5.01.2007
crashing mirrors
Everything that week had fallen to a crashing ruin. The mirror started it. Bad luck followed. When the mirror crashed into the sink (stupid to prop it movie star style on a wet wash cloth) the vibration and the movement scared him. He sliced into his cheek, right near the left sideburn. Small consolation that the cut was straight. It still made him look like an idiot- four lines not just one- an expensive razor cut.
After the cut it was out into the world. Why was everyone looking into his car window? Was it bleeding? He made it the twelve miles to work without incident, feeling like a ticking bomb. Something was bound to happen. The sense of impending doom pressed on his chest, the awareness of his every cautious motion- the wide eyed look that he must be giving every thing, every one around him- well that just made it all worse. He tried to stretch the sense of it all out in a long locked fingers to the sky stretch. It didn't work- he just managed to shake the small halogen light at the top of the cubicle wall. He caught it and the heat registered in his open palm.
Well that wasn't too smart he thought. Right where the drumstick usually sits, and he had studio time tonight. It was going to be a long day.
On Tuesday he burned his left leg with hot coffee. On Wednesday it was another cut on the cheek, and a pinched finger from the stupid automatic stapler. Why did he have to work in business? Why couldn't he be a simple drummer? Thursday night another studio session, and this time he fumbled not one, but, damn, both sticks. Twice. Damn. Double damn.
On Friday he made it through lunch without incident. But after work, out watching a friend's band at the piano bar in the alley, it happened again. He spilled his entire seven and seven, It went end over old fashioned end and slammed to a halt in front of the bartender. She took one look at him and burst out laughing. Ba dum bum.
After the cut it was out into the world. Why was everyone looking into his car window? Was it bleeding? He made it the twelve miles to work without incident, feeling like a ticking bomb. Something was bound to happen. The sense of impending doom pressed on his chest, the awareness of his every cautious motion- the wide eyed look that he must be giving every thing, every one around him- well that just made it all worse. He tried to stretch the sense of it all out in a long locked fingers to the sky stretch. It didn't work- he just managed to shake the small halogen light at the top of the cubicle wall. He caught it and the heat registered in his open palm.
Well that wasn't too smart he thought. Right where the drumstick usually sits, and he had studio time tonight. It was going to be a long day.
On Tuesday he burned his left leg with hot coffee. On Wednesday it was another cut on the cheek, and a pinched finger from the stupid automatic stapler. Why did he have to work in business? Why couldn't he be a simple drummer? Thursday night another studio session, and this time he fumbled not one, but, damn, both sticks. Twice. Damn. Double damn.
On Friday he made it through lunch without incident. But after work, out watching a friend's band at the piano bar in the alley, it happened again. He spilled his entire seven and seven, It went end over old fashioned end and slammed to a halt in front of the bartender. She took one look at him and burst out laughing. Ba dum bum.
4.12.2007
we're all spies now
We have become a nation of spies. Voyeurism is no longer the great taboo, and great fear, it was just moments ago. We used to be mindful that powerful and monied interests could spy on us- and now, even fifth graders know more about their friends than some people used to learn about their neighbors in a lifetime.
Like everything else in this world, life revolves around basic paradigms; trust, truth, love, kindness, or their mirror opposites: suspicion, secrecy, intolerance, and aggression. When you see it in black and white on a page, it's not difficult to see where the current trend in the US at the highest levels of leadership is going. And, unfortunately because one of the leadership models, journalism namely, is so fractured at this point in time, it is a bit more difficult to appreciate where the rest of the world is trending. This current White House cadre isn't the only group operating in a bubble, the press's current problems alter the very perception of american culture within America. We don't see ourselves clearly. That's a problem for our friends around the world. Just like teenagers, they wonder why we can't see ourselves as clearly in the mirror as they see us.
I mention teenagers because I think that in terms of cultural evolution, that's about where this modern world is. At the time of The Renaissance the world was seven years old, the age of reason. In the early nineteenth century, thanks to Einstein and the amazing thoughts and deeds of many others, the world was about at the level of the average american fourth grader. We had to grow up quickly this past century- almost five years of relative growth to get to the fourteen year olds we are today. Prognosis for the next hundred years: We could go anywhere. Teenagers are notoriously hopeful, but there are the bullies, and the self destructive elements, which will need to be addressed for that hope to win.
So, although the internet makes it oh, so convenient to look at the tidbits of information we all leave behind, the real curiosity driving all this spying is the level of maturity we're dealing with: the early teen years.
Lots of people spill tons of soy based ink every year bemoaning the fact that there are no Edward R. Murrows, William Shirers, and later, Walter Cronkites and David Brinkleys there to explain it all to us. I think that what they are really missing is the modeling of adult leadership those people represented. They projected expectations of how the world worked, and how public servants, military and political leaders behaved, from the president right down to the neighborhood garbage collectors. The president's staff wasn't half as important then. The expectation was that they were working in concert to pull together and preserve our democracy.
How silly were were then, when were were eight and nine- simple magic tricks and illusions held us spellbound. The kids whose parents guided them, and who lavished praise and money on the talentless, those are the kids we all wonder about, isn't it? What are the cool kids doing? It seems like the present media attention on every whim, appearance, and utterance of politicians and celebrities projects that preteen need to know: what goes on behind the door? By the way, you can find out about those parent promoted classmates right on the internet- plenty of places will take your money to help you "find" them. But you already know that- the spying and the physical parts enhancement pics on the internet are hard to ignore. And even easier voyeurism is the phenomena known as You Tube. Privacy? Heh. How quaint.
Like everything else in this world, life revolves around basic paradigms; trust, truth, love, kindness, or their mirror opposites: suspicion, secrecy, intolerance, and aggression. When you see it in black and white on a page, it's not difficult to see where the current trend in the US at the highest levels of leadership is going. And, unfortunately because one of the leadership models, journalism namely, is so fractured at this point in time, it is a bit more difficult to appreciate where the rest of the world is trending. This current White House cadre isn't the only group operating in a bubble, the press's current problems alter the very perception of american culture within America. We don't see ourselves clearly. That's a problem for our friends around the world. Just like teenagers, they wonder why we can't see ourselves as clearly in the mirror as they see us.
I mention teenagers because I think that in terms of cultural evolution, that's about where this modern world is. At the time of The Renaissance the world was seven years old, the age of reason. In the early nineteenth century, thanks to Einstein and the amazing thoughts and deeds of many others, the world was about at the level of the average american fourth grader. We had to grow up quickly this past century- almost five years of relative growth to get to the fourteen year olds we are today. Prognosis for the next hundred years: We could go anywhere. Teenagers are notoriously hopeful, but there are the bullies, and the self destructive elements, which will need to be addressed for that hope to win.
So, although the internet makes it oh, so convenient to look at the tidbits of information we all leave behind, the real curiosity driving all this spying is the level of maturity we're dealing with: the early teen years.
Lots of people spill tons of soy based ink every year bemoaning the fact that there are no Edward R. Murrows, William Shirers, and later, Walter Cronkites and David Brinkleys there to explain it all to us. I think that what they are really missing is the modeling of adult leadership those people represented. They projected expectations of how the world worked, and how public servants, military and political leaders behaved, from the president right down to the neighborhood garbage collectors. The president's staff wasn't half as important then. The expectation was that they were working in concert to pull together and preserve our democracy.
How silly were were then, when were were eight and nine- simple magic tricks and illusions held us spellbound. The kids whose parents guided them, and who lavished praise and money on the talentless, those are the kids we all wonder about, isn't it? What are the cool kids doing? It seems like the present media attention on every whim, appearance, and utterance of politicians and celebrities projects that preteen need to know: what goes on behind the door? By the way, you can find out about those parent promoted classmates right on the internet- plenty of places will take your money to help you "find" them. But you already know that- the spying and the physical parts enhancement pics on the internet are hard to ignore. And even easier voyeurism is the phenomena known as You Tube. Privacy? Heh. How quaint.
7.12.2005
PUHCA PUHCA
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/071205I.shtml
Kelpie Wilson paints the bigger picture...
I wish I could write like that: Something to strive for- after the house is built and I can put my head down and think a sentence through.
My comment on the petition:
This is a game of percentages and margins. The percentage of actual income a family will pay for all goods and energy will be out of control. The margin of corruption will leap into the stratosphere- as it did to precipitate the last Great Depression. Choices, choices... And real alternatives will not get the research funding that will move our economy forward. Something will break before Corporatism bends.
Sometimes I think the whole "leadership" thing is just running us headlong into a wall. When the lights go out/ when our options are blocked... maybe then more will curse the darkness that is BushCo.
Kelpie Wilson paints the bigger picture...
I wish I could write like that: Something to strive for- after the house is built and I can put my head down and think a sentence through.
My comment on the petition:
This is a game of percentages and margins. The percentage of actual income a family will pay for all goods and energy will be out of control. The margin of corruption will leap into the stratosphere- as it did to precipitate the last Great Depression. Choices, choices... And real alternatives will not get the research funding that will move our economy forward. Something will break before Corporatism bends.
Sometimes I think the whole "leadership" thing is just running us headlong into a wall. When the lights go out/ when our options are blocked... maybe then more will curse the darkness that is BushCo.
6.27.2005
Is it called Freedom when you guard it with a gun?
Is it called Freedom when you guard it with a gun?
Democracy can not be won at the end of a barrel of a gun.
Freedom should include the safety of not having to watch your back at every turn.
Democracy works best when children are healthy and fed and taught well.
So many years I haven't felt free. In the past handful, there is an anemic democracy. With all of our exacting righteousness, and struggle for progress, and warnings against further decay-- I still pray that the summit will be achieved- and that there will be some peace- that children will grow up surrounded by compassion- that stupidity will cease.
Seriously: mental illness is our number one export. You can quote me on this.
Democracy can not be won at the end of a barrel of a gun.
Freedom should include the safety of not having to watch your back at every turn.
Democracy works best when children are healthy and fed and taught well.
So many years I haven't felt free. In the past handful, there is an anemic democracy. With all of our exacting righteousness, and struggle for progress, and warnings against further decay-- I still pray that the summit will be achieved- and that there will be some peace- that children will grow up surrounded by compassion- that stupidity will cease.
Seriously: mental illness is our number one export. You can quote me on this.
6.14.2005
Stem Cell Research and other Med Tech advances
Rep. Jim Langevin
Rhode Island's 2nd Congressional District
Writes this in the DCCC email I received today:
Stem cell research gives us hope, and a reason to believe. I believe one day, a child with diabetes will no longer face a lifetime of painful shots and tests. I believe one day, families will no longer watch in agony as a loved one with Parkinson's or Alzheimer's gradually declines. I believe one day, I will walk again.
He is a quadriplegic due to a bullet severing his spine.
Here is my letter:
DCCC:
I am writing because Jim Langevin's story reminded me of how fortunate my family is in that we are not afflicted with an injury or disease. We are fortunate: but what of the future? My husband suffered a traumatic brain injury due to unsafe working conditions. It took him over a year to recover-- eight and a half years later I still pick up on signs of recovery. Thankfully he does too! His statistical factor for developing dementia or Alzheimer's has increased due to this head injury. It could be a very scary future for us.
When Franklin Roosevelt was President we made great societal strides in being a community of Americans and caring for our future- a strong future that brought everyone up- not out- of society. I believe that if current medical technology were anything close to what FDR might have anticipated he would have started a national healthcare security plan. Back then the technology of blood was what brought citizens together. Deaths due to blood loss and shock diminished. Surgeries were safer. But they didn't know all the technological advances to come in mere decades. I think Americans are still behind these major advances in medical technology. And I believe that it's time to incorporate our good will toward our fellow Americans to a national health policy that secures healthcare for every person. Stem Cell research and breakthroughs in all areas of medical technology are the cornerstones to such a policy.
Rhode Island's 2nd Congressional District
Writes this in the DCCC email I received today:
Stem cell research gives us hope, and a reason to believe. I believe one day, a child with diabetes will no longer face a lifetime of painful shots and tests. I believe one day, families will no longer watch in agony as a loved one with Parkinson's or Alzheimer's gradually declines. I believe one day, I will walk again.
He is a quadriplegic due to a bullet severing his spine.
Here is my letter:
DCCC:
I am writing because Jim Langevin's story reminded me of how fortunate my family is in that we are not afflicted with an injury or disease. We are fortunate: but what of the future? My husband suffered a traumatic brain injury due to unsafe working conditions. It took him over a year to recover-- eight and a half years later I still pick up on signs of recovery. Thankfully he does too! His statistical factor for developing dementia or Alzheimer's has increased due to this head injury. It could be a very scary future for us.
When Franklin Roosevelt was President we made great societal strides in being a community of Americans and caring for our future- a strong future that brought everyone up- not out- of society. I believe that if current medical technology were anything close to what FDR might have anticipated he would have started a national healthcare security plan. Back then the technology of blood was what brought citizens together. Deaths due to blood loss and shock diminished. Surgeries were safer. But they didn't know all the technological advances to come in mere decades. I think Americans are still behind these major advances in medical technology. And I believe that it's time to incorporate our good will toward our fellow Americans to a national health policy that secures healthcare for every person. Stem Cell research and breakthroughs in all areas of medical technology are the cornerstones to such a policy.
5.17.2005
George Galloway Respect Party MP
If the US acted more like the model citizen of the world we were led to believe we were when I was a kid... well-- we'd ALL be saying this. And we wouldn't be in Irak in the first place.
There are no Republicans or Democrats: There is only honor and decency; knowing right from wrong.
Unfortunately we have children in this country who are indebted for no reason other than the greed of this Republican administration. Unfortunately we have children in this country who will suffer permanent neurological damage because a sane energy policy wasn't developed in the past half century, and instead mercury toxins from coal are in our air and water. Unfortunately, for no reason other than being born here, many suffer a lack of appropriate health care.
The ideas aren't new, but our own leadership must lead, and not pacify or cajole the current Republican administration.
I sure hope that Howard Dean and a few others were able to take some tea time with Respect MP Galloway.
There's the Guardian link, and there's video of the speech: your new Google search.
It's interesting, in an information exchange sort of way that the truth, the pure passion of this man, Galloway, is so clear.
There are no Republicans or Democrats: There is only honor and decency; knowing right from wrong.
Unfortunately we have children in this country who are indebted for no reason other than the greed of this Republican administration. Unfortunately we have children in this country who will suffer permanent neurological damage because a sane energy policy wasn't developed in the past half century, and instead mercury toxins from coal are in our air and water. Unfortunately, for no reason other than being born here, many suffer a lack of appropriate health care.
The ideas aren't new, but our own leadership must lead, and not pacify or cajole the current Republican administration.
I sure hope that Howard Dean and a few others were able to take some tea time with Respect MP Galloway.
There's the Guardian link, and there's video of the speech: your new Google search.
It's interesting, in an information exchange sort of way that the truth, the pure passion of this man, Galloway, is so clear.
5.03.2005
Neglect
Neglect can be a good thing.
Haven't been here much these past few months. Neglect. Busy with the house plans still. Busy with doing ten other people's jobs for them. Formulating a plan in my mind and ready to jump today at bringing the pieces together. Not for the house, but for my novel.
Neglect is good. the path does not always have to move you forward because where you are, you are. Moving or not.
Ahhh...
Good Day Sunshine.
Haven't been here much these past few months. Neglect. Busy with the house plans still. Busy with doing ten other people's jobs for them. Formulating a plan in my mind and ready to jump today at bringing the pieces together. Not for the house, but for my novel.
Neglect is good. the path does not always have to move you forward because where you are, you are. Moving or not.
Ahhh...
Good Day Sunshine.
