tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62375147461998670992024-02-05T22:14:46.572-05:00Rough FractalsA fractal is generally "a rough or fragmented geometric shape that can be split into parts, each of which is (at least approximately) a reduced-size copy of the whole," a property called self-similarity."
Because they appear similar at all levels of magnification, fractals are often considered to be infinitely complex. Natural objects that approximate fractals to a degree include clouds, mountain ranges, lightning bolts, coastlines, and snow flakes.Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353954192152571397noreply@blogger.comBlogger387125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237514746199867099.post-87463883477077831232014-02-23T09:29:00.000-05:002014-02-23T15:06:51.472-05:00Gloria - see you on the dance floor...<span style="font-family: Helvetica; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">The new Chilean movie, Gloria, is a film that has a unique richness to it, earthiness and a longing to escape. Like South America itself - </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">promise seems always just outside its grasp. LIke the white peacock in Gloria - no real colors - no glory (gloria), or the</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">hairless cat - more rat than cat, or like Gloria's romance with Rudolfo - a sham, or her family - living apart ( "me separe" (I am seperated) and alienated</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">they sit around looking at old photographs as if they cared for each other while the ex-husband gets drunk and laments their failed past - that he "should have been</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">there" (at his daughter's graduation) - the way Chile laments its failed past under the dictator Pinoche (about whom it should have done something). Even the street protests</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">were not very riotous and Gloria uses a pretend "paint" gun to shoot at Rudolfo - as if to paint a picture - but paint gun bullets are not real just as, her fun was not real,</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">her love was not real, her Glory (and Chile's Glory) is not real - it's smoke, its blackout sex (rape?) on the beach.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"> </span><br />
<br style="font-family: Helvetica; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">The first line of the movie is "Are you always this happy?" Gloria seems not to know what to say or how to answer. But what one pretends to be and what one really</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">is can make for one ugly cat or spooky looking peacock or a country that could have been.</span><br />
<br style="font-family: Helvetica; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">Some of the movie's choices provide narrative meat on the bones, provide interest, context, detail, symbols and metaphors.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">Gloria's oversized glasses, her glaucoma, Rudolfo's gastric by-pass surgery, the skeleton marionette, the hairless cat, the white peacock. The movie</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">reminded me of Pan's Labyrinth - odd because, while Gloria is not a fantasy movie, I watched both with a similar amazement and curiosity - like Pan, what would</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">Gloria discover next, what would happen to her, what would she stumble onto and encounter, how would she change as a result, how would her vision change? </span><br />
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
In the end Gloria takes off her glasses - does that mean she can now see clearly or does it mean that she now accepts her (limited) vision of the world and her place in it - imperfect as it may be. Maybe that is why in the end she dances to a song of her own name - like we all do, dancing alone with whatever vision we have, connected to others with whom we share the dance floor. And maybe that is why despite the obstacles she faces and her heartbreak and struggles there was something strangely uplifting and affirming about the movie. Because none of us has perfect vision, we are all odd hairless cats, both beautiful and ugly at the same time, we all dance somewhat alone and - are we always this happy? - Yes.</div>
<script type="text/javascript">
var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");
document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
try {
var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-7374088-1");
pageTracker._trackPageview();
} catch(err) {}</script>Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353954192152571397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237514746199867099.post-67710228323250699232012-07-25T10:09:00.000-04:002014-02-23T09:52:32.641-05:00Uncle Yoda...<script type="text/javascript">
var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");
document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
try {
var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-7374088-1");
pageTracker._trackPageview();
} catch(err) {}
</script>
Howard Benatar Germain (born June 13, 1924) died peacefully on July 19, 2012 at the age of 88 in Santa Barbara, California. His daughter, Amy Germain and niece, Ellen Germain, were with him. In addition to Amy and Ellen, Howard is survived by his son, Neal, his grandsons, Daniel, and Schuyler, granddaughters, Alexis and Nicole and daughters- in-law, Elisa Germain and Irene Simonian, nephew Steven Germain and his wife, Laura Impert, grand niece, Nina Germain, grand nephew, Will Germain and by his first wife, Rhoda Rossmoore. Howard was pre-deceased by his wife, Roseanne, his son Andrew, his son, David, his brother, Lawrence and sister-in-law, Gloria Germain.<br />
<br />
Howard was born in Newark, Newark Jersey and was raised in Brooklyn, New York where he attended high school at Brooklyn Poly Prep. He graduated from Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire and served in the U.S. Army as a meteorologist during WW II. After the war, Howard worked at Germain's Department Store at 5th Ave and 15th Street in Brooklyn, a family business started in 1898 by his grandparents, Louis and Ida. He left the retail business and worked in sales in the garment industry eventually becoming national sales manager for the Flexnit Corporation.<br />
<br />
He retired from Flexnit at age 50 to persue his interest in something he (seriously) considered much more significant and meaningful than commerce - golf. He moved with his wife, Roseanne, to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina to pursue that interest.
On Hilton Head Howard worked as a part time mailman, gave Bat and Bar Mitzvah lessons and became a USTA linesman officiating on the tennis tour including the U.S. Open. During one John McEnroe match that Howard officiated, McEnroe thought Howard missed hearing a net ball and McEnroe glared at Howard. Two weeks later at another McEnroe match Howard did not call a ball out that McEnroe thought had just missed the line leading McEnroe to exclaim at Howard,
"Not only are you deaf, you are blind too." Howard said that McEnroe was right, he had missed both calls.<br />
<br />
Howard and Roseanne tooled around Hilton Head on a BMW motorcycle complete with sidecar.
After 20 years on Hilton Head, Howard and Roseanne moved to Santa Barbara, California which Howard described as "paradise" adding that from there "to talk to God was just a local call".<br />
<br />
The poet, W.B. Yeats wrote:<br />
<br />
"That is no country for old men;<br />
An aged man is but a paltry thing,<br />
a tattered coat upon a stick,<br />
unless<br />
Soul clap its hands and sing."<br />
<br />
Howard, your soul clapped its hands and sung to us for 88 years. Long after you're gone it still will... everyday.Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353954192152571397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237514746199867099.post-9977920450289470412012-07-04T11:28:00.000-04:002012-07-04T17:44:38.985-04:00Alexithymia<script type="text/javascript">
var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");
document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
try {
var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-7374088-1");
pageTracker._trackPageview();
} catch(err) {}
</script><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.5em;"><b>Alexithymia</b> is a term coined by psychotherapist Peter Sifneos in 1973</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.5em;">to describe a state of deficiency in understanding, processing, or describing emotions. The word comes from the Ancient Greek </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.5em;">literally meaning "without words for emotions</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.5em;">".</span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 28px;">Alexithymia is defined by:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif;"></span><br />
<ol style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.5em; list-style-image: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 3.2em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.3em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;">difficulty identifying feelings and distinguishing between feelings and the bodily sensations of emotional arousal</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;">difficulty describing feelings to other people</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;">constricted imaginal processes, as evidenced by a scarcity of fantasies</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;">a stimulus-bound, externally oriented cognitive style.</li>
</span></ol>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 28px;"></span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 28px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 28px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 28px;">
The alexithymia construct is strongly inversely related to the concepts of psychological mindedness and emotional intelligence.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 28px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here's a video with lyrics to the song "Alexithymia" by the band Anberlin.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KdiovT8a3g0?rel=0" width="480"></iframe></div>Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353954192152571397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237514746199867099.post-22435697992321511702012-05-08T21:01:00.000-04:002012-05-08T21:01:07.549-04:00Sincerity and Common Sense...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">So let's say you just got out of a ten day detox and are back at home with your 6 year old kid. Life isn't so good - you have a cocaine habit and a shitty attitude and you get pissed off easily but you love the kid and want it to work out with the good guy husband even though he is a bit mamby pamby and your favorite response to "how do you like your coffee?' is "black, same as I like my men." but he puts up with your massive amounts of bullshit so you really mean it this time - no more coke, no more self indulgent out bursts - just stay clean and live sober. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A week later - who the fuck knows what happened, maybe you took a double dose of your meds and got confused but you wake up and who knows what time it is but you need some food and there is an all night joint on the corner and hubby and the kid are asleep so you head out and order up some eggs but it turns out that the double dose of meds or whatever confused you and it it is not 1:00 AM it is like 5:00 AM and the kid woke up and the husband who works the night shift is not home so you rush back to your building and there are the sirens and the cops have your kid who had woken up and wandered in the building until a neighbor called the cops and they haul you into jail and now it is serious freak out time because the Judge doesn't care what your court appointed lawyer is saying about why you were not home and Judge probably figures you are a lying junkie anyway so boom, court order of protection - you cannot see or talk to your kid for at least 30 days and Child Protective Services is called. So fuck it, you get released from jail, go home grab a few items, some tools and jewelery and you sell like $2,000 worth of stuff for $200 of crack and you get high and the next day, strung out, you call the rehab and say - can I come back I really fucked up again.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And you go back to rehab and your roommate is nothing like the one you had last time - the accountant wife of a lawyer who was over doing the red wine at dinner but who you got along with like a sister - this new roommate is some sort of psycho who the other patients tell you is crazy. And when you wake up half your clothes are in her closet and the $31 in cash you had in your pocket is gone and you tell that bitch that if she does not give you your money back you are going to kill her. Now you are in rounds and being told that threatening violence is an automatic discharge but since they found $31 in the bitch roommate's pocket you can stay but your grounds privileges are revoked and you say- "What the fuck, she stole from me and I get punished? I was set up - this is bullshit - if you make me eat lunch on the unit I am outta here."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">And so here's the sincerity and common sense part of the story. There is this guy who volunteers on the unit. Bit of a nerd, likes his coffee light, extra sweet. A nice guy, sort of bland but weirdly sincere and long on common sense no matter how crazy. And the common sense nerd says "jeepers, in the scheme of things, isn't it like not really that big a deal that you have to eat on the unit instead of going to the cafeteria? I mean even if it is totally unfair and unjust, it somehow seems like not such a hardship, especially compared to some of the hardships you have endured and by the way, if you leave before you complete treatment you can pretty much forget about getting the order of protection revoked anytime soon. This self righteous thing you have going on, that is your disease, it is genius, it knows you did not do anything wrong, it knows the psycho bitch stole from you and it knows all you did was defend yourself. so it gives you this irrefutable argument, it says you are right, it says fuck them, but that is because it knows you think being right matters, defending yourself matters, not being taken advantage of matters" ... but then the nerdy guy adds, "wait a minute, does it matter? restricted to the unit vs. getting custody of your kid back, vs getting treatment, getting your $31 back vs. leaving here early and going out and using and getting busted again?" </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And she smiles (great smile, a million bucks right there) and she says, "You are right, you know what, all I need is a cup of hot coffee and then I will be fine, I will have lunch on the unit". And nerd says, "Great I will get you a cup of coffee, how do you take it?" and she says, "large and black, like my men." You bring her coffee, she says thanks. Nerd says, "See you tomorrow".</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Nerd goes home. Wonders if she will beat up the roommate tonight and get kicked out and not be there tomorrow when he comes back.</div>
</span></span><script type="text/javascript">
var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");
document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
try {
var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-7374088-1");
pageTracker._trackPageview();
} catch(err) {}
</script>Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353954192152571397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237514746199867099.post-72108726409855144342012-05-07T18:10:00.002-04:002012-05-07T18:10:59.312-04:00Quote of the week - Franzen on Wallace...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Jonathan Franzen eulogized author David Foster Wallace after his suicide at age 46 in 2008 saying that "Wallace challenged apathy with </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Molotov cocktails of bottomless empathy born out of the heart's revelation that another person is every bit as real as you are".</span></span><script type="text/javascript">
var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");
document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
try {
var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-7374088-1");
pageTracker._trackPageview();
} catch(err) {}
</script>Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353954192152571397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237514746199867099.post-54280759220603557912012-05-03T12:11:00.000-04:002012-05-03T20:26:17.732-04:00This I Know For A Fact...<blockquote style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" type="cite">
<div>
I recently met a young woman who is 31 years old, a mother of 8 year old twin boys one of whom died four months ago due to an accident. Since the accident the woman has been taking ever increasing, excessive amounts of anti anxiety meds and drinking alcohol heavily. Got to the point of a psychotic depression, voices telling her about friends that are evil and God assuring her she did nothing wrong. Amazingly sad and, as is the case with a despairingly high percentage of addicts and mentally ill, not likely to end easily or well. Sometimes there is justice, sometimes there is mercy, sometimes there is neither. As an aside, I want to add that she has a noticeably dignified countenance, a kind of sparkle and smile that would be described in anyone else as attractive but under her circumstances seems regal.</div>
</blockquote>
<br />
Here is an observation: There are lots of reasons people use drugs but all those reasons can be put into two categories - to increase pleasure or to avoid pain. And pain and pleasure can be sub divided into three categories: physical, emotional and spiritual.<br />
<blockquote style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" type="cite">
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Substances can enhance pleasure and diminish pain and the vast majority of humans use chemicals (like alcohol) in moderation and are able to control their use and for them moderate ingestion helps them relax, take the edge off, make them a little looser socially, feel more creative and connected, lessen pain etc. - all with no negative consequences. But there are a percentage of humans who, for whatever reason, cannot control their use. (By the way, while pleasure is a common reason to use chemicals it seems to me that most addicts use chemicals primarily to lessen pain (whether because addicts' pain is greater than most people can bear (as is the case of the woman I mentioned above who lost her son, or because addicts are more sensitive to or have some sort of diminished capacity to tolerate pain, I do not know). Those people become hooked and after a while use not to get high but just not to feel sick. Their lives are taken over by a compulsion that will, unless stopped, eventually kill them and before they die will make them and everyone who loves them suffer horribly. They can be helped. (I know this for a fact). And if they get sober I believe they (and those who love them) often appreciate their sobriety and are grateful for the everyday in ways that are, not for nothing, described as miraculous (I know this for a fact as well). </div>
</blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript">
var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");
document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
try {
var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-7374088-1");
pageTracker._trackPageview();
} catch(err) {}
</script>Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353954192152571397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237514746199867099.post-11971503028206201122012-04-21T10:10:00.000-04:002012-04-21T12:42:39.115-04:004/20 (National Boredom Day)<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
Since yesterday was 4/20 which is National Marijuana Day, a (in my opinion) misguided and naive celebration of escape disguised as some sort of libertarian statement about choice, I thought I would use the occasion to suggest that 4/20 be renamed National Boredom Day. I am not going to get into a discussion of controlled use of pot, or alcohol or other drugs or whether pot is a gateway drug that can lead to addiction. But I am going to think about hard core addiction...</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
Addicts who relapse frequently sometimes seem superficially better than the last relapse but their motivation for trying to get clean again is often more for a break from the mess of their lives rather than to lose the habit. Rarely does a relapsing addict have a sober network and the answer is a common one: "same friends but they support me" which I take to mean "same old drinking and drugging crowd who I need a break from every once in a while and then when I feel like getting high again welcome me back with open arms". In contrast are those in recovery who have lost the old friends and connected with new sober friends. They may still have a reservation to use in the future but they have the tools to avoid picking up again.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
So this got me thinking. How about: <b>"Banish the Boredom - I love getting high so why am I trying to get clean and what in the world am I going to devote my life to instead?"</b> Addicts like getting high, addiction and the life is their entire world, their primary relationship is with their drink or drug - they love Mr. or Mrs. Smirnoff (or whatever their drug is) more than anyone. (Addicts, like any parent, love their kids and they (just like non-addict parents say and sincerely believe) that they would take a bullet for their kids but the active addict parent, sadly, is the bullet. But the parent in recovery gives their child the incredible gift of real pride). So to just take the drugs and the life style away without some other sense of purpose or meaning is not likely to work. On the other hand, each day clean brings gratitude and a sense of accomplishment and a discovery that (and this may be a spiritual idea) being ordinary is extraordinary. (Not sure about any of that but it seems right). </div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
I think, at least initially, recovery often begins by filling the newly created void with a commitment to sobriety, <b>a new - selfish - full time job (maintaining sobriety) - the hub of the bicycle wheel, the center of a sober network.</b> (I use the word selfish intentionally because it is one of the skills addicts bring to the table. Getting high is about as selfish an activity as there is. Also about as self destructive. So channelling that selfishness towards putting sobriety first even if that means not doing what family, friends, job, etc. want or expect (rebelliousness is another common trait so not doing what is expected can also come in handy if channelled) seems like a positive redirection of inherent abilities. </div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
I am often struck by how bored addicts seem in between highs. Here they are fighting for their lives and yet they seem like they could care less, just get through the down time until they can get high again. I think that goes to a big issue - life is boring - especially to selfish, stimulation craving, self centered humans who are in physical and/or emotional pain (i.e., most people - which is, in part, why I think drugs and drinking are so prevalent). Maybe Nancy Reagan was not entirely wrong when she said "Just Say No" but that seems like a result not a solution. Maybe it's more about "Banish the Boredom". </div>
<script type="text/javascript">
var <span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">gaJsHost</span></span> = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">ssl</span></span>." : "http://www.");
document.write(<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">unescape</span></span>("%3Cscript <span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">src</span></span>='" + <span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">gaJsHost</span></span> + "google-analytics.com/<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">ga</span></span>.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
try {
var <span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">pageTracker</span></span> = _<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">gat</span></span>._<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">getTracker</span></span>("<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">UA</span></span>-7374088-1");
<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">pageTracker</span></span>._<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">trackPageview</span></span>();
} catch(err) {}
</script>Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353954192152571397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237514746199867099.post-29356828820691870192012-03-28T07:26:00.003-04:002012-03-28T21:44:02.011-04:00Wild, a memoir...<script type="text/javascript">
var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");
document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
try {
var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-7374088-1");
pageTracker._trackPageview();
} catch(err) {}
</script><br />
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6GCJKkCf6nPn68kbSPIfn5gH0Fw1rJ2mPJ8clk3wJQ5ST0u_d16PTHCB7HBwpVrM_tiSwLQBsAxP5YZAUqalBLt8BlpJ_4TziUVTxYOu5bcUJwSThiNxc_oBoCMK5a1Z4IG8P48fPA0/s1600/5229038795_73e08a4135_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6GCJKkCf6nPn68kbSPIfn5gH0Fw1rJ2mPJ8clk3wJQ5ST0u_d16PTHCB7HBwpVrM_tiSwLQBsAxP5YZAUqalBLt8BlpJ_4TziUVTxYOu5bcUJwSThiNxc_oBoCMK5a1Z4IG8P48fPA0/s1600/5229038795_73e08a4135_m.jpg" /></a>Starting back in 2010 I have posted a number of times about "Dear Sugar" an anonymous internet advice columnist whose posts I stumbled upon and thought were terrific. (Type dear sugar into the RF search box if you want to see them.) Sugar retained her anonymity until the publication of her first book/memoir last month entitled "Wild, a walkabout of reinvention". Sugar is Cheryl Strayed. Here is a review of her book from the NY Times.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
BOOKS OF THE TIMES<br />
The Tracks of an Author’s, and a Reader’s, Tears<br />
‘Wild’ by Cheryl Strayed, a Walkabout of Reinvention<br />
<br />
By DWIGHT GARNER<br />
Published: March 27, 2012<br />
<br />
It’s not very manly, the topic of weeping while reading. Yet for a book critic tears are an occupational hazard. Luckily, perhaps, books don’t make me cry very often — I’m a thrice-a-year man, at best. Turning pages, I’m practically Steve McQueen.<br />
<br />
Cheryl Strayed’s new memoir, “Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail,” however, pretty much obliterated me. I was reduced, during her book’s final third, to puddle-eyed cretinism. I like to read in coffee shops, and I began to receive concerned glances from matronly women, the kind of looks that said, “Oh, honey.” It was a humiliation.<br />
<br />
To mention all this does Ms. Strayed a bit of a disservice, because there’s nothing cloying about “Wild.” It’s uplifting, but not in the way of many memoirs, where the uplift makes you feel that you’re committing mental suicide. This book is as loose and sexy and dark as an early Lucinda Williams song. It’s got a punk spirit and makes an earthy and American sound.<br />
<br />
“Wild” recounts the months Ms. Strayed spent, during the summer of 1995, when she was 26, hiking alone on the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State. There were very frightening moments, but nothing particularly extraordinary happened to her.<br />
<br />
The author was not chewed on by bears, plucked dangling from the edge of a pit, buried by an avalanche or made witness to the rapture. No dingo ate anyone’s baby. Yet everything happened. The clarity of Ms. Strayed’s prose, and thus of her person, makes her story, in its quiet way, nearly as riveting an adventure narrative as Jon Krakauer’s two “Into” books: those matey fraternal twins, “Into the Wild” and “Into Thin Air.”<br />
<br />
Ms. Strayed began her hike because her life was in meltdown. “I was living alone in a studio apartment in Minneapolis, separated from my husband and working as a waitress, as low and mixed-up as I’d ever been,” she writes. Her mother had recently died, effectively rendering her an orphan. (Her father had vanished when she was 6.) She was using heroin; she had, she says, slept with too many men.<br />
<br />
Her grief, early in this book, is as palpable as her confusion. Her portrait of her mother, who died of cancer at 45, is raw and bitter and reverent all at once.<br />
<br />
“She dated men with names like Killer and Doobie and Motorcycle Dan,” Ms. Strayed writes about the woman who sometimes had to feed the author and her two siblings on food stamps, government cheese and powdered milk.<br />
<br />
Yet when Ms. Strayed went away to college, her mom came along and enrolled too. She got straight A’s. “Her love was full-throated and all-encompassing and unadorned,” Ms. Strayed writes. “Every day she blew through her entire reserve.” When her mother became ill, the author says, “I folded my life down” to care for her.<br />
<br />
“Wild” is thus the story of an unfolding. Ms. Strayed went walking in search of what she calls “radical aloneness.” She had no cellphone and no credit card; often she had only a few coins in her pocket to last a week. What felt profound, she says, “was how few choices I had and how often I had to do the thing I least wanted to do. How there was no escape or denial. No numbing it down with a martini or covering it up with a roll in the hay.”<br />
<br />
Physically, she was unprepared for this adventure, and she recounts a great deal of physical pain: that of setting off with a ridiculously overstuffed backpack she comes to refer to as Monster; losing most of her blackened toenails to ill-fitting boots; having her feet become “a throbbing mass of pulp.” After a few weeks on the trail, she writes, “my stench was magnificent.”<br />
<br />
In a comical scene, a reporter for a journal called The Hobo Times mistakes her for one of his tribe and attempts to interview her. “I did not so much look like a woman who had spent the past three weeks backpacking in the wilderness,” she admits, “as I did like a woman who had been the victim of a violent and bizarre crime.”<br />
<br />
Ms. Strayed got tougher, mentally as well as physically. She tells good, scary stories about nearly running out of water, encountering leering men and dangerous animals. About bears and other carnivorous woodland beasties, she asks, “Why did they always have to run in the direction I was going?”<br />
<br />
An aspiring writer, she keeps a running tally of the books she reads (Faulkner, Drabble, Coetzee) and recounts how, to lighten her load, she burned each morning the pages she had read the night before.<br />
<br />
Eating cheap, dehydrated meals on the trail, and sleeping in a tiny tent, she is absurdly vivid about the comforts she misses. Bottles of cold Snapple lemonade become talismanic in their import. About a cheeseburger and fries she cannot afford, she declares, “I was devastated by the sight of them.”<br />
<br />
She is even better on her own lust. Parts of this frank and witty book belong in “Best American Sex Writing 2013.” There’s a moment when a stern and upright fellow is helping her lighten her backpack and finds a dozen ultrafine condoms in their crinkly packaging. He holds them up and asks, “Do you really need these?”<br />
<br />
Ms. Strayed doesn’t — at least not a dozen. At one point she meets a young man on the trail, begins talking to him and says to us, as if she were a randy Doonesbury character in hiking boots, “There was no way I was going to keep my pants on with a man who’d seen Michelle Shocked three times.”<br />
<br />
Two things almost kept me from picking up this book. Why did Ms. Strayed wait 17 years before committing this story to paper? As in any memoir, some of the interior life here has to have been reconstructed. She never explains the delay, but the aging of her notebooks and memories seems to have, as with casked whiskey, only strengthened her book’s complicated flavors.<br />
<br />
There’s also the matter of her made-up surname, Strayed, which sounds like the punch line from an old joke. (Mae West: “I used to be Snow White, but I drifted.”) The author doesn’t reveal her original name, but “Strayed” strikes me as a deft stab at self-reinvention. (She changed her name from Nyland in 1995, according to her publisher, Alfred A. Knopf.)<br />
<br />
“Growing up poor had come in handy,” the author says near the close of her book. “I probably wouldn’t have been fearless enough to go on such a trip with so little money if I hadn’t grown up without it.”<br />
<br />
The lack of ease in her life made her fierce and funny; she hammers home her hard-won sentences like a box of nails. The cumulative welling up I experienced during “Wild” was partly a response to that too infrequent sight: that of a writer finding her voice, and sustaining it, right in front of your eyes.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px;">"What if you allowed your God to exist in the simple words of compassion others offer to you? What if faith is the way it feels to lay your hand on your daughter’s sacred body? What if the greatest beauty of the day is the shaft of sunlight through your window? What if the worst thing happened and you rose anyway? What if you trusted in the human scale? What if you listened harder to the story of the man on the cross who found a way to endure his suffering than to the one about the impossible magic of the Messiah? Would you see the miracle in that?"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px;">-- Sugar from one of her columns.</span></div>Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353954192152571397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237514746199867099.post-67913179350760225962012-03-04T09:58:00.000-05:002012-03-24T12:12:09.687-04:00Steve's Last Lecture...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>850</o:Words>
<o:Characters>4847</o:Characters>
<o:Lines>40</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>9</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>5952</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>11.1539</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:UseMarginsForDrawingGridOrigin/>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">First one caveat, if I offend anyone, I apologize. I mean no
offense but I have to say some truths and, cliche as it is, sometimes the truth
does hurt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">So here is the first truth, a lot of you, maybe all of you, have
a lot of really good reasons to drink and drug and you also have a lot of
really good excuses not to get sober. All really good reasons and good,
compelling excuses, maybe even good explanations for why you use BUT, good as
those reasons are none of them are valid. They are all just reasons to get high
and to keep getting high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So if
you want one take away from this lecture remember two words - no excuses.
Say it to yourself often and when you least believe it. No excuses. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">What you came to rehab to learn and what we spend days and
sometimes weeks doing with you here and then you can spend months or years more
when you leave is not about how to find the courage to beat your addiction.
Courage you all already have, way beyond anything non-addicted civilians can
ever understand – because you have the kind of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>courage and fuck you-ness it takes to be an addict.
But as brave as each of you are, your disease will kill you and before
you die it will make you suffer and along the way you will hurt everyone who
ever loved you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">There is this thing that is standing in your way. And I am not
alone in knowing this, every counselor, case worker, doctor, nurse and mental
health worker here sees it –<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>right
now your disease, even as you sit here, is standing behind you clamping two
giant hands on your shoulders whispering to your neck “it does not matter what
he says, you only listen to me”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">And that whisper is too often louder than what we tell you in
rehab – that is why we do not tell you as simply, directly and as pared to the
bone as what I am telling you now. Instead we<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>run about 7 groups a day and give you assignments and spend
a lot of time trying to give you important tools to help you stay sober when
you leave here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kind of trying to
get around your disease because we don’t usually get through if we just go
straight up the middle. Those tools are important, you need them and with
repetition and practice those tools will work for some of you. But some of you
will sit around and chain smoke cigarettes (or think about chain smoking
cigarettes)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and drive yourselves
crazy trying to figure out why you use drugs, or you will focus on your
complaints, cravings, resentments and terrors and you will spend a lot of time
here thinking about how you both want to get sober and at the same time don't
and about how you love the very thing that is killing you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">If you are honest, you already know that you can no longer live
a life with drugs and, at the same time, you cannot imagine a life without
drugs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">But none of that matters nearly as much as simply not putting
chemicals into your body.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">And please do not think I am giving you moral advice or that I
am telling you what to do or that I even expect that you can do it because it
is not easy to do. It is hard, it takes real effort and some days you will not
be able to do it. That is part of the process. But there will come a day when,
as cold or as disappointed as you may be, even hungry, or when you drop the
grocery bag on the sidewalk, or the coffee spills on your sweater at 7:00 AM on
your way to look for yet another job that you probably will not get or you want
to hit someone, that -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>if you do
not pick up and put a chemical in your body -you will be gripped by a
cherishing so deep for the fact that you are a grateful recovering addict that
it will leave you speechless. </span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Of course this is not likely to happen from your having listened
to me today. That is why you will keep attending more groups, and do all that
is expected of you here. And that is what you should do. But I also want you to
know that it is not impossible that when you are discharged you can walk out of
here knowing that you have another option. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">Staying clean requires daily attention,
and awareness, and discipline, and effort, in myriad petty, little, boring,
unsexy ways. It means going to a program of some kind, </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">be it out patient or a
l2-Step program. You have to work your program every day, get a home
group, get a sponsor or a therapist<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>and tell him or her the truth, pray for help whether you believe in God
or not, get phone numbers of sober people and call them, make sober friends and
develop a sober network and lose the old friends.</span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is how you will get sober
and stay sober.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">What you need to know is that your life is not only important,
it is sacred. You are on fire with the same force that lights the stars. Not
that I have any idea what actually lights the stars but it does not matter
because there is only one true thing that matters here and now – and that is
that if the day you leave here you do not use chemicals, the next day will look
better. It will not be paradise, it will be hard, it will be scary but the fact
is that if you do not use drugs or alcohol, tomorrow will look very
different than today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 20.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">I know that this may just sound like some
sort of total bullshit and you can think of it that way if you want. But as far
as I can tell it is the truth. None of this is about morality, or religion, or
dogma, or big fancy questions of life after death or whether God exists or not.
This is about life BEFORE death. It is about making it to 30, or maybe 50, it
is about not<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ending up in jail or
in an institution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
about<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the simple truth of what is
so real and essential and so hidden in plain sight for you to see that you have
to keep reminding yourself of it over and over one day at a time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 20.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 20.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">My name is Steve and I am a Rehab volunteer. Thank you for
letting me share.</span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 20.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353954192152571397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237514746199867099.post-9986728106891187922012-02-12T09:58:00.000-05:002012-02-12T21:31:34.646-05:00KickstarterThe video below describes Kickstarter. It is about 30 mins long but the second 15 minutes is Q & A so you can learn a lot by watching just the first half (although the second half is very informative). Kickstarter was founded by Yancey Strickler, the guy in the video who I find very appealing, sort of like Ferris Bueller made good. He seems so unassuming and natural and his ideas so easily presented and organized. Like - oh yeah - this makes total sense even though in some ways it seems completely implausible. The fact that it works and is as successful as it is says something. Maybe about the culture. I do not know why I say this but to me Kickstarter has an Occupy Wall Street feel to it - a sort of adamant innocence about holding onto something before the world takes it from you (Footnote 1) - the idea that you can do what you want to do (even if what you want to do is just figure out what you want to do). Anyway, I think Kickstarter is neat.<script type="text/javascript">
var <span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">gaJsHost</span></span> = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">ssl</span></span>." : "http://www.");
document.write(<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">unescape</span></span>("%3Cscript <span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">src</span></span>='" + <span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">gaJsHost</span></span> + "google-analytics.com/<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">ga</span></span>.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
try {
var <span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">pageTracker</span></span> = _<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">gat</span></span>._<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">getTracker</span></span>("<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">UA</span></span>-7374088-1");
<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">pageTracker</span></span>._<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">trackPageview</span></span>();
} catch(err) {}
</script><br />
<br />
Footnote 1: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Holding onto something before the world takes it from you is a big issue. About 20 percent of five year old children given a choice to eat one marshmallow now or wait ten minutes and have two, eat the one now. Those same children who eat the one now go on to have a 50% higher rate of substance abuse, lower educational success, more legal issues and generally are less successful than the five year olds who choose to wait in order to get two marshmallows later. Bad habits seem to involve the notion of harm being a long way off - suicide on the installment plan. Good habits seem to be motivated by a belief that the pay off is within reaching distance. If you ask people, I think most will say that 20 years is a long time. Some will say it feels like it will be here tomorrow. I think that a "it will be here tomorrow" perspective would ward off tobacco cravings (no one would smoke if they thought they would get lung cancer in a month) while also stemming motivation to practice piano (everyone would practice piano if they thought they could learn to play well in a month).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">What that has to do with Occupy Wall Street or Kickstarter, I do not know. </span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<object height="225" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" />
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" />
<param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=26982233&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00adef&fullscreen=1&autoplay=0&loop=0" />
<embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=26982233&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00adef&fullscreen=1&autoplay=0&loop=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/26982233">2011/06 Yancey Strickler</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/creativemornings">CreativeMornings</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div>Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353954192152571397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237514746199867099.post-70270420865172122362012-02-09T07:23:00.000-05:002012-02-09T07:53:47.342-05:00Herzog Observation Of The Week...Werner Herzog seems to have an unlimted (and hilarious) attention span...<script type="text/javascript">
var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");
document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
try {
var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-7374088-1");
pageTracker._trackPageview();
} catch(err) {}
</script><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/9880377?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe><a href="http://vimeo.com/9880377">Werner Herzog on Chickens</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user3242734">Tom Streithorst</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div>Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353954192152571397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237514746199867099.post-23721328833785647562012-02-07T21:48:00.000-05:002012-02-09T07:30:17.882-05:00Song of the Week - Wait For The Sun - by OllabelleOllabelle is a NYC band (named after Appalachian songwriter Ola Bella Reed) formed at the bar 9C on 9th street and Avenue C about 15 years ago. I think this is a beautiful song. Here are the lyrics and the video is below that...<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Don’t fade away</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Don’t turn out the light of the day</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">When even the shadows are claimed by the dark</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">I won’t let you down</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">I won’t let them turn you around</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Just hold on for now</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">The dawn isn’t far away</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">So just keep your stay</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">And wait for the sun</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Wait for the sun</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Tracks in the sand</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">And cracks in the clay where you stand</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">The wind sweeps away all that was lost and found</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">So go underground</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">And wait for the sun</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Wait for the sun</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Wait for the sun</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Wait, wait for the sun</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Wait, wait for the sun</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Wait, wait for the sun</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Wait, wait for the sun</span></b><br />
<br />
<div>
<br />
<div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rqjAGFNX4wo" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353954192152571397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237514746199867099.post-18196936130072294782012-02-06T19:41:00.000-05:002012-02-07T14:35:48.144-05:00Occupy Campaign Finance ReformImagine a political systems that allows anyone to run for election who can generate sufficient signatures to get on a ballot who are then each given the same amount of public money to spend on their election. Imagine being elected and not then spending 50% of your time fundraising. Imagine not dialing for dollars, imagine no fundraisers, imagine no moneyed special interests, imagine no moneyed lobbying. Imagine not contributing to political parties or to political campaigns. Imagine if the amount of money it takes to get elected was not obscene and corrosive. Just a thought.<br />
<br />
<div>
Here is an article that suggests that while there is some correlation and elasticity between charitable giving and political donations there is a zero sum point at which one negatively impacts the other. In other words, at some point, the millions given to political campaigns may come from the (picked) pockets of the needy. Or, put another way:<br />
<br />
<b>BEAST VERY BAD, IT EAT EVERYTHING - NOT MAKE SENSE TO FEED BEAST MORE. POLICY, DEVELOPMENT, INVESTMENT IN DOING GOOD MAKE SENSE. ME VOTE FOR THAT GUY BUT ME NOT FEED BEAST.</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<h6 style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">
QUOTATION OF THE DAY</h6>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia, serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
"It's hard to pass the plate for super PAC money while Democratic leaders have been preaching about the sins of it. But the reality is, it is essential in 2012."</div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/07/us/politics/with-a-signal-to-donors-obama-yields-on-super-pacs.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha3" style="color: #1155cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; text-transform: uppercase;" target="_blank">ROBERT ZIMMERMAN</a>, a New York-based fund-raiser for President Obama.</div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b>ME THINK ZIMMERMAN WRONG. HIM WOULD GET MORE VOTES BY SAYING "WE NOT HAVE SUPER PAC'. HIM CAN SAY THIS VERY LOUD - USE PEOPLE MEGAPHONE - BEAST NOT LIKE THAT. BEAST NOT LIKE CHANGE.</b></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 17.3px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Do charitable subsidies crowd out political giving? The missing link between charitable and political contributions.</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 17.3px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12.1px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman';">by </span>Barış K. Yörük*</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Abstract</span></b></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This paper investigates the spillover effects of charitable subsidies on political giving using five independent surveys of charitable and political giving in the United States conducted from 1990 to 2001. The results show that charitable and political giving are complements. Compared with non-donors, charitable donors are more likely to donate and give more to political organizations. <b>Increasing the price of charitable giving decreases not only charitable giving but also the probability of giving and the amount of donations to political organizations.</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The implied elasticity of the amount of political contributions with respect to the tax price of charitable giving is as much as -0.88. This effect is robust under different specifications and with different sets of instrumental variables. <b>These results highlight the positive externalities created by charitable subsidies</b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and have important implications for economic models of political and charitable giving.</span></b></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>Keywords: </b>charitable giving, political giving, tax price of giving <b>JEL classification: </b>H24, H31, L38</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">* Department of Economics, University at Albany, SUNY, 1400 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12222. Tel: (518) 442-3175. Fax: (518) 442-4736. E-mail: byoruk@albany.edu.</span></div>
</div>
<script type="text/javascript">
var <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">gaJsHost</span> = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">ssl</span>." : "http://www.");
document.write(<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">unescape</span>("%3Cscript <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">src</span>='" + <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">gaJsHost</span> + "google-analytics.com/<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">ga</span>.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
try {
var <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">pageTracker</span> = _<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">gat</span>._<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">getTracker</span>("<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">UA</span>-7374088-1");
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">pageTracker</span>._<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">trackPageview</span>();
} catch(err) {}
</script>Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353954192152571397noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237514746199867099.post-34530967370520639412012-02-05T09:34:00.000-05:002012-02-05T12:33:08.855-05:00School District Resource Sharing<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
<h1 class="singlePageTitle" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #32455b; display: block; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: normal; font: normal normal normal 1.5em/1.5em georgia, serif; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 1em; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal;">I did a quick read of some studies on school district consolidation and the informed consensus seems to come down against school district mergers (especially in poor districts). Based on the evidence, proposals to share school superintendents and/or merge school districts should be looked at sceptically because the data suggests that any economic savings are illusory and that there are no improvements in educational outcomes. This is especially true in times of economic pressures to cut school funding. There are some exceptions. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Here's one example in California of two districts that have shared a superintendent for the last 6 years with a seemingly positive local response. It does seem, however, that this experience is the exception to the rule that school consolidation does not improve the educational experience or produce any significant cost savings.</span></h1>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;">
</span><br />
<h1 class="singlePageTitle" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #32455b; display: block; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-weight: normal; font: normal normal normal 1.5em/1.5em georgia, serif; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 1em; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(The article below is from a local newspaper, The Mountain Democrat, February 24, 2011)</span></span></h1>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;">
</span><br />
<h1 class="singlePageTitle" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #32455b; display: block; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: normal; font: normal normal normal 1.5em/1.5em georgia, serif; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 1em; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;">
Two school districts share superintendent</span></h1>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;">
</span><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: left; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 20px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 490px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.mtdemocrat.com/news/two-school-districts-share-superintendent/attachment/dick-williams/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #253854; cursor: pointer; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="SUPERINTENDENT for both Gold Oak and Pioneer school districts, Dick Williams sits at his desk at the Gold Oak district office. Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum" class="attachment-490x490 wp-post-image" height="370" src="http://www.mtdemocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Dick-Williams.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1px; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Dick Williams" width="490" /></a></span><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #9b9b9b; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 5px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; width: inherit;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;">SUPERINTENDENT for both Gold Oak and Pioneer school districts, Dick Williams sits at his desk at the Gold Oak district office. Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum</span></div>
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;">
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Predating all the talk about school district consolidation, two districts in El Dorado County have been pooling one of their resources for years. Dick Williams, superintendent of Pioneer Union School District since 1997, has also been the superintendent of Gold Oak Union School District for the past six years.</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“When the Gold Oak superintendent retired, the district was looking at ways to save money and get an experienced superintendent,” said Williams, 59. ” Vicki Barber, El Dorado County Office of Education superintendent, suggested a shared superintendency and she approached Gold Oak’s board.”</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The innovative idea gave each of the small school districts an experienced superintendent and a savings in expense.</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“It’s a shared position,” said Williams, “not a half-time position at each district. The superintendent is responsible for everything, 24/7. There’s no half-time about it. That responsibility carries quite a weight, but it’s worked very well.”</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Gold Oak subcontracts for Williams’ services through Pioneer and each January, the Gold Oak Board of Trustees reviews the contract and chooses whether to renew it. This year, for the first time in six years, both districts have stated their intent to leave their option to renew the contract open for the moment.</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“Taking on a second job didn’t double my salary, ” joked Williams, “but both boards have been very positive about the superintendency. It’s not the only shared superintendency in the state, but there aren’t many of them.”</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Gold Oak Union School District Board of Trustees President Susanne Holtrichter said, “We’ve benefited from it greatly. I think he does a full-time job in half the time and we’re hopeful that we can continue sharing a superintendent.”</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“It works extremely well and it’s great for both districts,” said John D’Agostini, a seven-year Pioneer Union Board of Trustees member.</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“With the uncertainty of the state budget, we’re not sure where all the pieces are going to fall,” said Holtrichter, “so we’re leaving our options open — not because we don’t want to continue sharing a superintendent, but because we just don’t know what we’re going to need to do.”</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The Pioneer district also wanted to keep their options open, said D’Agostini. “We are weighing our options, depending on the state budget. This sharing has saved us a lot of money and allowed us to continue the educational programs we have despite the changes in the budget, but we may have to look at restructuring some things.”</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“Things like funding and what’s best for kids change all the time,” said Pioneer board member Mel Kelley. “We’ve got to be prepared to move with the changes.”</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Williams understands completely.</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“In February the districts really focus on making personnel budget decisions for the upcoming year. Pioneer has a declining enrollment. With a greater level of uncertainty due to the state fiscal deficit. They make have to look at a reduction in administrative personnel or a restructuring of personnel, so both districts need to keep things open. A decision to renew the contract now would lock them in.”</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Williams’ typical day puts him in both districts. “I try to start the day in one district and end in the other,” said Williams, “and I stagger the days so each district gets equal a.m. and p.m. It doesn’t always happen, but that’s my goal.”</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“The biggest difference between the districts is the wrestling,” said Williams. “In Gold Oak, wrestling is incredibly popular and they have teams at both the elementary and middle schools. At Pioneer, it’s a struggle to get a team together, yet the districts are right next door to each other. We try to give the kids who want to participate in wrestling an opportunity if there isn’t a team in their district.”</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Both districts have three schools, but Williams said the culture of each district is different.</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“The history of each district, the level of parent involvement and the culture of the community is unique. I had to learn the Gold Oak culture so I could make this work for them and not change it. That’s been one of the most fascinating things about the job.”</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
His dual roles have been challenging and a boost to professional growth.</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“I don’t know if it will last forever and it’s not always easy, but it’s been great.”</div>
</span><script type="text/javascript">
var <span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">gaJsHost</span></span> = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">ssl</span></span>." : "http://www.");
document.write(<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">unescape</span></span>("%3Cscript <span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">src</span></span>='" + <span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">gaJsHost</span></span> + "google-analytics.com/<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">ga</span></span>.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
try {
var <span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">pageTracker</span></span> = _<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">gat</span></span>._<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">getTracker</span></span>("<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">UA</span></span>-7374088-1");
<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">pageTracker</span></span>._<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">trackPageview</span></span>();
} catch(err) {}
</script>Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353954192152571397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237514746199867099.post-21948042919665159362012-01-21T16:20:00.001-05:002012-01-22T00:01:30.912-05:00Three Prayers...<script type="text/javascript">
var <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">gaJsHost</span> = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">ssl</span>." : "http://www.");
document.write(<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">unescape</span>("%3Cscript <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">src</span>='" + <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">gaJsHost</span> + "google-analytics.com/<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">ga</span>.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
try {
var <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">pageTracker</span> = _<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">gat</span>._<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">getTracker</span>("<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">UA</span>-7374088-1");
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">pageTracker</span>._<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">trackPageview</span>();
} catch(err) {}
</script><br />
<div>
Maybe prayer is a way to self induce a sense of connectedness (even if just for a split second) that (somewhat paradoxically) transcends self absorption (if there even is such a thing, really). </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here are three poems that I like in that vein. In <u>Witness,</u> Denise Levertov's "mountain" may be hidden in veils of inattention, apathy and fatigue but despite refusal or forgetting the mountain remains just a few yards away, there for the seeing.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And in <u>The Wild Geese</u>, Wendell Berry, similarly wants to be released from the clutter in his head. To be led by "abandon" the way we are in love or sleep, that, like it does to Geese on migration, would hold us to our way clear to what we need, to "here" (Does he mean what we need is here (geographically) or does he mean "here" as a noun - like we might need a hammer or a bell - in this case what we need is "here-ness")? (The sheer abandon of the geese as they pass - in a way its own kind of "faith").<br />
<br />
Both Levertov and Berry evoke the far away.. the mountain... the Geese high above us as the sky closes...to bring us to the not very far away at all; to ... here...or to a few yards up the road. It's like CS Lewis's wardrobe, you open the door to enter a new universe that is actually in your own living room all along. Or like Ram Das's simple suggestion about where and how to find the mountain: <u>Be Here Now</u>. Or what Marie Howe tells us in <u>What The Living Do</u> is "the everyday we speak of "when we feel a "cherishing so deep" it renders us speechless (or as Berry says "quiet in heart, and in eye, clear.") </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I like these poems a lot. They seem like prayers to me.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
WITNESS</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sometimes the mountain</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
is hidden from me in veils</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
of cloud, sometimes</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am hidden from the mountain</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
in veils of inattention, apathy, fatigue,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
when I forget or refuse to go</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
down to the shore or a few yards</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
up the road, on a clear day,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
to reconfirm</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
that witnessing presence.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
~ Denise Levertov ~</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Wild Geese</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Geese appear high over us,</div>
<div>
pass, and the sky closes. Abandon,</div>
<div>
as in love or sleep, holds</div>
<div>
them to their way, clear</div>
<div>
in the ancient faith: what we need</div>
<div>
is here. And we pray, not</div>
<div>
for new earth or heaven, but to be</div>
<div>
quiet in heart, and in eye,</div>
<div>
clear. What we need is here.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
— Wendell Berry<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14px;">What the Living Do</span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14px;">Johnny, the kitchen sink has been clogged for days, some utensil probably fell down there.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14px;">And the Drano won't work but smells dangerous, and the crusty dishes have piled up</span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14px;">waiting for the plumber I still haven't called. This is the everyday we spoke of.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14px;">It's winter again: the sky's a deep headstrong blue, and the sunlight pours through</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14px;">the open living room windows because the heat's on too high in here, and I can't turn it off.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14px;">For weeks now, driving, or dropping a bag of groceries in the street the bag breaking,</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14px;">I've been thinking: This is what the living do. And yesterday, hurrying along those</span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14px;">wobbly bricks in the Cambridge sidewalk, spilling my coffee down my wrist and sleeve,</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14px;">I thought it again, and again later, when buying a hairbrush: This is it.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14px;">Parking. Slamming the car door shut in the cold. What you called <em>that yearning</em>.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14px;">What you finally gave up. We want the spring to come and the winter to pass. We want</span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14px;">whoever to call or not call, a letter, a kiss -- we want more and more and then more of it.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14px;">But there are moments, walking, when I catch a glimpse of myself in the window glass,</span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14px;">say, the window of the corner video store, and I'm gripped by a cherishing so deep</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14px;">for my own blowing hair, chapped face, and unbuttoned coat that I'm speechless:</span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14px;"><br />I am living, I remember you.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14px;"></span></div>
<div align="center" face="Times" size="medium" style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 11px;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" face="Times" size="medium" style="background-color: #fee8d8; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 11px;">~ Marie Howe ~</span></div>
<br /></div>
</div>Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353954192152571397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237514746199867099.post-23025915586695978012012-01-09T12:24:00.000-05:002012-01-09T18:13:12.543-05:00The Three "A's"...<div class="msg">
<br /></div>
<div class="msg">
Two quotes that I think go together quite well and which, between them, cover what is, as far as I can tell, the marrow -- acceptance, awareness and action: </div>
<div class="msg">
<br /></div>
“We are all much more simply human than otherwise, be we
happy and successful, contented and detached, miserable and mentally disordered,
or whatever.”<br />
<div class="msg">
<br />
-- The late American psychiatrist Harry Stack
Sullivan.<br />
<br />
<div>
"To choose compassion and consolation, requires a measure of obstinacy, a
muscular and brutish willfulness that is also an authentic kind of grace."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
-- A.O. Scott, New York Times film critic on the movie, War Horse. </div>
</div>
<script type="text/javascript">
var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");
document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
try {
var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-7374088-1");
pageTracker._trackPageview();
} catch(err) {}
</script>Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353954192152571397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237514746199867099.post-34164386626436500502012-01-06T21:38:00.000-05:002012-01-06T21:38:46.515-05:00Q for Child Psychiatrists: Ritalin and Substance Abuse?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">My limited understanding about our knowledge of alcohol, benzodiazepines and certain stimulants is that they permanently change the brain. I think the reasoning is that the brain seeks to maintain homeostasis, thus, if a depressant like alcohol is used in excess, the brain produces more stimulant receptors to compensate. Those receptors can go to "sleep" when alcohol use is curtailed but are not eliminated. That is why the term "sleeping tiger" is sometimes used to describe the disease of alcoholism and used as a caution to even the long term sober. It also explains why the long term sober are often hyper sensitive to substances upon relapse. A 10 bag a day heroin user who is sober and relapses years later can overdose on only one bag (which formerly would not even produce a high when he/she was active). It would not surprise me at all to know that stimulants prescribed to children with ADHD (such as Ritalin and Stratera) might also permanently effect brain chemistry in a way that would similarly make someone more susceptible to the effects of certain drugs later in life. I think the question of whether that might also make a child more prone to drug abuse or addiction as an adult is, however, unclear and, I think, complicated and extremely worthy of research.</span><script type="text/javascript">
var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");
document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
try {
var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-7374088-1");
pageTracker._trackPageview();
} catch(err) {}
</script>Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353954192152571397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237514746199867099.post-86182187330850421842012-01-05T21:53:00.001-05:002012-01-05T22:14:39.030-05:00Classic Song Of The Week - If I Were A Carpenter...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">"Some songs - Dylan's most obviously- have a special quality of loyalty: except on very rare occasions - as when Hendrix covered "All Along The Watchtower" or Keith Jarret "My Back Pages" - they come fully alive only when they are played by their composer. Others drift from performer to performer, happily, promiscuously."</span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">-- Geoff Dyer from his collection of essays: "Otherwise Known As The Human Condition".</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">I think Tim Hardin's, If I were A Carpenter, is like that. Here he is performing it at Woodstock:</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bN9V0b0df0s" width="480"></iframe></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></span></div>Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353954192152571397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237514746199867099.post-13114963688563526862011-12-31T13:26:00.001-05:002011-12-31T13:26:53.952-05:00Poem of The Week - Monet by Mueller<div id="poem-top" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;">
<h1 style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px;">
Monet Refuses the Operation</h1>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; text-align: left;">
By Liesel Mueller</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div id="poem" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;">
<div>
<div>
Doctor, you say there are no haloes</div>
<div>
around the streetlights in Paris</div>
<div>
and what I see is an aberration</div>
<div>
caused by old age, an affliction.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I tell you it has taken me all my life</div>
<div>
to arrive at the vision of gas lamps as angels,</div>
<div>
to soften and blur and finally banish</div>
<div>
the edges you regret I don’t see,</div>
<div>
to learn that the line I called the horizon</div>
<div>
does not exist and sky and water,</div>
<div>
so long apart, are the same state of being.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Fifty-four years before I could see</div>
<div>
Rouen cathedral is built</div>
<div>
of parallel shafts of sun,</div>
<div>
and now you want to restore</div>
<div>
my youthful errors: fixed</div>
<div>
notions of top and bottom,</div>
<div>
the illusion of three-dimensional space,</div>
<div>
wisteria separate</div>
<div>
from the bridge it covers.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What can I say to convince you</div>
<div>
the Houses of Parliament dissolve</div>
<div>
night after night to become</div>
<div>
the fluid dream of the Thames?</div>
<div>
I will not return to a universe</div>
<div>
of objects that don’t know each other,</div>
<div>
as if islands were not the lost children</div>
<div>
of one great continent. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The world</div>
<div>
is flux, and light becomes what it touches,</div>
<div>
becomes water, lilies on water,</div>
<div>
above and below water,</div>
<div>
becomes lilac and mauve and yellow</div>
<div>
and white and cerulean lamps,</div>
<div>
small fists passing sunlight</div>
<div>
so quickly to one another</div>
<div>
that it would take long, streaming hair</div>
<div>
inside my brush to catch it.</div>
<div>
To paint the speed of light!</div>
<div>
Our weighted shapes, these verticals,</div>
<div>
burn to mix with air</div>
<div>
and changes our bones, skin, clothes</div>
<div>
to gases. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Doctor,</div>
<div>
if only you could see</div>
<div>
how heaven pulls earth into its arms</div>
<div>
and how infinitely the heart expands</div>
<div>
to claim this world, blue vapor without end.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<script type="text/javascript">
var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");
document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
try {
var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-7374088-1");
pageTracker._trackPageview();
} catch(err) {}
</script>Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353954192152571397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237514746199867099.post-53272096203842916482011-12-27T14:39:00.001-05:002011-12-27T22:21:52.774-05:00Basketball, politics and contemporary art - a year end note.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_7aBUrs_gU5E8BcG4iFmUvgDTopxO8orCc3XRRllPZsMyPWso7u_aNzpPzADSuqBgOhhRl5Xx2I3HOuf9eW9p4GPveoXxjSlPzVTfNfInezY-Q-4MmTaVifiys-6u4GdGWSAYYnrVrQ/s1600/rothko03-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_7aBUrs_gU5E8BcG4iFmUvgDTopxO8orCc3XRRllPZsMyPWso7u_aNzpPzADSuqBgOhhRl5Xx2I3HOuf9eW9p4GPveoXxjSlPzVTfNfInezY-Q-4MmTaVifiys-6u4GdGWSAYYnrVrQ/s320/rothko03-1.jpeg" width="306" /></a></div>
Mark Rothko<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hIXwkPO8KiJ35tKGTCYfCGQ8HOCwP1yWNSVWc5yvUBQn359hvJgeyIS0dyy75q28HM04lf5eEfBqMFjtNZn9fQWt5qBfs2jApYF7y-l4QZrIIJExbLcg7fA_nrmSTrarDZmC4Si2lrA/s1600/agnesmartin1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hIXwkPO8KiJ35tKGTCYfCGQ8HOCwP1yWNSVWc5yvUBQn359hvJgeyIS0dyy75q28HM04lf5eEfBqMFjtNZn9fQWt5qBfs2jApYF7y-l4QZrIIJExbLcg7fA_nrmSTrarDZmC4Si2lrA/s320/agnesmartin1.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Agnes Martin</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-2mdloTv0ytoKqmcFnp-xbkW1tTHyLGpUfsPSGoq5pusKFeHQLfiuSNIPmcNSC_l71qTlAYKhM4IcFS3nGTrDk0MT3lmSID7bAMlgq4tU9NYozEH0N81Qfp7vss2lhQnQmZ8ZZGAayg/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-2mdloTv0ytoKqmcFnp-xbkW1tTHyLGpUfsPSGoq5pusKFeHQLfiuSNIPmcNSC_l71qTlAYKhM4IcFS3nGTrDk0MT3lmSID7bAMlgq4tU9NYozEH0N81Qfp7vss2lhQnQmZ8ZZGAayg/s320/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Metta World Peace</div>
<br />
Not only is the world too complicated but so is basketball.<br />
<br />
All of a sudden the LA Clippers are contenders to make a playoff run. Ron Artest (on the Lakers) the former poster child for angry, has changed his name to Metta World Peace. Lebron James, one of the most gifted 26 year old athletes on the planet, has become a villain for making a perfectly reasonable career move to Miami...I am baffled by it all.<br />
<br />
Watching the action I feel like I am watching rabbits scramble and I can barely see where the rabbit was. I cannot figure out why fouls have been called, or even follow the ball. I have no idea why Lamar Odom was ejected from the game the other day or why he married Khloe Kardashian. My New Year's resolution for this year is to tune into women's basketball. I think the slower pace will suit me...less baffling. <br />
<br />
Not only are the world and basketball too complicated but so is contemporary art.
<br />
<br />
This week we (including my bro-in-law, Billy, who is a walking art encyclopedia - which makes museum going with him fantastic) walked through the permanent collection at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles. Here's my take away - I am a convert to the notion that the world would be way better off if we passed a global rule that from now on only women can be in positions of political power. I had this thought when I saw side by side works by Mark Rothko and Agnes Martin. Both use simple horizontal fields of colors. Both have been compared to the experience of looking at natural landscapes. Rothko is muscular - his colors heavy and strong - he paints with a brutish willfulness. Martin's horizontals are pastel - soft and inviting. They whisper compassion and consolation.<br />
<br />
I think an Agnes Martin world makes a whole lot more sense than a Mark Rothko world. Or maybe not, who knows? Anyway, Happy New Year and World Peace.<br />
<br />
<br />Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353954192152571397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237514746199867099.post-39386988587880017002011-12-18T11:11:00.000-05:002011-12-19T01:47:05.105-05:00Guest Post: Eloi and Morlocks<br />
My friend, David, is such a terrific writer I could not resist posting another piece he wrote. (His is the immediate prior rough fractals guest post as well).<br />
<br />
This one in response to my describing to him my experience this past week visiting old friends who recently moved near Yosemite in north central California to start a "community". By community I mean that they bought a large enough parcel (70 acres) to build a number of small houses which they are hoping friends and neighbors will do. The current main house will then serve as a central community center. Right now they are using the main house as a Bed and Breakfast for "seekers" - that is to say anyone who would like to spend a few days in a beautiful area to meditate and contemplate (and visit Yosemite). Having moved there 18 months ago many of the locals have joined in the pursuit. When I was there there were blessings before meals and regular group meetings. On Tuesday night ten neighbors came over and after a short meditation we discussed the topic of friendship. For some, the discussion was philosophical for others, personal. We have known each other for 40 years and despite our different paths our friendship has been sustained and when we spoke of that in the group there were a few moist eyes (mine among them).<br />
<br />
Below is David's reaction to what I described. He is always smart and has a way of writing that makes neither too much nor too little of the subject matter. I wish I could do that - I always seem to ricochet between the two.
(By way of background David is a public interest lawyer who works in health care).<br />
<br />
"Sorry I couldn't respond sooner, but on this side of the moon I was preparing for a hearing that I did yesterday. I think I told you about it, surgeon who left his patient in the OR and, in another case, concocted his own stent and implanted it into his patient. Since I worked all last weekend preparing, I'm giving myself today off.<br />
<br />
It's been irresistible to compare our respective experiences on the two different sides of the moon. I've been sunk to my eyes in the realm of bad motives and bad acts, the lies that cover them and the hard work it takes to reveal them. And, of course, what it does to me for that to be my work and the world I live in. Meanwhile, you're in a sunny garden world where the locals are trying to recreate Eden. To sharpen the contrast, I spent the morning watching a move called "Saint Misbehavin'," a lovely documentary about Wavy Gravy.<br />
<br />
I have to fight against the notion that those folks out in the garden are good hearted Eloi, and I'm just a debased Morlock. In truth, I'd make a pretty bad hippie, although I'm far from immune to the attractions. After some consideration, I think the core difference between the two worlds is more scale than substance, the fact that one is large enough to require institutions and the other isn't and doesn't. I think it's as simple as this: big city, big needs (in this case, health needs), big and complex hospitals arise to serve the needs, norms and rules arise to make sure it's done right, fallible and otherwise imperfect humans contravene the rules and much ugliness ensues.<br />
<br />
All of that is at the "Duh" level of obviousness -- so why recite it? Well, part of it is defensiveness on my part. I want to show that there is some necessity for people to do the work I do and I'm not just a dope not to live in the garden. But it also helps me understand some resistance I feel to the tendency of at least some of the Gardeners (yes, let's call them that) to feel that they have hit on something of world transforming relevance. It's not just that they're making <b>their</b> <b>world</b>, but that they sometimes act like they are remaking <b>The World</b>. I see arrogance and lack of perspective in that attitude. If the underlying values have merit -- simplicity, generosity, tolerance, balance -- as they certainly do, it's fine to emphasize them. But even we Morlocks esteem those values, but we also know that they are only part of the prescription for living in a complex world.<br />
<br />
Now, that I've justified my existence, I'll proceed on my Morlock way."<br />
<br />
<br />
(I sent David's response to my friends who agreed with everything he wrote. Their choices are not about saving the world or even suggesting trying to. I think it is about questioning the paradigm for themselves, their friends and their community. Artists, scientists, social activists, inventors, innovators have always been outside. Someone's gotta do that.)<br />
<br />
PS: On further thought about this, David added a post script wondering about the tendency to think that others' lives mean something about our own. That they stand as critiques or confirmations or something to be aspired to. Often taking the form of envy.
I am not sure he is right about that. Envy seems to me to usually have a built in reservation, a bottom, bottom line belief that the choices we make are, despite our doubts and our envy of the conviction those we aspire to be like seem to hold, the best we could do. That might be denial or it might be honest but either way, there is something to the notion that we all are right where we need to be - that everyone is doing the best they can. Put another way, maybe there are no Eloi and Morlock, no "us" and "them". Not ever. Not deep down.Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353954192152571397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237514746199867099.post-17871408351021383002011-12-05T20:42:00.001-05:002011-12-05T21:28:07.956-05:00Guest Post - The Artist<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/FrameBase?content=/en/imagegallery/imagegallery.shtml?si=t%26images=http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51VSFwezKLL.jpg" id="amz-large-img-link" style="color: #003399; vertical-align: middle;" title="McGraw-Hill Guide to World Literature: v. 2: David Engel, etc."><img alt="McGraw-Hill Guide to World Literature: v. 2: David Engel, etc." id="no-image" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51VSFwezKLL._SL160_.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle;" title="McGraw-Hill Guide to World Literature: v. 2: David Engel, etc." /></a></span><script type="text/javascript">
var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");
document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
try {
var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-7374088-1");
pageTracker._trackPageview();
} catch(err) {}
</script><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This is a Rough Fractals guest post written by David Engel. David is a friend of Rough Fractals and the author of the McGraw Hill Guide to World Literature. He sent his interpretation of the recently released movie, The Artist, over the transom.</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><i><b>The Artist</b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"> is a 2011 French-American film directed by </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michel_Hazanavicius" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; text-decoration: none;" title="Michel Hazanavicius">Michel Hazanavicius</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">, starring </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Dujardin" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; text-decoration: none;" title="Jean Dujardin">Jean Dujardin</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"> and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%A9r%C3%A9nice_Bejo" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; text-decoration: none;" title="Bérénice Bejo">Bérénice Bejo</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"> The film is itself a silent film and in black-and-white. The story takes place in Hollywood between 1927 and 1932 and focuses on a declining male film star and a rising actress, as silent cinema grows out of fashion and is replaced by the talkies. Dujardin won the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Best_Actor_Award_(Cannes_Film_Festival)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; text-decoration: none;" title="Best Actor Award (Cannes Film Festival)">Best Actor Award</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"> at the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Cannes_Film_Festival" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; text-decoration: none;" title="2011 Cannes Film Festival">2011 Cannes Film Festival</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">, where the film premiered.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Below is David's take on it which I really like: (<b>spoiler alert</b> - you might want to see the movie before reading this so as to come at the movie without any preconceived notions (or knowing certain plot developments ahead of time). </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"> Watching it is a little like eating those fizzy-popping-exploding-in-your-mouth candies for the first time. You might want your brain taste buds unsullied.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"> So if you like, bookmark this, go see it and then read this.)</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">It came to me in the middle of the night (I had a dream) that the Artist’s reluctance to speak – and the movie as a whole -- can be understood in terms of inhibition. Like an inhibition, it’s a mystery (to us and very probably to him as well) whether he won’t speak or can’t speak. Remember when his wife confronts him? – “Why won’t you talk?” It’s not clear if she means talk to her or talk on film – we certainly think of both -- which helps us see that he’s stymied by issues beyond cinematic technique. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In the early part of the movie he’s purely in love with himself, and the film does a good job keeping us from disliking him despite his vanity. In the first scene, he upstages his co-star when they’re taking their bows. He ignores his wife, and he sort of gutters out whenever he’s not in the public eye. I think one of the reason he’s given the dog (and his driver) is to help humanize him, give him a relationship with someone.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I don’t usually think in these terms, and I’m not pandering to the shrinks among us when I say that he makes me think of an infant that just expects to be showered with love without doing anything. And the whole beginning of the movie operates at that fantasy level. Peppy Miller just has to show up at an audition to be instantly made a star. There’s no gap between wish and fulfillment.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The scene where Peppy caresses herself through the sleeve of the Artist’s coat is a vivid image, and critique, of the kind of magical self-love that both buoys and isolates the two of them. And it does isolate them because, although they’re clearly destined for each other they can’t get together. Or won’t. Their relationship with each other has the same stymied quality as the Artist’s can’t/won’t relationship to the prospect of speaking in the movies.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I think their self-love saddles them with inhibitions because like all extreme self-love it’s terribly vulnerable. It can only exist if protected from certain inner shames and doubts and from real or imagined external threats. He’s afraid to hazard his self-love by trying something new – a new way to perform, a new woman. He wants to, but can’t or won’t.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The end is such a pleaser because it overthrows all inhibition for both of them, and the inhibitions of the form as well. Suddenly we have, for the first time, a full sound stage, syncopated music with drums up front, and their wonderful, completely uninhibited dancing. And they’re dancing together, of course. <u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I think we respond to the movie because it embodies the structure and feeling of inhibition over 90 minutes and then gloriously releases it. It feels true and moving because it’s built out of primal stuff -- our own experiences of, and attitudes toward, early self-love, inhibition, and adulthood. "</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">-- David Engel </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353954192152571397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237514746199867099.post-58211094637885736762011-12-03T13:07:00.001-05:002011-12-03T13:24:40.819-05:00Song Of The Week - Miike Snow - Black and BlueBelow is a video with lyrics of a song I like by the band, Miike Snow, (spelled with two ii's) called Black and Blue. I cannot figure out what it is about so have given it my own highly subjective interpretation...<script type="text/javascript">
var <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">gaJsHost</span> = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">ssl</span>." : "http://www.");
document.write(<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">unescape</span>("%3Cscript <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">src</span>='" + <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">gaJsHost</span> + "google-analytics.com/<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">ga</span>.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
try {
var <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">pageTracker</span> = _<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">gat</span>._<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">getTracker</span>("<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">UA</span>-7374088-1");
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">pageTracker</span>._<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">trackPageview</span>();
} catch(err) {}
</script><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There is a saying that captures the insidious nature of the disease of alcoholism: "the longer you are sober, the closer you are to your next drink.". The notion being that the disease is powerful and patient. Put another way, "while the alcoholic stays clean, the disease is doing push ups" waiting for the "all clear" chance to relapse. Insidious. That is what I think this song may be about. But if it is a better title might be something like "The Sleeping Tiger". I do not know what black and blue refers to.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<object height="315" width="420"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1Gms2u36ZNI?version=3&hl=en_US">
</param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true">
</param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always">
</param>
<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1Gms2u36ZNI?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353954192152571397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237514746199867099.post-44413544672533418632011-11-28T15:13:00.001-05:002011-11-28T22:05:48.050-05:00Addiction and Learning...<script type="text/javascript">
var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");
document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
try {
var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-7374088-1");
pageTracker._trackPageview();
} catch(err) {}
</script><br />
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: large;">Our brains are wired to
learn stuff - to speak
a foreign language, play music, or do arithmetic. We can learn what makes us
feel good about ourselves and how to prioritize. A big part of addiction is the learning of it. Drugs and alcohol teach the
brain certain pathways to pain relief, euphoria, numbness, lessening feelings of grief, loss and guilt, anxiety
control, mood stabilization and relief from depression and other psychiatric
disorders. At first drugs work, until they don't work anymore, and it can
be years and lots of damage before an alcoholic realizes that he/she needs a
divorce from Mr./Ms. Smirnoff. (footnote 1)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: large;">So how do you get a
divorce from the only thing you have ever really known, this thing your brain
has learned to crave as strongly as it craves food, sex, air and sleep?
Craving is a mystery - the diet business thrives on low rates of weight
loss success - not for lack of desire to lose weight. Wanting to get clean and
staying clean are two different things but if an addict does not pick up
his/her drink or drug he/she will not get high. So until the neurological brain
chemistry mystery of craving is solved the practical question is not what stops
craving but what stops relapse. (footnote 2)</span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span">
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: ArialMT;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: ArialMT;">There are a lot of
approaches to relapse prevention - psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, hospital or clinic rehabs, outpatient treatment, etc. but the
approach that has the most consistent and highest success rate is "working
the program" of Alcoholics Anonymous and/or Narcotics Anonymous, i.e.,
go to AA/NA meetings, get a home group, get phone numbers, use them, make
a coffee commitment, get a sponsor, work the steps, lose the old friends, develop a sober network, avoid "people, places and things".
Early recovery is a full time job. (AA does not work for everyone - I am just
reporting what experience has shown to have the highest success rate - by a
wide margin).</span></span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span">
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: ArialMT;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: large;">If you want to be a
lawyer you need to learn what lawyers do. If you want to be a teacher you have
to learn what teachers do. If you want to learn sobriety you need to learn what
the sober do (and I do not mean just the sober in recovery, I mean what regular
non-addicted civilians do - what the poet Marie Howe calls, <b>"</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">What the living do</span><b>"</b>). </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: large;">The <a href="http://www.12step.org/the-12-steps.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">12 steps</span></a> of AA are
what the living do. Some people think the 12 steps can be divided into 3
categories; 1) accept that substances are making a mess of your life, 2) fix
your mess, 3) going forward, do the right thing. Some think that is pretty much what non-addicted civilians do - if they make a mess they clean it up and they
move on. It can be tough sledding. Life on life's terms is rarely euphoric and
often boring, sad, hard and way too frequently brushed by tragedy. But the
living somehow know, deep down, (footnote 3) that while pain is inevitable, suffering is a choice.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: large;">Sobriety does not
guaranty the absence of pain and suffering but it does provide a chance.</span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: large;">****************</span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><b>Footnotes:</b></span><span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: large;"><u>FN 1</u>: That you
come to want what sobriety gives you more than you want what Mr./Ms. Smirnoff
gives you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: large;"><u>FN 2</u>: You
probably have to learn how to stop using before you can learn why you used in
the first place. Rarely is the order reversed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>FN 3</u>: You
need a deep reason to stay sober because white knuckling it only works for so
long. By "deep" I mean a reason of the heart (whatever that
means).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 20px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
</span></span></div>
</div>Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353954192152571397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237514746199867099.post-44877314455798896552011-11-26T16:42:00.009-05:002011-11-27T17:36:16.134-05:00Debates, The DMV, Genius and day to day...<script type="text/javascript">
var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));
</script><script type="text/javascript">
try {var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-7374088-1");pageTracker._trackPageview();} catch(err) {}
</script><br />
<br />
Watching the Republican debates and seeing the likes of Perry, Cain, Bachmann et al. I have the same feeling I get when I go to the DMV or to Costco, or to the post office or to a third world country - a feeling that there is a flaw in the design, though given the setting, the dysfunction seems organic and culturally interesting - the result of certain parameters that dictate behavior and expectations that require you to suspend disbelief and accept the lunacy. As my friend, Alexis, commented the other day (I am paraphrasing, she said it better, less caustic)- it's as if Palin opened the barn door of stupid and now stupid is seen as a positive. They should rename them the Banana Republic Debates.<br />
<br />
We have learned that Steve Jobs put off cancer treatment while first pursuing fruitarian therapy. Very bad unscientific decision coming from a genius. Alexis and I wondered if this means that his Apple genius might have been less genius and more about finding the right market for his obsession. There are lots of examples of really successful people believing in really wrong things. It takes a certain delusional obsession to take the big bets that can lead to becoming a zillionaire. And like the Palin effect - once crazy works, crazy no longer seems crazy (often the dazzling hedge fund managers of one or two years crash spectacularly the next). Once you are wildly successful in business, cinema, religion, politics (anything?) it seems that going forward it can be challenging to be rigorously honest about your own character defects and personal moral inventory. Let's just say that no matter how many true believers a guru might have I would find it hard to use the words "enlightened being" and "chain smoker" in the same sentence.<br />
<br />
Anoher example that presses my skeptical button is the guy who founded PayPal, Peter Thiel, a billionaire with some odd notions - universally lauded as a genius. PayPal was a brilliant secure on-line payment program that filled a need in internet commerce - (Thiel made $50 million when he sold PayPal to eBay - he then invested, on a lark, $500,000 in his friend, Mark Zuckerberg's, Facebook start up - that stake is now worth an estimated $1.7 billion) but does that combo of luck/genius/timing outweigh being a born again libertarian whose latest project (along with Patri Friedman, grandson of Nobel prize winning economist Milton Friedman) is called SeaSteading - investing in sea worthy free standing oceanic platforms as autonomous experimental communes in international waters?<br />
<br />
Day to day life in the trenches doesn't stand a chance.Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353954192152571397noreply@blogger.com0