Free Thoughts (for under a buck)

Written by Tom Being Tom

Yesterday I received a notification that my WordPress subscription was renewed at the annual rate of $48 and I thought, “I guess I better post something over there or delete the account.”

So, here’s me, not deleting the account.

I don’t know yet what words will come out of my fingers and on to the blank white space of my computer screen (as it hisses at me demonically in the silent morning house, reminding me that I should probably get a new monitor) but I know that it won’t be $48 worth of writing. But listen, if I commit to a monthly update, it only has to be $4 worth of words…

Right?

Heck, if I do this weekly I can make the cheap, pulpy stuff at 93 cents an edition. 👍

But I’ll try and give you better than a dollar’s worth of Tom in my effort. Besides, it’s only $48 a year and that’s, like, less than I spend on books I don’t read, streaming services I don’t watch, or campaign contributions to candidates I don’t particularly like, so what the hey. What the hey. Nobody seems to say “what the hey” anymore. Let’s bring it back.

Ludo is 8 now, the old dog of the house. Technically, on June 28th (his birthday), he turned 55 in dog years. Or is it 8 in dog years and 55 in human years? I think that’s right. So, actually, he turned 55 one day before I did this year (my birthday is June 29th in case you didn’t want to do the math) so now he’s more than the old dog of the house, he’s the oldest male. The alpha, eh? That would be true if our 100-pound 4-year-old golden retriever named Marvel wasn’t so big and dominant. Technically we yield to him. Not that that matters. We all know Mrs C’s in charge.

Yes. I’ll put some picture updates at the bottom. Go ahead and scroll through. I’m probably just going to pontificate another minute or two here, anyway.

The world, huh? Am I right? Terrible. Escalating conflict in the middle east. The ongoing crimes against Ukraine. AI really coming on. Climate change nearing peak danger levels. The threat of true global war, with the US, Russia, and China all puffing up their chests. Those nukes on the ready. Taylor Swift attending football games. I mean, it’s madness out there.

So, you know me. I think about things like why can’t we all just get along and stuff. I realize 99% of it is just people using other people to get and maintain power, but what if we just didn’t let people do that? What if, instead, we just allowed that not everyone agrees on everything and we work together to make life better for all of us? Like, say, you believe in a fellow named Jesus who – in your world view – died on a cross a couple of thousand years ago to save humanity from its own wickedness and, say, someone else doesn’t so you just, like, go ahead and believe that and allow that others don’t. And vice versa. And then again everywhere. Folks in the Middle East. Over in Russia and Europe. China. Not for the massing of power but for the simple concept of continued coexistence. Too utopian? We outnumber those seeking extreme riches and power by, like, 99 to 1 (remember?) so let’s box them out.

Box them out.

And then we can get back to doing stuff like not having abortions if we don’t want to and letting other folks control their own bodies and go ahead with it if they want. We can allow for folks to own guns if they really want to while making it really hard for those with ill intent to get some. We can encourage production, innovation, and even enrichment for those who want that while making sure all of the production, innovation and enrichment rewards us all. Let men marry women and who want to marry women, and men marry men who want to marry men, and women marry women who want to marry women. We can have a strong, noble police force and also monitor it for abuse and corruption. We can let people come to the United States who want a better life than they are having in their own struggling countries while also protecting our borders from menacing invaders. We can build walls and also doors. Also. When I run it’ll be on the platform of “also.”

Because we don’t all agree on the same things. And that’s okay. You do you, boo.

(I swore when I started this that I wouldn’t say “you do you, boo.” You can have your dollar back.)

Alright, thanks for scrolling down. You missed 4-6 really good paragraphs and an admitted mistake, but that’s okay. You’re here for the faces. Me, too. Hope all is well in your part of the world and that you’re getting along with folks, especially folks you don’t agree with. It’s all about the love. 💕

Speaking of which:

Have a great rest of the month (and year if I don’t make it back til the next).

Love ya, peeps!

23 thoughts on “Free Thoughts (for under a buck)”

    1. I know, right? I think for a lot of people not thinking is just easier so they gravitate towards a certain philosophy proffered (usually the first they encounter). After that, sleazy politicians and media hosts manipulate that world view into an us vs them frenzy and (voila) we have dissension and intolerance.

      Either that or mankind is just a doomed idiot ape.

      Take your pick. 😉

      Liked by 2 people

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  2. Great to hear from you! Love the doggo pics! Got a new one of my own and need to do a post to show her off. Man, if only we could have a world like you described. That would be just fine with me.

    Liked by 3 people

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    1. Hello Arionis! Gotta get over and check that new dog out … remind me when your up with it! And you know what Stephen Stills would say, if you can’t be with the world you love, love the world you’re with. 😉

      Liked by 2 people

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    1. Haha! I’ve done that SO many times! 😂

      Thank you, my friend, sorry I’ve been away so long. But, yeah, it shouldn’t be this difficult, unless maybe some people are profiting greatly by keeping us finding amongst ourselves, huh? 🤔

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  6. You know why we can’t all get along. It’s because 1/2 of us are poorly equipped, intellectually, to fend off the nefarious wankers set on their personal evil agendas — as has and will always be the case.
    You mentioned AI… Either AI saves humanity or it dooms us. That’s my prediction.
    When China steals enough of the AI IP and foolishly “turns it on”, that will the end of China as Xi envisions it.
    Putin’s Russia is too damn big to manage. Central/Eastern Russia may be the last place on Earth free of technology once AI takes over.
    The Middle East? As long as there is religion there will be Hate. Ironic no? And that 1/2 of humanity spoken about above? Yeah, they need religion as their comfort-crutch.
    Preach Peace, Deliver War.

    Screw the world and the disaster Global Warming is about to bring. How’s the biz going? You graduated to good beer yet? Gone to get a full checkup? CVD is no joke — I should know — and you’re getting up there, ya know.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Half? Sometimes I think that’s a high estimate, brother. Nonetheless, your point is taken, and enlightening as always. Ain’t it funny how two fellas of such like mind as you and I can still think so differently? I agree with you in principle, don’t get me wrong, I just see things as more … hopeful … than you. I suppose that could be naivete, or simply wishful thinking at least.

      The biz is sort of slow right now, but we’re working on a new plan for the OBT. Might work out, might not. I’ll know more after Tuesday.

      Still drinking CL, with the occasional Alaskan Amber or Shiner Bock. 🤷

      A couple of weeks ago I signed up for a new primary care physician around the corner, just haven’t made my first appointment yet. I’ll do that this week (promise!). I haven’t seen a doctor in 5 years and before that it was probably 10. I need to see what’s going on inside. Nothing feels wrong so I ride with it. But you never know, you know?

      Liked by 1 person

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  10. As I was reading your post, Tom, I swear I could hear John Lennon singing “Imagine” in the background. Keep writing if you wanna. Not here to tell you or anyone else what to do, but I so enjoy your posts! Love the new pics, too! My fav is the one with Lamb Chop. That is Lamb Chop, isn’t it?

    Liked by 1 person

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  12. How the hell are ya?
    The great weirding is in full swing, now. I wonder if we’ll survive it. Writing/blogging has dropped off my radar as well. Pickleball has picked up, though.

    Like

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