This little fellow really wanted badly to have a rest on my putter. So I let him. Dragonflies are the best flies.

Where are we in the Anacyclosis of the Greeks?: The stages in this "tragic" cycle: *Monarchy*: Begins with a strong and virtuous leader who establishes order and acts for the common good. *Tyranny*: The monarchy, through succession or corruption, degenerates into tyranny as the ruler becomes self-serving and oppressive, prioritizing personal gain over the well-being of the people. *Aristocracy*: In response to the tyranny, a group of capable and noble leaders overthrow the tyrant and establish an aristocracy, ruling for the common good. *Oligarchy*: The aristocracy eventually becomes corrupt, prioritizing their own wealth and status over the public interest, becoming an oligarchy - rule by a small, self-serving elite. *Democracy*: The people, reacting to the corruption of the oligarchy, rise up and establish a democracy, where power is exercised by the many through collective decision-making. *Ochlocracy (Mob Rule)*: Democracy can then degenerate into ochlocracy, or mob rule, where passion and emotion override reason, demagogues manipulate public sentiment, and instability ensues. *Return to Monarchy*: The resulting chaos and anarchy can lead the desperate populace to seek a strong leader, potentially restarting the cycle with a new monarchy. But this is a dice roll on the nature of the leader placed in power. Benevolent King? Or shall they choose a Dictator who lacks virtue?

GM. A good cappuccino is perfect. Nothing added. And still, when it’s dialed in, it comes off sweet and creamy like a roasted marshmallow.

Just learned the word Spoliation. It was as ‘taxation and spoliation’ in Will Durant’s “Caesar and Christ” book, vol 3 of The Story of Civilization. He was describing how Octavian watched as Rome drained its people’s wealth and spirit. Hard not to see the parallel with America’s own taxes and erosions of wealth and liberty. Spoliation is the lack of documentation and preservation or proper accounting with rights among wealth, and you can feel this as we see no accountability with fortunes drained from future generations as political buffoons march us down the same road. History’s warning is clear: change course or share Rome’s fate.

Yes, Peter? …wait. Bill? Bill f’ing Murray. Great to see you, buddy.

Now this IS getting interesting. Nice timing Mr Bezos. Nice timing.