The Dead Lights

Tyler, watching the lights from the emergency service vehicles

April 17th, 2026

This post has been updated. See the article below.

"One gun has more power to take a life, than a hundred surgeons have to preserve it."

~Abhijit Naskar 

The Centurion Sermon: Mental Por El Mundo

Friday night in Stockton, California.

Yes, that beautiful glow that my cat, Tyler, is looking at, is indeed a whole neighborhood of police, fire and who knows what else, dealing with yet another shooting, at the same corner that it happened two times previously. Basically, those lights are right under my window. The first time was on September 9th, 2025, when a young man was shot dead, by police, while fleeing from them. He had several illegal weapons in the car with him, and he ran, and two officers opened fire on him. He was 19. Here is the bodycam footage, released by the Stockton Police Department, in October of 2025.   

WARNING: IT'S DISTURBING TO WATCH!

The next incident happened Thanksgiving weekend, when, several persons were killed, 2 under 21, and 2 under 10 years old, plus it left 13 others injured. It was a child's birthday party. All the children there, are now victims of gun violence. They were either injured, or they witnessed a murder. It was more than a tragedy. It was vile, and monstrous and deeply sad. It left me depressed for weeks. Later that evening, five suspects were arrested in the same place, as tonight's drama, and the night Rocco Robinson was shot, and, like I said, basically under my bedroom window. Recently, on April 2nd, there was an update about the birthday party murders, but I haven't heard anything about it since.

And then there was last night. I don't know anything about tonight's events. I will update when I can. Or maybe I won't. Honestly, I am a little depressed. We hear all kinds of sirens in this neighborhood, but just about a week ago, one night in the middle of the night we heard several shots, and it seemed they were nearby. The next night we heard loud machine gun fire, and it was definitely nearby. I was scared to death. I had just got my nerves under control, and now there are nine police cars, crime scene tape, and I expect the coroner will be here soon. 

Honestly, I am so tired. The most comforting feeling in the world is my cats sleeping on the bed with us. Morning kisses are the best. But not if doing so might put them in harms way! One day, someone is going to shoot a gun, and the bullet is going to hit something unintended. I hope it won't be us!

Read The CBS Article Here.

  

My prayers are with the family and friends of this young man.

Governmental Pulp Fiction

 

"You have attained maturity; now display it for us, if you please."

~MaryJanice Davidson

Swimming without A Net

This is so stupid, I can't see straight. 
Why didn't he just quote the Bible?

Hollywood Reporter Link

"The path of the downed aviator is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who in the name of comradery and duty shepherd the lost through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to capture and destroy my brother. And you will know my call sign is Sandy One, when I lay my vengeance upon thee."

~The Bible According To Hegseth

"CSAR 25:17"

"The path of righteous man is beset on all sides and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who in the name of charity and good will, shepherd the weak through the valley of darkness, for his truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to capture and destroy my brother. And you will know my names is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you."

~The Holy Bible According To God

Ezekiel 25:17

It's funny, it's cringeworthy, it's blasphemous, it's scary, it's confusing and I never wake up seeing this stupid shit coming! The Trump administration is exhausting.

What's Next?

Thursday Throwback: ab '69

 

"One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain."

~Bob Marley

It's Thursday, so how about an episode of, Throwback Thursday?

Saturday, August 2nd, thru Saturday, August 9th, 1969

Our video is, American Bandstand, from Saturday, August 2nd, 1969.

Other events include...

The Mets lost to the Atlanta Braves, 1-0 at, Shea Stadium

Andrew Duggan, was on the cover of, TV Guide,

Goldie Hawn, was on the cover of Vogue

Midnight Cowboy, was #1 at theaters.

In The Year 2525, was the #1 Song

At the end of this week, on August 9th, 1969, actress Sharon Tate was found murdered at her Benedict Canyon home. It was later determined that members of the Mason family cult killed her and four others during a home invasion.

The #1 TV show for the week of, August 2nd 1969,

 was Rowan And Martin's Laugh-in. 

On August 2nd, Richard Nixon became the first incumbent president to visit a U. S. president to visit a Communist country, when he arrived in Bucharest, Hungary.

And that was the week of August 2nd 1969!

Soap, Bleach, Softeners

"Do more than belong: participate.

 Do more than care: help.

 Do more than believe: practice.

 Do more than be fair: be kind. 

Do more than forgive: forget.

 Do more than dream: work."

~William Arthur Ward

 Former Congressman, Eric Swalwell 

Yet another woman came forward yesterday, this time in Beverly Hills, to accuse Eric Swalwell of rape. That brings the total to five. So, criminal investigations have been opened in 3 counties, New York, Alameda County, and Los Angeles. He's done with his political career. He killed it! He's going to have a miserable few years coming up, and of course all of it will play out through the media, so that means we get to share the misery with him. Or not. For the most part, I have moved on, but what remains is the frustration of watching yet another person with all the talent in the world, fall from grace so hard that they can't or probably won't come back from it. It's such a waste. I will let go completely... in time. In the mean time I have hope for the midterms, when if we can just flip the congress and the senate, we can begin to do some cleaning of the dirty laundry that's been piling up! We have a real chance of being able to impeach Donald Trump, and begin making him pay for his years of pedophilia and raping of women. If we are going to expect Eric Swalwell to face his demons, then Trump had better face his too. At least that's what should happen, if it will, well, that's another story! I guess cynical is my current emotion.

Ellipsis Movie Of The Week... Sea Of Love

"I live alone inside myself, like a hut within the woods;

 I keep my heart high upon a shelf, barren of other goods;

 I need another's arms to reach for it and place it where it belongs

 I need another's touch and smile to fill my hut with song."

Poem written by Frank Sr.'s wife, when she was in high school.

Sea Of Love

This is a pretty great mystery, although a bit predictable in places. It's a cool watch if you're looking for an old school mystery. You know, from the 1980's. Slightly noir, but mostly a great use of the amazing Al Pacino, and Ellen Barkin. Watch it. Tell me what you think. It's currently available for streaming on Peacock Premium. And listen to the Honey Drippers cover of, Sea Of Love. It's my favorite version, and one of my top 10 favorites! Of course that list probably changes daily. I love movies and music, what can I say?

Sea Of Love

The Honey Drippers 

 

Starting Off Monday With Last Friday

 

 

"Decreasing the budget on the space exploration is nothing but a great treason to humanity! Space exploration is closely related to our very existence! Cut the budget on other things and increase the budget on space exploration! Think great; if you do not think great, universe annihilates you!"

~ Mehmet Murat ildan

Christina Koch (NASA Photo)

Today, Monday April 13th, 2026, and through the rest of the week, it seems like life  will be a never ending shitstorm of stupid. So, lets just start the week by remembering the astronauts of Artemis II arriving back on earth after their triumphant trip around the moon. Last Friday was a good day! I have to admit while watching their approach home, I couldn't look away! Being the geek that I am, I snapped photo after photo with my cellphone camera, and held my breath, until communication with the astronauts was resumed after their reentry. watching that tiny ship make it through the temperatures of the earth's atmosphere was stunningly beautiful, and scary as Hell! And just like that, for a little while, something wasn't about politics. It wasn't about anything but science, and beauty, and humanity pulling for the safe return of the four scientists aboard the Artemis II. Science was cool again! I liked the world last Friday, and I am thinking of that as we greet the week ahead, I just wonder how long the good vibes will last? I am hoping they will until at least noon! 

Suppose You Were An Idiot

 

San Francisco Chronicle

April 10th 2026

"Reader, suppose you were an idiot, 

now suppose you were a member of congress.

 But I repeat myself."

~Mark Twain

Sigh.

 Here we go again. Eric Swalwell was my choice for governor. I was all ready to cast my primary vote for him. Now... I will go with Tom Steyer. Not that he's so bad, he has a whole lot to offer, but it's lets face it, nothing is ever what it seems, particularly in politics, so who knows how that will work out! To a certain degree, I agree with Swalwell, the timing is really awkward, republicans love a dirty trick, but in this case multiple women have come forward, and apparently there are receipts in the form of emails, text messages and... wait for it... unsolicited nude photos sent from his phone to at least one of the women. Next week is going to be enormous fun. His chances of being the democratic nominee for governor fell sharply yesterday and there are calls for him to resign, or face expulsion. He is vowing to fight it, but, well, I have moved on, and I think most folks will by this time next week. I will have more to say on the subject as the week goes forward, but for right now, I just feel sad. Nothing can break your heart like politics, and the those who pose as anything more than the idiots they truly are. 

Axios

New York Times

Ellipsis Word Of The Week... Snollygoster

 

"Don't gobblefunk around with words."

~Roald Dahl

The BFG

I came across this awesome word several months ago, and I meant to do a post about it, but somehow there was always something else to talk about. Well, today is Saturday, and as a rule they tend to be kick back and relax kind of days, so here is something to think about... but not too seriously!

Does the word, snollygoster, remind you of anyone?

Used In A Sentence... Donald Trump is quite the snollygoster!

See Merriam Webster for full definition and word history.

I Don't Like You Anyway, You Dumb Stupid-heads!

"An angry man rarely stops to let facts get in the way of their fury."

~Nikki Sex

 

Common Buckeye Butterflies

 

Common Buckeye Butterfly 

(Junonia coenia)

"Nature's message was always there for us to see.

 It was written on the wings of butterflies."

~Kjell B. Sandved

The beauty you see is the wonderful, Common Buckeye, butterfly! I haven't seen one in years, and not at all since moving to the, San Joaquin Valley! The last time I saw them, was when I visited the butterfly exhibits at the Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco! Needless to say, I was very happy to be in it's presence the other day! It was like being back in 2012 all over again! I checked some facts, and it seems they are common in the Bay Area, mostly along the coast, and it's not out of the ordinary to see one here, I just haven't noticed one! Hopefully it's an amazing turn of events, and I will be seeing a lot more of them here in the Northwestern San Joaquin Valley!

The Painted Lady Butterfly

 

"Be like a butterfly and a flower... beautiful and sought after, yet unassuming and gentle."

~Jarod Kintz

Despite all the depressing stuff going on, it's not like there isn't beauty in the world. While on Woodbridge road the other day, I spotted the first of two unique types of butterflies for 2026, floating along the wildflowers along the road! This particular one is the Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) which is one of my favorites, and seeing it reminds me that there is a lot to focus on, beyond politics. Why do I and should I, let the stupid stuff steal my joy? I wish I could answer that question! Today, for example, my body hurts head to toe, all because I tensed up yesterday, in anticipation of nuclear annihilation of Iran, and the very real possibility of World War III. I should have known Trump would Taco at the last minute, but I wasn't sure he would! Oh well, that was Tuesday, and today is today, and we all got here one moment at a time, so going forward I am trying that! One moment at a time.

Wish me luck!

I will have more new photos this week, so come back for that!

Okay, So, The Apocalypse Again In Two Weeks?