The Zen of Chess

On page 62 of "The Complete Chess Course" by Fred Reinfeld (Doubleday 1953), there was a chess problem that displayed an utter defeat. After some rather amazing moves which involved a couple of brilliant sacrifices on behalf of the white side, the Black side suffered a brutal defeat. The thinking that went into the moves is brilliant, and took me, a mere beginner, quite a bit of studying to understand...then CLICK! It made sense.

The last two white moves involved the Queen taking Black's Queen side Rook (still on its original square), then the King side Rook (also on its original square). Black then resigns. [The photographs show the position Black is in when they resign]. For the life of me I couldn't figure out why black resigned. It seemed to me that there was still some fight left. It took me a while to realize that Black is, indeed, utterly defeated in this particular game. *CLICK*

That's what black gets for leaving its King exposed in the center instead of castling early in the game.

I really Love chess.

Native Americans neglected after Gustav - 12 Sep 08

Turns out Indians were in the way of oil corporations making money, and therefore, are being forced to suffer after hurrican Gustav. This is also known as "Business as Usual" when it comes to the U.S. government dealings with Indians.

Figures, too, that you will only find this story on English Al Jazeera.

...And Suddenly It Occurs To Me...

Obama is going to win the election.

John Trudell gave a lecture at Lane Community College a few months back. In that lecture he stated that it didn't matter who won between Hillary and Obama becuase the Democrats will win the whitehouse. The system needs to get some pretty aggregious legislation passed and that can only be done under the democrats because the masses will pay attention if a Republican makes those changes. I wasn't buyin' it in whole, so I put as many pieces together myself, and in discussions with Shusli and an interview on English Al-Jazeera of Howard Zinn, I suddenly came to the realization that yes, indeed, Obama will win in November. Here is why I think that.

In the Al Jazeera interview with Howard Zinn, Howard states this nation needs a rebellion by the people. King Dick and co-King George have seriously pushed folks closer to a rebellion. (Thank goodness for the public education system keeping folks as stupid as possible.) So, how do you play the pieces without getting folks to realize the corporate owners of this nation want Obama in office so they can pass their aggregious legislation?

McCain is proving himself to be an idiot, compared to Obama being rather articulate and intelligent. McCain calls on Palin to be his running mate. Palin calls herself an anti-abortion feminist, of which there is no such thing. She calls on abstinence while her daughter gets pregnant at 17. She uses her husbands race as tokenism in order to garner liberal sympathy. All of this, however, is easily seen through. Palin, as governer of Alaska, has been EXTREMELY ANTI-indigenous. She states she is a feminist, but makes the joke that the difference between a hockey mom and a pitbull is that a hockey mom wears lipstick. This was a statement to make her seem tough, but also equates them with female dogs, commonly called "bitches." (This was brought to my attention by Shusli). These moves are setting up the Republicans up for a REQUIRED loss. The transparency of these moves being losing choices are not too blantant as to wake up the under educated American masses. These moves say "we want to lose" without coming out and saying "we want to lose." That way, those who believe voting will actually change something will continue to play this lie of a game.

Another bad move is that Palin has stated she is willing to go to war with Russia if they invade Georgia a second time, which will most likely happen as the U.S. increases weapon supplies to that nation. This is something that I believe King Dick and co-King George have desired since the co-King violated the nuclear non-proliferation treaty unilaterally (a violation of the U.S. constitution). I'm sure co-King George would Love to have a victory where his Nazi comrades had failed. That, or at least a highly profitable cold war. All of this policy to be continued under the democrats with future King Obama. Much easier for a democraic instead of a republican king to get away with because large portions of the American masses will be chanting "at least he's a democrat."

Obama chose Biden because Joe Biden is intelligent and knows his way around the U.S. government. Good move. However, Shusli informed me that rumor is now abound that Joe may back out and Barak may ask Killary to be his running mate. If Hillary becomes VP, you can expect millions upon millions of people to die and millions more to suffer. But there again, it is that toughness that folks like to fantasize about making a good candidate, and "at least she's a democrat." So, this could turn out to be a good move should this actually take place. Even rumor of this can be good for the dems because many dems love the mass murderer, Hillary, and are leaning to vote for mass murderer McCain since Killary didn't win the nomination.

When Obama wins, all sorts of aggregious legislation to control the people, destroy health care, destroy infrastructure, and hand over all wealth to the owning class can then be made into law, you know, like Bill Clinton helped forward during his eight year reign as King. Still, thanks to the mass media and the public education system, folks will still be yelling out "THIS IS THE LAND OF FREEDOM!" as freedoms are continually deteriorated under a democratic kingdom, or queendom should Killary gain the position.

You may still be saying that Obama will bring change, and I will inform you that Obama's foreign policy advisor is Zbigniew Brzinski(sp?). Brzinski wrote "The Grand Chessboard," a book about global domination via policy making and slaughtering of gazillions of folks like you and me. Oh, yes, even though Obama has slaughtered far fewer people than McCain or Killary, he will indeed continue the slaughtering for the corporations.

However, with Obama in office, many who have been intensified into rebellion or at least thinking about or desiring it, will be lulled to sleep. As freedoms, the American people, and people worldwide are destroyed, many rebellious types will be chanting their sweet little mantra, "at least he (or she) is a democrat." Lord knows how many hundreds of times I heard that mantra by intelligent folks as democrat King Bill Clinton enacted legislation that would have NEVER been passed (at least not without extreme opposition) by a republican.

So, Obama will win the office, with or without Killary, and as he enacts aggregious legislations that will create further suffering so the corporations can create vaster wealth for themselves, the urge to rebel against the genocidal U.S. government will be laid to sweet dream sleeps with the kind and gentle mantra...probably from behind barbed wire fences on wooden cots without mattersses..."at least he's a democrat."

I believe we need a rebellion. I believe we'd all be better off if we take care of each other. May this little and useless post be a sounding cheer to those of you who will carry rebellion in your hearts, as well as a Love for the people. "The true Revolutionary is motivated by GREAT feelings of Love." Express your Love for the people as best and as beautifully as you can. Thank you!

What's Today a

Oh Yeah! September 11. Let me be the first to say...F**K SEPTEMBER 11!

I mean no disrespect to the victims, but this thing has played out way too long. The deaths of those folks and the trauma of seeing those towers MYSTERIOUSLY come down and all the rest of them taken down after the fact to make the owner a rather serious amount of money (twice his investment I understand) has been used as an excuse to slaughter millions of people. F**K SEPTEMBER 11!

You know, given all the information about the incident, one would think that thinking folks would revolt against this genocidal U.S. government. Give them time. Help them out. Folks feel disempowered by their day to day plights for the most part. Help each other! That's it, maybe more.

The U.S. government has been the most genocidal and horrific monster ever to have existed. One just has to look at the history with an honest vision. Don't go into the romance of that "founding fathers" BS. They would have LOVED the way things are turning out. A handful of folks are making serious money, and that is what they were all about. Freedom? C'MON! Please, read your history. Ain't nothin' changed. Ain't nothin' gonna change when Obama gets elected either. His winning of the presidential election will just lower the tensions that make a rebellion sweet sounding and tasty. Folks will be saying as they watch the nation further destroy, kill, and maim (even their own) "at least he's a democrat. No need for rebellion here. Everyone stay calm. It's a democrat doing all those horrible things." Whereas, if McCain won the election, that would create deeper tensions and ripen the desire for rebellion more rapidly, and the system can't have that.

So, discuss September 11 all you want. I'd rather you all helped each other, and in your spare time, enjoy life and take care of others and do what you can to create a world without this occupational U.S. government. Make a world where we all care about each other and are willing to help. We can do the testosterone thing as well. We can puff up our chests in mock wars. We really don't need to kill each other. Smack each other around from time to time to release that aggression, but mostly...TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER!

That said...I'm gonna take a shower. I'm off of my work day, and I'm pretty happy. Maybe I'll even sqeeze in a game of computer chess while I wait for my sweet wife to get home. Sound good? Does to me.

This is me, signing off for now, and don't forget...TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER!

Our Visit With Eli

On our way down to visit Eli, we got to see some spectacular views!

Beautiful Nurse!

Spectacular Sunsets!

"Zoltar says you will see Eli soon!"

TA-DUH!

We camped outside of Junction City where Eli is stationed. It was a nice camp ground, though next to the road, which didn't matter all that much because there was hardly any traffic. Eli came to visit us Saturday morning before he had to work, and we spent our time going to Weaverville for a spectacular breakfast, etc. We also went to see the local monestary.

We picked up Eli and headed to Arcata. We went to Eureka, had a few beers, then we ate at Mazzotti's. OH MY GOD! I ate the best canneloni EVER! It was stuffed with scallops. It was so amazing that the chef came out and accepted my compliments in person.

We went into Arcata the next day. I won't tell you about our breakfast in Eureka because, well, we all had homicidal desires during that meal. We did some shopping around and hanging out in the sun before we drove Eli back to his work.
This is the fire engine Eli worked on this year. Next year he will be in Zig Zag. I think he will be jumping out of "perfectly good helicopters" next year.
Oh, yeah. While camping, I got to play a few games of chess on my Saitek Mephisto hand held. I upped the level and still won. This time, however, I was aware of my strategies in winning.

Weaverville

On our visit with Eli, we went to the town of Weavervill where we had the best omlette we've ever had at the Garden Cafe.
Weaverville is a tourist town with a lot of interesting little shops and a co-op that sells Blackfire CD's.
There was a little nice clothing, jewelry, art shop whose name I unfortunately forget.

Shusli found her dream shoe at a shoe shop in town, but did not purchase them. Shoes are very important to nurses as the amount of time they spend on their feet on those hospital floors.
Here is a mural we saw on a building in Weaverville. Shusli and I both agreed that Onestaa could have done a whole lot better of a job.
Shusli and I were both touched by this painting, created by the artist pictured. It seemed like a childlike expression of fear and beauty in California's fiery North.
Sunflowers on a warm sunny day.
There was going to be a benefit for the families of the fallen in this years fire. These are posters of the folks who lost their lives in the helicopter crash a month ago. These were all over town.

Buddhist Monestary

On our visit with Eli, we visited a Buddhist Monestary not far from his station.

Animals

In our visit with Eli this weekend, we saw some animals.

Bull Elk

Tasty Elk

What Are You Doing Sticking Your Nose in Other People's Business?

I Have This Funny Feeling I'm Being Watched...

I Just Can't Get Over This Feeling I'm Being Watched...

Monestary Lizard

Fast Fox

Fast Fox (detail)

Killer Coffee

In our visit with Eli this weekend, we had some real killer coffee.
If you are ever travelling 299 between Eureka and Weaverville, California, you will run across a place known as Big Flat. In the town is a coffee house known as the "Straw House." It is a straw bale coffee house. Here, you can get some realy killer coffee. We got some real killer coffee drinks, and I bought a pound of some real killer coffee. Give it a try if you are ever in that neck of the woods.

Chess

Yesterday, Shusli and I were discussing a personal issue in which I was feeling completely defeated. In her sweet and wonderful wisdom, she had given me a few ideas that take little effort in which I might gain some footing into my issue. A few tools that don't take a whole lot of effort to use with consistent pressure and I might just find myself in an advantage.

I have bought two computer chess games in which I am just starting to play. One is a handheld in which I am starting at the lowest level and getting my chops back. So far, I've won the four games that I've played, however, that doesn't really mean much, and I know it, as I found that I was surprised that I had won. The moves that I made to win were not intended to win as much as to defend a certain piece. Winning was a surprise. My brain wasn't stretching and strategising to find the defeat in which I gave my opponent. The defeats came as a surprise to me.

In having a discussion with Shusli about a personal issue last night, and continuing to think about it this morning, I realize that although I have ways in which I can see patterns throughout many areas of life, I have little knowledge of how to strategize and use the tools at my disposal to further that knowledge into something workable.

When I finally figured out how to play the computer on the Deep Fritz computer chess game I bought, I played at a very low level, but not the lowest, and in four games...I GOT MY ASS HANDED TO ME IN EACH ONE! That was when it hit me!

Yeah, sure, I can recognize patterns. I can recognize the patterns that go with the working poor in reading Barbara Ehrenreich's book, "Nickel and Dimed." I can recognize how people feel utterly defeated in mere attempts at survival. MASSES OF THEM! And I surrender to the idea that I can do nothing to change that. What a crock of f***ing sh**! What I think I will do is learn to recognize the tools I have and how to use them. Like in my personal issue, I have given in to utter defeat without playing the pieces I have on the board in which I choose to play.

Chess is a very important game to me. I haven't played since I was in junior high when I realized that I could recognize the patterns and strategize on the board to hand defeat to a handful of my fellow chess players back in the day. Sadly, all those three decades ago, for some reason, I gave up the game until a few years ago when I played Felicia some. I bought the book, "The Complete Chess Course" by Fred Reinhold (1953), and Felicia and I worked through some of the beginning chapters. But after a while, she didn't want to play anymore, even though she handed me my ass a few times, 2 of the 8 or 10 games we played. Again, I lost interest, and the book.

I decided to buy "The Complete Chess Course" again, as well "Play Chess: Deep Fritz Grand Master Deluxe" chess game for my computer, and Saitek's "Mephisto Travel Chess Computer" (a sweet little hand held), and have decided to REopen my mind to ideas and strategies I had completely IGONORED that I have.

And I take back what I said about Coos Bay not having chess players. In reading my chess book at work, I was surprised to discover that a fellow who works in maintenance played chess and wants to get back into it. Another fella, a resident, also wants to play a game or two. And when I bought coffee, I ran into the other fella I knew who played chess, though he doesn't reside in Coos Bay, and we had a few discussions about the game. SURPRISE!

In other game news, Shusli is an excellent Scrabble player. She has a great mind for words and is good at startegy in playing the game which has also undoubtedly exercised those tools in her mind that create strong thinking patterns. She is thinking of organizing a Scrabble Tourney in the area.

All this thinking about playing games has brought me to the importance of what it means to play games. Games are exercise of the mind. In this, the beginning of my rethinking Chess, I have already come to a new thought pattern in exercising my mind. I am a limited thinker. Sure, I can recognize patterns, but I could not recognize the simple tools at my disposal and how to use them that Shusli offered to me in her advice on my personal issue yesterday. And this morning, in recognizing patterns and remembering the importance of play (remember when you were a kid, if you aren't one right now), I have come to a new understanding of the importance of games, thanks to the game of chess and my sweet wonderful wife, Shusli.

Don't forget to play, folks. Playing and having fun is very important, useful, and GOOD! Don't worry about winning or losing so much. Afterall, it's a game, and you're gonna win and you're gonna lose. The most important part, in my opinion, is that you are exercising your mind. I've noticed that there isn't a whole lot of playing games going on in my neighborhood, and I think it is time to change that.