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The Heretic

Frequent verbal meanderings.

Today's Stuff, and where I've been lately
Posted:Feb 28, 2013 7:31 am
Last Updated:Mar 5, 2013 9:21 am
5041 Views

Blog Stuff

2/28/13

My thoughts and plans for today:

Gonna post this on FB, BC, and SFF. (Everyone knows what FB is, but BC and SFF are social sites with blogs and chatting.)

For about a month now, I’ve not been getting into blogging or chatting online as much as I used to. Daily I check all three of my social media sites, and maybe copy and paste or share some items, but I haven’t written an article myself, or spent much time in any chatrooms.

It all started when I got deleted from SFF unfairly several weeks back. When that happened, I just started moving into other interests that I’d been ignoring. Later, when SFF found out my deletion was unfair, they re-instated me, but by then I’d just moved on and haven’t been that motivated to spend so much time online these days.

I still spend lots of time on my computer, but lately I’ve been getting back into my music hobby.

And I’ve also been taking care of business and chores I’d been ignoring. I’ve seen more TV too!

Anyway, if anyone is wondering about me, that’s why I haven’t been around as much lately.

Today, along with checking my social sites and emails, I hope to file my IRS return, and get new tabs for my truck. But I hope those items won’t involve my whole day.

What I really want to do, is get back to playing around with my music.

Yesterday, I uploaded onto Soundcloud (site for musicians to upload music) a version of a piece I’d composed a few years ago using Sibelius, (A computerized program for musical compositions and notation.) In order to make it possible to upload, I first had to convert the files to MIDI, then paste them into the MIDI tracks on Pro-Tools. (A computerized recording and video program.)

Then, I had to reassign new instruments and adjust the sounds. Next, I had to do a mix. Then I had to convert the whole project to an MP3, so it could be uploaded onto the web. Sounds easy enough, but for me it was a lot of new technology!

My problems come from trying to convert so many files. What comes out sounding good on one system, sounds different on another. When I do a recording in my studio, I can adjust it exactly the way I want it, and get it sounding fine. But when I convert it to MP3, then it always changes. Sometimes drastically! Then, I have to do a remix of the original files, and make a whole new MP3 that compensates for the previous problems. Once I get that right, and when I upload it to the web, I often have to repeat the entire process again!

Making the music is not my problem. Recording it properly is, and then mixing, and finally putting it out in a format that can be shared easily.

Anyway, I’m still having fun. And my plan for today is to do still another re-mixed version of the tune I put up on Soundcloud yesterday (Spudknucker’s Reveal), and hopefully it’ll sound better. Usually, I send my tunes out en-masse to everyone on my email list too, so folks can save them if they want to. But I’m not sending this tune out in emails till I get it right. I’m leaving the version from yesterday up, and will leave it there for a while. Folks might find it interesting to hear how the recording process evolves for me.

I’m just an amateur at sound engineering, and I’m sure someone more experienced wouldn’t have any trouble doing what I’m trying to do. (But for them, it’s probably a job, whereas for me, it’s just something I do for fun.)

Just letting folks know what I’ve been up to.

GBU all,

Gavin
4 Comments
Change
Posted:Feb 20, 2013 4:43 am
Last Updated:Feb 24, 2013 1:39 am
5749 Views

There's an old sea story about a ship's Captain who inspected his sailors, and afterward told the first mate that his men smelled bad.

The captain suggested that perhaps it would help if the sailors would change underwear occasionally. The first mate responded, "Aye, aye sir, I'll see to it immediately!"

The first mate went straight to the sailors'
berth deck and announced, "The captain thinks you guys smell bad and wants you to change your underwear."

He continued, "Pittman, you change with Jones;
McCarthy, you change with Witkowski;
and Brown, you change with Schultz....."

THE MORAL OF THE STORY:

Someone may come along and promise
"Change",

-but don't count on things smelling any better.

----------------------------------------------------------

GBU all,

Gavin
0 Comments
Mindreaders
Posted:Feb 14, 2013 10:37 pm
Last Updated:Feb 15, 2013 11:00 pm
5700 Views

Murphy, a furniture dealer from Dublin, decided to expand the line of furniture in his store, so he decided to go to Paris to see what he could find.

After arriving in Paris, he visited with some manufacturers and selected a line that he thought would
sell well back home. To celebrate the new acquisition, he decided to visit a small bistro and have a
glass of wine.
... As he sat enjoying his wine, he noticed that the small place was quite crowded, and that the other
chair at his table was the only vacant seat in the house.

Before long, a very beautiful young Parisian girl came to his table, asked him something in French (which Murphy could not understand), so he motioned to the vacant chair and invited her to sit down.
He tried to speak to her in English, but she did not speak his language.
After a couple of minutes of trying to communicate with her, he took a napkin and drew a picture of
a wine glass and showed it to her. She nodded, so he ordered a glass of wine for her.

After sitting together at the table for a while, he took another napkin, and drew a picture of a plate
with food on it, and she nodded. They left the bistro and found a quiet cafe that featured a small
group playing romantic music.

They ordered dinner, after which he took another napkin and drew a picture of a couple dancing.
She nodded, and they got up to dance. They danced until the cafe closed and the band was packing up.

Back at their table, the young lady took a napkin and drew a picture of a four-poster bed.

To this day, Murphy has no idea how she figured out he was in the furniture business........

_________________

GBU all,

Gavin
3 Comments
Morning Surprise
Posted:Feb 12, 2013 6:03 am
Last Updated:Nov 2, 2016 4:45 am
6226 Views

2/12/2013

Hi folks

Been gone over 2 weeks, and yesterday I finally got around to reading my email from SFF to see the one that announced that my account (GavinLS2) was deleted and I was permanently banned.

It had no offers of a second chance, and I didn’t expect one.

But I did take the opportunity to reply to it. I gave them my lengthy side of the complete story. I told them I wouldn’t be coming back because I felt their disciplinary system is easily manipulated and I explained to them exactly what had happened to me and has happened to others in the past too. I still have all the things I’ve been saving so I gave them the information they’d need to verify it for themselves.

Anyway, I woke up this morning, checked my email, and as I should have expected, there was another email to me from SFF. I almost deleted it without reading. But I took a peek, and was surprised to find that they had decided to reinstate my account!

Well that was strange, so I tried to log in.

As you can see, here I am! Back, and with the same handle: GavinLS2.

Same handle and password, still registered on the same email address!

Not sure what to make of all that. Also not sure what I’m gonna do now.

But I suppose I’d have to say it’s a pleasant way to start the morning!

GBU all,

Gavin
6 Comments
Nitpicking petty troublemaker about a simple question.
Posted:Jan 25, 2013 11:45 am
Last Updated:Feb 14, 2013 10:45 pm
5842 Views

Hi folks

Was there any purpose served by a blog which came up immediately after my last one IN WHICH I WAS MERELY ASKING A VERY SIMPLE QUESTION in order get a very general feel about where people's priorities are today?

The attack blog I'm citing ran like this:

"The battle between believers and non-believers of Christianity began AGES ago. Do you think we can blithely resolve it here on SFF by BELLOWING our positions for or against? Is it necessary to DEFEND our faiths here , or might it have greater effect if we simply practiced what we preach out of personal commitment?

Just an attitude question .......... in giving you just three options:
*Let it rest - this site is not a pulpit
*Act the part, no matter what your truth, and it will garner respect
*Definitely BOTH of the above.


I realize SFF is just a microcosm of society, but my original blog was merely an attempt to gage how people prioritize things in their lives today. as opposed to how people of past generations did. And the last sentence clearly stated that there was NO RIGHT OR WRONG ANSWER!

WAS ANYONE OBLIGATED TO ANSWER?

WAS ANYONE EVEN OBLIGATED TO READ IT?

WHERE DID MY BLOG ADDRESS ANY "BATTLES?"

DID MY BLOG INSULT ANYONE? CAN IT BE CONSTRUED AS AN ATTEMPT TO?

AND WHAT IDIOT WOULD THINK MY BLOG WAS AN ATTEMPT TO "BLITHELY RESOLVE" ANYTHING AT ALL?

DID I "BELLOW" ANYTHING?

WAS IT NOT STUPID FOR SOMEONE SUPPOSEDLY EDUCATED AND WHO TAUGHT ENGLISH IN OUR NATION'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO READ SUCH BASELESS ASSUMPTIONS INTO MY BLOG, WHICH WERE OBVIOUSLY NOT EVEN THERE? (I hope the public schools can improve so that she can go back and learn what she should have when she was young.)

AND WHERE IS THE AUTHOR OF THE ATTACK BLOG ON ME BEEN WHEN OTHER BLOGGERS WHO REALLY IN FACT DO TRY TO TURN SFF INTO A "PULPIT?" (There is one person for example, who posts a daily entry which is a quote directly out of a Christian tract. But the author of the attack blog makes no criticism of those blogs.)

DID MY BLOG "PREACH" ANYTHING?

DID MY BLOG CALL ON ANYONE TO "DEFEND" ANYTHING?

I invite anyone who wishes, to go back and look at my previous blog, and you should note that the answer to all of the above questions was no.

So why would anyone choose to go out of their way to post an entire attack blog unless they wanted trouble?

Especially when they are, and always have been, free to post their opinions there in my blog which they are attempting to criticize? Could she not have merely asked simple questions in a polite manner if she wanted clarification before making such outrageously naive assumptions?

Here's the answer: The author of that blog is just another of those people who make deliberate and yet stupid assumptions and read FAR too much into innocuous questions, merely for the purpose of starting an argument. It all runs back to times she and her ilk have initiated fights because some people disagree with them, and she can't refute their logic.

Apparently, that "person" assumes data collection is the same thing as advocacy.

It's not.

Apparently she also stupidly assumes that I care which side of the fence people stand on.

I don't.
(People are free to ascribe to Christianity or not as they individually choose. Or worship turnips if they want. Or Allah. Or be an atheist. I don't care at all what people choose for themselves. NOTHING IN MY ORIGINAL BLOG ADVOCATED ANYTHING.)

Had that author of the blog I quoted here had the education of a sophomore in college, (Basic logic principals they SHOULD have learned in second-year English, was obviously missing because they let their ignorance and bias mislead them. It appears the person is unfamiliar with the formal logical processes taught to all students taking even the most basic required English courses in college for ANY student, not just to mention English majors.

Perhaps some few other folks might make some of the same mistaken assumptions about my blog or my intentions. And I can't say they are all stupid hypocrites like she is. They shouldn't be held to the same level of integrity, and intellectual standards as she should be. After all, not all of them were in fields that demand the same levels of accountability and competency that an English Teacher.

But for someone who made a career as an English teacher in the public schools, it's a demonstration of exactly why the schools in the USA have turned out students with consistently lower average test scores every year for decades. She represents what is so disgusting about some teachers today that obscene is a better word to describe it.

And I also have to ask if anyone can tell me why the last two times I've posted a poll on any topic, she gets upset about my efforts to learn about and understand YOU, the rest of the bloggers on SFF?

If she has some problem with people taking polls, where is her outrage at another blogger who posts one daily? If my poll was advocating something, should I assume that the daily pollster is advocating something in those polls? (The most recent one was just another amusing question to introduce an interesting factoid about chores women do three times more than men. Should we therefore assume that pollster is advocating anything? Perhaps asserting a woman's right to her own reproductive choices? No, because just like person who posted her attack blog that I cited here, we would be guilty of deliberately attempting to distort the truth in a vain unjustified and childishly petty attempt to denigrate someone whom we may dislike.)

As to my poll, she could have chosen to answer or not. Or not even read my blog at all.

So what was her purpose? And who are the troublemakers in
SFF blogs?

It is flattering at first, but tiresome when she and her co-horts fear and resent me so much, that they are so desperate to make trouble out of any tiny thing they can imagine a way to make an issue of. These few ancient bimbos should move on. To persist like they do makes them skanks.

Last time it was because I pointed out 5 Truths she fears about economics and social engineering. No one else responding was angry, hostile, or ranted, even tho there many GROWN UPS there who managed to disagree with me without making personal attacks. There instead, she didn't even mention the topic at all. Instead, she just went off on an insane rant against me personally, and my habit of sign-off.

I mention that because she was soon followed by some yapping little dogs looking for anything they could pretend they had a justification for anger about.

If she and her ilk don't truly seek fighting in the blogs, then why do they constantly and deliberately go to such lengths to start it with me? (This time, as it always has been proven before, they just can't stand that I'm right. Further, because I'm just not afraid to disagree with them, they can't control me or the rest of the blogs.

GBU all,

Gavin
1 comment
Just Curious
Posted:Jan 25, 2013 4:44 am
Last Updated:Jul 11, 2013 3:06 pm
5918 Views

Seems in the past in SFF blogs, there has been some tension about those people who call themselves Christians, and those who don't.

Realizing that most people would fall somewhere in the middle on a scaled between "Ultra Christian" and "Definitely NOT a Christian," I'm just curious where the majority would fall if there was no in between?

It's sort of like saying, if you had to lean one way or the other, which one would you choose? (There's no right or wrong answer for this.)

GBU all,

Gavin

Ultra Christian
No Way I'm a Christian
5 Comments , 15 votes
and Pony Show
Posted:Jan 25, 2013 4:14 am
Last Updated:Mar 29, 2013 11:19 am
5691 Views

Hi folks!

Just had to share a thought about something I noticed from the start on this whole Benghazi scandal. Those who challenge the State Department and the Obama Admin, have let those entities draw them away from what the REAL concern of the American people is. Most people can accept the fact that the Hillary and the Obama Admin screwed up. That's obvious, and can be forgiven. The real question is not why and how did the embassy disaster happen, nor is it that a screw up happened at all. They KNOW there was a screw up! The REAL question that Americans want to know, is WHY WAS THERE A COVER-UP in the first place? What was there to cover up?

The ONLY reason I can fathom, is that they feared it would cost them the election.

After all this time, if secrecy was needed for some legitimate national interest, if true, the Admnistration and should, and WOULD have just said that from the beginning.

Republicans are stupid to let the Dems dodge and dance around on anything other than that issue alone. They are letting the Dems shift and dodge by diverting attention to anything else that is beyond dispute.

Virtually none of the other questions really matter. The American people already know there was a diplomatic Fup uck. And they all watched as Hillary, Rice, and Obama lied for two weeks about it. Now they want us to forget the order of events that we all lived thru and watched play out on the news. It's silly to dispute those facts, but it doesn't matter to the Obama Admin, because by focusing on the obvious, attention is diverted away from anything that would expose the DISHONESTY of the Obama Admin, and THAT'S the question the American public really wants answered.

Conservatives need a national party that REALLY is conservative enough to stand for integrity, and obviously they also need a party with leadership that isn't STUPID enough to let themselves be so easily distracted.

Today on both sides of the aisle, we have politicians who are party loyalists first, and patriots second. With any real integrity, the Repubs would by now have had to stand up for principals and truth, even if the party was wiped out. The idiotic (and intellectually dishonest,) concern that they needed to move to the left is what killed them. They were by that action declaring that they stand more for re-election and preservation of their party, than for honestly standing up for what they SAID they believed. And the irony is, if they hadn't done that, they'd probably be in the WH today because the people needed: 1. A CLEAR, choice, and 2. A SOLID alternative to the insane liberalism that holds Washington and all American citizens hostage.

Yesterday's hearings were back-to-back "n Pony Shows."

GBU all,

Gavin
6 Comments
About Love,,,,,,
Posted:Jan 24, 2013 11:01 pm
Last Updated:Feb 12, 2013 5:07 am
5421 Views


GBU all,

Gavin
2 Comments
Cockroaches fear the light. And the truth. But the News is back.
Posted:Jan 23, 2013 5:11 pm
Last Updated:Nov 2, 2016 4:59 am
5734 Views

Today’s News: January 21, 2012
(It's my birthday so I get to make up whatever news I want.)

WORLD

The world happened again today, despite early predictions of the Mayan authorities. Earlier attempts to end the world’s infestation into existence fell short of expected results on Dec. 21st of last year, and by now authorities are baffled.

“I thought this would all be long over by now” said one top official in the US Office of Insanity. “But it just keeps going on and on with no end in sight.”

Further reports of existence pour in from all parts of the globe. At this time, authorities are planning to assemble in Disneyland for a summit on the failures of global annihilation. But at this time people are advised to stay indoors with windows and doors closed, and blinds shut. If you have locks you are advised to use them.

However, should the world occur to people, their best hope for recovery is a combination of large quantities of alcohol to flush out their systems, and avoid hygiene to reduce the risk of further contamination from soap and water.

NATION

President Obama met with House Speaker John Boehner ®) today, to discuss ways to avoid paying for lunch. It is hoped that a settlement can be reached before the tab is to be paid upon leaving McDonald’s, but officials on both sides are resolute.

“It’s time the Republicans buy me a Happy Meal” said the President. “This has been going on too long and the American people deserve better. The Reps must pay their fair share for what they’ve already ordered.”

Congressional officials could not be reached for comment because they had snuck out without leaving a tip. But inside sources tell GNN that there is still room to maneuver before the menu changes to breakfast.

Elsewhere in the nation today, Michigan voters decided to rename the State to “New So What.” This follows on the heels of action taken last week by Pennsylvanian officials who farted.

Countrywide dissatisfaction with nose tweezers is driving the move among the electorate nationwide, and in Florida seven leaders of the Dweezles have signed on to a letter petitioning Michelle Obama to shave the right side of her head.

President Obama’s pick to head up the Department of Diarhea (DOD), GavinLS, spent the day in front of members of the House and Senate today. Inside sources commenting on Gavin’s nomination told reporters that he is expected to pass smoothly.

Also, news sources out of Hollywood today reported that Sean Penn is still Sean Penn. Officials say there is no hope in sight for a change.

STATE

Elected officials returned to sessions in all 50 states today, to vote on Apathy. However, it seems there is little interest in the matter at this time, so they played Internet Bingo instead.

Said one State Representative in Kansas who spoke off the record, “I’d hoped we could resolve the issue more favorably, but without further input from Washington, I’m afraid there is no way that we could play Spin the Bottle instead.”

LOCAL

In everyone’s home town today, marauding bands linked to the Amish Mafia have formed gangs of terrorist skateboarders, who are reported to be chewing gum in school. And growth of related spin-off groups has expanded into and among young who wander in groups on playgrounds throughout schools in metropolitan areas, pointing fingers and shouting “Bang.” Previously confined to school yards, the movement has expanded and now reports come in that these dangerous terrorist roam the neighborhoods after school hours and on weekends, causing panic in some neighborhoods.

“I’ve never been so terrified in all my life!” said Gavin, who asked not to be identified for fear of being hunted down by vengeful 6-year olds.

“I stepped outside my door, and saw three 6-year old boys and a young girl who I didn’t know. At first I don’t think they noticed me, but when I turned to walk away, they all formed into a pack and pointed their fingers, shouting “BANG BANG!” seven or eight times! I could feel the wind of the imaginary bullets as they passed by my head! When will the government form a task force of guidance counselors and social workers to deal with all this violence? It just can’t be allowed to continue. Someone is bound to be hurt, or even killed!”

Gavin is calling for a nationwide boycott of fingers, but officials say the problem is out of control. Nonetheless Washington is considering legislation to limit the number of both full and semi-automatic knuckle bending fingers to reduce crime.

“It won’t do any good” said a spokesman for the National Rifle Association. It seems that every loonie tune nut has fingers today, and we can’t seem to keep the spread of fingers from getting into the hands of ,“ adding that “If fingers are outlawed, then only outlaws will have digits”

“Preposterous” said Gavin. “You don’t need ten fingers to stick out your tongue, or to defend against a dangerous finger-pointer!”

Fortunately the finger pointing proved inaccurate, missing Gavin, who was only traumatized and is expected to recover after just a few years of intensive psychotherapy.

SPORTS

Boxing fans were stunned today by the upset victory of the Green Bay Packers over Jennifer Aniston. Odds maker’s had favored Aniston by a heavy margin, but had based their calculations without considering the greater number of Packers. The final score was 11 zip. Aniston was unconscious and recuperating in the hospital and could not be reached for comment. But when asked the reason for their amazing upset victory, Packers Coach and Team Doctor, Ben Zadrine had this to say: “Gimme a damn minute will ya? I gotta take a sh*t!)

Packers fans stood outside the arena chanting “On to Betty White!” referring to the championship bout to take place in weeks to come.

LATE BREAKING NEWS:

AP Washington: The Presidential Inauguration Ceremony was held today on the Capital streets, and everyone ate rutabagas in honor of Mental Telepathy and Beans. --Stay tuned for more as the story develops.

That’s it for tonight folks. And remember to stay tuned to..........shucks. I don’t know. Do whatever you want. Just get out of here.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please don’t ask me where I get this stuff. I have no idea!

GBU all,

Gavin
5 Comments

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