Some stuff, some other stuff, and odd stuff

Writing a generic post begins by choosing a photo. In this case, a hummingbird photo. This hummingbird photo . . .

As I work with the photo, I’m quasi-simultaneously thinking about what I might write. I finish my first iteration . . .

. . . and my mind is occupied with politics, religion, guns, food, writing, weather, people, socio-economic issues, and bemoaning the poor performance of electric stoves vis-à-vis the much better and more practical gas counterparts. 

As I finish the second photo iteration, I realize I’m casting too wide a net. Plus, all of those topics have a largesse about them that is more than I feel like tackling at the moment. Reluctantly, I scrap them all.

I briefly toy with the idea of more opinions on writing as a hobby, as an art form, as a source of income. BUT . . . I don’t want to risk more misunderstandings regarding my writing fortitude and emotional stability (not a tortured artist I).

I could still speak about writing but be careful about what I write. Meaning, not say anything that in any way, shape, or form would have someone think I am a victim of the cold and uncaring publishing industry machinery casually macerating manuscripts and destroying the hopes and dreams of literally millions.

To wit, I could concentrate on the positive; I could mention I plan on attending HawaiiCon, and I signed up for a writing workshop run by John Scalzi. I could not get that much information on it, so I don’t exactly know what to expect.

See, that’s a positive statement! Everything is hunky-dory, life is wonderful.

This will be my first Con, so I don’t know what to expect. A learning experience it will be. A number of panels that should be interesting to both Melisa and me. I’m hoping to get a few decent photos, but unfortunately, photographing any of the celebrity guests without paying them for the privilege will get you kicked out of the convention.

Don’t expect to see any photos of me with anyone (celebrity or not) or photos of any celebrity.

By the way, the above eight photos for the basis for the photos to follow. Meaning, the rest of the photos derive from blending two or more of the above to get a new photo.

For instance, this is a combination of one of the painting effects and one of the glow effects.

In fact, the rest are all the result of blending painting treatments with glow treatments. Some will not look much different if you are looking at them on small screens. On a regular PC, they might be better differentiated.

Clicking on them will get you a larger version, and going to the SmugMug gallery HERE will get you access to the full-size original. Note, there are a couple here that are not in the gallery. Sorry about that. 

And, yes, some of these are somewhat nuanced, and might not look all that different. Really, only a few readers will muster enough interest to really look at these and spot the differences.

Not that I am complaining. Nope! No complaining here! I’m as happy as wealthy lowlifes setting up a foundation to avoid paying taxes while living in the lap of luxury and claiming they are “giving back” and “paying it forward” and aren’t they just great human beings we should all admire and bow our heads to?

Yes, I am that happy.

I could talk about movies . . . if there were any I had even the remotest of interest in discussing. It’s the same with music.

In both instances, I am reduced to watching and listening to what I’ve listened and watched before. Come to think of it, lately, it’s been the same with books.

Some might say it’s a sign of being old and the associated unwillingness to accept new things offered up by an ever evolving entertainment industry.

It could be, but I don’t think so. I do find new stuff on YouTube and Vimeo, but it’s not stuff produced by the “mainstream entertainment”. That tells me there are others out there who are like me. Well, who share my likes and dislikes.The thing is, me discussing little treasures I find requires me to point to them and hope readers will go watch/listen to them. I’m not holding my breath. (HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE)

On a side note, I’m beginning to think the world would benefit from the advice I could offer it. Actual advice, useful advice, and not what passes for advice on TED and TEDx talks. Why, I even have a template I can use to present my “How To Live A Better Life” ideas.

Realistically, I’ve been weaned from offering suggestions. Were I to have one suggestion for people to follow, it’s to not make any suggestions.

Wait, I do have one suggestion, and that is to read THIS piece.

Mind you, as most readers rarely click on links, this too is but a futile gesture on my part. But, if you do read it, read each numbered item carefully and see how it could be applied to your situation.

So, I am stumped. I really don’t know what I could write on this post as I offer up these photos . . . goals. I could talk about goals.

These days, this or that life coach will tell you how your life will have a lot more meaning, be more enjoyable, if you get yourself a goal. There is some truth to that.

Well, I say that, but I say it mostly because I’m expected to say that. I’m not sure I believe it. I certainly don’t live like I believe it. Not now, not ever.

Would it shock my readers to find out I have never in my life, never, had a goal? I was a goalie, you see, and . . . Ok, that’s a joke. I mean, yes, I was a goalie, but we’re talking about a different meaning of goal.

“A goal is a desired result that a person or a system envisions, plans and commits to achieve: a personal or organizational desired end-point in some sort of assumed development. Many people endeavor to reach goals within a finite time by setting deadlines. It is roughly similar to purpose or aim, the anticipated result which guides reaction, or an end, which is an object, either a physical object or an abstract object, that has intrinsic value.”

 That is the definition from Wikipedia. I read that twice and think I should perhaps simplify it for them who may still be unsure what a goal is.

Goal (Disperser definition): that to which one — in a mistaken belief it will somehow make one’s life better, more meaningful, or important — dedicates varying levels of effort and attention in order to achieve.

Yes, I’m being a bit dismissive. There can be significant benefits to having a goal and working toward achieving it . . . or so I’m told.

I say I’ve never had a goal because there is nothing I dedicated myself to achieve. What I have, are interests. 

Let me give you a peek into the workings of the Disperser mind.

Let’s say, for the sake of argument, that I jump up from my keyboard, raise my fist to the ceiling (carefully avoiding the ceiling fan) and declare in a manly voice that I — at the ripe old age of 63 — will drop twenty pounds of fat and gain twenty-five pounds of solid muscle. That is a goal, and with it comes with all sorts of baggage.

I am immediately under the gun with the responsibility (to myself) of changing my exercise and eating habits. I’d have to set up training schedules, count calories, I would likely have to drop some of my other interests.

I have no doubt I could do it. But . . . then what? I tell you what; I would have to upkeep that body, I would be a slave to the regimen required to upkeep that body.

Do you see what happened there? The goal becomes the boss. I mean, I can tell myself I’m doing what I want to do, but not really because I structured my life around that goal, and what’s the use of achieving that goal if I then let myself go a-la-Arnold? Once I’ve achieved it, I am forever tied to it.

Climb a mountain, win a race, achieve a level of darts proficiency previously unheard of, become one of the premier stutterers in the land . . . all worthwhile goals. But what if you, halfway to your goal, find some other goal? Why, you would be called a quitter.

BUT! . . . if you have interests, you are free to put as much or as little effort as you want into each of your interests. You can pick them up and drop them at will, and there’s even a side benefit to it all.

You see, if you never dedicated your life to excelling at any particular thing, if you only had “interests”, no one calls you a loser . . . they, instead, call you a Renaissance Man, a polymath. While recognizing that you do not excel at any one thing, people will, often begrudgingly, recognize you are good at — or at least, know how to do — many, many things.

Meanwhile, you can eat copious quantities of Malasadas and Spam, choose to goof off for a month or two, and go through life with nary a worry of ever failing at anything. Neat, no?

That’s it. This post has ended . . . except for the stuff below.

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Note: if you are not reading this blog post at DisperserTracks.com, know that it has been copied without permission, and likely is being used by someone with nefarious intention, like attracting you to a malware-infested website.  Could be they also torture small mammals.

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If you wish to know more, please read below.

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Note: to those who may click on “like”, or rate the post; if you do not hear from me, know that I am sincerely appreciative, and I thank you for noticing what I do.

. . .  my FP ward  . . . chieken shit.

Finally, if you interpret anything on this blog as me asking or wanting pity, encouragement, or advice to better my life, know my subtle mix of irony, sarcasm, and humor is blowing right by you.