During the campaign before the last presidential election, when I heard people accuse Obama of being “a secret Muslim”, I told them, “please, you only make yourself appear ignorant saying that. The real thing to be afraid of is, “is he just another old white politico?”

Sadly from where I sit, it appears he’s just more of the same. I still would like to believe if he had the power to change things, maybe he would. Maybe the President doen’t have the power to make those sweeping changes that are needed to fix things in this country.

I thought that maybe I would see some meaningful healthcare reform that would help me – but I haven’t. Nor has he done anything meaningful for the economy. “Make work” programs that rebuild the infrastructure of this country – fixing highways and bridges – that will never bring real prosperity back. What happened to alternative energy? We’re still in Iraq and Afganistan, and getting involved in a war in Libya…Guantanamo Bay is still open, the Bush tax cuts for the rich were extended despite never having produced the intended “trickle down”….

And the people that caused the Recession – they got bailed out. Me; I have to sell my house because I don’t make the same money as I used to. I’m not behind on my mortgage, so I don’t qualify for the lower interest rates one hears about.

Oh, I’ll vote for Obama in the next election simply because I know there not a snowball’s chance in hell the Republicans will do anything other than pick up where George Bush left off.  It seems to me this two party system with its career politicians is analogous to asking how much does two plus two equal? The Republicans say five and the Democrats say three and we the people keep going back and forth between those two wrong answers without having a choice that will work.

In short, I felt I was going to be the man to save house music (what hubris)  – which incidentally is its own worst enemy. By comparison, some of the lyrics in house make hip hop and country western seem positively brilliant. Too much of house comes across as a hackneed soundtrack to the audience getting wasted. I wanted to create music that people would want to buy so as to listen to and believe in. If you think about it; all the big rock group’s have fans that believe in them. To those fans its not just a sound but a lifestyle. I think house music can do that but it needs to grow.

Anyhjow…I did these rough tracks and sent them around to various DJs – never got one response.

So I released as is. Looking back on it now I find the rigid four on the floor kick drum oppressive and the unvareing tempo tedious. What could have been my best album is not. And I can only listen in small doses.

My next album will be nothing like this.

There are great advantages to cougars and milfs: they’re not time wasters, they’re more sexually knowledgeable than young girls, and they’re usually just more interesting people – they’ve lived…done stuff.

But you have to follow THE RULES:

Rule #1: You DO NOT MENTION AGE

Rule # 2 You DO NOT MENTION AGE, I can’t stress this enough.  These women know that they’re older and you’re younger.  If you say “I like older women”, you’ve just blown it.   For them to imagine themselves younger, the subject needs to never be brought up. Even if they ask you your age DON’T ask them theirs.

Rule #3: If you follow  rule 3, you will do better with women of any age. Even when women are out looking to get laid that doesn’t mean you do not have to romance them at all. Unlike men who often do just want sex, women are looking for a romantic experience. ALWAYS. Even if they themselves know they will never see you again, they still want a romantic experience. This means you have to woo these women just as you would any young girl – the difference being this is a much more sure thing. Flattery will get you everywhere. Be clever about this. Don’t tell her she’s got great tits etc. Actually if you were the kind of guy dumb enough to say something like that you probably can’t read and aren’t likely to see this.  Tell her she’s got a good sense of humor or that she seems quite bright or has terrific taste in clothes, etc.

Rule #4    Don’t make her feel that it’s taken it for granted that she’s going to sleep with you. No girl or woman likes to be taken for granted. That too, can be a deal killer. This also means you still have to make the first move.  “Damn it” you’re saying. I know those websites told you she was going to practically rape you, but it’s not so.  However, these women are more inclined to give you very definite signals. If she frequently touches you, leans into you, if she’s whispering into your ear and her lips are brushing your ear – kiss her.  I can’t tell you how often one of these women walk away from guys who are too cowardly to act. They still want you to make the first move. They still want you to be a MAN. So do it – put the moves on her, kiss her, pet her. If she allows this then after she’s warmed up she will most probably suggest it herself. Or if necessary, if a suitable amount time has passed you can suggest “why don’t we take this somewhere more private.”

Rule #5  DON’T POISON THE WELL. This rule deserves a blog unto itself. This means if any girl allows you to sleep with her on the first night, never ever treat her disrespectfully. Be good to her afterwards. Thank her for a “memorable night”  or a “great night”.  Don’t make her feel bad about herself because she’s had sex with you. If you do that, she may never allow a one night stand with anyone ever again, and even worse she’ll tell her girlfriends and they will be less inclined to one nighters.  Don’t be “that asshole”. Remain gracious, and always be a gentleman. In our society it’s still very brave for a single woman to go out and pick up a guy. These women are not to be disrespected, on the contrary I like to think of them as free, brave, and sexually empowered. And if you can make her feel that, if you make her feel good about her experience, then you are a friend to all mankind.

This is a non-fiction account of a springtime author Norwegian journalist Asne Seierstad spent with one family in Afghanistan. She was able to spend time alone with the women, something no male journalist would have been allowed. Just as it was in Khaled Hosseini’s novel, we find a story of women horribly oppressed by their own religion and society.

Though, Sultan Khan’s family is well off by the living standards of his country, they still live without electricity, a television, or even a radio. There is no furniture; a hole in the floor is their toilet. A twelve year old son works seven days a week, twelve hours a day. Indeed, the crushing poverty of Afghanistan oppresses them all.

Smoothly translated into English by Ingrid Christophersen, this is a fast enjoyable, but most importantly, an informative read. Highly recommended.

Buy book now from Amazon now $10 off

also read kubul

It’s people like Dr. Collins that we should be honoring  – people of merit -

not pop stars and airhead  celebrities who are famous without ever accomplishing anything.

Dr. Collins, the workaholics workaholic,  tackles some of the more complex ethical  and emotional situations doctors face such as the classic: the operation was a success but the patient died .  Instead of reading that line as a bad joke, the reader begins to understand the true implications.

Inspiring, funny and moving – this book has got it all.

Between these two books Dr. Collins has taken us on the journey all the way up to the moment he enters a prestigious and successful practice.  I hope he will write one more book detailing the years that follow and maybe explain  why a hairstylist who pays $6,000 a year for medical insurance still has to pay $153 out of pocket just to speak to a doctor. I mean that quite literally -  a five minute conversation, no examination, $153!

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My biggest criticism is that all the loose ends are tidied in too pat a manner.

I look forward to Mr. Smith’s next novel.

Mixed Blood: Cheap At Amazon.