the oldest trick in the book

And the serpent said to Eve, God really didn’t mean it that you can’t eat of the tree of truth and knowledge; God was just pulling your leg.  Sooo Eve and Adam ate.  And as it is said—The rest is history.  Now we have to work and buy fashionable clothes and fight and listen to political adds.  Now that is the oldest trick in the Book, no question.

Saturday question—Have you ever been had?  The old serpent is tricky alright.  It says things like—Only one time, it won’t hurt you—Buy it and it will make you happy—If you love me you will do it for me—You must have it or you are a failure—Everyone else is doing it and getting by with it—Spend even if you can’t afford it--etc.  And all of a sudden we have been had and now we need to suffer the consequences.  Such is life.

JoeBlow is who he is.  That is all that has to be said.  That seems to be a good description of him. Everyone knows what he is. It doesn’t need to be explained. He is who he is.  No more explanation needs to be given.  Not everyone has that distinction.  He does.  Is that good or bad.  SusieQ, who sorta kinda is a mama bear, says—That depends.  Ok, it depends is a good answer.  Pretty much everyone knows him as he is.  He is hard to explain.  No need to try, he is just who he is.  He is who he is.  He is hard to explain.  At least for me.  If I think that of him and you think that of him, than most everyone thinks that of him.  You and I ain’t that extra smart! 

The greatest conniver and deceiver is very good at making us think we are something that we are not (i.e. maybe the oldest trick in the book).  Yikes!  Satan can do that too us and he is very good at it.  And we fall for it.  We do.  Some more than others it seems.  This is what I read while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--RickyRick says--There is nothing more intimate than being fully known—all of your weirdness and weaknesses, what makes you laugh and cry, your fears, hopes, and dreams. No one will fully know you on earth, but God does. He’s the only one who sees through the layers of your personality to the core of your being. The God who calls you by name has hidden riches in your suffering and darkness. He can intervene in your darkness, and he will be close to you in that darkness. This should lead you to praise him. What we know about God leads us to worship.” I believe, my opinion, that there is no one on this earth who really knows you or I completely.  They might know bits about us but not really everything and surely not every thought we have.  I think that is impossible.  We are toooo complex (i.e. some more than others for sure).  Some even are two different folks at times, maybe, well, it seems that way anyway.  There is a clerk at a store that I do business in that some days she is really nice and the next day she seems to be a witch.  I have no idea what is going on in her head.  I don’t think I really want to know. 

UneducatedUnemployedJake with a huge massive credit card debt who drives a mortgaged, nosy, rusted out old pickup said to pretty, little, sweet Janie—If you marry me, I will give you everything you every want.  TheLadyDownTheStree said to pretty, little, sweet Jannie, you better ask your mother what she thinks of that! She has had some experience in that sort of thing!

A business professional/friend told me recently something about him that he said I would probably never guess about me.  I really like to shop at outlet malls.  I love it, especially the clearance racks in the back.  I know every mall from CO to MI and MN to KS.  I have been in them all.  I really enjoy it.  I will drive miles out of my way to do that.  I would have never guessed that.  He seems normal.  haha  I really like this guy.  The oldest trick in the book, give someone free or a give them a discount and they think they really got a bargain (i.e. Low Price).  The more you buy, the more you save of course.  Some folks can’t turn that down.  They love it. It appears Costco uses that philosophy.  It seems to work.  Buy large quantities at a discount and then folks throw half of it away (i.e. but they think they really got a good deal).  Folks love Costco. Probably a very good discount if folks can use it, but….  Back to my friend—It’s a hobby of his.  Others play pool, watch TV, watch football, drink beer or whiskey or buy shoes.  It is what it is folks.  Such is life.

Have you ever been taken advantage of? I have many times. By some, it is considered the oldest trick in the book. Sometimes I even know I’m being taken advantage of and I still let it happen.  Yes, you heard that right.  I don’t mind.  If it is for a good cause.  You might not understand that at all.  Some of those situations by certain folks are just ok.  They need something that I have (e.g. like money) soooo if they misuse it some or maybe even a lot, soooo be it.  But what really torques me off, is when folks take advantage of me who know better and are doing it for their self-glorification (i.e. folks who don’t need to do it).  They are being dishonest and basically jerks (i.e. you all know such folks probably).  As the old saying goes—Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action.  I have no time for this type of person.  It is very hard for me to ever respect them again (e.g. folks who lie to me).  I actually can throw them under the bus.  AverageJoe says—That’s not very nice of you erv!

 I don’t know if it’s the oldest trick in the book but it’s a book thing for sure (i.e. at least it is my opinion).  That is the real purpose of books is to trap the mind into doing its own thinking.   Does your mind do it’s own thinking or do you let others do your thinking for you? Man-o-man erv, do you have to be soooo personal!  LuckieEddie, who knows the inside of everything, says—Really folks, many of you would be way better off if you would let others do your thinking for you and just tell you what to do and say.  Actually, anyone would be better for you to do your thinking than you!  Look at your past history!  Holy smokes!  Maybe one of you entrepreneurs could make a business out of this.  You could do the thinking for folks instead of them doing their own thinking.  Like hiring a thinker like you do in hiring a home decorator or a money manager.  Maybe even pick out a spouse for you. Or help you what to wear and surely help you what to say.  You could make folks millions!  If you would have jerks for clients, just match them up with other jerks (i.e. that wouldn’t be hard—and “bingo” everyone is happy). 

2 for $5. It’s the oldest trick in the book.  I’ll take 2 but I only need one but it gives you the impression if I buy 2 I will save money.  The reality is if you buy one, it is $2.50.  Sucker, it works every time.  Why do you think they do it?  It’s a subconscious mind event that we fall for.  It’s much like subliminal messages.  They work toooo.  It’s like being brainwashed and we don’t even know it.  We are soooo easy.  Just ask the advertising experts that do the political ads.  They said—It’s as easy as giving candy to a three-year old. Remember when we were kids our parents seemed to always say, don’t do this and don’t say that and don’t don’t don’t.  Chester and Anna at least sure seemed toooo. I was told that a grown adult told her dad (i.e. who is in his 80s) recently—Dad, don’t watch TV political ads.  They are not good for your health.  They just mess you up, it’s the oldest trick in the book, sucker. I haven’t had a TV provider for 5 and a half months.  That is right, I haven’t watched any TV for that time.  I haven’t really missed it but I have just got Dish.  Yep, I did—a real sucker.  I enjoy sports and think it’s a good form of entertainment since there are some sports on now and it gets dark earlier.  My kids say—com’on Dad, you can afford it.  If you enjoy sports, do it.  The clock is ticking.  Soooo I asked when they could install—we can’t do it until September 14 unless you want the early installation; it costs an extra $20.  September 12 is the first day of college football.  They know what they are doing.  I just laughed.  Sucker. It wasn’t worth $20 to me but I bet to many it was (i.e. it’s only $20).  You think soooo? It’s the oldest trick in the book! A friend gave me those little tomatoes.  Most everyone likes those little suckers!!!!

A friend gave me the book, Good Grief  by Ganger E Westberg to read.  It is a short and easy read.  It was very good.  I would recommend it to anyone who is going through any grief.  Most of it was just commonsense type of stuff with the grieving process.  I did read something that I really liked and have heard a version of it in a caregiving group addressed to caregivers in AZ.  It is—Let folks feel sorry for themselves but don’t take over their life. Let them do their daily tasks and go forward. Don’t baby them or mollycoddle them.  It is very good therapy to go forward.  We all can sit on the pity pot for a little while but not toooo long; we got to get going.  The world keeps going folks with or without you.  It’s an old trick to think it won’t.  ItchieBitiche says—Besides, who likes to be around folks who constantly feel sorry for themselves!!! You want cheese with your whine? This is more personal but the book did touch on it—I think my faith in Jesus is a huge massive advantage for me.  GeorgeTheCrook says—Com’on erv, that’s the oldest trick in the book! Yes, GeorgeTheCrook, yes, the oldest trick in the Book!

I had this pop up on my computer after windows updated.  I asked the wizard what it was.  He didn’t know but suggested I reboot (i.e. the oldest trick in the book).  It didn’t fix it but I checked my security settings on windows as I was suspect and I didn’t have “security boot checked” (i.e. prevents malicious software from loading when your device starts up). I did that and it seemed to take care of it.  Someone somewhere maybe was trying to corrupt my computer and try to make money off of me, sucker (i.e. the oldest trick in the book). 

Gaslighting.  I didn’t know what gaslighting was.  I had to goggle it.  It is interesting for sure.  I might have been gaslighted and didn’t even know it.  Could be.  I read that it’s a pretty old trick.  And it works quite well.  I get gas sometimes, but it said that isn’t what it’s about.  Gaslighting is sorta kinda like psychosomatics. That is another interesting thing I enjoy reading about.  Aren’t we easily affected and many times we don’t even know we are being manipulated?  MissPerfect says—That is why therapist and counselors are hired to help folks.  And they can really help folks I have been told. ItchieBitchie says—I have family members that I have tooooo constantly mentally massage to keep them on track; it ain’t easy as I have my own issues with the serpent a.k.a. the trickster. Such is life.

Last Sunday, I had the opportunity to see Chet and Jessica and Charlie and Rookie.  We were sitting on the deck talking (i.e. my favorite thing to do).  I brought some Casey’s donuts for Charlie and Rookie (i.e. one of their favorite things to do).  Sooooo I said to Rookie, you aren’t saying much as he was gobbling down his donnut.  He said—Gandpa, I can’t talk when I’m eating, my mouth is full of donut! More wisdom I learned from them—Charlie picked the clarinet to be her instrument.  This last week she got it and had her first lesson.  Jessica said she took it home and practiced every day after school for an hour to an hour and a half.  She played for me and played several songs.  She could play all the songs in the book.  I complimented her.  She said—Grandpa, I learned if I practice I get a lot better.  Chet said—We will see if that enthusiasm will continue.  But, if anyone has such an interest to a point that they don’t have to be told to practice, they usually get pretty good.  Think about that folks.

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

MyFriendJean says—A happy family is but an earlier Heaven.  George Bernard Shaw)