Rifter #55

Six months ago I submitted some articles for publication in Palladium Book's Rifter magazine. Long story short, there was a huge mix up, and I was never notified that I was published, never received payment, and never received my four free copies of Rifter #55. I waited to give them the benefit of the doubt, and sent some communications to them, asking what was going on. Finally I got a response back, and it has all been settled.

Humanity Through the Eyes of Black Friday

I have yet to shop on Black Friday, but this year I was given the opportunity to work during it. It gave me a first hand glimpse at humanity at least in this small town. I saw the callousness of some, and the willingness of most to put up with anything, regardless of how illogical the situation was.

On one hand, I saw the ingunuity of humans as they errected a fenced barrier that could block off the line if the store got to be too full. Management came outside and said it had to be different because basically that is how corporate wanted it. The new design was a triangle of fencing that gave no indication that it was not the designated entrance. So instead of customers walking past to the entrance of "The Maze" (much like the zigzag pattern of a ride queue), they began making a beeline for that opening.

New Political Map

Growing up, I have been taught through the "mainstream" media that the political map is divided between left and right. On that scale is Republicans on the far right, Democrats on the far left, and Independents who can go either way, usually situated in the middle.

The more I looked at my own values, and my own views, I found that I was both on the far right and in the middle at the same time. If that is true, then the political map has to be wrong if that kind of inconsistency exists. Finally I came up with a new map that shows where your views and and values can accurately be shown.

Fractional Reserve Banking Explained

When you talk about the financial system, people's eyes glaze over. So I made this easy to understand flow-chart to explain how you have not been free for almost 100 years.

Body Language

I am no body language expert, and when you actually listen to these "experts" a certain motion of the body is translated as multiple things including the exact opposite. "A tilt of the head could mean he is angry, or he may be happy." Or he heard a noise that perked his attention. Oh wait, that is my dog.

What I have noticed that a lot of actors do is to shake their head "no" when saying something positive. You see women on shows shake their head when they say "I love you" to a guy. It is almost as if they are telling the truth while their mouth tells lies.

Once you see it, you will begin to notice it all of the time. And it does not only happen in TV shows and movies; officials will tell you a lie like it is the truth, but they shake their heads "no." People who lie like this have a compulsion to let you know you are being scammed so they always have an excuse or a way out. "You should have noticed I was shaking my head." Do not be scammed, watch their body language, and do your own research.

New Poems

I am finally getting around to posting some of the poems I have written lately. There are six all together. Hope you enjoy them.

Nymph

Her hair like the rich soil

Flowing as the river through the forest

Her day filled with toil

For flowers of a florist

Her hands are tired

Creating new life from a sprout

An artistry to be admired

To these she is devout

Her body curves

Like the rolling green hills

All she is I must preserve

For she gives me thrills

Latest Poems

I have finally been writing more poetry, so enjoy.

Escape
Crushing down
Blackness all around
Paralysis, I cannot move
All I want
All that needs to be done
I cannot move
Maybe this curse will lift
Maybe my body will waste away
I cannot move
Blind to any light
What is this crushing feeling
It seems to have no end
Maybe things will change
After time passes away
This void takes me now
I retreat to my dreams
Only there can I hope
That the pain will not welcome me
For now I look for escape
Away from this crushing feeling