The stuff that dreams are made of...

REDUX: 
Recently there have been quite a few hits on this blog entry from 2013.
So much so I thought I'd re-share it with all of you. Pleasant dreams!

Where am I?
Thirty years ago, I took a train
home post a long, late and liquid
business dinner. Upon arrival -
rather than grab a cab I decided
to walk home from the station.
Worried of riffraff - I foolishly
opted to trod a path less traveled.

Ready... aim...
Soon thereafter I was greeted by two not
so gentle men with sawed off shot guns.
They demanded cash. The next thing
I knew one slammed me in the temple
with the butt of his gun. After coming to
minutes later, my wallet and two years
of memories were gone. Now it that's
not wrong place, wrong time what is?!

In my dreams
Beyond losing over seven hundred
days of my life, I did not dream for
over twenty years post trauma. Well,
at least not that I can remember. My
nights were a total blank and while
I faintly recalled what it was like to
dream, I didn't miss them very much.
The primary benefit was that while
I might be living a nightmare each
day - I wasn't having any at night.

Deja vu
Slowly my dreams have now
returned which feels odd. As
time goes on, I rarely dream
of times spent in paradise.
Rather my nights are spent in
a state of mind where there is
little to no rest for the wicked.

Night gallery
My twilight sojourns are no
longer blank canvases. Now
my evenings are consumed
with visions that oddly relate
to the events of my day prior.

Be careful what you wish for
For many years I mourned the loss of my
ability to dream. Now I fondly look back
at those years of dreamless nights. My
return to evening revelry means that
instead of blank bliss, I fight mind games
each night. My head is now filled with
visions, visages, and vestiges of things
I can't quite comprehend. My hope is that
slowly I will adjust to these night flights.
But for now I'm unnerved as I awaken.

Night traveler
To be honest I seem to rarely
have nightmares. Instead my
dreams consist of rehashes of
odd events distantly related
to actual circumstances. For
example - I'm often traveling
somewhere beyond my control.

Suspended animation
Experts claim they can read
dreams. That's nothing new
as Biblical passages recount
dreams predicting the future.
Now most modern experts
attribute dream filled nights
to a lack of sleep. Given my
snoring, and Frank's diagnosis
of sleep apnea, I'm certain
there must be a connection.

Sweet dreams
After years of putting off going to a sleep
clinic it's obvious that I seriously need to.
Periodic dozes at my desk, dream filled
nights, and ceaseless snoring are further
indication that I have a real problem. My
cacophony of caterwauling also causes
Frank to spend most nights on the sofa.
While I'm certain my baritone bellowing
can be quite spectacular, it's not doing
either of us any good. Time to wake up!

HE SAID. SHE SAID.

True or false?
It seems that we live in a he said - she said
world. One where any accuser can point a
finger and be immediately validated. Yet in
truth, nothing is farther from reality. When
it comes to accusations - the supposedly evil
and much maligned press hold themselves to
extremely stringent standards. Hence if one
bears false witness they go through a fact
check and corroboration process. Recently
a far right group proffered up a purposefully
false Roy Moore accuser to the Washington
Post. One who was soon discredited for they
were. And like it or not, the truth came out.

Fact or fiction?
Meanwhile a year later - our President is now
claiming that the infamous Access Hollywood
tape was "rigged." Meaning that while he once
apologized for his "locker room" banter - he's
now suggesting that somebody falsely made a
pussy out of him. In addition, there have been
reports of Donald's Trump's vociferous chagrin
post his daughter's suggestion that those who
prey on children belong in "hell." Apparently
our Chief Executive prefers perverts given
his veiled support of anybody but Democrats.
Why would any American choose fiction over
fact. Or vote to support wrong versus right?

More or less?
To be clear - within our muddled mania one
thing is clear. Which is that while the news
media is in the business of selling advertising,
they long ago figured out that truth will find
you out. Hence while their message may veer
towards sensationalism, it's rooted in fact not
fiction. And such freedom of speech is in my
opinion the foundation of this democracy.
Therefore the very idea that those at the top
of the heap are attempting to control, monitor
or limit our access to the truth is terrifying.
And all too within the realm of possibility.
So exactly who do we trust?

Hide or seek?
Each and every one of us have hidden agendas.
Many use said subtext as positive motivation
to achieve great things. Whereas others will
do anything in order to get what they please.
Whether we want to face our new reality or
not, many are doing whatever they possibly
can to undermine an open dialogue. What is
their goal? To control the conversation, limit
any discourse, manipulate public opinion, and
subsequently gain our false favor. The very
idea of which angers me to the point of no
return. No wonder I dream about running off
to Tuscany or Provence?! Anyplace but here!

Open or closed?
Liars rarely like being exposed for who they
truly are. Thus they avoid participating in a
factual context. Spin doctors prefer to operate
within a world of rumor and innuendo. Like
any vortex, falsehoods can quickly spin out
of their control and take on a life of it's own.
Nothing makes these control freaks happier
than millions of Americans embracing their
lies versus the truth. Hence our angst, mania,
and fear fuels their quest for complete control.
And often nothing stands in their way except
those who are committed to communicating
the truth. i.e. the news media - my heroes.

Good or evil?
You see, those who claim that the news media
is skewed or jaded are the ultimate hypocrites.
That's because their ultimate goal is to control
said media to their advantage. In the end they
assume that we will believe anything we read,
hear, or see. Thus once they eliminate any/all
attempts to communicate the truth - they can
insure that what we think is what they want
us to think. I recently viewed a documentary
on the Nazi regime's propaganda machine and
it's manipulation of the masses. What worked
then still does now. Just ask the average North
Korean what he/she thinks about Americans.

Us or them?
So who should we believe? The answer is no
one at face value. As adults we must find our
own truth. Said process requires one approach
every "fact" with skepticism before reaching
a conclusion. Historical precedence shows
that the open forum of media is often the one
thing we can rely on. Having lived through
Watergate and the Pentagon Papers - I believe
news organizations like the Washington Post,
New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal
are committed to the truth. If that makes me
a raving liberal than so be it. Ultimately no
matter what he or she says - the truth is truth!

EASY INSTALLATION UPDATE

Old enough to know better
While some may claim that I'm still "young" -
I've no doubt that I have become a crotchety
OLD man. If for no other reason that I feel
totally out of touch with all things MODERN.
At one time I was considered hipper than hip.
However as of now the only hip I've got left
aches whenever the weather is cold or damp.
Due to forces far beyond my control I've lost
control. Hence I can't help but feel more than
out of touch with the new reality. One where
technology rules, casual is the mode en masse,
and all that was once elegant is considered too
"fussy." Thus sadly... I AM OUT OF IT.

Repeat performance
Yet the last thing I want is for anybody to pity
me. The fact is I'm rather proud at the progress
I've made during my time here on earth. Over
the years I've adapted to everything thrown my
way. From Federal Express to fax machines to
rotary dials to push button to cellular to iPhones
to word processors to computers to laptops to
Windows to Mac's to 78 to 45 to LP to mono
to stereo to reel to reel to eight track to cassettes
to CD's to iTunes to home movies to video tapes
to beta to VHS to DVD to Netflix to beatnik to
Beatles to hippies to punk to grunge to shoulder
pads to Prada. The list goes on and on and on...

Over and out
At this point I've more than proved that I'm
adaptable. Yet why is it that every transition
onto something newer seems to be getting
harder and harder?  In theory all of this new
and innovative technology is "intuitive." But
given that every single shift in the ebb and
flow of life requires a major amount of time
and effort - whose mind are they reading?
It's obvious I've lost mine. Could it be that
constant change has conditioned me to want
more for less?! If that's the case - no wonder
I'm frustrated. Nothing is as easy as I think
it should be. Rather it's more complicated.

Hidden agenda
All of a sudden I'm starting to understand why
so many old folks used to sit in their rocking
chairs and stare off into space. Checking out of
life's constant evolution just may be the easiest
way to survive. Otherwise one's days are spent
wondering what to do or say next. Exactly how
does one label another? Is it "Indian" or should
it be "American Indian" or "Native American"
or "Indigenous Person" or as President Trump
just offensively spewed "Pocahontas"?! Why
must everything be so damned complicated?
Can't we simply treat each other with dignity
and respect rather than call each other names?

Hand to hand combat
The fact is that while I embrace change, I don't
feel that all revisions are absolutely necessary.
Meaning that I really don't need my thermostat
to turn off and on at will. Instead I'd prefer that
it stays where I set it until I decide to change it.
Whether it hurts the earth or not, I still want to
be sent an invoice printed on paper not e-mailed
via PDF vapor. In essence I want to be treated
like a human being. Which by it's very human
nature requires some actual physical or verbal
contact. If for no other reason that together we
just might figure out what's best for me... you...
and all involved.  Why can't we just STOP?!

Wake up call
Remember that old AT&T commercial which
suggested we "reach out and touch someone?"
In hindsight, the concept of using the phone
to stay in contact was a revolutionary shift for
our grandparents. Somehow they adjusted to
and appreciated the benefits of innovation. And
obviously it was just as hard for them to adapt
as it is for us today. Thus it's time that I man
up and embrace whatever upgrade comes my
way. In the end I'm certain that every change
will make my life easier. That is once I figure
out what, when, where, and how to use it. We
each must go with the flow. SINK OR SWIM!

TAKING THE FIFTH

Take five
Last week I barely looked at the news. And
while said respite may seem "healthy" as my
dearest suggested - it's worrisome. Therefore
I'm starting to wonder if I've been worn down
by the foolishness in Washington and so have
given up. That all the bold faced lies, punitive
legislation, judicial gerrymandering, and pure
racism has pushed me to a point of no return.
I'll be honest - I'm shocked and disgusted by
all that's going on. Yet my acquiescence has
nothing to do with surrender. Rather it's about
my embracing the realization that ultimately
it's going to be all right. Am I nuts or smart?!

Five alarm
You see, if one looks behind the bravado and
tap dancing one sees the truth. Which is that
we have a legislative system that somehow
continues to work against all odds. Some can
steal. Others lie. Many manipulate. But few
if any have been able to break the strength of
our democratic process. Maybe I'm the eternal
optimist but I believe that while evil may at
times challenge our resolve, ultimately good
prevails. Therefore while worried, concerned,
vigilant, and at times terrified, my newfound
peace of mind is based on one thing. Which
is patience. What goes around comes around.

High five
Last Friday was the fifth anniversary of this
blog. Meaning that as of that date I seem to
have shoveled one thousand, eight hundred
and twenty five entries on you, the innocent
public. As some of you may have detected
I periodically recycle something old. While
reviewing a few past spews I was amazed
at how often I was right. Well, at least in
relationship to politics and human nature.
Plus I knew what was going to happen once
Donald Trump assumed office. And so while
I may have been preaching to the choir within
this venue - being right isn't very gratifying.

Five finger deal
Many believe that a leopard never changes his
spots. I would argue that's especially true in the
case of a corrupt individual. Our Commander
In Chief had a track record of very questionable
behavior long before he entered the politics. If
only we knew what he doesn't want us to know.
I'm fairly certain that the true list of his crimes
against humanity is much longer and alarming.
Evil is as evil does. Thus one thing is certain -
which is that President Trump will continue to
manipulate any situation to his advantage. Thus
all we can do is try to survive Don's first term.
And make sure he comes in second the next...

Nine to five
Have I learned anything in the last five years?
Most certainly - especially about myself. The
older one gets - the more we understand our
strengths and weaknesses. These five years
have been a journey of self realization. What
has been most gratifying is my dramatic shift
away from false pretenses on to much more
solid ground. Being a workaholic may have
benefitted those I toiled for. However in the
end it almost killed me. Since then I've been
blessed and cursed in my attempts to share
my knowledge with other organizations. Yet
professional endeavors no longer satisfy me.

Five to life
Nowadays the things that thrill are simple at
best. In their purest form it's the pleasure of
being on the receiving end of enlightenment
from my daughters. While they mature I get
great pleasure watching said process from
afar. Five years ago it was crazy to think I'd
be legally married to the one who completes
me. Yet today our bond is not only stronger
but official. If all of the above wasn't enough,
we've put roots down in this beautiful place.
One where we can both enjoy the fruits of
our labors. And continue to leverage all that
we've learned for the good of our community.

Five alive
I can't thank you dear readers enough for your
support during this five year journey. At times
I've been outrageous. Naked boys and liberal
rants may not be for everyone. However those
of you who stuck with Montana Roue' through
thick and thin know one thing. Which is that all
I'm trying to do is sort things out. And thanks
to all of you - slowly but surely I have gotten
to a better place. Now I'm comfortable in my
own skin. So I'm enjoying the ride. Therefore
I am more than confident that no matter what
happens in Washington D.C. - somehow it is
going to be all right. PATIENCE FRIENDS!

7th Day Surprise: HANGING OUT

READY, START, GLOW!

Across America many of you have been decking your halls.
This year we're traveling instead.
So we're going to let the rest of you do the work.
Which just may be the gift
that keeps on giving.

Ho, ho, gotta go!