WORLD: Jews Under Attack at UCDavis

*****2/20/2015 Update: Sent to me by Kim - thanks. UC Davis student government divestment from Israel vote was overturned on 2/19/2015, which you can read about by clicking here. That's progress, but it doesn't do anything to address the UC Davis student movement that proclaims that "Sharia law has taken over UC Davis". If you want to lodge a complaint against what is happening at UC Davis in the conflict between Israel Supporters and Sharia Law supporters, you can call Emily Prieto, Chief of Staff to the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, at (530) 752-0946.

*****2/10/2015 Update: Santa Cruz, CA, February 10, 2015- After the Jewish community suffered two hate crimes at UC Davis in recent days, 23 organizations with hundreds of thousands of members and supporters demanded UC Davis Chancellor Katehi conduct a formal investigation into registered student group Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and one of its members, Azka Fayyaz, also a UC Davis student senator. I am anxiously awaiting action from UC Davis, but am not optimistic. You can read more about this by clicking here.

                       

*****2/5/2015: The bottom line is that we are all on the planet together. Those who want to work towards living in harmony with those who are different from them deserve to live in peace. Those who seek to create conflict and inflict intentional violence against innocents deserve to be stopped by any means. Period. Peace through Superior Firepower. America defeats its enemies and then rebuilds them (Japan, Germany after WWII, etc.) - what other country does that?

PERSONAL: Sayings from the Mind of Waag!

I'm working part time this year (2019) and want to get back to my research and writing. My goal is to complete a book a year, starting this year. I believe I MIGHT be able to get 2 books done this year, in fact - stay tuned. Requires commitment and vigilance. http://salttram.blogspot.com

Part 1: These are sayings that I've come up with that represent my life experiences:

SUCCESS TW35: Organization is the Key to Efficiency!  I wrote this long ago in a diary that I kept in High School and College. I believed it then, and still believe it now. Ironically, after raising kids and running a law firm for a few decades, we have packed away way too much junk. We are trying to re-organize our home by getting rid of stuff. We have followed the excellent book "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing" by Marie Kondo - I highly recommend this clever approach to "downsizing your stuff". 

POLITICS TW34: Don't Listen to What Politicians SAY — Instead, Pay Attention to What They DO.  Long before the great political divide of modern times (i.e., the Obama and Trump years), I learned to ignore what politicians said, but instead, paid attention to only what they did. Their actions include how they vote, what bills the author and sponsor, etc. This has always served me well, and even more so today. Ignore the ads, ignore the news media diarrhea, the political pontificating, their self-serving statements, etc. Pay attention their actions: it is far easy to "sound off" about issues, and far harder to actually solve a problem. Sound advice, IMHO.

SOCIETY TW33: Believe Something...Do Something.  Not too long ago in 2017, I spoke to Mila's middle school history class about homelessness. I always love speaking with kids, simply because they "get it" in a way that most adults do not. I always look for a pithy message for them to take away from our meeting. One time, spontaneously, I expressed it in only 4 words!!! Pithy, indeed. What does this saying mean? Whatever you believe in — whatever dwells everlasting in your heart — don't let it get stale: Do something based on your beliefs about the great big world around you. Build up your courage and let your heartfelt beliefs energize you and spur you to ever greater meaning in life.

SOCIETY TW32: A society should be judged by how it treats the least among it. In regard to the homeless, at least in California, we have done rather poorly. Let's not even get into the other truly disadvantaged groups: disabled, mentally ill, PTSD, elderly, etc. We treat the groups that truly need it rather meagerly, yet those of sound mind and body often get what they do not even need. I believe that all those who are able should be given the opportunity earn their keep, perhaps even learning how to take care of the sick, elderly, mentally ill and homeless. I believe that most of them actually want to do so, if they only got the opportunity.

NAMING STUFF TW31: Don't go too far out of your way to name a pet, or a boat, or any other item - if you are patient, the world will name it for you. I have simply observed this to be true: when a name is needed, it will present itself in it's own time. And it'll be the right name.

Above: Our current boat, a 26 foot 1998 Seaswirl Striper diving and fishing boat. We tried to name it, but the various names didn't stick. But in the end, it did name itself. I won't reveal the name here, because it is a bit embarrassing (not for the reason you think, either!). My favorite name for the boat was "Recon 1", as this was the series of names of a bunch of Chevron boats that were moored at the same dock with us at King Harbor in Redondo Beach - they were big commercial diesel powered aluminum boats named Recon 1, Recon 2, etc. I thought the name sounded good, especially over a VHF radio (Channel 72 "This is Recon 1 in the channel crossing harvesting a school of big Blues; Recon 1 on site and awaiting your arrival; Recon 1 - out" etc.). Oh well. Ask me and I'll tell you our boat's name and the story of how it got its name.

PETS TW30: Your pet will let you know when its their time to "say goodbye to this world". Our pets are gifts from G*d, but the gift does not last forever, at least in the flesh. Our pets instinctively know when it's their time to go, and we must respect their wishes. When "that time" finally comes, we wish we could just have them for "one more week, one more day, one more hour". However, it is cruel to continue their life past the time when they have given us "the sign", so we honor their wishes, and end their life with dignity. But until that "sad day", please honor your pet by enjoying their time, company and humor, while you still can.

PETS TW29: Let the world know you are seeking a pet, and the pet will find you. I have simply observed this to be true. Maybe its mystical or spiritual or magical, or maybe it's what we also call the "Magic of Intentions". In any case, it's a handy tool, and it works for other things besides pets, too: if there is something that you really want, then do not be shy about letting the world know, and do your positive best to make it happen, and chances are that it will.

PETS TW28: It is a seemingly cruel G*d who made our pets to live 10 or 15 years, and for us to live to 70, 80 or more. I As an adult, I have only had to go through losing a pet once, with Shayna, the dog that our children grew up with. G*d help us when it is Theo's turn to go - I'm sure we'll never have another dog after that, which is a shame. Theo better live a long time! I have relatives who refuse to enjoy the special companionship of a dog because they cannot bear what Laura coined "the sad day". Our next sad day (with Theo) will be sad indeed; yes, our relatives and friends think we are crazy about our dog and they are right - but this too is G*d's fault for making dogs such wonderful creatures.

PETS & PEOPLE TW27: When you never forget, they are never truly gone. When people or pets have passed, I believe in continuing to be immersed in their memory, until you too are gone. When doing so, they are never really gone - they vividly live on in your mind and soul. After my grandfather - Robert Waag, Sr. passed, it was another 13 years before his wife of 59.5 years, my grandmother, Irma Waag, joined him; in those intervening years, we never spoke of grandpa without us both ending up in tears - as it should be; you are supposed to cry when remembering those you love who have perished.

WORDS TO LIVE BY TW26: Do not pass up the good in search of the perfect. You know you've hit on something "for the ages" when the following folks have all uttered versions of this saying: Confucius. Aristotle. Voltaire. Pescetti. Shakespeare. Yep - all had their own versions of it. A few brief examples: "Perfect is the enemy of good". "Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without". "Striving to better, oft we mar what's well". However, I can't find anyone who phrased it the way I have, so I am taking credit for it as an original saying. Plus, I don't recall every hearing those other similar versions of it. What it says about human nature is most fascinating. I witness this phenomenon all the time, including in myself - and especially among writers: one has the "good" in hand, yet dumps it and pursues the "perfect", which never comes. It is a curiosity of our human mind that we strive for perfection in all that we do, and in doing so, miss out on having merely "the good", which should be good enough, but it isn't! Obtaining "good" does not make us happy, but failing to achieve "perfection" also does not make us happy, but is much less effort! Also: Closely related is the "Nirvana Fantasy": you never start the task because perfection is too hard; also closely related is the Pareto principle aka the 80%–20% rule, summarized as "increasing effort results in diminishing returns").

LIFE & DEATH TW25: We're all playing a game where nobody gets out alive! Related to my decades of hospice volunteer work, it's a different way of saying the hospice slogan of "Dying is what happens on the last day, all the other days are about living". I like this saying and say it quite often.

WORDS TO LIVE BY TW24: One is None - Two is One  Okay, this is a Marine Corp. saying that I recently heard for the first time and misinterpreted what it meant. I have given it a new interpretation, thus making it mine, and not the Corp. I interpret its meaning in the context of the relationship to my wife: without her, I am nothing, thus "One is None" - together, we are as one, one soul, one entity, thus "Two is One"; Frankly, as I shared this with Sue, it brought a tear to my eye. It is now one of "our" sayings; too mushy? Not for us!

SO TRUE TW23: I love when one of my friends meets another one of my friends and they become friends.  This happens to me all the time. In fact, it often happens that when this occurs, they become better friends with each other than with me! But I am happy about that too. I am lucky to have a handful of good friends, and in a sense, when a new friendship is created, I get some sort of "karma credit" for creating the resulting friendship. This saying inspired by Mark Mac, ESHS Class of '77 - may he RIP.

GIVING THANKS TW22: If you know where you are going to SLEEP tonight, and you know where your next MEAL is coming from, then you should be thankful. Many people in this country do not have a warm, dry, safe, lockable place to sleep tonight - but you do. Many people are hungry or eat high calorie but low value food - think McDonalds Double Cheeseburger for a dollar - and don't know where their next meal will be coming from - but you do. Try going without food or lodging for a few days, and see what many of our homeless have to deal with, and you will be grateful for what you have.


WORDS TO LIVE BY TW21: When in doubt, do the right thing. Strangely, I have never heard this uttered by anyone else, so I am claiming this one for myself! This saying applies to situations where we face a dilemma about what to do. When you find yourself uncertain about what to do, just ask yourself "what is the right thing to do?". The vast majority of the time, we actually know what the right thing to do would be, but often we are too scared or too lazy to do "the right thing". Solution: don't think about it, just do it - do the right thing - I think that was also the name of a favorite Spike Lee movie of the same name.

WITTY SAYING TW20: Well, we still haven't done anything stupid yet today. Usually uttered near the end of one of our many adventure days, when there is an opportunity to: 1. do something smart and avoid an obstacle or turn around, or 2. do something stupid and plunge into the abyss. Nothing stupid yet today? Okay then - plunge into the abyss it is!.

Above: Death Valley National Park, California. Case in Point. We were doing a long dayhike, when the group abandoned us just as it got steep, long, and tough. Instead of taking the easy way, we cliffed out, with a big fat dog in tow. I happened to get this photo. It ended up being less dangerous than originally thought, but still stupid. No rope, no nothing. Probably doesn't look as dangerous as it was, as the rock was very loose and unstable. Note that I went first (and took the photo). Tracy, Andrew and Tracey's pooch.

WORDS TO LIVE BY TW19: A key to marriage is to put the needs of your spouse ahead of your own needs, and vice versa. I'm not sure that everyone can do this. It takes a great amount of love for one person to not take advantage of the other.

SO TRUE TW18: Nobody cares about what you think but your Mother and God. Okay, I adapted this saying from the Dave Ramsey radio show. It sounds very negative, but for me it is very positive. It helps me to remain humble and true to my origins. Thankfully, my wife also cares what I think, but that's pretty much where it ends. I appreciate what I  have, and I am grateful to have met, known, and spent time with some pretty amazing people. Humbleness complete! This saying caused me to consider why I continue to write this blog when nobody reads it? Answer: it consolidates and focuses my thoughts, ideas, and feelings, and I believe that it makes me a better writer. Someday, I hope to actually publish some of my writings, and this practice of the writing craft should help me in cranking out some of my research.

MOVIE FITS REALITY TW17:  I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who enjoys our trips under the blanket of leadership that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it! I would rather you just said "thank you", and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you organize and lead a trip yourself. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think of my trips. Okay, I adapted this quote from the movie "A Few Good Men" starring Jack Nicholson, Tom Cruise and Kevin Bacon - a great movie with great lines. Jack's actual lines in the movie where he plays Col. Jessep: "I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to." My quote was in response to my frustration over someone who has gone on numerous trips of ours, enjoys them immensely, then bags on me personally for the manner in which we organize and lead them.

GOOD TIMES TW16: If it weren't for the Bad Times, we wouldn't recognize the Good Times I really believe this is true. Life is a cycle, and we all experience good and bad times - hopefully more good than bad! But if it were good all the time, I believe that we wouldn't truly appreciate it. Sometimes, I just go to bed, hoping for this bad day to end, knowing that a good day is coming. Amen.

PERFECTION TW15: Life's Not Perfect - Get Used to It! There's a burning inner desire in us humans that strives for perfection in life. Sadly, we will never achieve that perfection because - SURPRISE! - we're only human! We are all flawed, just in different ways. Sometimes, you just have to let go of that desire for perfection and instead honor ourselves as the flawed human beings that we are, and just enjoy life!

SOLVING THE WORLD'S PROBLEMS TW14: Every World Problem is reduced by having less people on Planet Earth Growing population on our planet is a huge problem that gets little attention in the media. This concept was popular in the 1970's, but has largely been silent since then - I don't know why. When I discuss this with ardent environmentalists, they strangely object to this apparent fact. 

SOLVING THE WORLD'S PROBLEMS TW13: In our affluent society, we should be able to shelter and feed everyone, regardless of circumstance. Yes - this is a simplistic statement, but that is the nature of "sayings". No - Not luxury accommodations - Not gourmet food. But a roof that doesn't leak, a warm bed in a safe and secure building, and sufficient calories a day of affordable, healthy, simply, inexpensive food. There are solutions to these problems that are affordable, but that the public is not willing to accept. Witness the refusal of neighborhoods to allow groups like the People's Kitchen to dispense food to those who need it. 

Above (click to enlarge): Mountain Biking world class single track trails at Montana de Oro State Park with my buddy Michael.

GET FIT - STAY FIT (TW12):  Its not how HARD you work out, its how OFTEN! Its more important to try and get in some exercise every single day, rather than kill yourself on the rare occasions when you can actually find time to get a workout in. The reality is that if you find time for regular exercise, no matter how limited the workout, your fitness level will continue to improve, allowing you to naturally and organically increase your strength and endurance. Keep in mind that with a goal of trying to work out EVERY DAY, you are more likely to get in 4 or 5 workouts a week, which is an excellent frequency, since it is also important to get in a few rest days every week.

BUCKET LIST TW11:  When you are in your 20's, 30's, or 40's, you can always convince yourself that there will always be more time to do the things you have dreamed of doing. When you hit your 50's, you can no longer kid yourself. If there are things you dream to do, you better get on with doing them! Yes, its long-winded. I've begun to say this alot, and though a bit of a mouthful, it does represent our current thoughts - time to be getting on with things - retirement be d*mned!.

WORDS TO LIVE BY TW10:  We just want to have some fun before we're done! Sue and I just started saying this one - it came from "The Mind of Waag" but I'm sure its been said before! We realize we are not getting any younger, and just want to enjoy a little bit more of life before we're too old to do so - so should you!. 

WADAYA WANT FOR NUTHIN'? TW9:  Guaranteed Fun or Your Money Back! We use this saying on our "free" trips, where friends, family and strangers are invited to attend. We also use this when friends come to stay in the heaven that is San Luis Obispo. Nobody has ever asked for their money back - mostly because its free in the first place!.

TRY IT TW8:  The 10 Minute Rule Okay, not strictly a "saying" per se, but a motivational technique that I like to use. Whenever you do NOT feel like doing something that REALLY needs to get done, try the 10 minute rule: sit down and focus on accomplishing that task for 10 minutes; about 7 out of 10 times, within that 10 minute period, your mind gives in to your will and focuses its strength and energy on the desired task - try it some time!.

SO SORRY TW7:  I didn't do it. And if I did do it, I didn't mean it. If I did meant it, I didn't really mean it! Yes, I utter this saying, mostly when I've been drinking, I suppose. Its supposed to silly. A response to "who did this?". We still fear this question from our childhood, a time period when we would never get away with this response - at least for long. I guess that's what makes this saying funny - at least to me!.

LIVING IN YOUR HEAD TW6:  Just decide to be happy. Sometimes, life just weighs you down. Whether for a good reason, or no reasons, you are just sad and depressed. In those situations, I have found that there is only one thing for me to do - just decide to ignore all that baggage and just be happy - and why not? You don't live forever, and happiness is fleeting, and this technique often works for me. You should give it a try.

MONEY TW5: Nobody will ever care more about your money than you do. Up until 1997, I used a full service brokerage to manage my puny investments. How naive. A tiny account like mine would NEVER get the attention it deserved. So just a year before we opened our business, Waag and Co.com, I educated myself about investments and never looked back. Have not consulted a brokerage since then, and if not massively successful, I at least understand what is happening with our hard-earned savings.

POLITICS TW4: If it makes sense, our leaders will NEVER do it. Do I really need to explain this one? Okay, for the slow-on-the-uptake amongst us: Anytime we hear of a GREAT NEW IDEA that would require establishment support or sponsorship or outright ownership, we know that it will NEVER happen. Why? Because our public leaders are invested in the status quo. That includes all their pay, perks and pension payouts, which are threatened by any NEW AND IMPROVED idea. The best solutions come from the people, who are willing to try and do practically anything, especially if they think they can make a buck doing it!

GO FOR IT TW3: Inspiration is where you find it. We never know where, when or how we will find something that inspires us; it doesn't have to be something that is classically motivational, but often is something unexpected; example: some of my favorite quotes, like those from Mark Twain, inspire me to thoughtful or brash action, depending on the quote!

GO FOR IT TW2: Well, you're not dead yet! Uttered whenever someone talks about achieving some life dream, but seems skeptical that it can ever be started, much less achieved.

GOOD  TIMES TW1: We always leave, wanting more A reference to our many exploration and adventure trips to different parts of the world that we have fallen in love with; brother Brian and I note frequently that we always leave at the end of a trip, dying to  return to explore some more!; in the rare instances when the magic is over, I am sad to admit when some place or activity that I have loved for so many years comes to an end; my soccer example: due to sports injuries, I had to give up playing soccer at age 45 - I could probably play now after many surgeries to my knees, ankles and feet, but the risk of injury is too great - I loved playing soccer starting at age 10 in AYSO, then for Westchester Santos and South Torrance High Soccer Club, followed by UCLA and the LA Soccer club semi-pro team, then the TRW Soccer Club for 10 years, pick-up games at Meadow Park in SLO at lunch on Tues. and Thurs., then a team in the Paso Robles Soccer League when we moved to SLO, which was my last time playing competitive soccer; it was devastating to give up playing a sport that I loved for more than 35 years - I always thought I'd be playing soccer forever.

Part 2: These are sayings that I love, but have been written (or said) by others:

BOOK: THE MISSION WALKER Others-39: I believe a long walk is like life: Know where you are going. Walk the straightest line to get there, and don't look back. Otherwise, you never get to where you want to go. From the Non-fiction book, "The Mission Walker" by Edie Sundby. I'm reading this book for the 2nd time. Enjoyed it the first time for the action, and the second time for the subtleties. The above quote is from the book. I didn't always believe this was true. Something about "the journey" being more important than the destination. However, as you get older and you still have things you want to do, it's time to get to doing them, and d*mn the distractions! If you like California mission history, I highly recommend this book. 

HARRY CHAPIN (MAY HE RIP) Others-38: When in doubt -- do something! This is something Harry Chapin often said. He found it was often much easier to accomplish the impossible than to do the ordinary. This is very similar to my own saying: "Believe Something - Do Something". When we take action, it creates energy and empowers us. Often, we have mental lapses and put off doing things we don't want to do, or are inexplicably afraid of acting. Once we act, the dam breaks, and the energy flows. Certainly, wise words to live by - what are you going to do today?

AN "OLD" FAVORITE Others-37: Your eyes are the Window / Mirror to your Soul. The saying has been attributed to William Shakespeare, but has been said in various forms longer before the "Bard of Avon" came along. People betray their thoughts and feelings through their facial expressions, but with no tool more powerful than their eyes. When I capture images of people (otherwise known as portraits), I try to capture their fanciful expression through their eyes, as in the photo of this homeless man below.

HARRY CHAPIN (MAY HE RIP) Others-36: Good tired, ironically enough, can be a day that you lost. But you won’t even have to tell yourself, because you knew you fought your battles, you chased your dreams, you lived your days. And when you hit the hay at night, you settle easy, you sleep the sleep of the just, and you can say, “Take me away." are no atheists in a foxhole. As I've grown older (how I HATE that phrase, but use it I must!), I've appreciated the opportunity to fight my battles, instead of those of my employer or others. I think this just speaks for itself. I will fight the good fight, until they come and take me away. In the meantime, I'll sleep the sleep of the just. Amen.

BELIEF IN A HIGHER POWER Others-35: There are no atheists in a foxhole. I could not figure out who first said this phrase, so we will remain in the dark about that. No doubt this saying came about during World War I and World War II, when lots of Americans were in foxholes and praying. Of course, the saying itself is not strictly true in any way, as there are of course, many atheists in foxholes. However, if you have any reservations about praying or whether there is a G*d, those reservations tend to disappear when you expect a mortar round to land on your head at any time. There is much written online about this saying, but I think my favorite is this: "People seem to think this is a good argument against atheism. I think it's a better argument against foxholes." I think our soldiers spend little or no time in foxholes these days, those I'm sure it does happen from time to time.

GREATNESS Others-34: Dear Lord, if I am not on this earth to do great things, please give me the wisdom to do small things in a great way. Of course, this is my own tweaked version of the famous and pithy saying (often attributed American self-help author Napoleon Hill - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleon_Hill ): "If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way". I have accepted my limitations in this life, and instead strive to do small things in a great way. As I have noted many times, I have been fortunate in my life to be "next to" great people as they do great things, while I stand by, and maybe hand them a tool! (so to speak). A person must know their limitations, and I have so, so, so many - and I'm good with that. Amen.

ACHIEVING YOUR GOALS Others-33: Argue for your limitations, and sure enough, they're yours. This quote is from one of my favorite college era books, Illusions, by Richard Bach (thanks, Nancy!). People often believe in us more than we believe in ourselves. Rather than setting out to reach a goal, we create arguments for why the goal is not achievable. Turn that around: make arguments for why you can live your dreams, and odds are that you will get there. It may not be easy, but it is the hard goals that are most satisfying. As an example, I have always loved Scuba diving, but never dreamed I could master it to the degree that I could become an instructor. However, my wife believed in me, and just as importantly, head instructor Rick Olson from Dive N' Surf / Body Glove believed in me (or didn't let on that he didn't think I could do it!). Amazingly, I became an NASDS and PADI instructor at my favorite Dive Store, Dive N' Surf in Redondo Beach, California. Shortly afterwards, I was promoted to head instructor at the store for 5 years. Wow! It's great when people believe in you - it makes it easier to believe in yourself! Thanks everyone! 

PHOTO (above): Contemplative moment out at Wilson Rock, San Miguel Island, on a rare calm flat clear day! Getting ready to jump in for the first dive of the day.

BEING PREPARED Others-32: Luck is when Preparation meets Opportunity. This saying has been attributed to the Roman philosopher Seneca, and it is still true today. As an example, recently my son James was vying for a job as a tour guide at Hearst Castle. Rather than just show up and "wing it", he got prepared. He updated his linked in page to reflect his qualifications to be a tour guide (UCSB degree in Classics - Greek and Roman culture). We went on some Hearst Castle tours (at $25 a pop - each!) and video-taped some of our tour guides. We later studied the videos of the best of the Castle guides to understand what made their techniques so effective. 

We talked to the guides after the tours to get tips on how to prepare for the interviews. A few of the interview questions that were asked of our guides were the same questions that James got in his interview! What luck! Also, Hearst Castle told James that in one of the interviews he would be asked to study material on a site similar to Hearst Castle (in this case, the childhood home of Mark Twain) for 45 minutes, then give a simulated tour of the site (in front of an interview panel!). To prepare, he did a simulation of this "site tour" interview for 3 different locations. For instance, since we live in a town with a mission founded by Junipero Serra, O. F. M., we pulled together some study material on Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa for James to study for 45 minutes, then we drove to the mission, and James practiced given a tour of the mission for a few hours, until he became comfortable with the process (see photo below from his Mission practice tour). 

After all this preparation, he nailed multiple interviews, and has been invited to take the 7 week tour guide preparation course, which will start on April 25, 2017. Opportunity, preparation, and finally, a job offer! Yeah!

MOVIE MADNESS Others-31: You all know exactly who I am. Say my name. <Do what? I don't have a d*mn clue who the hell you are>. Yeah, you do. I'm the cook. I'm the man who killed Gus Fring. <Bullsh*t. Cartel got Fring>. You sure? That's right. Now. Say my name. <You're Heisenberg>. You're G*d d*mn right. Find the link to this 52 second clip by clicking on this link. One of the great moments in the great series "Breakin' Bad". I'm gonna order my pork pie hat soon (the hat I'm wearing in the photo below is a "Trilby") just like Heisenberg. Our next door neighbor has a "Bounder" motorhome similar to the one used by "Walt and Jessie" in the first few series of Breakin' Bad. Unfortunately, our neighbors RV caught fire in their driveway and was gutted and destroyed. Talk about making lemonade when life gives you lemons: after it happened, they asked me to come over and model as "Walt" for a photoshoot of "Walt and Jessie". Not bad. You decide. Click to enlarge.

REASON TO LIVE Others-30: Cosmic Moments in Non-Cosmic Lives. Uttered by folk artist Harry Chapin, may he RIP. Refers to the fact that most of us live mundane lives, but they are occasionally intertwined with "cosmic moments" as Harry alludes to. These moments are what makes life worth living for most of us - you can have the mundane stuff!.

GOOD ADVICE Others-29: Never argue with a fool - onlookers may not know the difference. Another one of my favorites. If an individual can't have a civilized discussion of an important issue, then it is time for me to "step away"; nothing can be accomplished by an irrational human unwilling to consider another's point of view.

GOOD ADVICE Others-28: It is better to keep your mouth shut and have them think me a fool, then open my mouth and remove all doubt. Yes, I live by this. I am a simple man - perhaps too simple. I often go into "wallflower" mode, rather than open my mouth and look like at the fool I may be. I guess it works for me - but then, those that think I am a fool would probably not say so to my face? Sadly, my wife's side of the family - the smart side of the family - generally thinks poorly of me, a fact that saddens me. They treat me as more of a servant, since it just so happens that I am handy in matters around the house and in finances. They don't openly disdain me because I keep their daughter/sister/aunt - i.e., my wife - happy. Oh well - I do the best I can with what I've got, but apparently it's not enough!.

GOOD ADVICE Others-27: There is no limit to the amount of good you can do, if you don't care who gets the credit.  President Reagan is credited with this saying, though it is known that he did not invent the saying, but merely repeated it. I have lived my entire life by this motto, but it is entirely self serving, since I am embarrassed by recognition for anything I have done. Indeed, most of my Facebook posts where I have received compliments for what I have done are met with "You are too kind" and I mean it. People are too kind in their words to me. I am only doing what any well-meaning person would do, and do not want or expect to be singled out for it. So, I try to do as much good as I can, and you will never/rarely see me claiming any credit for it.

KEEP THE FAITH Others-26: Do the best you can, with what you've got. It will be enough. I just finished reading the book "All the Gallant Men: The First Memoir by a USS Arizona Survivor" by Donald Stratton. Written in 2016 in honor of the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor. Only 5 soldiers stationed on the Arizona that day are still alive, and Mr. Stratton is one of them. On page 213 of his book, he had this quote. These wise words have helped Mr. Stratton, and I liked them. It's not in the bible. We don't know who said it, but as Mr. Stratton states, "it WASN'T Patton or MacArthur"! Hope you like it as much as I do. Photo in background by Phil M.

JUST FUNNY! Others-25: Beauty is in the Eye of the Beer Holder! Okay. I've never said this one before, but found it on a marquee at the Ram's Head Shore House in Stevenson, Maryland. I found it to be quite funny, and as I am often melancholy - like I am now while I am writing this - a good laugh is sometimes a good thing, and this made me laugh.

OOPS! Others-24: How could this accident have been prevented? I don't know who stated this first, but it was long before our group of adventurists got together, that's for sure. Much like the "we haven't done anything stupid yet today", it is said when we are doing something stupid that is likely to result in an accident, but the accident just hasn't occurred - yet.

WE'VE GOT TO DO IT! Others-23: Its up to us to make a difference. The poor can't do it, because they are barely hanging on themselves. The rich won't do it, because they are too busy trying to figure out how to make more money. That leaves us - we've got to do it. This is a paraphrase from a concert recording by Harry Chapin - I have not been able to find the exact quote (though I haven't looked too hard yet!). For those of us who know where we are going to sleep safe and warm tonight...for those of us who know where our next meal is coming from...then we have a moral obligation to help those who don't know. That's why I focus on feeding the hungry and housing the homeless - not an easy task, but a necessary and gratifying one.

TRUTH HURTS Others-22: I am a greedy, selfish bastard. I want the fact that I existed to mean something. I attended 3 Harry Chapin Concerts before his traffic accident death at the age of 38 on July 16, 1981. I read his autobiography (an awful read, IMHO), and he was indeed a greedy, selfish bastard who overcame that part of his being, and was simultaneously an amazingly generous humanitarian. Strangely, I feel the same way. Perhaps, deep down in our hearts, we are all greedy, selfish bastards - with some of us trying to overcoming that condition that we were born with. In any case, I sadly admit to being that, and try to overcome that impulse by being a selfish bastard that does some good. I do want the fact that I existed to mean something, just like Harry's life did indeed mean something - just ask his fans, like me. Thanks, Nancy T..

MOVIE MADNESS! Others-21: It's a H*ll of a thing, killing a man. You take away everything he's got, and everything he's ever gonna have. Clint Eastwood's character "William Munny" in the 1992 Best Picture film, Unforgiven.

MOVIE MADNESS! Others-20: I know what you're thinking. Did he fire six shots or only five? Well to tell you the truth in all this excitement I kinda lost track myself. But being this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world and would blow you head clean off, you've gotta ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky?" Well, do ya, punk? Detective Harry Callahan, played by Clint Eastwood, in the 1971 thriller, Dirty Harry.

A MOMENT IN TIME Others-19: Let's go to the Beer. Yes, this was uttered by none other than our "Rubi" aka Scott M. on our first backpack together: just Tim, Brian and Scott. We were doing an ambitious winter route in the Panamints, and got trapped between 2 canyons, high on a ridgeline, in ever deepening snow. Gradually, as we climbed along the ridge, the snow grew from patch to 2 feet, to 3 feet, and the trail was finally obliterated. We had just ascended 4,200 feet, and spent an hour deciding what to do. Finally, Rubi uttered the infamous phrase "Let's go to the beer". Nobody said a word - we just turned around, and hiked until well after dark to get back to our cars and, of course, the beer! We had done the hardest day of backpacking in my life: 4,200 feet of ascent and 8,000 plus feet of descent - all off trail. Oh, my aching feet. Thanks Scott, for this cool saying, that we have muttered more than once since then.

GO FOR IT! Others-18: Adventure is the Respectful Pursuit of Trouble. Heard this while watching an Overland Expo Adventure at http://www.xoverland.com/ This is at the heart of our explorations with the Waag Bros., aka E. Clampus Waagus and agree with it wholheartedly.

SO TRUE Others-17: I've Been Rich and I've been Poor - Rich is better. Comes from the concept that money can't buy happiness, which is true, but it can buy everything else - see next saying. Being rich means at least you know where you are going to sleep tonight, and that you will not go to bed hungry.

SO TRUE Others-16: Money can't buy Happiness, but it can buy Everything Else. Its a true statement. Maybe being rich can't make me happy, but I'm willing to give it a try anyways. Make me rich, and I'll figure out a way to be happy!.

SO TRUE Others-15: It's Better to be Lucky Than Good. Don't know who said it, and don't know why I like the saying, but I do find myself saying it often. Just 1 example: which would I rather do? A: Win the Lottery (say $200,000,000) or B: Bust my ass for 20 years building a company, and then it for $200,000,000? My answer: A (lucky) instead of B (good). Case closed!

GO FOR IT! Others-14: Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Saying by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Need I say more?

GET RICH Others-13: Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful. This statement is commonly and frequently attributed to Warren Buffet, the "Oracle of Omaha", considered to be the best investor of our times. Its another version of "buy low, sell high". When others are fearful, that is when you make the best deals, if you have the guts to do so. When others are greedy, that is the time to sell. After the market crashed in 2007-2008, we had a little cash to invest, but were fearful of losing it if we did. So we did not, finding security in our cash - while all of our investments except Gold were tanking. If we had followed the Oracle's sage advice, we'd be in a better financial place today. Alas, we felt that being able to hold cash and sleep at night was the best option at the time.

SO TRUE Others-12: A hundred years from now, nobody will know the difference. My Mom used to say this when I was a kid, and I never knew what it even meant! I'm older now, and I do know what it means. It means "don't sweat the small stuff". It means "the problem you are freaking out about isn't as big as you think it is, so try not to worry too much about it". Thanks, Mom.

SO TRUE Others-11: Old friends, they mean much more to me than the new friends, Cause they can see where you are, and they know where you've been. This is a line from the late great Harry Chapin, Go Lightly with You. I've been enjoying re-connecting with old friends from UCLA, El Segundo High (my alma mater) and earlier.

LIVE YOUR LIFE Others-10: Do what you love, love what you do This is a common saying that has been uttered by many in one form or another over the eons. However, this well-worn platitude was made to shine by the life of one Bob Meistrell, a California surfing and diving legend who passed away doing something he loved on June 16, 2013. RIP Bobby - we will miss you.

HISTORICAL HOOK Others-9: The Eagle Has Landed This, of course, is the phrase uttered on 7/20/1969 by gutsy astronaut Neil Armstrong, after cooling landing the Eagle for the first time on the moon. The whole quote is "Houston: Tranquility Base Here. The Eagle Has Landed". We often use it via cell phone or FRS Radio that we have arrived at our target, whatever that might be. Often it is getting into camp, via 4x4 vehicle or backpacking.

BE CAREFUL Others-8: If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is This is a common phrase, that has even more relevance in the Internet era. The examples I could give are endless. However, I have an example from yesterday 8/13/2012: I was helping a homeless guy - I'll call him Jonah. He just got all his stuff (tent, sleep pad, sleep bag, etc.) ripped off from his encampment, and needed new stuff. I was helping him to replace these critical items, and he called me from Cal Poly where he was using the internet. He found a "name-brand" tent for about 70% off the normal price on a suspicious website, that turned out to be a Phishing site. He argued with me, though I was trying to protect him. I knew that if I put in my personal info (credit card, email address), that I'd get hammered, but he didn't believe me, and caused some friction in our relationship. I was hoping he'd stick with inexpensive tents bought at local stores instead. Oh well. The deal sounded too good to be true, and it was too good to be true. Sorry this was so long!.

FUNNY Others-7: - He was the type of guy who when you said "Hello", he was stuck for an answer My Jim Johnson often said this; I encounter these people all the time, especially from parts of the country where people are not friendly; I'll often say "Hello" to strangers in passing, and they are stuck for an answer - go figger!

WORDS TO LIVE BY Others-6: - The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one Mark Twain; I have used this many times when my motivation or energy is faltering, and more often than not, this becomes a big pick-me-up of energy.

LIVE YOUR LIFE Others-5: Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover Mark Twain.

TOO FUNNY! Others-4: I could never get drunk enough to do that to my Jeep! Ah yes, the wisdom of spending too much time out in the desert with a bunch of friends and unlimited supplies of alcohol. This was uttered by Scott when TD was doing something so utterly destructive to his Jeep that I cannot even give a hint of description of the activity in question. Those who were present, and you know who you are, can testify to the factuality of my statement.

WORDS TO LIVE BY Others-3: Never Walk Alone Ironically, Sue and I both worked for a supervisor at the same time with the name of Jim Johnson: my Jim Johnson was my boss at the defense contractor TRW - no longer in existance, and Sue's Jim Johnson was her boss at the law firm of Hill Farrer and Burrill, which is still in business and celebrating 85 years as a mid-size, downtown LA law firm; my Jim Johnson was one of 2 supervisors at TRW that helped me come of age, and he introduced me to this phrase "Never Walk Alone"; I was a Member of the Technical Staff "MTS" at that time, which was a catch-all phrase used at TRW for programmers, scientists and engineers who had not yet graduated to management level; the phrase meant that if things were going wrong, don't keep it to yourself, but let management know the moment a problem rears its ugly head; it saves you from shockingly bad news down the line, and allows management to make their decisions with up-to-date knowledge of the technical situation "on the ground"; thanks to my Jim Johnson for his wisdom in the 3 or so years that I worked for him at TRW.

GROWING Others-2: The mind, once stretched by a new idea, can never return to its former dimension Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, born 29 August 1809 – died 8 October 1894, was an American physician, writer, poet, and the father of US Supreme Court.

WORDS TO LIVE BY Others-1: Always do the other person right This is a paraphrase of the wisdom that I often heard from my grandmother, Irma Waag; I interpreted it to mean that I should always be helpful, charitable and honest in my dealings with other people.

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