This week, I voted "no". For the weather, that is. I don't mind snow, I rather like snow. But driving rain, messy puddles and 40 mile per hour wind gusts? No. Just say no. Especially when waiting for trains or buses, or walking home in the cold and dark.
I did manage to see some books on the T this week, in spite of being distracted and wet. One day, I saw at least four Boston Globes being read at the same time!
Shades of Earl Grey (a Tea Shop Mystery series book)
World War Z by Max Brooks
New York Times
Lots of people reading their cell phones - email?
A couple people working on their Macs
ever present iPods
three Kindles
and most interesting... Notes on a Case of Obsessive Neurosis
Did I ever mention that one day, stopped at a station there was a train stopped headed the opposite direction - and I saw a man sit down on that train and open his book - Webster's Dictionary!
Aside from the lousy commuting weather, it's been a great week. I've heard interesting lectures, been inspired in my work, and am feeling hopeful about future projects. Now, if only I could manage to finish up a couple current projects... :-)
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Tiger's Statement - It's Not About You
Dear News and Media: Tiger's statement was not about you.
Dear Golf Fans: Tiger's statement was not about you.
Tiger Woods gave a 13 minute statement yesterday. The Golf Writers Association boycotted it because questions would not be taken. It wasn't about questions. After the statement, news reporters stopped people on the street and asked their opinion, many of whom said that the statement didn't change their view of him. It wasn't meant to change their opinion. Sports reporters have analyzed how many times Tiger mentioned "golf" and when he would return to the game. It wasn't about the game.
Many commentators have said that Tiger orchestrated and controlled his statement. It wasn't a press conference, it was a statement. It's not about what you wanted from Tiger, it's not about what you wanted him to give you, and it's not about whatever questions you wanted answered. Others have complained that he was plastic and unemotional. How well do you know Tiger? Do you know how he reacts off the golf course? Have you talked with him about anything other than golf or his foundation work? How do you know what his emotional state was yesterday or any other day?
For anyone who has worked with or been a part of 12 step groups, Tiger's statement made sense. It was a first step toward making amends. The people in the room were those to whom he needed to apologize. He owes nothing to the media. It's not about them. It's about friends, family, and his business associates and what he needed to say to them. His statement was written, of course. He's been in therapy and probably wrote it over time with the guidance of his counselor and sponsor. When you want to say something properly, you write it out. Many people these days are used to informal remarks - hastily written IM messages, text messages, posts on websites. However, given the seriousness of Tiger's situation, a carefully written statement delivered in a somber manner, without the media diverting attention from his purpose was the right way to go.
If Tiger had admitted to being an alcoholic and gone to the Betty Ford Center for treatment, his statements would not be analyzed, people would express sympathy, comedians would be circumspect in their jokes, and cartoons would be few. It's not okay to poke fun at a recovering alcoholic. Somehow in our society though, other addictions are still fair game for derision. Whatever Tiger's issues are, it's clear that he is taking responsibility and addressing them. I believe he deserves respect for that - not because he's an athlete or star, but because he is a human being.
All too often in our world we tear each other apart. We lift up "stars" and expect them to be more than human, and then delight in their fall, kicking them the whole way down. I believe there is another way to be in the world. I believe that it is possible to treat each other with dignity and respect. I believe that it is important to put things in perspective. I believe that not every question must be answered in public forums. There is a time and place for everything. At this time, Tiger Woods' work on his issues is his alone. His marriage is between he and his wife, and their counselors. It's not about you, and it's not about me.
Dear Golf Fans: Tiger's statement was not about you.
Tiger Woods gave a 13 minute statement yesterday. The Golf Writers Association boycotted it because questions would not be taken. It wasn't about questions. After the statement, news reporters stopped people on the street and asked their opinion, many of whom said that the statement didn't change their view of him. It wasn't meant to change their opinion. Sports reporters have analyzed how many times Tiger mentioned "golf" and when he would return to the game. It wasn't about the game.
Many commentators have said that Tiger orchestrated and controlled his statement. It wasn't a press conference, it was a statement. It's not about what you wanted from Tiger, it's not about what you wanted him to give you, and it's not about whatever questions you wanted answered. Others have complained that he was plastic and unemotional. How well do you know Tiger? Do you know how he reacts off the golf course? Have you talked with him about anything other than golf or his foundation work? How do you know what his emotional state was yesterday or any other day?
For anyone who has worked with or been a part of 12 step groups, Tiger's statement made sense. It was a first step toward making amends. The people in the room were those to whom he needed to apologize. He owes nothing to the media. It's not about them. It's about friends, family, and his business associates and what he needed to say to them. His statement was written, of course. He's been in therapy and probably wrote it over time with the guidance of his counselor and sponsor. When you want to say something properly, you write it out. Many people these days are used to informal remarks - hastily written IM messages, text messages, posts on websites. However, given the seriousness of Tiger's situation, a carefully written statement delivered in a somber manner, without the media diverting attention from his purpose was the right way to go.
If Tiger had admitted to being an alcoholic and gone to the Betty Ford Center for treatment, his statements would not be analyzed, people would express sympathy, comedians would be circumspect in their jokes, and cartoons would be few. It's not okay to poke fun at a recovering alcoholic. Somehow in our society though, other addictions are still fair game for derision. Whatever Tiger's issues are, it's clear that he is taking responsibility and addressing them. I believe he deserves respect for that - not because he's an athlete or star, but because he is a human being.
All too often in our world we tear each other apart. We lift up "stars" and expect them to be more than human, and then delight in their fall, kicking them the whole way down. I believe there is another way to be in the world. I believe that it is possible to treat each other with dignity and respect. I believe that it is important to put things in perspective. I believe that not every question must be answered in public forums. There is a time and place for everything. At this time, Tiger Woods' work on his issues is his alone. His marriage is between he and his wife, and their counselors. It's not about you, and it's not about me.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Last Year's Journey
One of my ongoing projects is a massive sort through and organization of my papers. I'm a paper collector. I save papers. They might be important! They might come in handy! I have lists on them! lol
Truth is, I have too many papers. And I don't want to move them all back across the country, so I am sorting through, organizing, and throwing out what I don't need. It's brutal, but necessary.
And this is what brings us to... last year's journey. I kept notes of my drive across the States, and must have intended to write them down here for my nephew. Douglas, if you're reading, I hope you find this interesting! Maybe one day you will come over and we'll take a cross country drive with you.
Day One: 260 miles from Houston to just north of Dallas. There were bright green cotton fields, a big sky sunset, and a doe with 2 fawns on the side of the road just south of Huntsville. I got to my brother's place just in time for Friday night football. The games were broadcast on the radio, and I could see the lights of the stadiums as I drove along.
Day Two: Left really early, along a country road instead of the main highway. Passed fishermen out on a lake and a Buddhist meditation center. Listened to "Car Talk with Click & Clack the Tappit Brothers" on public radio. I saw one dead armadillo and a hawk, crossed the Sabine, Sulfur, Caddo, Arkansas, Red and White Rivers (that's a lot of rivers!). The windshield was hit with a rock just outside of Hope, Arkansas, and I saw lots of flat cropland east of Little Rock. There were a bunch of 18 wheelers with army tanks headed west, and a truck full of onions (wow, they were strong!) headed east like me. Drove about 570 miles.
Day Three: Went to church in Union City, Tennessee, just a few minutes from Kentucky. I crossed the Tennessee River, and got into steeper hills. Lots of pretty yellow wildflowers growing on rock walls. Made a stop at President Lincoln's birthplace and museum. Statues of Mary everywhere in that area, and the Abbey of Gethsemeni, where Thomas Merton (one of my favorite devotional authors) lived. I drove 437 miles across the state! Some of that was off the main highway through tiny farming communities, so peaceful through the corn and tobacco fields.
Day Four: started in a holler in east Kentucky, cool and peaceful. I'd stayed the night with my big brother's best friend from high school, and had a homecooked meal for dinner. Crossed the Elk River into Charleston, West Virginia. It felt as though the earth was wrinkled, going up and down the sun dappled hills with water dripping off the rock face. I saw three fawns feeding on the side of the road, and a big white and tan hawk. I drove straight north, past Pittsburgh and on up into New York state. Found a nice campsite at Allegheny State Park, really quiet and restful. About 500 miles driving.
Day Five: a foggy sunrise. Stopped and took lots of pictures in the park, but I don't know what I did with the camera! I left all my cameras (disposable ones and a regular one) in Texas over Christmas, so there's no telling! Western New York is home to the Seneca Nation Administrative headquarters, and there is a Seneca-Iriquois National Museum nearby. I wish I'd had time to visit, but I didn't know how long it would take to drive to Boston. It was a long day's drive, but I enjoyed the mountains, stopping at a rest stop for a sandwich (I had makings along with me in a cooler box), and lots of different radio stations along the way. I remember that New York had lots of horse pastures and interesting barns.
It was a great drive!
Truth is, I have too many papers. And I don't want to move them all back across the country, so I am sorting through, organizing, and throwing out what I don't need. It's brutal, but necessary.
And this is what brings us to... last year's journey. I kept notes of my drive across the States, and must have intended to write them down here for my nephew. Douglas, if you're reading, I hope you find this interesting! Maybe one day you will come over and we'll take a cross country drive with you.
Day One: 260 miles from Houston to just north of Dallas. There were bright green cotton fields, a big sky sunset, and a doe with 2 fawns on the side of the road just south of Huntsville. I got to my brother's place just in time for Friday night football. The games were broadcast on the radio, and I could see the lights of the stadiums as I drove along.
Day Two: Left really early, along a country road instead of the main highway. Passed fishermen out on a lake and a Buddhist meditation center. Listened to "Car Talk with Click & Clack the Tappit Brothers" on public radio. I saw one dead armadillo and a hawk, crossed the Sabine, Sulfur, Caddo, Arkansas, Red and White Rivers (that's a lot of rivers!). The windshield was hit with a rock just outside of Hope, Arkansas, and I saw lots of flat cropland east of Little Rock. There were a bunch of 18 wheelers with army tanks headed west, and a truck full of onions (wow, they were strong!) headed east like me. Drove about 570 miles.
Day Three: Went to church in Union City, Tennessee, just a few minutes from Kentucky. I crossed the Tennessee River, and got into steeper hills. Lots of pretty yellow wildflowers growing on rock walls. Made a stop at President Lincoln's birthplace and museum. Statues of Mary everywhere in that area, and the Abbey of Gethsemeni, where Thomas Merton (one of my favorite devotional authors) lived. I drove 437 miles across the state! Some of that was off the main highway through tiny farming communities, so peaceful through the corn and tobacco fields.
Day Four: started in a holler in east Kentucky, cool and peaceful. I'd stayed the night with my big brother's best friend from high school, and had a homecooked meal for dinner. Crossed the Elk River into Charleston, West Virginia. It felt as though the earth was wrinkled, going up and down the sun dappled hills with water dripping off the rock face. I saw three fawns feeding on the side of the road, and a big white and tan hawk. I drove straight north, past Pittsburgh and on up into New York state. Found a nice campsite at Allegheny State Park, really quiet and restful. About 500 miles driving.
Day Five: a foggy sunrise. Stopped and took lots of pictures in the park, but I don't know what I did with the camera! I left all my cameras (disposable ones and a regular one) in Texas over Christmas, so there's no telling! Western New York is home to the Seneca Nation Administrative headquarters, and there is a Seneca-Iriquois National Museum nearby. I wish I'd had time to visit, but I didn't know how long it would take to drive to Boston. It was a long day's drive, but I enjoyed the mountains, stopping at a rest stop for a sandwich (I had makings along with me in a cooler box), and lots of different radio stations along the way. I remember that New York had lots of horse pastures and interesting barns.
It was a great drive!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Seen Being Read on the T
I've been thinking long and hard about the church group from Idaho that is in jail for kidnapping children in Haiti. What is bothering me is that most media sources are calling them "missionaries", but to my thinking they aren't missionaries at all. I have more thoughts but they need more pondering before publishing.
Seen Being Read on the T this week:
A Neil Gaiman novel (couldn't see the title)
In My Father's Court by Isaac Bashevis Singer
The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman
Metro
Wall Street Journal
Boston Globe
Where Does God Live? by Rabbi Mark Gellman and Monsignor Thomas Hartman
This last book was being read by a professor of mine. I spotted it as we left the train, and I was so focused on reading the title that I didn't bother to look at who was holding it until we were on the steps up to street level and he greeted me! :-) I loved the one class I was able to take with him. This book is being used in a class where they examine books like it (for parents, teens, etc) and have a look at the theology in each of them. Made for great discussion on the way over to school!
Dry by Augustin Burroghs
Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
Metro
The Atlantic (magazine)
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria by Beverly Daniel Tatum
Spare Change (newspaper sold by homeless people)
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Dead Even (couldn't see the author)
Naked Lunch by William S Burroughs
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
The Given Day by Dennis Lehane
and two quite interesting items...
Root Canal Obturations
Derivatives and Alternate Investments - quite a change from the typical newspaper or pocket novel!
Seen Being Read on the T this week:
A Neil Gaiman novel (couldn't see the title)
In My Father's Court by Isaac Bashevis Singer
The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman
Metro
Wall Street Journal
Boston Globe
Where Does God Live? by Rabbi Mark Gellman and Monsignor Thomas Hartman
This last book was being read by a professor of mine. I spotted it as we left the train, and I was so focused on reading the title that I didn't bother to look at who was holding it until we were on the steps up to street level and he greeted me! :-) I loved the one class I was able to take with him. This book is being used in a class where they examine books like it (for parents, teens, etc) and have a look at the theology in each of them. Made for great discussion on the way over to school!
Dry by Augustin Burroghs
Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
Metro
The Atlantic (magazine)
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria by Beverly Daniel Tatum
Spare Change (newspaper sold by homeless people)
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Dead Even (couldn't see the author)
Naked Lunch by William S Burroughs
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
The Given Day by Dennis Lehane
and two quite interesting items...
Root Canal Obturations
Derivatives and Alternate Investments - quite a change from the typical newspaper or pocket novel!
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