What do you think about Eli Stone? It's a new show since Jan. '08, Thursday nights on ABC (in the US, but also in Canada & Down Under...). It's fun. Jonny Lee Miller as Eli Stone is cool. The entire cast is cool. Great actors, including Victor Garber. The story line: Eli Stone is a lawyer at a prestigious San Francisco law firm. He is diagnosed with a brain aneurysm - which supposedly causes the visions or revelations he's getting about life and certain law cases. This new-found humility is a life-change for Eli - and those around him.
Each episode, Eli's visions include George Michael singing or the cast singing George Michael songs. The episodes are typically named after Michael songs. This past Thursday's episode, "I Want Your Sex", featured George Michael as a real life client of Eli Stone. (This time it was George Michael having dream visions of Eli Stone.) The end of the show included George Michael in concert. The "Heal the Pain" episode also had a glimpse of George Michael in concert.
I've a new found appreciation for George Michael. Victor Garber sang "Freedom" on the Eli Stone episode with the same name. Victor Garber has a gorgeous voice, and plays piano, but the first time I heard him singing George Michael, it seemed out of character. He is after all the head partner of the money-sucking law firm. Loretta Devine as Patti, Eli's administrative assistant, was awesome in her gospel-rendition singing for the Michael song and Eli Stone episode, "One More Try". For the Michael originals I went to YouTube. Here are the YouTube videos, for: "Freedom", "One More Try", and "I Want Your Sex".
Too bad if you missed Episode 1, when Eli scattered his father's ashes on the Himalayas. The scenery was splendid and Sherpas were preciously satirical (in subtitles)! I wish ABC would make the 1st episode available for viewing again. Since it aired, there was a real life legal case in Georgia suing a drug company by claiming the preservatives in a vaccine caused a child's autism. As in Eli Stone's case, the jury found for the plaintiff. The vaccine-autism controversy remains in the news.
Though you can watch Eli Stone replays at ABC online, unfortunately only the most recent four episodes are available. I often miss the TV show, but then watch it later online.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Song and Memory: "Let's Get Together"
{written Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008}
Yes, and Happy Easter today!
I was driving my car yesterday, listening to the radio, and this article spoke to me:
http://weekendamerica.publicrad
At age 19 in 1970, he hitchhiked from New Hampshire to a rock festival in Ontario. He tells of the time he heard The Youngbloods sing "Let's Get Together". He was in the company of a girl, also from his hometown, whom he just met. Now, nearly 40 years later, he wants to find that girl. His description is so vivid I imagined myself there. There, suspended at the top of a ferris wheel, tingling all over from vertigo combined with anticipation.
Given the poetic predictability, why do people not take action when "in the moment"? (why not - strike while the iron is hot?) Why not [ask for a] kiss, or try to know her more?
Why do people choose to hold back love? Why do people not try? Why do people rather lose each other? Why do we misunderstand? I should know these rules, but can't answer.
Some experiences in youth are indelible. A deeply felt experience leaves a physical imprint as memory and sensations in your organs, from your heart and stomach, to skin and mind. You are a collection of memories, bonded within you forever. When left with only a distant intangible memory, perhaps your memory exacerbates its salient characteristic - turning more poignant or pungent, sweet or bittersweet - through the romance and regret in your eyes.
Is it true we lose youth with age? What changes, besides accumulating years and bodily ailments? Do we have less exposure to rich experience? Do we lose heightened sensations of feelings - that seemed so crisp as a teen? Or is our attention elsewhere? Maybe we close one phase and move on. Maybe we trade one kind of freedom for another. Maybe it's about perception. Or maybe we can try one more time...
And smile when you sing the Youngbloods song to yourself:
"Love is but the song we sing,
And fear's the way we die
You can make the mountains ring
Or make the angels cry
Know the dove is on the wing
And you need not know why
C'mon people now, ..."
And fear's the way we die
You can make the mountains ring
Or make the angels cry
Know the dove is on the wing
And you need not know why
C'mon people now, ..."
Yes, and Happy Easter today!
TOUCHING A CLOWN FISH
{written on Wednesday, March 05, 2008}
He stands on the cusp of manhood. Looking across the horizon, he sees possibilities emerging as silhouettes. They reveal bright lights and deep colors, coming in and out of soft focus. He hears a constant stream of melodies, harmonies, and pulsing rhythms.
Imagine a parallel universe, where he can choose several paths and fully live out the potential of each one. Each choice extends its hand. He reaches out and steps thru to the other side, at least to try a taste.
What does the future hold in store? What will stick? Is there a sign? Can I throw joss sticks? LOL, I'm not so superstitious... Is there a more rational approach - a contemporary twist - to numerology, to calm my hopeful heart? Yes. I searched for his name on the internet.
He is a statistician, who wrote The Book on interpreting case studies. He is at once both surgeon and violinist. He is an internationally renown, award-winning undersea photographer.
What a pleasure to look through the breathtaking underwater and marine life photos of this amazing diver-photographer. Online you can see page after page of his brilliant hi-resolution under-the-sea photos. But the small photo shown below brings me to the subject of this blog: Touching a Clown Fish.
I was lucky to be sent twice on business to Cairns, Queensland, Australia. On the 1st trip, our "US delegation" went scuba diving and snorkeling off the Great Barrier Reef. It was while scuba diving that I met face-to-face with a little clown fish. She looked just like this photo, and was suspended with her back side into live sea coral just like this photo.
I looked into her eyes, and she into my mask, just inches apart. We stared at each other for some time. Then I reached out my index finger and gently stroked her body on her right side several times, from behind her head towards the tail. She didn't move and simply continued to look at me with a slight flinch. I guess she might have thought, "Oh please don't hurt me." or "Oh no, not another tourist!"
The purpose of my business trip was related to law enforcement of marine fisheries and habitat protection. I later "confessed" my harassment activity to a special agent on the trip. After all, one element of our mission is to allow dolphins to live free in the wild, and to protect dolphins from human contact in the US (such as humans feeding dolphins or swimming together). Here I was stroking a clown fish in a foreign country!
I did regret the touching, but fell in love with the contemplative and passive clown fish. They are the cutest fish and I can see why they are used affectionately in movies, stuffed animals, and beach towels, etc. (I've bought them all.)
"Looking-good - feeling good"
{first written Thursday, January 10, 2008}
These are interesting links intended for you to consider your health condition. Try the virtual age test, which is interesting food for thought. (hmmm... now what can i do to live to 100??)
I am lucky. I am healthy. Albert greets me at the train in the morning (see previous Wash Post blog). Then I work with so many nice people. In my office alone, throughout the day, you can hear laughter nearby and faraway. It sets the tone. It is an enjoyable, smiling environment, albeit not well funded and run on a shoestring. Practical jokes are the norm (I'm a recipient and not a doer... but I'm mulling one over for April 1...).
(Blog title comes from friend's email Subject line.)
Someone at work, with whom i collaborate on cross-organization efforts, called and invited me to join her weekly lunchtime discussion group. In a previous life, she owned her own motivational consulting company. I am happy to take up her offer. I went earlier this week.
This group is limited to about 10 people (there were 8 including me this week). They've already been meeting for months. I don't know these people because they work in a different office than mine, in a different building. It's nice to get out of the office and meet new people. They are all very nice, and represent a very diverse mix of age, gender, and background. I will try to join them for 2008.
My friend had her facilitator hat on. Since I was new, and it was their first meeting of the New Year, we went around the room and described some accomplishments from 2007. I'm in a happy and optimistic frame of mind, and had no problem to open up. Having my recent blogs at the front of my consciousness, I chatted about ideas from these. I was pleasantly surprised. I had people smiling and laughing, and could have gone on, but didn't want to dominate... My friend called me later to thank me for my energy and contribution. (Was she just saying that to be nice, or did people really give her positive feedback about me, or both?) In future meetings, as they have already been doing so far, they will talk more about goals: how to work towards them, how not to sabotage yourself, and how we might provide encouragement. Sounds like fun!
Not related to this week's meeting - but I guess for past & future meetings - my friend emailed me the following links which I share with you:
http://www.halls.md/ideal-weight/body.htm
http://www.dietitian.com/ibw/ibw.html
http://www.peterrussell.com/Odds/RealAge.php
http://www.carbs-information.com/glycemic-index.htm I am lucky. I am healthy. Albert greets me at the train in the morning (see previous Wash Post blog). Then I work with so many nice people. In my office alone, throughout the day, you can hear laughter nearby and faraway. It sets the tone. It is an enjoyable, smiling environment, albeit not well funded and run on a shoestring. Practical jokes are the norm (I'm a recipient and not a doer... but I'm mulling one over for April 1...).
(Blog title comes from friend's email Subject line.)
RESOLUTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR (2008)
{first written December 31, 2007}
On New Year's Day I will sit with my family and lead this discussion over dinner. I appreciate them humoring me by going along with it. (I'm open to others taking the lead too...) It's funny conversation... Last year my son's resolutions were all about getting the rest of us to exercise. LOL.
I must be getting predictable because my foster son said something today, I looked up into his face, and he said, "I know, I need to make that a New Year's Resolution." He read my mind exactly, and we laughed.
Need help and reinforcements? New Year resolutions are personal. Maybe we fail because we don't have the individual will power or the time while we juggle everything else. You can reduce risk and increase your chances of success if you do the following:
Here are my specific 2008 resolutions:
1. Continue to walk and exercise (already started in 2007) and add vitamins to the daily routine.
2. Focus on some goals at work, such as a new program initiative or professional certification.
3. Clean the house - probably throw out (donate to charity) the last generation of stuff. Simplify the lifestyle and downsize the house.
4. Make my sewing room - after dedicating rooms for every other purpose I'm going to clear space to set up something for me and try to pick up some old projects.
5. Travel somewhere TBD - probably East Coast, maybe UK... I see water in my future...
6. Help my son with his musical pursuits. Help him and my foster son get into college.
7. Write a comedy - maybe a stand-up monlogue? (this one is the impulse item.)
Happy New Year! I'm sharing my thoughts for 2008... Thanks for reading...
Many people make New Years resolutions. I do. It's a good time to reflect and restate your awareness of priorities.
I begin by looking back on the past year. I identify a short list of my achievements and any influences on me over the past year (see my previous blog). Then I look ahead and identify a short list of things to focus on, above and beyond all others. I suggest selecting resolutions that target the following categories:
* To improve personal discipline
* To improve health
* To improve interpersonal relationships
* To enhance professional growth or a vocational skill
* To identify a large goal, milestone or project you plan to achieve in 2008.
* To improve health
* To improve interpersonal relationships
* To enhance professional growth or a vocational skill
* To identify a large goal, milestone or project you plan to achieve in 2008.
On New Year's Day I will sit with my family and lead this discussion over dinner. I appreciate them humoring me by going along with it. (I'm open to others taking the lead too...) It's funny conversation... Last year my son's resolutions were all about getting the rest of us to exercise. LOL.
I must be getting predictable because my foster son said something today, I looked up into his face, and he said, "I know, I need to make that a New Year's Resolution." He read my mind exactly, and we laughed.
Need help and reinforcements? New Year resolutions are personal. Maybe we fail because we don't have the individual will power or the time while we juggle everything else. You can reduce risk and increase your chances of success if you do the following:
* discuss with someone - whether sharing your thoughts or sharing collective goals, talking provides mutual encouragement and helps make you accountable. If you tell me yours, I won't forget and might remind you quarterly...
* try incremental instead of revolutionary change - be realistic not extreme.
* life style changes are more lasting than flash-in-the pan fads.
* try again at Lent, or any next holiday/birthday, to make it right. I find Lenten sacrifices as lasting because I transfer my will power to something bigger than me, and it makes me stronger.
* try incremental instead of revolutionary change - be realistic not extreme.
* life style changes are more lasting than flash-in-the pan fads.
* try again at Lent, or any next holiday/birthday, to make it right. I find Lenten sacrifices as lasting because I transfer my will power to something bigger than me, and it makes me stronger.
Here are my specific 2008 resolutions:
1. Continue to walk and exercise (already started in 2007) and add vitamins to the daily routine.
2. Focus on some goals at work, such as a new program initiative or professional certification.
3. Clean the house - probably throw out (donate to charity) the last generation of stuff. Simplify the lifestyle and downsize the house.
4. Make my sewing room - after dedicating rooms for every other purpose I'm going to clear space to set up something for me and try to pick up some old projects.
5. Travel somewhere TBD - probably East Coast, maybe UK... I see water in my future...
6. Help my son with his musical pursuits. Help him and my foster son get into college.
7. Write a comedy - maybe a stand-up monlogue? (this one is the impulse item.)
2007 RETROSPECTIVE, and SECOND LIFE
{first written December 31, 2007}
In my excitement and optimism about the future, I want to jump to the new ideas for 2008... And throw out the old, 2007... But the more methodical side of me says I must take stock of 2007.
Looking back helps me understand: Was I an active player or a passive recipient in what came to pass? What would I change if I could do it again??
Yes, I was an active player. No, I would probably not change anything, despite not imagining beforehand how events might unfold. OK, well I do sincerely regret sleeping on and breaking my eyeglasses...
The biggest impacts on my life in 2007 were (1) inviting my now foster son into my home to live with us; and (2) spending time in Second Life.
I was not seeking another son. This boy came into our life after I received a phone call in 2006 from a friend introducing a boy who seemed compatible with us and who needed a place to stay. He started to live with us in 2006 but fate put him with another family and I almost lost him. Then in 2007 he was in need again, and this time I was ready. The social work paperwork to bring a foster child home is incredible. Let's say it's worth it!
And Second Life?? I first heard about SL from a former co-worker who wanted me to see the SL "island" hosted by my new workplace. Lent was just starting at the time... For Lent I had given up "comedy TV". LOL! Wow, talk about replacing one addiction with another!! I spent probably too much time in SL, I admit it.
For this blog, let's say why I'm thankful for SL. Two of my "real life" friends, who are also in SL, are now better RL friends. I became friends with people all over the world in SL. After not reaching out to foreign friends after 9/11 and the Iraq War, it felt good to talk to non-Americans once again. I have tended to make more long-term friends in SL than one-time conversations. I'm thankful that after nearly one year in SL, I can still meet and greet the same people almost like old friends. Friends from Germany, Austria, UK, New Zealand, and Brazil - these are the places where just a handful of new SL friends come from. In the US, there's New York, Mass., North Carolina, Penn., NJ, Colorado...
I am thankful for their examples: genius, faith, sensitivity, friendship and fun. Hope, conversation, caring, initiative, humor, and sensibility. I learned LSL (the scripting language in SL) and found ways to be creative. SL is probably not a place for everyone. Sometimes you come face to face with thoughts and situations that you didn't need, but which end up challenging and changing you. If you can keep things in perspective, the benefits of SL will help you grow. My annual renewal comes up soon, and I think the SL glass is half-full, so I will renew. Better yet, I hope to strike a balance: be better friends to my SL friends, while not going too deep inworld (you SLers in too deep know what I mean) and to learn more next year.
In my excitement and optimism about the future, I want to jump to the new ideas for 2008... And throw out the old, 2007... But the more methodical side of me says I must take stock of 2007.
Looking back helps me understand: Was I an active player or a passive recipient in what came to pass? What would I change if I could do it again??
Yes, I was an active player. No, I would probably not change anything, despite not imagining beforehand how events might unfold. OK, well I do sincerely regret sleeping on and breaking my eyeglasses...
The biggest impacts on my life in 2007 were (1) inviting my now foster son into my home to live with us; and (2) spending time in Second Life.
I was not seeking another son. This boy came into our life after I received a phone call in 2006 from a friend introducing a boy who seemed compatible with us and who needed a place to stay. He started to live with us in 2006 but fate put him with another family and I almost lost him. Then in 2007 he was in need again, and this time I was ready. The social work paperwork to bring a foster child home is incredible. Let's say it's worth it!
And Second Life?? I first heard about SL from a former co-worker who wanted me to see the SL "island" hosted by my new workplace. Lent was just starting at the time... For Lent I had given up "comedy TV". LOL! Wow, talk about replacing one addiction with another!! I spent probably too much time in SL, I admit it.
For this blog, let's say why I'm thankful for SL. Two of my "real life" friends, who are also in SL, are now better RL friends. I became friends with people all over the world in SL. After not reaching out to foreign friends after 9/11 and the Iraq War, it felt good to talk to non-Americans once again. I have tended to make more long-term friends in SL than one-time conversations. I'm thankful that after nearly one year in SL, I can still meet and greet the same people almost like old friends. Friends from Germany, Austria, UK, New Zealand, and Brazil - these are the places where just a handful of new SL friends come from. In the US, there's New York, Mass., North Carolina, Penn., NJ, Colorado...
I am thankful for their examples: genius, faith, sensitivity, friendship and fun. Hope, conversation, caring, initiative, humor, and sensibility. I learned LSL (the scripting language in SL) and found ways to be creative. SL is probably not a place for everyone. Sometimes you come face to face with thoughts and situations that you didn't need, but which end up challenging and changing you. If you can keep things in perspective, the benefits of SL will help you grow. My annual renewal comes up soon, and I think the SL glass is half-full, so I will renew. Better yet, I hope to strike a balance: be better friends to my SL friends, while not going too deep inworld (you SLers in too deep know what I mean) and to learn more next year.
CHOCOLATE FUDGE and INNOCENCE
{first written December 31, 2007}
My younger son is one of these people who gets an idea, and never lets go. Weeks and months might pass, but the same fixed idea comes back. He planted the seed last summer. In August, I picked him up from his summer school - after 7 weeks in upstate NY. What was the first thing he says? "Mom, I want to buy fudge for Christmas and send it to my new friends."
I heard him, and answered, "Uh-huh... yes, dear." This means: he remembers some previous time long ago, at the Baltimore Inner Harbor (read "tourist trap"), when singing and dancing youth were also making and selling fudge at extremely high prices. He wants me to mail gifts to a bunch of new friends (whom he'll never see again). I shudder to think of the effort, the cost, the point...
Well, like clockwork, he continued to remind me about once a month, and became increasingly authoritative in his reminders. I never said no, always "Uh-huh..." But I secretly hoped he might drop it.
Fast forward to mid-December. We pass by Baltimore Inner Harbor on weekends for music lessons. With concerts, recitals, lessons all finished for 2007 and I was hoping to sneak out of town. No way. He announced our side trip to the Harbor. My other sons took a ride home with friend, leaving just he and I together to walk there alone.
The streets of Baltimore and the ships in the harbor were decorated with Christmas lights, reds and greenery. Magical. We went right after lunch, thinking we would efficiently squeeze in the errand before his voice lesson.
We stood enjoying the fudgemakers sing old R&B and pop songs. They change the lyrics to describe the joys of making, buying, and eating fudge. I got the idea in my head that my son should respond in song. Afterall he's a singer too. What's the point in all these voice lessons and chorale performances if he can't mix it up on the fly with the fudgemakers? We worked out a possible vocal response, but my son simply melted in fear; he chickened out. With our window of time gone and the errand a failure, we walked back for the voice lesson, quite unhappy with each other.
After the voice lesson, we went again. This time I would not try to get him to sing along. I merely intended to keep my mouth shut and plunk my cash down for some fudge. I'm glad we went twice. This time outside on the waterfront was a 200-person Tuba band playing Silent Night. Inside, "The Fudgery" was packed with customers. These guys and one gal are powerful singers. R&B or gospel-style, they know how to get a crowd going. My son's eyes are lit up, just like when he used to visit and believe in Santa Claus. He wants so badly to buy the fudge, and to share with all his friends. But first, there's the floor show. Three tuba players drift in and join in the fudge-making jam session.
Somehow, they pick me out from the crowd?? The fudge-makers, they ask my name, and tell me to shout out - at their cue, "Word!!!" They sing a line, I shout "Word!" and the rest of the audience shouts back "Word!" I guess I learned "word". We all got into it for a few songs... We bought 7 lbs of fudge, in 5 flavors, and added a tip... And this was the best money spent.
We walked back to the car in twilight. We came home and I lovingly re-wrapped up each 1/2 lb. fudge bar, shaped like bars of gold, to be air tight for their trips cross-country. I typed up a little cards to insert with each gift, a little blog-like depiction of The Fudgery experience, with red bows and name cards in Fudgery bags. Shipped that following Monday as Priority Mail all over the US.
You might think this is a Christmas thing, but as they pointed out, The Fudgery is open year-round. We can do this again any day of the year when the spirit moves you!
My younger son is one of these people who gets an idea, and never lets go. Weeks and months might pass, but the same fixed idea comes back. He planted the seed last summer. In August, I picked him up from his summer school - after 7 weeks in upstate NY. What was the first thing he says? "Mom, I want to buy fudge for Christmas and send it to my new friends."
I heard him, and answered, "Uh-huh... yes, dear." This means: he remembers some previous time long ago, at the Baltimore Inner Harbor (read "tourist trap"), when singing and dancing youth were also making and selling fudge at extremely high prices. He wants me to mail gifts to a bunch of new friends (whom he'll never see again). I shudder to think of the effort, the cost, the point...
Well, like clockwork, he continued to remind me about once a month, and became increasingly authoritative in his reminders. I never said no, always "Uh-huh..." But I secretly hoped he might drop it.
Fast forward to mid-December. We pass by Baltimore Inner Harbor on weekends for music lessons. With concerts, recitals, lessons all finished for 2007 and I was hoping to sneak out of town. No way. He announced our side trip to the Harbor. My other sons took a ride home with friend, leaving just he and I together to walk there alone.
The streets of Baltimore and the ships in the harbor were decorated with Christmas lights, reds and greenery. Magical. We went right after lunch, thinking we would efficiently squeeze in the errand before his voice lesson.
We stood enjoying the fudgemakers sing old R&B and pop songs. They change the lyrics to describe the joys of making, buying, and eating fudge. I got the idea in my head that my son should respond in song. Afterall he's a singer too. What's the point in all these voice lessons and chorale performances if he can't mix it up on the fly with the fudgemakers? We worked out a possible vocal response, but my son simply melted in fear; he chickened out. With our window of time gone and the errand a failure, we walked back for the voice lesson, quite unhappy with each other.
After the voice lesson, we went again. This time I would not try to get him to sing along. I merely intended to keep my mouth shut and plunk my cash down for some fudge. I'm glad we went twice. This time outside on the waterfront was a 200-person Tuba band playing Silent Night. Inside, "The Fudgery" was packed with customers. These guys and one gal are powerful singers. R&B or gospel-style, they know how to get a crowd going. My son's eyes are lit up, just like when he used to visit and believe in Santa Claus. He wants so badly to buy the fudge, and to share with all his friends. But first, there's the floor show. Three tuba players drift in and join in the fudge-making jam session.
Somehow, they pick me out from the crowd?? The fudge-makers, they ask my name, and tell me to shout out - at their cue, "Word!!!" They sing a line, I shout "Word!" and the rest of the audience shouts back "Word!" I guess I learned "word". We all got into it for a few songs... We bought 7 lbs of fudge, in 5 flavors, and added a tip... And this was the best money spent.
We walked back to the car in twilight. We came home and I lovingly re-wrapped up each 1/2 lb. fudge bar, shaped like bars of gold, to be air tight for their trips cross-country. I typed up a little cards to insert with each gift, a little blog-like depiction of The Fudgery experience, with red bows and name cards in Fudgery bags. Shipped that following Monday as Priority Mail all over the US.
You might think this is a Christmas thing, but as they pointed out, The Fudgery is open year-round. We can do this again any day of the year when the spirit moves you!
PUTTIN' ON THE HITZ 07-08
{first written December 31, 2007}
It happened early December 2007, but I'd be remiss if I ended 2007 without praise and thanks to the kids who put on the high school remix dance show, "Puttin On The Hitz '07-08". (Also known as POTH.)
POTH is one of many Senior Class projects. Run by students, POTH is an annual variety show in December, with about 20 acts of kids dancing to remixed pop and hip-hop medleys. The music and choreography is of their own choosing.
I attended as a parent. My son was one of the show's producers, and he danced in 3 acts. I was totally clueless beforehand about the existence of POTH - and my son didn't say much... I almost didn't know to go, and showed up as a surprise to him (but the surprise was on me). I am so glad I was there.
The auditorium was packed to the gills. Auditorium capacity is somewhere around 1600-1800 seats. Plus the hallways, aisles, backstage and orchestra pit were jammed packed. Imagine 2000 high-pitched girls' screams, and booming male hoots, and the sound can lift you off your seats reading this. Every act was 5-10 minutes, set to a blaring, wall-shaking, pop-rock-hip-hop medley soundtrack. The kids acted out story themes (boy-girl interactions), sychronized group dancing, hip-hop, breakdancing, kung fu, comedy, and pure good times. With every new move came a surge of screams and cheers from the audience. Going ape-sh__ is one way to describe it. What chaos!
The first half included acts by smaller groups and clubs with an inclination to strut their stuff, say, less than 10 people each act. The second half had huge routines involving 30-plus kids each act, representing the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior classes, the planning committees, and student governments. Sorry! ...I haven't loaded my favorite videos online (the ones with my son). Instead please check out this link from YouTube as an example: http://tw.youtube.com/watch?v=0X3EFOgIl0M (For some reason YouTube only has a couple acts from the 1st half at this time.)
I used to be active in some youth groups and personally know many of these kids and their parents, since the kids were small. I had chills running up my spine to see them today. They are bold, daring, happy, creative, and talented. I laughed out loud to see some certain dance moves coming out of these kids. Like my son's best friend jiggling his butt for a minute straight with 2 other guys, their backs facing the audience, while the girls danced around them. OMG - I wouldn't have such nerve. Clearly there's safety in numbers, and there is no stopping the power of 2000 kids. My son was joy in movement. Who taught him those moves?? I say he can get a part time job as a male dancer to get him through college (just kidding!). And don't forget that awesome drummer from the rock band Lemonface.
Then they had to voice vote for their favorite acts, and the walls came tumbling down. It was mostly a shouting contest among the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior classes. OK, the juniors won...
This is a high-achieving high school with 2600 kids in suburban DC. This year it's the top-scoring public high school for S.A.T. scores in the county, and transitively the state. Recognized in the Top-20 nationally for academic challenges and AP testing. Recognized nationally in the Top-10 for music. These poor kids face stiff academic and extracurricular competition and expectations.
The Senior Class raised about $8000, give or take, from the sale of $5 admission tickets, $15 T-shirts, and baked goods. That money helps sponsor the senior prom among other things.
I'm so glad some would pause from their busy structured student life to blow off some steam. These kids are an inspirational example to me. Their youth, their daring, energy, friendships, fun, team work and happiness. I thank them for showing me their perspectives - which I think was to have a good time.
It happened early December 2007, but I'd be remiss if I ended 2007 without praise and thanks to the kids who put on the high school remix dance show, "Puttin On The Hitz '07-08". (Also known as POTH.)
POTH is one of many Senior Class projects. Run by students, POTH is an annual variety show in December, with about 20 acts of kids dancing to remixed pop and hip-hop medleys. The music and choreography is of their own choosing.
I attended as a parent. My son was one of the show's producers, and he danced in 3 acts. I was totally clueless beforehand about the existence of POTH - and my son didn't say much... I almost didn't know to go, and showed up as a surprise to him (but the surprise was on me). I am so glad I was there.
The auditorium was packed to the gills. Auditorium capacity is somewhere around 1600-1800 seats. Plus the hallways, aisles, backstage and orchestra pit were jammed packed. Imagine 2000 high-pitched girls' screams, and booming male hoots, and the sound can lift you off your seats reading this. Every act was 5-10 minutes, set to a blaring, wall-shaking, pop-rock-hip-hop medley soundtrack. The kids acted out story themes (boy-girl interactions), sychronized group dancing, hip-hop, breakdancing, kung fu, comedy, and pure good times. With every new move came a surge of screams and cheers from the audience. Going ape-sh__ is one way to describe it. What chaos!
The first half included acts by smaller groups and clubs with an inclination to strut their stuff, say, less than 10 people each act. The second half had huge routines involving 30-plus kids each act, representing the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior classes, the planning committees, and student governments. Sorry! ...I haven't loaded my favorite videos online (the ones with my son). Instead please check out this link from YouTube as an example: http://tw.youtube.com/watch?v
I used to be active in some youth groups and personally know many of these kids and their parents, since the kids were small. I had chills running up my spine to see them today. They are bold, daring, happy, creative, and talented. I laughed out loud to see some certain dance moves coming out of these kids. Like my son's best friend jiggling his butt for a minute straight with 2 other guys, their backs facing the audience, while the girls danced around them. OMG - I wouldn't have such nerve. Clearly there's safety in numbers, and there is no stopping the power of 2000 kids. My son was joy in movement. Who taught him those moves?? I say he can get a part time job as a male dancer to get him through college (just kidding!). And don't forget that awesome drummer from the rock band Lemonface.
Then they had to voice vote for their favorite acts, and the walls came tumbling down. It was mostly a shouting contest among the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior classes. OK, the juniors won...
This is a high-achieving high school with 2600 kids in suburban DC. This year it's the top-scoring public high school for S.A.T. scores in the county, and transitively the state. Recognized in the Top-20 nationally for academic challenges and AP testing. Recognized nationally in the Top-10 for music. These poor kids face stiff academic and extracurricular competition and expectations.
The Senior Class raised about $8000, give or take, from the sale of $5 admission tickets, $15 T-shirts, and baked goods. That money helps sponsor the senior prom among other things.
I'm so glad some would pause from their busy structured student life to blow off some steam. These kids are an inspirational example to me. Their youth, their daring, energy, friendships, fun, team work and happiness. I thank them for showing me their perspectives - which I think was to have a good time.
LOVING YOUR LIVER
{this was originally written, Tuesday, November 6, 2007}
God blessed us with bounty in nature and endless second chances. Our bodily organs are usually endowed with spares. Except we have only one liver. People who pause in life to look for secrets of longevity realize the liver is a key consideration.
A number of years back, I bought this book off a sale table somewhere: Between Heaven and Earth, by Harriet Beinfield and Efrem Korn. Subtitled, "A Guide to Chinese Medicine", it changed how I viewed health. Between Heaven and Earth helped me take more responsibility in my health, and gave me insight into another way.
At the time I seemed mysteriously ill, and after seeing many doctors (HMO at that time) with no clue, I was frustrated. Here is the western clinical model: (1) take a snapshot of your baseline measures; (2) do nothing but wait 'n watch you go downhill; (3) reach the point of severely acute or terminal illness, then intervene with strong treatment. At that point it may be too late to go back in time and recover the lost organ function (for example, as in diabetes onset). Their preventative model is passive – refraining from advocating preventive practices, because doctors by definition intervene through insured and expensive medical drug prescriptions and treatments. We are responsible for our health and well-being. So educate yourself and follow your instincts. Well that's enough soapbox, for a blog on Loving Your Liver…
The book lays out theory behind Chinese medicine. There are 5 Phases or "networks" by which your mind and body are organized. Each Phase has a controlling, root organ – liver, spleen, heart, kidney, and lungs. Each Phase is associated with an element from nature that characterizes them, namely: wood, earth, fire, water, and metal respectively. There is a sixth force known as "qi" ("chi") or energy. These five networks and qi flow and interconnect dynamically throughout your body. Described through "yin" and "yang" relationships, the networks experience dichotomies of waxing/waning, blocked/free, imbalanced/balanced, hot/cold, and wet/dry effects, both within a given Phase and among the Phases. It's not extreme to conceive of the human body as so complex an eco-system. Understand your tendency towards a certain type, while striving for balance & harmony. Never allow total domination by any element or effect over the rest of you. The Chinese view of disease is based on states of imbalance.
I don't disagree with western diet or western medical approaches. Merely hedge your bets with a multi-dynamic "cocktail approach", and look into the Chinese health approaches. Here you must also treat your mind and spirit, and not just your body.
Back to your liver… It is the wood element, and considered the organ where anger is rooted. If you've ever heard of about an alcoholic's fit of rage – this all makes sense. While achieving good diet and liver cleansing practices, you should also work on happiness, positive expression, and relief from sources of stress and anger – if you want health and balance for your liver.
*new, added 11/06/07* --> Control yourself from outbursts of temper (which is hard to do when you have anger built up inside). I don't mean that you hold things in, but rather you should find a way to resolve the source(s) causing anger, and be in peace. Laugh at every opportunity. For diet - sour foods are good for the liver: grapefruit, tomatoes, vinegar. If you are ill with a liver ailment, Chinese medicine uses "Tui Pen Cao" a strong bitter tea made with a special type of grass, and also 2 similar types of little over-the-counter pills (you can buy in a Chinese grocery store) "Shu Gan Wan" and "Xiao Yao Pian", a.k.a. "Happy Pills". The types of supplements are use herbal ingredients, not pharmaceuticals. For example: milk thistle, schizzandra, dandelion, white peony, licorice, etc. And for a dinner recipe - nothing on earth tastes better than chicken and broth boiled in ginseng and scallions (optionally with red dates, ginger root, and "gou qi-zi") .
Love your liver, love yourself.
To keep the blog short, here are good reads when I googled "liver anger" (maybe with "Chinese" "health"?):
And so on for the rest of your Body and Mind. My blog is just a dialog, not-FDA approved. I should start reading again about Chinese Medicine and health, and should practice what I preach!! I'm curious about but haven't read Daniel Reid's many books, which seem to do quite well on Amazon. If anyone can recommend a good book, please do.
I APPRECIATE YOU
{this was originally written, Sunday, October 14, 2007}
I was suprised to learn earlier this week you were nominated for Homecoming Court, whatever that means. You told me very matter-of-factly. The day of Homecoming you disclosed you were one of four seniors contending in a school-wide vote. Your brother said he "sort of" voted for you. He put a check next to your name, but never submitted the ballot because, he says, "I didn't know where to bring it." Of course, I never expected any different answer from you when you said, "Of course, I voted for M___. I would never vote for myself."
At 4:30am this morning after the Homecoming Dance, I woke up on the couch with a heart-panic startle - "Did you come home last night? Are you OK?" I found you sleeping, and you barely whispered, "I got King... I got in at 3, I love you."
You getting "King" was never part of my plan. How did this happen? Did I help? Did I hinder? How does one become school King?
You've been most cooperative. You obliged letting me expose you to an endless stream of stuff - to the point where your idea of a good time is now to stay home. (Remember the time you threatened to committ suicide if I made you take Chinese on Sundays instead of play baseball? Which cost me $2000 for a shrink, only to be told you have a great head on your shoulders, and would mom like some counseling? lol. You are the world's greatest catcher, 1st spot in the batting lineup, and base stealer!) You know more about music than your peers (and most adults), except for your brother. I kept you on a short leash. Constant war drums about improving grades and studying. You didn't go to public school until grade 9, and this school has 2700 students, so how did you get to know everyone?
Father John said today, we are so busy being self-reliant or on task that we often don't take time out in our lives to show appreciation for those who love us or to those who affected us in our lives. Without their love or uniqueness, what do we miss? Show appreciation and thanks, he says. We should not take each other for granted. The thought of taking someone for granted is sad, because only someday later might you realize what you had, after they are gone. Did you ever acknowledge them? Did you say you love them?
How do all those kids who voted know you? Was it your name? Your school spirit? Your female friends? A sympathy vote from the smart kids (for your brother)? The music vote? The track vote? The nice guy vote? Your dancing? Well thanks to your friends.
You are friendly and reliable. If I was on a desert island, you'd be on my short list for company. When I think of what qualities you must have to get this recognition - it's kinda funny. This one is all yours. I'm glad you pursue your interests. I'm thankful for you. Congratulations!
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