b120 (9.12-1.2024): kiss the ring

kiss the ring [i]

by jay dee

you throw me under bus
i smile (as you sing)
just you and i (not us)
 
i kneel and kiss the ring
_____________________________
 
·        because it’s best for me to do so.
 
___________________________________
[i] martino, j. (9.12-1.2024). kiss the ring. book 120: "i saw it on TELEVISION!" © 2024 by j. martino.

b119 (9.11-1.2024): "i saw it on TELEVISION!"

“i saw it on television” [i]
by any third grader

alternative title: “waaaaaa!”

 
you tell me “it’s lies”
but i swear that it’s true
that’s the difference between me and you
 
why can you not believe
when i shout it out loud
i’m just another lemming in the crowd, because
 
i saw it on television
_____________________________
 
·       yes.  my research methodology is: i interpreted what i saw on television.

·       genius.
___________________________________
[i] martino, j. (9.11-1.2024). "i saw it on TELEVISION." book 120: "i saw it on TELEVISION!". © 2024 by j. martino. 

* THAT was insightful (and inciteful)

...a mass-debate that had it all: two very different human beings, with two very different styles and two very different visions of present & future (u.s.a.) america. 

there was fear-mongering.  there were out-and-out lies.  there was anger.  there was a call for unity and talk of our "similarities".  there was a call for freedom from government. 

there was quite a lack of taking responsibility... and both sides dodged some key questions.

in all, one of the master-debaters made me feel hopeful.  the other conjured-up feelings of bullying, hate and fear.

i'm not sure how the voting u.s.a. population will feel, and i'd bet that those with prior aversions to the republican/fox team or the democratic/msnbc team will probably allow confirmation bias to cloud their common senses.  

buckle-up, kiddies!

it's going to be a bumpy ride.

b119 (9.3-1.2024): what do we do now?

what do we do now? [i]
by w. hatt?

alternative title: evolve

 
what do we do when world devolves before our eyes (and how!)
what do we do, what can we do, just
what do we do now?
_____________________________
 
·       we’ve got options:
   o   reflect, with gratitude, in the knowing that we are blessed to have had this moment.
   o   relate… with praise… about the many, many, many days that life went along without challenges.  after all, it has been a wonder-full ride.
   o   acknowledge… that opposing forces can teach us a few lessons about our own potential weaknesses, and then…
   o   take action to flip those weaknesses into strengths.
 
what we can do (now) is i'm-prove.  get better.  avoid repeating the patterns that got us into this mess. we can evolve.
___________________________________
[i] martino, j. (9.3-1.2024). evolve. book 119: turn-about (fair play). © 2024 by j. martino. 

* incomprehensible

incomprehensible... for the high-testosterone male... is the fact that, prior to an fsu football game, shot groups of 5, 10, 20 and 40+ scantily, very-scantily-clad tallahassee lassies can be seen maneuvering about -- to get into lines of over 100+ gals -- to get into fraternity pre-game parties.

there is absolutely no way to describe it.

t--s flying, a--es showing, hair & eyes & lips done-up... and the power sway (with the underlying competition)... fueling the day.

really (no... really), you've got to experience a pre-game, around college drive, in t-town.

 

b119 (9.2-1.2024): convenience

convenience [i]

by itsa n. easylife

this morning, i woke up in a clean, comfortable (tallahassee) air bnb home.  i didn’t have bottled water (for coffee), so i hopped into my rental cadillac (back-up cam; side mirror assists; buzzer under the seat as a proximity warning device...) and i zipped over to publix.  

u.s.a. grocery stores are truly amazing.
 

i’m (currently) a mile from the stadium (and college town).  the wifi connection (which allows for unlimited access to everything) is perfect.  

i’m writing this 'post' (on a 'blog') in the spare bedroom of a “quaint bungalow”.   i can (literally) walk to anything!

i have tickets to the game (tonight)... and tomorrow… i’ll drop off the rental car and ease into a thing called an 'airplane' that will get me back to charlotte.  

from clt, it will be a convenient uber ride home.

i’ll call in sick, rest all day, and bartend at a grocery store from 5:30-9:30 pm.

i’ve met several very nice people on this trip.  the destin air bnb condo was perfect.  the grouper sandwich at the back porch, was (as usual) delish!  talked with several people (at the beach).  bought scallops at winn dixie and cooked two great meals at the condo.
 

in t-town, maze swapped-out a keg so i could get a hazy ipa.  i met the tried & true guys at the corner pocket bar  grille, and even chatted with jeff cameron and tom lange.  back at the hotel indigo, i met alyssa and had a great conversation while maze was his amazing self.
 
after my next coffee, i’ll go to planet fitness, work out, and then plan my day.  it will center around remote school ‘work’, tailgating, pregame, and live entertainment.

all the while, i've been able to communicate (fun things, like "florida family values hawk tuah") with friends, family and neighbors via texting... sending pictures and maintaining connections.
 

imagine going back (just a few generations) and trying to explain to someone... what life is like in 2024.

life, as it is for joal martino in the u.s.a. …is ease-y!
 
i’m grateful for the conveniences.

___________________________________

[i] martino, j. (9.2-1.2024). convenience. book 119: turn-about (fair play). © 2024 by j. martino. 

b119 (9.1-1.2024): are human/romantic relationships going extinct?

are human/romantic relationships going extinct? [i]
by joal

sex… is more than just reproduction.  for humans, sex can be a form of communication, a release of pressure, a stress reduction practice, fun, a means of connection, a dance, erotic, etc.
 
in 2024, however, sexual release and experience can be simulated (both mentally and physically) via digital means and/or devices.
 
men and women no longer need each other.  he can get-off quite easily (without the complications of a relationship) and she can sleep comfortably, with her dog in the bed. 
 
no worries about pregnancy, break-ups, arguments, etc.
 
what does sex mean (for me) in the future?
 
i’m not sure.  i’ll certainly enjoy it whenever/wherever and with whomever… depending upon the circumstances.  if i connect with a cool gal who i’m able to vet slowly, i may even enter a committed relationship again.  it isn’t necessary, however.
 
do i want a girlfriend?  yes and no.
 
i like the idea of sharing my experiences, i like the idea of great sex, and i like the idea of great communication & connection.  on the other hand, i like the idea of variety.  i like to have options.  i don’t like feeling obligated.  i don’t want to feel responsible for someone else’s feelings.  i like fun.
 
as an older man, i’ll continue to meet people, and i’ll continue to flirt with women, and i’ll make decisions about the options that i have int the future.  it’s a no pressure situation.  i see it as all positives.
 
one thing is for sure: i’m not going to live my life with a roommate (who i occasionally attempt to seduce) who has the power of not only saying “no”, but who also has the right to forbid me from experiencing sex elsewhere (including in my mind).
___________________________________
[i] martino, j. (9.1-1.2024). are human/romantic relationships going extinct? book 119: turn-about (fair play). © 2024 by j. martino.