Blind Men See More Clearly Than This

 Since my last post, Russia invaded Ukraine and most of the world decided they suddenly loved Ukraine resulting in an outpouring of outrage and a proliferation of blue & yellow avatars on social media accounts. Suddenly, a clash between completely corrupt countries became the most black and white war ever seen. Any criticism about Ukraine or its leader Volodymyr Zelensky was heresy, Nazi supporting, and Putin adoration worthy of being burned at the stake.

Well, that's on one side. 

The other side extolled the virtues of the one true defender of Christianity, free speech, and capitalism: Vladimir Putin. Righting all the wrongs done by Biden, Hilary Clinton, and the Krampus, anything said against him was heresy, Neo Nazi supporting, Zelensky adoration worthy of being burned at the stake.

Any attempts by individuals at being a voice of reason has resulted in said voices being shouted down for being a villain supporting one side or the other depending on the stance of the denouncer. Usually keeping a cool and objective perspective is desired, but not in 2022 as raging emotionalism has become the only form of public discourse allowed in the modern West, not just the United States of America.

We didn't need that added to the already murky fog of war, yet here we are.

This post is an attempt to record my thoughts in extremely broad strokes for future posterity. There is no way I could document all that I've read and researched over the years without writing a lengthy book, so this is more for my consumption/memories than anything else. 

2022 Is Strange and Not in a Good Way

 From growing authoritarian tendencies being exhibited by various Western governments (Australia and Canada being the worst), an economic collapse underway in the U.S.A., to the extreme desire for war with Russia emanating from D.C., this year is showing signs of wanting to compete with the previous two for making life miserable for us plebs.

It all feels like being an NPC (Non Player Character) or an unnamed side character in a really badly written game or novel. If the theory we are all in a vast computer simulation is true, the company responsible for it must be the pan-dimensional version of EA or Blizzard Software -- especially if the unadulterated nuttery going on in Western culture is considered.

Having survived the Delta variant of COVID-19 back in November (not mild, but not severe, still generally unimpressive), I'd hoped for a little more normality sooner rather then later. Silly me. 

I have to say, World War III was not on my list of probable events when the new year arrived!

A nuclear war would be inconvenient as I'm still upscaling DVD's from my collection to HD and am nowhere near being done. The most important movies have been rendered and the halfway point on anime discs has been reached. Following completing that genre, the daunting task of TV series begins at a much higher level of difficulty due to arcane mastering issues involving mixed frame rates, interlacing, and the sheer volume of episodes.

More time is required, therefore a massive war resulting in most of humanity dying would be problematic since the electricity would be cut off.

Hey, I have my priorities.

Meanwhile, it has been a cold, if delayed winter, which somehow has been fairly dull despite a few minor snow storms here and there. The main hardship has been a roller coaster pattern to temperatures which is not the best thing for arthritis or cats. Both have been painful in different ways plus the added entertainment of constant feline confusion whenever I open the door to let them out. Top Cat looks at me with an accusatory stare when confronted with a chill blast, obviously blaming me for the situation.

When informed that weather control is above my pay grade, he shuffles off.

Only to demand being let out fifteen minutes later. 

With the same results.

I get no respect.