Results of a Forum for Quizzical Minds

Debilitating Repression

2007-02-19T13:10:00.000-08:00

The following commentary makes us alternate between hope and despair regarding this culture’s ability to let go of the self-instilled fear engendered by unsubstantiated possibilities. Clearly some individuals see things clearly but the fact that this writing was necessary at all speaks to the continued existence of the rigidity that can lead to such atrocities as genocide.

Namaste,

Euroswydd, Reiki Clowne and Mort

Debilitating Repression

I’m curious how the parents who’ve banned a children’s book, “The Higher Power of Lucky” by Susan Patron—age of intended audience 9 through 12—explain to their own progeny the changes that occur in their bodies as those children approach puberty. I ask this seemingly invasive question because these same parents, in their capacity as librarians, have seen fit to ban a book that has won the Newberry Prize for Literature, one of the most prestigious awards in children’s literature, due to its mention of the word scrotum.

Evidently the only body parts suitable for this country’s children to discuss are those used in reference to edible meats. I’ll barely touch on the widely known fact that many, many cultures consider the scrotal sacs of the animals they use for food to be a gourmet delicacy.

In the United States a preponderance of the population deem it appropriate to discuss breast meat, eggs, loins and tongue-- just to mention a few anatomical features with sexual associations—within hearing of children of all ages, while giving the scrotum the cold shoulder. Fried, broiled or barbecued scrotums not being regulars on the dinner plate have rendered its mention taboo.

No wonder our children are so confused, baffled and bewildered. All other obvious body parts are freely discussed, endowed with proper names and chores. What to do about these unmentionables that while apparently inconsequential continue enlarging?

It’s common knowledge that we tend to fear that which we do not understand. Based on that premise it should come as no surprise that the children of parents who insist upon squelching knowledge of something so integral to our being as our bodies should be afraid of a book that makes mention of a scrotum. Perhaps their parents never mentioned THAT word, instead advocating avoidance, hoping all would become magically clear without having to endure the embarrassment of an explicit conversation.

I’m curious how these parents explain ballplayers constant checking and rearranging of their pelvic regions. “It’s nothing dear,” I imagine a panicked parent explaining, “he’s just making sure his seams are straight!” How to explain the disappearance of the neighbor’s dog rear end dangles? And the list goes on. Life must be a nightmare for these parents.

What on earth are these people afraid of? Knowledge, as the old saying goes, is power. Don’t these parents wish to empower their children with all the wonders and knowledge of the world? Actually prepare them for their adult lives as opposed to entangling their psyche’s with crushing conventions whose inception was the desire of a few to control the masses?

The book in question merely tells a story in which a word is used in the most innocuous of manners just the way any other anatomical feature might be mentioned. That there are people who wish to inflict the same mind numbing, life crushing mores that their parents inflicted on them only signifies their desire to punish their offspring, not the opposite.

And a final question. How can one explain—before it’s too late--the process of fathering a child if one can’t even mention the little sac that houses the testicles that produce the sperm?

On The Road Again

2007-02-07T13:32:00.000-08:00

Thinking it important that people understand that anyone—not just those struck by a natural disaster or plunked by judgmental types into the ‘poor and uneducated’ category-- can undergo desperate times, we thought we would avail the following letter for all to read. The author lived in the 20^th and 21^st centuries.

Namaste,

Euroswydd, Mort and Reiki Clowne

I will be moving again…soon. Thankfully and for the first time in years the distance between my present abode and my new one is less than 200 miles. Temperance, number 14 in the Major Arcana of the Tarot, when appearing in the upright position encourages moderation even in moderation. Over the last few years that card has evidenced itself only when doing readings for others. Perhaps that should have given me a clue to the wide swings the pendulum would take when I embarked on the move that was to lead to the fulfillment of my dreams nearly six years ago. Each ensuing move has covered distances of no less than 2,000 miles in trucks that while offering various configurations were clearly unified toward common goals.

Successfully one and all encouraged extreme levels and ensuing long term effects of limb cramping, the opening of an umbilicus connection facilitating monetary evacuation from my bank account to a disconcerting quantity of gas pumps, and an appreciation for motels/hotels with parking lots large enough and laid out in a fashion enabling movement in something larger than a compact car. In addition to moving ourselves around this ‘great land of ours’ my partner and I drove a 27’ truck from Long Island, NY to New Mexico to help friends move and a 10’ foot truck from New Mexico to Florida after the death of my father.

Yet in spite of the fact that I’m really sick of moving and thought we’d have a least a year or two before we’d have to broach the project again—we arrived in New Hampshire from Florida, September 1^st of 2006--I am looking forward to this one.

Within a month of arriving in New Hampshire the news that our landlord was selling her duplexes felt like the straw that broke the camel’s back. At first we thought we’d buy one of the duplexes but buying something because you don’t want to pack and move that which you’ve just moved and unpacked for the gazillionth time isn’t an adequate reason to buy something that’s not exactly what one is looking for.

Gritting our teeth we began a several month odyssey of exploration. Eventually after getting to know our new state rather well, at least on a regional basis, we were presented with the piece de resistance, a 4.3 acre plot with an old but livable mobile home for a price that we could afford in an area we liked. What a deal.

Our move to sustainability, donkey, chicken and duck caretaking, land stewardship, peace and quiet with eventual replacement of the mobile home with a newer, environmentally designed dwelling has amply shown that after a lengthy time of stagnation our lives have moved back into the concretely obviously productive lane.

I say the concretely obviously productive lane because those nearly six years of beating our heads against the proverbial brick wall has been a time of lessons learned through seeming inertia—in hindsight productive but not enjoyable. We felt as though in a void of nonproductivity.

We’ve experienced homelessness, the stultifying, frustrating fear that things would never improve, subjection to prejudice and profiling, firsthand experience with how worry can completely undo ones mental and physical health, not to mention the weighty responsibility of having to provide for dependents.

Now I want to stress that I’m not talking about whether the cable TV will work, the internet be provided for, and there be enough money to buy the latest and greatest electronic gadget. I’m talking about having a roof over ones’ head, heat in the winter, food all year round and a means of continuing to access the necessities, not the frivolities, of life.

Fortunately for us those years are behind us. We will carry the lessons learned and they will shape our future lives. Not everyone is as fortunate. As a voting population we have of late contributed to making this a country of unrecognized opulence and deep cruelty. A most unforgivable situation.

Deadly Confusion

2007-01-18T13:04:00.000-08:00

We thought this commentary might bring a smile to the readers face in spite of the seriousness of the situation. This perspective was brought about by what has been historical categorized as the Bush Years of Fanatical Pandemonium.

Namaste,

Euroswydd, Reiki Clowne and Mort

Definitions clarifying the intrinsic characteristics of food vary from the extremely convoluted and scientific to the simplistic version I will quote here, “food is any substance eaten to provide nutritional support”. A recent pass through US Customs and this definition have helped clarify a baffling situation. Why do so many US citizens continue to ingest products blatantly lacking in nutritional value in spite of reams of elucidating literature geared to correcting their wayward habits?

Boarding the plane in France for my return to the States I was handed a customs card to fill out with the stern admonition that if not filled out perfectly US BORDER OFFICIALS WOULD REFUSE IT! One of the many questions asked if any food was being brought back into the country. Not having any I dutifully marked the box next to the negative.

Ten or so long hours later I broached the US passport counter. A stern faced, blue uniformed border inspector glared at my passport, me, then after tapping information into his computer asked if I was bringing any food into the country. I again replied no (keep in mind this is the second negative on this subject) then without pausing for breath he asked if I was bringing in any fruit, vegetables or meat! Too exhausted to hide my shock at having to deal with an official both illiterate and deaf I painstakingly reiterated that I harbored and I quote, “no food of any kind”.

Mulling it over later it occurred to me that I’d stumbled into the explanation for the destructive eating habits of many in the United States. The answer is that the vast majority are confused as to what a food product is. If fruits, vegetables and meats aren’t deemed food—as clearly demonstrated by a Federal official and guardian of our precious borders—then whatever this vast majority is consuming for nutritional purposes is something else. In spite of the national preoccupation with a “proper” diet there is clearly confusion regarding what’s a food source and what’s not.

Our flora and fauna have suffered due to the innocent introduction of nonnative life forms from other worldly regions. Extreme care should be taken to keep further outbreaks from occurring but categorizing fruits, vegetables and meats as something other than food? Won’t this perpetuate worldwide chaos? What to eat, what not to eat, what to transport, what not to? Just imagine the possible worldwide, calamitous ramifications.

Quart Sized Baggies

2006-12-26T11:44:00.000-08:00

We think this commentary requires a minimal amount of introduction.
Namaste,
Euroswydd, Reiki Clowne and Mort

I’m leaving in less than two weeks for a much anticipated trip to the Bordeaux region of France. Since 911 there has been much ado about protecting ourselves from terrorism and to that end grandiose speeches oozing with declarations have prompted equally grand gestures—uniformed stern faced monitors, screeching chimes, warning bells, flashing lights, x-ray vision and general to extreme inconvenience—to proliferate at airport security checkpoints. Now one must unpack, unclothe and then redo what took days in a matter of minutes, as those behind shuffle forward to meet the same fate.
Add to that mix the incident of the past year. A “credible/substantiated” terrorist plot involving the anticipated employment of gels, liquids, pastes, pressurized containers and other solutions and items of similar consistency surfaced to wreak havoc for air travelers. Now one cannot bring such items on board unless their containers can be fit in a quart—not a pint, gallon or any other capacity—size zip lock baggie. For those of us who do not use that size or don’t have enough of the offending items to fit a bag that large, logic decrees that a smaller size should suffice. Apparently logic has nothing to do with it as a friend of mine discovered recently after presenting her pint sized bag with minimal items to the security personnel. She was chastised, provided with a quart sized bag and sent away to repackage and begin the entire security checkpoint procedure all over again. Such rigid, blind, illogical adherence to rules and regulations does not promote confidence that these officials possess the capacity to keep me and mine safe.
However, in spite of the fact that I find this all just ridiculous, since I do want to be allowed on board with as little fuss and muss as possible and finding myself in the grocery store yesterday, I perused the appropriate aisle for baggies. Variations on the quart size theme abounded. Since I only need one not 50, 200 or even 25, I opted for the cheapest box that coincidentally had only 22—this involved easy math to figure out 2/$5.00 for 25 as opposed to 2/$4.00 for 20 and so on and so forth. Hopefully I will go on 22 trips before I have to use either a different size or none at all. As I put the box in the cart an airplane’s picture caught my eye. Affixed to the front of the box a sticker boasted that the contents “meets airport security guidelines”. In the not so distant past baggies were for sandwiches or storing leftovers and didn’t zip much less conform to ineffectual security guidelines.
Apparently the latest advertising hype will revolve around a quart size baggie’s aptitude for providing a consumer/traveler the ability to pass inspection with ease prior to boarding a plane. Touting zip locks and holding full baggies upside down while contents stay within are rapidly becoming as antiquated as those outdated models that close by folding over.
I wonder what the anthropologists of the next century will conjecture about our culture when they uncover evidence of our habits. Or will they be contained within saran wrap with not a thought that hasn’t been pumped into their systems.

Buyers Palpitations

2006-12-21T09:34:00.000-08:00

During our time of study we’ve perused many varied and interesting commentaries by Earthling’s on life’s vagaries but reading of the numerous largely ignored atrocities such as the Katrina aftermath challenges our ability to view the actions of this world with neutrality.
For instance, if it was possible for a private business to get packages (admittedly at high cost) anywhere in the country within a limited time frame then why, given the power and influence of the US government, were the victims of that Hurricane still without adequate help over a year after the event.?
Even though we know these are historical events long ago played out and over with it’s still disturbing viewing the cruel practices of these Humanoids. They are so contrary to our own.
While being thought provoking the following commentary should bring a smile to the reader’s face.

Namaste and Peace,
Euroswydd, Reiki Clowne and Mort

Buyer’s Palpitations
In order to fulfill the initial step of the purchase and sales agreement on a recent property acquisition it was necessary to get a certified check to the escrow agent as quickly as possible. Unable to drive the three and a half hour distance because of work constraints I chose Fed Ex due to past reliability. Initiation of the process complete I left the Fed Ex facility clutching the all important tracking number.
My usual easing from the left over haze of the previous night’s slumber into the activities of the day was cut short the next morning when, after typing in the tracking number, Fed Ex revealed that my all important package was in Memphis, Tennessee. Once my heart stopped palpitating and functional breathing became possible again I checked all the information given to Fed Ex and found it to be accurate. Telling myself they knew what they were doing I calculated the hours it would take to fly the check back to New Hampshire.
At the conjectured time I apprehensively typed in the tracking number and found that yes indeed the package had boomeranged in a northerly direction. Although in a neighboring state it was at least on a truck and slated for delivery. Two hours later the package was deposited on the desk of the escrow agent.
Now I’m sure (or at least trying to convince myself) that the powers that be at Fed Ex picked the most efficacious route and I do understand the concept of connections, however, going from New Hampshire to Tennessee with a pit stop in Vermont before returning to New Hampshire seems a bit of a stretch. It occurs to me to wonder if those establishing Fed Ex connections might not be related to those running the country (or those who voted in those stumbling the country).
On second thought they can’t be. Even though the process seems wasteful and nonsensical at least Fed Ex delivers what its constituents (or clients) have voted (paid) for. If they didn’t they would be out of business.

Perception vs 20/20

2006-11-20T11:17:00.000-08:00

We thought this an evocative take on Thanksgiving.
Namaste,
Euroswydd, Mort and Reiki Clown

Hindsight, as the saying goes, is 20/20. And while 20/20 refers to a numerical value used by ophthalmologists to describe perfect vision, I’ve often felt perfect described perceptual rather than certifiably concrete parameters. When viewed from such a prospective Thanksgiving seems based on events which while representing the beginning of the end for the natives of the North American continent are nonetheless deserving of attention. The type of attention given a grave moral and ethical wrong rather than that of a celebratory genre.
Of course this is not news to anybody these days. Yet Thanksgiving is still touted as that heartwarming annual holiday when we should feel privileged to gather round the Groaning Board to reiterate our admiration and gratitude for those who brought in that first bountiful harvest. No matter the subsequent cost.
There’s nothing wrong with being proud of ones ancestors, it’s a healthy and grounding activity. However in light of the fact that this particular event is clouded with attitudes epitomizing the holier than thou (oh those dumb savages) controlling aspects of human nature perhaps the focus could be changed to more accurately reflect aspects of Thanks and Giving. Somehow exemplifying the precursor to the inhumane and environmentally skewed behavioral patterns extended over several centuries doesn’t seem a very commenmorative worthy event.
Admittedly I am coming off sounding extremely sour—I mean to. The precepts of this holiday are fraught with judgmental, overbearing aspects. Rather than a celebration of a bountiful, successful harvest it was a memorializing articulation embodying the very reasons the Pilgrims left their homeland in the first place—oppression and persecution. They tamed, overcame and overwhelmed the land and its people in order to prevail and implement their own agenda.
Now having gone up on my soapbox and reiterated the already well established ideas deploring the inhumane treatment of the Indians and their land let me shock any reading this diatribe by expressing my eager anticipation of this coming Thursday. Be assured I am not anticipating a commemorating of the inception of a continuation of unconscionable behavior the type of which goaded the Pilgrims into seeking a new homeland but something very different.
The day for me will be filled with sleeping late, chosen companionship, cooking, eating, the cozy smells of the season, relaxation and a welcome break from the normal routine. I will not be thinking (or at least I will try not to) of the Indians I met and came to know when I lived in the Southwest. I will try not to think of the horror stories they told me of their personal treatment, of the drunks filling the crevasses of those towns subsisting near Reservations, the hopelessness, the abject degradation perpetrated by those who ‘discovered’ and ‘tamed’ this continent.
Let me point out that I know how lucky I am. In my lifetime I have been subjected to profiling, derogatory treatment, being ostracized, denial of basic needs and rights all based solely on my sex and/or economic status as judged by the perceptions and vagaries of others. I have experienced homelessness and the emptiness of long distance travel associated with searching for a new one. Well acquainted as I am with the insurmountable weight of depression brought about by these and other factors I will enjoy this coming Thursday as a day to give thanks for having accomplished and learned much over the past year.
Thanksgiving can be a wonderful holiday in which to nestle positive meanings and actions. It is, however, incumbent upon us all to remember past mistakes and wrongs perpetrated in its name. How else can we hope to discontinue such horrors as genocide?

Successfully Nurturing Herb Plants

2006-07-31T08:57:00.000-07:00

We’ve received such positive feedback from other articles written about herbs, and referring to the information in Herbal Rhythms: Deciphering Herbal Codes that we felt compelled to continue sharing with others.
Happy Herb Usage!
Euroswydd, Reiki Clown, and Mort

Herbal, organic, sustainable, back to nature, and nontoxic are but a few of the positive catch phrases commonly used when referring to a kinder, healthier lifestyle. Having—perhaps whilst dining out--enticed taste buds with new sensations of flavor not based on fats and salts many have purchased herbs and cookbooks with the intent of manifesting those flavor sensations at home. Unfortunately in our age of disassociation with process most are disappointed when the herbs don’t magically flourish wherever they’re put once arriving in their new home.
Such necessities as the proper amount of sunlight, water, soil conditions, soil and other amenities, temperatures, freezing of seeds or not at some point during the living cycle, likelihood of wind damage, animal intervention and other factors must be factored into the equation when considering successful herb plant cultivation. Casual placement whether in the ground or pot can easily result in disappointment whereas knowledge of the microclimates, targets of automatic sprinklers, exposure to sun etc. can make the difference between an easy harvest and none at all.
While most herbs don’t require the ministrations that high maintenance plants such as roses do, herbs prefer a close approximation of the conditions inherent to their native lands. This can be arrived at by various means and once the proper growth regiment is met can be repeated year after year with predictable success.
By way of example, those plants grown for the sake of their roots need a loose, detritus—natural rock formations, unnatural leftovers from construction—free area to stretch and grow in to their optimal harvest potential. Those coming from the Mediterranean regions prefer drier, coarser soil.
Anyone who has gardened is aware of delineation of the country’s climates into Zones. Knowledge of these and their placement help facilitate decisions about what to plant, where and when. Set up on the principle of averages they’re quite useful but don’t fully take into account altitude, desiccation/humidity levels, intensity of the sun, propensity for wind damage, micro-climes within the yard and other unique local factors. Familiarity with these is crucial when planning and executing a garden whether herb or otherwise.
Other influences to keep in mind might include cats--whether neighborhood or personal. I’ve found there to be a marked difference of opinion over the best intended use of a freshly turned area of the garden. I see it as a place for seeds or seedlings; they see it as an area in need of their ministrations and worthy of deposits of various sorts. A piece of screening over the top discourages further soil rearranging by feline or other volunteers and provides a resilient, light protection for new seedlings. It also keeps birds from nibbling on quite so many of the seeds before they germinate. Again a difference of perceptions springs to the avian and human mind when seeds are sown. They see dinner while I enjoy visions of leafy vegetation erupting within 7 to 10 days.
Once the foundational habits and desires of a particular herb are known the next step is to incorporate those into the specific geographical growing situation. Some will grow easily while others may require a bit of experimentation. Having all the necessary information easily accessible within a reference guide such as “Herbal Rhythms: Deciphering Herbal Codes” goes a long way towards facilitating a healthy, enjoyable harvest.
Most books cover many herbs and only provide brief informational snippets about each. Providing a well rounded picture of fourteen of the most widely used herbs this book discusses historical, medicinal, culinary, cultivation practices, as well as offering recipe suggestions and projects to clarify various processes and have fun. The fourteen herbs discussed include basil, coriander/cilantro, dill, ginger, lavender, lemon balm, licorice, mint, oregano, parsley, sage, rosemary, tarragon, and thyme.

Components of Basil, Dill, Lemon Balm and Parsley

2006-07-24T11:10:00.000-07:00

The author of Herbal Rhythms: Deciphering Herbal Codes presents a brief synopsis on the benefits of familiarizing oneself with herbal constituents and their actions. The herbs mentioned in this article as well as coriander/cilantro, ginger, lavender, licorice, mint, oregano, rosemary, sage, tarragon, and thyme are presented in this book intended as an easy reference guide. Discussion revolves around their historical, culinary, and medicinal attributes with additional information pertaining to optimal growth conditions, harvesting, processing, storing, recipes and educational projects.
Namaste,
Euroswydd, Reiki Clown, and Mort

Deciphering Herbal Codes may seem like an unnecessary task when it comes to increasing ones knowledge of herbs however familiarity with the innate abilities of herbal constituents, their interactions and results, enhances the possibilities for enjoyment and usefulness.
For instance, many people hearing (or reading) about existing historical records alluding to basil’s effectiveness in curing sea-dragon bites would scoff at claims of anti bacterial actions. Sure basil tastes wonderful and the scent is delightful but don’t insult personal intelligence with claims of medical prowess the Doubting Thomas maintains. Not so, the person familiar with basil’s constituents possessing proven antibacterial actions answers. As with most stories, myths and legends there is a kernel of truth buried amongst the layers of fiction. In this case it’s likely crabs were the ‘sea-dragons’ doing the nibbling and basil was found to contribute to a quick, uneventful healing process by keeping infection at bay.
That dill’s constituents prevent and/or ameliorate issues of indigestion and stomach upset is widely appreciated, less so its insecticidal properties. Unbeknownst to many, dill seeds contain a proven insecticide, carvone anethofuran. Employing such an insecticide is, I would think, preferable to organophosphates which can cause dizziness, headache, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, blurred vision, sweating, endocrine disruption, and possibly death.
Lemon balm, a delight when enjoyed in infusion, contains rosmarinic acid a naturally occurring polyphonic compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Proven effective against viruses, yeast and bacteria its usefulness doesn’t diminish when viruses or bacteria mutate, one of the established downsides of prescription drugs.
Generally considered as nothing more consequential than a decorative sprig of garnish, admired solely for its aesthetic contribution to the overall presentation of a sumptuous meal, parsley doesn’t get its deserved recognition. One of the most nutritious of herbs, parsley contains flavonoids, (anti-inflammatory and antioxidant) in addition to a plethora of vitamins, and minerals. Perhaps it’s parsley ability to quell indigestion issues that led to its use as a garnish with the original intent being as an after meal digestive aid.
While some of the issues prompting past herb ingestion—for instance internal worm control--are no longer considerations many are still pertinent. Indisputably it’s helpful to have at least basic knowledge of auto mechanics in case of a breakdown. It’s just as helpful to know something of an herb’s inner mechanical workings--its constituents and their characteristics—to be able to take full advantage of inherent opportunities.

Clarifying the Work at Home Mythology

2006-07-18T05:17:00.000-07:00

The following commentary was written by a successful author who worked at home her entire writing career.

Namaste,
Euroswydd, Reiki Clown and Mort

Clarifying the Work at Home Mythology
Let me preface the following with the allowance that while myths are generally overblown, highly romanticized depictions of an event (s) or person (s) there is basis in truth. So saying, in lieu of a boring diatribe on the demerits of romanticizing working in the home let me offer a rendering of a typical day in the life of a home worker. The reader can be the judge as to the efficacy of the myths surrounding “working at home”.

Dulcet Oriental plinking seeps into my consciousness. Momentarily baffled realization creates a pitiful bleat of protest muffled by a blanket suddenly molded to my face. Loyal spouse that I am means getting up five mornings a week before any vestige of natural solar illumination has even considered sending a scouting ray or two above the horizon. Propelling the blanket back to its side of the bed I dutifully gird myself for the always eventful breakfast ritual as it pertains to the feeding of our pets. After completion of pre, during and post breakfast chores my arm waves cheerily at the back end of the car as it chugs away.
A load of laundry churning, the cats cleaning after their second breakfast—they display Hobbit behavioral proclivities, furry feet and bottomless stomachs—the Venetian’s slats coiled against their header, grey dawning gloom sulking beyond the window panes, and a variety of miscellaneous and sundry chores completed I sit before my computer, fingers poised.
But production is not to be...either the phone service or my ISP is on the blink. Unable to go on-line the necessity of checking my e-mail and doing research for my upcoming story goads me on. After several hours, much digital manipulation accompanied by a steady stream of commentary on my part, amidst a comforting gurgling of electronic bleeps the information that “you have mail” signifies connectivity success. While fix-it downloads of digital molasses intended to do away with the interfacing issues brought about by the security measures my ISP insists upon booby trapping my computer with, the laundry has been hung, the plants dehydration issues dealt with and dust relocated. And let us not forget the cats who think they have three cat doors. The preferred two require a human’s hand to facilitate their entering or exiting.
With the approach of late morning and the dog’s signaling his need to go outside and take care of business I prepare for the daily walk. Avoiding his leaping joy my eyes cast longingly at the now hibernating computer. The hoopla having roused everyone from their morning naps the feline circle greets our return, expectations high for anticipated elevenses, or is it third breakfast or first lunch?
Once again ensconced before the computer words finally flow through my fingertips onto the digitalized “page”, maybe the day won’t be a total washout after all. Bbrrriiinnngg, announces the phone, reinforcing its message of interruption three more times before the answering machine ends the torture. I keep an ear cocked for the voice of one of the few people who I’d leave work for. Why do people think that because one works at home one is therefore available for all sorts of trivial @#$% that no one would dare call someone to discuss in a more formal working situation?
Several hundred words later and with a resounding crash the power goes out. Sun blazing in a powdery blue sky means something other than a lighting bolt precipitated the interruption. Although only a dozen miles from the state capital power outages occur with frustrating regularity. Amidst the strident BLEEP, BLEEEPPING of my backup battery I click the necessary prompts telling the computer to shut down.
An hour later all the timing devices in the house blink steadily awake and the computer reloads. Handwritten pages in hand, a quick detour to the front porch to rescue one of my cats from the neighbor’s dog who seems to think our front porch is within her chasing territory rouses the rest of the again recently sleeping felines. Pages dropped off in the office and in hopes of being granted some peaceful quiet I provide the cats with 2nd or 3rd lunch, I’ve lost track which. Spraying the trail of ants just beginning their daily trek into the upper reaches of the pantry I realize that the UPS driver must be new. The big brown truck has determinedly thundered by my driveway intent—apparently—upon reaching the dirt road’s dead end less than 25 feet away. By the time he’s backed up to the head of my driveway I’m a waving beacon.
Once inside with my prize, the phone rings again, I remember I’ve forgotten to take out the chicken for dinner and begin wondering what I can substitute with and the eminent necessity of vacuuming wafts in soft fur colonies on the gentle air currents raised by my passage.
Exchanging chore necessity for work mode several more digital pages become filled with black print. Ears now protected by bulging sound thwarting headphones eyes glued to the screen, my mind deep within its preferred fictional world, I fail to notice the thunderstorm until a flash of lighting startles to awareness. Removing the headphones my ears are regaled with the warning precursor gagging of a cat about to vomit. The completion of that task and electricity’s tenuous connection to the house being terminated for the second time occurs simultaneously. Fortunately enough light seeps through the rain clouds to thoroughly clean up the mess before bringing in the newly dampened clothes.

An Apology to the "Dixie Chicks"

2006-07-11T11:19:00.000-07:00

We offer this letter of apology without editorial comment.
Peace of Mind Be With You,
Euroswydd, Reiki Clown and Mort

An Apology to the “Dixie Chicks”
I seem compelled to be humbled on a disturbingly--at least to me—frequent but rarely silencing basis. My most recent humbling and realization of gross misappropriation of negative opinion resulted from stereotyping.
In similar fashion to every human being on this planet I am—in spite of awareness of the issue and determination to avoid the pitfalls—prone to built in stereotyping resulting from an array of different causes. Recognized impetus includes childhood trauma, familial convincing, media deluge, religious doctrine as well as victimization resulting from being blessed with a pair of X chromosomes at a time when women were just beginning to eke out some of those inalienable rights so taken for granted by their “other halves”.
The term “chick” unless referring to a fluffy, charmingly cute new member of the avian community determinedly following in mommy bird’s wake has always connoted the image of an overbearing, inevitably male persona referring to a woman. By no stretch of the imagination is there even a pretext of respect or equality conveyed by those employing this descriptive label. For many of us women born into the baby boomer generation the word “chick” either sends shivers up our spines or blood boiling to the outer regions of the skin—and I am not referring to hot flashes.
Suffice it to say that the term “dixie” instantaneously brings to mind images representative of the redneck/plantation mentality found in the South along with its various accoutrements. Not the least of these includes the Confederate flag, dragging of human beings behind pick-up trucks, the Ku Klux Klan, and thinking of women as material possessions, just to mention a few of the forms and means of heinous degradation employed.
Several years ago while scanning through TV channels I stopped to watch an interview of an unfamiliar group of musicians. Always interested in new groups I nevertheless hurriedly moved back to the channel selections upon realization of their group name, the “Dixie Chicks”. Ascribing my stereotyped connotations I couldn’t imagine anyone voluntarily choosing to represent themselves using those words being of interest to me. That snap judgment cost me years of musical enjoyment and the opportunity to be heartened by their life principles and strength of character they display in sticking to them. My humbling experience transpired as a consequence of the “Dixie Chicks” refusal to follow their brainwashed harassers’ example and submit to fear.
Becoming a fan necessitated their receiving death threats, among other unconscionable reactions, in response to voicing an opinion during a concert, a common practice among performers. With the release of their latest album and subsequent reiteration of their political views in various media genres I’ve realized they are people I want to support and so received a surprise. Delightfully neither their music nor their characters matched my preconceived negative notions.
Isn’t freedom of thought, speech and spiritual beliefs what we as a country should be cherishing instead of ostracizing? These three women are carrying on the tradition set by those founders of this country who thumbed their noses at the then issuer of policies promoting tyranny, bigotry and persecution.
They are peacefully continuing to publicly share their convictions without causing the death of thousands, inconvenience of millions and they’re providing entertainment to boot. Can our President say the same? His most outstanding features, selfishness, thoughtlessness, warped perspective, unwillingness to obey the law, willingness to sacrifice the masses to augment the wealth of the few, and proponent of hatred and bigotry emulates the actions and mindsets of the most feared fanatics of historical accountings.
Whether one agrees with the “Dixie Chicks” or not the sanctity to express their opinions without fear of reprisal must be preserved or the people of this country will be no better off than those of North Korea suffering under totalitarian rule. And important lessons won’t be available for those willing to admit and apologize for faulty assessments.

Fertilizing the Seeds of Discernment

2006-05-22T11:20:00.000-07:00

Just a little edifying ranting and raving by a woman living in the early 21st century.
Peace be with You,
Euroswydd, Reiki Clown and Mort

As an officially age appropriate member of the ‘have it all generation’ whose growth in the 60’s and 70’s has matured into the fondly touted category of aging hippie/baby boomer, I’ll not give up no matter how many governmental agencies tap my various phones—land and cell, both a survival MUST in the 21st century—read my e-mails or whose presumed discriminating astuteness qualifies for supervisory rights to every facet of my life.

I hear the sighs all around—there she goes again--as per usual I have to be—some would say—difficult. Why not accept the guiding forces that so clearly wish to relieve me of such burdens as freedom of the press, freedom of thought and speech, a discriminating vote, the right to privacy, and hope for a better tomorrow. What’s to be gained from critically thinking, asking why, demanding accountability, rocking the boat? So what if they sell the National Park Lands, ostensibly to help school districts in need of money, an admirable, tear jerking cause aimed at gaining public support to perpetrate a travesty. Really take in what’s being proposed here…selling National Park Lands to the general public…those sacrosanct acreages put in trust for our generation, our children’s generation and so on. Perhaps the moneys for new school buildings and teachers might be more equitably raised if Congress decided to live as their constituents do, without reliable and/or realistic cost of living wage increases.

First our ethical, environmentally conscientious President called for lowering the environmental standards refineries must adhere to, stating that this would precipitate a fall in gas prices—I’m sure the oil companies will put those added profits wherever they’ve been putting their other profits and I can vouch for the fact that it’s not been in either the stockholders or the general public’s pockets--now he’s proposing selling off our National Forests.

Moving on to another idealistic hot potato, Roe vs. Wade continues to be in jeopardy and the U.S. Senate will soon be debating whether to create a constitutional amendment banning gay/lesbian marriage. Since these controversies are based largely on religious doctrine clarifying for devotees lifestyle do’s and don’ts how then is the spending of taxpayer dollars debating these subjects justified? Separation of Church and State that selectively invoked virtue of United States law for some inexplicable reason doesn’t hold sway with these issues.

On the flip side of the coin as recently as last month the Florida legislature voted to do away with a scholarship program whose moneys enabled disabled children to attend schools set up to provide for their needs, something the public schools weren’t able or willing to do. Since many of these private schools equipped to help children with dyslexia, ADHD and other learning issues are parochial the ethics of Church vs. State were brought to bear and those children now deprived of the necessary specialized educational techniques have an elevated chance of winding up in jail and/or on welfare.

Speaking of public assistance, according to the media jobs are plentiful for this year’s college graduates who are viewed on the news happily flipping tasseled caps skyward before marching off to destinies filled with optimism. For those who’ve already put in their time the future looks remarkably bleaker as they face life bereft of their well-earned pensions.

Perhaps a little less attention to who gets the most votes on ‘Idol’ and a bit more on who gets voted into public office…oh what am I thinking…this is America. And for those of you not in the hurricane affected areas…the season starts June 1st. I wonder if there are contingency plans enabling those troops patrolling the Southern borders, keeping citizens safe from those who do the jobs that no American is willing to do, to give aid to those in need when the next Category 4 or 5 devastates.

The Modern Herb

2006-05-01T09:54:00.000-07:00

Believing this article needs no introduction we present it without further comment.
Namaste,
Euroswydd, Reiki Clown and Mort

The Modern Herb
In a country absorbed with acquiring maximum results for minimal expense, provenance (assigning worth to an item based on its historical and/or sensational distinctions--the more available the higher the perceived value), and imbibing non-toxic, natural, organic, Human friendly nutrition and medicines its no wonder herbs have once again become the focus of National Attention.

Antiques and collectibles are big business these days and as anyone who has watched Antiques Roadshow or involved themselves collecting knows, two of the most important features considered when evaluating an item are condition and provenance. The same can be said of herbs and if not home grown the most reliable way to assure oneself of getting expected constituent content is to purchase loose herbs. Acquired for comparatively little monetary outlay they are sold by weight--generally ounce or pound.

Value increases when conditions are noticeably aromatic, display vibrant color and are free from bruising, crumbling or tearing. Within the realms of provenance lie tales of sea dragons, romance, wars, demons, sex, the battle of the sexes, medical marvels and more.

Centuries of co-habitation and use has ensured that humankind’s bodily systems are well adapted to assimilate herbal constituents. Unforeseen negative repercussions from continued use of the synthetic, toxic, molecular manipulations intended to make our lives pest free and preservative rich has prompted a resurgent interest in “natural” foods. While the use of the word “natural” is perhaps a misnomer since it is meant to solely evoke the idea of all that is good and wholesome and there are plenty of “natural” items that are poisonous, it does emphasis the time enhanced positive nutritional and medicinal relationship existing between ourselves and herbs.

Quoting from Herbal Rhythms: Deciphering Herbal Codes, by Jane Lytle, illustrated by Dawn Frost, March 2006, “an herbalist might say that we are what we absorb from what we eat! Therefore when we use herbs we get medicinal and nutritional—not to mention tantalizing our taste buds—value in one fell swoop”.

Happily we are not alone in benefiting from herbal inclusions in our lives as animals also enjoy the same benefits. What a deal!

Herbal Reference Guide

2006-04-18T10:46:00.000-07:00

We were surprised in an age when an herb's literary appearance was stereotypically limited to inclusion in tomes of encyclopedic nature or scientific papers, to find a book clarifying the characteristics of a select few.
The information needed to cultivate, harvest and fully utilize some of the general populace's most popular herbs is contained within the covers of this one volume intended to be an inexpensive, easy reference guide.
Perhaps the author said it best when she wrote, "These fourteen herbs are some of those most commonly purchased and used by the average gardener/cook in this country. I've attempted to provide a well-rounded picture of each from its place in history, medicinal and culinary attributes, optimal growth conditions, harvesting, recipes and projects for children and adults alike. Included in each chapter are various different hints and suggestions regarding cultivation, storage, and utilization that pertain not only to the herb being discussed, but to all herbs."
The fourteen herbs discussed include, basil, coriander/cilantro, dill, ginger, lavender, lemon balm, licorice, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, tarragon and thyme.
We of the Forum for Quizzical Minds wish you a healthy and herb filled day.
Namaste,
Euroswydd, Reiki Clown and Mort

Five Tips to Rewarding Dating

2006-04-06T11:34:00.000-07:00

I read this in an syndicated advice column and thought the readers of the present century might be interested to learn that the "advanced" Humanoids of the 21st Century still struggled with the most basic of issues.
Adios,
Mort

Given this country's advanced technological and medical prowess you would think that something as long lived and integral as dating would, by now, be a formulated, trouble free, precursor to wedded bliss. Unfortunately, to date, humankind has been unable to cure the "common" cold nor found foolproff solutions for dealing with the vagaries of dating.
There are many self described "experts" eager to offer their advice to those embroiled in the dating scene. Unfortunately, each situation is unique unto itself and there are no absolutes when it comes to human interactions.
Now that panic has set in and you're about ready to throw in the towel and resign yourself to a single life replete with video's and frozen dinners let me assure you there are strategies that when implemented can ease the dating riptides.
First and foremost be yourself, not some trumped up version of what you think your dream date will find appealing. Naturally, on the first date each of you will be on your best behavior but that's different from pretending to be someone you're not. Ultimately, if the relationship moves beyond that first date you are going to have to admit that you're not an expert on astrophysics, gardening or whatever. Many people think that the initial pretending will attract and then it won't matter who they present after that...let me tell you, that ploy never worked with me!
Second point of note has to do with first impressions. They are difficult to shake and a bad one may prove detrimental to your cause. Paying attention to physical appearance--being neat, well groomed, appropriately dressed for whtever the outing entails--goes a long way towards creating a relaxed atmosphere conducive to romance.
Showing respect for your date's religious, politica and other beliefs is imperative. Obviously you will be feeling each other out, trying to find out what makes the other tick but by no making absolute pronouncments or climbing on the proverbial soapbox embarassment and hurt can be avoided. Nobody really likes a pedantic blowhard and there's plenty of time to discuss important personal issues and persuade to your way of thinking once you've established a rapport.
A fourth suggestion is to avoid cramming all your credentials into a single date. It's not necessary to go into what you may think are your most worthwhile attributes whether physical or otherwise. Many people are turned off by someone who wears their resume on their sleeve. They would rather find out what you're about through interactions than boasting.
A final tip has to do with recognizing and acknowledging your date's unique personal tastes and preferences. Remembering that he or she is fond of a particular book, wine, play, hobby or outdoor activity and giving them a gift or arranging an outing based on that personal interest wins many brownie points. We all want to feel special and catering to our particular interests means so much more than being the recipients of stereotypical, generic, gender specific presentations.

Setting the Standard

2006-03-29T12:10:00.000-08:00

We discovered this piece in an early 21st Century Tallahassee, Florida paper. It’s an interesting commentary on the issues and the variant opinions of those times.
Namaste,
Euroswydd, Reiki Clown and Mort

Stunning News…Florida’s children may soon provide the standard by which the rest of the world’s children will measure themselves.
A presumably well informed and mature Governor Jeb Bush has seen fit to extend to his young constituents the duty of deciding what they will do for the rest of their lives as a prerequisite for high school admittance. He and the Florida Republican Party are backing a bill whose mandate requires each and every high school teen-ager to declare the major they will pursue during their High School Years.
Now in my day—those of you easing out of your late 30’s, 40’s, into your 50’s and beyond can relate to this phrase, and for those of you that can’t…don’t worry you will soon enough—we were much less decisive. Many entered college with undeclared majors, many changed their minds midstream. Clearly the physiology and mental acumen of my generation weren’t of a caliber comparable with today’s youth. The accelerated development of these children is truly outstanding—and a little hard to believe. Could there be such a jump in life skills acumen in a single generation? If this trend continues one wonders if those in the lower grades will soon be prepared to declare majors.
On the other hand, if the ability to aptly discern has been there all along how many were frustrated at eight, nine or ten when not taken seriously upon declaring themselves to be future fire fighters, astronauts, artists, nurses or circus acrobats? Could it be that we have been perpetrating a disservice upon our youth allowing them all those years to explore the possibilities before arriving at an informed, well researched decision regarding the rest of their lives?

Computers are to Lawyers as Necessity is to Obligatory

2006-03-08T04:45:00.000-08:00

This commentary written by a woman who worked with lawyers and who, during her nearly fifty years at the time of this writing, had on several occasions found it necessary to succumb to the need for their services appeared in “Time Will Tell”. Published on a monthly basis in the 21st century this periodical attempted to dispel myths and humanize those members of professions many perceived as exempt from the set of moral and ethical standards the “masses” were compelled to adhere to.
Happy Grazing,
Euroswydd

Computers are to Lawyers as Necessity is to Obligatory

I’ve always placed lawyers in somewhat the same category as computers. A necessary evil of life. Now to all those sincere—genuinely—people out there who became lawyers out of a real desire to do good and whose moral fiber hasn’t been compromised I apologize. It’s just that you are so few and far between.
Over the years I’ve eyed with skepticism and disgust the alarming amounts of money these bastions of our legal system feel justified in extracting from their clients. The criteria a rather loosely structured billing strategy based on inflation, select other aspects of the current economy, their need for “new and improved” material goods and of course that ever politically correct aspiration…saving for retirement…in such places as Monte Carlo, San Trope or the Riviera.
It’s probably too late to do anything about changing the average aspiring attorney’s gleeful anticipation of indulgence in an affluent lifestyle but tending to be the eternal optimist I can’t help wondering if all this hasn’t sprung from a dysfunctional system capable of repair. In going to the accountant to get that most undesirable and inevitable of yearly spring chores—paying taxes—behind me I became privy to a disturbing revelation. In order to become a lawyer one must pass the BAR (not the revelation) and to be granted the “privilege” of taking this exam the neophyte must fork over a $60,000 fee (The Revelation). And no that is not a typo. To the "average American" whose life is delineated by various dollar amounts due on a cycling four week schedule charging such an amount to take a test must seem obscene. Certainly not the kind of example geared towards encouraging equitable rates. And if the justification—making sure only the worthy attain the status of attorney—was achieved then…well…I’ll leave it at that.
Computers, as previously mentioned, fall into—at least in my mind—the same category as lawyers. Of course being machines contrived and constructed by Human Beings they aren’t actually responsible for their actions. There are times, however, when they do personify controlling,premeditated, calculating, even downright evil traits. Many display extraordinary social ineptitudes, refusing to interface with components from other companies. Blessed or cursed, depending on your viewpoint, with short functional lifespans they demand retirement and replacement every few years upping the monetary ante.
In an apparent marketing strategy presumably aimed at those skeptics still clinging to a non digital lifestyle computers have been imbued with human characteristics. I’m just curious…was it perhaps a lawyer who decided on which characteristics to exemplify?

Birth Control

2006-02-21T12:01:00.000-08:00

This letter to the editor was written before the issues of sexual orientation became secondary to the pertinent issues of the time. It provides illuminating insight into how power and control can be wielded by some over those personifying an impressionable, unquestioning willingness to blindly follow.

Peace Be With You,
Mort

Imagine the perfect world. Admittedly the concept of perfection may differ depending on your individual point of view but in spite of the obvious cultural, ethical and browbeater issues I believe there are certain basics we can all agree upon. Empathy, that Christian biggie-- Forgiveness of Sins—honoring (whatever’s worthy)--, paying taxes, increasing quality of life and so on and so forth.
As a means of fast tracking to the perfect world I’d like to propose a review of the religious right’s view on homosexual marriage and the practicality of birth control. In the not so long distant past Human newborns suffered mortality rates comparable to the many species of wildlife that produce in bulk ensuring the continuation of their species. In the Human world, mastery, in the guise of religion, decreed that the only sanctifiable union was that between a heterosexual couple…in other words one physically capable of mass human production. A self aggrandizing way of producing cheap labor as well as guaranteeing the perpetration of the species and while not a control tactic I condone certainly an understandable notion.
As with so much other conceptualization that has gone the way of the dinosaur the need for mass mini human production is an antiquated one. It has joined the ranks of the ribbon typewriter, corded phones, 8-tracks and clean air. Why then are so many clinging to the old ways? Twenty-first century large families are more of an economic hindrance than help, and viable areas available for food production shrink daily.
People have gleefully glommed onto cell phones, faithfully spend thousands for new computers every 3-4 years, upgrade and update any and every electronic necessity with almost maniacal zeal. Unconcernedly they’ve expunged time honored concepts—longevity, reliability, not wasting, pride and loyalty—in favor of instant gratification. This predilection then begs the question…why the continued negative attitude toward homosexuals? If nothing else here is a golden opportunity to put low cost birth control into the mainstream!
This is, of course, not to say that many homosexuals don’t want families. They do. Many adopt children that would otherwise languish in the adoption/foster system while a much lesser amount actually experience the birthing process. Overall a highly equitable way of lessening the burden on our beleaguered planet.
Just imagine a world where ones sexual orientation weren’t the issue. Just imagine if all those people who, through fear, entered into doomed heterosexual coupling, producing progeny destined for the psychiatrists couch—if not worse—hadn’t felt so pressured. Just imagine a calmer, happier less violent home world. Just imagine the possibilities.

Puritannical Resurrections

2006-02-03T08:25:00.000-08:00

I read this Editorial in The Underground Sentinel, a newspaper published in the Northeastern United States during the early years of the 21st Century. I leave you to read it and come to your own conclusions.
It's all nothing more than a matter of choice,
Euroswydd

Choice seems to be the hot potato of our culture these days. Now choice to me has always been a fairly straightforward proposition. When I’ve needed to express an opinion or decide on one idea or another I’ve researched all the information available then chosen that which I’ve found to be the most efficacious. In retrospect some of my choices have turned out to be less than inspired but never in my wildest nightmare has it ever occurred to me—until recently that is--that my government would presume to monitor, judge then squelch the expression of those choices.
The other day I was at a red light, patiently (yeh right) awaiting the green. A bumper sticker on the car ahead proclaimed that “choosy mothers choose life”. So, one asks oneself--is this woman Pro Choice or Pro Life? I tend to think Pro Life but the sticker isn’t really clear. She does seem to be advocating the concept of choice, the supposition being that any mother worthy of that position would choose life. So…if she is such an advocate of choice then what’s the problem? Pro Choice doesn’t advocate abortion, it advocates a principle at the very crux of why people came to this country before it was a country. Freedom of choice. Those who subscribe to the Pro Life agenda might want to consider that they are going against the very principles put forth by our founding fathers.
On the positive side of choice squelching I foresee an expanding of the Federal coffers in the future. This won’t come from taxes but from the cost of procurring the licenses that will be necessary to obtain before being able transcribe words onto T-shirts. Without this type of licensing more and more T-shirt wearers can expect to be arrested for what their chests reveal about their true choice of beliefs. To date there have been many such arrests and a continuation could lead to, among other things, overcrowding in the jails. Clearly those making the T-shirts will have to be monitored.
Choosing to face the realities of the world can be daunting. I’m the first to admit to a sometimes overwhelming desire to emulate the ostrich and “stick my head in the sand”. Wouldn’t it be easier—I sometimes tell myself—to not buck the tide, just go along with the flow, let whoever wants to put all that effort in do it and let them have their way.
Then it occurs to me that if I allow myself to become a bit of complacent ooze on my chair I’ll have joined the ranks of the undistinguished, irrevocably giving into the tyrannical depravity of repression. How many World Wars have been fought to keep just such an eventuality from occurring?

Lost and Found

2006-01-25T06:00:00.000-08:00

As one particularly interested in the written word I found the following piece to be an intriguing take on how semantics can affect the philosophical beliefs of an entire culture. I hope you find it an engaging read.
Namaste,
Reiki Clown

I’ve been living with the misguided, if one is to believe the prevailing dogma, notion that those who die, or to say it in a more socially acceptable genteel way--pass on, do so in order to facilitate their soul’s arrival in whatever type of afterlife their spiritual belief system subscribes to. The recent death of a parent has placed a critical spotlight on this personal belief and prompted an evaluation. The use of a four letter word seems to be at the crux of the matter.
So let’s consider the word lost. Lost has several meanings and experts advise that unless this word is used in such a way as to offer no ambiguities regarding the intended meaning a different word should be employed. According to the dictionary lost can describe rapt attention such as being lost in thought, a failure of some sort such as a lost battle, it can refer to something no longer known or practiced such as a lost art, it can mean unable to function as in having lost ones arm or to finding ones way as in having lost the trail. No mention is made of an association with death.
Since the passing of my father seven months ago I’ve become attuned to the ways in which people skirt—now there’s blog worthy word—the issue of death. According to one and all I’ve misplaced my father apparently in much the same way I might lose a set of car keys, a book, my pen, money, occasionally my mind, or my car in a large parking lot--an eventuality, I might add, more likely to occur during inclement weather.
I have been regaled with, “we’re so sorry you’ve lost your father, losing a parent can be so difficult, we’re sorry for your loss”. I’m sure these blithely repeated platitudes are very kindly meant but I haven’t misplaced—a synonym for lost—him! Admittedly the parameters of the relationship have shifted but there’s no need to form a search party. His essence is firmly embedded in my memories and his soul is enjoying the next phase of life.
I do, however, now understand why there are so many things left undone or poorly done in this country. A great preponderance of the population is out searching for a misplaced loved one.
Perhaps an edict should be spread across the land—Stop The Madness Now! Return to your homes, your families, your jobs. It’s all a big mistake, someone misused the word, another repeated the mistake and it spread like wildfire. It’s a matter of semantics--your dearly departed are just that, departed…not lost!

Spleen Juice

2006-01-13T10:48:00.000-08:00

How a vacation can change perspectives, This is a journal entry from one of our favorite journal writers of the 21st century. She doesn’t follow the typical lifestyle and provides interesting insight into a perspective not immured in the stereotypical mindset of her times.

Euroswydd, Reiki Clown and Mort

An interesting change happened to me over vacation. I lost my spleen. No I don’t mean to say that I had an operation, I’m referring to the fact that I’m not as inclined as I once was to write stinging commentary regarding the insufferable—as I see it—inept, handling of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as perpetrated by those functioning—I use the term loosely—in what is purported to be the most important administrative offices in the United States, oh excuse me…the world. Yup, I just don’t seem to be able to work up the amount of energy needed to spout off witticisms regarding such atrocities as the possibility of Judge Alito spending the rest of his life in the judiciary seated on the Supreme Court, further sealing this country’s fate—or put another way, its reentry into the Dark Ages.
Interestingly enough the word spleen when used in the literary rather than organic sense brings to mind thoughts of anger, venom and the like. The spleen—when housed in a human body—is actually an important component in the battle to keep things in humming along effectively. As a member of the lymphatic system it cleans and restores as a member of the literary community it alludes to things of a malevolent nature.
It’s not that I’m any less perturbed by the events as played out before me on both my TV and computer screen it’s just that I’m not sure anymore if harping on it all will make any appreciable difference in the outcome. Perhaps those who espouse the concept of prayer are correct. A concept that I actually do believe in by the way.
It has been bandied about of late, and I believe Federal dollars will soon be appropriated to fund a scientific study of this phenomenon, that when people pray—and the more the better the results—what they pray for is more likely than not to come about. In other words if a bunch of people are all thinking the same thing and putting their energies of mind and spirit towards a common goal, very often that goal is achieved.
Given this concept I can’t help but wonder if it’s wise, for those of us appalled at the path this country is charging down, to be granting it so much of our time and energy? Shouldn’t we be emulating the organic spleen, cleaning and restoring?
Of course venting can also be such a healthy pursuit…

Imagine

2006-01-03T07:59:00.000-08:00

Studies have shown that an unfortunate repercussion of the human maturation process is the shutting down of specific sensory perception sites within the brain. These sites help facilitate mental and emotional developement but were ridiculed by the masses as being "childish". Apparently not everybody succumbed to the inevitable and we've incuded this poem as proof of this hypothesis.

Euroswydd, Mort and Reiki Clown

Imagine

Wafts of breeze undulate gossamer threads
Inspiring woven expressions as they pirouette
through the air

Can you still see these delicate curtains?
Bejeweled with shimmering memories
Of warm summers, sea salt zephyrs and
unlimited possibilities?

The Underdeveloped Brain

2005-12-08T07:09:00.000-08:00

We of the Forum have spent time reading about, mulling over and trying to make sense of the Humans preoccupation with destroying that which they most value. Why did they complicate matters so? They certainly didn’t seem to derive any pleasure from of it. We have concluded, upon extensive study, that the behavioral manifestations resulted from a psychiatric affliction. More specifically the UNDERDEVELOPED BRAIN SYNDROME. Those poor victims of this seemingly innocuous condition couldn’t see “the forest for the trees” so to speak. Their perceptions were skewed, they placed meaning where none existed and they created issues to increase self-importance and worth. A particularly virulent strain reached nearly pandemic proportions during the 21st Century. We include the article below by way of illustrating our point.

Euroswydd, Reiki Clown and Mort

The Underdeveloped Brain

It’s another birthday to celebrate! That was the way of it all my life. Excitement overwhelmed and sleep was elusive the night before a birthday. So what if that meant being another year older, it meant getting fun stuff.

Celebrating other people’s birthdays was fun as well. The anticipation of their happiness upon opening their presents was almost as much fun as opening personal ones. Whether going to the store or making things by hand, there was a certain satisfaction in doing something that would bring a smile of delight to another’s face.

The giving of gifts was a way of celebrating a birthday. Preparations were made, time was set aside to remember and honor, respectfully, the sanctity of a specific birth. No one expected that birthdays would become tools used to further political or religious agendas.

Many people, women and men both, have throughout history been recipients of spiritual messages. These people garnered followers who understood and believed in the enlightened one’s insights. Oftentimes certain followers took the situation one step further and, usually following the death of the spiritually enlightened person, created a religion. Both Christianity and Buddhism are two such philosophies.

Yes, they are philosophies, not religions. Christ didn’t leave any writings behind, St. Paul took it upon himself to change the spiritual messages Jesus Christ espoused, turn them into divinations, then write them down. A similar scenario transpired with Siddhartha Guatama. This Buddha received his enlightenment after much effort and maintained that he offered the wisdom of empirical observation not divine decrees. In spite of that Buddhism is perceived, by many, to be a religion.

When I was younger, celebrating Jesus Christ’s birthday was like celebrating any other birthday, albeit on a slightly grander scale. We decorated, gave gifts, discussed the birthday boy, and ate a really special meal. Just like on any other birthday. To me it was a chance to celebrate the birthday of someone who was really special and to honor that. I spent most of my life under the apparently deluded impression that that was what Christmas was all about.

Then, finally after years of operating under such naïve delusions, I too received enlightenment. Christmas isn’t about celebrating the birthday of a special person it’s about control, who has it, who doesn’t and perhaps more to the point, who wants it. How else to explain the preoccupation of religious and political representatives with the nomenclature describing facets of the holiday? Or should I not use the word holiday? Surely there’s some derogatory connotation involving that word as well. I do apologize to whomever I have unknowingly caused mental and or religious anguish. It’s just so hard to keep track of all the subtle nuances holding sway these days.

And as for my reevaluated perception of birthdays….

Just A Few Suggestions

2005-11-18T11:20:00.000-08:00

As the concept that the furry and feathered creatures with which these humans shared the planet with were cognizant, sentient beings increasingly pervaded human societal beliefs we noticed an increased amount of suggestions, coming from the feathered contingent in particular, regarding recipes and the "holidays". Here is an example of such an offering for your perusal.

Tom and Tomasita Turkey's Thanksgiving Day Menu

Appetizers: Heated Brie and Apples Slices with a selection of crackers
Pigs in a Blanket-mini nuggets of feta cheese, spinach and herbs rolled in filo dough
A selection of Chimay Ales from Belgium or Mulled Cider

Soup: Pumpkin Soup with Chili Can-Apple Relish or Butternut Squash Puree

Salad: A mix of baby greens with sliced tangerines, olives, yellow pear tomatoes,
and pinion nuts topped with a raspberry balsamic vinagrette

Entree: Fondue with bread, potatoes and vegetables for dipping
Stuffed Mushroom Caps
Creamed Onions
Candied Yams
Mashed potatoes
Whole Cranberry Sauce
Vegetarian stuffing

Cornbread to accompany the soup, salad and entree if so desired. Wine, ale, mulled cider as well as coffee, tea and water available throughout.

Dessert: Pumkin Pie
Baked Apples
Lemon Meringue Pie
Apple Pie
Ice Cream
Pudding

Tom and Tomasita Turkey ask nothing more than to be thankful to enjoy another day of eating cracked corn and enjoying each other's company while anticipating the beauty of watching another sunrise on Black Friday. Isn't that pretty much what we all want?

Your Money at Work-Scientific Study Backed With Federal Dollars

2005-11-11T07:52:00.000-08:00

The following scientific paper detailing a federally funded study typifies the workings of the scientific community when dependant solely on grants and the vagaries of the political system. We offer it to you for perusal and reaction.
Euroswydd, Reiki Clown and Mort

Your Money at Work- A Scientific Study Backed with Federal Dollars

“You Can’t Teach an Old Dog New Tricks”… or Can You?

Abstract:

This two year study of a middle aged female humanoid proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that behavior can be modified and physical acuity sharpened even during “the declining years” as that time period is so descriptively labeled.
The subject of this analysis arrived at the testing site in March of 2004 and endured cohabitation with millions of medium sized mosquitoes with particular intensity being observed during the months of October through April. While unable to successfully capture her quarry in 2004 a marked improvement in her abilities was noted by the behaviorists during the 2005 season.

Introduction:

The objective of this study was to validate or negate the long standing hypothesis that “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”. Deeming acquisition of this knowledge to be a priority the Federal Government appropriated several million dollars to close the book on this pressing issue once and for all.

The subject was a forty-seven year old female transplanted from the Northeast coast of the United States to the year round hot, humid climate that is the Florida Panhandle. Prevailing conclusions have pointed to the impossibility of such a woman being able to regain the lightning fast reflexes (associated with more youthful acuity) needed to protect herself and her family from the hoards of savage mosquitoes constantly seeking nourishment.

Reaching particularly intensity during the months of October through April they regularly invaded the woman’s domicile. A direct link between air condition usage and mosquito entry has been documented as a direct result of this study.

Within this laboratory we spent two years watching to see whether this middle-aged female humanoid’s reaction time, when trying to swat at the offending creatures, could increase.

Materials and Methods

Our materials encompass the housing shell, forty-seven year old female subject, insects, time and gallons of insect repellant.

Results

There was a marked increase in speed and acuity from the first year of inundation to the second. While our subject rarely hit her target, (the mosquito) in the first year of observation but by the same time in October 2005, she’d reached an average of nearly 100% annihilation per attempt. We conclude unequivocally that in spite of the stereotyping surrounding the slowing, stiffening and lowered physical stamina attributed to the aging process that given enough impetus a humanoid can reverse or at least stem the process to their own advantage.

A direct correlation was noted between the cool atmosphere as created by incessantly running air conditioners during the ‘summer’ months and their absence in the ‘winter’ months in relation to mosquito presence within the house. Mosquitoes like it warm and will get into the house when it’s warmer than air outside, no matter what measures are employed.

Discussion

We reached our conclusions based on the fact that unused to having to swat and connect with mosquitoes with any regularity in the first forty-five years of her life (she was after all forty-six the first year of the study) necessity brought about a rapid, development of the skills appropriate for survival in this alien environment. To quote our subject, “I never in my wildest imagination, would have considered the development of killer hands necessary to add to my arsenal of survival skills. These suckers-and I say that with conscious intent-are the bane of my existence. I’m so happy for the government that they now know that we aging humanoids can indeed adapt and learn. When can we expect to see any positive changes in political policy or programs based on this information?”

We are next considering a study clarifying sense of humor and irony.

Ego Caressing

2005-11-04T08:58:00.000-08:00

Hi to everyone, Euroswydd here. I feel compelled to add my personal thoughts on the subject of ‘ego caressing’. This is actually my term as far as I know but it describes to a T the tactics employed by the mass marketers of the 21st century.
Reading diary entries of a forty-seven year old woman whose life had, for years, been confined by financial burdens-yes, they still used cash in those days, that remarkably primitive means of accessing the necessities of life-I couldn’t quite believe my eyes. Her description of the following blatant ploy perpetrated by her credit card company defied rational belief.
She writes and I quote:
“So what did my enterprising credit card company do…they rewarded me… I have been upgraded to Platinum status and will soon find a rectangle of freshly cut plastic in my mailbox. It will be a different color than the gold one I have now with the same account number and interest rate (so I wonder to myself… this is such a wonderful thing because?). I have been rewarded with this dubious honor because I am ‘one of their best customers’. You bet I am. After years of reliably relinquishing my limited funds in an attempt to keep going until I could pay them off I had achieved the unthinkable…a zero balance. No longer do I have to spend hundreds of dollars each month in the form of interest fees for the privilege of using their card to keep food on the table, clothes on our backs (and fronts) and an insured car on the road.
I’ve managed to get out from under and in addition to being granted a grey-they maintain platinum but it just looks grey to me-card I will now earn ‘points’ when I use it. Ostensibly with enough accumulation of points I can buy “free” merchandise at specified retailers. Depending on my spending proclivities and my desire to acquire enough points to get a $25.00 Home Depot Gift Card, a $50 Barnes and Noble Gift Card or a $100 Circuit City Gift Card -I picked from the list those that I would actually pick in real life- I am being encouraged to once again run up a credit card balance where I will be paying them much more in interest that I would receive from any points ‘rewards’ I might accrue.
These altruistic companies aren’t trying to create a situation where I will need to pay interest you say? That I can always simply pay off my previous month’s extravagances and avoid the morass of high percentage rates and still enjoy the perks of points acquisition?
Of course I can…but is anyone actually naïve enough to think that’s the scenario the credit card issuers are banking on?

Yup You Really Can

2005-10-28T07:16:00.000-07:00

Given the conflicts perpetrated in the name of Freedom for the People, we find it perplexing that, after all the energies and deaths sacrificed over the centuries in the pursuit this ideal, those societies enjoying the benefits of its acquisition can be so cavalier about its upkeep. We found the following tidbit in a diary. The diary entry is dated October, 18 2005.
Salutations,
Euroswydd, Reiki Clown and Mort.

Yup You Really Can

For all the people out there, the “little” people who because they don’t think their one vote counts don’t bother going to the polls on Election Day I have two words for you--Rosa Parks. Now I know that she wasn’t involved in gaining women the right to vote, all she did was quietly, firmly refuse to give her front of the bus seat up to a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama on Dec. 1, 1955.
I realize that most of today’s younger people may not fully comprehend the significance of the action taken by this 42 year old seamstress. After all that was so long ago. Where’s the relevance to today’s issues? Fed up with the derogatory treatment meted out by those judging worth and character based solely on skin color, she took an unprecedented step or seat, if you will. She chose to do something about the injustices being perpetrated against people of color instead of complaining but taking no action to prevent or terminate it.
This diminutive woman-she was 5”1” tall-who one of the “little” people, had no name recognition, no opulence, no political or business ties of note, none of the qualities deemed necessary to be capable of bringing about massive societal change. No encompassing influential capacity whatsoever by the standards of those who complaining bitterly about this and that, continue to rail against their perceived impotence to facilitate change.
As history has shown a very ‘ordinary’ woman by quietly declaring herself worthy of humane treatment and unwilling to live a life ruled by fear brought about a social revolution and in so doing showed the power that one determined person, unwilling to put up with an injustice, can wield. Her act caused public attention to be aroused, indignation to flourish and more and more people to actively protest the heinous treatment they and their fellow human beings were undergoing. She started the ball rolling and while it still needs to continue rolling there have been many positive changes since that day in 1955.
How you ask does this relate to a single vote being cast? Think of it this way…if one ordinary person can start a social revolution why can’t a single vote change the course of history? Whether that one vote becomes part of a landslide or the deciding vote in an election, that one vote is your active voice declaring your message of choice. It’s your way of sitting on the front of the bus and refusing to budge, no one can take the power of your vote away from you unless, by not exercising it, you allow them to.

New and Improved?

2005-10-21T10:38:00.000-07:00

We thought it would be interesting and informative to dwell on the reactions of those general citizens as, regaled with an ever increasing bedazzlement of new and presumably-if one were to believe what all the media hype and advertising said-necessary forms of digitalized processing and processors, they incorporated them into their lives. Below is an article on just that subject...we hope you find it informative and enjoyable.
Euroswydd, Reiki Clown and Mort

Those who’ve known me from the past-and I will allow the possibility of those in the present-might be less than convinced at the voracity of what I’m about to say, but it’s true nonetheless. I really have no issue with the idea of progress, improvements or the like.
Without question improvements-actual ones-are wonderful and I embrace them. It’s nice to toss-well, perhaps not toss vigorously-dirty dishes into the dishwasher and let it do the work. It’s also quite satisfying to put dirty clothes in the washing machine and let it do all that rock pounding once deemed necessary in order to get sparkling, sanitized body wear.
I live in a rural area that doesn’t offer satellite internet access to its inhabitants, they haven’t heard of Broadband and the telephone lines are pre-historic grade. In other words these lines are barely capable of handling what they were originally intended to do—transporting the spoken word—much less today’s sophisticated computer signals.
Sitting and waiting, waiting, waiting…waiting…OK you get the idea, for my desired web site to appear—I believe the technical jargon is uploading but I’m just going to hold on to my antiquated descriptive terms if you don’t mind. They’re kind of like comfort food when you’re not feeling well. Anyway there’s nothing coming up nor is there any appreciable loading apparent on my monitor. I rue the day that I discovered how satisfying having a cable connection can be.
My father, spectacularly uninterested in material possessions for material possession ownership’s sake, unless there was a personal emotional attachment or the material possession in question served a very useful purpose, nevertheless enjoyed his, “gadgets”. As time passed and we moved from the Industrial Revolution into the Digital Age (Age of Digital?) those “gadgets” became increasingly intriguing to him.
Several years ago he informed me, with a wry chuckle-always present when discussing an ironic action of his-that for the first time in his life he’d allowed a telemarketer to persuade him to try a product. One of the first people to own a home computer (yes, a “gadget”) my father was intrigued with the salesman’s pitch guaranteeing speedier internet service if he would include internet access along with his cable TV hookup. My father never used dial-up again.
As a result of exposure to the speed of this service as well as other more modern phone line services I am now embroiled in a constant state of frustration, held prisoner by a system that delivers a less than mediocre performance. The irony of it all is that before it wasn’t imperative that I have reliable internet access, my economic stability didn’t depend on it. Now it does.
But what if I’d never known that there could be something better, speed and oh yes, ultimately more expensive. I’d most likely be happily accepting of my lot and not know what I was missing. I do know that I would be missing a lot of frustration, high blood pressure moments and the animals wouldn’t be vacating the room with the frequency they do now as they hear rumblings begin to emit from my mouth as I rise from the seat facing that recalcitrant monitor.
In addition to all the new stuff, there are changes that have been perpetrated on items that have been around for some time. Take cordless phones for instance. Now that our phones have been streamlined and liberated we can move freely about the house or yard, able to talk incessantly, always be in touch, as we take care of daily necessities.
Just think of the evolutionary possibilities, a union between cordless and cell phones could eventually result in a sixth digit---on one hand only of course—or a protruding bulge in the shape of a phone becoming the normal shape of—only one—human ear. But forgive me I digress.
Being able to carry on conversations no matter where we are or what we are doing is supposed to bring us together—so what is this about an increase in dysfunctional families and high divorce rates?—and make our lives easier and more relaxing. Have none of these people dealt with cell phone service that doesn’t?
But wait I’m getting a glimmer of an idea, I think I’ve got it! It’s not that we’ll have more free time but that we’ll be better able to get the ever increasing amount of necessary “things” done!
How clever.
P.S.
Food for Thought regarding the concept of ease of work load: Which requires more upkeep the electronics with their demands to be upgraded, recharged, downloaded, accessed, debugged, accessorized (with their own unique brand so they will be able to interfaced), and when retired brought to the toxic area of the Recycling area, or pets with their need to be fed, debugged, accessorized, interfaced with, and cleaned up after?

Weather 'tis Nobler?

2005-10-14T12:12:00.000-07:00

I have had a hard time going through the material describing the Natural Calamities that decimated the coastal and inland regions of four states, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas the late summer of 2005. Studying all the worlds and cultures that I have I thought I’d seen or heard it all, but nothing compares to the ineptitude and self-aggrandizing actions taken by the President of the United States before, during and after the Hurricanes made landfall. The unique comparison in this piece looks at it all from a different perspective.

Weather ‘tis Nobler?
The wind moves through the yard bringing with it a feeling of relief after so many months of still, humid laden air-it was almost as if the air too moisture had been too heavy to be moved anywhere. Temperatures still descend no lower than the mid-seventies mellowed by the darkness of night but they no longer reach into the upper nineties as they did for so long. It’s ‘cooler’ now…high’s approach but don’t cross over the 90 degree mark. Humidity and dew point measure in double digits and that chance for occasional showers so fondly referred to by forecasters, certainly present themselves with frequency.
Using such terms as chance of, occasional, spotty and widespread seem to be safety net phrases taught to prospective meteorologists bent on pursuing a career that will allow them to make predictions that will impact peoples’ daily lives but for which they will suffer no greater repercussions if they are in error, or mess up in some way than a few words of chastisement and perhaps for the younger and less hardened a wee bit of embarrassment. Remorse need not enter the picture, after all it’s only the weather…not something as important as people’s lives, the balanced budget of an entire nation, or the compassionate (we won’t mention intellectual) credibility before the entire world. Yet the alarming similarity in modus operendi as displayed by the President of the United States in the performing of his job and that of the meteorologists doing theirs is cataclysmically undeniable.
Those brave people-for they do go before an audience on a daily basis and based on computer models and their experience make a guess about weather trends-rarely give an entirely accurate forecast. I’d like to have a bit more confidence in my President, that he will be able to foresee and take appropriate action on whatever issues lie ahead for his constituents, than I do in the weather forecasters.
I want to interject at this point that I am a firm believer in meteorologists, they do an excellent job and can’t be more accurate than they are since they are guessing what a weather system will do over time. The weather system may have other plans, hence the margin of error implicit in every forecast. Such a margin is unavoidable and expected when dealing with weather it is not acceptable when coming from the country’s leader. Most weather men/women involve themselves in the community where they live and work spending their free time giving of themselves in many different capacities to going into schools and educating to charity events. HHmmm and the President….
Suffering through months of daily temperatures flirting with the century mark, high humidity and no breezes is not within the weather forecasters power to control, they bring us the information and being human we vent our spleen at the uncomfortable situation at them because they are there. They are not elected officials whose first responsibilities are to their constituents and were put in office to act in leadership capacities to take care of the needs and requirements of those who gave them their jobs. The troops are in needlessly in Iraq where over five BILLION dollars goes every day to further a cause that is none of our business, while here at home citizens of the United States suffer from deprivation and danger wondering how come they don’t have priority. Should they announce the existence of weapons of mass destruction? Perhaps plan and leak out a mock terrorist attack? Will such attention grabbing tidbits of fiction perhaps cause a shift in the money flow and redirect it towards a more suitable purpose?
Nobler has a variety of definitions which for the most part are variations on a single theme. One of them mentions having or showing qualities of high moral character. The meteorologist or the President…which is nobler.

Presidential Follies

2005-10-05T09:49:00.000-07:00

Presidential Follies
Various incongruities become obvious when viewing the reactions of the administration to the natural storm calamities which decimated the Gulf Coast regions of the United States during late summer of 2005. Singularly unreactive despite ample warning the President further exacerbated the already untenable situation with his unconscionable all but ignoring of the situation. Producing worldwide derision not to mention a maelstrom of negative reaction emanating from his constituents he attempted to regain some of his popularity by making promises of economic support to be made available not only to the inhabitants of New Orleans but to those victims living in Mississippi and Alabama as well. As he should. The next issue brought to the public’s attention became the ‘how on earth are we going to pay for this’ issue. Pulling out of a war that never should have been broached was apparently not an option while extracting funds from vital social services here in this country was. Cuts in funding to health and educational programs featured prominently on of the list of those issues deemed expendable. The curtailing of more roads that would accommodate and encompass more gas consuming vehicles seems a more logical candidate for belt tightening. Gas prices not withstanding it should have been glaringly obvious to even the most mentally challenged that continued reliance on fossil fuels to move the country’s goods and people about needed to be rethought and redirected. Perhaps instead of, as the esteemed Senator from Arizona suggested, revamping the Medicare system that would start providing more to those in need as of December by staying those funds and not providing until a complete revamping of an admittedly faulty system could be facilitated-and how long will that take at the current rate that it takes to get anything through committee and voted upon? But perhaps looking into something such as the money appropriated for the restructuring and enlarging of the roads in this country and going about That in a different more equitable fashion. Survival wasn’t crucial entwined to paved infrastructure as it was to being able to access food and medicine. By holding of building further roadways and examining the situation further utilizing those capable of critical forethought perhaps the promotion of alternative means of energy production and the avocation of using an expanded public transport system would have been advocated. While there were certainly many milking the social services system more legitimately depended on it for survival. Not so with such luxuries as more roads.But again the administration talks of performing an unconscionable act. There are many other ways of cutting costs without cutting it to those who truly need it. So how does it make sense to cut necessary programs to implement other albeit also necessary programs? One helps keep people alive and the other provides the means by which the cycle of dependency can be broken. What about this suggestion; keep what’s necessary for the general populace, the constituents and do some cutting in the administration, pork bellying and self-serving bill passages. Or would that fall under the NIMBY mentality?
Another quick thought, when an employee makes a catastrophic error on the job, one that would have comparably far reaching and detrimental effects such as the President’s lapse in judgment did, he or she at the very least receive a demotion, if not a pink slip. There are times when jail is the result. Just food for thought.

Prevailing Winds

2005-09-23T10:09:00.000-07:00

The Forum asked the question—what is perhaps the most important survival skill in the Human world? Overwhelming evidence of the group as a whole shows them to be distinctly ill-equipped for long term species survival. Below is an article Reiki Clown found while going through editorials printed in early 21st century newspapers. While the author seems to have “hit the nail on the head” to quote an old Earth saying, it appears to be yet another example of a select few enlightened beings attempting turn on burnt out bulbs.

Prevailing Winds

Empathizing with the reader’s younger self brought a smile to my face. An aspiring journalist his confidence in his ability to accurately judge issues had been undermined by the surety with which his Ivy League peers proclaimed their doctrines. Declared with attitudes of such implacable infallibility no questioning of their veracity could be considered. How could these classmates be so entrenched in their beliefs and he so unsure when all drew from the same well of information?
Perhaps entrenched isn’t the proper word but the concept of someone so firmly convinced of the accuracy of their beliefs on a wide range of subjects, a person who portrays themself as the pinnacle of knowledge, not to be swayed no matter the information revealed to them, might perhaps be considered entrenched. To those of indeterminate opinion this surety might seem to resemble intelligence, causing those still seeking the answers and possessing a weaker egoistic foundation to be failing in some way. In my mind this conceptualization begs the question; “as long as the person in question is able to disseminate all acquired information and come to a logical, final conclusion based on all the facts set before them how then is that the lesser, ‘dumber’ individual?”. Those unable to change upon realization that they have been in error, those who are unable or unwilling to bend in their opinions and conclusions, those will ultimately fall by the wayside. The reader himself came to that conclusion after a lifetime of experiences and subsequent disseminations. Those fellow students who had been so self-assured in their late teens and early twenties, so decisive and opinionated, so unable to allow self doubt to nibble at their minds, lacked one of the most important of survival skills. As with anything carried to its extreme self doubt can be harmful but a healthy dose provides the impetus to explore and evaluate situations; allowing for the possibility of positive change. Those pedantic and set in their ways must rail against anything new and spend their lives immobilized by fear.
The writer that got my mind going on this subject mirrored my feelings as a young person. I too often found myself unable to reach a satisfactory conclusion on an issue. The information provided coupled with my lack of experience left me feeling inadequate to properly access many situations. Perhaps the machinations necessary to adequately write a research paper can be compared to forming healthy opinions. Every side of the research topic needs to be examined whether agreed with or not before a realistic conclusion can be reached. Even then should some additional or new information become available-and there must be openness to just such an eventuality-the previous conclusion may need to be thrown to the winds. Indiscriminately flip flopping and pursuing whatever seems plausible at any given moment is not what I am suggesting. Pursuing a careful, complete assessment of a given situation before reaching a well thought out conclusion then allowing for change should the need arise is.
Those who, while forming opinions and life credos are nevertheless able to assimilate new information, change their minds and their habits, learn from their mistakes-- should consider themselves fortunate.

And the Difference Would Be?

2005-09-09T13:14:00.000-07:00

Following what should have been an early warning sign to most of the Humans on the planet Earth, specifically the Hurricane named Katrina, there occurred such a flurry of accusations as to complete flummox all of us. I, Euroswydd, could not stay silent upon reviewing certain details regarding the President of the United States reaction to the calamity. Below is a synopsis of one of my monologues as typed by Reiki Clown.

Voluble spewing attributing his slow reaction time to the preponderance of poor, African Americans unable to transport from the city caught in the maelstrom of Katrina and her aftermath, while morally reprehensible, doesn’t fully delve into the intrinsic shortcomings of this man. I say man, not President, for a reason. In this situation it should be the man who acted not the President hiding behind his confining façade of bureaurocatic rules and regulations. A truly humane man wouldn’t even consider separating supporting constituent from unimportant nonvoter as a measure of value; a truly humane man wouldn’t put his gray cells to work figuring out what can be done for helpless people in the face of unimaginable circumstances through a web of bureaucratic red tape but would slice through it with huge shears clearing the way for immediate, all encompassing action. A truly humane man, acting in the capacity of President of the United States and supposed Leader of this country, would have mobilized the aid and sent them on their way with immediacy. The Canadian Royal Mounted Police arrived within two days! They came from Canada located to the NORTH of the United States. But I am allowing emotion to distract me from the specific purpose of this dissertation.
Mr. Bush’s ever supportive wife denounced the words and sentiments of those maintaining that her husband dragged his feet because the victims were mostly poor, African American people not important enough (in his opinion) to be bothered with. She maintained that she knows him and that convinced of how important every human being is to her husband such accusations are “disgusting”. It should be noted that she doesn’t defend his timing, just the explanation for the timing. To me that speaks volumes. Put into plain English, her husband didn’t do his job properly and as a result many suffered needlessly but it’s not because he’s a racist. Thank you for clearing that up for us Mrs. Bush. Apparently she hoped no one would notice that she didn’t defend his slowness to respond, that they would get caught up in what a compassionate man he purports to be, as opposed to the major faute pas he perpetrated.
I, Euroswydd, member of the Forum of Quizzical Minds cannot fathom how this man could presume to continue in his position. Other members of the government are encouraged if not forced to resign for far lesser infractions. The people of the country must have been terrified from that moment on. Should another catastrophe strike where will their help be? Perhaps as did the unsavory character Jacob Marley in Charles Dickens, “The Christmas Carol”, he does not have a problem with “decreasing the surplus population”.

The Faulty Ego as Viewed by Mort

2005-09-02T14:13:00.000-07:00

I’m particularly fascinated with the technology of things. Spending time learning about the levy system protecting the city of New Orleans until its breach in August of 2005 as the result of a massive hurricane provided me with an unexpected insight into the machinations-or lack thereof-of the two-term President responsible for coordinating Federal Disaster Relief to the devastated areas. I can’t say I was impressed and the following is my personal commentary entered in our library for posterity. Mort.
Four days after the event itself-the hurricane dubbed Katrina-the President of the United States feels himself to be enough of a force that a mere visit from him will undo the dramatic lapse in judgment that has rendered hundreds of thousands of people dehydrated and starving. Unable to gather together the massive resources of one of the richest most powerful countries in the world and get those resources to the areas of crisis with any semblance of timeliness, this inept man retains such an incredible ego that apparently his mere presence will assuage the hunger, thirst and demoralization inflicted on these people since Katrina’s grand entrance and prolonged exit. Quite frankly if he had showed up Monday night or perhaps Tuesday morning I might have felt somewhat soothed, that perhaps help was on the way and yes, as President, he was spearheading the prompt supplying of needed items. A token fly over on Wednesday followed by Friday’s visit hardly makes up for the lack of arriving Federal aid.
Apparent as New Orleans’s possible plight seemed to be to most Americans-after all the city is protected by a series of levies that haven’t been revamped in a good many years, and its antebellum mansions grace land below sea level-if hit by a storm displaying the destructive capabilities of Katrina, our esteemed President once again (as usual) didn’t get it. Now he will sweep in to ravaged areas, act as though he cares, make a trip through the devastation, pat people on the back, shake a few hands, look encouraging then return to a hot bath, air conditioning, plenty of food and water. I wonder how he would react deprived of food, water or medical necessities for over four days. Would it perturb him spending those four plus days enduring high temperatures, and humidity, wading through fetid water, dodging bullets and wondering where on Earth help was? After all this is the United States….this type of thing happens elsewhere in the world but surely not here….
Just as New Orleans and Louisiana are suffering from Federal neglect so to are Mississippi and Alabama. Hurricane damage stretches inland for a hundred miles or more in some cases. Cameras portray the piles of lumber and bricks that were once towns. Perhaps the government has been too busy defending its poor performance to the world to view these pictures. Such institutions as the Red Cross seem to have found time not only to visit but to provide necessities, perhaps the government could look to them for tips on effective mobilization to better prepare themselves for the next calamity.
Those people in the projected path of a hurricane are encouraged to prepare. Stock up on canned food, bottled water, batteries, extra money, gas the car etc. Why then not the government? Shouldn’t they be waiting in the wings, ready to enter a disaster zone as soon as the storm is past? Particularly as it seems to take them so long to get their act together. Certainly the circumstances surrounding this particular storm and city warranted some sort of preparedness on the part of those expecting to go in and provide help.

Different Views

2005-08-26T08:37:00.000-07:00

Reiki Clown’s written commentaries on characteristic human evaluations and subsequent repercussions to the seemingly obvious.
Never let it be said that humans-at least the “mature” ones-are quick on the uptake. I qualify my statements by mentioning that the subjects under observation were confined to the parameters of the United States. That group of states whose populace, in mass majority, considers themselves to be of higher caliber-intellectually, moralistically, and spiritually-than those native to other developed countries. Americans as they are wont to refer to themselves when speaking of the group in its entirety display some of the most baffling behavior I’ve ever chronicled. Let me hasten to add that there are, as with any situation, exceptions to the rule. The younger humans, those not yet indoctrinated into their roles as “mature” adults and a scattered few mature citizens, those who never allowed their sensibilities to be perverted, exhibited acute grasps of the energy situation.
Having allowed me the luxury of sharing my opinions with you let me now elaborate regarding the source of these judgments. Early 21st Century headlines, both verbal and written, made incessant mention of the vertical upsurge in gas prices. Barrels, dollar signs affixed floated across computer and TV screens embellished with backdrops of oil rigs busily sucking forth liquid gold from the bowels of the earth. Such visuals illustrated the rising value of oil in much the same way greenbacks, organized in stacks and bound with inch wide confining belts of paper signified (particularly when placed in brown or black attaché cases) an abundance of wealth. You’d hypothesize that even the most unsavy viewer would grasp the relationship between the rising cost of a barrel of oil and the rise per gallon at the pumps. As blatantly obvious as the huge placards displayed across the breadth and depth of this nation warning prospective gasoline connoisseurs that more and more of their hard earned dollars-symbolized by a flat piece of plastic bearing its identifying magnetic strip-were about to be removed from their bank accounts may seem to some, the continued behaviors displayed evidenced that, generally speaking, powers of perception were at an all time low. An encouraging volume of Hybrid vehicles began gracing the highways but most new car buyers cringed their comparably higher cost when compared to the cost of a vehicle powered solely by gasoline.. Apparently the unhealthy environment, not to mention those escalating gas prices didn’t factor into the deciding equation for these types.
For some reason many political and business pundits foretold of an eventual price drop. The first anticipated one failed to occur following the Fourth of July Weekend and now projections point to a decline after Labor Day Weekend. And I quote, “providing (the fact that they felt it necessary to qualify predictions should have raised all sorts of red flags) there are no natural occurrences such as major hurricanes to disrupt production”. Even if they did drop-a point of note, there hadn’t been a substantial, sustained drop in years so why one should be looming on the horizon defied rational thinking-only a stiff vertical plunge would relieve the financial issues.
A pathetic few-or so it seemed-exclusive of the President and/or other members of the influential governing body seemed to grasp the permanence of the increases. As prices reached then surpassed the $3.00 a gallon for Regular, the harsh reality began to crack the Veneer of Oblivion behind which so many continued speeding on the roadways in their gas guzzling behemoths.
Displaying his usual stunning poor timing August of 2005 saw the President signing into law, amidst much hand shaking and gleeful political grinning, a thousand page bill giving those agencies responsible for increasing the quality, complexity and mileage of roadway infrastructures billions of dollars to continue the debacle. Very little if anything went to encourage big business or any size business to seek alternative means to accommodate American’s energy needs. Means such as air, water and sun, none of which if harnessed in an ethically proper manner, will deplete Earth’s resources or produce residual toxins such as is now seen (an example of which would be nuclear energy).
There were people who bought hybrid cars (those vehicles that use both gas and electricity to propel vehicles from point A to point B) then converted them further. The procedure, done in private garages, increased the electrical use of these cars. Some got as many as two hundred miles per gallon, dramatically reducing toxic belching soiling the atmosphere. Big arguments put forth by big politicians and big business touted the impracticality and exorbitant costs of converting. Apparently they chose to ignore the successfully working examples of inventive laypeople.
I won’t even broach the subject of mass transportation other than to say that no mention of it was made in the transportation bill.
Living with my favorite little girl during the oil embargoes of the 1970’s provides me with memories of sitting in the car waiting, at times up to an hour, to have our $5.00 allowance of gas pumped into the Duster’s gas tank. Five dollars went a lot further then than now. As well as costing much less per gallon, vehicles got better gas mileage then than most of the hybrids boasted in the early 21st Century. At least the hybrids-straight from the factory-went further than any other generally manufactured vehicles in cutting emissions. It was a step in the right direction.

The Personal Touch

2005-08-12T07:30:00.000-07:00

We found this diary entry published in the early 21st Century. Included in the report of a symposium exemplifying the depths to which the national health care system in the United States had fallen, we find it a eye-opening and horrifying symptom of the overall issue.
Well,the Postal Service is finally forwarding my father’s mail to me. It only required two official notifications (both of which I received conformation of) to get them to and I wonder who’s deciding what to forward and what not. I know what mail he received and they are definitely keeping (probably tossing) many items which should be deposited, complete with little yellow forwarding labels, in my mailbox. The many catalogs he received would, of course, not be forwarded but such items as The New Yorker have always been sent on to the new address. This magazine comes out on a weekly basis and I’ve not received a one. Among the bills, insurance adjustments, and medical pronouncements are several reminders that he has missed such and such appointment and to please rectify the situation. Then there is the piece de resistance- The Survey.
Apparently my father’s opinion counts. It says so in big, bold black letters, the first sentiment read upon pulling the white sheets with their numerous black words streamed into sentences each with its own little loopy question mark at the end, from the envelope.
Dated June 14, 2005 precisely six days after my father’s passing the following letter was typed and sent to him.
Dear my father’s name,

At Presbyterian your health is our primary concern. We value your opinion of the quality of care you received during your recent visit to our facility.

We strive to deliver the highest quality health care services in a professional and caring manner. It is important to us that we do everything possible to ensure our patients leave a Presbyterian facility with the knowledge that they received the best health care possible.
The feed back we received from our patients is very valuable to us; therefore, we invite you to take a few moments to complete the enclosed questionnaire and return it to us in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. Please open and honest as possible, as all your comments are kept confidential.

If you have an immediate issue as a result of your visit that requires resolution, please do not hesitate to call me at 123-4567.
We appreciate your time and efforts in helping Presbyterian continually improve its services for you, your family, and our community.

Sincerely,

Nincompoop

I’m not sure how much feedback they get from beyond the grave. I’m guessing that most people who get that far are busy adapting to a new lifestyle and don’t care to fill out such a survey. Survivor reaction to receiving such a mailing might be more of an issue. I laughed, taken in the context of today’s nonpersonalized (yes, I know it's not a proper word but I'm using it anyway) world it’s just one more ironic, sad and frightening feature of life. It does provide good fodder for satirical commentary on the overall deplorable conditions we allow ourselves to exist within. By one token humanity in the developed worlds takes exception with being treated as nonentities but by the same token very little other than gum flapping is proactively done to change the realities.
I can well imagine that emotional reactions exhibited by many recipients of such a survey would run the gamut from fury, horror, insult and many would be set back in unimaginable ways in their quest to deal with a loved one’s passing. Receiving daily reminders of the event in ways that are a necessary part of dealing with the legal and other ramifications of a loved ones passing are inevitable, why have that exacerbated by the inaccurate spewing of computers fed faulty information? Surely if humankind can manipulate electronic components to grab invisible particles and encourage them to form visually recognizable images on a screen and in so doing transport information regarding the admission of a human to a particular hospital we can also manage to transmit the information that they will be unable to fill out a survey because they have passed on out of this life. The theory behind sending out these surveys is, of course, to place the seed in the recipient’s mind that the hospital seeks to provide compassionate, well orchestrated, knowledgeable medical care. I’m not particularly encouraged when something as major as the condition of the patient upon leaving the establishment fails to receive due recognition.
On a lighter note I can think of a couple of additional questions to include under the category of discharge. These questions would inquire as to the means of transport from the facility: hearse or family vehicle; and ask what the ultimate destination was: funeral home or family home. None of this is meant to convey disrespect. Sometimes humor is the healthiest way to defuse an otherwise caustic situation. As a race we’ve come so far in many ways in our quest for “advancement” yet we’ve lost so much, including the ability to personalize and so react compassionately. This type of mistake wouldn’t have occurred when we were viewed as flesh and blood complete with unique personal characteristics. Now that we are numbers and images on a screen we’ve lost personality; reduced ourselves to nonentities.

The Enigma of Values

2005-07-29T09:17:00.000-07:00

We are curious about the Humans preoccupation with “value” or what they term valuable(s). Valuables are, of course, those things without which living entities feel insecure. This insecurity manifests in a variety of ways and valuables can be material, ephemeral or even invisible to the naked eye. While inconsequential in our native habitation we nevertheless honor the Humans need to place value on objects. To wit our appearing in these forms-Euroswydd, Mort and Reiki Clown-which we take on because of the high “value” or strong, positive emotional ties to them.
What then about the all pervasive and quite volatile value system employed by humans during the time period of our observances? Why is a child’s attachment to a fluffy donkey deemed of lesser importance than an adult’s attachment to a gift bestowed by a loved one, does the material used have some sort of meaning? They both engender feelings of love and increase those of security and comfort so then why the disparity in “value”?
How to explain the monetary value set on an antique-some might just call it “old”-chaise lounge? Please don’t misunderstand us, we find encouragement in the Humans desire to hold onto their history, we just question the relevancy of the “value” attributed to collectible items. If a famous artist painted a terrible portrait why does that bring a higher price at auction, than a well executed, lively rendition by an artist of lesser standing? Of course the Forum knows the surface why…when enough people of standing-usually financial standing-deem that so and so and such and such have been found worthy, the rest of the flock shuffles obediently behind wishing for a piece of the notable pie.
Monetary and societal value regimes are, to quote a very human phrase, “where it’s at”. Finding this preoccupation with such inconsequential, unimportant factors highly illogical we are quite puzzled at the importance placed on them.
After the attacks on the United States dubbed 911, their administration felt qualified to place monetary value on human life. We have yet to understand the mathematical equations used to do that however we do note that citizens of the US whether restored or not seem to bring more at auction-common phraseology of the times- than humans of the same age and gender citizens of other developed countries. A puzzling phenomenon since Americans, as they call themselves, even thought they only inhabit a portion of North America, originated in these other countries.
Specific living location, dubbed “neighborhoods” equate with ascertaining an individuals overall worth. Judgments are routinely made as to whether an individual is “worthwhile” or not based on home address as opposed to personal habits and regimes.
Power is assigned based on place of birth, address of domicile, monetary largess, and profession. Assumptions are made about value based on stereotypical value guidelines whether they are, in the grand scheme of things, important or not.
A thoroughly puzzling mode of behavior developed not as with the indigenous tribes to help promote the peaceful longevity of the group but very detrimental, individualistic behavior whose end result can only be the implosion forecast by our future seers.

The Disappearance of Grace

2005-07-15T10:20:00.000-07:00

The Forum puzzles through a regrettable disappearance

The Disappearance of Grace
Let me pose a question to you, dear reader: Posed with the following request, worded as it is in two different ways, which one would you react most favorable to?
“Get the “#@$%^” out of my way you “blanking #$%^*” before I “&*^%” you!
or
“Pardon me, if I could just squeeze by you…”
I’ll let you mull your answer and why the question is posed at all while you read the following memorial/commentary.
Solving the disappearance of grace came about in a most unorthodox fashion. The death of my father was the vehicle facilitating the solution of this dilemma. An eye opening revelation occurred during the days leading up to and including his Memorial Service.
Standing on my own two feet, independent economic viability and refusing to display a subservient attitude to anyone who, for reasons of sexual assignment-if you want to call it that-by two microscopic gametes, deem themselves to be superior, are lifelong habits for me. Inherent characteristics, they’re not habits developed along the way, or a cause I became swept away with, they’re who I am.
Had I been suitably endowed in the days of bra burning I would have. I did march, cry foul and in all the peaceful, graceful ways possible protest injustice. The women’s liberation movement is negatively viewed by many these days, not so much because they don’t want equality but due to the tendency of those passionate about a cause to get carried away with themselves. As with any cause there are those-and women’s lib abounds with just such types-that act too enthusiastically without thought to possible repercussions. The most reasonable of causes has found itself hobbled by the extremists among its ranks.
The original ideals of the push for women’s rights can only be made light of by those who never dealt with deprivation and/or ridicule by virtue of their sex. Bottom line--how can anyone condone the purposeful mistreatment of a fellow living being? That’s ultimately what the women’s liberation movement sought to put an end to.
Spending the greater part of my life, thus far, viewing chivalry, politeness and gentlemanly behavior on the part of males as a demeaning, demoralizing slap in the face it’s no wonder my sleuthing to solve the mysterious disappearance of grace ran into a dead end. My father’s passing, his friends subsequent reactions, coupled with my changing views on the real meaning behind his actions, allowed me to see what key I needed to turn to access the answers.
After a span of over twenty years during which there was virtually no interaction between my father and me the last five or so have been spent getting acquainted. Deep down acquainted not just surface façade buddies. At his recent memorial service the most prevalent comments revolved around is having been a “true gentleman”. They gifted me with personal stories and anecdotes to further make their point.
Yes, he held doors, catered to women, did all those habit things that people view as being gentlemanly but more importantly he didn’t judge in the way we do as a general rule these days. Being the consummate gentleman came about through his training as a young man but also through his wanting to be gentle and caring in the way he dealt with the world, and part of his training and what he absolutely needed to do was help and nurture, take care of things. His being polite and fulfilling his role as a male wasn’t viewed by him as his being “better than” or deserving or whatever might be the appropriate social term these days. I never know quite what to use since the “correct” terminology changes on a seemingly daily basis. He certainly had his opinions but he viewed the world and found much of it very interesting. That didn’t mean he wanted it all in his living room but he did want to know about it and he respected it. That’s a big difference to either condoning something or ridiculing it because it’s not “in” or “done”. He was kind, considerate, giving-without expecting rewards-protective, and respectful. He wasn’t pushy, bossy, loud or obnoxious in any way. He quietly, and firmly went about his business and along the way wowed all the people who knew him and considered him their friend. They couldn’t say enough about how he would be missed. One story relayed at his Service sticks in my mind as being typical Dad. The theater club had finished a play rehearsal and dispersed to their apartments for the night. After finishing the final clean up the activities director and her husband walked my father to the elevator, watching the door close before the power went off. Tentatively asking if he were there-hopefully he’d gotten to the next floor before power failure-his voice replied that he was.
“Do you have a light in there?
“Yes”
“I hope they get the back up system working quickly.” Shirley worried that her 89 year old friend might have issues with being stuck in the elevator.
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll read my book.” Some twenty minutes later, released from the cubicle he declared he was fine, no big deal but would have preferred to have had a chair. Other people would have been screaming their heads off.
Perhaps the most interestingly of all, at least in light of the stereotyping that’s been done regarding an older person’s ability to continue the growth and change that ideally we manifest as younger people, was his capacity to change. His open mind, a willingness to always be learning, and joy of living-interacting with life-provide me with a wonderful example to emulate.
My father quietly, determinedly, with infinite gentlemanly grace traveled through the course of his life and left behind an abundance of those who genuinely miss him very much.
Now regarding cracking the case of the disappearance of grace, and returning to those two questions posed at the beginning of this writing. I don’t know about you but the person who would present their request in the manner of the first example would set my teeth on edge, get my back up and foster uncooperative sullenness on my part. Example number two would elicit an immediate, positive response.
The disappearance of grace has occurred due to the impression that politeness equates with domination. Anything men did or do in some women’s eyes is suspect. Applying the social graces does nothing more than ameliorate prospective social abrasiveness that can result in anything from war to minor unpleasantness. Used “properly” grace can save the world, make someone feel better or get you what you want. Changed from habits that soothe to symbols of a domineering, overbearing authority grace has fallen into disuse. Take for example equality of pay. There are still major discrepancies between the salaries paid, for identical jobs, between men and women. I would rather a man hold the door open for me and pay me a comparable wage than the other way around. As one of the last purveyor’s of the lost arts of social graces my father again provided an example and lesson for me, his only daughter, to emulate.
Euroswydd, Reiki Clown and Mort impressed as we are by this memorial/commentary can’t wait to share it with the galaxy. So many humans in the “developed” areas of North America fell prey, during the late 20th and early 21st Centuries fell prey to the attitudes of the times and suffered for it. Apparently, however, there were some holdouts who managed to stay true to their principles and a more gentile, compassionate way of life.

Parting Company

2005-06-27T10:04:00.000-07:00

Deciding to study the human views on the transition they've termed "death" has puzzled, amused and relieved The Forum

The Forum found this poem amonst the writings of one of the subjects they are studying. Feeling it to be an accurate representative of how a large segment of society felt about the passing of a loved one they opted to include it in those papers being saved.

Parting Company

I've not had enough time
to spend with you
all the many years of our life together
not enough to fill the
void of your passing

even though I know
in my rational brain
you are now released from the wearying agonies of aging
and illness
that united with your friends
you await my arrival

event hough I know that for you
this is a blessing
my heart of hearts will inconsolably mourn
'til that day
we reunite and again live as
one

Product of Their Environment

2005-06-08T15:29:00.000-07:00

Results of the Forum's discussion on the theme of being "The Product of One's Environment"

Will a child born and raised in New York City to economically secure white parents adhere to the same standards of living as a child born to parents living deep in the Amazonian jungles? Of course not. Is the “privileged” child’s judgment of “how to live a proper life” better or more correct than the judgment of the offspring whose ideas of “high rise” include vines and forested canopies? We think not. Each is a product of their environment, a statement used in the 20th and early 21st centuries to justify aberrant behavior patterns usually displayed by those originating in areas called “ghettos”. In spite of its negative connotations we find it an apt phrase to describe the judgmental inequities propagated by the majority of humans during our time of study (for time line info refer to the Forum explanation section).
We don’t think there is any question that geographic and societal birth location, economic status, parental sensibilities, schooling, peers, multi-cultural exposures, health and global conflicts all play major roles in the formation of each individual human being. Even the Humans seem pretty much in agreement on that bit of logic. So what rational explains this presumed elevation of stature based on such nebulous parameters?
If that same white child had become a member of that Amazonian tribe at a young enough age, prior to her mind being etched with the traditions and ceremonies of her kind, is it not likely that she would not only accept but wholeheartedly participate in the traditions of the tribe? We think so. We’ve documented many such instances while studying the deteriorating relationship between “white man” and the indigenous peoples of North America during the 1800’s. Anglo children raised by Indians when “returned to civilization” had great difficulty integrating back into “white man’s” society and often returned to the tribe that had nurtured them. Even though their skins were white the ways of the “white man” were not their ways. Indoctrinated into the customs of their adopted families the ways of their biological parents were an anathema to them.
A book entitled Realization-It’s not Money that Corrupts but the Attitudes it Draws Forth came out in the early part of the 21st Century. Written by a woman who, as they say, was “far ahead of her time” it speaks of the difficulty humans have objectively viewing societal differences in their world. Those with money tend to think they are “better than” those who do not and those who’ve never heard of it seem to be the best off. What you don’t know exists can’t be aspired to.
How is the perceived possession of wealth-wealth being the validity of subjective rather than objective classifications-justification for judging another person or group’s way of life. We use the term money but wealth can be in education, land, awards, cows, pigs, anything that the specific society has deemed important and worthy of achieving or attaining. When a different group doesn’t possess the same goals they are frequently seen as unworthy or of lesser value. Judged using an inadequate measuring tool their “conversion” to a “proper” way of being is approved.
Would you welcome a bunch of people descending on your home, speaking in an unintelligent babble, blatantly working to change the way you think, eat, dress and conduct every aspect of your daily life? We think not. We are baffled as to why such behavior has been sanctified by groups who would consider it a travesty if it were perpetrated against them. What makes them so special?
We think that Mort in his inimitable fashion has succinctly summed up the situation, “their (the humans) capacity to attain clarity even within their narrow scope of understanding is at best minimal. There are few exceptions to this statement but I regret they are few a far between, and they tend to die before their thoughts are properly recognized.”
Like it or not there are amenities and graciousness that having money can provide. If handled delicately having enough money can help facilitate a more comfortable life. However, when used as a judgmental tool creating wide chasms between people or facilitating the oppression of segments of society creating the illusion in some people’s minds that their way of life while preferable to them is by virtue of their having endorsed it somehow better than another groups is just plain silly. Showing a marked inability, or unwillingness to stretch into another level of thought those displaying this “snobbery” are setting themselves up for recycling into yet another life on the same present level, having not grown enough to be granted elevation to the next level.
Filed this Earth Day Designation: 6/6/2208 by The Forum, Euroswydd, Reiki Clown and Mort. May this report be both interesting and informative for those seeking to understand the workings-or lack thereof-of the Human Mind.

Turn on a Dime

2005-05-30T14:08:00.000-07:00

Turning on a Dime

An excerpt from the memoirs of a woman who, born midway through the 20th Century lived well into the first half of the 21st. A prolific writer of both fiction and non-fiction she possessed an ablity unique among the Humans of her time. She viewed life with an open, exploring, willing mind. Her journals offer a realistic, insightful glimpse into the life's convolutions as experienced by a female not held down by societal "norms" or "contraints". Data and conclusions from studies while in one sense informative do not offer a well-rounded picture of what life was like for those "in the trenches". In order to get the real "nitty gritty" it is necessary to read journals, letters and other forms of personal communication.
My initial forty-three years were spent in the same place. Not the same building, or even the same town but in varying abodes within a 100 mile radius and within a mindset, lifestyle enclave unique but pervasive to the area. Nearly four years ago I left to begin a journey of discovery. Naively I termed it a move from the frenetic pace of the work-a-day world in the Northeastern United Sttes to a slower paced, semi-retirement-that euphemistic term used to denote a drop in income accompanied by continued participation in the work force-in the desert Southwest.
I saved my moeny, purchased land on which to build my home and didn't venture forth until fully equipped to deal with any eventuality that might pop up. I crossed my t's and dotted my i's, planned for every possible contingency. Ah yes, already I hear readers chuckling because of course carefully laid and executed plans were lifted and thoroughly shaken to bits by the unsympathetic winds of irony. Some call this invisible, bludgeoning force Murphy's Law, the lot of Job, any of various colorful and elucidating phrases to describe those times when as a friend of mine so succinctly put it, "life can and does change with the turn of a dime". We are taught from childhood to think ahead, plan for the future, don't do anything without considering all the angles, yet there must be some methematical formula we could plug into to tell us if we should both or not.
Still not getting the ful ramifications of the life lessons being dealt to me I ladi plans to leave the New State I'd moved to. Several months remained in my year-long lease...plenty of time to plan and execute my next move to a more amenable location. Old habits die hard-not a strictly human characteristic but one that often proves our downfall-and this pitfall in my mental makeup would trip me up yet again. I still had some money left and could earn some as I traveled, said the still blind me, to myself.
OK, so meeting one's life partner is the best thing that can happen. That change in plans couldn't Whave been a better one. But as mentioned, totally unplanned on both of our parts. We stayed in what for both of us was a New, Uninhabitable State, fondly referred to by its inhabitants as a Third World Country. Once we'd found each other we should have run. But there is that old saying about hindsight being twenty-twenty. Being new in a relationship and still learning about what made each other tick, created a situation that caused use to dig deeper into the kaliche. We bought a house, then a business, set up home and shop. We closed both and left fifteen months later. The economics of third world countried aren't equipped to support many capitalistic ventures and we joined the retreating masses succumbing to the realities of a poverty stricken state. A situation exacerbated by a narrow minded, self-serving government. Poor planning you might say...well, anyway.
We've left that State and moved to another one. That phrase about not being able to go home again has more than the stereotypical poignant meaning for us. Soaring property values, high taxes, exorbitant fuel bills, high population densities all created by the unwillingness of people who work in the big cities to live there, thus creating a top heavy housing market in the "burbs" makes it economical suicide to attempt a move back "home". The rift between the financially opulent and those financially secure but not opulent has created an unhealthy situation where there is only room for those with vast amounts of money and those with none. Those with none aare the service people hired by the wealthy to take care of them. Those that fall in between have descended through the cracks and once gone find it all but impossible to reestablish themselves.
I've always felt terrible for people who left their country and came to America because they could create a better world for their children. I knew many of them and they didn't like it here. It wasn't home. I now know exactly how they feel. I've been set adrift in the land of my birth and after having viewed the narrow minded, shallow reactionary tactics of the majority of people in this country, feel embarassed and shamed to be called an American.
My partner and I don't have any specific plans anymore. We have a lot of enthusiasm and ideas we would like to implement but we've given up the fallacy of planning. That lesson, at least, has been assimilated.

Means to an End

2005-05-23T10:43:00.000-07:00

The trio discuss "caste" systems

Means to an End
Euroswydd, Reiki Clown and Mort although disheartened are nevertheless intrigued by human insistence on attaching such importance to an individual’s rank within the caste system that it becomes the sole criteria for evaluating that individual’s worth.
Who or what group makes the decisions that the humans allow to control their lives and why them? Why does a group of people “listen” to one dogma and consider another unworthy?
“It’s clear that systems operating in the human world originated to perpetuate survival. Take the Masai people of Africa. Within their culture jobs are assigned or awarded based on age and a step program. Young men must first show that they are proficient warriors (basically able to provide for a family) before being allowed to marry. Since this is a polygamist society each man has many wives. The hierarchy among the wives is such that the most recently married woman performs the more labor intensive work with the initial wife having the easiest life of all. Each step or level within the community is designed to provide “training” for the next level or in the case of the women, since each successive wife is younger than the previous to provide a labor force physically equipped to perform necessary tasks, be they hauling water or producing progeny.” Mort draws deeply on his pipe giving Euroswydd the opportunity to voice his thoughts.
“Yes, each person must fulfill his or her own task or the survival of the group is placed in jeopardy. We’ve found many examples of how indigenous tribes give specific jobs to individuals. That these individuals are responsible for assigned tasks is recognized and counted upon by the society. Those that do not perform appropriately are ostracized. In theory a reasonable strategy. Yet, as human societies became increasingly more developed, communities became less preoccupied with mere survival and branched out to pursue “leisurely” activities. They developed a desire to “be better than” and “ in control”. The original intent of the caste systems, that of giving individuals responsibility for a task or tasks in order to ensure the best possible chance of the units survival, became corrupted. This corruption allowed for individual and/or groups to achieve control over the masses not to perpetuate survival of the large group-as they pretend to do-not for altruistic purposes- but the enhance the material wealth of the controllers. The more complex the societal structure the more destructive the species.”
Turning to Reiki Clown, “Have you been able to type this all? Do you need time to catch up? Are up sure you wouldn’t rather use the digital recorder we brought instead of that old typewriter?”
Reiki Clown pausing, “I like typing and you know I can always keep up. It’s fun to exercise my mitten fingers and it reminds me of the little girl I was knitted for. She carried me everywhere, usually by my stocking cap. She used a typewriter just like this and it reminds me of her and my role there. As with other lifetimes I spent on Earth children of pre-corruption years still saw life in its simplified uncorrupted form. They were kind and operated to the best of the abilities they had been granted in that particular lifetime. Eventually the lessons of their elders overshadowed primary instincts and they assimilated greed and cruelty. The little girl that I belonged to in my role as Reiki Clown never fully subscribed to the doctrines her parents and teachers tried to instill in her. She kept me with her until the day she exited that life.” Nostalgia mixed with resignation emanated with Reiki Clown’s voice. “I remember when she studied the social system put into place in the country known as India about 3000 years before her birth in the late 1960’s. Those Indian people had implemented their system in order to establish social order. While we’ve-The Forum-been using the word “caste” as a descriptive term designating the social orders established in every society that’s ever existed, the word was originally associated with the social structure implemented in India. That structure involved 4 basic levels the highest being the Purists and the lowest being those deemed Impure. People were born into a level and remained tied to it the entire span of that particular lifetime. Only through death and subsequent rebirth could a particular soul transfer to a different caste. The Portuguese viewing this system dubbed it “casta” which translated means rigid social structure. The final letter changed to an e and the term “caste” became the descriptive term for that structure prevalent in India. While in India it is not possible to move from one caste to another during the course of a single lifetime in other countries it is generally considered an admirable quality to want to ‘better’ oneself.”
“Yes,” continued Euroswydd, “Most of the European societies implemented a caste system of their own under the guise of keeping order but human nature seems to be such that those in the upper levels of the society expect to be treated with deference by those in lower levels. Interestingly speech patterns were and still are indicative of social level. Those successfully climbing to a higher social level continue to go to great lengths to change their speech patterns to more closely emulate those patterns considered appropriate for someone of high rank. The English people, perhaps because their Monarchy is still in existence even into the 21st century, have been loath to relinquish their system of social delineations. A sterling example is portrayed in the play, and subsequent movie rendition of My Fair Lady. As seen in this fictional account, accent is an even more important societal marker than birth status or wealth acquisition.”
“Yes, I remember that movie, it was shown against one of the adobe houses in my village when I was a young boy. Speech patterns and job choice are clearly devices used by these humans to rank each other. Stereotyping is another favorite and highly flawed human trait. It seems that the more “advanced” a society is the more likely that certain jobs and the people that perform them will be viewed as inferior to those that do different jobs. Those performing “menial” tasks requiring less mental acuity are judged to be less intelligent and not equipped to “understand” issues that require a broader mental capacity and therefore the endowment of more money. Stereotypically it’s felt that they have neither the intelligence nor the capacity to understand or appreciate that which those of greater intelligence can. They seem to have forgotten that all jobs need to be done or society couldn’t exist. Providing nutrition and living facilities free of filth-germs, etc. is crucial to longevity and enjoyment of life.”
“They’ve moved far from the original intent of the caste systems.” Reiki pauses in his typing.
“Yes, survival not being a major consideration for the inhabitants of the “developed” countries of the planet, they have the luxury of pursuing more esoteric topics and thus fluffing their own feathers, to coin a phrase. They are still establishing a social order but rather than the survival of the unit being the most important factor the pumping up of the ego seems to have taken center stage.” Mort waved towards Jalisco, “Domestic animals have plenty of leisure time since they are dependant on their human overseer’s for food and shelter but they never developed the means to destroy themselves the way humans have. I wonder why that is.”
Euroswydd with a bob of his head, nodded agreement, “And these humans are so fickle. Take the shoe shine men. There was a time when they were considered lowly servants, useful to have around but not particularly valuable as individuals. Now they are idolized and considered remnants of a more genteel time. There are great efforts being made to preserve the few that are left and to listen to their stories about the “old days”. These earthlings have endowed this group with the all important status of “storyteller” those that preserve and pass on verbal history. A most puzzling group these Earthlings. There are other examples of their inability to stay consistent, particularly when trends change.” shaking his head he continues, “Human foibles seem to boil down to the need for control and their inability to create and maintain their own opinions. Those that wish control tighten the grip while those that can’t think for themselves join the group that appears to provide the most favorable rewards. My human always maintained that humans even in small groups could be problematic but the larger and more convoluted the group became and I use this as an example of societies ‘developing’ and becoming more ‘advanced’ the more corrupt and less functional it becomes.”
Reiki Clown types the final analysis on this subject as such:
The Forum concludes that the rigid social systems or “castes” implemented by the humans on Earth originated out of a need to create an order that facilitated the perpetuation of the society. Observations on the rest of Earth’s life forms show that each form adheres to rules and regulations put in place to ensure the existence of the species. Humans in spite of their perceived mental acuity, unwilling to adhere to the original concepts of the systems, have corrupted them to the point of no return. Engrossed with ego enhancement, neglectful of survival protocol, unless their priorities change with immediacy they will join the list of civilizations that destroyed themselves.

Twenty-First Century Coping

2005-05-16T13:22:00.000-07:00

The Forum finds fiction to be an entertaining way of relaying real life issues

TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY COPING

Defined as a feeling of happiness, confidence and well-being, merely saying the word euphoria elicits thoughts of Shangri La, that haven of beauty and tranquility, an imaginary paradise. The exotic flow of the word so much smoother than other recently acquired vocabulary like calculate, inadequate and advisable.
Being dyslexic means attending a school that teaches someone with my different brain set-up the skills necessary to learn. Contrary to stereotypical belief dyslexia isn’t a condition causing me to transpose letters and/or numbers, but a difference in brain function. A language processing disorder, my brain layout resembles a file cabinet that been tossed around resulting in loss of alphabetical order. Looking for a file based upon the generally accepted lettered system doesn’t work. The information is there but must be accessed in a matter appropriate for the layout. My school teaches me how to do that while teaching me everyday academics. We had euphoria just this past Friday.
And I am…euphoric that is. My every molecule resonates just as lights illuminate the darkness of a cloudy night. Cradled in an emotional cocoon of confidence I glide past a wealth of displayed merchandise. Black cast iron tea pots, blue pagodas decorating white ceramic plates, jewelry of gold and silver, colorful gemstones. Why haven’t I done this before? Nothing, no one can deflate me now. Adrenalin flows, serotonin, that natural hormonal mood enhancer, rules. I am King.
Continuing past racks of candles brown, red, gold and blue wafting forth scents of vanilla, ylang ylang, lavender, rose, citrus and cinnamon, I remember how she’d said, “I love scented candles, especially lit, around my bathtub. I soak in steamy, bubbly water imagining I’m rich!” Her voice dreamy and happy had drawn me into her inner world of pleasurable fantasies.
At that moment what had excited me the most? Not the thought of her taking a bath, but her presence with me on our first date, sharing intimate secrets surely not shared with just anyone. But she had shared them with me, Josh, the “learning disabled” dyslexic. I still treasure every moment of that day two weeks ago.
“OK” enough reminiscing, “I’ll pick up some candles and maybe a funky candleholder or two.” Giving presents to Mom always got my father out of the doghouse. I want more magical times with Sharon, but she is SSOOO mad at me!
“I’ll never speak to you again!! I thought you were different but you’re just like every other guy I’ve ever gone out with.” Her words had pelted like bullets, “ I HATE you….how could you forget our date?!?”
I hadn’t forgotten and had spent the longest night of my life wanting to drown myself in the booze my parents regularly used to fend off the harshness of their world. That afternoon my mother had taken all my cash. Too drunk to drive she’d ordered Scotch delivered and the delivery person wouldn’t accept payment by check, only cash. Mortified by my mother I hadn’t been able to bring myself to call Sharon to tell her I couldn’t take her out. How would I have explained my lack of funds?
Knowing the truth about my parents would surely drive Sharon away. None of my friend’s have parents like mine, always striving for emotional highs using materialistic means to muffle undesired feelings.
I know I’ll never again experience the feeling of security my mother’s hand stroking my hair created in me when I was small. My father hasn’t touched a bat or baseball since I was 5, his ‘business’ overtaking all else on the scale of what’s really important. The short periods he’s at home he never relaxes, instead treating being there like another unpleasant “duty” to be suffered through. Does he know, or care, that Butler carries
Mom, comatose, upstairs every night? Talk about environmental pollution! There’s many aspects of “environment” and “pollution”.
My mother, in one of her more cognitive moments, once mentioned reading an article that discussed mental and emotional anguish, the causes and resulting coping strategies .According to this article one common method my generation uses to ease such anguish is shoplifting. Unfortunately her clarity hadn’t lasted long, she’d had another drink. People adept at criticizing others never see the identical faults in themselves.
“Hey, you!” A hand broke through the layers of cocoon and grasped my shoulder. “What do you think you’re doing?” Curbed one step beyond the shop’s door I plummet back to earth. Phaethon’s flight ended in a swelter of flame. I felt like that mythic son who’d been brought to task because embedded in fantasy’s cocoon, he’d exhibited poor judgment and paid the price. The son of the ancient Greek god Helios, Phaethon flew up to the sun, borrowed its chariot and driving too close to Earth, faced the wrath of Zeus, who struck him down to save the world.
My chariot run thwarted by the security guard for this New Age store, I find myself placed in one of the back rooms. This room delineated from the public by bold black letters emblazoned on a white, background-EMPLOEES ONLY, the sign was all of 12” by 6” but it screamed taboo!
Sharon’s favorite scent, sandalwood, distinctively familiar among the frankincense, cedar, jasmine, floral and other scents of incense the store offers for sale, pierces my soul. Perched on the edge of a metal folding chair I’m surrounded by rainbow hued crystals,
batticked Indian sarongs of orange, blue, green and violet, and CD’s waiting their turn on the retail shelf. In this back storeroom the merchandise reminds me of orphans waiting their turn to promenade before prospective parents.
“Everybody has a price, you can buy anything if you have enough to give the suckers.” My father’s voice pronounces within my stunned mind. Does everybody live with uninvited, dismembered parental vocalizations? I’ve never found the courage to ask anyone, afraid they’d say it was an “incurable” mental aberration caused by my having dyslexia.
“I’ve earned the respect of Mr. and don’t ever forget what it takes to make it in this world. You have to beat everybody else at their game, be better, be smarter, beat them into the ground.” My father’s credo reverberates in my head.
“Hey man, I’ll pay for them. I’ve got the money right here.” Pulling cash from the back pocket of my blue jeans I’m met with cold, expressionless grey-green eyes descending from the tall, well-muscled man blocking the doorway. The hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention.
“Come on let me pay for it. What’s the big deal. I need that stuff to give to my girlfriend, I messed up.” Surely he would understand.
“Save it for the police.”
The eternity of waiting stretched. What would happen to me in jail? Holding cells are filled with drunks, prostitutes, murderers, thieves and the general dredges of society. And what if I had to use the bathroom? No way was I going with all those people
watching! My friend John’s parents had left him in jail overnight to teach him a lesson. According to him, being sentenced to probation, on the stipulation that he see a psychiatrist for two years, was a cake walk compared to being in the holding tank. I hope they come get me out tonight.
The housekeeper brought me home from the police station. Later, safely in my room, I realize something... I’d copied them! Substituting shoplifting for alcohol to “feel better”, be “in control”. And that great short term high wasn’t going to help deal with the looming long term repercussions.

2005-05-09T13:27:00.000-07:00

The Forum picked this fictional story published in the first years of the 21st century as an example of the literature and mindset of the time.

Scallop Vision

2005-05-09T11:35:00.000-07:00

"When will you get I can decide things for myself!"
"Ann, it's not like you have a good record of sensible decisions!" snapped Mom's voice.
"I'm sick of the way you treat me!" This daily verbal exchange between my parents and me repeats incessantly within my head. Hands meld with the wooden tiller, anger guiding the 20 foot sailboat along its floating path. I'm oblivious to the sea, sky, wind or shore.
Not let me go sailing after school? I'd been looking forward to being out on the water all day and they weren't going to take THAT away too! The small craft advisories posted for fog didn't both me. I'd aimed Brina's bow parallel to the coast intending to skim across the water for a few miles, come about, then return to harbor. My preferred route would have taken me into Roundabout Sound's creeks and inlets, perfect mini-worlds in which to escape overbearing adult behavior.
"See?" I say to invisible parents, "How's that for sensible thinking!"
Gaining facial lines must be proportional to loosing common sense, all part of the againg process adults go on and ON about. Always telling me not to make mountains out of molehills and look at them!
Earlier Mom said, "Why am I being so unreasonable? There's a small craft advisory out and Spirits' Frolic begins tonight. Tell me you want to get lost in the fog with Spirits!"
"You can't seriously think I believe in that! First Santa, the Easter bunny, they trying to get me to be more careful by telling me 'seven years of bad luck' if I break a mirror, now this. It's all Make Believe...stop treating me like a two year old. Spirits or whatever you want to call them living in the sea don't play pranks on boaters." The kitchen door slammed behind me.
I'd grown up hearing the story of how the sea dwelling "spirits" create the fog that adults view with such trepidation. Studies showing that seasonal weather conditions ideal for natural fog creation occur every fall hasn't lessened their mystical beliefs. Supposedly the "spirits" use the fog to befuddle mariners so they can play "tricks" on them. Every year boaters make sure to be in before dark to avoid the "Spirits' Frolics".
Moisture invades my self-absorption, extinguishing stormy thoughts. Barely sliding through the opaque tapestry of muffling fog, Brina seems a barely tangible patch in the impalpable haze.
"Where'd this come from?" I vaguely remember clouds and good visibility. Now humidity saturates and floating without direction sends fear prickles though my body.
CCRRUUUNNNCCCCHHH!! Flung forward into bursts of golden, silvery-white light terminating in blackness..I'm next aware of salty-flavored water lapping around my head. There's water in the boat! Fully alert, I leap to my feet nearly capsizing. Grabbing a styrofoam coffee cup, I fall to my knees and frantically bail.
Finally the water level lower, I crawl towards the hole, wondering how bit it is, how to patch it, and what that squirting noise is. Focusing through the darkness I see dozens of soft-shell clams, also known as piss clams because of their ability to squirt filtered water back out, emptying my boat. A warm pinkish glow pulses from the damaged hull. I see radiant gelatinous forms wedged in the hole. With the help of barnacles bonding their edges to the boat, jellyfish are keeping the water out! Brina herself floats in a glowing vibrant blue extending several feet away. Luminescent scallop eye blue-it's as if thousands of the bicuspids glow just below the surface. Suspended in blue, fish briefly appear, then disappear into darkness.
"Relax little one," a voice says, "we're here to assist you. We never do harm, only good. Please allow us to help you."
Pinching causes pain, as doesn holding my breath-talk about a realistic dream!
"You're not dreaming, little one. We're as real as the Stop sign at the intersection of Route 27 and Sounding Lane. Open up to us and we'll guide you safely through this fog. Send us away and you're on your own. It's your choice."
"You're part of a dream. I hit my head and you're figments of my imagination. Anyway, real or imagined you're evil, that what everybody says," I need to get control of this situation! This is all just too weird.
"Do you always believ what 'everybody' tells you? What about the fight you had with your mother earlier?"
"How do you know about that, I am dreaming...GOAWAY!"
Instantly alone, waer coming in as rapidly as before, I rip off my sweatshirt and jam it into the hole. No emergency kit on board...why not? I can't waste time thinking about such things, I've got to do something quickly. A sweatshirt isn't a particularly effective way of stopping a leak.
"You need to think calmy," my inner voice says, "try the relaxing breathing techniques you've learned in yoga."
Forcing myself to breath in through my mouth and out through my nose I notice the current flowing towards, beneath, then beyond Brina's stern. There is an obvious current yet the boat is motionless, as though held at anchor. What the...?
"Help!" my plea whispers into theheavy moisture laden atmosphere. Drawing in another, deeper breath, "HELP!"
Abruptly a radiant gold-orange glow appears interwoven within the brush strokes of water droplets.
"Are you ready to trust me?" the same voice queries.
"Yes, please help me."
Immediately all is as before. Clams, jellyfish and barnacles keep Brina afloat, while scallops' vision illuminates the way. Dogfish, skates, bluefish and eels pull a net around the stern, grab a line and swim in unison. Brina glides purposely forward.
"Thank you," I look around to see who I am talking to, "why no pranks?"
"That has never been our way, but just as you close your mind to your parents, your kind closes their minds to us."
"Oh...I'll have to think about that."
Abruptly I'm out of the fog and Brina pushes ashore.

2005-05-08T11:30:00.000-07:00

Mort, Euroswydd, Reiki Clown are joined by the cat, Jalisco, as they ponder yet another day in the Earthly realm.

A Most Destructive Fallacy

2005-04-24T14:19:00.000-07:00

The Q.F. on inadequacies leading to the demise of the following equation.

The Equation

Hard work + Loyalty = Rewards (Retirement, Benefits, Vacations, Liveable Wage, Personal Time, House Ownership, Equitable Treatment, Ability to be True to Onself within the context of Societal Rules and so on)

Translated into terminology suited to laypeoples "comprehension levels": Effort and faithfully following the "rules" will get you more of what you want than exhibiting such characteristics as laziness and greed.

The original theories-presented by The Council and deemed credible by all the Great Minds of the Time-presented motivational methods intended to ensure task completion by humans. It was certainy recognized by humans that one needed to apply oneself to the accomplishing of the various tasks-food acquisition, housing, procreation, mental and physical stimulation and rejuvenation-but accomplishing these tasks without being reduced to conflicts proved impossible. A workable system flexible enought to accommodate differences in personality, upbringing, genetic makeup, socio-economic conditions and the inevitable "advancements" that humans insists upon subjecting themselves to (if it ain't broke don't fix it seems to be only a placebo statement as far as we a can ascertain) needed to be instituted. The system put into effect just prior to that time period described by Earthlings living ins ome of the more "advanced" countries as the "Industrial Revolution" seemed, initially at least, to be a success. For those unfamiliar with these Earthlings predilection for having many and sometimes contradictory definitions for the same word, revolution in this phrase was't a revolt or war, but changes brought about by some of those "advancements" mentioned earlier. In this particular case, humans discoverd industry.
Several generations reaped the rewards of giving their loyalty and hard work to one company their entire working lives. Over time, however, the weaknesses in the system's infrastructure made themselves apparent.
The Forum will only be presenting one case history's commentary in detail here since all the participants relate nearly identical reviews on what they consider to be a scam of monumental proportions. For those of you interested in reading other reports we ask you to log onto uew.morefallacies4u.aagh. Inhabitants of planets not yet Universal Encompassing WEb cmpatible, your libraries should have computers with the special UE adapter necessary to connect with the uew.
The following case study was written by a woman in her late 40's during the first part of the 21st Century.

I always worked hard, sometimes holding down as many as three jobs at a time. The work hard all your life and you will "Get Somewhere" acquire the "Great American Dream" whichever euphemistic phrase you wish to use has been my credo. This mind set having been instilled from my first moments of awareness on this planet, I was surrounded by it. The apartment where I Lived with my mother and father fairly reeked of the ideology. Of course the inexact location of "somewhere" and the fact that dreams are something even our eminent experts on the mind seem incapable of explaiing, were ignored aspects of this mindset.
Anyway, I grew up steeping in the comforting, predictable atmosphere pervaded with the notion that hard work and loyalty being given will thus be received inkind, resulting in a worthwhile, commendable and by the way, comfortable life, leading to a well deserved and bountiful retirement.
My father being one of the last of a generation for whom this philosophy held true-what I now realize to be a fallacy of huge proportions, perpetrated by those who don't work hard, to get those who will to provide them with "somewhere' and the "Dream"-has enjoyed a pleasant, financially viable retirement for twenty-eight years. He went to college, did his military duty, attended an Ivy League University to get his Masters, joined a firm where he arrived promptly each AM for the rest of his working life, before bowing gracefully out to a chosen early retirement. In those days the phrase, early retirmement, meant that you were a fortunate son of a gun, not as the insinuation is nowadays, that the company was downsizing and decided that you be included in the mass exodus they were unfortunately "forced" to institute. He hasn't had to work a day since to support himself and still drawing those reliably deposited checks he enjoys a vigorous, healthy, elderly life.
These days most people who, several decades ago, began their working careers, under the delusion that they would put in their full working lives in one business have experienced the horror of downsizing. For some a much more serious eventuality occurred-they've seen their retirement money vanish from the stock market after having been persuaded that accounts like 401k's were the way to go. Then of course there are the corrupt CEO's and other people who feel that the money should go into their pockets and somehow always get away with it! Even when they're caught they never seem to descend into poverty, their "loyal" employees who trusted them (and oh by the way, worked hard) do.
I always wanted to a unique individual and in many ways I ahve achieved just that. I also realize that I sound very bitter. That's because I've learned too late the ways to get "somewhere" in the crumbled mess that are the ethics of today's working world. I've learned them but I don't like them, they include being loyal to no one but yourself, being dehumanized and never giving more effort than is absolutely necessary. If the world is falling apart around you and there's something you can do to fix it, but it's not in your job description, take no action. Reaching out of your assigned niche to correct a problem or help someone else will be viewed as a weakness and taken advantage off.
I think the idea of treating people with respect flew away with the last of the now extinct carrier pigeons. And sometimes I wish I could be with them. The land of opportunity is not so for all its people. Many in the Intermediate Generation feel as though they've fallen through the cracks, we're probably losing Social Security even though we've been paying into the system all our working lives, private industry can't seem to provide a decent wage, and/or cover it's employees with insurance, the diea of retirmement is more and more thought of as a 'working' proposition, yet the middle classes are continually being squeezed out of their slot into the realm of the poor, because of the great fallacy that hard work and loyalty will get you "somewhere" desirable. I have no idea what will happen to me. How many greeters can Wal-Mart hire for whatever pittance they pay them?
The equations have changed and those of us in the Intermediate Generation are paying the price. Those in their twenties and just barely into their thirties don't suffer from any delusions. They've watched their parents and in some cases their grandparents suffer through layoffs, money loss, possession loss and perhaps themost devastating of all the loss of a sense of personal worth. They watched people who worked hard, gave up personal time to work if they got 'the call" and who expected tor eceive what their parents did-rewards-get nothing but...well actually nothing at all. Why go the route of anguish and heartache, why not get all they can while it's available, then move on. The attitude of today's young people while frightening is eminently understandable. They've learned to hold anyting that's dear close and not allow ajob to invade their personal space. While they amy spend most of the time away from the office unbilically attached via cell phone, the ocmpany they are talking to today may be the company that they are doing their best to see fail miserably tomorrow. There is no loyalty. After all, who knows when the trapdoor in the floor will open and with pink slip in hand, down the chute the victim will disappear.
I am fully convinced that resumes sent to the multitudes of firms expressing interest in hiring people never reach their intended destination. Instead they are pulled into a black hole. How else can one explain the many resumes that myslef, friends and acquaintainces send out onwhat is sometimes a daily basis that area abviously never received? There is a phrase that describes a type of silence we have all experienced, "the silence is deafening", well in this case the response speaks volumes in its silence. Are these firms advertising as some form of cruel joke? Is the government attempting to keep the public under the impression that there are jobs out there in order to keep from holding them responsible for the high cost of living and a shortage of jobs? Perhaps moving to a third world country and applying for these jobs form there might elicit some response from these firms.
Unfortunately as one of the Intermediate Generation I realize that I wasted years being loyal and working hard and I have accured nothing in the ways that, these days, keeps a roof over my head and food on the table. I am a knowledgeable, multi-talented, responsible person who listened to the words of my parents and am now paying the price. Loyalty, doing the 'right' thing-something that seems to change depending on the region of the country inhabited and governemental mood swings-working hard, for longer and longer hours, and getting something tangible as a result, all seems to have become a cute, antiquated notion. Unfortunately by the time those of my generation realized the fallacy of their ways switching to a different way of life, that of the younger generations, wasn't feasible. All our 'freedoms" seem to entangle us beyond redemption.
A word of warning-or more accurately several-to the younger people reading what I'm sure seem to them the ramblings of some "old" and therefore mentally deficient person. Everything goes in cycles and everything changes, just because you may be sitting high on the hog now (another highly descriptive, fun, antiquated saying) doesn't mean that there won't be several massive and to ou life shattering upheavals during your long lives. You will never be "set" for the rest of your lives. Just keep that rollig around in the bakc of your minds and let it roll forward every so often...just to keep you humble.
The Forum for Quizzical Minds is always interested when they come across groups such as these humans-so bent ontheir own destruction. This particular group has several rather ironic phrases-learning from the pst, not making the same mistake twice, and learning lessons from previous mistake-that are referred to with frequency but again, as with others we've mention, these seem to be more placeboes. They weren't take to heart by the majority of humans by the majority of humans on this planet.