OK
I get it. When a blogger I am following does not publish in a while, I wonder....."What happened?" I see it has been a day or two since my nimble fingers have graced the keyboard to memorialize my wit and wisdom. Looks like life happens, or in some cases, death happens, I suppose. I my case, it was life. This time......
Sometimes I choose to review the things I have done in my life. Some of these things are accomplishments, personal or professional, and of many of these, I am justly proud. Others may be better described as 'deeds' heroic or foul, for there are both in my resume. But I do reflect on them as they come to mind.
Here is an interesting 'life experience.' I shared a meal with a murderess. This was shortly before she added that particular chapter to her book. I listened to her rant about her victim, and no, she did not threaten to commit the crime in my presence, but she did express, in no uncertain terms, her hatred for this person.
When her rage and insanity finally overcame whatever tattered shreds of civility, responsibility and common sense she possessed, she did commit a deed most foul. Death was not enough; she sought to inflict pain, and I think if she could have killed her victim several times, she would have.
She was not stupid or ignorant. In fact, I believe she believed she would not be caught because she knew she was so much smarter than the cops. She wasn't. Besides being the prime suspect from the start, she left a trail of evidence Helen Keller could have followed.
Caught, she was. Convicted, as well. Committed only one murder, but the land is littered with victims.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Brave Old World
Well. I am close to the end. Haven't hurried because I kinda have to work on her schedule, and I was reading something else simultaneously.
It would be easy to focus on all the ways Hux missed the boat, but the really frightening thing is how much he got right. Funny thing.....as far as critical thinking goes......our technology has improved, no doubt, but if anything, our thinking has barely improved, if at all.
If you have never read the book, or if it has been so long you've forgotten, visit the library and dip in to this story again. In fact, re-read all the stuff you read as a kid. Sure, the books are the same, but you aren't. What you take from them will be worlds apart from the first time.
Spring has sprung, and I feel the searing breath of Summer over my shoulder. For the first time in my life, I am wondering just how many more Springs or Summers I'll greet from the lighter side of the air/dirt interface. Guess I better enjoy them all.
I'm still struggling with my Sudoku addiction. I have a puzzle book in the can, and start puzzling as soon as I sit. Big Problem. I forget the business I set down to do, and get all involved in swirling numbers. Before I know it, an hour has gone by, I'm late to work, and well on my way to developing sudokuroids. Is there a chapter of Sudokuholics Anonymous anywhere?
It would be easy to focus on all the ways Hux missed the boat, but the really frightening thing is how much he got right. Funny thing.....as far as critical thinking goes......our technology has improved, no doubt, but if anything, our thinking has barely improved, if at all.
If you have never read the book, or if it has been so long you've forgotten, visit the library and dip in to this story again. In fact, re-read all the stuff you read as a kid. Sure, the books are the same, but you aren't. What you take from them will be worlds apart from the first time.
Spring has sprung, and I feel the searing breath of Summer over my shoulder. For the first time in my life, I am wondering just how many more Springs or Summers I'll greet from the lighter side of the air/dirt interface. Guess I better enjoy them all.
I'm still struggling with my Sudoku addiction. I have a puzzle book in the can, and start puzzling as soon as I sit. Big Problem. I forget the business I set down to do, and get all involved in swirling numbers. Before I know it, an hour has gone by, I'm late to work, and well on my way to developing sudokuroids. Is there a chapter of Sudokuholics Anonymous anywhere?
Thursday, March 26, 2009
The Huxter
I first read (then promptly mostly forgot) Brave New World, as did many of us, in high school. Now I am reading it again because someone I care about is doing an assignment which includes discussion after each chapter, and I am honored to be, once again, the discussor du jour.
It is amazing what a couple of miles in the log book will do to ones' perspective. It is also interesting to note how different the view is from behind her eyeballs. Even though I was about the same the same age when I initially read Mr. Huxley's most famous work, her cognitions are wrapped around social injustice, political correctness and child abuse; I was just looking for the next dirty part. Yep, I was typically shallow then....probably still am.
The fascinating bit is that today, more than ever before, we actually have the technology to make Hux's nightmare a reality, and to do so with much greater finesse than he imagined back in the early 30's(?!?) No need to partially poison foetuses to make Gammas or Epsilons, just a judicious nip here and a tuck there on the old DNA helix, and voila! And throw out the incubators; I'm sure OctoMom would love to help populate the Castes.
Turns out we didn't need the hypnopaedia, either. Television does the job quite nicely, and ever since it became the 'babysitter of choice,' we have simply handed over the indoctrination of our children to the kind folks on the far side of the screen. Surely they have no agenda. And what they miss, our schools cover. We seldom teach the kids to think. Just so they pass the friggin' test and make the numbers look good.
And talk about engineering for continuous consumption. Think of all the things we spend money on now that simply cannot be repaired. Cell phone broke? Can't really fix it, and a new one will toast bagels for the same price! (Speaking of cell phones, what ever happened to the concern over brain cancer? Was that resolved in our favor? Or did profit possibilities tip the scales?)
I could make a list of 'throw away' consumer products, but it would be obsolete before it was complete, right?
You know the old saying, "It's not bragging if you can do it"? Well, it's not far-out fantasy and science fiction if it's happening!
It is amazing what a couple of miles in the log book will do to ones' perspective. It is also interesting to note how different the view is from behind her eyeballs. Even though I was about the same the same age when I initially read Mr. Huxley's most famous work, her cognitions are wrapped around social injustice, political correctness and child abuse; I was just looking for the next dirty part. Yep, I was typically shallow then....probably still am.
The fascinating bit is that today, more than ever before, we actually have the technology to make Hux's nightmare a reality, and to do so with much greater finesse than he imagined back in the early 30's(?!?) No need to partially poison foetuses to make Gammas or Epsilons, just a judicious nip here and a tuck there on the old DNA helix, and voila! And throw out the incubators; I'm sure OctoMom would love to help populate the Castes.
Turns out we didn't need the hypnopaedia, either. Television does the job quite nicely, and ever since it became the 'babysitter of choice,' we have simply handed over the indoctrination of our children to the kind folks on the far side of the screen. Surely they have no agenda. And what they miss, our schools cover. We seldom teach the kids to think. Just so they pass the friggin' test and make the numbers look good.
And talk about engineering for continuous consumption. Think of all the things we spend money on now that simply cannot be repaired. Cell phone broke? Can't really fix it, and a new one will toast bagels for the same price! (Speaking of cell phones, what ever happened to the concern over brain cancer? Was that resolved in our favor? Or did profit possibilities tip the scales?)
I could make a list of 'throw away' consumer products, but it would be obsolete before it was complete, right?
You know the old saying, "It's not bragging if you can do it"? Well, it's not far-out fantasy and science fiction if it's happening!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Let's Cut Some Slack
I have a friend who is struggling. She is dealing with an irrational mate. I have a child who is struggling. Also dealing with an irrational mate. I struggle. Dealing with a sometimes irrational spouse. And irrational children....and irrational parents. We won't even mention the in-laws, after all, we expect such from them.
C'mon, people! Everyone is a bit daft. Some are just better at hiding it than others, that's all. Rather than be in a snit, why not enjoy the bizarre behavior of in-laws. Particularly if they live across the country. Long range free entertainment. Aren't we glad we live here and they live there?
Same thing with the Internet. I'm sure you've seen the acid filled comments made from behind the security of a keyboard. Just know that some people are rabid. Move on.
I have someone who is quite close to me who seems on occasion to be more porcupine than human. Prickly, ya know? It's a damn shame too. Actually a very good person, but gonna be lonely for a long time.....
Like I said, we are all crazy, just different flavors. Most of them are interesting and fortunately only a few are really harmful. They get more press than they deserve.
When it's the one you love who is acting nuts, it can be hard, or scary, or funny, or sad, or some combination of all these and many others. Believe me. I know. The most common feeling is one of helplessness. Particularly if they are really crazy crazy. Sometimes all you can do is hang on. Remember, though, as funny as it might seem to you, it is reality for them.
Of course, maybe they are just trying survive your insanity.
C'mon, people! Everyone is a bit daft. Some are just better at hiding it than others, that's all. Rather than be in a snit, why not enjoy the bizarre behavior of in-laws. Particularly if they live across the country. Long range free entertainment. Aren't we glad we live here and they live there?
Same thing with the Internet. I'm sure you've seen the acid filled comments made from behind the security of a keyboard. Just know that some people are rabid. Move on.
I have someone who is quite close to me who seems on occasion to be more porcupine than human. Prickly, ya know? It's a damn shame too. Actually a very good person, but gonna be lonely for a long time.....
Like I said, we are all crazy, just different flavors. Most of them are interesting and fortunately only a few are really harmful. They get more press than they deserve.
When it's the one you love who is acting nuts, it can be hard, or scary, or funny, or sad, or some combination of all these and many others. Believe me. I know. The most common feeling is one of helplessness. Particularly if they are really crazy crazy. Sometimes all you can do is hang on. Remember, though, as funny as it might seem to you, it is reality for them.
Of course, maybe they are just trying survive your insanity.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Secretary
I saw the movie 'Secretary' again. The first time was on broadcast TV; the last time was on DVD. I am fascinated by this movie. I have never been in to S & M, and I don't think I ever will be, but this film caught my attention in a most peculiar way. Both Mr. Spader and Ms. Gyllenhaal gave incredible performances and treated the subject matter with delicacy and taste, while preserving the basically erotic nature of the film.
I think it opened my eyes to alternative sexualities, not specifically for me (although the good Lord knows I have my moments), but for people in general. We are all just trying to find a bit of happiness, aren't we? So many of us are dragging around our emotional baggage on extended guilt trips booked for us by parents, preachers and pundits; trying to live up to other peoples expectations, sometimes openly and defiantly, sometimes furtively and in shame.
Occasionally I am overwhelmed by sadness, watching people struggle to be happy. It just shouldn't be so hard. I see people making choices that end up leaving them miserable, or worse. Several years ago, I supported myself driving a Taxi. One evening, I had an interesting fare, a Mexican T-Girl. She had me take her to her home. We were followed by a car containing a young man who loved her when he was drunk. She was just trying to get away from him. I don't know how that evening worked out, but about two years later, a body was found in a local, and very seedy, hotel. It was the T-Girl, probably done in by some fella who couldn't handle the surprise. Sad.
Some folks think that living an 'alternative' lifestyle is a way of expanding one's horizons. I wonder if, in all actuality, it really isn't a result of trying to block out the past, or avoid a repeat of it?
I think it opened my eyes to alternative sexualities, not specifically for me (although the good Lord knows I have my moments), but for people in general. We are all just trying to find a bit of happiness, aren't we? So many of us are dragging around our emotional baggage on extended guilt trips booked for us by parents, preachers and pundits; trying to live up to other peoples expectations, sometimes openly and defiantly, sometimes furtively and in shame.
Occasionally I am overwhelmed by sadness, watching people struggle to be happy. It just shouldn't be so hard. I see people making choices that end up leaving them miserable, or worse. Several years ago, I supported myself driving a Taxi. One evening, I had an interesting fare, a Mexican T-Girl. She had me take her to her home. We were followed by a car containing a young man who loved her when he was drunk. She was just trying to get away from him. I don't know how that evening worked out, but about two years later, a body was found in a local, and very seedy, hotel. It was the T-Girl, probably done in by some fella who couldn't handle the surprise. Sad.
Some folks think that living an 'alternative' lifestyle is a way of expanding one's horizons. I wonder if, in all actuality, it really isn't a result of trying to block out the past, or avoid a repeat of it?
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The GOD Thing
People are funny about God.
You have seen most of them somewhere, sometime; I won't bore you with their descriptions.
I used to sweat the issue. When I was a child, God and Santa Claus were about on the same plane. Kinda 'out there' and maybe I believed and maybe I didn't and maybe it didn't make any difference.
Later, in High School, I attended a Christian school, Assemblies of God, to be exact. Great people, extremely caring, but very dogmatic. Many of my classmates spoke of accepting Jesus and having a 'White Light' type of experience. Basking in the warmth and glow of their salvation, and secure in the knowledge and love of their Creator.
I wanted that so bad. I closed my eyes and prayed and begged the Lord to come in to my life the way I had heard so many people describe. Nothing. Not a Blessed Thing. I'd listen and look and feel and taste and wait. Whoops what was that? Is it beginning? Nope. Just gas. Bottom line, no 'White Light' for me. Bummer.
So what did that mean, anyway? Was I too awful for God to take? I read in the Bible that he forgave the worst sinners, so what was up? Was I not sincere enough in my repentance? Was my sin so bad that even God wouldn't have me? Was there no God? Was all the talk of being saved just a bunch of lies; a vast conspiracy of people who were all afraid to tell one another that it didn't work for them either? I found it hard to believe then, and I still do find it hard to believe that every one who shared their experience with me was lying. All I really know is that it didn't work then and it hasn't happened since.
So did I give up on God? I guess for a while I did. As a young adult, on my own, I did not attend church. I did not hang out with people that did. When I visited home I would go to church with my parents to please them, not to feed my spirit. I came to believe that I was in control of my destiny, and that those who professed a faith were weak and afraid of living....and afraid of death. I married a woman from a family of non-believers, and raised my son without benefit of Christian influence. (Aside to Self....Just realized he has never been Baptised. Gotta fix that!) Well crap, that gives away the ending a bit now, doesn't it!
That marriage failed. Marriage number two was to a woman of faith, although why she married my heathen butt is still beyond me. She must have been slumming that day. She tried mightily to bring me back to the Lord, but alas, without success, and two children later that marriage also disintegrated. The wife did her best to impose her vision of proper religousity on the kids, with mixed results.
Later still, I began dating the woman who would eventually prove to be foolish enough to accept my third proposal. She was also a woman of faith, but of a brand which is more closely aligned with the religion of my earliest years. I began to attend her church with her. I'd like to be able to tell you that the Preacher there so moved me that I saw the error of my ways and finally came to Jesus, but that didn't happen.
I finally found a spirituality, a solid belief outside of an organised and recognized religion. One that is portable in that I can take it inside a Baptist Church or visit the Catholics, the Lutherans, the Presbyterians, even back to the Pentecostals and be just fine.
The biggest part of my discovery involved being willing to let go and let myself be subject to God's will. Some of you are saying, "OK, here comes the old bullshit," but I ask you to bear with me here a piece. Maybe you can find something in what I say that works for you.
I have heard all the arguments, pro and con. The only response I have is that when it comes to arguing something as intangible as faith and spirituality, there are no right or wrong answers. Some of my friends argue that science refutes religion, or that evolution and creationism are mutually exclusive. I believe in God but I have no problem with evolution. I believe it is one of His finest tools. Others are afraid that science will learn God's secrets, but I believe that God gave us the ability to understand these mysteries for a Divine Purpose, and that it is OK. Six hundred years ago, celestial navigation was a total mystery to most people. It really is all relative.
I didn't come to my peace with God willingly, so to speak. I was totally bought in to being the boss of my own life. I was large and in charge. Then one day I discovered that playing by my rules alone hurt everyone else around me and made me feel so terrible that for the first time in my life I probably prayed the most sincere prayer I have ever prayed. Fortunately for me, God chose not to grant my wish to die.(There are several blogs inside this paragraph, waiting to be freed)
In order for me to move on with my life, it was suggested that God would be my answer. I was so depressed and soul sick that I didn't even have the energy to object. If this was a way out of my misery, I was willing to try. I was told to pray only for God to show me His/Her will for my life, and the power to carry that will out. I scrupulously avoided asking for God to fix my life or repair my relationships. I was willing to accept whatever came.
Slowly the pieces of my life began to fall into place again. I expanded my prayers to include thanking God for the blessings in my life, and asking for His/Her help in dealing with the other problems I faced. Again, I did not pray for a specific outcome, only for Divine Assistance in solving my problems and dealing with my own issues. I can only judge the effectiveness of my prayers, and the existence of God, by the results I observe in my own life.
I know this is getting a bit long, but it is important.
Here are my rules for prayer:
You have seen most of them somewhere, sometime; I won't bore you with their descriptions.
I used to sweat the issue. When I was a child, God and Santa Claus were about on the same plane. Kinda 'out there' and maybe I believed and maybe I didn't and maybe it didn't make any difference.
Later, in High School, I attended a Christian school, Assemblies of God, to be exact. Great people, extremely caring, but very dogmatic. Many of my classmates spoke of accepting Jesus and having a 'White Light' type of experience. Basking in the warmth and glow of their salvation, and secure in the knowledge and love of their Creator.
I wanted that so bad. I closed my eyes and prayed and begged the Lord to come in to my life the way I had heard so many people describe. Nothing. Not a Blessed Thing. I'd listen and look and feel and taste and wait. Whoops what was that? Is it beginning? Nope. Just gas. Bottom line, no 'White Light' for me. Bummer.
So what did that mean, anyway? Was I too awful for God to take? I read in the Bible that he forgave the worst sinners, so what was up? Was I not sincere enough in my repentance? Was my sin so bad that even God wouldn't have me? Was there no God? Was all the talk of being saved just a bunch of lies; a vast conspiracy of people who were all afraid to tell one another that it didn't work for them either? I found it hard to believe then, and I still do find it hard to believe that every one who shared their experience with me was lying. All I really know is that it didn't work then and it hasn't happened since.
So did I give up on God? I guess for a while I did. As a young adult, on my own, I did not attend church. I did not hang out with people that did. When I visited home I would go to church with my parents to please them, not to feed my spirit. I came to believe that I was in control of my destiny, and that those who professed a faith were weak and afraid of living....and afraid of death. I married a woman from a family of non-believers, and raised my son without benefit of Christian influence. (Aside to Self....Just realized he has never been Baptised. Gotta fix that!) Well crap, that gives away the ending a bit now, doesn't it!
That marriage failed. Marriage number two was to a woman of faith, although why she married my heathen butt is still beyond me. She must have been slumming that day. She tried mightily to bring me back to the Lord, but alas, without success, and two children later that marriage also disintegrated. The wife did her best to impose her vision of proper religousity on the kids, with mixed results.
Later still, I began dating the woman who would eventually prove to be foolish enough to accept my third proposal. She was also a woman of faith, but of a brand which is more closely aligned with the religion of my earliest years. I began to attend her church with her. I'd like to be able to tell you that the Preacher there so moved me that I saw the error of my ways and finally came to Jesus, but that didn't happen.
I finally found a spirituality, a solid belief outside of an organised and recognized religion. One that is portable in that I can take it inside a Baptist Church or visit the Catholics, the Lutherans, the Presbyterians, even back to the Pentecostals and be just fine.
The biggest part of my discovery involved being willing to let go and let myself be subject to God's will. Some of you are saying, "OK, here comes the old bullshit," but I ask you to bear with me here a piece. Maybe you can find something in what I say that works for you.
I have heard all the arguments, pro and con. The only response I have is that when it comes to arguing something as intangible as faith and spirituality, there are no right or wrong answers. Some of my friends argue that science refutes religion, or that evolution and creationism are mutually exclusive. I believe in God but I have no problem with evolution. I believe it is one of His finest tools. Others are afraid that science will learn God's secrets, but I believe that God gave us the ability to understand these mysteries for a Divine Purpose, and that it is OK. Six hundred years ago, celestial navigation was a total mystery to most people. It really is all relative.
I didn't come to my peace with God willingly, so to speak. I was totally bought in to being the boss of my own life. I was large and in charge. Then one day I discovered that playing by my rules alone hurt everyone else around me and made me feel so terrible that for the first time in my life I probably prayed the most sincere prayer I have ever prayed. Fortunately for me, God chose not to grant my wish to die.(There are several blogs inside this paragraph, waiting to be freed)
In order for me to move on with my life, it was suggested that God would be my answer. I was so depressed and soul sick that I didn't even have the energy to object. If this was a way out of my misery, I was willing to try. I was told to pray only for God to show me His/Her will for my life, and the power to carry that will out. I scrupulously avoided asking for God to fix my life or repair my relationships. I was willing to accept whatever came.
Slowly the pieces of my life began to fall into place again. I expanded my prayers to include thanking God for the blessings in my life, and asking for His/Her help in dealing with the other problems I faced. Again, I did not pray for a specific outcome, only for Divine Assistance in solving my problems and dealing with my own issues. I can only judge the effectiveness of my prayers, and the existence of God, by the results I observe in my own life.
I know this is getting a bit long, but it is important.
Here are my rules for prayer:
- Don't pray for stuff. Asking God for a big screen TV is wasting His time and yours.
- Don't pray for a specific outcome, but rather the strength and courage to handle life as it comes.
- Do pray for others. Ask God to watch over them.
- Thank God for His blessings. Ask Him to help you use the Gifts He gave you for His glory.
- Pray every day.
- If your faith or your belief is weak, ask Him to strengthen you.
- If you feel that it is difficult for you to trust and to be willing to give your will to Him, pray to be made willing.
You only need the tiniest bit of faith to begin.
Pray.
Trust in God.
Pray some more.
I have a very good friend. He and I are almost the same age, and we share many of the same life experiences. The biggest difference now is that I have a faith in God and he takes Prozac. There is a place inside each of us that needs to believe in something bigger than ourselves.
Don't test God. If you insist that God prove that He exists to you personally, you may be waiting a very long time. That was my mistake long ago. I wanted God, but only on my terms. It doesn't work like that. Can't hurt to try now, can it?
Monday, March 9, 2009
Which Way Did He Go?
I am reading a book called 'In Code' written by a young Irish lass who has been taken by numbers and ciphers. She has fallen head over heels in love with mathematics and cryptography. She has not only won academic awards but conceived and executed a book which is both educational and very readable. She illustrates yet again that the sciences are not the sole province of males. Humbling too, to read her definition of a common math term and say to myself, "Oh. That's what that means!" Anyway, her name is Sarah Flannery, and the book is worth a read.
I really enjoy the company of women who challenge the common notions of gender based careers and roles. Their perspective is usually quite refreshing when compared with that of the average male who perhaps is following a given course because that is what he is supposed to do. Unfortunately, these women are few and far between. And, I am specifically referring to the technical types. Businesswomen seem to me to fall into an entirely different category. Often it seems more like a power trip or a desire to prove something to somebody, than a genuine love of science, or math, or fill in the blank.
I have had a number of flight instructors over the years as I pursued various ratings. Some were much better than others. One was a woman. She may or may not have been a better pilot than the men, but she was different in one very important way. I never saw her try to bully the aircraft. Her touch on the controls was sure and deft but also gentler, as though she were coaxing the craft to do her bidding. She taught me to be a patient and understanding pilot. That does not mean to fail to take decisive action when required, but to stay far enough ahead of the airplane to avoid having to display my awesome skills any more than necessary. After all, it wouldn't do to run out of airspeed, altitude, lift and talent all at the same time, now, would it?
Come to think of it, I believe I enjoy the company of females more than the company of males, at least in a one-on-one situation. I currently live with three members from the distaff branch of humanity and it works most of the time. Once in a while I feel as though I am treading water in a sea of estrogen and just barely keeping my head above the surface at that, but most often it is cool.
One thing I have noticed, or think I have, is that most women operate at a much greater intensity level than men. For a lot of guys, the career is what they do between beers, or between conquests. Many women, on the other hand, become so involved, so focused on their objectives that they have difficulty leaving the job at work. I have seen example after example where there is no contest when comparing the performance of men and women in the exact same jobs. The gals kick ass.
Where they often fail is with relationships.
They can have trouble balancing the needs of spouses, parents, kids, and work. They feel like they have to do it all, but God only gave us 24 hours in a day. Something always suffers, and the woman will feel guilty about her 'failings' when she notices. The people around her, though will be reluctant to tell her. She gives so much, so much of the time, she will just try in vain to cram in more if you do. Guys, on the other hand, are selfish enough to say 'The Hell with it, I've done enough today!" and go get that beer.
Ah, the Hell with it, I've done enough today!
I really enjoy the company of women who challenge the common notions of gender based careers and roles. Their perspective is usually quite refreshing when compared with that of the average male who perhaps is following a given course because that is what he is supposed to do. Unfortunately, these women are few and far between. And, I am specifically referring to the technical types. Businesswomen seem to me to fall into an entirely different category. Often it seems more like a power trip or a desire to prove something to somebody, than a genuine love of science, or math, or fill in the blank.
I have had a number of flight instructors over the years as I pursued various ratings. Some were much better than others. One was a woman. She may or may not have been a better pilot than the men, but she was different in one very important way. I never saw her try to bully the aircraft. Her touch on the controls was sure and deft but also gentler, as though she were coaxing the craft to do her bidding. She taught me to be a patient and understanding pilot. That does not mean to fail to take decisive action when required, but to stay far enough ahead of the airplane to avoid having to display my awesome skills any more than necessary. After all, it wouldn't do to run out of airspeed, altitude, lift and talent all at the same time, now, would it?
Come to think of it, I believe I enjoy the company of females more than the company of males, at least in a one-on-one situation. I currently live with three members from the distaff branch of humanity and it works most of the time. Once in a while I feel as though I am treading water in a sea of estrogen and just barely keeping my head above the surface at that, but most often it is cool.
One thing I have noticed, or think I have, is that most women operate at a much greater intensity level than men. For a lot of guys, the career is what they do between beers, or between conquests. Many women, on the other hand, become so involved, so focused on their objectives that they have difficulty leaving the job at work. I have seen example after example where there is no contest when comparing the performance of men and women in the exact same jobs. The gals kick ass.
Where they often fail is with relationships.
They can have trouble balancing the needs of spouses, parents, kids, and work. They feel like they have to do it all, but God only gave us 24 hours in a day. Something always suffers, and the woman will feel guilty about her 'failings' when she notices. The people around her, though will be reluctant to tell her. She gives so much, so much of the time, she will just try in vain to cram in more if you do. Guys, on the other hand, are selfish enough to say 'The Hell with it, I've done enough today!" and go get that beer.
Ah, the Hell with it, I've done enough today!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Spare Time?
I have a new addiction. Great. That's all I need. At least this one only steals my time, and leaves my pocketbook and my health intact. Oh, and yes, I don't think I can be arrested for pursuing the object of my affliction.
The purveyor of this not-usually-fatal attraction was, of all people, my youngest daughter. When she first tried to turn me on to this, I resisted. "Nope, not interested, thanks." I even tried a little bit, and felt it just wasn't for me. "Why would anyone subject themselves to such torture?" I mused.
I let it be for several months, then one day ran across some my wife had left laying out on the counter. I was bored that day. Isn't that how we get hooked, sometimes? Bored with life, we try anything to break the daily monotony, or to escape, for even a brief moment the rituals and sameness, or attempt to forget the pain and suffering that are our constant companions?
What can it hurt to give it another try? If I find that it is really a problem, I'll just quit. I tried it before and put it down and walked away. Besides, I know that many people do it; surely they find something worthwhile or they wouldn't continue, right?
Well, the first one was easy. I thought, "There isn't much to this. I'll try another." It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. I figured I was taking it too easy on myself. Maybe if I pushed it a bit, I'd find more of a high. I tried the harder stuff, but I really still didn't feel the kick I expected. It was all too easy, almost like my tolerance was over the top.
I finished what was laying around. I say finished, but it was more like inhaling it. I was getting voracious, and hungry for a true test of my capacities. I went straight to the supplier, and asked for the hardest stuff available. I couldn't wait to get home and try it out. Because of my early, easy experience, I went straight for the hardest, ignoring the suggestions that perhaps it was best left to the 'old pros', the ones who had tons of experience.
I hit the wall so hard, there is still a dent. How could this happen to me? I had all the answers, didn't I? Why did I feel as though I had been kicked in the gut? I walked away from that experience badly shaken, my confidence in myself shattered. The old Ego took the worst hit. Sudoku had brought me to my knees. The funny thing is, even when I solve one of the "Challenger" puzzles, I don't even take time to do a little Dance of Supreme Victory; I just start another. By Golly, it is an addiction!
The purveyor of this not-usually-fatal attraction was, of all people, my youngest daughter. When she first tried to turn me on to this, I resisted. "Nope, not interested, thanks." I even tried a little bit, and felt it just wasn't for me. "Why would anyone subject themselves to such torture?" I mused.
I let it be for several months, then one day ran across some my wife had left laying out on the counter. I was bored that day. Isn't that how we get hooked, sometimes? Bored with life, we try anything to break the daily monotony, or to escape, for even a brief moment the rituals and sameness, or attempt to forget the pain and suffering that are our constant companions?
What can it hurt to give it another try? If I find that it is really a problem, I'll just quit. I tried it before and put it down and walked away. Besides, I know that many people do it; surely they find something worthwhile or they wouldn't continue, right?
Well, the first one was easy. I thought, "There isn't much to this. I'll try another." It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. I figured I was taking it too easy on myself. Maybe if I pushed it a bit, I'd find more of a high. I tried the harder stuff, but I really still didn't feel the kick I expected. It was all too easy, almost like my tolerance was over the top.
I finished what was laying around. I say finished, but it was more like inhaling it. I was getting voracious, and hungry for a true test of my capacities. I went straight to the supplier, and asked for the hardest stuff available. I couldn't wait to get home and try it out. Because of my early, easy experience, I went straight for the hardest, ignoring the suggestions that perhaps it was best left to the 'old pros', the ones who had tons of experience.
I hit the wall so hard, there is still a dent. How could this happen to me? I had all the answers, didn't I? Why did I feel as though I had been kicked in the gut? I walked away from that experience badly shaken, my confidence in myself shattered. The old Ego took the worst hit. Sudoku had brought me to my knees. The funny thing is, even when I solve one of the "Challenger" puzzles, I don't even take time to do a little Dance of Supreme Victory; I just start another. By Golly, it is an addiction!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Job Description
Ok, this is a serious question.
Who in their right mind could possibly want the top job in this country.
The pay is not that great. Personal liberty is almost non-existent, both during and after your term. You have the fate of the country and world in your hands, and every move you make is examined, critiqued and publicized. No matter how good a job you do, there will always be someone out there who wants to do you in. If you read this job description, would you rush to apply?
Ok, so you do get free room, board and transportation for you and your family and there is all that power......
Let's see....It might look like this:
Who in their right mind could possibly want the top job in this country.
The pay is not that great. Personal liberty is almost non-existent, both during and after your term. You have the fate of the country and world in your hands, and every move you make is examined, critiqued and publicized. No matter how good a job you do, there will always be someone out there who wants to do you in. If you read this job description, would you rush to apply?
Ok, so you do get free room, board and transportation for you and your family and there is all that power......
Let's see....It might look like this:
Wanted
Man or woman for executive position.
- Must have excellent leadership skills. Prior leadership experience helpful but not necessary.
- Charisma a definite plus.
- An extensive background check will be performed, and negative findings may or may not be disqualifying.
- Interview period: +/- 18 months. Note: During the interview you will be required to state exactly what you will accomplish if hired, without any knowledge of actual working conditions or true world situation.
- Contract period: 4 years, with possible 4 year extension. Contract may be terminated for cause at any time, but this has never happened and is highly unlikely.
- Duty day: 24/7/365
- Every decision made will be second-guessed, examined, criticized and publicized constantly and forever.
- Successful candidate will be required to give up personal driving, cell phone and most private time. Executive, spouse and children will be in constant physical peril; company provides security. Additionally, every action of spouse and children will be subject to constant scrutiny and publicity.
- Successful candidate may be required, with little notice, to make decisions that affect every soul on Earth.
- Candidate will be judged on his/her ability to read/speak English.
- Successful candidate will have his or her ass kissed by a truly incredible number of people, and will have the effect of stopping virtually all productive activity within a several mile radius.
- Some travel will be required. All transportation is provided by the company.
- Room and board included.
- Medical benefits: Exceptional.
- Note: At the end of your employment you will have the right and power to forgive the crimes of, and release if incarcerated, any person accused or convicted of any crime, civil or criminal within the United States of America.
I think that anyone who actually wants this job is not mentally fit for the position.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
The Great Equalizer
I attended an AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) function last night. It was our areas' annual 'Bring Your Sponsor to Dinner Banquet'. Good food, good friends.
I resisted joining AA for years. There were two reasons. One, I believed AA was for alcoholics (Yep. I got that one right), and two, I thought that going to all those meetings would seriously interfere with my drinking (Whadaya know, I got that one right, too!) When my life circumstances left me few other options, I wandered in, dazed and confused. This is not a commercial for AA, but I will say that it worked for me, and that I am much happier and healthier than I was before.
What I really wanted to say about it is that I was reminded last night just how much of a 'classless society' AA really is. Alcoholism is a truly equal opportunity addiction. It knows no economic, age, ethnic, or sexual preference boundaries. A function like this one, and AA as an organization, is unique in having a common bond between members that overcomes differences which in most other situations would become insurmountable obstacles.
Think of Dr. Hook's 'Freakin at the Freakers Ball', but without the drugs and booze. Oh, and yes, not only was it tremendous fun, but everyone who attended remembers what happened, and the services of the police were not required.
I resisted joining AA for years. There were two reasons. One, I believed AA was for alcoholics (Yep. I got that one right), and two, I thought that going to all those meetings would seriously interfere with my drinking (Whadaya know, I got that one right, too!) When my life circumstances left me few other options, I wandered in, dazed and confused. This is not a commercial for AA, but I will say that it worked for me, and that I am much happier and healthier than I was before.
What I really wanted to say about it is that I was reminded last night just how much of a 'classless society' AA really is. Alcoholism is a truly equal opportunity addiction. It knows no economic, age, ethnic, or sexual preference boundaries. A function like this one, and AA as an organization, is unique in having a common bond between members that overcomes differences which in most other situations would become insurmountable obstacles.
Think of Dr. Hook's 'Freakin at the Freakers Ball', but without the drugs and booze. Oh, and yes, not only was it tremendous fun, but everyone who attended remembers what happened, and the services of the police were not required.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
What Happens in Vegas Comes Home
Ever been to Las Vegas? I got married there, but I only visit often enough to be really aware of the changes. The new casinos on The Strip in particular. In case you don't know, 'The Strip' refers to Las Vegas Boulevard, a six to ten lane wide surface street that is lined with casinos and shops on both sides, as opposed to 'Downtown' Las Vegas where many of the older casinos are found.
The Strip has been the site of much of the new construction during the last 25 years because there is plenty of room to build these huge casino complexes and, as everyone knows, The Strip is where all the action is.
What strikes me about 'Glitter Gulch' is how much money has been spent, presumably to draw me here and give me an opportunity 'win' lots of money. As I walk along the strip at night, the sights which greet me almost defy description. I don't know how many millions of light bulbs, or how many miles of neon tubes are stretched out in this magnificent and gaudy display, but the numbers, if actually known, must be staggering.
The only thing as amazing as the casino light displays are the people walking the strip. I have never seen a more diverse cacophony of human condition anywhere. High society meets seamy depravity seamlessly on the streets of Las Vegas. Quarter-million dollar Lamborghini's are parked near casino entrances while 75 feet away, dark skinned Latinos are gathered in clusters on the sidewalk, clucking and snapping and trying to hand passers-by playing card sized advertisements for prostitutes. Are you a dad walking with your family? They will try to put a card in your hand. At least they aren't giving them to the kids......yet. But then, of course, downstream from the hawkers, the sidewalk is littered with these discarded mini-billboards. full color photo included. It's sad.
Perhaps much of this is due to the rise of American Indian Gaming across America. It wasn't really that long ago that Nevada was the only game in town in this country. If you wanted legal gambling you came here. Then the casinos in Atlantic City arose to capture the dollars that were going off-shore from the East Coast, and the give the folks that can't afford to travel West the same gaming opportunities as the people on the Left Coast. Now that Indian Gaming has pretty much spread throughout the country, Las Vegas has been left with no choice but to go way over the top to attract the bucks. It is more 'theme park' than anything else.
In the early days, the casinos worked hard to encourage visitors. Rooms were very reasonably priced, food was good, plentiful and cheap. Shows in the evening were not as extravagant, but not nearly so expensive, either. Ahhhh, for the good old days!
Now Vegas is an exercise in non-reality. Overkill for the senses to the nth degree and all of it thin shelled illusion, very convincing, to be sure, but illusion none the less. From the false-fronted New York, New York to the 'roller coaster in space' Stratosphere, Las Vegas is a huge stage, and from the moment you arrive until the second you leave, you are an actor in a 24/7/365 play whose only plot is making your purse as much lighter as possible.
There are two distinct worlds here. The front, or outside; the constant carnival the marks see, and backstage; the pumps and motors of the the water extravaganzas, the casino security, a thousand restaurant kitchens and laundries, the people and facilities to accommodate untold numbers of conventions and conventioneers.
Even Vegas weddings are part of the machine. I mentioned that I married in Las Vegas (it is still a go, BTW); my blushing bride and I were whisked by limo from our hotel to City Hall for our Wedding License, where the female half of the couple in line behind us was clad in a gorgeous blue bikini with matching wedding veil, then off to the famous 'Chapel of the Bells' where, following the service, the fella who married us reached down below the podium behind which he stood and came up with an audio cassette tape which he handed to my new wife saying, "Tomorrow morning, if he says he didn't, you now have proof that he did." Yep, pure essence of Las Vegas.
Is it fun? Hell, yes! Suspend your disbelief for a day or a weekend. Treat it like the amusement park that it is. There really is some amazing stuff to be found. Will you go home with more money than you brought? Possibly, but not very damn likely. That isn't in the script, you see. What really 'Stays in Vegas' is your money.
The Strip has been the site of much of the new construction during the last 25 years because there is plenty of room to build these huge casino complexes and, as everyone knows, The Strip is where all the action is.
What strikes me about 'Glitter Gulch' is how much money has been spent, presumably to draw me here and give me an opportunity 'win' lots of money. As I walk along the strip at night, the sights which greet me almost defy description. I don't know how many millions of light bulbs, or how many miles of neon tubes are stretched out in this magnificent and gaudy display, but the numbers, if actually known, must be staggering.
The only thing as amazing as the casino light displays are the people walking the strip. I have never seen a more diverse cacophony of human condition anywhere. High society meets seamy depravity seamlessly on the streets of Las Vegas. Quarter-million dollar Lamborghini's are parked near casino entrances while 75 feet away, dark skinned Latinos are gathered in clusters on the sidewalk, clucking and snapping and trying to hand passers-by playing card sized advertisements for prostitutes. Are you a dad walking with your family? They will try to put a card in your hand. At least they aren't giving them to the kids......yet. But then, of course, downstream from the hawkers, the sidewalk is littered with these discarded mini-billboards. full color photo included. It's sad.
Perhaps much of this is due to the rise of American Indian Gaming across America. It wasn't really that long ago that Nevada was the only game in town in this country. If you wanted legal gambling you came here. Then the casinos in Atlantic City arose to capture the dollars that were going off-shore from the East Coast, and the give the folks that can't afford to travel West the same gaming opportunities as the people on the Left Coast. Now that Indian Gaming has pretty much spread throughout the country, Las Vegas has been left with no choice but to go way over the top to attract the bucks. It is more 'theme park' than anything else.
In the early days, the casinos worked hard to encourage visitors. Rooms were very reasonably priced, food was good, plentiful and cheap. Shows in the evening were not as extravagant, but not nearly so expensive, either. Ahhhh, for the good old days!
Now Vegas is an exercise in non-reality. Overkill for the senses to the nth degree and all of it thin shelled illusion, very convincing, to be sure, but illusion none the less. From the false-fronted New York, New York to the 'roller coaster in space' Stratosphere, Las Vegas is a huge stage, and from the moment you arrive until the second you leave, you are an actor in a 24/7/365 play whose only plot is making your purse as much lighter as possible.
There are two distinct worlds here. The front, or outside; the constant carnival the marks see, and backstage; the pumps and motors of the the water extravaganzas, the casino security, a thousand restaurant kitchens and laundries, the people and facilities to accommodate untold numbers of conventions and conventioneers.
Even Vegas weddings are part of the machine. I mentioned that I married in Las Vegas (it is still a go, BTW); my blushing bride and I were whisked by limo from our hotel to City Hall for our Wedding License, where the female half of the couple in line behind us was clad in a gorgeous blue bikini with matching wedding veil, then off to the famous 'Chapel of the Bells' where, following the service, the fella who married us reached down below the podium behind which he stood and came up with an audio cassette tape which he handed to my new wife saying, "Tomorrow morning, if he says he didn't, you now have proof that he did." Yep, pure essence of Las Vegas.
Is it fun? Hell, yes! Suspend your disbelief for a day or a weekend. Treat it like the amusement park that it is. There really is some amazing stuff to be found. Will you go home with more money than you brought? Possibly, but not very damn likely. That isn't in the script, you see. What really 'Stays in Vegas' is your money.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
How Cool is This?
Just in case you are not one of those who keep up with such, Google Earth has been improving their free product, and there are some very nice features available. You do have to execute a new download, but it doesn't take too long. They have added significant underwater mapping, which not only looks awesome when hovering over the ocean, but gives you something to look at when you duck below the surface. They also snuck in star maps with embedded imagery of galaxies, nebulae and such from the Hubble telescope. Pretty cool. The Google Maps street view images can be selected from within Google Earth as well. Now, if we can get them to update the surface photos again..........
While you are there, check out the ship-breaking shores of Alang, India for a thought provoking view of how some Third World inhabitants are getting by.
Several evenings ago, Papa came by for dinner, still reasonably spry at 82. I hooked up the lap-top to the big screen, and we spent an hour or so taking the Grand Tour courtesy of Google Earth. Papa liked it, and although he owns a PC, he is not its master. Got me to thinking about the process by which we keep up with our technology. 'You snooze , you lose' has never been truer. The eight year old is growing up with all this, and if we manage not to burn down or drown the planet, she will see stuff the like of which I have not dreamed. Exciting/scary.
While you are there, check out the ship-breaking shores of Alang, India for a thought provoking view of how some Third World inhabitants are getting by.
Several evenings ago, Papa came by for dinner, still reasonably spry at 82. I hooked up the lap-top to the big screen, and we spent an hour or so taking the Grand Tour courtesy of Google Earth. Papa liked it, and although he owns a PC, he is not its master. Got me to thinking about the process by which we keep up with our technology. 'You snooze , you lose' has never been truer. The eight year old is growing up with all this, and if we manage not to burn down or drown the planet, she will see stuff the like of which I have not dreamed. Exciting/scary.
Another Fat Tuesday Down the Tubes
Lent has begun. I've never been one to give up something for Lent. It just never meant anything significant to me to do so. I had a relative by marriage twice removed who was raised in the Islamic way. When Ramadan came each year, she would declare that she was observing this by fasting from sunrise to sunset. OK.........Thass cool. Then she would switch from being a diurnal creature to a nocturnal one, so she could eat as much as she liked during the night, and sleep all day to avoid being aware of any hunger issues from her religious fasting. Huh.........? Observing the letter of the law while circumventing the spirit completely! Maybe she thought Allah wouldn't find out?
Anyway, I have given up plenty of late. I quit drinking alcohol. Turns out I was allergic to the darn stuff. Every time I drank, I broke out in handcuffs. I'm not agin it, it just doesn't work for me. Then I quit smoking after way too many years. I thought for the longest time that I would be immune to effects, but I was wrong, and it came down to choosing between smoking and breathing. That was a pretty easy choice, and when ever I have the urge to light up, I take a deep breath to remind myself how sweet being a non-smoker really is.
I was researching Ash Wednesday and Fat(Shrove) Tuesday this morning. Turns out that Fat Tuesday is called so because in the olden days, people would cook stuff to use up stores of items that wouldn't be used during Lent because during Lent you were not supposed to eat things that actually tasted good. Fat was one of those ingredients that added flavor and would not keep well during the Lenten season. Ergo: Fat Tuesday! Voila!
So what am I to give up for Lent? If I thought I was going to have any sex in the next 40 days, I could give that up, but honestly, I would be putting myself in the same boat as my Muslim ex-relative, and that is way too close to suit; there wouldn't be enough room in there for the both of us. Actually, since I quit smoking, I have put on a pound or two....maybe not eating stuff that tastes good isn't all that bad an idea.......
Anyway, I have given up plenty of late. I quit drinking alcohol. Turns out I was allergic to the darn stuff. Every time I drank, I broke out in handcuffs. I'm not agin it, it just doesn't work for me. Then I quit smoking after way too many years. I thought for the longest time that I would be immune to effects, but I was wrong, and it came down to choosing between smoking and breathing. That was a pretty easy choice, and when ever I have the urge to light up, I take a deep breath to remind myself how sweet being a non-smoker really is.
I was researching Ash Wednesday and Fat(Shrove) Tuesday this morning. Turns out that Fat Tuesday is called so because in the olden days, people would cook stuff to use up stores of items that wouldn't be used during Lent because during Lent you were not supposed to eat things that actually tasted good. Fat was one of those ingredients that added flavor and would not keep well during the Lenten season. Ergo: Fat Tuesday! Voila!
So what am I to give up for Lent? If I thought I was going to have any sex in the next 40 days, I could give that up, but honestly, I would be putting myself in the same boat as my Muslim ex-relative, and that is way too close to suit; there wouldn't be enough room in there for the both of us. Actually, since I quit smoking, I have put on a pound or two....maybe not eating stuff that tastes good isn't all that bad an idea.......
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Why?
Why is it that I can track and intercept a ping-pong ball coming at me a bazillion miles per hour, not only hit it back, but return it with additional speed and monster spin to a selected spot about the size of a postage stamp on my opponents' side of the table, but take another ball about the same size, balance it dead still on a wooden tee, then give me all day long to hit it, and all I can do is embarrass myself?
I've heard they only call it golf because all the other 4-letter words were already taken.
I've heard they only call it golf because all the other 4-letter words were already taken.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Das Geschenk
Earlier I spoke of Gifts, but I didn't really mention mine, so here goes.
Like a composer who can hear music in his or her head just by listening, and let it flow out their fingers on to paper to form a score, or a sculptor who can look at a slab of granite and 'see' the statue inside waiting to be released from its stony prison, I 'see' the way things work together, the relationships between devices mechanical and how they interact with each other, and often, the reasons why they are not working as they should.
It is not easy to describe, but it goes something like this: I let myself unfocus from the real world around me, and look with my minds eye at the problem I am trying to solve. I imagine that I must look like a kid daydreaming in school with that thousand-mile stare that sees nothing on this world.
I still do see, of course, and I'll often walk about as I imaginate; I know I must see, because I don't run in to stuff, but I don't really pay much attention to the outside world. It is odd to be looking at the real world, but actually see the bits I am working on displayed sort of transparently, floating in my field of vision.
While doing this, I feel like I am in a trance. I am alert, but my awareness of activities outside of myself is diminished. I can see how things will need to be shaped to accomplish a task, how they will need to move to achieve a goal. This is very much a 'daydream' state for me. Often it helps to move my hands as though they were the parts I am trying to noodle out. The kinesthetic motion of my body is translated into visualized motion in my head.
If I take one of those stupid skills tests, the areas I'll do well in are the ones where you are asked to look at several flat patterns and determine which one will create a given shape, or the questions that involve which of these patterns is most like that one or what is next in a given series. I don't believe I am exceptionally smart, but maybe somewhat above average.
I work on two separate levels. The first is the concept level. This is where most of the 'Outside the Box" thinking happens for me. I am often looking for new ways to accomplish an ordinary task. I usually start from an ideal result and try to reverse-engineer a solution, keeping in mind design points or objectives which I have defined at the start of a project. These can be anything from developing a less expensive process, making a task less labor intensive, incorporating new materials, setting limits or boundaries, increasing efficiency, or creating a new product, to solving a recurring maintenance issue or redesigning to accommodate the unavailability of original parts (this is becoming an increasingly inconvenient situation). Always, simplicity is a given. It has been my experience that needless complexity has resulted more failed design than any other single cause. For me, simplicity is beauty.
Once I have a concept that pleases me, the nuts and bolts have to be made to work. Sometimes reality interferes with concept, but the fun part has to do with available technology. Because there are so many advances in materials, power and control happening every day, the designs have to re-evaluated with respect to new information and new technology. Making the system work is one thing, making it easy to build is quite another. I try to always keep in mind the strengths and weaknesses of the people who will execute the design, and often seek their input at this stage. Talking with the people who have to do the work - early and often - can save many headaches and a bunch of time. I must trust others in their areas of expertise to be effective in my role. I have a tendency to be a bit anal at times, and this really comes in handy when doing the detail work. I like to get the screwing up and fixing out of the way before the building starts.
Because my talent is focused pretty much in the mechanical arena, there are specific disciplines that are crucial to my success. The first is basic physics. The concepts of mass, inertia, speed, acceleration, torque, friction, gravity, momentum and energy form my building blocks; mathematics provides the tools I need to plan and analyze, to choose which of so many options will result in the best compromise for the situation. Cross training in chemistry, hydraulics, pneumatics, electricity, electronics and computers has also been essential to me.
I am fortunate to be able to work in a situation that takes advantage of my Gift. I enjoy going to work every day, and they pay me to do what I would gladly do for free. Can you believe it? They even provide me tools which are beyond my means, and which make me better and faster!
My most abiding personal trait is curiosity. Always has been. I have to know the 'why' and 'how' of stuff. I can watch people work, plants grow, animals forage, even paint dry for hours with an eye to extracting every bit of information there is to be gained from the processes I observe.
My biggest resentment is that I did not have a mentor in my youth who could say to me "Look, this is your Gift, this is what you love and this is what you are good at. Here are some ways you can use this Gift. Go. Take advantage of what you have been given." But there was no single person who had an opportunity to observe me and give me direction. The end result for me was some needlessly wasted years.
Here is a bit of advice. If you are still wondering what you are to do with your life, take a long look at the things you enjoyed doing as a child, especially the things you pretended to be then. You know, the things that caught your fancy before others began stepping on your dreams. This is where you will find your purpose and your fulfillment.
When I look back (Yeah I know, that's a big waste of time), I can see so many instances where I used my Gift as a youth, solving problems that baffled the adults around me; it seems like it should have been obvious to me, but seeing the obvious is not necessarily one of my Gifts.
So what do I like to do when I'm not working? I love music, both playing and listening; painting with watercolors; photography, especially fine art images with an emphasis on the unusual or unexpected perspective; flying; sailing; driving fast cars fast; meeting new people; but perhaps above all, learning. as I said before, I have to learn.
I can guarantee you that when I die, if you listen carefully, at the end you'll hear me say something along the lines of "Now, isn't this interesting!"
Like a composer who can hear music in his or her head just by listening, and let it flow out their fingers on to paper to form a score, or a sculptor who can look at a slab of granite and 'see' the statue inside waiting to be released from its stony prison, I 'see' the way things work together, the relationships between devices mechanical and how they interact with each other, and often, the reasons why they are not working as they should.
It is not easy to describe, but it goes something like this: I let myself unfocus from the real world around me, and look with my minds eye at the problem I am trying to solve. I imagine that I must look like a kid daydreaming in school with that thousand-mile stare that sees nothing on this world.
I still do see, of course, and I'll often walk about as I imaginate; I know I must see, because I don't run in to stuff, but I don't really pay much attention to the outside world. It is odd to be looking at the real world, but actually see the bits I am working on displayed sort of transparently, floating in my field of vision.
While doing this, I feel like I am in a trance. I am alert, but my awareness of activities outside of myself is diminished. I can see how things will need to be shaped to accomplish a task, how they will need to move to achieve a goal. This is very much a 'daydream' state for me. Often it helps to move my hands as though they were the parts I am trying to noodle out. The kinesthetic motion of my body is translated into visualized motion in my head.
If I take one of those stupid skills tests, the areas I'll do well in are the ones where you are asked to look at several flat patterns and determine which one will create a given shape, or the questions that involve which of these patterns is most like that one or what is next in a given series. I don't believe I am exceptionally smart, but maybe somewhat above average.
I work on two separate levels. The first is the concept level. This is where most of the 'Outside the Box" thinking happens for me. I am often looking for new ways to accomplish an ordinary task. I usually start from an ideal result and try to reverse-engineer a solution, keeping in mind design points or objectives which I have defined at the start of a project. These can be anything from developing a less expensive process, making a task less labor intensive, incorporating new materials, setting limits or boundaries, increasing efficiency, or creating a new product, to solving a recurring maintenance issue or redesigning to accommodate the unavailability of original parts (this is becoming an increasingly inconvenient situation). Always, simplicity is a given. It has been my experience that needless complexity has resulted more failed design than any other single cause. For me, simplicity is beauty.
Once I have a concept that pleases me, the nuts and bolts have to be made to work. Sometimes reality interferes with concept, but the fun part has to do with available technology. Because there are so many advances in materials, power and control happening every day, the designs have to re-evaluated with respect to new information and new technology. Making the system work is one thing, making it easy to build is quite another. I try to always keep in mind the strengths and weaknesses of the people who will execute the design, and often seek their input at this stage. Talking with the people who have to do the work - early and often - can save many headaches and a bunch of time. I must trust others in their areas of expertise to be effective in my role. I have a tendency to be a bit anal at times, and this really comes in handy when doing the detail work. I like to get the screwing up and fixing out of the way before the building starts.
Because my talent is focused pretty much in the mechanical arena, there are specific disciplines that are crucial to my success. The first is basic physics. The concepts of mass, inertia, speed, acceleration, torque, friction, gravity, momentum and energy form my building blocks; mathematics provides the tools I need to plan and analyze, to choose which of so many options will result in the best compromise for the situation. Cross training in chemistry, hydraulics, pneumatics, electricity, electronics and computers has also been essential to me.
I am fortunate to be able to work in a situation that takes advantage of my Gift. I enjoy going to work every day, and they pay me to do what I would gladly do for free. Can you believe it? They even provide me tools which are beyond my means, and which make me better and faster!
My most abiding personal trait is curiosity. Always has been. I have to know the 'why' and 'how' of stuff. I can watch people work, plants grow, animals forage, even paint dry for hours with an eye to extracting every bit of information there is to be gained from the processes I observe.
My biggest resentment is that I did not have a mentor in my youth who could say to me "Look, this is your Gift, this is what you love and this is what you are good at. Here are some ways you can use this Gift. Go. Take advantage of what you have been given." But there was no single person who had an opportunity to observe me and give me direction. The end result for me was some needlessly wasted years.
Here is a bit of advice. If you are still wondering what you are to do with your life, take a long look at the things you enjoyed doing as a child, especially the things you pretended to be then. You know, the things that caught your fancy before others began stepping on your dreams. This is where you will find your purpose and your fulfillment.
When I look back (Yeah I know, that's a big waste of time), I can see so many instances where I used my Gift as a youth, solving problems that baffled the adults around me; it seems like it should have been obvious to me, but seeing the obvious is not necessarily one of my Gifts.
So what do I like to do when I'm not working? I love music, both playing and listening; painting with watercolors; photography, especially fine art images with an emphasis on the unusual or unexpected perspective; flying; sailing; driving fast cars fast; meeting new people; but perhaps above all, learning. as I said before, I have to learn.
I can guarantee you that when I die, if you listen carefully, at the end you'll hear me say something along the lines of "Now, isn't this interesting!"
Yeah, Right. Like That's Gonna Happen.
When do you abandon the past? Seriously.
Advances in technology are making so many skills obsolete, when do we embrace the new and cast out the old?
Take photography, for instance. Digital camera technology is advancing at a most rapid rate. Digital image processing, even faster. So, what of film processing skills? I know for a fact that as beautiful as my digital pictures are, they pale in comparison to a well crafted film based image. And yet, the market will dictate that film photography will cease to exist for most of us entirely, or at least become so prohibitively expensive that few will maintain the necessary skills.
This is the way of things, though.
As an example, how many people know how to create a daguerreotype (or even know what the hell it is!)? Ansel Adams, one of the best film guys ever, acknowledged that digital photography was the 'wave of the future' years before his death in 1984. Still, as I look at the funny flat black areas on my digital prints or the solid whites of the clouds, I recall that yes, there was detail I could see in real life that exists not in the digital world.
Digital music has replaced analog recording pretty much completely. I was in a recording studio a couple of years ago. In the technicians' booth there was a huge mixing board, easily six feet wide and three feet deep, covered with switches, dials and sliders. Sitting on top of the mixing board, right in the middle, was a laptop. The laptop made everything else in the room obsolete. No audio tape on slow turning reels. The mixing board would have been gone, as well, but it cost too much to remove it. And yet some folks claim they can tell the difference between digital and analog sound. No, not by the lack of hiss, clicks and pops, but in sound quality; a richness born of overtones and harmonics and the sympathetic responses of our surroundings to frequencies that we cannot hear directly, but which are captured in analog recordings and rejected as noise in the digital world. And what about the guy I saw on the tube who could identify music by looking at the light reflecting from the grooves of a vinyl record? (For those of you under 25, a vinyl record is like a big, very flat, black pancake, which when played on a 'record player' would yield a sort of 'music') How is that guy gonna earn a living now?
Of course, complete digital files are better than the MP3 files of which we are so fond.
Still, I am willing to endure the clipping inherent in these to have thousands of my own tunes available and oh so convenient on that long airline flight, or to cover the yapping of my neighbors wiener dogs while I work in the yard.
How many kids will never pick up a real guitar because they can play Guitar Hero right now?
If you were born within the last twenty years, you may never know what you missed, and you just might not care.
I saw a movie, THX 1138, released in 1971. It depicted a future in which people lived in relative isolation, communicated (and 'hooked up') via video screens while eating prepackaged meals. They were monitored 24/7, and reality was tailored for them to suit the purposes of the controlling 'powers that were'. I remember thinking 'Yeah, right. Like that's gonna happen'
Hang on!
Advances in technology are making so many skills obsolete, when do we embrace the new and cast out the old?
Take photography, for instance. Digital camera technology is advancing at a most rapid rate. Digital image processing, even faster. So, what of film processing skills? I know for a fact that as beautiful as my digital pictures are, they pale in comparison to a well crafted film based image. And yet, the market will dictate that film photography will cease to exist for most of us entirely, or at least become so prohibitively expensive that few will maintain the necessary skills.
This is the way of things, though.
As an example, how many people know how to create a daguerreotype (or even know what the hell it is!)? Ansel Adams, one of the best film guys ever, acknowledged that digital photography was the 'wave of the future' years before his death in 1984. Still, as I look at the funny flat black areas on my digital prints or the solid whites of the clouds, I recall that yes, there was detail I could see in real life that exists not in the digital world.
Digital music has replaced analog recording pretty much completely. I was in a recording studio a couple of years ago. In the technicians' booth there was a huge mixing board, easily six feet wide and three feet deep, covered with switches, dials and sliders. Sitting on top of the mixing board, right in the middle, was a laptop. The laptop made everything else in the room obsolete. No audio tape on slow turning reels. The mixing board would have been gone, as well, but it cost too much to remove it. And yet some folks claim they can tell the difference between digital and analog sound. No, not by the lack of hiss, clicks and pops, but in sound quality; a richness born of overtones and harmonics and the sympathetic responses of our surroundings to frequencies that we cannot hear directly, but which are captured in analog recordings and rejected as noise in the digital world. And what about the guy I saw on the tube who could identify music by looking at the light reflecting from the grooves of a vinyl record? (For those of you under 25, a vinyl record is like a big, very flat, black pancake, which when played on a 'record player' would yield a sort of 'music') How is that guy gonna earn a living now?
Of course, complete digital files are better than the MP3 files of which we are so fond.
Still, I am willing to endure the clipping inherent in these to have thousands of my own tunes available and oh so convenient on that long airline flight, or to cover the yapping of my neighbors wiener dogs while I work in the yard.
How many kids will never pick up a real guitar because they can play Guitar Hero right now?
If you were born within the last twenty years, you may never know what you missed, and you just might not care.
I saw a movie, THX 1138, released in 1971. It depicted a future in which people lived in relative isolation, communicated (and 'hooked up') via video screens while eating prepackaged meals. They were monitored 24/7, and reality was tailored for them to suit the purposes of the controlling 'powers that were'. I remember thinking 'Yeah, right. Like that's gonna happen'
Hang on!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Here's Your New Car
The Academy Awards were presented last night. I didn't watch....again. I feel that actors are incredibly overpaid, and I have no desire to watch yet another episode of these people patting themselves on the back. I think the fact of the matter is that they do not often have the opportunity to go home after an honest days' work and take pride in a job well done. Therefore they have to constantly seek the approval of their peers.
Aannndddd, while we are on the subject, what on Earth qualifies any of these folk to attempt to impose their opinions on me? I certainly understand that they make so much money and work so little that they are bored out of their gourds, and I do believe that some of them want to make a difference in the world, but most of them absolutely go about it the wrong way.
Take Oprah, please! (To paraphrase Henny Youngman) Giving away all those cars?!? I will only believe that act truly benefited anybody except Oprah herself when she visits the people she 'helped' and learns first hand how much her generosity really changed their lives in a positive, lasting and meaningful way.
I do not believe you can improve any ones' life by giving them money (or a house, for that matter). Call me old fashioned, but people don't appreciate things they haven't worked for. The recipients only end up resenting the gift and the giver.
The type of help I respect is performance based. George Weiss began a program in 1991 which offered college tuition to high risk students who were willing to do the work necessary to graduate high school and gain entrance to college, with excellent results. Although not all the kids ultimately went to college, a much larger percentage graduated high school than would have been expected. The message was clearly " I'll believe in you if you will believe in yourself."
Tell me that is not a bazillion times more empowering than saying "Here's a car...good luck!"
Aannndddd, while we are on the subject, what on Earth qualifies any of these folk to attempt to impose their opinions on me? I certainly understand that they make so much money and work so little that they are bored out of their gourds, and I do believe that some of them want to make a difference in the world, but most of them absolutely go about it the wrong way.
Take Oprah, please! (To paraphrase Henny Youngman) Giving away all those cars?!? I will only believe that act truly benefited anybody except Oprah herself when she visits the people she 'helped' and learns first hand how much her generosity really changed their lives in a positive, lasting and meaningful way.
I do not believe you can improve any ones' life by giving them money (or a house, for that matter). Call me old fashioned, but people don't appreciate things they haven't worked for. The recipients only end up resenting the gift and the giver.
The type of help I respect is performance based. George Weiss began a program in 1991 which offered college tuition to high risk students who were willing to do the work necessary to graduate high school and gain entrance to college, with excellent results. Although not all the kids ultimately went to college, a much larger percentage graduated high school than would have been expected. The message was clearly " I'll believe in you if you will believe in yourself."
Tell me that is not a bazillion times more empowering than saying "Here's a car...good luck!"
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Not a 'Rant'......Honest
No one ever accused me of linear thinking. That isn't either good or bad, it just is. Non-linear thinking does take one on some interesting mind trips: the question is, where is the line between cutting edge and over the edge?
Anyway, I was thinking about people whose life paths are highly non-traditional. By that I guess I mean that they are more decorative than useful.
That led me to thoughts of how our communities are organized today versus how they might have been organized 10,000 (arbitrary, to be sure) years ago. Back when we were hunter-gatherers, we lived in much smaller groups. Everyone had a function and contributed to the survival and well-being of the band.
If you were a member of such, you might have been a hunter, or someone who prepared the catch, either for immediate consumption or for storage and use later, perhaps in winter. Maybe you were a toolmaker, a farmer, a medicine person or a historian. There weren't books then; all records and collected knowledge of the band were passed from generation to generation by word of mouth from story tellers who were repositories of fact and legend. People would sit around the fire and learn by listening to his story.
Bottom line, though, is that contributions were required from every member of the tribe. There simply were not the resources to support a large number of 'decorative' individuals.
If the tribe needed to move frequently to follow the game or harvest the grain, a smaller community unit could handle this easier than a larger one. The smaller unit was also simpler in terms of organisation and control. The span of command was doable.
If a group wanted to live permanently in a single location, the questions of food supply, water availability and sanitation had to be addressed. Conservation of resources was a necessity even then. If the local area was 'hunted out' the group could starve; mismanage sanitation and disease could easily decimate the village.
Still, solve these and other issues, and you could establish your town, and economies of scale might allow some more esoteric occupations to flourish. Perhaps your community could support a budding scientist who might make discoveries which could improve the common good or a group of full time entertainers. These entertainers may have previously travelled about, visiting tribe after tribe, providing much needed R and R without being a burden to any one group for long.
Anyway, you get the picture.
Today we have the option of choosing our occupations and our lifestyles with an unheard of degree of freedom. Some of the lifestyle choices we make close the door, either temporarily or permanently on occupations available to us. Our high degree of specialization and integration are important factors which allow this. This all works pretty good in a system that is functioning in good order, much as ours has for the last hundred years or so, but we are coming up on more difficult times. Can you afford to be 'decorative' today?
Anyway, I was thinking about people whose life paths are highly non-traditional. By that I guess I mean that they are more decorative than useful.
That led me to thoughts of how our communities are organized today versus how they might have been organized 10,000 (arbitrary, to be sure) years ago. Back when we were hunter-gatherers, we lived in much smaller groups. Everyone had a function and contributed to the survival and well-being of the band.
If you were a member of such, you might have been a hunter, or someone who prepared the catch, either for immediate consumption or for storage and use later, perhaps in winter. Maybe you were a toolmaker, a farmer, a medicine person or a historian. There weren't books then; all records and collected knowledge of the band were passed from generation to generation by word of mouth from story tellers who were repositories of fact and legend. People would sit around the fire and learn by listening to his story.
Bottom line, though, is that contributions were required from every member of the tribe. There simply were not the resources to support a large number of 'decorative' individuals.
If the tribe needed to move frequently to follow the game or harvest the grain, a smaller community unit could handle this easier than a larger one. The smaller unit was also simpler in terms of organisation and control. The span of command was doable.
If a group wanted to live permanently in a single location, the questions of food supply, water availability and sanitation had to be addressed. Conservation of resources was a necessity even then. If the local area was 'hunted out' the group could starve; mismanage sanitation and disease could easily decimate the village.
Still, solve these and other issues, and you could establish your town, and economies of scale might allow some more esoteric occupations to flourish. Perhaps your community could support a budding scientist who might make discoveries which could improve the common good or a group of full time entertainers. These entertainers may have previously travelled about, visiting tribe after tribe, providing much needed R and R without being a burden to any one group for long.
Anyway, you get the picture.
Today we have the option of choosing our occupations and our lifestyles with an unheard of degree of freedom. Some of the lifestyle choices we make close the door, either temporarily or permanently on occupations available to us. Our high degree of specialization and integration are important factors which allow this. This all works pretty good in a system that is functioning in good order, much as ours has for the last hundred years or so, but we are coming up on more difficult times. Can you afford to be 'decorative' today?
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
To Be or Not To Be.......Me
Yesterday I was skipping/skimming through YouTube. It's funny, but it really doesn't matter where you start, it doesn't take long before you stumble into some pretty bizarre content. I am constantly amazed by the breadth and depth (or lack of same) to be discovered here. Is the content truly endless? (I know some is truly mindless!) How much server space is used by all this? But I digress.....
I ran across a bunch of Vlogs posted by a T-girl, handle of karmatic1110. After ponging through several of the posts, I came to several conclusions. The main one being that I am so glad that I am not conflicted about my gender. Another is that it is incredible to contemplate the lengths to which some people will go for happiness peace of mind. Seems like all we really want is to be happy, but the harder we chase it, the more difficult holding on to it becomes. Kinda like holding butter in your hand....if you try to squeeze it, it goes away. What begs the question is this: seems like there are a lot more guys who wish they were girls than vice-versa. Is being a girl more rewarding? Or is the surgery just a lot easier? Perhaps men are more subject to the gender blender than women? I know there have been many women who lived life as men in the past, but I am not really sure if that is related more to sexual preference or economic consideration. The pirate Mary(Mark) Read comes to mind. Thank you, karmatic1110, for the insight into your world. I do wish you all the best.
Women really have a raw deal today. Everywhere you turn the message is the same. Stay young. Be a hottie. Like there is much of a choice. Men get distinguished, women get old. How many dollars are spent every day by women trying to slow or turn back the clock? Is this propagated by men or women? Everyone has heard of the 'trophy wife', but seldom is there talk of 'trophy husbands'. The women-folk have the good sense to rent rather than buy. Keep the man who is already 'broken to the bit' and won't be any trouble, and invest in a good massage once in a while. The guys, of course, have this need to show off, a universal pissing contest with no winners. Someone once said "Youth....... is wasted on the young."
Another thing....ever notice that the human animal is the only one that does not follow Mother Nature's path. Think about it. In every species except us, the male is the colorful one, the one with the magnificent mane or the glorious feathers, the huge horns or colorful markings. We are the only species where the female is the sparkly one. Twisted and un-natural if you ask me.
I ran across a bunch of Vlogs posted by a T-girl, handle of karmatic1110. After ponging through several of the posts, I came to several conclusions. The main one being that I am so glad that I am not conflicted about my gender. Another is that it is incredible to contemplate the lengths to which some people will go for happiness peace of mind. Seems like all we really want is to be happy, but the harder we chase it, the more difficult holding on to it becomes. Kinda like holding butter in your hand....if you try to squeeze it, it goes away. What begs the question is this: seems like there are a lot more guys who wish they were girls than vice-versa. Is being a girl more rewarding? Or is the surgery just a lot easier? Perhaps men are more subject to the gender blender than women? I know there have been many women who lived life as men in the past, but I am not really sure if that is related more to sexual preference or economic consideration. The pirate Mary(Mark) Read comes to mind. Thank you, karmatic1110, for the insight into your world. I do wish you all the best.
Women really have a raw deal today. Everywhere you turn the message is the same. Stay young. Be a hottie. Like there is much of a choice. Men get distinguished, women get old. How many dollars are spent every day by women trying to slow or turn back the clock? Is this propagated by men or women? Everyone has heard of the 'trophy wife', but seldom is there talk of 'trophy husbands'. The women-folk have the good sense to rent rather than buy. Keep the man who is already 'broken to the bit' and won't be any trouble, and invest in a good massage once in a while. The guys, of course, have this need to show off, a universal pissing contest with no winners. Someone once said "Youth....... is wasted on the young."
Another thing....ever notice that the human animal is the only one that does not follow Mother Nature's path. Think about it. In every species except us, the male is the colorful one, the one with the magnificent mane or the glorious feathers, the huge horns or colorful markings. We are the only species where the female is the sparkly one. Twisted and un-natural if you ask me.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
I Wish I May, I Wish I Might
Didja ever want someone else's Gift? (Yeah, Gift with a capitol 'G'. It's kinda like God and totally appropriate) I don't think I mean coveting your brother's bicycle at Christmas or even you neighbor's wife, but instead, wishing you could do something really well that you know you can't.
Here are examples:
I wish I could write a book, but I don't believe I can. There are so many great authors is the world; some are alive right now. Men and women whose imaginations bend to complete tales; who can envision dialogue and witty repartee, write it all down and entertain the heck out of me. It is a Gift. I get started with what I think is a great idea, and within 500 words or so, I have run out of ideas, motivation and patience pretty much simultaneously.
I would love to be able to draw or paint. I know there are those who can see images in their mind's eye, and faithfully re-create those images on paper or film or electronically and capture the in-head image for me to enjoy. A Gift. I am lucky to pick a trim color that goes with the wall.
Or the person who can hear the music between their ears, write out the notes, and then have someone else play the song for the first time, and it comes out just as they 'heard' it. Gift. Just think.....Handel wrote the Messiah in it's entirety in just 24 days. According to legend this occurred after accepted Christianity as his faith. Gift or Inspiration?
What about the individual who can see a printed note on a page and then sing that exact pitch? I have heard that the human ear can distinguish frequency differences as small as 1 cycle per second. Sing an A#. It's a Gift.
The engineer who can design a bridge or a dam. Gift.
The singer who can make me shiver, the driver who can pilot a race car at 200 mph inches away from the track wall and never flinch, the teacher who can explain so that even I can understand. All Gifts.
I believe we are all Gifted, and I believe some of us make much better use of our Gifts than others. What I am unsure of is the nature of our Gifts. Perhaps we are born with many opportunities, but only the ones that are nurtured really grow. Some of us are blessed with multiple Gifts, some with only one, and I suppose there a few unfortunates with none, though I find this difficult to believe.
So, yeah. I wish I could write like Clancy, paint like Bosch, compose like McCartney, fly like Scholl, make money like Turner, dance like Baryshnikov, sing like Sinatra. golf like Jack, play like Les, think like Einstein.....well, I think you get the picture. Which one do I want? All of them, please!
Hey, you! Yeah, you! What is your Gift? Use it or lose it.
Here are examples:
I wish I could write a book, but I don't believe I can. There are so many great authors is the world; some are alive right now. Men and women whose imaginations bend to complete tales; who can envision dialogue and witty repartee, write it all down and entertain the heck out of me. It is a Gift. I get started with what I think is a great idea, and within 500 words or so, I have run out of ideas, motivation and patience pretty much simultaneously.
I would love to be able to draw or paint. I know there are those who can see images in their mind's eye, and faithfully re-create those images on paper or film or electronically and capture the in-head image for me to enjoy. A Gift. I am lucky to pick a trim color that goes with the wall.
Or the person who can hear the music between their ears, write out the notes, and then have someone else play the song for the first time, and it comes out just as they 'heard' it. Gift. Just think.....Handel wrote the Messiah in it's entirety in just 24 days. According to legend this occurred after accepted Christianity as his faith. Gift or Inspiration?
What about the individual who can see a printed note on a page and then sing that exact pitch? I have heard that the human ear can distinguish frequency differences as small as 1 cycle per second. Sing an A#. It's a Gift.
The engineer who can design a bridge or a dam. Gift.
The singer who can make me shiver, the driver who can pilot a race car at 200 mph inches away from the track wall and never flinch, the teacher who can explain so that even I can understand. All Gifts.
I believe we are all Gifted, and I believe some of us make much better use of our Gifts than others. What I am unsure of is the nature of our Gifts. Perhaps we are born with many opportunities, but only the ones that are nurtured really grow. Some of us are blessed with multiple Gifts, some with only one, and I suppose there a few unfortunates with none, though I find this difficult to believe.
So, yeah. I wish I could write like Clancy, paint like Bosch, compose like McCartney, fly like Scholl, make money like Turner, dance like Baryshnikov, sing like Sinatra. golf like Jack, play like Les, think like Einstein.....well, I think you get the picture. Which one do I want? All of them, please!
Hey, you! Yeah, you! What is your Gift? Use it or lose it.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
I Don't Want A Harem
Had to visit a family member who was placed in a Convalescent Home to recover from an accident. Now there's a depressing place! As I was leaving, I walked down a long hall. Randomly scattered along the hall were wheelchairs, each occupied by a tiny white-haired woman.
It seems our Convalescent homes are, of course, filled with mostly old women. Our menfolk generally die off long before they reach the wheelchair stage. Except for one guy. Most of the 'homes' I have visited have one guy....one old fart who wasn't smart enough to die at the right time, or so pissed off God that She is making him pay by granting him the boon of extended life in the company of a virtual harem all to himself. Be careful what you wish for, right?
Anyway, these 'ladies of the hall' have a couple of things in common: the aforementioned white hair. and the fact that they were all fast asleep. I guess they are belted in to the wheelchairs so they don't tumble out. Very quiet bunch, they were. They mostly resembled a wide-spread flock of sheep gently grazing a peaceful meadow.
I am sure heart attacks are somewhat painful, and probably difficult to forecast, but at least the 'linger' factor is pretty low.
It seems our Convalescent homes are, of course, filled with mostly old women. Our menfolk generally die off long before they reach the wheelchair stage. Except for one guy. Most of the 'homes' I have visited have one guy....one old fart who wasn't smart enough to die at the right time, or so pissed off God that She is making him pay by granting him the boon of extended life in the company of a virtual harem all to himself. Be careful what you wish for, right?
Anyway, these 'ladies of the hall' have a couple of things in common: the aforementioned white hair. and the fact that they were all fast asleep. I guess they are belted in to the wheelchairs so they don't tumble out. Very quiet bunch, they were. They mostly resembled a wide-spread flock of sheep gently grazing a peaceful meadow.
I am sure heart attacks are somewhat painful, and probably difficult to forecast, but at least the 'linger' factor is pretty low.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
I Have To Do What?
I'll spoil the surprise up front.
I have to learn.
I can't help it. It is something genetic, I guess, because I have no choice in the matter.
Place, skill, person, art, language, culture, my curiosity is overwhelming.
I am really not sure if it is a Gift or a Curse, but if there is something going on around me, I cannot rest until I have absorbed all I can about it. It does not make any difference if it is knitting or hand grenades, inquiring minds want to know, ya know.
The Gift part is easy...when something is broken, I have probably already seen how to fix it or something very much like it before, ergo, no mystery there. The toaster is on the fritz? Not for long if I'm around.
The Curse part comes from having a bunch of relatively useless information rattling around inside my head.(Wanna know how a slide rule works? I gotcha covered. Now that is gonna come in handy some day!) Not to mention my total inability to enjoy watching someone create a masterpiece without trying to figure out how it is done.
On the plus side, I have learned some pretty cool stuff. I can pop an Abalone off a rock at low tide and serve it for lunch 10 minutes later. If the pilot of our jumbo jet is incapacitated, there is a reasonable chance I can land the damn thing. I know the difference between a Diffenbachia and a Bromeliad. I know when to hit and when to stand, most of the time. I know where the little man in the boat lives, and what makes him happy. I can tell you the difference between Pahoehoe and A'a. I can tell you the 4 types of booze needed to make a Screaming Orgasm. Wanna go for a sail? I'm a fair to middlin' skipper, although what that has to do with cotton, I'm not sure. Most of this is useful, to one degree or another.
The sad part is that my idea of a good time usually involves something like a little visited corner of a Calculus Text, a crackling fireplace, and a cup of java. Sweet! Or maybe substitute a foreign language text(is it true that if you can invite someone to sleep with you in another language, that qualifies as being fluent in said language?). Speaking of Calculus, our old friend Newton developed the beast at about the same rate that students learn it from books today. Amazing!
I have to admit that I am quite jealous of the scientists of yesterday. The men and women who discovered the simple stuff. We stand on their shoulders today. And while it might seem easy to have deduced that the Earth revolved around the Sun, today we don't have to worry about being tortured for teaching such blasphemy. I think it would have been fun to carry a barometer up a mountain and figure out that air gets thinner the higher you go. It seems one needs a gene sequencer or a superconducting supercollider to do any meaningful research these days.
Don't let me convince you that I consider my learning disability to be a handicap. The only problem is one of focus. I majored in twelve different subjects, but have degrees in none. On the other hand, I am sure that had I settled down and chosen just one, I'd have been a miserable failure. Let me sing you a song while I paint you a picture while I cook you a meal while I deliver your child while I mend your clothes while I build you a fire while I write you a book while I build you a house while I open your eyes while I take you to bed while I show you the visions that dance in my head. Wait...where did I put that book?
I have to learn.
I can't help it. It is something genetic, I guess, because I have no choice in the matter.
Place, skill, person, art, language, culture, my curiosity is overwhelming.
I am really not sure if it is a Gift or a Curse, but if there is something going on around me, I cannot rest until I have absorbed all I can about it. It does not make any difference if it is knitting or hand grenades, inquiring minds want to know, ya know.
The Gift part is easy...when something is broken, I have probably already seen how to fix it or something very much like it before, ergo, no mystery there. The toaster is on the fritz? Not for long if I'm around.
The Curse part comes from having a bunch of relatively useless information rattling around inside my head.(Wanna know how a slide rule works? I gotcha covered. Now that is gonna come in handy some day!) Not to mention my total inability to enjoy watching someone create a masterpiece without trying to figure out how it is done.
On the plus side, I have learned some pretty cool stuff. I can pop an Abalone off a rock at low tide and serve it for lunch 10 minutes later. If the pilot of our jumbo jet is incapacitated, there is a reasonable chance I can land the damn thing. I know the difference between a Diffenbachia and a Bromeliad. I know when to hit and when to stand, most of the time. I know where the little man in the boat lives, and what makes him happy. I can tell you the difference between Pahoehoe and A'a. I can tell you the 4 types of booze needed to make a Screaming Orgasm. Wanna go for a sail? I'm a fair to middlin' skipper, although what that has to do with cotton, I'm not sure. Most of this is useful, to one degree or another.
The sad part is that my idea of a good time usually involves something like a little visited corner of a Calculus Text, a crackling fireplace, and a cup of java. Sweet! Or maybe substitute a foreign language text(is it true that if you can invite someone to sleep with you in another language, that qualifies as being fluent in said language?). Speaking of Calculus, our old friend Newton developed the beast at about the same rate that students learn it from books today. Amazing!
I have to admit that I am quite jealous of the scientists of yesterday. The men and women who discovered the simple stuff. We stand on their shoulders today. And while it might seem easy to have deduced that the Earth revolved around the Sun, today we don't have to worry about being tortured for teaching such blasphemy. I think it would have been fun to carry a barometer up a mountain and figure out that air gets thinner the higher you go. It seems one needs a gene sequencer or a superconducting supercollider to do any meaningful research these days.
Don't let me convince you that I consider my learning disability to be a handicap. The only problem is one of focus. I majored in twelve different subjects, but have degrees in none. On the other hand, I am sure that had I settled down and chosen just one, I'd have been a miserable failure. Let me sing you a song while I paint you a picture while I cook you a meal while I deliver your child while I mend your clothes while I build you a fire while I write you a book while I build you a house while I open your eyes while I take you to bed while I show you the visions that dance in my head. Wait...where did I put that book?
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