away. My blood pressure is down along with my standing heart rate. It's taken a while to wind down from the workload I was handling but I'm getting there slowly but surely. Getting ready to buy some airline tickets to Georgia to see my son and his family. Expect I'll be there before years end. It's good to be retired.

More Bullshit Signs

     So nearly 4 out of 5 Republicans claim to believe that the 2020 presidential election was fraudulent and now Texas is out to prove it. Never mind the Arizona debacle with Cyber Ninjas and whomever else mucking about where they have little understanding and no fucking business being. WTF Republicans? You're the fucking minority and you get fewer votes. That's it. You have no coherent policies. Only your greed and avarice are consistently evident while you go about spreading lies and misinformation. You're the death party now. Anti-vaxxers are welcome in your press conferences and can spew their bullshit unchallenged on national television. When Republicans cry freedom they're actually saying fuck Democracy, we're the ones who need to be in charge. I hate your lies and bullshit as do the majority of Americans and it will be a cold day in hell before I ever vote for or support a Republican candidate again.  

Signs of Sorry Antivaxxer.com

     Yep, here's a sight that gives you a rundown of folks who followed their own bad advise and have died or become severely ill by Covid-19. Unlike myself, this site does not mock these idiots so much as it portrays the damage such disinformation causes to everyday folks. Enjoy.  

Signs to be Thankful For

     Every morning I get up and I'm thankful for another day in paradise. With all the crazy shit going on that's enough to set anyone off I'm still here, participating in this thing we call living. My partner in crime insures that I'm not alone while I go about each day, still trying to figure out what retirement means to me. When I figure it out I'll let you know. 

Mother and Daughter Bite the Dust Together

     They shared conspiracy claims online against vaccinations and never got their shots. They worked together, lived together and died together. Oh, and they shared anti-vaxxer crap online. Sad to say the least.

Another Pastor Bites the Dust

     R. Loren Sanford has shared his last anti-vaxxer rant and now sleeps with the fishes. God saves but not in his case. Possibly that's because The Big Guy loves science and hates un-Christian like pastors who endanger their flock by ignoring it. This qualifies as sign not matter what your religion or lack there of. Keep an eye out for more signs in the near future. 

Another One Bites the Dust

     Once again, another outspoken critic of mask mandates and Dr. Fauci bites the dust. Because not getting the vaccine or doing what it takes to stop the spread of Covid-19 (wear a mask!) is bad fucking behavior and has consequences. In this case the reward is an eternal dirt nap and it's getting difficult to have any empathy for these fools. They made their choice and it was the wrong one.

    Mocking these idiots as they die is piss poor behavior on my part but it's a sign, and every time it happens it will be featured here. Fox News will tell you whatever lies you choose to believe but the Grim Reaper will winnow out the false from the true every time.  

Signs of the Big Lie

     Larry Elder was making claims of voter fraud before election day, just like Trump because that's all they have. Neither won their election and it wasn't due to voter fraud in either case. They were rejected because the majority of Americans saw through their bullshit. Enough said.

DeathSantis Doubles Down

     What an ass wipe this guy is. Going after cities that mandate Covid-19 vaccinations to pursue his political asperations and consequences be damned. How many of the dead in Florida are due to this guy's insane policies? Then, at the same press conference, some "It Changes Your RNA" dude voices conspiracy bullshit about the vaccine and DeathSantis lets it pass without correction. Like that bullshit had merit and deserved to share the stage. So the governor of Florida consorts with the anti-vax crowd during a pandemic that has cost over 600,000 lives and counting and doesn't give one fuck about the carnage his political ambition is causing. After all, Fox News will have his back and be sure to spread that manure far and wide to entertain their audience by telling them the lies they want to hear. He'll be a hero in their eyes when in fact he's a repulsive, deranged caricature of a human being. 

    

Signs from the Vaccination Challenged

     What can you say to someone who refuses to get vaccinated? Telling them that they're part of the problem when it comes to this country getting a handle on Covid-19 and it's various mutations only pisses them off. The truth is hard to take when you're fucking up. What's even tougher is the strife it causes between family members trying to get the ones they love to do the right thing. Let me make this clear, if you won't get vaccinated then you're part of the problem. There is no solution until damn near everyone gets the shot. Learn to tell the difference between science based fact and political bullshit. Your life and the lives of those you love are in jeopardy because of your ignorance and your refusal to rectify that ignorance with the facts.    

Signs from the Flintstones

     Unsolicited phone calls from all sorts of people trying to part you from your money are ubiquitous these days. My phone announces them as "Unavailable" or "Toll free" but only allows me to block 100 numbers before telling me it's full so we've gotten good at answering them. Good means that we never hear a human voice once we've answered the phone with the following phrase "Yabba dabba doo". That's right, the AI's do not know how to reply and end the call. Thought some of you out there might find your own answering phrase that confounds those automated calls. If not, feel free to use mine. Your welcome.  

Signs that Ted Cruz is a Dildo

     An honest unflattering look at exactly who this piece of Republican excrement is and what he stands for. Texas gets a shout out first for their gun laws. Best use of dildos ever.  

Signs of a Failed Administration

     So Steven Miller is once again in the news for sabotaging the processing of special visas for Afghans who helped us out during the last 20 years. People who face possible death if left behind to the Taliban's tender mercies. He helped fubar the process while Trump was negotiating with the Taliban in order to withdraw our troops. In this case, the right hand definitely knew what the left hand was doing. Steven Miller is one fucked up excuse for a human being. Must be that reptile DNA he has. 

Signs of Fire and Smoke

    Until recently we had fairly smoke free skies but the smoke has once again obscured the lake from view and made outdoor activities dangerous for your health. Did some stuff outside this morning before it got hot but that's about it. In the last 3+ months I don't think we've seen more that 5 or 6 days where the high temperature was under 100 degrees. We're also at Stage 3 for conserving water which adds to the enjoyment. All in all it's been a strange Summer unlike any I've experienced before.

Signs of My Last Day at Mendocino County

    Two hours to say goodbye today. A bunch of hugs. Thank you Brandie, Taylor, Yadira, Becky, Rachel, Pauline and last but not least Ms. Sunshine. Thanks for the wonderful parting gifts and words. It's been wonderful working with you to make this place a great place to work. Adios Amigos.

It's a Sign

    Last full work day from home. I'm up early as I couldn't sleep. Life is about change and this is a big one. Still haven't wrapped my head around it but a new adventure awaits. Bought us a 1995 F150 with a lumber rack and tool boxes that we'll be using to collect the materials we need to fix some things around the house. Got the free used windows for the greenhouse we're planning to build delivered by a neighbor who's planning on giving us his upright piano too. Nancy's finally getting the piano she wanted and he's delivering it gratis! Quite the start. 

    Here's a sign from the Right. Rand Paul's wife invested in the company that makes Remdesivir. A drug that Trump told us would cure Covid. She made the investment back in February 2020 and just reported it now. The sign is the fact that they lost money on their investment. Sad, so sad.

17 Days Until Retirement

Yep, I'm counting the days. 13+ years at the County of Mendocino served. Retirement activated. Like Tom Petty said,"The waiting is the hardest part".

Signs of Fascism

They be all about the Republican efforts to overthrow the 2020 election and keep that piece of excrement Trump in office. All I have to say is that the majority of Americans did not vote for Trump and he lost the fucking election. But he's too big of a baby to accept defeat and continues to rant about the election being corrupt. What about 2016 big boy? You needed Russia's help and asked for it. You even gave them propriatary polling information to help their efforts in succuring your victory. Those are the facts. Fuck You Trump and all your little fascist supporters, better known as the New Republican Fascist Party.

Signs of Retirement

Yes. It's finally here. August 22nd is the big day. It's time to focus on the home front and get our house in order. Have the tools. Most of the materials. Soon I'll have the time. Looking forward to it. Counting the days. This space will soon follow suite with more postings on a regular basis. At least that's the plan. See you in August for sure. Later.

Signs of Letting Go?

Not! Trump has folks all through the government that are doing everything within their power to turn Joe Biden's presidency to shit. It wasn't enough that they broke the law while separating families at the border. Now they're trying to make what's going on there Biden's fault when in fact it was their illegal policies that created this fucking problem in the first place. A special Fuck You to Steven Miller who's diseased brain came up with the illegal policy in the first place and who continues to play a roll in demonizing Biden's attempts to return to legality. Republicans Suck At Government. All They Care About Is Power, Not Policy.

Georgia, Georgia, Why so UnDemocratic?

Republicans care not for the majority of American people voting. They care not for Representative Democracy and act in all ways like fascists. Nazis and the Alt Right find acceptance there. That is some fucked up shit Republicans. You can kiss my liberal ass.

Still Not Smoking

Yep, still no cigarettes or tobacco of any kind since 1/20/2021. 63 days total. Just sayin'.

Idiocracy All Over Again

What is it with the Republican Party's fixation with Trump? Looks like they're on their way to becoming the fascist party to me. Their agenda is increasingly anti democratic, they don't want the majority of Americans voting and they're willing to use violence to advance their "just" cause. Conspiracy fuckwits is what they're becoming, believing in their self created fantasies instead of the real world where most of us exist. Willfully ignorant pieces of excrement that are too stupid to know how fucking stupid they are. `

Signs of Change

I had my last cigarette on 1/20/2021. I was so relieved that we still had a Democracy here in America that I used that energy to help me end an addiction I've had for more 45 years. It's been surprisingly easy so far. Severe feelings of loss lasting up to a minute are happening less and less with each day. There were several yesterday. Only one so far today. My lungs are starting to clean up what they can and my blood pressure is a tad lower. I've gained around 15 pounds but I'm not really worried about that aspect of quitting. If I can do one then I can do the other too. Loosing weight is my next target anyway.

Happy Valentine's Day

One day after Republican Senators once again fail their duty to the constitution of these United States. Who cares how many American lives he has prematurely ended during his presidency? Our Republican Senators don't. 5 more deaths on top of the 400,000 plus his mismanagement of our Covid~19 responce has already caused is nothing to them. Let's not let that piece of human garbage hold office again is all I ask and they can't even do that. Chicket shit pieces of useless fucking humanity. All they care about is power, not policy. Fuck all 43 of them who voted not to convict. May you pay for your perfidity.