It has just occurred to me that the primary winners in this new sweepstakes being organized by the incoming gov't are going to be the attorneys. The court system is about to be inundated from every sector and from all views. Representation won't be by congress it will be by the justice dep't.
I was thankful I hadn't pursued law school, as I had intended, back in the wayback. I looked at the sheer numbers of graduates from all the law schools across the country and how many were working themselves into the ground to make a paycheck [and many who weren't managing to do even that]. I used to sit and wonder why so many people were taking on huge student debt loads and having very little job assurance. I have my answer.
There is going to be plenty of legal work floating around over the next four years [and undoubtedly longer] trying to clean up the messes to come. None of the proposed ideas will go unchallenged. Individuals on up to large corporations will be fighting. As will countries.
This is going to become a gigantic legal three ring.
At least one sector of our society stands to gain.
Sunday, November 20, 2016
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Bedroom calisthenics__may I say 'I don't care'? This is in response to the new revelation that a particular actress has had many interludes with the same sex. Last week it was another actress/singer revealing the same thing. Monumental? I think not.
Ladies [and gentlemen who are on this same bandwagon], if we want to know about your proclivities we can go to the sites devoted to this particular subject. But you may be interested to know that unless you're under the age of 16, most of us [if not all] are supremely unconcerned with what you do with your bodies. Seriously. Unless there are victims involved and the authorities need to get involved, keep it to yourselves. And if it's your PR teams that are responsible for inundating us with all of this unwonted info, steer them in other directions... or give them the URL's for the sites that specialize in your particular tastes.
I consider myself fairly open-minded. I even managed to have a four year relationship with a Republican. But having your orificial preferences shoved in my face on every single news site is getting tiring.
Ladies [and gentlemen who are on this same bandwagon], if we want to know about your proclivities we can go to the sites devoted to this particular subject. But you may be interested to know that unless you're under the age of 16, most of us [if not all] are supremely unconcerned with what you do with your bodies. Seriously. Unless there are victims involved and the authorities need to get involved, keep it to yourselves. And if it's your PR teams that are responsible for inundating us with all of this unwonted info, steer them in other directions... or give them the URL's for the sites that specialize in your particular tastes.
I consider myself fairly open-minded. I even managed to have a four year relationship with a Republican. But having your orificial preferences shoved in my face on every single news site is getting tiring.
Thursday, April 30, 2015
I have thought about how to write this piece for several days. I have reached the conclusion that I simply need to do it and how it turns out is, well, is how it turns out.
This blog is about Baltimore, Maryland. Located in the mid-Atlantic region of the US, it sits at the upper end of the Chesapeake Bay. It has a varied and rich history. Once a major stop on the Underground Railroad [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underground_Railroad] many of the houses still have hidden cellars, walled closets, and tunnels. Much of the old architecture still stands in spite of the 'great fire' of 1904 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Baltimore_Fire]. I renovated an old house that managed to escape the ravages of that fire. It was built at the turn of the 19th to the 20th century.
The reason I'm writing this is because, after living in Baltimore for five years [my youngest son was born there] I wish for people to have a different view of the city than the one which has been constantly in the news these last few days. I want people who've not spent time there to see a more varied view of a complex and colorful city. Yes, it has it's depressed neighborhoods. Possibly more than many cities. But there are neighborhoods where people live and pull together to make a pleasant place to be. We were lucky to find such a place when we bought our house. That isn't to say there weren't challenges. Anyone who has ever renovated or restored an old house while living in it knows about that. And living in the middle of a major city has it's adjustments, too. It's noisy, aromatic and occasionally dangerous, even in the more stable neighborhoods. But it also offers so much in the way of cultural pursuits.
There are many colleges and universities in Baltimore and the surrounding county. It has a wonderful symphony orchestra. Art galleries and theatre presentations...it's all there. And some of the greatest libraries I've seen.
And then there's the violence. That's there, too.
Baltimore is and has always been considered a blue-collar city. It was a working harbor for the steel industry, fishing and incoming supplies for the mid-Atlantic region. More than anything it has always been a roll up your sleeves and get down to work kind of place. When many of the residents have nowhere to get down to work things become grim. The unemployment rate in Baltimore is inordinately high. Many of the businesses that brought so many there are no longer providing jobs. Many are out of work. The problems in Baltimore are much more class based than race based. I say this because I know it. I lived it. The population of Baltimore is 65% black. Many of the sitting professionals are black, including the mayor. Many of the police are black as are many of the teachers, bankers, fire fighters...just about any job you can think of. What is inequitable is the amount of unemployed. Of all races. This creates areas of poverty that are difficult and undeniable. And it has been this way for a long time.
When the situation surrounding the arrest and death of Freddie Gray became the most recent fulcrum for dissent and violence in the US, Baltimore took center stage in the portrayal of a media production of mass hysteria and retribution. That's not the city in general. So much of what Baltimore is got shoved into the shadows, the only illumination that of the fires and protesters and looters bent on destroying an historical city. I just wanted to say there is so much more there.
I brought my sons into my living room and took them on a virtual photographic journey of the city as I came to know it. I wanted them to know, as they were too young to remember, that where we'd lived was a colorful, vibrant and complex place. It saddened me to see the entire city brought low.
Over the following days much of what has made Baltimore strong came into the light.
re: cleaning up after the riots
http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/29/us/gallery/baltimore-protests-cleanup/
The libraries [main branches]
This blog is about Baltimore, Maryland. Located in the mid-Atlantic region of the US, it sits at the upper end of the Chesapeake Bay. It has a varied and rich history. Once a major stop on the Underground Railroad [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underground_Railroad] many of the houses still have hidden cellars, walled closets, and tunnels. Much of the old architecture still stands in spite of the 'great fire' of 1904 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Baltimore_Fire]. I renovated an old house that managed to escape the ravages of that fire. It was built at the turn of the 19th to the 20th century.
The reason I'm writing this is because, after living in Baltimore for five years [my youngest son was born there] I wish for people to have a different view of the city than the one which has been constantly in the news these last few days. I want people who've not spent time there to see a more varied view of a complex and colorful city. Yes, it has it's depressed neighborhoods. Possibly more than many cities. But there are neighborhoods where people live and pull together to make a pleasant place to be. We were lucky to find such a place when we bought our house. That isn't to say there weren't challenges. Anyone who has ever renovated or restored an old house while living in it knows about that. And living in the middle of a major city has it's adjustments, too. It's noisy, aromatic and occasionally dangerous, even in the more stable neighborhoods. But it also offers so much in the way of cultural pursuits.
There are many colleges and universities in Baltimore and the surrounding county. It has a wonderful symphony orchestra. Art galleries and theatre presentations...it's all there. And some of the greatest libraries I've seen.
And then there's the violence. That's there, too.
Baltimore is and has always been considered a blue-collar city. It was a working harbor for the steel industry, fishing and incoming supplies for the mid-Atlantic region. More than anything it has always been a roll up your sleeves and get down to work kind of place. When many of the residents have nowhere to get down to work things become grim. The unemployment rate in Baltimore is inordinately high. Many of the businesses that brought so many there are no longer providing jobs. Many are out of work. The problems in Baltimore are much more class based than race based. I say this because I know it. I lived it. The population of Baltimore is 65% black. Many of the sitting professionals are black, including the mayor. Many of the police are black as are many of the teachers, bankers, fire fighters...just about any job you can think of. What is inequitable is the amount of unemployed. Of all races. This creates areas of poverty that are difficult and undeniable. And it has been this way for a long time.
When the situation surrounding the arrest and death of Freddie Gray became the most recent fulcrum for dissent and violence in the US, Baltimore took center stage in the portrayal of a media production of mass hysteria and retribution. That's not the city in general. So much of what Baltimore is got shoved into the shadows, the only illumination that of the fires and protesters and looters bent on destroying an historical city. I just wanted to say there is so much more there.
I brought my sons into my living room and took them on a virtual photographic journey of the city as I came to know it. I wanted them to know, as they were too young to remember, that where we'd lived was a colorful, vibrant and complex place. It saddened me to see the entire city brought low.
Over the following days much of what has made Baltimore strong came into the light.
re: cleaning up after the riots
http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/29/us/gallery/baltimore-protests-cleanup/
The libraries [main branches]
Inner Harbor
The Arabbers
Saturday, January 3, 2015
As the New Year opens I again find myself contemplating that generally berated concept, resolutions.
A few folks I know refuse to even consider the thought, let alone the action, of making New Year's resolutions. But we always end up talking about them anyway particularly the part of slaying them in often spectacular fashion at some later date.
A few years ago I made the resolution to stop asking "why" about anything. I realized somewhere along the line that if I had to ask "why" then it was almost certainly probable I would not understand the answer. If, after observation, I didn't get it then having it explained would do me no good. I then learned to ask "how, what, when, where and [usually most importantly] how much". Cynical I suppose but that isn't germane here. I've tried to stick to this, not always successfully, but I do try and one thing that has come of this is that it slows me down on the way to making snap judgments.
This year I've decided to give up on the concept of expectations. If I expect something and it doesn't happen I am disappointed. Even if it does happen it rarely, if ever, manifests as I envisioned and, once again sets the stage for disappointment. So, no more placing the energy into expectations. What I now will concentrate on doing instead is going about the day to day , putting one foot in front of the other and living my best life... without expectations__of myself and others and the world in general.
What will this do?
Well, if I can manage to pull this off I see it bringing the aspect of surprise to nearly each and every moment. Some of these surprises may be negative [almost certainly] but many will be positive. In deciding to walk this path I'm hoping to begin to see the world around me with fresh eyes.
And in saying that I suppose I've made an expectation.
A few folks I know refuse to even consider the thought, let alone the action, of making New Year's resolutions. But we always end up talking about them anyway particularly the part of slaying them in often spectacular fashion at some later date.
A few years ago I made the resolution to stop asking "why" about anything. I realized somewhere along the line that if I had to ask "why" then it was almost certainly probable I would not understand the answer. If, after observation, I didn't get it then having it explained would do me no good. I then learned to ask "how, what, when, where and [usually most importantly] how much". Cynical I suppose but that isn't germane here. I've tried to stick to this, not always successfully, but I do try and one thing that has come of this is that it slows me down on the way to making snap judgments.
This year I've decided to give up on the concept of expectations. If I expect something and it doesn't happen I am disappointed. Even if it does happen it rarely, if ever, manifests as I envisioned and, once again sets the stage for disappointment. So, no more placing the energy into expectations. What I now will concentrate on doing instead is going about the day to day , putting one foot in front of the other and living my best life... without expectations__of myself and others and the world in general.
What will this do?
Well, if I can manage to pull this off I see it bringing the aspect of surprise to nearly each and every moment. Some of these surprises may be negative [almost certainly] but many will be positive. In deciding to walk this path I'm hoping to begin to see the world around me with fresh eyes.
And in saying that I suppose I've made an expectation.
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
I visited the Kickstarter site today for the first time. https://www.kickstarter.com/learn?ref=hero___
I've seen demos on YouTube of some of their projects but I really hadn't grasped the scope of their operation. It reminds me of the Nat'l Endowment for the Arts, which is a government funded program. The difference, I think, is the Kickstarter program goes along with merit and public perception w/o being overly influenced by private lobbyist interference. I may be wrong but I hope not.
Many fine creative expressionists were cut from the NEA programs because of undue influence from private groups with their own agendas __ censorship is an ugly country. Granted no one wants to be responsible for public funding and displays of violent or pornographic material but on some level even these expressions can be considered art. And let's face it, much of what was once considered to be too violent or suggestive is now mainstream, accessible in our own homes on our personal viewing devices.
What to do?
Some say simply don't fund art at all. Some, don't fund the objectionable [very open to interpretation]. Others want to fund it all. Programs like Kickstarter are an interesting approach. I'm sure they have their own judging criteria but hopefully it's not political, religious or materially based. There are many in the art world who spend their entire lives subsisting rather than flourishing because the ability [or simply the desire] to remain quietly anonymous is not an option open to them. In order to progress in this culture one must perform for the public. And even then, if one is willing to jump through those hoops, the time and energy required is consuming, drawing away from the ability to create and provide even the most basic of daily necessities. I think many would be surprised at how many truly gifted people are working basic service jobs simply to pay their bills. I think they would also be surprised at how difficult it can be to allow the creative process to flow and present when exhausted from the work schedule.
Once again, what to do?
Possibly one answer would be to provide funding with some caveats __ say setting aside blocks of time when the subsidized could exchange time in public service to the community. Or having the artist donate a portion of his/her work back to the funding program.
These are just some ruminations of an early morning but I do know one thing... a culture is defined by it's creativity. Yes, it's nice to think we're defined by our actions to each other as a baseline of future perceptions of who we are/were but in the end it's what we create and leave behind that exemplifies how we are seen to have walked the earth.
http://arts.gov/news/2014/national-endowment-arts-award-more-74-million-us-nonprofits
I've seen demos on YouTube of some of their projects but I really hadn't grasped the scope of their operation. It reminds me of the Nat'l Endowment for the Arts, which is a government funded program. The difference, I think, is the Kickstarter program goes along with merit and public perception w/o being overly influenced by private lobbyist interference. I may be wrong but I hope not.
Many fine creative expressionists were cut from the NEA programs because of undue influence from private groups with their own agendas __ censorship is an ugly country. Granted no one wants to be responsible for public funding and displays of violent or pornographic material but on some level even these expressions can be considered art. And let's face it, much of what was once considered to be too violent or suggestive is now mainstream, accessible in our own homes on our personal viewing devices.
What to do?
Some say simply don't fund art at all. Some, don't fund the objectionable [very open to interpretation]. Others want to fund it all. Programs like Kickstarter are an interesting approach. I'm sure they have their own judging criteria but hopefully it's not political, religious or materially based. There are many in the art world who spend their entire lives subsisting rather than flourishing because the ability [or simply the desire] to remain quietly anonymous is not an option open to them. In order to progress in this culture one must perform for the public. And even then, if one is willing to jump through those hoops, the time and energy required is consuming, drawing away from the ability to create and provide even the most basic of daily necessities. I think many would be surprised at how many truly gifted people are working basic service jobs simply to pay their bills. I think they would also be surprised at how difficult it can be to allow the creative process to flow and present when exhausted from the work schedule.
Once again, what to do?
Possibly one answer would be to provide funding with some caveats __ say setting aside blocks of time when the subsidized could exchange time in public service to the community. Or having the artist donate a portion of his/her work back to the funding program.
These are just some ruminations of an early morning but I do know one thing... a culture is defined by it's creativity. Yes, it's nice to think we're defined by our actions to each other as a baseline of future perceptions of who we are/were but in the end it's what we create and leave behind that exemplifies how we are seen to have walked the earth.
http://arts.gov/news/2014/national-endowment-arts-award-more-74-million-us-nonprofits
Monday, November 3, 2014
The wind is howling. So are the coyotes. And the neighborhood dogs. I have a flashback to many years ago when we first moved to this mountain. There were few people then, fewer dogs. The wind still howled but the one canine who sang along was a wolf named Cheyenne.
It's nostalgic except for the slight worry about the coyotes. There are many more people up here now. Prey. When I grew up out west the coyotes rarely moved in close to human habitat. Now they nestle among us, hunt in our yards, move about in the sunlight. I look for them as I look for the bears when I go out these days. Things change.
But the wild still exists, just closer. The sounds made by the untamed harder to hear over the sounds of civilization. The music made by nature hasn't been muted but seems to be merging with the raucous grinding played by man. It's a strange symphony.
It's nostalgic except for the slight worry about the coyotes. There are many more people up here now. Prey. When I grew up out west the coyotes rarely moved in close to human habitat. Now they nestle among us, hunt in our yards, move about in the sunlight. I look for them as I look for the bears when I go out these days. Things change.
But the wild still exists, just closer. The sounds made by the untamed harder to hear over the sounds of civilization. The music made by nature hasn't been muted but seems to be merging with the raucous grinding played by man. It's a strange symphony.
Monday, October 13, 2014
This week's venture into the 'what if's':
What if the countries dealing with species invasions tried using the invaders rather than being used by them? No I'm not speaking of ISIS or Al Qaeda or any humans, really. What I'm talking about are things like kudzu and zebra and quagga mussels, stinkbugs and giant hornets, wild pigs in Hawaii__you know, things that don't belong but are here anyway. Oh, yes. The snakehead fish can go on the list. All of these are here and have no natural controls because they aren't native here. What to do?
As far as kudzu goes, I think the Japanese have that covered. They eat it. The flowers smell good, too.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/474310-how-to-cook-eat-kudzu/
Then there are those pesky jumping [and walking] fish that are making a nuisance of our waterways. Fish makes great fertilizer. And pet food. Grind 'em up. They're a part of the diet in some countries which is how, it is hypothesized, they ended up here in the first place.
Then there are the invasive mussels. I'm not sure about these. I like mussels. They are some of my favorite shellfish. But as I understand it, these invasive varieties from Eastern Europe aren't great for culinary purposes. They are supposed to filter a prodigious amount of water. This is one of the problems, apparently. Because while they filter, they feed and deplete all the nutrients and microcosms that feed the rest of the aquatic community. They also build up prolific amounts of toxins. It would be interesting if we could figure out a way to use them to clean the waterways w/o having them take over. How? I haven't a clue. But it's interesting to contemplate.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quagga_mussel
I'm not certain what stinkbugs might be good for although there is a faction that purports to eat them Yuk.
And giant hornets? There again, not sure but hopefully they can learn to pollinate because they're eating what are left of our European honey bees.
As far as the wild pigs go, I have a one word solution. Spam.
What if the countries dealing with species invasions tried using the invaders rather than being used by them? No I'm not speaking of ISIS or Al Qaeda or any humans, really. What I'm talking about are things like kudzu and zebra and quagga mussels, stinkbugs and giant hornets, wild pigs in Hawaii__you know, things that don't belong but are here anyway. Oh, yes. The snakehead fish can go on the list. All of these are here and have no natural controls because they aren't native here. What to do?
As far as kudzu goes, I think the Japanese have that covered. They eat it. The flowers smell good, too.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/474310-how-to-cook-eat-kudzu/
Then there are those pesky jumping [and walking] fish that are making a nuisance of our waterways. Fish makes great fertilizer. And pet food. Grind 'em up. They're a part of the diet in some countries which is how, it is hypothesized, they ended up here in the first place.
Then there are the invasive mussels. I'm not sure about these. I like mussels. They are some of my favorite shellfish. But as I understand it, these invasive varieties from Eastern Europe aren't great for culinary purposes. They are supposed to filter a prodigious amount of water. This is one of the problems, apparently. Because while they filter, they feed and deplete all the nutrients and microcosms that feed the rest of the aquatic community. They also build up prolific amounts of toxins. It would be interesting if we could figure out a way to use them to clean the waterways w/o having them take over. How? I haven't a clue. But it's interesting to contemplate.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quagga_mussel
I'm not certain what stinkbugs might be good for although there is a faction that purports to eat them Yuk.
And giant hornets? There again, not sure but hopefully they can learn to pollinate because they're eating what are left of our European honey bees.
As far as the wild pigs go, I have a one word solution. Spam.
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