Today, the world is completely upside down, but not for the first time . Remember the Islamic invasion of Spain, the Russian invasion of Hungary or choose your geo-political event, each of which  is simply a repeat of history. We must note that our government requires a historian to advise each President and Congressional leader. If we had had that in 2003, we most likely would not be in the Mddle East pickle of today And, we would be clear on th Ukrane matter going forward. And furthermore, we need only go back to our involvement in Vietnam to know that we are perilously close to the slippery slope that could return us to the barbaric rule of I
Sis (.whoever that really is! But why do we not simply nuke the bastards? They've earned it and I urge our country to pay them their due!

Gravitas: an interesting word that is given many definitions but the one I like is " weight of importance through time" I like that because several unrelated people attributed it me and if that won't make you chuckle just a bit, you've not thought about it! I admit, I do like being thought of, even if not as I might. It just feels good to know your time has left an impression, I.e. I've at least I've been here, and I can prove it -:) to those who've not had the pleasure, listen to a country & western song and you can find me right there, in the final bar or two of most songs or for that matter, most performances. As my life filters through time, I hope that I've met my obligation to honestly respect your world! Aloha Nui loa to those close to me.
Kawika

Where have all the Progressives gone? We got old and, when the Wimp, Barak Obama traded his values for position and wealth, we lost all hope. The moral high ground was lost with promises to cure George W. bushes ills were dropped on the day of Obama's first inauguration. He failed to cure the cultural decay imposed by 30 years of Republican conversion to 1898. At 70, I expect to have a comfortable remaining life, but only because I worked my ass of since age 12! I see little wrong with the current generation(s) other than their blind faith in the notion that "government" is the problem. Just as Regan destroyed the Nation's best education system in the U.S., he also ruined the moral upper hand that was once America's by his actions in the Middle East, Central America . And of course, Regan's recent predecessor, Richard Nixon who was an out-n-out criminal and then what happened? The Supreme Court appointed the next President even though his opponent won the popular vote. So, a Republican Supreme Court and two totally immoral fRepublucan presidents put us here, on the long slide to  Oblivion.  It's too late to worry now. As a nation, we have accepted this decline from greatness so we have but ourselves to blame!
Aloha and good luck to all!

I'm still here! This has simply been an incredible summer! The Seattle weather has never been finer business has been good and while society seems to continually slip further , but, I can't concern myself with matters that I will never affect, so on I go. Next step, find someone to take me crabbing, seeking the ever elusive Puget Sound due genesis crab - oh boy!

Do you ever wonder whether you are really here at any given time? Today, my brain has been lost in a whirlpool of wonder, trying to sort out reality from the cloudy confusion of weather I am actually on my immediate way to another, hopefully more easily understood vortex. It is today, the most disconcerting trip through my mind. I am not a drug user and have been sober, non-drinking person so I am fully confused, a state that I  don't believe I have ever experienced. Indeed, this is so otherworldly, leaving me feeling empty /dumbfounded . Also, I have an overwhelmingly feeling of need for clarity. With that, I have to say Help, but also that I am so sorry about this confused departure point. And finally, please note that I wish the best for everyone.
Aloha.

Another beautiful day but my daughter's father-in-law's life is waning. We pride ourselves in having family even as so many have passed. Losing another is very tough and we wish Gary and his beautiful wife Judy all the best. They are great people who deserve simply the very best. It is hitting my wife very hard because of her fear of death; a matter that is not far off for either of us but I see it much differently than my wife. Having approached it twice and having fully prepared for it, I guess that I am simply lucky! Those days remaining are of course mine alone. I wish though that I had the ability to make my wife's remaining time less stressfull! I think that I have plenty of time to help my wife get through the autumn of her life so I simply don't want to think about it today but let me say: I wish Judy (son-in-laws) mother) mother all the best!
Aloha

War, Business, politics, it's all hardball, played with rules that are ignored at will and almost never punished. These are human activities that totally ignore my personal values of honesty, respect and the application of humanity in all situations. These are also the issues that are making America follow the World to the bottom! What a race; let's see who can be the worst. Isn't that fun! To those who will suffer the consequences of this ugliness, people like my children, their peers and others likely to still be here in twenty or so years when the full impact of today's failures, please become enlightened and try to save your world for yourselves.
Aloha

The R's a new world order and it is here now! The formation of a new "development" bank by the BRIC countries spells a new platform from which we will all need to re-evaluate our personal platforms, both economic and social because of this. Those who accomplish this transition will succeed and those that do not will fail. Those of us that are rldrly are most at risk. Our historic investment and social philosophies will very likely trail changes until we are buried at every level so regardless of ones age, it is critical right now to survive these changes.

I'm fine but today does feel strangely like the beginning of the end; with full out war in Gaza, rebels that won't even allow people to gather remains to return to family- the most heartless action since e killing of 6 and 7 year olds in that Connecticut elementary schools; an event repeated so often that humans become more heartless by the day. If only they could love as I do my children, who I pray are forever protected from this foley  kids, please forever be humble, respectful and full of love for humanity. Aloha to all

Just like in school, the weak minded always tried to use brute force to impose their will, the Republicans who are unable to win elections on the basis of their philosophies are once again trying to use their "might" through litigation over historically legal actions and threats of impeachment when they also lack the basis for it - they are simply wasting OUR money and it pisses me off! If I could demolish these cats, I would in a minute. IDIOTS! God help America as we slowly drift into the Avis's. Amazing too, investigate the history of Republican Presidents and you find a long history of BUMS!
I need to stay alive just to watch them be squished like the little bugs that they are!
Aloha.

It is time for the nation to dissemble . Up to 50 new sovereign nations makes total sense to me. Let each new nation agree to give up what is now Federal property, establish its own international trade and immigration laws and then decide what defense agreements each might want to enter into. Immediate termination of all "US " international agreements since the US would cease to exist. Now is the time to cause this to happen (2014) let each US citizen choose whaich sovereign to to move to and swear allegiance to while giving up citizenship in both the US and the sovereign that they currently live in.
Yes, I do firmly believe in this as the only way to solve our problems.

It is nearly the end of June 2014 and more importantly, it is clearly the formal announcement (by the Supreme Court) that we - the US is now a formal Theocracy! As an ordained First American Atheist Revwrend, I will revise to pay Federal taxes because those funds are used to kill people through America's trumped up wars! That was Refuse! I am mad enough at the current US government, at all levels that we either need a true revolution and/or my preference, the dissolution of the United
States. Let each State succeed, determine the value of Federal assets in each State, agree that that each new sovereign owes 1/50th of the total value of Federal assets to be retained to each of the remaining States. The balance of the details of this human rights move will be forthcoming but for now: Give Me Liberty from America!
Aloha all

2014 and thus far, every season has been spectacular! Here in the Pacific Northwest, the month of November, December and January are supposed to be constantly overcast with an occasional snow storm and oh what the heck, let's add a windstorm or two. Feb through March = wind! rain! clouds and more. But now it is June and we are in the midst of a warm, sunny Sumer. Don't tell anyone! We are trying to keep outsiders out. We don't want the world to know that this is paradise. I've searched for a better place to live out my days and now know that this is the greener grass! Think I'll stick around while I can paradise is just too sweet!
Aloha Bro

Tick, tick, tick, tick
At least I get to visit my kids now and then. Absent those events, there would be little to entice me to rise each day. Physical limitations make the days harder but the opportunity to visit with those who are important to me make the difference between simply becoming a vegetable and having a reason to find something each day like today - watering the plants to be sure they survive the early summer-like weather. Preserving some life form is good enough for me so this will be a constructive day by my very modest standards!
Peace and Aloha

I've always admired optimism and it has pretty much been a staple in my bag of tricks but, as I watch younger folks charge headlong into very questionable actions that would appear to deserve more consideration (and perhaps) trepidation, based almost solely on their belief that "it" will work out and I begin here in my advanced years to question my optimism. Should I be more cynical? I've seen my share of cons and dishonest people so cynicism is not hard for me to inject into my analysis but...... How do I now balance my skepticism with my natural optimism to make valid decisions?, particularly when dealing with the natural optimism of youth? A skill that I still must master!
Aloha

I once thought that I was within hours of death after being told that weeks was my prognoses but was on the table in the OR as they began a craniotomy. Since that moment three years ago, I have not been able to shake the notion that death is imminent. The concern has not kept me from moving forward but I doubt that I have been as clearheaded and focused as in the past. As a result, I have this nagging feeling that there are missed matters and I hate being disconnected! So I need to connect more with my kids, they keep me in the now!

I've just returned from my morning coffee "talking story" with my pals here in Honolulu. We all watched a "shark tank" episode last night that featured a wanna be entrepreneur who was proud of her live achievements but couldn't stop talking. All of us have started, owned, and sometimes been partners with one another in business ventures. This you understand follows long stretches in universities and extensive work experience. Together, we were astonished at this foolish young girls inability to take advantage of the Sharks considerable experience and knowledge as they kept offering her advise - free advice from extremely successful business people and she couldn't shut her mouth long enough to learn lifetime lessons! What a stupid youngster. Of course, at our advanced age, we tend to pick on those too short-sighted to see the obvious. Oh well, we were not to become her partners anyway so.......let her learn from experience as we have. It is just a little frustrating though to witness those who insist on the harder path when the golden one is laid out right in front of them. I suppose that might be the basics of naïveté vs. Wisdom. And of course, I wish her all the best!
Peace & Aloha.......another day at the beach

Another day in paradise, mostly with my daughter and her friend -that I've known for maybe 12 years. Simply all that an old man could wish for. My daughter seems to be becoming more comfortable with who she is. That has long been an issue that has interfered with her journey and this growing acceptance just makes me as happy as the day she was born! She has everything  and combined with this growing sense of peace with herself is all that a very proud father could ever expect. That gives me two, brilliant, incomparable children who, as they each approach 50 years of age are more than I could ever have had the nerve the nerve to ask for! And it makes me extremely happy to know that each has arrived at this exceptional point in life. Aloha to all, I need to prepare for an evening of exceptional food as my son-in-law and I get an evening together. Aloha to all!

I'm home, enjoying the company of men that I've known for more than 40 years, some of whom are pushing 90 years of gathering the foundation of wisdom! As with all of us, they have very disparrat experiences so after 70 to 90 years, we talk story -- a melding of those experiences that allow us to grow ever deeper respect for oneanothther  and those that have travelled similar paths. Individually, we are as unique as the next wave in the sea but collectively we are a simple millpond that have experienced the ebb & flow of another load of logs. It is the difference between the millpond and sea itself that best describes us. We are the same and yet so different. And it is because of these differences and similarities that we can define our present by the stories we. Tell, the story telling of aging men, each of whom has insisted on forging his own path, his own values and his personal goals. Today we talk story about the stories we made in days long gone but never of the foolishness involved in looking too far forward. And the friendship grows as the acceptance of each other as we are is acknowledged by all. With this, I'm adjourning to enjoy the sunset of another perfect day in paradise!