Background of 3 swans on a lake at the cusp of dusk or dawn, that is an unknown among many other things of th universe.  The hues go from blue to indigo to purple to pink.

Welcome to the haus

Friday 25 March 2016

Coming Back Soon w/ Loads of Content + Twitter

focus your ears

1 min read


  」 A More Frequent Dosage of Buddha in da haus 「

What twitter has supplemented
Photo: monsieurlui CC 2.0 Generic


『   Apologies for the severe lack of posts.  It's been a very hectic March here for Buddha in da haus where we're revamping a multitude of things - like the new website we're rolling out.  ;)  If you want a more consistent feed of all things in the style of the aesthetes here @ the haus then check out our twitter account.  Where daily commentary on everything (primarily the American 2016/17 election cycle) that this planet gushes out of it's orifices is sung by little birds in one hundred forty characters or less.  Don't miss out on quips like these:


Buddha in da haus twitter


& lastly, to end with a quote that best reflects the mood of the collective right now.  』


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『   The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.
- Robert Frost.  


_ quote _

// Post Complete

Tuesday 8 March 2016

Michigan & Mississippi:Get Out There Voting Peeps: Democrats & Republicans, Heck You Too Independents!

welcome to a new day with fresh challenges & so much to gain today for Sanders supporters

9 min read
」Post Art

Dominance by Josh Byer an acrylic & ink on canvas painting of a surreal vividly coloured street scape.


"Dominance20" X 24" acrylic & inks on canvasby Josh Byer. 2015, Surreal, Psychedelic
  Literal description: A beyond neon (with a red hues dominant palette, no pun.) vividly coloured psychedelic street scape. It's a choatic scene not because of the colour palette but more so the aesthetic of the many parallel strokes that bind & form off one another.  An oil slick!   yes that is what describes the palette best.  An array of figures painted in an seemingly haphazardly series seems reminiscent of a shamanic Where's Waldo. Make no mistake nothing about this piece is haphazard.  Like listing the faces in Where's Waldo likewise doing the same for Dominance would be an exhaustive process & would take time away that's better spent appreciating Byer's artistry.

『  I'm a registered Republican, I only seem liberal because I believe that hurricanes are caused by high barometric pressure and not gay marriage. ― Aaron Sorkin   




get out & vote if you're Michigan || Mississppi || Idaho || Hawaii


 『  I hope somehow that quote makes it to the mind of every Republican heading out to vote in the Michigan GOP nomination today.  It wasn't long ago that the GOP wasn't a schismatic group of historic Neo-Cons, Tea Partiers, Trump Fanatics (not all whom are "Tea Partiers"), Theoconservatives, Pat Buchanan Paleoconservatives, Rand Paulites (yeah they still exist) & so forth et al.  The GOP is on a path of self destruction currently.  Can the establishment push off enough voters off the Trump Train & force Trump to lose out on grabbing the needed 1,237  delegates to avoid a contested convention? No, even with 52% of available delegates up for the taking after March 1st the results have gone in nobody but Trump's favour.  Even Ted Cruz who made significant wins on Super Tuesday does not look as good as the media reports.  Cruz's base in the  evangelical voters in the Southern States, along with conservative sections of the Midwest, & Texas have all largely voted already.  Lets look at the numbers.  Of the major Midwest states yet to contest namely Ohio & Missouri are where Cruz can look to up his delegate quite significantly at around 118~ as per fivethirtyeights rough outline to the path of nomination. 



Ted Cruz at the 2013 Values Voter Summit with a coy smug. Taken by Jamelle Bouie October 11, 2013
Crazy enough to make moderates think Trump might not be so bad...
Photo: Jamelle Bouie CC 2.0



Now this pales woely inadequate to Trump's likely gains in the same timeframe. Now remember that the fivethirtyeight numbers on the last link is a delegate target.  The needed delegates for the candidate to remain on path.  I predict Trump to soundly beat the fivethirtyeight targets by siphoning voters who are jumping off the establishment ship.  When it's all more apparent that the Rubio & Kasich vote is split   Rubio can no longer be trusted to perform despite recently performing well in Puerto Rico it's not enough to swing momentum in an already dying campaign.  What spoke to me most strongly on the validity of Rubio as the establishment front-runner (which no longer exists really, barring a completely unlikely & ridiculous Rubio resurgence or a meteoric rise of Kasich) was Rubio's disaster in Maine.  



Kasich Sitting on a white armrest chair. John Kasich at New Hampshire Education Summit The Seventy-Four August 19th, 2015 by Michael Vadon.
Destroyer of Dreams - John Kasich
Photo: Michael Vadon CC 2.0

For him to gain not a single delegate & for Kasich to effectively be the Rubio electoral surrogate spells the end for Rubio. Some might say but what about Florida?  What about it?  The Republican race is too crowded & has been already too crowded for anyone but Trump to outright to take the nomination if current trends continue.  Hypothetical, Rubio wins Florida even by a significant margin what other state could he take?  California?  Perhaps if Rubio can make it June 7th.  Which I doubt, remember folks this is the establishment choice; someone who doesn't have the same grassroots effort like Sanders to keep a floundering campaign above water till better days. He has to answer to someone & those someones aren't too particularly pleased with his run of form in this race thus far.  Rubio had crossed the Rubicon on March 1st & begun to drown since then but it's been so gradual that none have noticed & it's too late for him pull him up.  

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REPUBLICANS


Michigan


I predict Trump to soundly beat the fivethirtyeight targets by siphoning aomw voters who are jumping off the establishment ship to more less insane(see Ted Cruz) pastures. Some of those jumping ship will be on Kasich wagon though.
strong
 
 Trump  victory electorally.

51.0~/26.4~/
20.1~/13.5  Trump  / Kasich Cruz / Rubio popular split
42/0/0/0 delegate split




Mississippi


I predict Trump to skip along to a super majority victory in the popular. None of the other candidates will break past the 15% threshold.
massive  Trump  victory electorally & popularly.

87.1~/5.6~/4.9~/2.6~  Trump  Cruz Kasich Rubio popular split
40/0/0/0 delegate split


Idaho

I'm going against the grain here & calling a relatively tight race between Trump & Cruz, 
no Rubio & Kasich they won't make it past the 20% threshold :( 
a moderate  Cruz  victory electorally.

48.6~/42.4~/6.3~/2.7~  Cruz  Trump Kasich Rubio popular split
17/15/0/0 delegate split



Hawaii
I predict a tight race between Trump & Cruz with Rubio gaining some & Kasich makes an appearance. 
minor  Trump  victory electorally.

38.6~/32.7~/24.3
~/4.4  Trump  Rubio Cruz Kasich popular split
7/6/5/1 delegate split



DEMOCRATS


Michigan

I predict a Sanders upset in Michigan with a healthy 10+ point margin but it'll still be a close affair. 
a tight  Sanders  victory electorally & popularly.


56.3~/43.7~  Sanders  Clinton popular split

73/57 delegate split




Mississippi

I'm convinced  Clinton  has Mississippi in the bag. it's question of much can Bernie score off her through rather than how wide she'll win by.

assured  Clinton  victory electorally & popularly.




59.2~/40.8~  Clinton  Sanders popular split

21/15 delegate split

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『   The story on the Democrats side is far less interesting.  Clinton without a doubt will clinch Mississippi owing thanks to the demographics working out in her favor.  Where Mississippi has the largest numbers of Black proportionate to the rest of the state making up a more than a Mississippians third at 37%.  Sanders has the potential to pull the rug from out under Clinton he can carry the momentum generated during the weekend to make deep inroads into the Great Lake State.  Whose delegates can prove essential to countering Clinton's superdelegate supremacy.   

 460 

the # of superdelegates HRC has thus far


    I conclude this post that I won't be writing anything significant until the evening after I'm done at work.  I will be through keeping posted on the race on twitter throughout the day so shoot me a tweet if you want to talk about today's elections & anything Buddha in da haus related - which is like anything & everything so don't be shy ;)  

// Post Complete

Palate Cleansing Art Accoutrement Aside Set

」In an easy world a paracosm is made so today might not matter

4 min read

Morning Art Post




"Still WatersAcrylic on Canvas by Rob Gonsalves,, Magical Surrealism

*Note this rendition has been flipped upside down, to see the original click here

  Literal description: A mesmerizing work of magical realism of a scene of people working to lay tiles that reflect with great precision its obverse.   Beholders must look with a keen eye to understand what is taking place in “Still Waters”.  Useing water Gonsalves  parallel image are shown: a Château & her surroundings reflect upon a smooth blemish free plane.  Further sights are where a boat making not a single ripple quietly rests on the tiled surface; likewise a pair of swans behave much just the same.  Then, in the foreground, a small group works together to create an surreal masterwork of perception in their environs. With every mirror panel that is laid a new reflection is cast, showing each person that their experienced reality is a reflection of themselves & what they have made. A magical piece of acrylic strokes on canvas is a captivating reminder where every step we takes to the present & gives frame to our self idea of reality & how we construct it for ourselves. 



_ quote _

『   A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.

- John Augustus Shedd   

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」subjective thoughts on Still Waters

     A piece that continually allures the eye where the canvas & visual cortex move to one another in waltz leaving the viewer gazes blissfully. Surrealistic art has always had a charm on me that I've remember as far back when I was a kid.  It's pure imagination & creation of another world often so stunningly done distilled by one mind for others to experience.  Art & great art oft is an amazing experience to feel; it tickles your mind in the right ways; opens the door for beautiful emotions; utliamtely expanding your mind even if a little bit in a new path. & for me this piece despite its relative tameness compared to other Gonsalves works visually & thematically, inspires such sentiments whenever I look upon it.   』 



_ outside links_

」you can purchase a Still Waters print here along with other Gonsalves work - that is non-referral link, fwiw/fyi


_ outside links_


     I have a good number of mildly lengthy political pieces coming out shortly in due quick succession.   Hence to cleanse your mental palate before I publish them all I thought this art post could serve well in that regard.   』 

 I'd like to apologize to my political followers.  I thought I would have my Flint Debate post ready Sunday evening even!  Though, I've been so busy in the last (it feels ^exponential that amount of work that's pilled on me) few days I haven't had time finish it.   As a concession my Maine Post-mortem post is due to be published within the next hour.  Check back to Buddha in da haus to read it. 

// Post Complete

Sunday 6 March 2016

High Turnout @ Maine Caucus Indicative of Strong Sanders Grassroots Efforts & What's Next To Come

」Ear pleasure for your reading: Pivotal times call for Hi-NRG Maine Hype or for something less thumping is some chillwave Buddha in da haus tempo

7 min



"Prager Straße" (Prague Street) Oil on canvas & collage by Otto Dix1920, Dada
  Literal description: Scene of two mutilated characters one of rich & one of poor.  Both fastened with prosthetics but of varying quality; the well to do man struts gingerly past the beggar; who is n the midst of receiving money. 
  A store window for a prosthetists shop is in background.  Further figures around the periphery of the center: notably a wooden hand with a cane & the bosom of a pump wearing lady. 


『  Fortis cadere, cedere non potest.

A brave man may fall, but he cannot yield.

- Latin proverb   


    Context:  It's a nippy ° / 35 ° f  From social media all over the internet it's easy to see the large turnout for the Maine Caucus which is simply beautiful.  & the cold weather did not stop Downeasters from heading to their caucuses - which if you have not gone & are eligible to vote than please make your way now, geez louise.    』 


It's awe inspiring to see such a massive turnout for democracy.  Ironically for a arguably unndemocratic system.



The people will not be deterred.



 Absolutely staggering long lines.



A familiar sight all around the state today.



Scenes that all Sanders want to see repeated in the forthcoming contests.




Its clear who is leading the charge in Maine.





  It's Bernie Sanders.


『   Now it comes with a bit of hubris but well placed confidence that Sanders has wrapped up Maine.  The question is by how far of margin and thus how much ground can Sanders make up?  I last prediction placed Sanders at 19 to Clinton's 11 - 3 of which are assured by the superdelegate pledges by Maggie Allen, Chellie Pingree & Peggie Schaffer.  It's State Senator Troy Jackson, of Allagash who is the sole superdelegate supporting Sanders explicitly prior to the proceedings of today's caucus.  That leaves State Democratic Party Chairman Phil Bartlet as the remaining superdelegate who has not public endorse either candidate.  Bartlet looks to wait for the results of the caucus before declaring his support & his leaning to go with what the caucus decides.  With how Sanders support has demonstrated today it's sure chance that Bartlet will call his vote for the Vermonter.  As Maine's caucus delegation votes are tired proportionally to the vote.  Here's a list of the potential delegate gain Sanders can achieve with the superdelegates above split 3: 2, advantage to Clinton.   
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#1 1/3 Split 
66.7~/33.3~ 
Sanders Clinton popular split
19/11 delegate split


#2 4/5 Split
80.0~/20.0~ Sanders Clinton popular split
20/10 delegate split


#3 4.25/5 Split
85.0~/15.0~ Sanders Clinton popular split
21/9 delegate split


#4 4.5/5 Split90.0~/10.0~ Sanders Clinton popular split
23/7 delegate split


#5 Minimum Needed for outright win of all free delegates98.5 /1.5 Sanders Clinton popular split
23/7 delegate split


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『   With comparatively low number of delegates at play if Sanders woutright won Maine (unlikely) grabbing 23 delegates it's still a drop in the ocean compared to loses from Tuesday.  Which would be just a 4 delegate gain in a double digit delegate deficit.   However the potential momentum boon is what the biggest gain the Sander's camp can look to leverage coming into Monday.  With 3 of 4 primary wins & an absolute trumping of Clinton in Maine this can be a powerful catalyst to surge Sanders even further ahead of forecasts in the coming Midwest states.  Where Sanders can rely on demographics who've been more supportive of his platform in states with lower nonwhite populations & more shares of young, liberal & working-class Democrats.  This surge can assure Sanders to solidly win the Midwest as Clinton has done in the traditionally Southern Republican states.  Sanders has strong support in both California & New York but he's going to need a solid performance is the road leading to April 19th (New York) & June 7th (California + 5 others).   


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as the same it was this morning, 

I predict a strong outcome for Sanders; ultimately to a strong Sanders victory electorally.

83.1~/16.9~ 
Sanders Clinton popular split
20/10 delegate split

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 If Sanders do what he did in Vermont today the implications could be incredibly far reaching.

// Post Complete