Our Little Bichon Frise

This is the epitome of cute!

Science History In A Nutshell

Newton was a mad man, laden with gravity; Einstein burdened by quantum uncertainty; Both knew Schroedinger who knew where it was at.....All three were torn to pieces by Schrody's non-existent cat!

--FduJ

HumFisheKu For July 2011

Future Unfolding

Making Plans And Points Ahead

Unfolding Today

A Very Relaxing Day

Peace & Joy To Everyone! :-)

A New Story Emerging

My story isn't quite completed yet (not that anyone's is complete, ever, as we're all experiencing the NOW at any given time), that is, not all of my long-term goals have manifested fully yet. Still, there are signs that things are getting closer, so I thought I'd share.

I'd been trying to become a commercial truck driver for a long time. I have some problems that have kept me from succeeding in a college atmosphere for all of my life, and I thought that over-the-road trucking might be a viable choice. Some call them 'learning disabilities,' and I can say that, although I don't like to admit to it, that moniker has, more or less, been true; especially in mathematics, where my other interest in computer science is seriously hindered due to my lack of numerical knowledge and processing ability.

Well, I went to a total of four trucking firms, all of whom paid for my bus ticket to get there. The most recent was in Arkansas. I signed up for a very expensive employment contract, whereby the company would pay for a three week refresher course at a nearby truck driving school, and then I'd be employed by them for a year.

Well, I take the course, and pass. So far, so good. Two weeks later, I find myself going to the company's orientation program in Arkansas, which I also pass.

So I go home for week and a half, then get a call that a trainer is available, and I get on a bus and go back.

Well, I'm weary to death of bus travel at this point. I'm experiencing fatigue the likes of which I've never experienced before, and mostly from dealing with the 'Dawg (Greyhound Bus Lines.) I've never been so tired or worn-out by travel in my life. (Since then, I'm determined to never, ever use the bus again; only flight or ground-vehicle.)

Well, I get assigned my truck, and after waiting for three days to get a load, I head out on my first training assignment, and Oh! What a doosy! Nearly 80,000 pounds of steel wire. The trainer wants me to drive the thing out of the yard, but I can't seem to get out of the passenger seat. Something's dogging me, something I can't stop fighting with inside my head.

Alarms, Bells, and Whistles are going off, and my stomach is doing flip-flops; anxiety is forming and is head-rushing me like a center against a quarterback in the playoffs! Something is nagging me, saying: 'do you really wanna do this, do you really wanna do this; what do you really wanna do, what do you really wanna do?'

Knowing what I'm responsible for--80,000 pounds of rolling steel, aluminum, and fiberglass--and seeing that I'm having all sorts of problems with doing all the paperwork--as well as not really liking all the rain/hail/wind that is currently hitting the windshield--I finally arrive at a decision.

All this time, the anxiety's been mounting while I'm sitting in the cab, my 'future' passing before my eyes, and my ability to focus on the NOW is completely shot. The thing is, I hate the profession, I can't stand it! Why I spent so much time doing something I continually fail in, is completely beyond my reason at this point.

So I calm down, and focus on the NOW. I make a decision to go home. All of a sudden, many things stop. The anxiety for one.

I've made a decision, and it feels right. I know I'm probably going to have to face my father-in-law's outrage at my 'quitting' this job I've put so much effort toward (my wife and I have been living in their basement for a year, now, and he--and his wife--desire us to move; I feel the same, as we have no real privacy there.)

Coming to the point: I got home, faced the father-in-law, was forced to sleep in my car in the driveway for an evening (I wanted to throttle him for that ;->), and was allowed in the house after a couple of day's, thanks to my wife's efforts, God/Dess Bless Her! (Luckily, I spent a good amount of my waking hours with my wife at our local Internet hot spot, which is a local 24/7 grocery store; it's practically our second home, as well as where I'm typing this right now.)

I knew I had made the right decision as my actions were showing forth what was up-and-coming--and I'm in the process of manifestation right now as I type this, even though it's still early in the process.

Now, on to the meat of the matter:

I've always wanted to be a computer service technician. I already do contract employment with an out-of-state placement agency that works in all fifty states, and have had reasonable success with them. All of the jobs I've been on have been challenging, interesteing, engaging, and have kept my scatterbrain from becoming too scattered. (I have ADD and some other nuisances.)

During the course of these assignments, I've never had a single, solitary symptom. I just have trouble in college, with math, and some study habits. Well, that's all going to change! Since I got back from the trucking fiasco, I've been in contact with a local disability services agency, who has, in turn, contacted an outsourced employment services agency that works with those with learning issues, such as myself.

I was also motivated to do my taxes (they've always been late), which didn't seem to be as hard as I thought, fill out my FAFSA student aid form, and apply to the school of my choice for Computer Networking classes, which are to start in the Fall of 2011. (I'd already been there in 2008, and had similar issues as in the past, but I feel different about the entire matter now.)

I find I love, absolutely love working with computers, especially laptops. I'm also a GNU/Linux Operating System nut, and use it on a daily basis. I'm a strong advocate of open sourced and free software, and find I align with the philosophies of most of the Linux world. Add to the fact that most of the Internet uses Linux, and I find myself all that more pumped to learn more!

So, summarizing the above, we have:

1. I quit a job I hate
2. I 'get through' some issue with a relative with whom I'm living.
3. I'm going to be working with a dynamic woman from the employment agency.
4. I'm going to college in the Fall.
5. I'm learning to re-focus my efforts to obtain jobs that matter.
6. I've learned that I can be strong, deal with life, and survive.
7. I believe that I will be wealthy beyond my wildest dreams, and CAN SEE IT HAPPENING VERY SOON!

I Can See It Happening NOW! That's me, on my Suzuki Burgman 650 Executive Motor Scooter, driving out of the posh campground that my New Custom NuMar King Air Motorhome is located, where my wife is happily surfing away on her New Custom Macintosh computer. (My wife loves Macs!).

All this and My Taxes Are Paid, My Bills Are Gone, and I'm Living My Dreams, Giving My Wife All Of Hers, and Have Already Paid Off The In-Laws Mortgage and Sent Them On A Cruise! :-) Imagine All Of This!! I Certainly Am!

Will get back to you as future NOWS unfold....

Warm Regards,
Stephen

Some Blogs Deleted

I've deleted the following blogs:

http://18wheeledadventures.blogspot.com/

http://nobletruckershaiku.blogspot.com/


After many a long year of trying to be a professional truck driver, I'm calling it quits for good! No if, and, or buts! I'm done. Forever!


Warm Regards,
Firefishe

A Long Look Ahead

The last few months have found me talking over a variety of things with educational professionals, and the results have been nothing short of miraculous.

I've come a long way, and contribute this to 'following spirit' (no religious elements should be inferred), calming my emotions (always a challenge in this world), and pursuing my spirit-led dreams, which, at length, are at the behest of my own true desires, anyway.

I'm finally pursuing my 'means to the ends' of what I desire; for me, my wife, and my family.

It's a great feeling :-)

Warmest Regards,
The Humble Fishe

HumFisheKu For April 2011

holding out for joy

a streak across velvet skies

nighttime is on nigh

HumFisheKu For October 2010

fly upon the breeze

homing toward the windward north

on my way back home

HumFisheKu For December

Love, sometimes I see...

Can be hard to find, unless...

One loves one's Self well.

Sprint, The Palm Pre, and Tethering

First, let me speak frankly: I Am A Palm Pre User and Sprint PCS Customer! I'm on a plan that includes everything for about a hundred bucks a month, enjoy using my Pre, and am loathe to switch to any other carrier at this time because of the quality of the service I currently have.

That said, I think it's imperative to understand that there is a basic functionality that the Pre is lacking, which, in The Humble Fishe's opinion, needs to be remedied.

That is the ability to 'tether' the Pre to a computer, either via a USB cable or a Bluetooth wireless connection. The Pre has the technical ability to do these things, as it--like all data devices--has an internal modem that connects it to the network for using all the wonderful features--like the Pre's great web browser--that are so data-intensive.

Still, Sprint hasn't developed something like a simple add-on plan to provide for tethering on the Pre. This doesn't make sense from a marketing perspective or a technical perspective. Sprint has a device one can buy and use on a special plan that allows for five computers to connect to it via a localized, short-area-coverage, wi-fi connection.

Five computers! So if Sprint is worried about all those Pre users out there who might use tethering on their devices (Hypothetical) clogging up the data network, then why offer a device that can do it for five?

The Humble Fishe's Gentle Suggestion for Sprint: All of your customers who use the Pre understand about marketing, for most of us are very savvy at understanding cellular networks and handhelds, and the limitations of both.

What we don't always comprehend, is why such a basic feature like tethering--either via USB or Bluetooth--is unavailable on such an advanced device like the Pre?

Answering this question would help a lot of us--both technical users and laymen alike--comprehend where Sprint--our chosen carrier--is going with their thoughts. It also would help if you'd ask us--on the forums, especially--what we'd like to see and what features we'd like to use.

The way The Humble Fishe sees it, based on what I've read on the forums, as well as my own personal thoughts on the matter is this: Tethering Is Needed On The Pre.

That's all I'll say on this matter, out of politeness and respect. I've shared my Humble Thoughts on the matter. Sprint...The Rest Is Up To You.


Thanks for reading...THF

Where The Spirit Dwells

It's been a while since I could say in a heartfelt manner that I was calm enough to sit down and write something down without trepidation or fear of reproach--reproach from myself, not anybody else.

I've been working on developing my spiritual side, and it seems to have paid off recently. My spiritual life is quite eclectic, as I draw from many new and old spiritual pathworkings. Neopaganism plays a major role these days, as do many other Earth-Based spiritual paths. I draw a small amount from Christianity through my Episcopalian upbringing, obtaining from that experience my sense of community and service-to-others.

Together, all these things are coalescing into helping me become more Aware (relating to Consciousness) of myself, my world, and others within those worlds, both physical and spiritual.

My wife and I happened to have the pleasure of visiting a wonderful new-agey, witchy-type store in Kansas City, Missouri that goes by the telltale name of Aquarius--an apt moniker for a wonderful shop that caters to not only the New Age and modern neopagan set, but also for those with a love of fine, handcrafted jewelry.

Some of the items we found on this visit (we visited once before a few weeks earlier) were a simply delightful, handmade cape made from black, shiny acetate-silk, adorned with little owls with painstakingly-applied faux-jewel eyes on purple material of the same type. This same cape comes with drawstrings that allow a hood to be made, and I have to say, it's striking on my wife, who was pleased as punch that the cape was still there. Needless to say, we picked it up at once!

We did a lot--and spent a lot ;-)--on this trip. The highlight of the visit was getting our auras photographed and having Barbera, Aquarius' resident expert Intuitive, interpret both our photographs. The results were meaningful and helpful beyond words. Also delightful was a tarot reader

Aquarius is really two stores in one, the other store the jewelry side called Vulcan's Forge, which has many interesting, one-of-a-kind jewelry products.

Many other items too numerous to mention exist within the walls of this interesting emporium. Web sites are below:

http://www.aquariusbooks.com/
http://www.vulcans-forge.com/links.html

Give yourself a treat if in the Kansas City, Missouri area and give Aquarius/Vulcan's Forge a visit.

More later. . . THF

HumFisheKu For October 2009

Storms have abated,

Processes make themselves clear,

Soullular phone calls.

HumFisheKu For September, 2009

Dancing in the dark,

Feet molding to small points of,

Echoed, shifting light.

My Opinion on Veoh's Recent 165-Country Lockout

Veoh started out as a decent video site, with very little difficulty in watching what was available on their servers. Then, the problems began.

It began when Veoh started to get into what I like to term the 'Secondary Software Scenario.' This happens when, instead of just linking the video, itself, and letting the user use their browser's own embedded video viewing capability to handle the matter, they just had to have people use 'yet another piece of bloat code' to do what is, essentially, a fairly easy-to-manage operation.

The ads are acceptable, and, although being the usual annoyances that ads are, remain a good source of revenue so that the general public can watch their moving pictures for free.

Now for the improper part. The Internet is just that: 'Inter'. Not Intra (meaning, 'from within') but rather 'Inter' (mutually, together), meaning a collective of computer users from around the globe.

The People of the Internet are not unthinking, uncaring individuals. We are dynamic, broad-minded, and desirous of the countries of the world to foster the ability to foment peace, clean up their collective acts--be they environmental or social--so that they get along and are respectful of their neighbors.

Having to have region codes on DVD's is bad enough. Censorship is bad enough without that kind of nonsense keeping openness from becoming a reality in our collective lifetimes. Too many people want to control others, exclude others from what they believe to be 'their share of the pot' and 'their information.' There is altogether too much of the attitude of "I know what's best for you, you can't watch that, watch this instead."

The People of the Internet are not morons! We are not automatons living in a turn-of-the-century 'Metropolis' vision! We represent the brightest Minds of the Twenty-First Century! We are tired of censorship in the media, weary of media industry associations working to place electronic limitations on digital files--both audio and video--and are equally tired of prejudice of one country over another.

All that said, here is the crux of my comment: Veoh's limiting of it's audience to only 33 countries smacks of disrespect, prejudice, and bigotry! It looks to me as if Veoh's Board of Directors let marketing have 'Carte Blanche' on the management side of the company, something that, if true--although I am not accusing anyone--smacks just a tad bit aloof of the Sarbanes-Oxley doctrine.

If not, then with what are we left? Simple commercial prejudice based on nothing more than ad-money intake? If so, that's a crappy way to run a business, Pure, Plain, and Simple!

Ad-revenue is certainly a major part of any online enterprise, and I see plenty of sites doing it and doing well, without any repositories of bloatware-based video and music players, crappy ad-runs, or region-limiting (Read: IP Address Range Blocking!) practices. Limiting your viewing audience doesn't increase revenue, it limits it.

Limiting a readily-available, worldwide audience is the realm of morons; egos-gone-bad and egotistical marketing practices, throwback, pseudo-idealism--which is not idealism at all, but another descriptive for prejudice!

Veoh, in limiting it's reach within a medium that spans the entire Planet Earth, builds bridges between nations, and fosters congeniality among individuals and groups, is doing nothing more onerous than showing forth it's own limiting--and limited- view of the World.

A view that shows a desire to continue a prejudice that should have long since died out.

My Gentle Suggestion To Veoh: Understand that the Internet is the best hope for peace the Planet Earth has ever had, relative to communications.

Instant translation of web pages into one's own language, the ability to share one's ideas with others of like--and dissimilar--minds, via the advent of audio and video, is a technological masterpiece of innovation that might have fostered less wars and more understanding a long time ago had it then been around.

Remove the limit of what countries can watch your videos. The 'net is made for everyone, not just 'a select few with money.' Even those in smaller countries have 'something to spend' and might just subscribe to your services, should they be available. Even YouTube has a subscription model for premium content and allows that expansion. (Makes you think about just who your competition is, eh? If not, it should!)

I wish Veoh the best of everything in the present, and the near and far future, for as long as this type of medium is present. Technology changes so fast these days, who's to say that we won't be direct-downloading live streams into our noggins by mid-century, with the full realization of just what that means, as well as the ethical and moral understandings to go along with it.

Should that technical advent come to pass, there won't be any room for exclusivity for the type of marketing prejudice in which you--Veoh--are currently engaged.

Wake Up! Open Up! Enough is enough!

Warm Regards,
The Humble Fishe

HumFisheKu for July, 2009

Dancing in the dark,

I whirl around, awestruck,

Moon! My dark mistress.

My Post on Charles T. Tart (A Really Guuruood Guy!)

*POOF* "Hey, Look! Cheese Weasels!

Thus endeth my post on Charles T. Tart.

-- ;-)

HumFisheKu for June

The Bravest of all,

Having a choice before them,

Choose the safest path.

***although***

The safest pathway,

Although being inviting,

May not help me grow.

...and as of today, I just don't know...

June - Catching Up

June, already! Last post was late May, so I want to bring everyone up to speed on what is going on out here in The Humble Fishe's world.

One item of note is my search for a suitable job, one that's tailored just for me, so I don't have to continue searching forever and ever, going from position to position. Have any of you had to deal with that? Hopefully, not, as it's a pain in the ass when you're 43 years old, learning disabled, and not able to fit in to a normal college curriculum.

So what do I do? I've gone to truck driving schools, worked with Vocational Rehabilitation in my local area to try to get me retrained *after* the truck driving school fiascoes of blog posts past, and I went to college last Fall at a nearby technical college for computer programming; all that last one got me was a new loan, which got me a new computer (my old one broke) but left me cold so far as the educational element of it was concerned.

I've decided to take out no more loans for education. Either I pay for it directly, someone else pays for it directly, or I go to school, gratis! I'm tired of the cost increases versus not-quite-enough-bang-for-the-buck in the United States education market--and let's face it folks! It's become a market first, quality or quantity of product, second.

I'm not paying for any more education that lacks substance, and I believe, based upon my own experience, that most modern education lacks a lot of substance. To me, it's mostly air, and low-oxygen-content air, at that!

--

Spiritually, I've been working on not-working-so-much. It seems more and more that I'm trying too hard to achieve when spirituality is one of those strange realms that works best when I'm not trying to achieve, but rather allowing things to come into my life as a river flows through the countryside. The river doesn't have to work, it just flows where the course of the riverbed directs it, and even the riverbed changes over time, and the river self-adjusts.

Automatic self-adjustment should be in operation all day, every day. If that were 'turned on' in my daily life, I believe that things would start 'flowing in,' just like a river!

Generally, in spiritually, I tend toward the neo-pagan/new-age sides of things, although by no means strict or the follower of any particular guru or instructor, creed or faith. However, this does not mean I lack either instruction, interaction, or a path to follow.

Hmmm. Just what does The Humble Fishe believe? I've never really discussed it here, so why not now? I believe that the 'school of direct spiritual experience' is the best teacher, and one's own personal interpretation of that experience is equally the best way to understand the unseen world of Human Consciousness.

It's not rocket science, folks! Too many rules equal too much dogma, and as the old saying goes, 'my karma ran over my dogma' many years ago! ;-)

Seriously, though, I'm not so flippant when it comes to desiring new and meaningful experiences in my spiritual--and physical--life at this point. 43 is no place to be treading water, but that's where I am. Luckily, Nature has allowed me the ability to fashion a 'spiritual antigravity platform,' so I no longer have to tread H2O in the spiritual sea. Nikola Tesla would've been proud! Carl Jung, too!

Well, on to other subjects.

--

The Work I Desire...Writing? I dunno...
-
Writing is another area I've been playing around in for a while. I'm working on a novel at the moment--the first of a six-volume series called 'The Sacred Dances of the Cosmos.' Archives will show a poem entitled My Beach©, which I am going to publish soon.

I actually wrote the poem well after I had started on the first volume--originally a one-book-story--which I've named The Light and Dark Moon Dancing. The story centers around Sam, a man of youthful middle-age who is drawn back to his beach front hometown in Michigan.

(THF Note: Michigan is my home state, and the events portrayed in the book take place near a lakeside town I used to frequent during the summers when I lived near there--the beach is awesome!)

Whether or not this project gets off the ground and yields up something tangible (read: money) remains to be seen. I'm still dealing with a lot of inner demons. Gads! Aren't all writers? Sheesh!

(Actually, though, writing is an area in which I'd really like to succeed, especially in New Age/Spiritual Fiction; and I'm not being flippant about that! -THF)

Well, that's it for now. More later on toward July.
Blessings and Light to Each and Everyone,
Warm Regards from The Humble Fishe

HumFisheKu For May, 2009

Strewn upon the sands,

My boat has found it's safe shore,

My liferaft is beached!