Connecting a Dot

I’m buying a six-pack of Amazon Echo Dots today. If you are unfamiliar with them, allow me: You plug these hockey puck things into a stereo or a lamp or whatever you like that’s got a plug and then you can tell the Dot to perform that thing's function. Like a Clapper that understands words. You can make your house listen to you. In my case, that means at least something is listening to me.

The wife and kids hear slightly less than a third of what I say, regardless of volume or topic. Which can be very unproductive. I make an announcement like, "I’m going to the store for milk and eggs" and hear back "What the hell is a milk egg? And why do you store them?" Now this could mean I’m terribly boring two out of three times, but that’s no excuse. There could just as easily be a real pearl in there amongst the bivalve, if you get through the goo. I want someone – something, at least – to listen. Always.

So I’m putting a Dot in every room. When I say things like, "Maybe the press is wrong about vampires, too?" or "I'm going to write a short-story about a meatloaf that runs for an open Senate seat" I’ll know, on some level, I’ve been heard.

The Milkman comes to the Whitehouse

There has never been a president with no experience outside of the business world. From Washington to Obama, every president served in either public office or the military, a good portion did both. The business world was never considered a solely acceptable preamble for heading the executive branch of the government. Until now.

I’m not making a judgement call here, though I’m tempted. I am saying the corporatization of America has been steady, relentless and increasingly overt. We have taken one more step towards U.S.Inc. The steps are getting close together and hopping much more quickly.

Which is great if you write books about it. As to whether it’s great for anything else? It’s a matter of point-of-view. Like when you’re in a human pyramid. The view is awesome from the top.

If you dont' feel like listening to election returns:
Just Joshing Episode 63 with the graet @MMartineck is live! http://buff.ly/2f82fAu  #podcasts #justjoshing

Bud Writing Lesson

A commercial for Bud Light comes on the TV, showing cans with different football teams. I laugh and say out loud that there’s nothing they can put on a Bud Light that would make me want to drink it.

Nina the daughter says, “Really? Nothing?” and disappears. She returns a few minutes later with a picture showing a penguin, on a bus, writing on his Mackerel laptop.

So, aspiring writers, be careful with absolutes, as in ‘nothing would keep me from downing that penguin Bud’ or ‘I’m always wrong’ or ‘never give writing advice.’