I had a dream last night in which I found myself in a mysterious compound. I say compound because the grounds on which the mansionesque buildings were located was expansive and desolate, like a Welsh moor from “Macbeth.” As we (I think Brigitte was with me) hurried to escape what seemed to be a dangerous situation a number of obstacles appeared. Giant rectangular pits, traps of a sort, covered with iron grates were all around. Negotiating these pitfalls required a careful, tentative kind of crawling and testing of these rusty screens. Escheresque stairs and corridors were everywhere. Strange beings in trench coats and fedoras moved furtively about, but they had no countenance, no faces, much like the Nazgul (Black Knights) in Tolkein’s “lord of the Rings” trilogy.
Blogenstein
Curdistan, isn’t that where Packer fans live?
Green wood doesn’t burn.
Mary Beth Doyle
1 – 2 inches of new snow
MSU won last night
The giants won’t cover
12.5
temple dogs
suboxone
happy birthday, brother Paul
Helen-O-Loy
Casino
Oranges
Bananas
Ambient no more
Artful codgers
Societe Generale
Gaza
January 28, 2008
January 15, 2008
September 18 - January 15
1/15/08
“Without a family, man, alone in the world, trembles with the cold.”
- Andre Maurois, The Art of Living, 1940
On this cold, dark, snowy morning, January 15, at 7:00, Trainee T. graduated from Boot Camp. It was like a scene from a movie, or novel. The whole camp, about 200 strong, lined up to watch the ritual. They were dressed in shabby orange work suits. Their faces reflected a kind of hopelessness that can only be described as depressing. A look of despair. We, the loved ones who showed up to collect our men and women children, looked on as the sound of marching feet and shouted cadences slowly came within earshot.
M.D.O.C. (Michigan Department of Corrections) guards, dressed like low budget storm troopers, looked on as the graduates stepped out, identified themselves, stepped back, and stood at attention. The last question asked was, “Are you ready to go home.” A loud and clear ”Sir, yes sir” was strongly echoed in unison. With that, the Trainees were dismissed into the arms of their families. Tears ruled the day.
“Without a family, man, alone in the world, trembles with the cold.”
- Andre Maurois, The Art of Living, 1940
On this cold, dark, snowy morning, January 15, at 7:00, Trainee T. graduated from Boot Camp. It was like a scene from a movie, or novel. The whole camp, about 200 strong, lined up to watch the ritual. They were dressed in shabby orange work suits. Their faces reflected a kind of hopelessness that can only be described as depressing. A look of despair. We, the loved ones who showed up to collect our men and women children, looked on as the sound of marching feet and shouted cadences slowly came within earshot.
M.D.O.C. (Michigan Department of Corrections) guards, dressed like low budget storm troopers, looked on as the graduates stepped out, identified themselves, stepped back, and stood at attention. The last question asked was, “Are you ready to go home.” A loud and clear ”Sir, yes sir” was strongly echoed in unison. With that, the Trainees were dismissed into the arms of their families. Tears ruled the day.
January 5, 2008
The Lowest Animal
01/03/08
“Dear Dad:
Remember how you used to take me to your classes with you, and that one time you told them I was U-M’s new kicker and the guy believed it.”
I went back to work today. Teaching, for me, is a kind of performance art that involves providing instructive information, standup comedy, and wise counsel. My aim is that the students be not only better writers but also better citizens. If this rough-hewn pedagogy seems dated, so be it. Too few of our university students today know enough about history, geography, and current events. Sometimes it seems our students are adrift in a sea of valueless apathy. They live in a culture that has trumpeted it’s moral superiority while at the same time surrendering the moral high ground. Our government fights in the name of Western Christianity (recall Bush’s slip in using the word crusade) while torturing our enemies and rescinding our citizens’ rights. This is the culture our present-day students have grown up in.
NEXT DAY: What a world. Sadly, Mark Twain’s satirical piece “The Lowest Animal” seems more relevant now than ever. Regarding the violent tribal/ethnic violence in the wake of rigged elections in Kenya, Jeffrey Gettleman of the New York Times writes: “In Nairobi, a much feared Kikuyu street gang called the Mungiki, who are said to take an oath in which they drink human blood, were sweeping through the slums and killing Luos.”
FUBAR played last night (Happy hour, 6-8, the first Friday of every month) at the Heidelberg “The Club Above.” Some of the hockey fans that attend our gigs were surprised to see Porter, Kolarik, and Naurato show up to watch a bunch of old farts like us. Consider this an invitation to come and see us when in Ann Arbor. You might recognize the musical manager, Kim French, keeping things in order. Kim plays with local musical performance artist, “Mr. Largebeat,” as well as The Cult Heroes and other local combos.
Packer fans, now that the Bears have gone into hibernation once again, I’ll cheer for the Cheese. Let’s hope the game manager rather than the gunslinger shows up at quarterback.
I guess I like Seattle (-3) and Pittsburgh (+2.5) today.
Happy New Year!
“Dear Dad:
Remember how you used to take me to your classes with you, and that one time you told them I was U-M’s new kicker and the guy believed it.”
I went back to work today. Teaching, for me, is a kind of performance art that involves providing instructive information, standup comedy, and wise counsel. My aim is that the students be not only better writers but also better citizens. If this rough-hewn pedagogy seems dated, so be it. Too few of our university students today know enough about history, geography, and current events. Sometimes it seems our students are adrift in a sea of valueless apathy. They live in a culture that has trumpeted it’s moral superiority while at the same time surrendering the moral high ground. Our government fights in the name of Western Christianity (recall Bush’s slip in using the word crusade) while torturing our enemies and rescinding our citizens’ rights. This is the culture our present-day students have grown up in.
NEXT DAY: What a world. Sadly, Mark Twain’s satirical piece “The Lowest Animal” seems more relevant now than ever. Regarding the violent tribal/ethnic violence in the wake of rigged elections in Kenya, Jeffrey Gettleman of the New York Times writes: “In Nairobi, a much feared Kikuyu street gang called the Mungiki, who are said to take an oath in which they drink human blood, were sweeping through the slums and killing Luos.”
FUBAR played last night (Happy hour, 6-8, the first Friday of every month) at the Heidelberg “The Club Above.” Some of the hockey fans that attend our gigs were surprised to see Porter, Kolarik, and Naurato show up to watch a bunch of old farts like us. Consider this an invitation to come and see us when in Ann Arbor. You might recognize the musical manager, Kim French, keeping things in order. Kim plays with local musical performance artist, “Mr. Largebeat,” as well as The Cult Heroes and other local combos.
Packer fans, now that the Bears have gone into hibernation once again, I’ll cheer for the Cheese. Let’s hope the game manager rather than the gunslinger shows up at quarterback.
I guess I like Seattle (-3) and Pittsburgh (+2.5) today.
Happy New Year!
December 27, 2007
Septic Security Firms
12/27/07
“I am a citizen of the world.”
Diogenes the Cynic, 4th century B. C.
Dear Readers:
Did you know that St Brigid could turn her bathwater into beer? Speaking of St Brigitte, her latest blog entry (see link for gonzodiner on this blog) has important Walrus information. Please check it out. I received news that last Friday’s PET scan showed no cancer. My happiness is ineffable, beyond words.
According to the Washington Post, Blackwater Worldwide and other security firms “are operating with little regulation or oversight.” The fact that our government disregarded numerous warnings about this brings to mind Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness”(1899). More specifically, it reminds me of Francis Ford Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now”(1979), particularly that scene where the officers are having lunch together and lamenting the reality that Colonel Kurtz, one of America’s best and brightest, is operating completely beyond the pale, commanding an army of mercenaries and Montagnard tribesman that recognize no rule of law. Fact is, the U. S. military, being undermanned going in, required additional boots on the ground, and we’re not talking about Army boots here. According to Michael J. Arrighi, someone who has beeen involved with private security firms in Iraq since 2004, companies like Blackwater sprang up “like mushrooms after a rainstorm.”
“Gasoline could cost an average of 3.75 a gallon nationwide in the next four months, pushing the price in California up and over the $4 dollar mark, energy analysts predicted Wednesday,” (source Ronald White L. A. Times). By George, that settles it, my next car is a hybrid Hummer.
Speaking of movies, this excerpt from the Ann Arbor News reminded me of George A. Romero’s “Dawn of the Dead”(1978): “police are investigating a fight in the center court of Briarwood Mall that closed the mall an hour early on Christmas Eve. According to the police, a group of men attacked another group of men with a hammer and chairs.” These consumer en-raged automatons must have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas.
(From The Associated Press) “It was a stinky holiday for Robert Schoff. The 77-year-old man spent part of Christmas Eve stuck upside down in the opening of his septic tank, with his head inside and his feet kicking in the air above….it was an hour before his wife, Toni, walked by a window and saw his feet in the air.”
“I am a citizen of the world.”
Diogenes the Cynic, 4th century B. C.
Dear Readers:
Did you know that St Brigid could turn her bathwater into beer? Speaking of St Brigitte, her latest blog entry (see link for gonzodiner on this blog) has important Walrus information. Please check it out. I received news that last Friday’s PET scan showed no cancer. My happiness is ineffable, beyond words.
According to the Washington Post, Blackwater Worldwide and other security firms “are operating with little regulation or oversight.” The fact that our government disregarded numerous warnings about this brings to mind Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness”(1899). More specifically, it reminds me of Francis Ford Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now”(1979), particularly that scene where the officers are having lunch together and lamenting the reality that Colonel Kurtz, one of America’s best and brightest, is operating completely beyond the pale, commanding an army of mercenaries and Montagnard tribesman that recognize no rule of law. Fact is, the U. S. military, being undermanned going in, required additional boots on the ground, and we’re not talking about Army boots here. According to Michael J. Arrighi, someone who has beeen involved with private security firms in Iraq since 2004, companies like Blackwater sprang up “like mushrooms after a rainstorm.”
“Gasoline could cost an average of 3.75 a gallon nationwide in the next four months, pushing the price in California up and over the $4 dollar mark, energy analysts predicted Wednesday,” (source Ronald White L. A. Times). By George, that settles it, my next car is a hybrid Hummer.
Speaking of movies, this excerpt from the Ann Arbor News reminded me of George A. Romero’s “Dawn of the Dead”(1978): “police are investigating a fight in the center court of Briarwood Mall that closed the mall an hour early on Christmas Eve. According to the police, a group of men attacked another group of men with a hammer and chairs.” These consumer en-raged automatons must have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas.
(From The Associated Press) “It was a stinky holiday for Robert Schoff. The 77-year-old man spent part of Christmas Eve stuck upside down in the opening of his septic tank, with his head inside and his feet kicking in the air above….it was an hour before his wife, Toni, walked by a window and saw his feet in the air.”
December 24, 2007
"What is literature compared with cooking? The one is shadow, the other substance."
E. V. Lucas
As some of my U.P. friends (who love the Packers) may know, I am a diehard Bears fan. Yesterday was sweet. Yes Bill, I've had that glimpse out of the corner of my eye. B. Q. and hubby, all my love.
Merry X-mas to all!
E. V. Lucas
As some of my U.P. friends (who love the Packers) may know, I am a diehard Bears fan. Yesterday was sweet. Yes Bill, I've had that glimpse out of the corner of my eye. B. Q. and hubby, all my love.
Merry X-mas to all!
December 20, 2007
Hillary Limbaugh
12/20/07
“Angry men are blind and foolish…”
- Pietro Aretino, 1537
Life can be tenuous. Don’t you love the holidays? They’re so, so, material -- time for friends, relatives, and associates to gather and remind themselves of something, but of what? Different things: love, hate, annoyance, and other stuff. Anonymous said they liked T. S. Eliot. R.J., I hope you dug the Francis Bacon, as you may know, he is a contemporary of Lucien Freud (see right), whom I also like. Bonnie, don’t worry, you’ll see something cool, and knowing your taste in music, that thing we do won’t disappoint. All: have you seen “Flight of the Conchords” (HBO Series)? Way cool. Sophia gave me the first two seasons as a birthday present, of which I’m very appreciative.
Health-wise, I’m feeling better. Tomorrow I go in for a TPET Scan, and then, assuming all is well, I go until February before participating in what I expect will be periodic exams to monitor my remission. As I move out from the chemo (it’s been a month and a week) I can slowly, but ever faster (if that makes sense?) feel my body recovering. I guess it goes without saying that uncertainty will follow the rest of my days. We all live with uncertainty, of course, but in that same abstract sense that we all know we’re going to die, this is a much more concrete concept for those with illness.
While I was out doing some errands, I listened to one of the CDs Les and Diane Bloom sent me for Xmas. One of the recordings was a March 1979 live “Incognito” show at “Mr. Floods Party.” Pretty cool. I assume the lineup is Wendell Bigelow on drums, R.J., Les, and myself. Les, or R.J., a question, who wrote “Encounter”? Writing about music is a bit like writing about drugs or sex, nigh on impossible. Instrumental, rock-jazz-fusion, high octane and I love it. I can’t wait to play it for my son Russ. Love the Relentless drum attack of Bob Sweet (the influence and frienship of Jack Dejohnette is much in evidence here). Thank you Les. The other CD has the 1972 recordings of Walrus in the studio doing “Helen O’Loy” and T.V. Twinkle. Praise God!
I don’t know about you, but I feel blessed that we have men like Rush Limbaugh to guide us through the cultural wasteland that is contemporary Amerika. As the gospel according to Rush would have it, “men aging makes them look more authoritative, accomplished, distinguished. Sadly, it’s not that way for women, and they will tell you.” Rush is, of course, referring to Hillary Clinton here. While I am not a follower of Hillary Clinton, I would appreciate it if all of you withering old bags out there would respond to this blog and confirm Rush’s wisdom. Rush wonders, “ Will this country want to actually watch a woman get older before their eyes on a daily basis?” I guess Rush thinks everyone watches T.V. or listens to the radio. Given the literacy level of his constituency, this makes sense. Some of us actually read, so the depth of intellect or policy positions of a given politician have nothing to do with the way they look. I mean if being handsome and charismatic were the markers of success wouldn’t our fearless leader’s charm and guile make us numero uno on the world stage. Rush says, “there will have to be steps taken to avoid the appearance of aging.” If anyone should no how to do this it would be Limbaugh. How many fat farms, cosmetic surgeries, balding comb-overs and re-hab programs has this homely windbag endured to secure his place on the air waves?
The beauty of being the leader of the most powerful nation in the world these days is that you’ll never have to worry about having to face war crimes tribunals. Heil Cheney!
Happy Holidays All
“Angry men are blind and foolish…”
- Pietro Aretino, 1537
Life can be tenuous. Don’t you love the holidays? They’re so, so, material -- time for friends, relatives, and associates to gather and remind themselves of something, but of what? Different things: love, hate, annoyance, and other stuff. Anonymous said they liked T. S. Eliot. R.J., I hope you dug the Francis Bacon, as you may know, he is a contemporary of Lucien Freud (see right), whom I also like. Bonnie, don’t worry, you’ll see something cool, and knowing your taste in music, that thing we do won’t disappoint. All: have you seen “Flight of the Conchords” (HBO Series)? Way cool. Sophia gave me the first two seasons as a birthday present, of which I’m very appreciative.
Health-wise, I’m feeling better. Tomorrow I go in for a TPET Scan, and then, assuming all is well, I go until February before participating in what I expect will be periodic exams to monitor my remission. As I move out from the chemo (it’s been a month and a week) I can slowly, but ever faster (if that makes sense?) feel my body recovering. I guess it goes without saying that uncertainty will follow the rest of my days. We all live with uncertainty, of course, but in that same abstract sense that we all know we’re going to die, this is a much more concrete concept for those with illness.
While I was out doing some errands, I listened to one of the CDs Les and Diane Bloom sent me for Xmas. One of the recordings was a March 1979 live “Incognito” show at “Mr. Floods Party.” Pretty cool. I assume the lineup is Wendell Bigelow on drums, R.J., Les, and myself. Les, or R.J., a question, who wrote “Encounter”? Writing about music is a bit like writing about drugs or sex, nigh on impossible. Instrumental, rock-jazz-fusion, high octane and I love it. I can’t wait to play it for my son Russ. Love the Relentless drum attack of Bob Sweet (the influence and frienship of Jack Dejohnette is much in evidence here). Thank you Les. The other CD has the 1972 recordings of Walrus in the studio doing “Helen O’Loy” and T.V. Twinkle. Praise God!
I don’t know about you, but I feel blessed that we have men like Rush Limbaugh to guide us through the cultural wasteland that is contemporary Amerika. As the gospel according to Rush would have it, “men aging makes them look more authoritative, accomplished, distinguished. Sadly, it’s not that way for women, and they will tell you.” Rush is, of course, referring to Hillary Clinton here. While I am not a follower of Hillary Clinton, I would appreciate it if all of you withering old bags out there would respond to this blog and confirm Rush’s wisdom. Rush wonders, “ Will this country want to actually watch a woman get older before their eyes on a daily basis?” I guess Rush thinks everyone watches T.V. or listens to the radio. Given the literacy level of his constituency, this makes sense. Some of us actually read, so the depth of intellect or policy positions of a given politician have nothing to do with the way they look. I mean if being handsome and charismatic were the markers of success wouldn’t our fearless leader’s charm and guile make us numero uno on the world stage. Rush says, “there will have to be steps taken to avoid the appearance of aging.” If anyone should no how to do this it would be Limbaugh. How many fat farms, cosmetic surgeries, balding comb-overs and re-hab programs has this homely windbag endured to secure his place on the air waves?
The beauty of being the leader of the most powerful nation in the world these days is that you’ll never have to worry about having to face war crimes tribunals. Heil Cheney!
Happy Holidays All
December 17, 2007
12/16/50
There's no vocabulary
For love within a family, love that's lived in
But not looked at, love within the light of which
All else is seen, the love within which
All other love finds speech.
T. S. Eliot
"The Elder Statesman," 1958
Dear Trainee:
There’s a blizzard today. It’s very beautiful. Shadikan charged out into a whirl and world of white that made her very happy. Muzzling snow banks and leaping through drifts is in her blood. Her thick, luxurious coat allows her to feel right at home. The sublime whiteness of the snow brightens up the world. Since it’s my birthday and I’m slowly feeling better, I too am happy.
We manned the phones, but alas, no call. One of the things we are learning, as you have come to know, is that some things are beyond our control. One person’s misstep, I’m sure, can make it so all of you suffer. Patience is virtue, or so they say. As a person with little patience, it makes more sense the older I get.
In many ways, life is a voyage into uncharted waters where uncertainty is one of the destinations. Some years ago, Alan Watts wrote a book entitled, “The Wisdom of Insecurity.” His point was that we should embrace the idea that obsessively questing after resolution, the idea that the future is a matter of solutions rather, than questions, is the way of folly.
One of the issues I’ve danced around is the idea of you joining the military. I think it’s a good idea. It’s not just that I think it would be a good experience for you, I also think what you’re coming out to makes it worth considering. I love you and this is your home, but, like yourself, I worry about the temptations of the old environment and former associates. Although mom and I are getting along great and she loves you, there is much uncertainty in her life. The more stability we can generate in our physical and psychological lives, the more it will help her. One way to do this would be for you to join up. The time will fly by, and you’ll be coming home to visit on a regular basis. As a springboard to the rest of your life, you’ll have the freedom, money, and opportunity, to become a Vet, astronaut, translator, or even a teacher.
Cancer is a humbling experience. One of the things we have in common is the way our ordeals have made us aware of is why we love others, why judgmental attitudes, anger, and negativity are wasted energies/emotions. A silver lining to the cloud of my cancer has been the kindness I feel toward others. I think those around me see it and return the feelings in kind. Goodness comes to those who are good.
Love - Dad
There's no vocabulary
For love within a family, love that's lived in
But not looked at, love within the light of which
All else is seen, the love within which
All other love finds speech.
T. S. Eliot
"The Elder Statesman," 1958
Dear Trainee:
There’s a blizzard today. It’s very beautiful. Shadikan charged out into a whirl and world of white that made her very happy. Muzzling snow banks and leaping through drifts is in her blood. Her thick, luxurious coat allows her to feel right at home. The sublime whiteness of the snow brightens up the world. Since it’s my birthday and I’m slowly feeling better, I too am happy.
We manned the phones, but alas, no call. One of the things we are learning, as you have come to know, is that some things are beyond our control. One person’s misstep, I’m sure, can make it so all of you suffer. Patience is virtue, or so they say. As a person with little patience, it makes more sense the older I get.
In many ways, life is a voyage into uncharted waters where uncertainty is one of the destinations. Some years ago, Alan Watts wrote a book entitled, “The Wisdom of Insecurity.” His point was that we should embrace the idea that obsessively questing after resolution, the idea that the future is a matter of solutions rather, than questions, is the way of folly.
One of the issues I’ve danced around is the idea of you joining the military. I think it’s a good idea. It’s not just that I think it would be a good experience for you, I also think what you’re coming out to makes it worth considering. I love you and this is your home, but, like yourself, I worry about the temptations of the old environment and former associates. Although mom and I are getting along great and she loves you, there is much uncertainty in her life. The more stability we can generate in our physical and psychological lives, the more it will help her. One way to do this would be for you to join up. The time will fly by, and you’ll be coming home to visit on a regular basis. As a springboard to the rest of your life, you’ll have the freedom, money, and opportunity, to become a Vet, astronaut, translator, or even a teacher.
Cancer is a humbling experience. One of the things we have in common is the way our ordeals have made us aware of is why we love others, why judgmental attitudes, anger, and negativity are wasted energies/emotions. A silver lining to the cloud of my cancer has been the kindness I feel toward others. I think those around me see it and return the feelings in kind. Goodness comes to those who are good.
Love - Dad
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
