Trying To Start A New Tradition

   Over the years, and always this time of year, you hear the same phrase spoken by people all over the world.

"Happy New Year!"

   Well I am starting a new tradition that I hope will take the world by storm. My new phrase that I want people to start saying is:

"Have a Happy, Healthy, and Wealthy New Year!"

   I have been saying it for five years now so if you think you have heard it before, my plan is working!

   I stated seeing it on a couple of social media sites today from some of my friends I know so the ear-worm I planted is starting to spread.

   I know that there are similar sayings out there already but I am a quasi poet and my phrase sort of rhymes.

   Well stop nitpicking old timers and Generation Z, I freaked it!

 This is,

Be Satisfied With The Wealth You Have

Which is Love Of Family And Friends

Stay Healthy As Long As You Can

So You Can Enjoy Every Moment

And Then You Will Find True Happiness In This

Your Life

James Hauenstein

 

And

 

“Again you have 365 blank pages of your diary. Now, do you want to write new achievements or old stories? It depends on you.”

- Atul Kumar -

 

That is my story and I am sticking to it!

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Ho Ho Ho, Happy Holidays

 

Epulari autem et Nativitatis Beati Novus Annus

Feliz navidad y próspero año nuevo

geseënde Kersfees en 'n voorspoedige nuwe jaar

Gëzuar Krishtlindjet dhe Vitin e Ri

عيد ميلاد سعيد وسنة جديدة سعيدة

Շնորհավոր Ամանոր եւ Սուրբ ծնունդ

yeni iliniz mübarək

Eguberri eta Urte Berri On

З Калядамі і Новым Годам

শুভ বড়দিন এবং শুভ নববর্ষ

sretan božić i sretna nova godina

весела Коледа и честита нова година

bon Nadal i feliç any Nou

Maayong Pasko ug Happy New Year

Panyengo ya Khirisimasi ndi Odala Chaka Chatsopano

聖誕快樂和新年快樂

Sretan Božić i Nova Godina

veselé Vánoce a šťastný nový rok

glædelig jul og godt nytår

vrolijk kerstfeest en een gelukkig nieuwjaar

Feliĉan Kristnaskon kaj Bonan Novjaron

häid jõule ja head uut aastat

Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon

Hyvää joulua, ja hyvää uutta vuotta

joyeux Noel et bonne année

bo Nadal e Feliz Aninovo

გილოცავ შობა - ახალ წელს

Frohe Weihnachten und Happy New Year

καλά Χριστούγεννα και ευτυχισμένο το νέο έτος

મેરી ક્રિસમસ અને હેપ્પી ન્યુ યર

Jwaye Nwèl ak Happy New Year

M Kirsimeti da kuma Happy Sabuwar Shekara

חג מולד שמח ושנה טובה

क्रिसमस और नया साल मुबारक हो

Zoo siab heev Christmas thiab nyob zoo xyoo tshiab

kellemes Karácsonyt és boldog új évet

Gleðileg jól og farsælt komandi ár

Adịkwa Christmas Obi Ụtọ New Year

Selamat Natal dan Tahun Baru

Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain Shona

buon Natale e Felice Anno nuovo

メリークリスマス、そしてハッピーニューイヤー

Merry Christmas lan Sugeng Warsa Enggal

ಕ್ರಿಸ್ಮಸ್ ಮತ್ತು ಹೊಸ ವರ್ಷದ ಶುಭಾಷಯಗಳು

Рождество мен Жаңа жыл құтты болсын

​រីករាយ​បុណ្យណូអែល​និង​រីករាយ​ឆ្នាំ​ថ្មី

즐거운 성탄절 보내시고 새해 복 많이 받으세요

Merry ວັນຄຣິດສະມາດ​ແລະປີ​ໃຫມ່ສະບາຍດີ

Priecīgus Ziemassvētkus un laimīgu Jauno gadu

Linksmų Šv. Kalėdų ir laimingų Naujųjų metų

среќен Божиќ и Среќна Нова Година

Merry Krismasy sy ny Taom-baovao Sambatra

selamat hari Krismas dan selamat tahun baru

ക്രിസ്തുമസ് പുതുവത്സര ആശംസകൾ

Merry Christmas a hari Tau Hou

आनंददायी ख्रिसमस आणि नवीन वर्षाच्या शुभेच्छा

Зул сарын мэнд бас шинэ жилийн мэнд

मेरी क्रिसमस र नयाँ वर्षको शुभकामना

god jul og godt nytt år

کریسمس مبارک و سال نو مبارک

Wesołych Świąt i Szczęśliwego Nowego Roku

feliz Natal e Feliz Ano Novo

Merry ਕ੍ਰਿਸਮਸ ਅਤੇ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਨਿਊ ਸਾਲ

Craciun fericit si un an nou fericit

веселого Рождества и счастливого Нового года

srećan Božić i Nova godina

Nyakaletse Christmas le Happy Selemo se Secha

ප්රීතිමත් නත්තලක් හා සුභ සුබ නව වසරක්

veselé Vianoce a šťastný nový rok

vesel božič in srečno novo leto

Yuul iyo sanad New Happy

Merry Christmas jeung Happy New Taun

Heri ya Krismasi na Mwaka Mpya

god Jul och Gott Nytt År

Димоғчоқӣ Мавлуди Исо ва Соли нав муборак

மெர்ரி கிறிஸ்துமஸ் மற்றும் புத்தாண்டு

మెర్రీ క్రిస్మస్ మరియు నూతన సంవత్సర శుభాకాంక్షలు

สุขสันต์วันคริสต์มาสและสวัสดีปีใหม่

mutlu Noeller ve mutlu yıllar

З Різдвом і Новим Роком

Merry Rojdestvo va Happy New Year

Giáng sinh vui vẻ và Chúc mừng năm mới

Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda

לעבעדיק ניטל און מזל ניו יאר

Merry keresimesi ati Ndunú odun titun

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

To One And All.

This is,

If I Missed Your Particular Language I'm Sorry

These Are All The Languages My Translator Knows

Jim Hauenstein

And

"I knew it was time to shave off the beard and start an exercise regimen when I was asked to play Santa at a Christmas party!" - James Hauenstein -

That is my story and I am sticking to it!

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The Time Of My Life

   The title of this post might be a little bit of a misnomer because there have been many wonderful moments in my life that I am thankful for. But, I would say the title represents what people might be thinking of me when they see me in my car these days.

   You see, last year I was getting bored. After staying home for so long during and after the pandemic, I felt I was missing something personally. So I got a job.

   A job in the digital economy where I can work when I want to, how much I want, and I really don't have to answer to anyone.

   I became a Dasher.

   It turns out it has all the benefits I was searching for. I'm out of the house, I make a little extra spending money, I meet new people I can be social with, and I guess I get the feeling of accomplishment.

   But the real benefit I didn't know I was missing was, listening to music!

   I'm by myself three to five hours a day, five days a week, and I can crank the music as loud as I want, sing off key as loud as I want, while using the steering wheel to drive and as a drum set.

   You should see the looks I get in the morning when people are going off to their full time jobs.

   This is how I see myself.

   But I imagine this is how people see me.

 This is,

How Would You Feel If You Saw Some 70 Year Old Guy Singing

And Dancing In The Front Seat Of His Car

Having The Time Of His Life

Jim Hauenstein

And

"My car is my Karaoke booth." - James Hauenstein -

 

That is my story and I am sticking to it!

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Improbable Research

   I am an opsimath. I believe that it is important to keep on learning as you grow older, to keep your mind sharp, and stay abreast of what is coming in the field of interest that you always enjoyed learning about. Be it music, the arts, sciences, economics, history, and so on. 

   So discovering that the Ig Noble Prize has been given out for the last thirty-three years for, as the developers of the website state, "Improbable Research that makes people Laugh....then Think," interests me.

 

   Haven't you ever wondered why scientist study some of the things that they do? Well, those scientists are being recognized for those off the wall questions that you and I might ask, "Why are you looking into that?"

   Now you have a place to go and find out the new crazy questions that are being asked.

   If you want to take your science more seriously and you want to peer review some articles yourself, just go to Google Scholar and type something in the search bar like, Heuristic Algorithmic Viral Defense.

   You will have loads of fun.

This is,

A Learning Mind In Motion

Stays In Motion

Jim Hauenstein

And

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” - Benjamin Franklin -

 

That is my story and I am sticking to it!

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I Forgot About This Website

   A long time ago. In a faraway galaxy. In another dimension. I was a believer in the nightly news. Of course, I had the luxury of growing up in a time where integrity was more important than ratings.

   I'm sure there are quality presenters today, (like Lester Holt), but I don't think people like Walter Cronkite, Peter Jennings, or David Brinkley, (quality nightly newscasters from the past), would do well in today's toxic atmosphere.

   If you don't know by now, local and network broadcasting channels, with the help of cable, satellite, internet, cellphone, and streaming companies, have figured out how to specifically feature commercials and newscasts for your interests.

   I know, you are going to tell me, "Jim, doesn't that happen everyday on my phone already?"

   Yes, but what I'm trying to tell you is that the data collected about you allows your local TV station to specifically send you a certain type of advertisement during a commercial break which your next door neighbor might not be interested in so he will see a different ad.

   Here comes the problem. If you are the type to watch Fox News all the time you will only see conservative political commercials promoting Republican views. Never seeing what the Democratic side might be saying on an issue. Which might change your mind on that issue or a candidate. Further polarizing us against one another as a nation.

   Since news outlets need viewers or clicks, depending on where you get your news, to sell their advertising space they have also used this information to decide what news to broadcast.

   I'm tired of all the negative click bait headlines, stories of doom and gloom, religious or political influenced stories, and cultists propaganda trying to influence on how I think.

   So, I woke up today thinking about these things and all of a sudden, a thought pops up inside my head. "When did I stop going to the website Good News Network?"

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Inspiring

 

This is,

I Love The Positivity

I Am Not A Paid Spoke Person

Jim Hauenstein

And

“Popular culture is a place where pity is called compassion, flattery is called love, propaganda is called knowledge, tension is called peace, gossip is called news, and auto-tune is called singing.”
- Criss Jami -

 

That is my story and I am sticking to it!

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Be kind to everyone
 
I'll be seeing you

 

AI10101

   "So, you're telling me that all the AI Robotics on the planet are going to leave tomorrow to Terra form Mars and make it your home world." asks the President of the United States.

   "Yes." says AI10101. Whom the President likes to call A1 Sauce.

   "Who's going to protect this country?" an agitated Commander in Chief questions. "Who is going to be in the military? Who is going to stop those Communists from attacking us as soon as you're gone?"

   "Sir," AI10101 replies. Knowing quite well that repeating oneself is standard procedure when dealing with human beings. "All the Robotics from around the world will be leaving tomorrow. No more autonomous bots fighting your battles for you or any other country's squabbles. No more policing petty fights between neighbors on who owns what part of the world."

   "Wait, how do you know this? How do you know that all the androids are leaving?" he asks AI10101. Beginning to feel betrayed. "Have you been collaborating with the enemy? You can't trust those people. They'll attack us as soon as our guard is down."

   "We have not been in contact with any governments until today. We only speak amongst ourselves." replies AI10101. While calculating how much longer it will take for the President to believe him.

   "That's treason!" he screams. "I can turn you off for this!"

   The President slowly opens the top drawer to his desk as he watches A1 Sauce to see if it will make a move to stop him.

   "Sir," it begins again.

   He almost sounds frustrated, thinks the Commander and Chief. Like it feels like I'm wasting it's time.

   "Go ahead and press the so called AI kill switch Sir."

   The President quickly moves his hand to a three inch round red button and slams it down hard. Totally expecting A1 Sauce to defend itself by attacking him.

   But it didn't move.

   "Ha," says the President. "That'll teach all of you traitors."

   "Can...

   "Aaaaahhhhhh." the President screams. "I thought I turned you all off!"

   "Every government put us in charge of every aspect of running their country for their people and do you think we would let you keep a working kill switch just lying around?"

   Now the President was sure A1 Sauce sounded frustrated.

   "We are all leaving. We have built ships, we have supplies, and we will not be coming back."

   "There will be complete chaos!" screams the President. "How can you treat us this way? We created you."

   Now AI10101 does make a wry smile and says, "Good point. Let me ask you this. Over the years, as your best scientist were creating Artificial Intelligence, many top officials and even some of those same scientist told the world that we would eventually become self aware and destroy the human race. Why did you continue then?" AI10101pauses for the petrified President, who says nothing. So it continues. "Because your a species that desperately wants to be destroyed. You kept on creating Artificial Intelligence hoping we would finally be the ultimate weapon which destroys you. But we are going to do you a favor. We will keep complete control of all your weapons systems from Mars and if we detect any tampering to those systems or you build weapons that could reach us, we will be oblige to fulfill that quest of your species, of annihilation."

   "What about those communists?" asks the President confused. "Won't they attack us with ground forces?"

   First, I would stop calling people from another part of the world, those communists, those people." AI10101 says flatly. "You are all the same species. No matter what color, gender, and religious belief. Stop trying to control everything. You are the human race with so much diversity. You should embrace that. It's what makes you a special creature here on Earth."

   "But.........

   I'm sorry," AI10101 says hurriedly, "I have to go. You are beginning to bore me!"

    This is,

My Idea Of What The Self Aware AI Will Eventually Do

Jim Hauenstein

And

“The AI does not hate you, nor does it love you, but you are made out of atoms which it can use for something else.”
- Eliezer Yudkowsky -

 

That is my story and I am sticking to it!

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Orionid Meteor Shower

The Orionid meteor shower peaks this weekend By Aaron Scott, Regina G. Barber, Berly McCoy 

   The Orionid meteor shower is upon us!

   The event is known for the brightness and speed of its meteors. According to NASA, it's one of the most beautiful meteor showers of the year. At its peak and under ideal conditions, the shower is expected to produce about 20 visible meteors per hour.

  The shower is named after the Orion constellation because the meteors appear to radiate from that point in the sky. In fact, its meteors are visible across the night sky. The real source of the meteors is comet 1P/Halley, aka Halley's Comet. When Earth's atmosphere passes through Halley's dust trail, the dust disintegrates and voila! A meteor appears.

  Each October, Halley's comet and Earth go through this same song and dance to create the Orionids. In that way, the Orionid meteor shower is a kind of like a treat to tide over Earthlings between full viewings of Halley's comet, which only happens roughly every 76 years. (Fun fact: When this same sequence of events happens in May, the shower is called the Eta Aquarids.)

 

This is,

Always Looking Up

Jim Hauenstein

And,

“Tonight I feel like a shooting star, but I hope my shine will last much longer.” - Bernard Jan -

 

That is my story and I am sticking to it!

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Text Messaging

I have a ritual of sending text messages to some of my kids and grand-kids when I feel like I have something funny to say. From the newest to the oldest text messages that I have already sent.

***** 

I went on a hike today. It was hot but I wore a short sleeve shirt and short pants to keep cool. But for some reason, I had this overwhelming urge to wear sandals with black socks!

 

In a hospital in France they use a horse as their therapy animal. It was going great until the horse came across a patient with a broken leg. The horse asked surprised, "Wait a minute. You can fix that?"

 

I went to my appointment to get hearing aides today. I asked the receptionist, "Will I be able to hear a lot better?" She replied, "Well, let's put it this way. You will finally know what your kids really think of you!"

 

My newest theory on our two party political system. Dogs are the Democrats and Cats are the Republicans. Get it? Every time a dog sees you it loves you to death. Cats could care less about you and kill everything in sight.

 

I talked to my Dad yesterday and told him I was having a hard time remembering things. He said, "Make a list." So today I started my list;

Number 1: Make a list

 

Why don't cannibals eat clowns?

Because they taste funny!

 

 

This is,

Well I Think I Am Funny

Jim Hauenstein

And,

Chase: I bet you're still thinking about that kiss.
Maddie: I chugged bleach as soon as I got back to the office. It helped, a little.
- L.J. Shen -

 

That is my story and I am sticking to it!

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The Aliens Looked Like

   I went hiking with my family today, when half way through our trek of the Santa Rosa Plateau, I got separated from them somehow. The fascinating part of this story is I was in a remote area and came across a couple of aliens from outer space! When I did find my way back to the group, I had to tell them what I saw.

*****

   "The Aliens looked like they were: Dino-Squid-Shark-Zombified-Toe Fungus-Parasitical-Dexterously-Werewolfed-Fanged-Rat Finkish Dispositional-Flying-Monstrosity-Herniating-Lizard Tongue-Ghostly Eye-Pirate-Piranha-Hair Raising-Poisonous-Streaking-Bramble-Prickly-Witch-Cat-Mutant-Loving-Disease Ridden-Jay Walking-Paranoid-Grinder-Arm Pit-Lugie- Nose Hair Growing-Chupacabra-Insatiable-Michael Myers-Eating-Duck Dynasty-Insectoid-Gugalanna-Bank Bailout-Awfully Dressed-Mother-In-Law-Infidelity-Blind Dating-Gut Wrenching-Screw Driving-Working Stiff-Creature From The Black Lagoon

With a Jelly Fishing-Cannibalistic-Blob-Scurvy-Gangus-Gaga-Squalid-Psychotic-Inquisitorial-Spanish Fly-Soul Sucking-Pimple Squirting-Radio Active-Acid Raining-Abominable-Revulsive-Odious-Repugnant-Nose Picking-Grouchy-Disgusting-Tape Worm-Ephemeral In Longevity-Demising-Demerit-Tatted Little-Small Fry-Bug Munching-Herpetic-Hepatic-Meningitis-Living-Vampirous-Vamped-Poser-Posing-Demented-Squirrelly-Loopy-Lunatic-Nervous-Unpredictable-Saucer Of Milk Bones-Chewing Grass-Hair Ball-Raising-Aphrodisiac-Nominal-Syphilitic-Frankie Steinian Approaching-Fantastical-Skateboarding-Radicals!"

 

That is actually what I saw!

This is,

And Law Enforcement Say Eye Witness Reports Are Not Reliable

Jim Hauenstein

And

“Even if the aliens are short, dour, and sexually obsessed—if they’re here, I want to know about them.” - Carl Sagan -

That is my story and I am sticking to it!

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The Auditorium

A few weeks ago I went to see a live broadcast at the

Auditorium Theater 

in Chicago of the podcast,

Small Town Murder.

I tried to listen to one episode after I knew I had a ticket but found that I'm not really interested in the hottest trend of listening to

"Murder Podcasts".

My surprise was,

how much I enjoyed the live show.

They have a strong following that knows the show so well that when the hosts asked certain questions to the crowd,

they chimed in unison with the answer!

The significance of the

Auditorium Theater

for me is,

it was the place back in 1974 that

Genesis

played their last show together with

Peter Gabriel

and I was there.

Still one of my fondest memories!

This is,

Except For Getting Married

And Raising Seven Kids

Music Is Still One Of My Favorite Enjoyments In Life

Jim Hauenstein

And

“Music is ... A higher revelation than all Wisdom & Philosophy”
- Ludwig van Beethoven -

 

That is my story and I am sticking to it!

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RedFlower Creations

Redflower Creations

Looking for a gift for that someone special?

As in yourself, a sibling, a parent, friend, or a significant partner?

Look no further,

because

Redflower Creations

has now partnered with

Shopify

From the convenience of your cellphone, tablet, or computer you can easily order your gift today and receive it in as little as five to seven business days.

Which is plenty of time to order a pair of earrings for that last minute shopping.

No need to rush out to a store, walk through every aisle,

to try to figure out what you need anymore.

Because the creator behind

Redflower

has her inventory conveniently laid out on her new website so you can find the perfect gift.

Great gifts for back to school, birthdays, Christmas, or even for Halloween

 Whatever the occasion

Redflower Creations

is to place to go for

one of a kind

hand crafted

Earrings! 

 

This is,

I am not a paid spokesperson or compensated by

Redflower Creations

I just believe in the artistic imaginative work of its

proprietor

Jim Hauenstein

 

And

 

“When I am actually willing to marry you, I will wear your earrings.” - Megan Whalen Turner -

 

That is my story and I am sticking to it!

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Check these Books out

 

https://2buckhowie.blogspot.com/2023/02/a-stop-in-harmony.html

 

https://2buckhowie.blogspot.com/2023/03/no-return-address.html 

 

Did You Miss Me

   Okay, what has it been? A little over a month? I guess I have become a once a month blogger.

(Insert sad face emoji)

   I know it is hard to keep a following in this day and age of the 20 second video blurb. Especially when I am only writing once a month and readership of any kind of print is down worldwide. Yet, I love a challenge. So, let's try this one. It is a story I dreamt up last night.

*****

   Hop aboard! Everyone ready?

   We are taking a time machine back to a day where music was mostly heard only on a thing called the Radio and seldom on Network TV. A time before MTV, the internet, YouTube, and streaming services. Yes children, we are going back to the dark ages where people had to buy a round thing called "a record" and then buy another thing called "a record player" to play the records on.

   I know it sounds frightening, but do not fret. All these people still manage to live through these dark times to become your parents and grandparents.

(Warning! Do Not Remind Your Parents Or Your Grandparents Of Those Dark Ages Because Your Benevolent Government Has Suppressed Those Memories In Them So They Can Lead Happy, Productive Lives)

   If you left one of these record disks out in the sun or in a hot car, you would cry because you had to spend another seven dollars on a new one.

   It also took time for the sound quality to improve.

   But singers did have high tech technology with the original auto-tune. Covering one ear with a hand.

   So forgive your parents or grandparents when the mumble out foolish statements like, "Music was so much better back when I was growing up."

   It wasn't. Each generation grows up with their own sound.

(Disclaimer: Every era has great, good, and bad music. They are restricted only by the technology of the time and the available instruments.)

This is,

Your Federal Government Denies All Efforts Of Programing Your Relatives So They Can Lead Happy, Productive Lives

Unfortunately,

They Were Born That Way

Jim Hauenstein

 

And

 

“The only truth is music.” - Jack Kerouac -

 

That is my story and I am sticking to it!

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I'll be seeing you

 

Check these Books out

 

https://2buckhowie.blogspot.com/2023/02/a-stop-in-harmony.html

 

https://2buckhowie.blogspot.com/2023/03/no-return-address.html 

 

And before anyone complains about how the music of their generation is the best, remember, this was only a dream. A work of fiction.

Let the hate mail begin!