James Hauenstein's Blog

The Right Of PassageOne definition I saw says,"As teenagers transition from childhood to adulthood, they naturally engage in behaviors that can sometimes be perceived as dumb or risky, especially by adults. These behaviors, often amplified by peer pressure and a developing brain, can be seen as attempts to explore their independence, test boundaries, and establish a sense of self and belonging outside of their family structure."I think that sums it up pretty well.*****Of all the dumb stuff I did as a child, there is only one that I can laugh about now because I thought kids today would be missing out on it.Licking The Nine-Volt Battery!     Good news for all you parents out there in the world who never needed an alkaline battery because everything you own uses a lithium battery.       Yes, the brand we all know so well has come up with a series of nostalgic tastes that will help us go down memory lane. Like licking a Nine-Volt Battery ! This isOnce I Did Something DumbAnd My Mom Found OutShe Would Ask Me"If your friends jumped off a bridge, would you do that too?"TwoBuckHowie And Yes MomI would That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
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   Looking at one of my favorite websites today, I found this article.***** Psychedelic Mushrooms Reduced Human Cellular Aging by 57%, Increased Lifespan in Mice 30% By Andy Corbley -Jul 23, 2025 for the Good News Network   Researchers have discovered that the active compound in psychedelic mushrooms can extend lifespan and reduce cellular aging by 50% in human cells and 30% in elderly mice.   Within the first 3 months, the mice receiving psilocybin exhibited signs of youth, including fewer instances of greying and hair loss—including a reversal of these symptoms—and a general improvement in physical activity. *****   Of course, that is just part of the story. Click on the link above to get the full article.*****   "In three months mice were exhibiting signs of YOUTH! Sign me up!   Maybe that is why everyone says I look so young. It's not because I act so immature but because I lived in Texas in the late !970s with a bunch of good friends who loved shrooming as much as I did.   I give all the credit to my friend Rudy, who we liked to call Egg-Head because he was probably the smartest one of the bunch. He researched all about mushrooms at a time when you had to read books on the subject. There were no cellphones or the internet at this time, only a building called, a Library, where you could research almost anything.*****    This was actually written at the very end of the article. Their disclaimer;Share This Incredible Research With Your Friends In Mushroom-Legal States… This isI Will Never Condone Doing Drugs Or Alcohol Of Any Kind I Just Lived In A Different Era Where Experimentation Was MoreAcceptedTwoBuckHowie And   “I am pro psychedelics, but you have to be smart about anything that you take. It is not for everyone and that is okay. You can learn how to receive the same benefits from shrooms through other alternatives; such as meditation.” - Robin S. Baker - That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
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   I finally donated to my local PBS station and got Passport for doing so.   If you don't know what Passport is I will let PBS tell you. PBS Passport is a member benefit that provides extended access to an on-demand library of PBS programming.It's available to donors of participating PBS stations who meet their local station's specific requirements.    I donated because I love to watch shows like Sherlock, Astrid, and of courseNovaandNature!    I really can't imagine that in the future there might not be anymore PBS or NPR!   Yes, I will be donating to NPR soon because I need my weekly fix ofWait Wait..... Don't Tell Me!   This isIt Is A Good Feeling Donating To Your Local PBS or NPR StationIf You Believe In Their Quality ProgrammingTwoBuckHowie And “Cookie is like high five for stomach.” - The Cookie Monster - That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
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   The firing of Stephen Colbert by CBS came as a shock to a lot of people, especially since he has the highest ratings for a Late Night talk show host. But this is not unprecedented.   Have you ever heard of The Smothers Brothers? Their one hour comedy show was canceled in the late 1960s by "CBS" at the time when they were one of the network's highest rated shows.   Sound Familiar?   They constantly ridiculed President Nixon for his policies and the handling of the Vietnam War. At the time, it was well publicized that Nixon was putting pressure on CBS to get rid of the Brothers because of all negativity from their show.   Sound Familiar?   (Old Pumpkin Face hasn't started a war yet but it's not because he isn't trying!)   Yet, the Oligarchy, Robber Barons, Republicans, and Billionaires of this country will never let its citizens, get along with one another. Hatred and Division between Races makes them money and gives them power over people, who rather blame anybody, but themselves, for their problems. Because the Rich told them it's okay to do so!    It has even happen to me. I had a guess writer (Dave) back when Pumpkin Face was elected the first time around and he criticized Taco for his prejudices, policies, and the man himself when the long arm of the Rich came knocking on my blog and told me, first; I need to take the post down or I will loose my ability to blog, second; they will no longer advertise on my blog until I do, taking away what little income this was generating in the first place and third; they are going to change the way I sent global emails to my core group of followers. Which has declined ever since. Effectively killing my blog. This isSince I Have Been AliveThe Republicans Have Always Lied To UsAnd If You Can't See It Now That It's So BlatantYou Deserve To Get What's Coming TwoBuckHowie And 
“Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a Republican. But I repeat myself.” - Harry S. Truman -
That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
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1,500 Bikers Show Up to Escort Bullied Teen to Prom in Spectacular British Convoy:‘I don’t feel alone anymore’*****    I believe this is the third time that I have refereed to a story from the Good News Network on my blog.   I have been writing this Blog since 2012 and besides writing about my life, flash fiction, stuff I find interesting about science, and so on. I have also commented on the political scene in this country. Which can way heavily on a person's mind after awhile.   I often think about that one line from the song Flagpole Sitta by Harvey Danger when I try to understands how we have come to this point in our history. All because of hatred."Been around the world and found that only stupid people are breeding!   So if you are like me and you want to find out the good news happening in the world, and not doom scrolling all the time, I highly recommend the Good News Network!***** Musician Infuses Dad’s Ashes into His Guitar Fretboard to Be with Him at Future Gigs  This isA Lot Calmer Knowing There Are Still Good People In This World Who Do Not Succumb To The Spread Of Hatred TwoBuckHowie And “The best effect of a fine person is felt long after we have left their presence.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson- That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
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When I first met my wife, she used to call me "The Drunken Master" because of all the beer I drank, all of the time. When I look back now and think about all the money I spent over the years on beer, if I had that money today, think of all the beer I could buy!

Hey, have you heard that Apple, the computer company, stopped developing their own Autonomous Cars? They had a huge problem to overcome first. They were having trouble loading Windows!

I can't wait to see Saint Peter at the Pearly Gates in Heaven. Once he gives me the Gate code, it will be the first time I ever get a chance to live in a Gated Community!

If you have been reading this Blog over the years, you know that I was a Musician for many years. You know, after all these years I still get recognized once in awhile. It is at Family Reunions, but I still get recognized!

The other day, I went to one of those fancy discounted Oriental Massage Parlors, hoping to get a "Happy Ending." It turned out to be self-serve!

This is,Hoping To Bring You A Little Joy On This 4th Of JulyIf You Live In The USAIf NotI Hope I Still Brought You JoyTwoBuckHowie
And
“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”
- Benjamin Franklin - That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
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     The expression "you can't go home again" signifies that it's impossible to fully recapture the feeling, experience, or environment of a past home or time. It implies that both the person and the place have changed too much for a return to be the same. This is often related to the idea that one's perspective and life experiences evolve, making it difficult to revisit a place with the same innocence or nostalgia.*****     I have been beating myself up mentally, for a while now, because I haven't been Blogging consistently like I used to. I lost the feeling I got by creating content and fictional stories to write about for this Blog.     I know this media has died since its heyday due to the convenience of listening to podcasts, scrolling through apps, and that there are less people who actually like to take the time to read nowadays.     So, to hopefully get that spark back, I went to the place where it all began. My local library.     Yes, I used to go to the library at least three times a week back in 2012. I still love to read but today my library has an app they use to offer eBooks and audiobooks for their local residents.     During the pandemic things changed and it was just easier and safer to use the app and stay home.     So going back was definitely was a good nostalgic feeling even though I knew it could never be the same.     Surprisingly though, it did bring a smile to my face and a renewed vigor to visit more often. I plan on going at least once a week beginning in July after I take care of some personal business next month. Each time I am going to try and post something on my Blog.      For my enjoyment.      I know I will never be able to obtain the readership I once had. Where I would get 100 to 200 clicks a day, but like I just mentioned, from now on it is for my enjoyment and I invite anyone else who likes to read in small spurts to join me. Here, on my Blog. This isHappy I Am WritingTwoBuckHowie
“I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.”
Groucho Marx That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
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(Originally From Friday, July 17, 2015)

 

   Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colors seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.

This isTwoBuckHowie
After I read Bob Marley's definition of Love
I wanted to share it with you

And In the end. The love you take, is equal to the love you make.
- Paul McCartney -
That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
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   Watching this country turning to a Fascist Ideology because of old Pumpkin Face in the White House, Nazi salutes by a South African who is shaming Nikola Tesla's name, White Supremacists marching down the streets of Washington D.C., and extreme Religious Fundamentalist groups who are forcing their beliefs upon us all, I cannot sit by any longer without saying something.   Now is the time I really wish I was some kind of influencer. Even in my heyday of writing this Blog, the most views I would average would be one hundred to one hundred fifty per day. And I am very proud of the fact that so many people came to see what I had to say almost every day. Thank you   The reason I would want to be an influencer is so I could start a "Peaceful Protest" in the same vein as Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi.   My idea would be, to do the same kind unified protest that the Mexican Americans did in the 1990s in California.   A quick search revealed little to no information about the protest but luckily I experienced the impact firsthand at the job I had at the time.   What they did was simple. They all stayed home for the day.   No marching down main street. No holding up signs on street corners. They just stayed home and businesses went scrambling.   You take away a large part of the workforce for a day, it impacts the profit margins of all businesses.   If it could be organized somehow, we could have a day where Mexican Americans stayed home, a week later Black Americans stayed home, then a week later all Women of America stayed home, and then the different minority Religious Groups would have their day to shine.   
The Good, Diverse, People of this country is what makes this Country Great!Not the Racists!This isIt Is Still The Gulf Of Mexico To MeTwoBuckHowie
And
“The biggest mistake of a democratic country is to underestimate the power of a democratically elected pro-fascist leader because it is always easier to destroy a castle from within!” - Mehmet Murat ildan
That is my story and I am sticking to it!Like what you are reading
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I was talking to a peer when I brought up the subject ofCloning.I asked,
"What is the difference between cloning someone who is aliveor cloning someone who is dead."We already clone most of ourLivestock for Foodand the rich like to bring back their favorite dead pets.See;https://viagenpets.comandhttps://myfriendagain.com.These are just two of the companies in theUnited Statesbringing back your dead pets to life.South Koreahas been doing it for at least three decades.  Our discussion centered around a person'sEssence or Soul.We pretty much agreed that aClonedperson's environment meant a lot on how that individual would grow up and grow old.The same two cloned individuals,say one growing up inLos Angeles California,compared to the one growing up in
Fairbanks Alaska,would not have the same personality traits as the other.There would be similarities,of course,but I personally believe that the environment one lives in has a lot to do with the type of person that you will become.*****
I wrote about cloning before in my short storyOnce In Heaven, Forever In Hell.(It's about a person's soul or essence being drawn back into each subsequent cloned body after it is revived.)*****
But my question to my peer was,"If a dead person is cloned and brought back to life, does the original person's essence or soul inherits the new cloned body? Or is there a different soul for that body? And what if you clone a live person, do they share one soul or somehow a new soul is given to the cloned body, by the grace of God. Or higher power. Whatever you prefer."Do I have the answer?No.These are questions I believe for the
Theologians,like my friend,will have to ponder in the near future.As we are having moreTest Tube Babies,people beingGenetically Enhanced,and with people saving their bodies in Cryonic Laboratories,in case they pass away suddenly.Me?Myself?I plan on being aHeadon top of my daughters computer.Something like what you see on theTV ShowFuturama. This is,Always Pondering The Big Questions In LifeTwoBuckHowie

And “How would I know which one I was?” - Karl Pilkington -That is my story and I am sticking to it!Like what you are reading
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