SageDog

Someone who reads lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who does not read lives only one. --- George R. R. Martin

From my conversation with a very wise person: What was common between the periods leading up to both World Wars was the belief among leaders that new technology had made history obsolete. That is exactly where we find ourselves today. Remember: History is never obsolete.

My favorite opera ambassador, soprano Anna Trombetta, explains how Zohran Mamdani's (@mayor.nyc.gov) socialist giveaway of 70,000 free opera seats is actually the peak of capitalism. This short is not about music, but the business of music. Give it a listen: youtube.com/shorts/X-9Ti...

Country yokel in the Bay Area (Silicon Valley) here. Looking for takeout food nearby. This place looked good. Only 4 miles away. 30 minutes drive later, I finally get there. How do people live there?

Taxes in California are out of hand. Apparently they are now taxing using the turn signal in California. That must be why no one here uses the turn signal.

I started the motorhome's engine, getting ready to leave after my week in CA. Knock on the door. Its the neighbor couple. They've bee asses the 2 days they've been here Him: In CA, it's illegal to idle the engine. Me: I am warming up befor driving. If you did that, maybe she'll have s3x with you.

Elections in the USA have turned into an exercise in choosing the lesser of two evils. But not voting does not mean you are opting out. It means you get stuck with the evil others choose for you, which is likely the greater of the two evils.

Here's a piece from the one and only Sir Karl Jenkins. Among currently living composers, he is second only to perhaps John Williams. You do not need to know the words to let the music fill and uplift your soul. youtu.be/X_1o3T-GEfI?...

My contacts in Hell tell me this happened: youtube.com/shorts/a44fM...

Relative, who's worked on big deals: Trump is handling Iran like a typical multi-billion dollar deal; creating realities to improve position. It's nothing like you buying a house. It'll work out. Me: It's different. Him: How? Me: People are dying. Dead people obstruct deals.

Something to think about. US military has defeated every enemy it has encountered who wears boots. US military has never been able to defeat an enemy who wears flip-flops.

Appliance repair company: Our call out charge is $80. What is the address? Me: My address is... Repair: Looks up address. Call out for you is $120 because blah blah... I'm tited of it. It happens so often. They see on Google maps or drive up the driveway and price goes up 50% Aaaaarrrrrggggghhhh

In this time of war, we need to heed the words of the greatest American sage: Mark Twain

The elderly lady at the return counter is struggling to pick up a heavy item from her cart to the counter. I rush up around younger people ahead of me in line to help. Others didn't bother to help. It's inconceivable for me to not help. Why the difference? Nature? Upbringing? I credit my parents

This insightful 30 second video points out a scary similaity between pre-revolutoon France, pre-revolution Russia and today's USA. Maybe the "college is a scam" movement is actually good for the society. But will society survive long enough to benefit from it? youtube.com/shorts/jJjHu...

As someone who had to take away the car keys from my dad, for his safety and of others, I can tell you that it was hard but absolutely necessary. That is what mature adults must do. Similarly, it is time for Americans to take away the keys from our president, for his safety and ours.

Everyone knows the theme from Jaws and the Star Wars theme. That same mind, John Williams, created this incredible piece called "Hymn To The Fallen" to honor fallen soldiers. It has no equal. Close your eyes and feel this music touch your soul. youtu.be/2GJ8r0FwdcE

I have been informed that I have very little time to live. It was good to have known you all. What happened? I showed the following YouTube short to my wife🙂 youtube.com/shorts/GuVfM...

This video begins with "Most people assume their children will take care of them." If that is you, please check out this 30 second video, because it continues with "Well, that assumption lands a lot of people in nursing homes when they get older" youtube.com/shorts/woVFC...

Right now all we are getting is NACHO, until Trump decides to let us have TACO. Just so we are all on the same page: TACO: Trump Always Chickens Out. NACHO: Not A Chance Hormuz Opens

This pucture is the headline on CNN.com right now. As a military, you know you are in trouble when you are being shot at by women wielding pink Glocks.

Seen on US TV. US R. Congresman: Iranian government is illegitimate because it does not care about the burden it is placing on its citizens. Interviewer: Does that apply to Trump administration? Congressman: No. Asking citizens to undertake burdens for the country is patriotism. We're so f#@^ed.

Saw this pinned comment under a YouTube video about the rescue of the F15 pilots: "So we can spend $750,000,000 to save an American solder in Iran, but can not spend $75 to save a homeless American vet on US streets. Is that our America First priorities?"

A short piece of music to soothe the nerves frayed by our current times: youtu.be/eGbHnJCDMyE

I would highly recommend this 22 minute interview with a Canadian military officer, serving in a Ukrainian FPV drone unit. I am disturbed by some of her revelations and opinions, but she is far more qualified to have them than most talking heads. Pay heed to her! youtu.be/K8o4afysnBg

Many people with "non-white sounding" names are reporting getting targeted cold calls wanting to buy their homes. People with "white sounding" names have not reported receiving such calls. Maybe it's just predators trying to capitalize on current political environment, but it is still disturbing.

Why don't billionaires share their wealth? Here's a 15 second thought provoking video on this question. youtube.com/shorts/42DNm...

Got a call while driving. They want to buy my house. What's my asking price? After 15 mins explaining how much I want to sell, I say I want $10M. Caller: That's ridiculous. Me: My wife has forbidden me to say FU to scam callers. Did I get the message across without it? Caller: FU. Hangs up. ✌️🥳🎉

Wife: Your injury was serious, but I didn't expect it'd turn you religious. Me: It hasn't. Why? Her: You just asked your friend to pray for you. Me: She's religious. She wants to help. Asking her to pray makes her feel like she's helping. Even in your own distress, try and people where they are.

Rarely am I left speechless. Me: How can you support a convicted felon? MAGA: I am a Christian before all else and follow only those who are Christ like. Jesus was a convicted felon. That's why I am compelled by my Christian faith to follow and support Trump. 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ We are so screwed.

Staying with Patricia Janečková, here's a beautiful rendition of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Pie Jesu. She performed this in 2015 with the Chez Army band to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of WW2. youtu.be/luCw_6ns_Yc

At 16, Patricia Janečková delivers the best rendition of Mozart's popular Laudate Dominum. This passage is one Mozart's most enchanting pieces for solo soprano and Patricia takes it to perfection. Her loss to cancer at 25 was a great loss to the world😢 Rest in peace. youtu.be/vDTDEGku7cM?...

Went with wife to her Dr appointment. Lots of back & forth on next step. Eventually the Dr said: Your real concern is that if you wait a year before seeing a specialist, you won't be told "If only you had come in a year ago, your outcome could have been so much better" A doctor who really listens👍

Looking to 2026, I was excited about new projects and incredibly concerned about the work required. New Year's day, a moment of inattention led to a serious injury to my right arm. Unknown if I'm sidelined for 2 weeks, or many months. Never take your health for granted. It can turn in an instant.

Talked with a Republican passionate about Healthcare. He hates ACA. After much research, he had developed a detailed plan that he believed would work. I agree💯 that it would. The irony; it was pretty much the ACA as originally proposed before the Republicans gutted it. What we could have had!

Another song. This is a testament to the fact that you do not have to know the language to be able to appreciate great music for its sound and emotions. youtu.be/2WuLFWOMfSk

After 20 years of marriage, why do I still retain the single guy instinct that the goal of laundry is to wash everything except the clothes on your body. That the holy grail is to strip in front of the washer and walk naked to the shower, so everything is either washed or washing. WHY? WHY???

Friend: How are you doing? Me: Overwhelmed & miserable. List all the things I need to do, have done, the deadlines, the problems... Friend: Hope January is better for you. Me: It'll be much worse. List all the expected problems... Note to self: Enjoy today, because it is tomorrow's good old days

Headline: School shooting in USA. Students killed. USA: That's the price of freedom. The 2nd amendment protects us from a tyrannical government. World: What is tyranny? USA: The government rounding up disfavored people off the streets & locking them up. World: So how's that working out for you?

I let the person behind me, with only a tub of ice cream, cut ahead. After he leaves, the female cashier said: Imagine being married to a woman who sends you out in this weather for ice cream. Me: Imagine being married to a man who loves you so much that he does. Its all in the perspective!

Took my vehicle in for service at the dealer. Dealer: Would you like a complimentary car wash? Me: of course. Why do you even have to ask? D: Some people keep their vehicles really dirty to try and defeat plate readers. They get upset when we clean them. So now we always ask everyone.