299 (Day 8) in Book Four: Ichi-no-Tani 2017

I came in to work this morning. Even beat Ran into the office, so there’s that. Of course… last night, amidst the not sleeping, I was dealing with stomach pains and gastric distress. But, also, I can’t help but presume some of that comes from an obvious issue with hydration. I haven’t been drinking NEARLY enough water and for someone who is always thirsty (no I don’t have diabetes) that is a big deal.

So… first hour of my day was Prosebox Notes, Holocaust Remembrance stuff, and speaking with Jude about next week’s docket. Though… that docket is bullshit because it lists 2 things; one of which was actually supposed to be on the schedule for 2015 and yet, there are 6 other cases that I know are scheduled for next week (Juvenile Cases so, literally, there is nothing I can legally do to progress those cases) that are NOT on the schedule. Thus, I say again… how does this County ever get anything done? They are, at every turn, so messed up. Not even in a “Greed Breeds Corruption” kind of epic crime thriller way… but in a “Apathy Breeds Bad Practices” kind of boring undisciplined way.

No promises to myself or anyone else here but… at least what the day is looking like in my head?
(1) Catch up on Prosebox Reading
(2) Attempt a crossword puzzle
(3) Clean my desk
(4) Write “Application/Order” for two cases (and seriously, if that takes more than an hour, I should be ashamed)
(5) Phone two attorneys. One to warn that Discovery was sent early this week and he needs to contact me if he doesn’t get it. One to warn that the plea deal was supposed to be signed two weeks ago; where are we?
(6) Phone another attorney. Let him know that I have NO problem making a plea deal with the young, attractive 24 year old teacher he represents.
(7) Make copies, snail mail, then e-mail an attorney about a simple case of a man driving while his privilege to drive was Revoked. Though… let me be SUPER honest/clear about something here… these kinds of things are (one of the reasons) why this area is so poor. The area gets poor; there becomes nothing to do; people turn to alcohol as the only thing to do; they drive drunk; whether convicted or not, the DOT suspends their license briefly (if convicted, the DOT suspends their license for at least 90 days).... but without a license and with ZERO public transportation… people face the harrowing conundrum. Either they drive against the law and go to work, thereby earning money they can use to pay off Criminal Fines, Car Insurance and Living Expenses. OR they can not drive and possibly miss work/have to quit, thereby not having money and not being able to pay off Criminal Fines, Car Insurance or Living Expenses. So… as I’ve said before… some of my job? Is to make sure that poor people stay poor.

After all of that, I may just head home… despite what time it is. Partially because my apathy is pretty powerful. Partially because I’m still not feeling 100%. And partially because with Wife ACTUALLY working today… I can play video games and/or do other things that I want to do. Which, increasingly, is listen to music. To perhaps over generalize while bad mouthing more of a community than I should.... I’m not surprised Trump wants to kill the NEA grants. This county still passionately, overwhelmingly supports Trump and they see NO value in drama or art and the only music that they find acceptable is at church. So the government giving money to support artists is “just wrong.” Meanwhile, Iowans seem to entirely forget that Composer Antonin Dvořák once lived in Iowa. Not to mention, the first ever Grammy Signature School Award Winner in the Country came from Iowa. I get it… the joke (look it up) is “Iowa Exists” but too many Iowans feel that way about the state. There is some fascinating genuine culture in this state… we don’t need to be “pigs, soybeans, and corn.” I mean.... we gave the world Slipknot… and Stone Sour… and 1/3 of T.L.C..... Gene Wilder studied at the University of Iowa.... my grandfather went to high school with Cloris Leachman… Steve Allen briefly attended Drake University… Jazz Musician Bix Beiderbecke was born in the same city I was… Johnny Carson was born in Iowa… George Washington Carver attended college in Iowa… Buffalo Bill Cody was born in LeClaire, IA… Gary Cooper studied in Grinell before becoming an acting legend… Wyatt Earp grew up in Pella, IA… master singer Simon Estes was born in Iowa and performs in Des Moines regularly (I’ve seen him often)… actress Annabeth Gish grew up in Cedar Falls… President Herbert Hoover was born in Iowa… Sisters Ann Landers and Abigail Van Buren (advice columnists extraordinaire) are Iowa Natives… Band Leader Glenn Miller was an Iowa Native… as is TV’s Kate Mulgrew and Donna Reed… the world’s first Televised Superman played by George Reeves (Reeves was born in Iowa)… and Brandon Routh from Superman Returns was born in Des Moines… also Iowa sons are Ashton Kutcher and Elijah Wood… of course John Wayne was an Iowa Boy… the artist Grant Wood, best known for American Gothic, was an Iowa… the late Tiny Tim lived in Des Moines for a while and was said to have boasted about how peaceful he felt there… Mark Twain lived in Iowa briefly… Marcia Wallace (of much fame, possibly best known for The Simpsons or My Bush) was born in Iowa… Laura Ingalls Wilder turned her childhood experiences in Iowa into Little House on the Prairie… playwright Tennessee Williams actually got his “Tennessee” pen name from his time at the University of Iowa… I went to the same High School (and have met numerous times) Peter Hedges who wrote What’s Eating Gilbert Grape… Harriet Nelson of “Ozzie and Harriet” is an Iowa Native… and one of President Reagan’s first broadcasting jobs was in the city where I was born. So… Iowa… you are so much more than miniature towns and farming. You can act like it!
..........................................................
MUSIC BREAK

Didn’t know what time it was and the lights were low
I leaned back on my radio
Some cat was layin’ down some rock ‘n’ roll ‘lotta soul, he said
Then the loud sound did seem to fade
Came back like a slow voice on a wave of phase
That weren’t no D.J. that was hazy cosmic jive

There’s a starman waiting in the sky
He’d like to come and meet us
But he thinks he’d blow our minds
There’s a starman waiting in the sky
He’s told us not to blow it ‘Cause he knows it’s all worthwhile
He told me
Let the children lose it
Let the children use it
Let all the children boogie

I had to phone someone so I picked on you
Hey, that’s far out so you heard him too
Switch on the TV we may pick him up on Channel Two
Look out your window I can see his light
If we can sparkle he may land tonight
Don’t tell your poppa or he’ll get us locked up in fright

There’s a starman waiting in the sky
He’d like to come and meet us
But he thinks he’d blow our minds
There’s a starman waiting in the sky
He’s told us not to blow it ‘Cause he knows it’s all worthwhile
He told me
Let the children lose it
Let the children use it
Let all the children boogie

Starman waiting in the sky
He’d like to come and meet us
But he thinks he’d blow our minds
There’s a starman waiting in the sky
He’s told us not to blow it ‘Cause he knows it’s all worthwhile
He told me
Let the children lose it
Let the children use it
Let all the children boogie

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

Keep on moving to the first rays of dawn
Keeping it on ‘til the day stays strong
Runnin ‘til the night time blazes on
All along I keep singing my song
I said, this phase is always
Sometimes I get so crazed
But just know that I’ll always stay ‘Cause you’re my light through the haze

[Chorus:]
It’s time for a champion
Soothe the soul of the land
Mend the heart from the sea and the sand ‘Til the sun comes up again
[2x]

Reach for the sky
Keep your eye on the prize
Forever in my mind
Be my golden sunshine
It’s raining in your mind
So push them clouds aside
Forever by my side
You’re my golden sunshine

[Verse 2:]
When the sun set I let myself down
Found the ground beneath my feet gone
No more words were there to speak
On that day my song was born
Never meant to leave you all alone
Said I’d be your shelter from the storm
Now your clothes have all been torn
Kingdom sacked attacked and dethroned

[Chorus]

Reach for the sky
Keep your eye on the prize
Forever in my mind
Be my golden sunshine
It’s raining in your mind
So push them clouds aside
Forever by my side
You’re my golden sunshine

It’s the way of the world
You’re on your own
Time to grow and be a man
Wanna fly high like Peter Pan
No more Never Never Land
So lose your backpack filled with sand
Come along and take my hand
We’ll walk together, walk forever

Reach for the sky
Keep your eye on the prize
Forever in my mind
Be my golden sunshine
It’s raining in your mind
So push them clouds aside
Forever by my side
You’re my golden sunshine

Reach for the sky
Keep your eye on the prize
Forever in my mind
Be my golden sunshine
It’s raining in your mind
So push them clouds aside
Forever by my side
You’re my golden sunshine

[2x]
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Walk with me now, talk with me now, baby
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Walk with me, momma, talk with me now

[Verse 1:]
Feel like the world don’t love you
They only want to push you away
Some days people don’t see you
You feel like you’re in the way
Today you feel, as if everyone hates
Pointing their fingers, looking at your mistakes
You do good, they want great
No matter what you give they stilll want to take
Give your love and they throw it back
You give your heart they go on attack
When there’s nothing left for you,
Only thing that you can do, SAYYYYYY

[Chorus:]
Today, today, live like you wanna,
Let yesterday burn and throw it in a fire, in a fire, in a fire,
Fight like a Warrior,

Today, today, live like you wanna,
Let yesterday burn and throw it in a fire, in a fire, in a fire,
Live like a Warrior

[Verse 2:]
Some things you should let go, there only gonna pull you down,
Just like weight on your shoulder they are only gonna make you drown
We all swing high, we all swing low,
We all got secrets people don’t know
We all got dreams we can’t let go,
We want to brave, Don’t be afraid
OHHHHHH

Today, today, live like you wanna,
Let yesterday burn and throw it in a fire, in a fire, in a fire,
Fight like a Warrior,

Today, today, live like you wanna,
Let yesterday burn and throw it in a fire, in a fire, in a fire,
Live like a Warrior

[Break:]
Your heart is too heavy from things you carry a long time,
You been up you been down, tired and you don’t know why,
But you’re never gonna go back, you only live one life
Let go, let go, let goooooo, Let go, let go, let goooooo,

[Chorus:]
Today, today, live like you wanna,
Let yesterday burn and throw it in a fire, in a fire, in a fire,
Fight like a Warrior,

Today, today, live like you wanna,
Let yesterday burn and throw it in a fire, in a fire, in a fire,
Live like a Warrior

Today, today, live like you wanna,
Let yesterday burn and throw it in a fire, in a fire, in a fire,
Fight like a Warrior,

Today, today, live like you wanna,
Let yesterday burn and throw it in a fire, in a fire, in a fire,
Live like a Warrior

War is coming swiftly
The border is closing in
We’re a company of soldiers
Mere 40 rifles strong

All alone
Stand alone
Ardenner ground is burning
And Rommel is at hand
As the Blitzkrieg’s pushing harder
The war is all around!
All around
Hold your ground!
Fight for 18 days of battles
No odds are on our side
Few will fight for all until the bullets are gone

[Chorus:]
We!
We will resist and bite!
Bite hard
Cause we are all in sight
We!
We take up arms and fight!
Fight hard!
Resist and do what’s right!

No matter our fighting
The numbers will still count
We’re outgunned and few in numbers
We’re doomed to flag or fail

We fought hard
Held our guard
But when captured by the Axis
and forced to tell the truth
We will tell them with a smile
We’ll surprise them with the laugh
We are all
We were all
We were told to hold the border
And that is what we did
honoured by our orders
In despite of our foe

[Chorus]

[Bridge:]
Gloria fortis miles
The Wehrmacht’s closing in
Adversor et admorsus
The boar against the eagle
Gloria fortis miles
The Wehrmacht closing in
Adversor et admorsus
The boar against the eagle

[Chorus]