Problems of the World

March 31, 2014 -- and all the problems of the world remain. Ukraine is near the brink -- of a Russian takeover, or perhaps a bloody war in defense of territory; the world climate report insists that we could be hurtling towards a cataclysmic cycle of destructive climate change; weather in the US remains stuck on a crazy "winter mix" cycle of low pressure cold systems moving from West to East across the Northern tier of states; our pre-election bandwagon is all GOP all of the time!

The Malaysian airliner that "went down" or "got lost" several weeks ago has not yet been found, or explained, or even speculated on correctly at least to public knowledge.  It's as if the "news" is in "stasis" -- staying where it is for a while before it gets considerably worse. Or better. But not likely.

Perhaps the biggest problem of the world is our inability to really affect or impact a change in the way things are. Why are we of a world in which we have so little say? 

On Grief, Sobriety, Peace

Grief too is an addiction.  It can take hold of a person's psyche and keep that person back, in chains, controlled by the past and one's own precocious guilt. Sobriety is the act and ultimately state of getting past an addiction, like alcohol -- drugs -- or even grief. Achieving calm and balance in one's life is the art of living while growing. Peace can be the result. 

One grows older, or more entrenched, or more open, or more like what a person aspired to rather than achieved. One hardens or softens as one matures. One loses touch or one digs in -- to those relationships one cherishes. Human beings all grow through their experiences differently.  Where am I now anyway?  

Astrology, Religion, Mythology, Fate

Some people follow their "horoscopes" or their palm readings obsessively. Others go to church 4-6 times per week in their desire to cement their beliefs within themselves, and in front of others. Some human beings insist that religion is a kind of myth -- to be followed perhaps, but not necessarily excluding the elements of life they really want to participate in. Other human beings accept "fate" or what will be without trying to change it with "prayer" or "meditation."

I for one believe in everyone's right to believe. I believe that some people have deep and abiding faith, even sometimes when science or basic contradictory facts of existence stand in front of them and look them directly in the face. I believe in making mistakes. I believe that most of us are sometimes foolish and make all kinds of faulty judgments. And I believe in God -- or at least the "need for a God" -- someone who is greater than me, and knows more than me, and with whom I am somehow connected. 

I am certainly not sure if this God is a "personally involved" kind of God -- the God that interferes with history and fact just because I ask Him/Her to. I don't know if God really exists -- I have the kind of faith that doubts, yet believes in spite of doubts. My meditations and prayers are stated thus: "Dear God, if you exist ... please help.....so and so."  I rarely if ever pray for myself -- even though I am sure I need the help. It seems too selfish. 

Coach at Marquette

Goodbye to Buzz Williams!!! Seeking the "new job" job at Virginia Tech -- obviously because of the better weather (ahem), the more prestigious conference (the ACC is ranked ahead of the newly declined Big East), the chance for national glory --- losing to both Duke and North Carolina in the same year!  Or was it because his coaching and personal style are so idiosyncratic and egoistic that no player really felt "safe" or "supported" in his system? Even when the playing talent level was higher for MU (one or two years ago)--the players seemed to tolerate Buzz Williams rather than truly respect him. Buzz is more of a "small time" sharper, than a "big time" winner.  He knows the right plays; plays the right defenses; but can't get the best out of his players.

The 2013-2014 season proved that--did Buzz get the best out of OJ Mayo? Or Jamil Wilson? Or Derrick Wilson? No, no, and no.  All three of these players faded as Buzz kept up an insane substitution round-robin which profited no one. Or no team.

Choose wisely for your new coach Marquette --- someone who may be eccentric (but not egomanical), someone who is upright (but not old or stiff). someone who is passionate about winning (but more passionate about the people). 

Acquiistive Age

Fundraisers break down a person's life stages into two: the acquisitive stage and the give-back stage. Usually a person spends the majority of their life acquiring things: money, property, toys, big toys, fancy vacations, collections, friends of a certain caliber, etc. These things are then put together -- perhaps enjoyed, and then slowly--slowly-slowly they melt back into the general pool of things.

The "giving back" portion of a person's life comes about when a person takes stock of what they have, realizes that he/she doesn't need that much, and begins to distribute back the excess into society someway.  This may be through charity, or spending, or simply giving things away. 

For some greedy people the acquisitive age never ends and they control all their stuff -- trying to defy the adage that "you can't take it with you."

Balance, as in all things, is the answer to this choice every individual has.  Giving back is not a weakness; holding onto some things is not sheer selfishness. A little of both or a lot of both is the required answer for a healthy life. 

The Swallows are Back....

There are several "charming" but consistent natural traditions associated with March 19th on the calendar.  Yes, the "swallows" (the birds not the act of swallowing) should be back in Capistrano on or about this date.  In addition the "buzzards" of Hinckley, Ohio should also be returning about this time.

The weather this year has been stranger than normal so both these momentous migratory events may be "off" by a day or more, but the tradition, in general, should still hold. 

Rain, Sadness, Winter, Depression

On the cusp of spring -- I can only think about the question of "how soon will this awful protracted winter end?"  It seems as if this winter has become interminable -- storm after named storm -- highway tragedy after highway tragedy -- avalanche, snow, wind, cold, thaw, rain, mudslides, floods, etc. It has gone on for a long time!

There is also a "winter of our discontent"  in our minds as well. This attitude pervades the spirit and closes off the creative mind -- it makes a mockery of joy, and kindness, and change. It weighs on us all like a blanket of cold quiet inertia. Where is the joy of the sun? Where is the smile of blue sky, punctuated by a warming wind?

Life? When will it come back?

Savannah and St. Patrick's Day

Savannah hosts a very large St. Patrick's Day Parade annually -- today marks the 190th version (or so the hosts on WTOC - TV tell me).  I am watching the parade "live" on a streaming feed over my compute screen at work, while I catch up on paperwork, grading, etc. Savannah's parade is both a joyful festival and a drunken 5-day "orgy" (perhaps without the sex)! 

I left my house downtown early today (before 6:00AM) so I wouldn't be trapped by floats, onlookers, and noise just outside my door at the corner of East Hall and Liberty Streets.  People were already stirring at that ungodly time -- for the love of beer, parades, and Irish tradition on St. Paddie's Day. This Festival is unique, not so much because of its size or impressiveness, but because of the tremendous effort put into it by the City/County/Region and the Irish community.  You wouldn't think that Savannah, GA would be a haven for Irish culture -- on any level -- and you'd be mostly right; yet local Irishmen cling to their traditions and beliefs like drunken sailors clinging to a lifeboat.

By ethnicity I am Polish (or more probably Russian) -- and third generation "_____-American"!  As such I lay no claim to this particular drunken event -- other than that it is a long-lived tourist tradition; and a considerable source of cash and commerce for local businesses.  Long may they perpetuate the hype!

Heaven Again

To those of you who have an absolutely clear understanding of your "heaven;" your repository after your human life on earth --- congratulations!  You are gifted people -- gifted with a faith so palpable it never admits doubt, and/or of a self-delusion so deep it never admits that it is a lie. 

I do have doubts about a "heaven." Why? There is no promise of it in the great books of world religion -- but only descriptions of "states of being" almost certainly put in those books to pacify and reassure the faithful of whatever faith.  Why is reassurance necessary -- because for most of us the thought of an "ending of our life" without some kind of "continuing" is a ferocious and debilitating thought. 

But I think that I have become one of those people who knows I cannot control either the outcome of my life -- or whatever might follow. So, to paraphrase a Renaissance philosopher: I think, therefore what I will be, I will be! In this case that statement is not a tautology -- but our fondest dream. 

Forgiveness

For all the horrors I may have caused various people -- throughout my life -- I can only ask forgiveness.  Just as I ask for forgiveness I must learn to give it.  I have had bosses (David, no Dennis, Johnson), friends (John Love, all of the IAA kids, etc.), and lovers (you know who you are) to whom I owe forgiveness.

I own up to all my failings -- what else can I do? The reason to forgive is as important as the reason why we all need to be forgiven -- peace, calm. balance, life. 

On Hell

Jean-Paul Sartre said it: "Hell is other people!"  That statement is elemental to Sartrian Existentialism -- and yet it also comfortably describes the ordinary elements that disrupt and complicate our lives.  Namely, other people...

"Other people" complicate our lives by being different than we are: they think differently, they act differently, they are -- in essence and existence (ironically) -- different.  Learning to somehow co-exist with others is one of the proof marks of maturity.  Nonetheless, people of any age can be immature (and unknowing). They can be difficult (and demanding about it) and they can be impossible (what do you know, anyway?).

For me -- my Gemini Mother-in-Law and my Gemini former lover -- both were unfathomable to be small mind. 

On Heaven

My metaphysical theory on the outcome of human life on earth goes something like this:  I believe in the heaven you believe in for yourself  -- that will happen for you; but for me -- I don't know if I believe in any life after death. Why?  My faith includes things within time -- but not the myths of my religious youth. I would like to say I am still a believing Catholic -- but I am pretty sure that I am not; the Church as an institution has gone the way of most "institutions" -- it has become corrupt.

So Sheila I believe has found her heaven -- and while I would love to share it with her; I don't know that I can every be good enough to earn it, or even to be gifted with it.

Millie has also passed away -- and her heaven will be of little children, joy and peace.
E.T.'s heaven will not have little children -- only good conversation, mutual giving, and lots of quiet peace. For all of them -- and me too -- I wish for the best and the most fulfilling kind of heaven. 

Passing of a Wouldbe Matriarch

On February 28th, 2014 Mrs. Millie Nassif passed away in Greensboro, NC.  The fact that she was my mother-in-law, and for various reasons we were estranged, complicates this post.  I would like to say nothing but nice things about her -- she was always generous to her daughter Sheila, and by extension, me; she offered advice and counsel even when she wasn't always listened to; she tried to be a Mother even when a son-in-law told her he didn't need one.

Millie was kind, appeared open to people, generous and loving with children, and the kind of person you could admire for her many good works.  She was also the opposite of all those things with certain people -- and suffered with the kind of failings all humans face.

I knew her in the "good times" when she appeared to respect me and everyone with a smiling face -- and I knew her in other times when she did not. And I respect and honor her for both those human faces -- and for 93 plus years of earthly life. May she rest in eternal peace -- I think she has earned it.