Note:  This house is NOT one of the two houses discussed in the following sections, but it is adjacent to the house for which plans had been made...

4th Entry (continued)

What happened with the state agency is not really what started this all for me in the first place.  No, there was something else and it has to do with that word "believer".  You see there was this company, and I think they literally thought they owned the folks that worked for them.  I mean they tried to tell them how to think and what to believe, but even worse, if you didn't believe it then they were going to fire your ass.  I mean this just rubs me the wrong way.

Well here I am just some "jo-blo" consultant -- you know all consultants are basically like prostitutes; just give them the funds and they will get the job done -- and this company has hired me.  Actually I was first hired when I was in a previous job one time removed by the previous company that previously owned this company, but heck that is a story unto itself.  Anyhow, I start out working with them like any other job, but then they start trying to preach dogma onto me.  Plus they send me these contracts to sign that would take me a week to read, and even if I read it, I'd probably need formal legal educating to fully comprehend it.  You know what I mean.  

What I mean is they just assumed that because I was a consultant (remember consultant = prostitute), that I'd sign it without reading it.  Either that or they just assumed I had a legal staff on the side to read this kind a foolishness.  Or maybe they just figured its fun to write stuff and nobody will probably ever read it unless the doo-doo hits the fan and then when it does they will already have covered thier arses.  Maybe.  Maybe I could of kept working for them and probably would have kept making money, but I would of felt like I had sold part of my integrity to do it becuase I just didn't believe in the dogma they were preaching, and so I knew I'd really rather not have their money or do thier bidding.  I didn't renew the contract with them.

Plus the individuals in this company were so freaking demanding.  It was almost as if no one else even existed.  The company was definitely a machine and I think some of "the cogs" sort of knew this, but they liked to play "the game" and some of them maybe even thought by being part of the machine they were superior to you.  It seems to me that once you think you are superior to anyone, you are going to be trouble because you will do things to other people and say things about other people that you wouldn't want them doing/saying onto you.  Ya know what I mean? 

And really this company was no different than the rest -- at the top, the only dogma that mattered was M-O-N-E-Y, but that ain't what they were preaching.  Hypocrites.

So anyhow all this leads to my decision to give up my old business and start something new -- something better.

One final thing that I've been thinking lately.  It has to do with Jesus, who I should add is a pretty big deal around these parts because lots of people spend lots of time talking about him.  Didn't Jesus say something like, "whatever you do to the least of my brothers/sisters that you do onto me".  This sounds to me like Jesus knew we are all connected.  Didn't he also say something about money and the eye of a needle?  I think if I was a preacher, which I'm NOT, this would be the kind of thing I would preach.  I could say lots more about Jesus, but this story is going to be about my neighborhood, not about him. 

Anyhow, if we are all connected, doesn't this mean we can all "sit at the table and talk" -- and then we can all work together without anyone trying to dominate anyone else?  Doesn't this mean that things can get better?  Not just for us -- mind you -- but for all of life.  I think so and I hope so because time is of the essence. 

Now, I must admit, this is where I'm not totally sure what to do.  How should this story go.  How it "really" went, or how it should have gone?  Well, I've already told you that I don't think it went the way it should have gone, but I haven't said anything else.  Hm.  I have to think about this.

You know what.  This is what I'm going to do.  I'm going to put it all out on the table the best I can do.  Hey, if you have a problem with what I'm saying, talk to me face-to-face.......so anyhow...I sent out the e-mail.  I heard back from a few who expressed concerns, but were not sure what to do.  I know how I felt, so I decided to do something myself. 

Remember, I said I had been a consultant.  I knew a thing or two about this & that.  So I called the county air quality chief.  I communicated to this chief, my concerns.  This chief apparently had influence because THE HOUSE DID NOT BURN.

Before this all ended this way, I got a call or two and had a conversation or two.  See the fire department wanted to use the house to "train", and so some folks thought - Hey, let them train. 

But the thing is ---- it was just training, NOT the real thing.  When you are training, can't you pick and choose where?  So because my neighborhood was not a good place to pick and choose, the burning did not happen.  As far as I know, that is what most of the folks in the neighborhood wanted.  As much as we appreciated the fire department for all of their courage, and this was communicated in numerous e-mails, they needed to go elsewhere to get their training. 

They did (or so I was told), and in the end, all who cared enough to express their sentiment had an opportunity to do so.  You know, the good ole US way.  The way it used to be when neighbors talked to each other and helped each other out. "I help you - You help me, we help each other".  Its the neighborly thing to do.  The way it needs to be again.  The way it can be again.  The way it will be if the people make it so.  People, lets make it so.

(NOTE:  See Update 2 in the Prologue - the house did not burn, but it has been torn down presumably for some development, but let me say this ---- i'm getting the feeling the developing plans are going to change....

I say this:  The sensible People have HAD IT with the status quo....we don't want to go....and we won't go unless we want to...

 7th Entry - The neighborhood floozy..bully.......

Forget it.  This story is NOW over.

8th Entry - This morning was an amber dawn moment for me....

(Sorry - this text that used to be here has been deleted by editors who felt it was too speculative and not helpful to the story).  I looked into some eyes and i know what i saw - shame and fear.  I didn't like it (text deleted).  But for now, I will keep it bottled up for good measure.  (Editors speak again metaphorically:  "What the Hell is He "talking" about  - just ignore it would be the editor's advice)

Incidently, nothing new has happened where the 3 houses used to be.  Now its nothing but a bunch of dirt and a wall and a sign but with no community and none seemingly on the way.  I think they should just give up and the rest of us here could turn the land into a fine local farm - maybe there could even be a nice little neighborhood grocery store that is built there.  Just about anything will be better than whats there now.  This is all so ridiculous and so obvious that you shouldn't need me to even write this.

*********************************************************************

The editors wish to inform you that the author of this story, Ken, has decided to move on (however we should also add he has an annoying habit of returning and making little changes....)  He says he will be working on other stories.  Check-m out.  What do you have to lose?

9th Entry (9139 with edit on 10119) - So despite what was said....

OK - so despite what was said in the 7th entry, this story is NOT over yet.  Oh, here is an update:

1. The crack in the wall continues to grow.
2. A tree fell and knocked out power for awhile and there are many more dead ones on the periphery that will fall sooner or later if nothing is done.
3. No home construction has commenced.
4. The weeds grow well there and the place is a blight with some unused equipment scattered about.
5. A pit is in the middle.
6. A clay pit it is or a mud puddle depending on the rain or lack thereof.
7. Why not just start up some pottery production there is what I think!  Or possibly a small store could move in - that would be nice - a small neighborhood store within walking distance selling useful day-to-day items.
8. So obvious all of this IS almost not even worth writing about.
9. Not sure what more there is to say these days - some things are just so sad especially when I feel inside that so much suffering is needless.
10. I want things to improve, but this is gonna require REAL change - not just more of the same.......

10th Entry (December 3, 2009, 3:47 pm EST) - This may not seem connected to you but it is to me....

OK - Here is some investment advice which is directly (and I mean directly) related to the events which transpired today in my neighborhood (the same one as described in the rest of this page - LITERALLY) today that I will not elaborate upon here in this story.

1. Construction of large-scale coal-fired power plants should be ended world-wide and power monopolies must be placed in check - I'm sick of centralized power and I plan on doing something about this - do you doubt me? 
2. Natural gas is the power of the soon to be tomorrow and its price now is "oh so tasty"....
3. DYODD.

So ends this story's tenth entry.

ps - NO institution is too big too fail.  Don't you know anything about history?  This conclusion seems simple to me.

pss - Live in a tent if you must, but get you a house if you can.

(space)

+

(more space)

and now an 11th entry follows:

11th Entry (December 6, 2009, 7:32 am EST) - Here is an update on the property discussed in this story.

Nothing has changed there since the last update (entry #9 I think), but this is so indicative to me.  It is so emblematic.  For example, consider Dubai - it is basically the same thing but on a larger-scale, and as I said a long time ago in this very story:  "I wouldn't want to be leveraged just now"........leverage based on false presumptions regarding future price actions is actually a HUGE liability.  This is why I spoke about "shorting" certain financial entities, but the "editors" decided to delete the specifics and this makes sense to me because I don't want this story to get off track.

Know what I mean?

Anyhow, here in Sholatokka (is that how I spelled it before), we are fixing to head into what I think is gonna be a hard winter.  I've gone on record with this sentiment as well.  Sometimes what has to happen, has to happen.  I'm always trying to consider "what are the options", but I tend to consider this with an open mind and an open heart.  Both of them because each individual has both. 

If you want, you could consider this story a "math problem" - put it in sequence of the dates as best you can.  It might make more sense that way if you like to think linearly in time.  No matter to me because this is just a story.  A story, a story, and nothing but a story.  Interpret it as you desire.  That is the real beauty of integrity.  We each have it and we also each have free will.  Thank the heavens above and the ground below for that!

Signed,

Ken or Ben or the editors or whatever you want to think.....it matters not to this story.

ps - it is good to be inwit.....

12th Entry (December 6, 2009, 2:09 pm EST) - If there is an 11th entry, then there must be a 12th and I can prove this.  Do you doubt my proof?  Cause I have already provided said proof elsewhere.  Elsewhere erstwhilely done.  By me.  Ken Hausle.

Nothing has changed......or so nothing "says"....not me.

I know that changes happen every moment of the day.

Edgar Allen Poe knew this as well, and man, that fella could write a story.  Don't you think so?  I do.

With that typed, so ends the 12th entry, and I suspect there will be a 13th, but what do I know?  I know this, I respect chance, plus I know it when I sense it.  Hope you do as well.  The 13th entry will be below unless I am not the one to post it - then it will be an imposter posted entry, that is not me, but I doubt this will happen.  I doubt this highly.  Glad this is settled for now..., and the editors who came by here for a short visit (12'79), wish to declare that this is probably the last edit of this story.  Good, cause those pesky editors have been getting on my nerves of late - (as added by Ken in good faith on this day December (12') 7 in the year of 9 - didn't something big happen today around 68 years ago! - A Pearl in the Harbor?)

Peace amigos! 

13th entry - started around 12:12 on the day of today, 11410.  Nuf said bout the time.

OK - so I don't even know what I'm gonna type just now.  At first, I had an idea in my head, but that idea has just slipped away......

So, I'll say this instead:  Took a drive today, went to a club.  A club for which I am a member.  You know - I'm a member of said club.  Anyhow, this club is fixing to make some enhancements, and us members are gonna have to pay an extra fee to make this happen.  So I went there today, and I looked around.  I did this to help me make up my mind, and now I have made up my mind.  I want to continue to be a member of this club.  I think it looks sweet where it is and how it might be....and this is compelling to me.  So, we will send in our extra fee....just give me a bit of time please. 

But to elaborate, the fee (it) will come in in time.  OK.  No harm in that.  Might even pay it all upfront.

This reminds me of an idea I had today.  I have a current loan that is at 3.25%.  Anybody want to buy it from me?  I'll offer good terms.

Just let me know.  I'm out there.

Ken Hausle, signing off now at 12:17 of the same day.  No doubt. 

16th Entry (22610 - 32 divisors and so, but anyhow) - I practically can't believe I have made it to the 16th entry with the way my heart has been feeling lately, but anyhow, I made it, so let me provide an update that I think matters.

This is ironic in a way, this 16th entry, because now almost every day I hear frogs (or are they toads?) making their noise in the place where the three houses used to be - in what I had referred to as the "muddy clay pit".  On top of this, at my home which is nearby, I have been providing some most excellent bird seed, so there have been so many birds around, that I am enthralled.  I admit it.  I am enthralled.  I think we have a healthy ecosystem in this neighborhood by virtue of all the diverse wildlife, and for this I am thankful.

One day about a week ago or so, I walked down to where the three homes used to be to get a better look of what I was hearing and I saw an owl there just listening to the frogs (or are they toads?) making their frog-toad-noises......and the owl didn't mind my presence...the owl let me get close.....that is until I got too close for comfort, at which point the owl decided to fly away.  Now that is something that I can understand, and I suspect you can as well.  Sometimes, with a stranger, if you don't keep your distance, then the outcome can get risky, and so I understand why the owl flew.  I'm sure I will see it again because we see owls around here all the time.  As well as hawks. 

Know what?  I think there are so many little birds around that the hawks decided to setup a nest closeby to our home in the neighborhood - in fact, a few days ago, I saw two of them doing what needs to be done before the nest is made (if you know what I mean).  It was quite the ritual with all the birdy flying foreplay and such, and I suspect I have a few feathers of one or both of these specific hawks.  This is the first time I had ever seen such a thing and this sort of thing keeps my heart strong.  Anyhow, I honestly think there are going to be so many bird babies in the neighborhood this Spring that it will just be amazing to watch them in action. 

So, to get back to the very beginning of this column, in this story, that can be interpreted in many ways, I said something about "a new man in town" - Best I can tell just now, I haven't seen much in the way of any "newness", nor any honest recognition of the fiscal distortions that the country is suffering from (the world for that matter), nor any legitimate efforts towards finding solutions and restoring some prudent balance, so it is hard not to be disappointed.  He might be new and he might not, and if I was betting now, I know where I would place my bet, but I'm not.  I suppose only time will tell, but I think nature has a way of implementing solutions on its own accord and I hope we can get over the fiscal troubles and be part of a better future.  Hope does spring eternal, and this is good, but idignancy does not go away until justice is served.

Simple really.

Sixteen is also so simple.  16 is perhaps my favorite two-digit number for it is 2 raised to the power of 4, and this is not trivial.  It takes two to tango........don't you know?  Really.  It takes 2.

In closing let me say this:

Hold onto to your integrity; don't be a bully; and don't let the bullies push you around.  Together we can strive towards better times for all because it is better if done together, and those few who continue to cause so much suffering of innocence are on their way out per my reckoning of things.......Justified retribution is on the way for these few and peace is just around the corner for the rest of us......ain't life grand!

And now in the fair color of green (same as the flash that took a picture of my eyes recently), I will bid you adieu.  Adios my amigos and farewell to all who are reading this now.  I care for you and I hope you care for me.  Of course "love" and "care" are not the same thing, but loving care sure is nurturing, and what could be better than that given and received...?...

:

.....well......perhaps maybe a baby suckling on a momma's nipple for nourishment and sustenance is even better.  Giving and receiving.  Yeah, I suspect it is, but I can't remember now just for sure, but it seems obvious.  Ain't it good to be alive?