I got a quick email from one of my gentle readers (and fellow Pharmacy manager who was mentioned in a previous blog becuase he wears men's underwear) informing me that my blog is blocked from view by my employer. I can come up with several good reasons for it to be blocked. 1) We aren't getting paid to waste time reading my drivel. 2) Well........the first reason alone is sufficient.
It's not so much the why that gave me pause to thing but rather the how. Apparently I used the word 'hate' somewhere in there. So I thought this might be a good time for me to discuss words. Anyone who knows me can attest that I enjoy this. I am troubled when I hear people say that two words means 'the same thing'. Naturally this is not true, otherwise we would just have one word.
So I wish to pontificate on dislike vs. hate. 'Pontificate' is a nice word. It reminds me of a Little Rascals joke I know. Naturally, Buckwheat delivers the punchline. Before I do that I wish to separate out love and hate from the mix. I do not believe these are end points for a spectrum of opinion, rather they are two different sides of the same emotionally governed coin. There is a fine line between love and hate and when the conversion occurs they are usually of the same magnitude. Think mathematics. The absolute value of negative six is six. Examples could be: The person who I have loved for a long time who betrays me is now my worst enemy. A long time adversary makes a magnaminous gesture and is now my best buddy in the world.
Like and dislike lack an emotional component. Think about the girl in college who said the she really 'liked' you. Just in case you didn't know already, that means that there was absolutely no chance she would have ever had sex with you. It's far easier to bone the ones that 'hate' you since their is a built-in emotional component that is at least present. And, if my analysis is correct, can be converted into something that makes 'make-up sex' seem like going to the prom with your sister.
Finally I am about to make my point. We have like on one end and dislike on the other. Ultimately nobody cares what we like and dislike, unless of course they love or hate them. When there is no emotional component, people don't care as much. Hence people will result to hyperbole to make their views known. I should probably go back and see where I have used the word 'hate'. I am lazy though, so I will just start a fresh list. I will naturally not list individuals. Why, because there are no individuals that I hate. There are certain groups that I hate, but mostly there are acts and attitudes that I hate. Alas, many individuals do them on occasional. So without further ado:
Uncle John's top-ten list of hated things
1) White supremacists. The thing that I find most laughable about this group is their parareligious admiration for Hitler. Let's turn back the clock to post-Weimar Germany. You are a tattooed and pierced person with a lengthy record of criminal mischief and drug-dealing. You are going to be one of the first that is 'culled' from the tribe.
The truth is I hate any group that preaches hate. I am merely reflecting back at them what they project out. Most of these kids (yes I used the word 'kids' since they are typically young and stupid) are just pissed off about some type of perceived injustice. Many of them have probably been screwed over at one point. As crime statistics overwhelmingly bear out, you were most likely screwed over by somebody of the same race. Once they figure this out, then I don't hate them any more.
2) Political extremists. This is not to say that I hate those with extreme views. Quite the contrary in fact since I have some pretty extreme ones myself. What I hate is those who vilify anyone who has a contrary position. Consider the immigration issue. There are those who think that all illegal immigrants should be deported, after all 'what part of illegal don't you understand'. Then there are those who think that they all immigrants are just here seeking a better life, should be embraced, and anybody who expresses concerns about any of them are bigoted and uncaring. I hate them both. However, from a factual standpoint the latter is slightly less full of shit I suppose. That don't mean I hate them any less.
3) Raw tomatoes
4) People that exploit suffering or fear for financial gain or to secure power. I'm not talking about morticians, or even ambulance chasing attorneys. I did however say that I would not list individuals. My old man told me, "Son, no matter how shitty things get, somebody always benefits from the status quo". These are the people that I hate.
5) Francophiles. Give it up.......English won!
6) Filet Mignon (say, isn't that a French phrase?), or any other decent cut of beef, that is 'well done'.
7) Caesar's Palace.
8) Golf.
9) Pico de Gallo.
10) Greasy, spamming, malware-spewing, robo-calling, denizens of the cyber universe. I would consider hell as a viable option if I am able to administer your daily pineapple (think "Little Nicky").
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
President Huntsman
I'll make this brief. Back in the day when Jon Huntsman was elected as Governor, I distinctly remember commenting that this guy had the proper mix of smarts, business and governmental savvy, centrist thinking and governing style, and a smokin' hot wife. In short,l he is a political thoroughbred.
I am saying right now that he will win the Republican nomination and defeat Obama. He will also be the only Republican presidential candidate I have voted for aside from Reagan in 1984.
I will produce this in about 16 months and look like a freaking genius if he wins. If he doesn't I will be able to correctly say, 'what a shame he didn't'.
I am saying right now that he will win the Republican nomination and defeat Obama. He will also be the only Republican presidential candidate I have voted for aside from Reagan in 1984.
I will produce this in about 16 months and look like a freaking genius if he wins. If he doesn't I will be able to correctly say, 'what a shame he didn't'.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
"Perfect" things, Rocky Horror, and high school graduation
There are few perfect things in this world. Many beautiful things, but few that are transcendent. Beautiful things have flaws, perfection is transcendent. The only perfect things I know are firmly rooted in the religious realm. Much of the spiritual, or mystic, realm is flawed. Things that move me emotionally are frequently flawed, but they are moving nonetheless.
Whew......that was all cryptic enough. What's my point? Let me tell you some things that move me. A perfectly ripe peach, the Brandenburg concertos and Beethoven's 9th, a solitary soak at DFHS on a stormy day, warm sand underfoot, having my buddy Jay roll two straight 'ones' when attempting to take Bucharest at 2:1 odds. My transcendent moments I share only with those who are very close to me. I did have a moment after I climbed Lone Peak that involved a cold beer and a hot shower that was pretty close to transcendent though.
Towards the end of Rocky Horror, Frank 'n furter sings about the need to do wild stuff when you're young in order that you'll have memories that will last a lifetime. I've done a lot of crazy stuff in my life. Most of it recalled in a non-specific sense and a neutral judgement. Some things I regret. Most of what I regret was things I said, not actions. There are a lot of things I've done that I'm not proud of, but few that I've regretted. In fact, many of these things I still recall with fondness. I've no desire to repeat nor revisit these things, but I've no regrets.
FInally I went to son number two's high school graduation. It is indeed a microcosm of those things in high school that were good and bad. It all started a few weeks ago. There are always a number of kids that are not going to graduate. They, or typically their parents, demand that some last-minute make-up assignment be given so they can graduate. Graduating high-school is a joke. Basically all you need to do is show up and make even a half-assed attempt to do the work. Alas, many cannot even do that yet they feel entitled. We were sent out a number of rules for the graduation ceremony. NO RUNNING, NO JUMPING, NO SKIPPING, and most important of all NO HORSEPLAY! Well not exactly, but people still wear leis, do the fist and arm pumping, have their numbskull posses scream from the peanut gallery, and wear hot pink tennis shoes so they can 'be comfortable' which is just their bullshit excuse for thinking they are cool. I'm going to advise son number three to do a few things when he graduates next year. First wear some ugly ass fluorescent shoes that 'light up' when you step on them. Second I will weigh him down with leis. Third, I will scream, hoot, and holler for 30 seconds in an attempt to drown out the names of as many kids as possible. After all, they aren't important, just MY kid. At least this is the view of the assholes that ruin graduation every year by thinking they are the exception.
Some would say I am picking on 'polys'. I suppose that is a fair critique. Personally, I love the idea of leis. I think the prohibition on leis at graduation is a bad rule. Nonetheless it is a rule, so it should be obeyed. If they wish to challenge it then let me know. I will show up and fight for leis. Let me tell you what breaks my heart about the poly graduates. The girls are virtually ignored, and the boys inevitably self-identify as football players. It is a tragedy that aside from athletics and student government they rarely distinguish themselves. And this type of attitude is by no means relegated to polys, but I find it the hardest to accept. Islanders have a proud history of sacrifice for an ideal. They are a innately peaceful people, but have a strong warrior ethos infuses in them. Consider the long odds their ancestors faced in coming, yet they did it anyway. And what is the result? Ask yourself how many poly professionals or military do you know? These are the people that should be emulated, not the football punk-asses that are already forgotten.
Finally, I noticed a particluar trend in female summer fashions today. It consists of baby doll type dresses that only reach down to the mid-thigh. I suppose if there were just one or two girls wearing this ensemble (and who had toned calves and thighs) they could have really rocked it. When seemingly every other girl is wearing this, it becomes mundane and hence ugly. Being unique is the way to get noticed. Take a lesson for someone's mom who wore a form fitting tan, knee-length, skirt, with a white men's dress shirt, and some understated sandals. Mmmmmm........now if I can just talk my wife into wearing that!
Whew......that was all cryptic enough. What's my point? Let me tell you some things that move me. A perfectly ripe peach, the Brandenburg concertos and Beethoven's 9th, a solitary soak at DFHS on a stormy day, warm sand underfoot, having my buddy Jay roll two straight 'ones' when attempting to take Bucharest at 2:1 odds. My transcendent moments I share only with those who are very close to me. I did have a moment after I climbed Lone Peak that involved a cold beer and a hot shower that was pretty close to transcendent though.
Towards the end of Rocky Horror, Frank 'n furter sings about the need to do wild stuff when you're young in order that you'll have memories that will last a lifetime. I've done a lot of crazy stuff in my life. Most of it recalled in a non-specific sense and a neutral judgement. Some things I regret. Most of what I regret was things I said, not actions. There are a lot of things I've done that I'm not proud of, but few that I've regretted. In fact, many of these things I still recall with fondness. I've no desire to repeat nor revisit these things, but I've no regrets.
FInally I went to son number two's high school graduation. It is indeed a microcosm of those things in high school that were good and bad. It all started a few weeks ago. There are always a number of kids that are not going to graduate. They, or typically their parents, demand that some last-minute make-up assignment be given so they can graduate. Graduating high-school is a joke. Basically all you need to do is show up and make even a half-assed attempt to do the work. Alas, many cannot even do that yet they feel entitled. We were sent out a number of rules for the graduation ceremony. NO RUNNING, NO JUMPING, NO SKIPPING, and most important of all NO HORSEPLAY! Well not exactly, but people still wear leis, do the fist and arm pumping, have their numbskull posses scream from the peanut gallery, and wear hot pink tennis shoes so they can 'be comfortable' which is just their bullshit excuse for thinking they are cool. I'm going to advise son number three to do a few things when he graduates next year. First wear some ugly ass fluorescent shoes that 'light up' when you step on them. Second I will weigh him down with leis. Third, I will scream, hoot, and holler for 30 seconds in an attempt to drown out the names of as many kids as possible. After all, they aren't important, just MY kid. At least this is the view of the assholes that ruin graduation every year by thinking they are the exception.
Some would say I am picking on 'polys'. I suppose that is a fair critique. Personally, I love the idea of leis. I think the prohibition on leis at graduation is a bad rule. Nonetheless it is a rule, so it should be obeyed. If they wish to challenge it then let me know. I will show up and fight for leis. Let me tell you what breaks my heart about the poly graduates. The girls are virtually ignored, and the boys inevitably self-identify as football players. It is a tragedy that aside from athletics and student government they rarely distinguish themselves. And this type of attitude is by no means relegated to polys, but I find it the hardest to accept. Islanders have a proud history of sacrifice for an ideal. They are a innately peaceful people, but have a strong warrior ethos infuses in them. Consider the long odds their ancestors faced in coming, yet they did it anyway. And what is the result? Ask yourself how many poly professionals or military do you know? These are the people that should be emulated, not the football punk-asses that are already forgotten.
Finally, I noticed a particluar trend in female summer fashions today. It consists of baby doll type dresses that only reach down to the mid-thigh. I suppose if there were just one or two girls wearing this ensemble (and who had toned calves and thighs) they could have really rocked it. When seemingly every other girl is wearing this, it becomes mundane and hence ugly. Being unique is the way to get noticed. Take a lesson for someone's mom who wore a form fitting tan, knee-length, skirt, with a white men's dress shirt, and some understated sandals. Mmmmmm........now if I can just talk my wife into wearing that!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
frustration at the 'in window' and Noah's Ark
This is a unique posting for me since it is done in the morning rather than the evening or night. I just woke from a dream which merited mentioning here. I was at a theme park entrance.....a Disneyland type thing if you will......and I was filling prescriptions for people. There was a line of perhaps 100 plus people yet they were waiting. The people I was trying to help were an seeming amalgam of every difficulty I've ever had at the 'in window' where I work.
Let me see if I recall all the details. It was a young lady that had just been recently married. As is often the case in this sitatuation I was asking her questions but she would answer by looking at her husband as if to ssay, "you want to handle this one honey?". I can certainly understand that if a newlywed couple had some stranger coming up and asking for her phone number and address it would be a huge problem. A problem that might very well be best handled by her new husband. I'm your pharmacist. There are good reasons (one of them being legal requirements) why I need to know this stuff. So grow the **** up!
The dream continued as I went through her demographics. "What is your address?". The first address made no sense being something like 60 North 1170 North. So I asked is that 1170 E or 1170 W. Then they start giving me another address, but this one without coordinates i.e. I live on 2175 11th St.. Then they get into a lively debate about what city they live in. I really enjoy this one. People who live squarely in West Valley or Magna will most frequently say the live in Salt Lake City. My personal favorite was a guy that lived on 35th South and about 56th West and stridently maintained he lived in West Jordan. There is another city between the city he lives in and West Jordan!
The dream still continued with phone numbers. Should it be her cell, or his cell since he's a trucker and on the road a lot, or their home phone. (I always love it when trucker's explain to me that they are on the road a lot. NO SHIT!! That comes as a complete surprise to me since your job is to operate trucks and transport goods on the road!).
I woke up about here. What a relief it was. I hadn't made it to her allergies or insurance. I've had lots of frustrating answers to these over the years. Maybe that will be tonight's dream.
Moving on.........Noah's Ark. Like many others, I have been fascinated by this one for years. I think my particular take is unique hence I am sharing it here. My first beef is with those who believe that everything in the bible happened literally and precisely as it is written. I do not believe for a second that the entire earth's surface was covered with water. Where did the water come from? Where did it go? Yes, yes, yes I know that God works miracles. I've seen them and experienced many. I also know that God, being the creator of the universe, uses natural means subject to rules and contraints that he created. So was there a Noah? Yes. Did he build and ark? Yes. Was their a flood that deluged where he lived? Yes, but just his area not the entire earth's surface. Did he have two or more of every species on the earth? Without answering this directly I would ask how at least two of every species could be housed in the dimensions that the bible provides us. Or perhaps it was just a sample that when released migrated out and covered the entire earth in an impossibly fast time and evolved wildly. Oops, I forgot evolution doesn't exist. It doesn't matter that it is being actively observed in species right now. It just seems to me that if someone hadn't postulated that Man descended from apes but everything else is evolved then Darwin's 'theory' would instead be referred to as what it is......FACT
What has perplexed me is the where and when of Noah. I have studied maps to come up with my answer. Not land maps though, rather ocean maps. Before discussing the four options I propose, I wish to talk about Mount Ararat. I don't believe it is the mountain in Turkey that carries the name today. We have had people all over it for years and they have uncovered zilch. Why? Because it didn't stop there. The ark probably came to rest at the BASE of some large hill which Noah called Ararat. They then piled out and went back to living with his livestock which is all he probably threw on the boat. Look, I realize that I am taking all the magic out of the story but I am not disputing nor diminishing the miraculous nature of what happened. As I mentioned earlier, I believe the story.
I digress again. Where could Noah's ark have occured. Where could a combination of sudden and prolonged rains (with maybe an earthquake to shift around a large body of water......hint.....hint) could deluge a large enough area that people cannot merely flee for high ground. We also know that the oceans were at a lower level a few thousand years back.
Option 1: The areas surrounding the Red Sea. This would put Noah squarely in "Bible Land". The population, the wood, the mountainous terrain (including a mountain called Arafat in the Sinai). Besides God did in the Egyptian army here as a favor to Moses.
Option 2: The northern Persian Gulf near in Southern Iraq. Hey why not! Abraham came out of the area. The population is there, the wood. A combination of floods coming out of the north via the river and a sudden rise in the gulf might do it. The only problem? No mountains anywhere close to the area.
Option 3: The central Med. There is a subterranean land bridge that connects Tunisia to Sicily. If the strait of Gibralter had landlocked the Med at this time, then the disparity of levels between the Atlantic and the Med would widen. The Med has a much higher evaporation rate so it would be even lower. This would open up a large swath of land between Tunisia and Sicily. Could mere rainfall flod the entire Med. No. Could a breach at Gibralter do it. YES. Perhaps this might be Atlantis?
Option 4: This is a variant of 3. The western shores of the Black Sea. There would be a second choke point for water in the Dardanelles. A combination of high rains, spring runoff, and the aforementioned breach of Gibraltar would have flooded the entire 'world' of Noah and would have done it quickly and unlike the Red Sea or Persian Gulf variants the water wouldn't have gone anywhere soon. The Crimea was probably the final resting place of the ark. There is ample archaelogic evidence for the Gibraltar breach. There are subterranean city sites along the Egytian and Greek coastline. There is also a lot of these in the Western Black Sea in the massive fan on the Danube. A large flat area from which there is no fleeing to higher ground, especially when spring floods have already bogged everything down.
Don't believe me? Check out the ocean maps.
Let me see if I recall all the details. It was a young lady that had just been recently married. As is often the case in this sitatuation I was asking her questions but she would answer by looking at her husband as if to ssay, "you want to handle this one honey?". I can certainly understand that if a newlywed couple had some stranger coming up and asking for her phone number and address it would be a huge problem. A problem that might very well be best handled by her new husband. I'm your pharmacist. There are good reasons (one of them being legal requirements) why I need to know this stuff. So grow the **** up!
The dream continued as I went through her demographics. "What is your address?". The first address made no sense being something like 60 North 1170 North. So I asked is that 1170 E or 1170 W. Then they start giving me another address, but this one without coordinates i.e. I live on 2175 11th St.. Then they get into a lively debate about what city they live in. I really enjoy this one. People who live squarely in West Valley or Magna will most frequently say the live in Salt Lake City. My personal favorite was a guy that lived on 35th South and about 56th West and stridently maintained he lived in West Jordan. There is another city between the city he lives in and West Jordan!
The dream still continued with phone numbers. Should it be her cell, or his cell since he's a trucker and on the road a lot, or their home phone. (I always love it when trucker's explain to me that they are on the road a lot. NO SHIT!! That comes as a complete surprise to me since your job is to operate trucks and transport goods on the road!).
I woke up about here. What a relief it was. I hadn't made it to her allergies or insurance. I've had lots of frustrating answers to these over the years. Maybe that will be tonight's dream.
Moving on.........Noah's Ark. Like many others, I have been fascinated by this one for years. I think my particular take is unique hence I am sharing it here. My first beef is with those who believe that everything in the bible happened literally and precisely as it is written. I do not believe for a second that the entire earth's surface was covered with water. Where did the water come from? Where did it go? Yes, yes, yes I know that God works miracles. I've seen them and experienced many. I also know that God, being the creator of the universe, uses natural means subject to rules and contraints that he created. So was there a Noah? Yes. Did he build and ark? Yes. Was their a flood that deluged where he lived? Yes, but just his area not the entire earth's surface. Did he have two or more of every species on the earth? Without answering this directly I would ask how at least two of every species could be housed in the dimensions that the bible provides us. Or perhaps it was just a sample that when released migrated out and covered the entire earth in an impossibly fast time and evolved wildly. Oops, I forgot evolution doesn't exist. It doesn't matter that it is being actively observed in species right now. It just seems to me that if someone hadn't postulated that Man descended from apes but everything else is evolved then Darwin's 'theory' would instead be referred to as what it is......FACT
What has perplexed me is the where and when of Noah. I have studied maps to come up with my answer. Not land maps though, rather ocean maps. Before discussing the four options I propose, I wish to talk about Mount Ararat. I don't believe it is the mountain in Turkey that carries the name today. We have had people all over it for years and they have uncovered zilch. Why? Because it didn't stop there. The ark probably came to rest at the BASE of some large hill which Noah called Ararat. They then piled out and went back to living with his livestock which is all he probably threw on the boat. Look, I realize that I am taking all the magic out of the story but I am not disputing nor diminishing the miraculous nature of what happened. As I mentioned earlier, I believe the story.
I digress again. Where could Noah's ark have occured. Where could a combination of sudden and prolonged rains (with maybe an earthquake to shift around a large body of water......hint.....hint) could deluge a large enough area that people cannot merely flee for high ground. We also know that the oceans were at a lower level a few thousand years back.
Option 1: The areas surrounding the Red Sea. This would put Noah squarely in "Bible Land". The population, the wood, the mountainous terrain (including a mountain called Arafat in the Sinai). Besides God did in the Egyptian army here as a favor to Moses.
Option 2: The northern Persian Gulf near in Southern Iraq. Hey why not! Abraham came out of the area. The population is there, the wood. A combination of floods coming out of the north via the river and a sudden rise in the gulf might do it. The only problem? No mountains anywhere close to the area.
Option 3: The central Med. There is a subterranean land bridge that connects Tunisia to Sicily. If the strait of Gibralter had landlocked the Med at this time, then the disparity of levels between the Atlantic and the Med would widen. The Med has a much higher evaporation rate so it would be even lower. This would open up a large swath of land between Tunisia and Sicily. Could mere rainfall flod the entire Med. No. Could a breach at Gibralter do it. YES. Perhaps this might be Atlantis?
Option 4: This is a variant of 3. The western shores of the Black Sea. There would be a second choke point for water in the Dardanelles. A combination of high rains, spring runoff, and the aforementioned breach of Gibraltar would have flooded the entire 'world' of Noah and would have done it quickly and unlike the Red Sea or Persian Gulf variants the water wouldn't have gone anywhere soon. The Crimea was probably the final resting place of the ark. There is ample archaelogic evidence for the Gibraltar breach. There are subterranean city sites along the Egytian and Greek coastline. There is also a lot of these in the Western Black Sea in the massive fan on the Danube. A large flat area from which there is no fleeing to higher ground, especially when spring floods have already bogged everything down.
Don't believe me? Check out the ocean maps.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Kokopelli's dojo
Indian hieroglyphics are undoubtedly a glimpse into the history of our area. They are subject to interpretation and careful study. I had a bit of an epiphany a few years back though. While everyone seems to think that these hieroglyphic records were someone a recording done by the tribal elders, or those who maintained the oral traditions, or perhaps the local shaman, I've another theory. They were done by a bunch of Anasazi teenage boys. Yup, after a successful day of hunting/gathering the tribal elders were doubtlessly resting around the fire. While they discussed the days activities they were thinking forward to tomorrow and where they would go, what they were to eat etc. The boys were bounding with energy and saying, "Hey Dad! We're gonna go carve some pictures on those rocks!". The tribal elders no doubt dismissively waved them off and said, "Whatever kid....just don't get hurt." So what do we got? Boys (badly) carving pictures of animals and hunting and whatever else was exciting to the teen Anasazi. Perhaps someday a stone carving in a Goblin Valley cave will be studied for it's message. And what was the message? My boys think Jessica Biel has nice tits!
When I was back in high school, my math teacher was asked what his perfect job would be. His answer absoultely perplexed me at the time. It;s almost thirty years later and I am beginning to understand. He wanted to have fewer students. Just a couple, perhaps even one. He wanted to teach them math.......and English, science, history etc, In short he wanted to teach them life.
I'm not si sure that I should be teaching any of these disciplines individually. I have always thought my skill lay in integrating various things; finding connections as it were. I read 'der Glasperleinspiel' and it all came together. I want all young men to succeed. There is much effort channeled into keeping boys out of trouble. It is all very necessary. What I propose is indentifying promising young men, who lack mentoring, and are still trying to identify what they are about. My oldest son was very fortunate in this regard. He had an entire year of university before he went on his mission. His math and science took him places, I had not been. In that regard he broke free of my influence and established himself. He also took an entire year of philisophical courses which helped him define and calrify what he is. You hear so much about youngsters going off the deep end in these courses. The parents bemoan the ideas that are put into these kids heads. The harsh fact is this.......your kids didn't believe anything when they got there. They heard what their parents had to say, but they internalized nothing. The parents are the ones to blame!
Anyway.......my remaining three boys will not have the same adavntage their older brother had. The will all be leaving for their missions soon after high school. As such, I worry that they will not have established themselves and merely parrot what they have been conditioned to say. Regardless of anyone's opinion of my faith, the messengers of it need to be fervent and certain in their belief. I have mentioned the following point in previous blogs, but it bears repeating. It takes a village to raise a child, especially a young man. Hilary (one "l" folks, not two) Clinton was and will always be right about this. My kids have a young men's leader that I feel is particularly well-suited for this purpose. My oldest didn't really have much time with this guy. It is my hope that he is able to help them along.
I believe I am someone that is also very well suited for this type of thing, but not just for regular kids. Like it or not, I see a very distinctive caste system emerging. It is not one of race, or money, or politics, geography, education or any other readily definable demographic. There are simply some kids that got their shit together and the majority that don't. If I had the money, I would establish a 'dojo' for these Brahmin. Academic progress would be tracked and facilitated. The instruction offered would be to find connections and harmony in all they learn. It would be a combination of listening, reflecting, and instruction for all within. Spiritual development will also be monitored, but it would be my sincere hope that the school was comprise young men of all faiths. The same connections and harmonies can be found between religions also. Finally, martial arts would be taught. Not the loud, testosterone fueled nonsense that I see everywhere. But main thrust of all instruction is understanding the nature of conflict, how it arises and is resolved. The Tao te Ching, and Art of War will be the primary texts. The warrior caste is not the one that must rule. However, those who rule fail to understand the warrior caste. This must change.
When I was back in high school, my math teacher was asked what his perfect job would be. His answer absoultely perplexed me at the time. It;s almost thirty years later and I am beginning to understand. He wanted to have fewer students. Just a couple, perhaps even one. He wanted to teach them math.......and English, science, history etc, In short he wanted to teach them life.
I'm not si sure that I should be teaching any of these disciplines individually. I have always thought my skill lay in integrating various things; finding connections as it were. I read 'der Glasperleinspiel' and it all came together. I want all young men to succeed. There is much effort channeled into keeping boys out of trouble. It is all very necessary. What I propose is indentifying promising young men, who lack mentoring, and are still trying to identify what they are about. My oldest son was very fortunate in this regard. He had an entire year of university before he went on his mission. His math and science took him places, I had not been. In that regard he broke free of my influence and established himself. He also took an entire year of philisophical courses which helped him define and calrify what he is. You hear so much about youngsters going off the deep end in these courses. The parents bemoan the ideas that are put into these kids heads. The harsh fact is this.......your kids didn't believe anything when they got there. They heard what their parents had to say, but they internalized nothing. The parents are the ones to blame!
Anyway.......my remaining three boys will not have the same adavntage their older brother had. The will all be leaving for their missions soon after high school. As such, I worry that they will not have established themselves and merely parrot what they have been conditioned to say. Regardless of anyone's opinion of my faith, the messengers of it need to be fervent and certain in their belief. I have mentioned the following point in previous blogs, but it bears repeating. It takes a village to raise a child, especially a young man. Hilary (one "l" folks, not two) Clinton was and will always be right about this. My kids have a young men's leader that I feel is particularly well-suited for this purpose. My oldest didn't really have much time with this guy. It is my hope that he is able to help them along.
I believe I am someone that is also very well suited for this type of thing, but not just for regular kids. Like it or not, I see a very distinctive caste system emerging. It is not one of race, or money, or politics, geography, education or any other readily definable demographic. There are simply some kids that got their shit together and the majority that don't. If I had the money, I would establish a 'dojo' for these Brahmin. Academic progress would be tracked and facilitated. The instruction offered would be to find connections and harmony in all they learn. It would be a combination of listening, reflecting, and instruction for all within. Spiritual development will also be monitored, but it would be my sincere hope that the school was comprise young men of all faiths. The same connections and harmonies can be found between religions also. Finally, martial arts would be taught. Not the loud, testosterone fueled nonsense that I see everywhere. But main thrust of all instruction is understanding the nature of conflict, how it arises and is resolved. The Tao te Ching, and Art of War will be the primary texts. The warrior caste is not the one that must rule. However, those who rule fail to understand the warrior caste. This must change.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Untitled
Tonight is going to be a stream of consciousness blurb. It all started when I went to fill my gas tank. As I started fillin, I leaned against the fender to wait. I noticed that there were some receipts that had not been taken. Both were credit cards. Both were exact amounts of five and ten dollars. Not much gas at all.
The fact is things are still tight for so many people that even the idea of merely filling your tank until the next time is not possible. Many folks are still living day to day. They cannot plan for a future, hence they sure as hell ain't saving for one or even considering it.
The it dawned on me that failure to consider, much less plan, and even less DO anything is why we are failing as a nation. On all levels it is failure to do anything in a timely manner, we merely put out fires. Douglas MacArthur said that the history of failure can be summed up in two words; "Too late". I read that about 30 years ago and I've never seen anything to prove him wrong.
Our nation has a multitude of problems currently. And some of what the conservatives, at least say but not necessarily espouse, are solutions for our problems. Of course the left is right about some things also. I understand the frustration that people are feeling. Especially those who are forced to buy five bucks of gas at a time and on redit no less. We all are looking for a scapegoat, a bogeyman. If the presidential election were today I wouldn't give Obama my vote. I gave him my vote because I believed he would at least attempt to work on the changes that needed doing. Health care was botched overall. Some improvements were made, but the extra costs involved for what we got in return was not worthwhile. Just on the outside chance that the President or Secretary of HHS reads this I must add, "Enough with the Medicare B bullshit just to sell someone some strips! Are you all out of your f***ing minds?" See.....I told you folks are frustrated.
As a nation we will have to fundamentally and ultimately answer how big can the pie be and who will get what. People scream about 'rationing' or 'death panels', but someone has got to say enough. The Tea Partiers are saying it. Much of what they are bitching about is fair game too. But you don't hear about any of them saying we ain't gonna waste any more money on chain smoking, diabetic fat-asses on motorized scooters. Somebody should have told these idiots, "NO" a long time ago. The moms with four kids by three fathers should have been told "NO". The people who spurned their public education, and refuse to improve their lot in life need to be told "NO". The inner city denizens who continue to suck on the public teat for five generations need to be told "NO".
The Republicans have been the party of "NO" but aren't saying it to the right people. Every thing good that Obama tried to do was shut down by the R's. Of course, there were a lot of D's who tried to stymie Ronnie. My advice to Obama? Quit smoking. Yup, it is as simple as that. Everything else will fall into line.
So who would I vote for today if there were a presidential election? Probably me.
Who will I be voting for Senate in the next election? Me definitely. My neighbor Mike should be Governor. I assure you that Washington and State government will not only get along, but work together closely with agreement on the issues.
The fact is things are still tight for so many people that even the idea of merely filling your tank until the next time is not possible. Many folks are still living day to day. They cannot plan for a future, hence they sure as hell ain't saving for one or even considering it.
The it dawned on me that failure to consider, much less plan, and even less DO anything is why we are failing as a nation. On all levels it is failure to do anything in a timely manner, we merely put out fires. Douglas MacArthur said that the history of failure can be summed up in two words; "Too late". I read that about 30 years ago and I've never seen anything to prove him wrong.
Our nation has a multitude of problems currently. And some of what the conservatives, at least say but not necessarily espouse, are solutions for our problems. Of course the left is right about some things also. I understand the frustration that people are feeling. Especially those who are forced to buy five bucks of gas at a time and on redit no less. We all are looking for a scapegoat, a bogeyman. If the presidential election were today I wouldn't give Obama my vote. I gave him my vote because I believed he would at least attempt to work on the changes that needed doing. Health care was botched overall. Some improvements were made, but the extra costs involved for what we got in return was not worthwhile. Just on the outside chance that the President or Secretary of HHS reads this I must add, "Enough with the Medicare B bullshit just to sell someone some strips! Are you all out of your f***ing minds?" See.....I told you folks are frustrated.
As a nation we will have to fundamentally and ultimately answer how big can the pie be and who will get what. People scream about 'rationing' or 'death panels', but someone has got to say enough. The Tea Partiers are saying it. Much of what they are bitching about is fair game too. But you don't hear about any of them saying we ain't gonna waste any more money on chain smoking, diabetic fat-asses on motorized scooters. Somebody should have told these idiots, "NO" a long time ago. The moms with four kids by three fathers should have been told "NO". The people who spurned their public education, and refuse to improve their lot in life need to be told "NO". The inner city denizens who continue to suck on the public teat for five generations need to be told "NO".
The Republicans have been the party of "NO" but aren't saying it to the right people. Every thing good that Obama tried to do was shut down by the R's. Of course, there were a lot of D's who tried to stymie Ronnie. My advice to Obama? Quit smoking. Yup, it is as simple as that. Everything else will fall into line.
So who would I vote for today if there were a presidential election? Probably me.
Who will I be voting for Senate in the next election? Me definitely. My neighbor Mike should be Governor. I assure you that Washington and State government will not only get along, but work together closely with agreement on the issues.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Strong flavors and Carl the groundskeeper
I saw the movie 'Secretariat' today. Alas, it received the standard formulaic 'Disney' treatment. Not that the movie was bad. I wasn't aware of the whole drama that surrounded the human cast of characters until the movie. Honestly, I never cared. But how else are you going to make a feature length film. I just have to wonder how hard up for cash Malkovich was.
I remember watching Secretariat run. I never watched horse racing before, and haven't since. Yet I, along with the rest of the nation watched. It was breathtaking to watch. The original footage used in the movie for all of its graininess was still the most exciting thing to watch.
The whole time I am watching, I can't help but think how miscast Diane Lane was also. With her hausfrau frump in full mojo, I still found myself muttering certain Bill Murray-isms under my breath. Next time get an ugly 40 something to make the movie.
After the movie we went to MacCool's. The lamb shank will always be one of my favorite items on the menu. I like this restaurant because they don't shy away from strong flavors. OK......they do have calamari on the menu which is perhaps my least favorite appetizer. I like the taste of them, but people order it thinking it makes them cool, or edgy (look at me I'm eating squid). As such it has become a bland and ubiquitous presence on most menus. ENOUGH! But I digress.
There was a couple sitting a tablet near us. SHe was bitching about the seafood pancakes being to.......seafoody I suppose. What was the main ingredient? It was hardly a seafood, but a strong flavor nonetheless. Smoked trout. It is definitely not for all tastes, but I've loved it ever since I was a kid. I remember my old man somehow fell into the good graces of a guy in our neighborhood named Nick Dokos. Nick liked to fish. Nick caught a lot of fish. Nick smoked a lot of fish. To make a long story short, I polished off about a pound and a half of my old man's trout one morsel at a time. My mom was pissed, but the old man just laughed it off. Strange indded since my mother hates smoked fish and my dad would have gladly subsisted on a diet of it forever.I digress again.
Next time I go to MacCools, I'm gonna get me some of smoked trout pancakes. I guarantee I will either love them or hate them for the taste, but I'll always enjoy them for what they are. An unapologetically strong flavor. As for the woman, I hope that little minx is being punished as we speak........by Carl.
I remember watching Secretariat run. I never watched horse racing before, and haven't since. Yet I, along with the rest of the nation watched. It was breathtaking to watch. The original footage used in the movie for all of its graininess was still the most exciting thing to watch.
The whole time I am watching, I can't help but think how miscast Diane Lane was also. With her hausfrau frump in full mojo, I still found myself muttering certain Bill Murray-isms under my breath. Next time get an ugly 40 something to make the movie.
After the movie we went to MacCool's. The lamb shank will always be one of my favorite items on the menu. I like this restaurant because they don't shy away from strong flavors. OK......they do have calamari on the menu which is perhaps my least favorite appetizer. I like the taste of them, but people order it thinking it makes them cool, or edgy (look at me I'm eating squid). As such it has become a bland and ubiquitous presence on most menus. ENOUGH! But I digress.
There was a couple sitting a tablet near us. SHe was bitching about the seafood pancakes being to.......seafoody I suppose. What was the main ingredient? It was hardly a seafood, but a strong flavor nonetheless. Smoked trout. It is definitely not for all tastes, but I've loved it ever since I was a kid. I remember my old man somehow fell into the good graces of a guy in our neighborhood named Nick Dokos. Nick liked to fish. Nick caught a lot of fish. Nick smoked a lot of fish. To make a long story short, I polished off about a pound and a half of my old man's trout one morsel at a time. My mom was pissed, but the old man just laughed it off. Strange indded since my mother hates smoked fish and my dad would have gladly subsisted on a diet of it forever.I digress again.
Next time I go to MacCools, I'm gonna get me some of smoked trout pancakes. I guarantee I will either love them or hate them for the taste, but I'll always enjoy them for what they are. An unapologetically strong flavor. As for the woman, I hope that little minx is being punished as we speak........by Carl.
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