Another colorful week in politics just passed. The politicians are still slugging it out and hurling insults and innuendos at each other. One politician (whom we shall name Candidate X) has called for backup, so politicians of yesteryear joined the campaign to wave their flag of allegiance. Unfortunately, some of their negative side comments have garnered more interest than their intended message and this started rumors of a failing campaign. As a result, the racial political demographics have shifted. Many are realizing that their party’s trajectory no longer align with theirs. If this all sounds confusing to you, that’s because this is the ambiguous world of modern politics --- where handshakes and prepared speeches mask the evil behind those practiced smiles and the puppet handlers above. Poor Candidate X.

If you keep up with the news, I betcha you're just as frustrated as I am. You think you know the truth. The evidence is as clear as day and yet you see people in the "other side" spewing nonsense with authority. You look for people on "your side" to exchange the latest gossip and avoid speaking about politics with the "other side" because it takes too much drama. So each of us sits on our "safe side" and drift further and further apart.

I’m having issues with my neighbor. One little thing led to a bigger thing and now it’s a full blown mess. Ayayay! Where’s the United Nations when you need it? It’s easy to shout “make love not war” and flash the peace sign when you’re not involved. But when bullets whiz past you and you call in for back up, all bets are off. It’s a fight for survival.

I watched a short video of a Buddhist monk explaining the cycle of success and failure. At the outset it sounded so accurate and profound but something bothered me. It was missing something.

When I was a boy, I would run out into the grassy fields like a deer and never seemed to get tired. I would walk all by myself, wearing my slippers to my cousin's house which was about a mile away. The thought of being kidnapped or hit by a car never crossed my mind. I would be gone for hours unsupervised and no one would worry where I was.

Yesterday on our way to basketball practice, we passed by two teens exchanging (what appeared to be) their first kiss on the steps of a fenced community. “What was that?!” I exclaimed. “I don’t know,” my grandson giggled and both their eyes grew wide and shocked. But, as soon as we turned the corner, they were back to their basketball conversation like nothing had happened … such innocent kids!

I used to be so frustrated when highly intelligent people couldn’t understand why I opposed their political and religious positions. But that toned down when I understood the phenomenon of differing World Views. Now it’s easier for me to accept our differences.

I’ve been coughing and have been feeling weak since Sunday. I suspect some hyperactive kid laced the stair rail with some virus. I was actually conscious about touching the rails but I (being the old geezer that I am) figured I’d rather get sick than fall down the stairs. So, here I am sick as a refugee in a Sanctuary City. I should have washed my hands when I got to the top of the floor but I was already late.

I was worried about my friend "Barry" who needed to get a new car battery. I was also watching some infuriating videos about the politicians in different parts of the country. I fell asleep. Then I woke up from a silly dream that was influenced by my friend and the videos; so I thought I’d share it with you. Honest! This situation really was in my dream. Hope you like it.

Remember the dictator, Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines? He transitioned from a legally-elected President to a pretentious democratic president when he declared Martial Law at 7:15 p.m. on September 23, 1972. Prior to this, he orchestrated a crime wave that justified this declaration to place himself as the gatekeeper of freedom. Smart move, Mr. Ferdinand.