tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49525079677178212012024-03-13T21:25:10.277-07:00Blythe Observationsaablythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656248371954661012noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952507967717821201.post-56901052864035153952016-10-19T22:18:00.000-07:002017-06-28T09:47:52.704-07:00Endings and Goodbyes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Two endings are sometimes needed.<br />
<br />
The end of a life, the actual biological ending, is not an experience to be longed for. Romantic ideas and movie images of the end are all wrong. Lies. The peaceful drift into eternity is shit. This woman you see here pictured is my mom. She will be remembered by everyone who knew her. I saw what I believe was the moment her life ended but was pushed on a bit longer by drugs and machines. There was no calm closing of the eyes followed by a final contented sigh.<br />
<br />
As much as possible I think the hospital staff did well according to their responsibilities. I don't blame them for doing what they did. I just know that there was nothing about the end that she would have wanted as it happened other than the presence of her family. We got that part right. As long as I can recall Mom spoke of doctors and hospitals as things to avoid whenever possible. She would have avoided them longer if she could have found the strength to walk away. It was not to be. Her last days were spent among some of the people she loved most and people she desperately wanted to avoid. She could not have one group without the other.<br />
<br />
I don't know what I wanted to write about this experience. Others more talented than I have explored the topic of mortality deeply and poetically. But when I was there, watching the light of life flicker and fade, none of the fine words of the great masters seemed to matter much. One of my children, Nora, during one of her visits to the hospital, left a message on the marker board in my mom's room. It was a quote she recalled from from the fictional Professor Dumbledore.<br />
<br />
"Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light."<br />
<br />
This was written on a board used by the staff to make notes of their own purpose, but my brilliant girl used it to remind her grief-stricken father that there is still joy, even in that room.<br />
<br />
My brother, dad, and I made the decision in the end to have Mom cremated. This was certainly not the only difficult decision made in that span of several days. We made a choice. It was a choice, like all choices, which set us on a path we had no true way of knowing. I was able to do one more good thing to honor what Mom would have wanted. Because of the cremation, I was able to take her home.<br />
<br />
Germany can sometimes be very far away. I don't think my mom enjoyed traveling much, but she did enjoy being home with her parents and family. I was able to take her remains with me to Germany. We went on this final trip together. She always felt like the delays and security processes were somehow a personal affront. She would recount each time a security guard or airport worker had anything to say to her, or how roughly they went through her luggage that time.<br />
<br />
I couldn't stop from finding some humor, a light even, when as I passed through one of several security checks leaving Chicago, my mom's remains became the reason for a security delay. Even in death they had it out for her. No one quite knew what to do about a plastic back full of ashes. They had scanned it because it was in my bag. This was not quite right, though, even with my showing of some official papers I had from the mortuary. No, they called one guard, then another, all quite inexperienced in this type of procedure. They finally called over an older guard who had the proper arcane knowledge. He explained it to me.<br />
<br />
"You see, we have to scan this separately," he politely began. "Since we don't want to open the bag...," thankfully not I said to myself, "we have to run it through again on its own." Right. "Now, it sounds strange, but I need to place this coin underneath it." The search for the coin took some time as well. "If we see the coin on the scan, then we're good." I could almost hear Mom's eyes rolling in disbelief. Modern technology at work.... The required scan was made, and the coin was visible, apparently, as the gathered crew breathed a relieved sigh, probably thankful that none of them would have to dig through the ashes of a dead woman. Maybe they were equally delighted to move forward the oddly smiling man who had brought them their unwanted scanning puzzle.<br />
<br />
When I arrived in Germany, I took a train to get me closer to where our family lives. A cousin of mine was kind enough to pick me up from the station, and kinder still to make an extra stop at the church cemetery where Mom's parents are at rest. I know there are rules and laws and many other barriers to prevent people from doing what I did, but those are only the people who ask permission. I wanted to fulfill a wish for my mom to be with her parents. This I did. She was laid to rest between two of the greatest people I've known. It's a fine, lovely cemetery, the kind that in Germany are kept like public gardens. Her name isn't on a stone, but she never cared much for such things. She was private and never wished to bother others with her problems. This was finally the quiet and peaceful ending she wanted.<br />
<br />
Aufwiedersehen, Mutti. <br />
<br />
<br />aablythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656248371954661012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952507967717821201.post-32385074938879050962015-03-06T18:15:00.000-08:002015-03-06T18:15:21.711-08:00Twenty-one Lessons Learned From Chess<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<ol>
<li>Those who know the rules of the game and play by them best usually win. Every organization has its culture. Every potential deal has its players and personalities. In addition to simply wanting something, you have to learn about the rules which dictate the play of your particular problem. </li>
<li>The outcome is often determined by your opening moves. First impressions matter. You will be remembered by others from those early first meetings. If you fail to impress early, you risk falling behind permanently.</li>
<li>Every action creates new circumstances which must be considered. You will not know how you have changed the people around you with your words and actions, but know that change happens because of you. Try to make that change positive.</li>
<li>You can only accomplish one objective at a time. Focus on your main goal with every move you make. Eliminate wasteful and non-productive actions and thoughts whenever possible. </li>
<li>Understand that there are countless ways to achieve your goals. If one path leads to an unfortunate end, then try another way.</li>
<li>You'll face many setbacks and challenges, but learning to expect them helps to keep a healthy perspective. Challenges show us our weaknesses and help us to become stronger.</li>
<li>Nothing is entirely new. Life has been happening in much the same way for a very long time. Learn about what to expect from the others who have gone before you. There are masters in every discipline who can teach you how to navigate throughout your journey.</li>
<li>Approach your challenges with a calm spirit. There is no wisdom in indulging fear. The calm and focused spirit will not fail.</li>
<li>Know your assets and strengths, then use them. </li>
<li>Understand that games occur in stages. Don't give up. The end will be clear enough when it comes. Don't quit early.</li>
<li>You can't rest on an individual good play or count on one successful step to make the rest easy. Be consistent and push on until the game has been won.</li>
<li>Never underestimate anyone. You can't know what they know, and only fools think they have nothing to learn from others. Everyone has something to offer.</li>
<li>Your most challenging opponent will likely be yourself. Your own carelessness or lack of attention will bring you more harm than anything brought on by others.</li>
<li>Being gracious and respectful is as important as anything else you do. You will almost always encounter people more than once. As you build experiences with others you are also building your reputation. </li>
<li>There is no gain to be had from greed and gloating. </li>
<li>Shake hands.</li>
<li>Being distracted is a success killer. Stay focused.</li>
<li>You can probably fake it for a while, but someone will eventually call you out. Never stop learning. Never stop trying to get better at your game.</li>
<li>There will always be someone better than you. Don't fear them, find them. They are the ones who can teach you.</li>
<li>When you fail, try to identify the weaknesses of your own actions rather than on what others did. </li>
<li>Look around for the ones who are watching you for guidance. They are counting on you to teach them well. Don't pass up a chance to give back what others gave you.</li>
</ol>
aablythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656248371954661012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952507967717821201.post-3573680906941593572015-02-28T20:48:00.000-08:002015-03-03T20:22:15.128-08:00The Importance of Skepticism in Education<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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James "the Amazing" Randi</div>
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Teaching is a profession with heavy responsibility. Students, especially younger ones, are all too eager to believe or accept what you say as fact. They want to know that what you say is true. They want to know that what they see is true. Most of us are generally willing to join in that mode of thought. The only problem with thinking this way is that it gets to be too easy. Without an attitude of skepticism we risk believing in mistakes or outright lies. In our eagerness to accept the truths that are being given, we lose our responsibility to be demanding of the information being presented to us. </div>
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Consider in your own circle of influence how many well-meaning people have shared information in social media without checking in any way for verification. Is this a problem? It should be. In addition to wasting time and energy, you announce to your friends, coworkers, and associates that you're lazy at best, and a gullible chump at worst. In the same time it takes to share the article, you could easily run the topic through a fact-checking site such as snopes, and then you'd at least know that you're possibly about to perpetuate and carry on a hoax. </div>
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In the classroom I can always count on getting everyone's attention by showing them a video clip of something interesting and seemingly impossible. The reaction is predictable. There is a lot of noise from the camp of disbelievers, and an equal amount of talk from those who express their disbelief yet clearly have accepted what they just saw. When David Blaine had produced his first big tv special, he included an illusion that he was levitating. In those first shows he had taken on this tv persona of the authentic mystic. He later, thankfully, abandoned that role for the more honest and effective fully exposed illusionist and street magician. But back to levitation. </div>
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I remember talking with my students at that time about their reactions to the claim of levitation and then to the apparent visual proof of it. Some students were angry with me that I made the suggestion that it was anything other than what it seemed to be. They wanted to believe it. So I asked them why. Why do you believe that this man, a man who is promoting and selling his own tv show, actually has the impossible ability to defy gravity? You don't know him. He is not even claiming to have these abilities via any supernatural means. He just arrives and performs the trick. What happened to questioning or investigation? I talked with them about the dubious camera work and the overproduced quality of something that was supposed to be a live recording. We learned about post production editing tricks. Still, there were some who struggled with the idea that they had been duped. </div>
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The Amazing Randi has had a standing offer for many years that offers a million dollars to anyone who claims to have paranormal or supernatural abilities and is willing to undergo scientific testing to have them verified and proven. No one has collected on that offer. James Randi is a magician himself as well as a skeptic. It is because of his skeptical nature that have often used him as an example in teaching. I try to teach about what it is to be a skeptic. It does not mean you believe nothing, trust nothing, or accept nothing. It does mean that you should learn to question and investigate rather than blindly accepting everything. You should especially investigate or question things that seem to be untrue, unlikely, or impossible. </div>
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Skepticism is really about having a profound concern for truth. This search for truth extends into daily life. Advertising of products is a constant game of truth and lies. Teaching people to question is not the same as teaching them not to trust. What we should teach is that trust is something that should be earned. </div>
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aablythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656248371954661012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952507967717821201.post-11988337237346817342015-02-22T14:57:00.000-08:002015-02-28T09:54:46.003-08:00Banging Coconuts Together Again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"You've got two empty halves of coconut, and you're bangin' 'em together." - Monty Python and the Holy Grail<br />
<br />
I have spent some time recently trying to compose something on the topic of standardized testing in our public schools. The time to begin these tests is nearly here again in Indiana. It has been a divisive topic in the media thanks in large part to our state's political machinations in regard to public education. There simply doesn't seem to be anything fresh to report. Oddly this strange condition has not burdened many others who are writing daily on the topic.<br />
<br />
I investigated the political opinions being aired and decided they needed to keep hanging on the line. I dug into the past of educational testing, found the research that others freely and selectively borrow from without citing their sources, and gradually came to a surprising conclusion of my own. The debate is always the same.<br />
<br />
There are a few points I can be sure of after my recent efforts. No one is changing the dialogue of the debate. No one is making significant progress toward meaningful change. And no one who tries to introduce enlightened dialogue into the debate will go unpunished. With that theme in mind, and in honor of standardized testing throughout our great land, please consider what might need to be done if you discover you are riding a dead horse. <br />
<br />
The Official and Expertly Researched Public Education Response<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Upgrade the whip. This is a best practice, and is, therefore, non-negotiable. Upgrade may include reclassification as riding crop.</li>
<li>Change the rider. This can be achieved easily by revising the by-laws regulating riders.</li>
<li>Remind everyone that this is the data-driven technique. We always ride dead horses.</li>
<li>Form a committee to analyze the horse.</li>
<li>Investigate how other school districts manage their dead horses.</li>
<li>Rewrite the protocols for proclaiming horses dead.</li>
<li>Pilot programs, spearhead taskforces, form committees, and poll stakeholders for the purpose of reviving the dead horse.</li>
<li>Design workshops, schedule trainings, and lead professional development meetings to instruct in the riding of dead horses.</li>
<li>Analyze the data available on dead horses in order to create a benchmark.</li>
<li>Hire experts to determine how best to ride a dead horse.</li>
<li>Increase the length of the track the horse is on to gain more comprehensive data.</li>
<li>Reduce the length of the track the horse is on to be compassionate and reasonable.</li>
<li>Declare that progress is being made in the science of dead horse management.</li>
<li>Overhaul the service requirements for horses.</li>
<li>Publicize the gains made since last year's ride.</li>
<li>If no improvements are evident, refer back to response one.</li>
</ol>
Outstanding educators everywhere, do what you do. That hollow thumping sound you keep hearing should stop in about a month. Until then, carry on.<br />
<br />
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*Adapted from "Business Wit" <i>,These Strange German Ways</i>; Susan Stern, Atlantik-Bruecke, 2000<br />
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<br />aablythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656248371954661012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952507967717821201.post-52019079303902146192013-11-30T12:42:00.000-08:002015-02-24T20:31:13.803-08:00Dr. Who, Hero For All Times<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As I write this entry about Dr. Who, I should mention first that I just went to my first Who Convention. This took place in Chicago, or at least the vicinity of Chicago called Lombard. The whole event was known as ChicagoTardis. I went into the convention without many preconceptions. I was doing it mainly for my daughters, newly minted Whovians themselves, thanks to my influence. I enjoyed congregating with fellow whovians immensely, and was reminded of exactly how influential this odd man and his blue box truly are.<br />
<br />
Like many people of a certain age I started my time travels with the good Doctor thanks to PBS and syndicated broadcasts aired in the 1970s and 80s. At that time the series episodes being shown were heavily drawn from the Tom Baker era since he was then the man piloting the tardis. Later on came quite competent and entertaining incarnations of the character, but, as some clever t-shirt designer noted, you never forget your first Doctor.<br />
<br />
For this writing I will not journey across the series remarking on the qualities of various actors, companions, monsters, etc. The character of The Doctor, regardless of actors portraying him, this is what I wanted to explore with this blog as I sat in the 2.5 hour line at that convention. I was dressed as the fourth doctor, quite well, I should say, with beautiful detail accents courtesy of my artist friend, Gretchen. She was able to make a lapel pin for me to match one Tom Baker's fourth Doctor wore a few times in the series. It is a unique piece I can safely say none of the other 4ths at the convention had bothered with. An outfit becomes a costume when one pays attention to the details.<br />
<br />
Why did hundreds of adults and many children come together to celebrate this clever character? We dressed up, acted silly, listened raptly, hurried about, and, of course queued up, over and over to immerse ourselves in a make-believe world hatched fifty years ago.<br />
<br />
The Doctor is an alien. He has two hearts. He is from the planet Gallifrey, but looks quite human. He would point out, though, that we look Gallifreyan. He pilots a ship that can travel throughout space and time, which is partly why he is also known as a Time Lord. So with his ship, which looks like a 1960s British police box, but it's bigger on the inside, and seemingly not much of a plan, he ventures on, always managing to save the world and the greater universe from a host of malevolent races and beings. So far he doesn't sound like someone with the makings of star appeal.<br />
<br />
The Doctor also travels with those whom he calls his companions. These are regular humans from various eras and locales, though never terribly far from London. The companions keep the Doctor more in touch with his humanity, alien though he is. And even though the Doctor has a lifespan greater than anyone, thanks to the clever writer's trick called regeneration, he never sinks too far into the depression brought on by centuries of life. He gets close, but this is one of the reasons for the companions. They stand in for the viewer and allow us to enter the sphere of the Doctor's influence for a while. They help answer the endless questions the show generates.<br />
<br />
The Doctor is a pacifist. He is a pacifist with a past filled with violence and destruction. He has seen and caused the deaths of countless beings, and yet he goes on. He knows the end of the story, possibly the end of all stories, but he continues to influence the details. Doctor Who never directly kills. He doesn't carry a weapon of death. He carries a scientific instrument called a sonic screwdriver. He battles with his mind, his wits, his wisdom. And he is terribly clever. I think this is the essence of why the Doctor has the massive appeal he has. Like Odysseus, he is admired as a hero because he uses his mind. He leaves others to the tasks involving violence and destruction, although he does take responsibility for those times when the actions of others leave no other choice but to end their lives to protect his chosen few. Whenever possible, and there's always a choice, the Doctor avoids the violent path.<br />
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The Doctor, the man whose name has never been revealed, is a vanquisher, conqueror, and hero without ever firing a weapon. He doesn't have to enter the boxing ring to beat the bully. He doesn't have to raise an army to defeat the enemy forces. No matter how impossibly the enemy threatens and overwhelms him, he never fails to think. And it is in thinking that he outwits and outplays the enemy, every time. The Doctor uses knowledge, the knowledge of a man centuries old and universally aware, to save the weak and powerless.<br />
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The viewer has the impression that the Doctor is capable of far more than he ever shows. This is manifested in the reactions of his enemies to him. They fear him. Some even respect him. The Doctor allows most of us to believe in our own powers and our own possibilities. Very few of us could actually be Batman, Bruce Lee, Wonder Woman, or the Hulk. Nor are we likely to live for 900 years, but if we did.... We who love the Doctor love the power of the mind. We love the idea that anyone might be clever, and so could outwit the enemy. We can imagine saving someone if we are only clever enough.<br />
<br />
And if we are clever enough we may be able to rescue ourselves in the process.aablythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656248371954661012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952507967717821201.post-61374318325326482182012-12-02T11:41:00.002-08:002015-02-24T16:31:14.269-08:00What Zombies Have Taught MeFrom one of the most original and dramatic graphic novels in recent memory to one of the best television programs on any network, there are lessons to be learned.<br />
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<ol>
<li><i>Focus on your goal.</i> When something is important to you, such as eating the brains of the living, or maybe getting a promotion at work, let nothing else distract you from the task.</li>
<li><i>Don't be discouraged.</i> Even when others around you have failed, keep going. No matter how many before you have had their heads skewered by the naysayers of life, you still must persevere. </li>
<li><i>Communication is best when succinct. </i>Too much time is often wasted on flowery messages. Let others know what you're after with short, memorable key ideas.</li>
<li><i>Never be complacent.</i> You've made it. You're resting on your achievements, but then, shambling out from the woods, there's more of the competition waiting to bite you.</li>
<li><i>Accuracy is essential.</i> Never waste your efforts. Be precise. You can't afford to miss. </li>
<li><i>Trust in yourself; respect the rest. </i>You never know what the other guy might do, even within your own team. Know your abilities, and and rely on others, but don't ever take trust for granted.</li>
<li><i>Adapt, Improvise, Overcome.</i> When your situation changes,
don't be overwhelmed. Use what you can all around you. Even a broken
chair might be more useful than you ever thought. </li>
<li><i>Teamwork is effective under strong leadership. </i>Once you take on the role of a leader, others will look to you for leadership. Simple, but true. Leaders must be willing and able to lead through every crisis. This means having the ability to delegate responsibilities to those whose strengths you have recognized. Doing it all alone leads to high stress and can create mental exhaustion. </li>
<li><i>Take advice from the team.</i> Sometimes the wisdom to lead has to be supported by wisdom from the team. Even the most brilliant leaders surround themselves with trusted advisers. </li>
<li><i>Know what you're fighting for. </i>The struggle doesn't matter unless you know why you're engaged in it. More than anything else, your knowledge of why you fight will keep you aware, sharp, and successful for another day. </li>
</ol>
Life gives us lessons from unexpected sources, even from the undead.<br />
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All good things... aablythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656248371954661012noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952507967717821201.post-28291955460824936142012-08-06T09:18:00.001-07:002013-01-27T08:39:52.108-08:00Nora's Crocodile Rockers, 2012, JDRF Walk To Cure DiabetesDear Family, Friends, Loved Ones, and Colleagues,<br />
<br />
I
am asking for your help. I ain't askin nobody for nothin, if I can't get it on my own. So goes the song, but I can't get this on my own. I hope you can offer some kind of financial
support to bolster the great research happening today which is bringing a
cure for diabetes a bit closer. For those who are interested to know
more, please read on. I have tried to help someone on the outside of
the problem appreciate a bit of the reality of life with diabetes.<br />
<br />
Nine
years ago our family experienced a profound transformation. We became a
family with a type 1 diabetic child. Our first child, Eleanor, was
diagnosed with type 1 diabetes while she was still only two. Each day
since then, each hour, has included some chore, task, reference,
thought, or responsibility demanded of us by diabetes. Please do not
think of this as an exaggeration, because if I err, it will be in making
the demands less pressing than what they are. <br />
<br />
And so
we live. We focus on life with as much positive energy as we can. Nora
does an excellent job of accepting her circumstances on most days. The
rest of us do as well. Blood sugar checks number into the
multi-thousands that have been endured so far. Daily shots have given
way to the self enclosed delivery device called an OmniPod. This device
still has to be monitored, though, and changed no less than every three
days. This involves having a spring loaded needle inject the delivery
line under the skin. It hurts. The insulin that we have put into the
pod then gets gradually delivered into the blood as programming
suggests. Who programs it? We do. The programming is based on
experience and ever-changing needs of the user. Nothing is automatic;
not really.<br />
<br />
And so we plan. After nine years we are
getting pretty proficient with our knowledge of food and its various
carbohydrate counts. Nora gives herself more insulin, called a bolus,
whenever she eats. This is based on the carbohydrates in the food.
Again, formulas are used, but life is inexact. We still practice a
refined form of guess work when needed. When the birthday parties,
sleepovers, field trips, celebration dinners, etc. arise, we try our
best to plan for it, or at least react well to what is being offered.
Nora is growing and changing, and her insulin demands continue to change
accordingly. She has completed a kids’ triathlon, and she wants to do
more, proving that her limits are still far on the horizon.She has
chosen to play cello now in the school orchestra, so her fingers, the
parts she uses for checking BG, will endure more stress.<br />
<br />
<br />
And we educate. Nora is another year older, and we all are
slightly wiser. Still we find ourselves dealing frequently with
misconceptions and ignorance about diabetes. Since Nora’s pod is
sometimes visible she gets asked about it. She explains the situation
quite well, but I wonder when she might get sick of saying it all. Well
meaning people, both family and friends alike, still make comments that
amaze me. Recently we were asked again if it is OK for Nora to have
chocolate. I have heard someone telling another that she is not allowed
to eat sugar. Others persist in these outdated assumptions that come
from times when diabetes was not understood well, and its management
tools were severely limited. I was happy to help my friend, Lizmari Collazo, again this year in promoting the Diabetes Ice Cream Social, just to combat some of those outdated ideas.<br />
<br />
And we hope. Our lives
are woven with the demands of type 1 diabetes. But the reason we ask
for help and support is because we hope for a day when we can let go of
that part of life. We hope to leave behind our diabetic lifestyle one
day soon. Please help us to reach that important goal.<br />
<br />
We
are walking again this year on October 6th at Military Park,
Indianapolis. The Walk for a Cure is a great day to bring together
hundreds of people in one place to support JDRF and its efforts fund
research. If you wish to donate, you can do so online by following the
links I have listed below. You may also write a check payable to JDRF.
Any size of donation is useful and appreciated, and all are tax
deductible. <br />
<br />
Please visit my walk fundraising page at
the following link. This will allow you to make an online donation if
you should choose to do so. Of course, it would be very exciting and
helpful if you would want to join our walk team. Information is also at
this link: <br />
<br />
http://www2.jdrf.org/site/TR/Walk-IN/Chapter-IndianaState4195?px=1434058&pg=personal&fr_id=1900<br />
<br />
We are hoping to do well for Nora’s team this year. Thanks for your time in reading this. You are part of the cure.<br />
<br />
http://www2.jdrf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=walk_homepage<br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Andy Blythe,<br />
Nora’s Crocodile Rockers, 2012aablythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656248371954661012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952507967717821201.post-66637491769195323312012-08-01T10:34:00.001-07:002012-08-01T10:35:25.720-07:00On Beauty, Part 2Moreso than anything else I have published here, friends have asked me about my post, "For the Love of Beautiful Women". I am very pleased that this piece of exploration into beauty has gained some attention. I suspect it means that I have written about something important to people. Today, partially because of a request by one of my friends in the twitterverse, I revisit the topic of beauty.<br />
<br />
Beauty resonates. Its source is somewhere from within the person, in the realm of the spirit. We all are endowed with beauty. Some people have allowed the pain of living to dominate them so that the resonance of their beauty cannot be felt. Pain, when it receives energy and attention from you, becomes strong and prominent. Many people wear their pain in masks of anger, apathy, disdain, or detachment. It is hard to see their beauty through the masks and walls. Pain comes to us all. It is the beautiful spirit who gives the pain no more attention than a stone in her shoe. A momentary pause, a cleansing breath, and then it's released.<br />
<br />
I know there are many who believe there is beauty in suffering. There is truth in that. What people see in the victim, or rather, feel from her, is a desire to save her from the pain, to lead her to comfort. Through this desire we may sincerely be trying to connect with the other person, but it may also be an end to itself. Some of us realize that we are attracted to "damaged" people, those we wish to rescue or fix. What happens, then, once there is a return to calm and normalcy? The next suffering friend suddenly seems so much more attractive.<br />
<br />
True beauty transcends the circumstances, including the flow of time. You recognize it within your being. At times of stress and chaos, the presence of beauty calms you. At times when you have slipped into unawareness and tedium, the beauty awakens you, and reminds you of the present. When this happens, you feel the wonderful rush of awareness. You remember your own power and vitality when her beauty resonates with yours. There is a harmonious energy that is felt, quite real, which cannot be denied. This is the kind of beauty that should be pursued and nurtured. This is where love may be found.<br />
<br />
Beauty manifests itself in the outer person in countless ways. The body, in all of its wonderful variations, houses, protects, and projects the inner beauty of the spirit. If you are aware enough to see, there she will be; ageless, radiant, and lovely. She may be concerned by superfluous facets of life or age, but you, if you are seeing clearly, will see truth.<br />
<br />
Beauty is all around. Where there is life, so also lives beauty.aablythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656248371954661012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952507967717821201.post-56909227309133031392012-07-08T16:08:00.000-07:002012-07-09T18:20:57.588-07:00Eleven Rules That School Doesn't TeachFirst I should say this is not original, and I can't site an author. I have, however, made a few updates to it along the way. This applies to people of any age, but it was intended for the students.<br />
<br />
Eleven Rules That School Doesn't Teach<br />
<br />
Rule 1- Life is not fair; get used to it.<br />
<br />
Rule 2- The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.<br />
<br />
Rule 3- You will not make a six-figure salary right out of high school. You'll need to earn your way to the top.<br />
<br />
Rule 4- If you think your teacher is tough, wait until you have a boss.<br />
<br />
Rule 5- Flipping burgers is not beneath you. Your grandparents had a different name for flipping burgers. They called it opportunity.<br />
<br />
Rule 6- If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes. Learn from them.<br />
<br />
Rule 7- Before you were born your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes, and listening to you talk about how much you know. So before you save the rainforests from the parasites of your parents' generation, try doing a fair share of the housework.<br />
<br />
Rule 8- Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life has not.<br />
<br />
Rule 9- Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off.<br />
<br />
Rule 10- Television and social media are not real life. In real life, people actually have to leave the coffee shop, temporarily put their phones down, and go to jobs that require some focus and attention.<br />
<br />
Rule 11- Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one. And if you happen to be quite smart, don't you dare hide it or pretend you're not.
I'm sure some reader could add many more. It's nothing but a few conversation starters for those not yet familiar with the rude realities out there.<br />
<br />
All good things....aablythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656248371954661012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952507967717821201.post-31383325760050944602012-07-08T10:20:00.001-07:002015-03-01T10:45:43.427-08:00Social Media, Therapy, and Moving Forward<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
I have not written a blog in a long while. I have not been able to focus on writing anything more than a sentence or two in length. The condition, if it has a name, led me to certain social media accounts, namely Twitter.
This seemingly innocuous creation has helped me in ways that I never would have suspected.<br />
<br />
As I have learned to walk forward, perhaps more than ever, I also learned to accept others and to be expressive again. By diving into the sea of human dysfunction, I learned that normal is a far more inclusive construct than I allowed for in the past. We all seem to be healing from something. We all seem to be looking for similar essential comforts and truths.<br />
<br />
Among the profane, vulgar, gratuitously shocking, and brash, there are also the clever, witty, touching, gracious, vulnerable, and wise. I would not have stayed long at a real life (RL on Twitter) party if everyone were throwing out their thoughts and feelings uncensored for all to hear. It would be like a crazy passing period in a high school hallway. But now that I've been there, virtually at least, for a while, I like it.<br />
<br />
As for real life, happiness comes when you can appreciate the beauty of the moments. It's much easier to do that when you have a group of people enjoying their moments, too, and are willing to share their joys.
I have found friends in places near and far. From Netherlands to Australia,and California to Florida, such places are home to the wonderful people who have given me little postcards of humanity that serve as reminders of the goodness in us all. Thanks, new friends. I appreciate it.<br />
<br />
All good things....aablythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656248371954661012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952507967717821201.post-58148377037202658482011-09-11T17:13:00.000-07:002011-09-11T17:16:11.848-07:00Nora's Crocodile Walkers in 2011Dear Family, Friends, Loved Ones, and Colleagues,<br /><br />I am asking for your help. Asking for nothing would be my fondest wish right now, but I simply can’t abide my life if I have not made efforts to help my own family. I hope you can offer some kind of financial support to bolster the great research happening today which is bringing a cure for diabetes a bit closer. For those who are interested to know more, please read on. I have tried to help someone on the outside of the problem appreciate a bit of the reality of life with diabetes.<br /><br />Eight years ago our family experienced a profound transformation. We became a family with a type 1 diabetic child. Our first child, Eleanor, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes while she was still only two. Each day since then, each hour, has included some chore, task, reference, thought, or responsibility demanded of us by diabetes. Please do not think of this as an exaggeration, because if I err, it will be in making the demands less pressing than what they are. <br /> <br />And so we live. We focus on life with as much positive energy as we can. Nora does an excellent job of accepting her circumstances on most days. The rest of us do as well. Blood sugar checks number into the multi-thousands that have been endured so far. Daily shots have given way to the self enclosed delivery device called an OmniPod. This device still has to be monitored, though, and changed no less than every three days. This involves having a spring loaded needle inject the delivery line under the skin. It hurts. The insulin that we have put into the pod then gets gradually delivered into the blood as programming suggests. Who programs it? We do. The programming is based on experience and ever-changing needs of the user. Nothing is automatic; not really.<br /><br />And so we plan. After eight years we are getting pretty proficient with our knowledge of food and its various carbohydrate counts. Nora gives herself more insulin, called a bolus, whenever she eats. This is based on the carbohydrates in the food. Again, formulas are used, but life is inexact. We still practice a refined form of guess work when needed. When the birthday parties, sleepovers, field trips, celebration dinners, etc. arise, we try our best to plan for it, or at least react well to what is being offered. Nora is growing and changing, and her insulin demands continue to change accordingly. She recently completed a kids’ triathlon, proving that her limits are still far on the horizon. <br /><br />And we educate. Nora is older, and we all are slightly wiser. Still we find ourselves dealing frequently with misconceptions and ignorance about diabetes. Since Nora’s pod is sometimes visible she gets asked about it. She explains the situation quite well, but I wonder when she might get sick of saying it all. Well meaning people, both family and friends alike, still make comments that amaze me. Recently we were asked again if it is OK for Nora to have chocolate. I have heard someone telling another that she is not allowed to eat sugar. Others persist in these outdated assumptions that come from times when diabetes was not understood well, and its management tools were severely limited. <br /><br />And we hope. Our lives are woven with the demands of type 1 diabetes. But the reason we ask for help and support is because we hope for a day when we can let go of that part of life. We hope to leave behind our diabetic lifestyle one day soon. Please help us to reach that important goal.<br /> <br />We are walking again this year on October 29th at Military Park, Indianapolis. The Walk for a Cure is a great day to bring together hundreds of people in one place to support JDRF and its efforts fund research. If you wish to donate, you can do so online by following the links I have listed below. You may also write a check payable to JDRF. Any size of donation is useful and appreciated, and all are tax deductible. <br /><br />Please visit my walk fundraising page at the following link. This will allow you to make an online donation if you should choose to do so. Of course, it would be very exciting and helpful if you would want to join our walk team. Information is also at this link: <br /><br />http://www2.jdrf.org/site/TR/Walk-IN/Chapter-IndianaState4195?team_id=24644&pg=team&fr_id=1486<br /><br />We are hoping to do well for Nora’s team this year, just as my wife Lisa’s cycling team efforts have been such a huge success, thanks to the generosity of others. Thanks for your time in reading this. You are part of the cure.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />Andy Blythe,<br />Nora’s Crocodile Rockers, Team Captain<br /><br /><br />For further information, here are some truths that you should remember…<br />What is Diabetes?<br />Diabetes is a chronic, debilitating disease affecting every organ system. There are two major types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which a person's pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone that enables people to get energy from food. Type 1 diabetes usually strikes in childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood, and lasts a lifetime. Just to survive, people with type 1 diabetes must take multiple injections of insulin daily or continually infuse insulin through a pump. Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which a person's body still produces insulin but is unable to use it effectively. Type 2 is usually diagnosed in adulthood and does not always require insulin injections. However, increased obesity has led to a recent rise in cases of type 2 diabetes in children and young adults.<br /><br />Taking insulin does not cure any type of diabetes, nor does it prevent the possibility of the disease's devastating effects: kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage, amputation, heart attack, stroke, and pregnancy complications.<br /><br />The Scope of Diabetes<br />• Nearly 24 million Americans have diabetes (7.8 percent of the population):<br />Diagnosed: 17.9 million<br />Undiagnosed: 5.7 million<br />• As many as three million Americans may have type 1 diabetes. <br />• Diabetes currently affects 285 million people worldwide and is expected to affect 435 million by 2030.<br />• In the U.S., a new case of diabetes is diagnosed every 30 seconds; more than 1.6 million people are diagnosed each year.<br /><br />The Cost of Diabetes<br />• Diabetes is one of the costliest chronic diseases.<br />• In 2007, diabetes accounted for $174 billion in health care costs in the U.S.<br />• Diabetes accounts for 32 percent of all Medicare expenditures.<br />• The nation spent $11,744 annually on each person with diabetes in 2007 compared to $2,935 on each person without diabetes.<br />• Americans with diabetes incur medical expenses that are approximately 2.3 times higher than those incurred by Americans without diabetes.<br />• U.S. hospital stays related to diabetes totaled $58.3 billion in 2007.<br />• An estimated 22 percent of hospital inpatient days in the U.S. were incurred by people with diabetes in 2007.<br /><br />The Harm Caused by Diabetes<br />Damage to Many Organ Systems: Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, adult blindness, and non-traumatic amputations. It is also a leading cause of nerve damage.<br /><br />Increased Heart Disease Risk: People with diabetes are two-to-four times more likely to have a heart attack or stroke than people without the disease.<br /><br />Shortened Life: Diabetes kills one American every three minutes and is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. Life expectancy for people with diabetes has historically been shortened by an average of seven to 10 years, and the risk of death for people with diabetes is about double that of people of similar age without diabetes.<br /><br />Type 1 Diabetes, 2004; KRC Research for JDRF, Jan. 2005<br /><br />For more information, visit the JDRF web site at http://www.jdrf.org/ or call 800-533-CURE.aablythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656248371954661012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952507967717821201.post-64831477632567652632011-07-28T18:53:00.000-07:002015-03-01T16:05:23.883-08:00For the love of beautiful women.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
I don't know when I learned about beautiful women. Like most boys, I suppose it must have started with my mother, who, as you may assume, is a beautiful woman. She is crippled now in multiple ways from illnesses including rheumatoid arthritis. Her mobility is so limited that her hair is nothing but a matted nest of tangles that will probably have to be cut free and left to grow again. But through all of this pain and loss of her former self, my mother has retained the essence of her beauty. She still can and does express her love for me and my children, for a dog, or perhaps a fallen bird. She loves still. And this capacity to love is the source of beauty.<br />
<br />
I have met many beautiful women who have the sort of socially coveted beauty paraded across media outlets like an incessant pageant with rotating princesses. Their beauty often becomes tarnished as soon as the first conversation begins. From their beautiful mouths and betwixt their luminous, equine teeth what should issue forth? Insecurities, defensive and offensive darts and barbs, vulgarities and cruelties, elitism, racism, any of the contemptible isms. What is there to gain from speaking further with such a woman? There are enough people in any life who will worm their way into your circles, people you never invited, yet people still who become necessarily linked with you. Why would any sane person choose to add another of their ilk into the pack? When a woman churns poison and sprays it out through her mouth, her beauty loses all of its magic. <br />
<br />
There are many beautiful women in the world. This is the great part of the message. They are married and single. They are born of all races and from all countries. Culture, heritage, orientations- all are introduced and accentuated by her true beauty. They are women whose spirits deliver bursts of love and energy like the morning light filtered through a sun catcher. Women such as these aren't trying to impress yet still their beauty is compelling. <br />
<br />
Believe in this. It is real, this beauty that women possess. It is not so rare as you might imagine. This kind of beauty will be found where there is kindness and sincere laughter. Where there is compassion, caring, and joy for life, there, too, lives this beauty. <br />
<br />
Don't take me to mean that I believe in flawless and shimmering beings. The spirit is so, but the lives we lead are far from flawless. Women who are beautiful can drink and be inked. They can be pierced and fierce. The beauty of the spirit illuminates the visible stage production that the world is allowed to see. <br />
<br />
To any who read this, I hope you know the truth contained in this little rambling. You beautiful women in my life, thank you for being you. To those I have yet to meet, I hope you have someone like me who can see your true nature and be knocked happily breathless whenever you enter the room.aablythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656248371954661012noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952507967717821201.post-17602951475180640922011-07-26T17:11:00.000-07:002015-02-24T16:22:02.656-08:00What Gordon Ramsay has taught me about restaurants<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
I really enjoy watching Gordon Ramsay's cooking shows. When he releases his fury into the faces of prospective top chefs, restaurant owners, cooks, and hapless managers, he breaks our social structure and gets away with it. But what I have learned from the shows isn't about yelling and cursing. What follows are a few notes on food and eating that Chef Ramsay has taught me.<br />
<br />
"It's Raw!" If undercooked food is leaving a kitchen, send it back, then leave the place for your own safety. <br />
<br />
"It's Disgusting and Dirty." Dirty plates, utensils, glasses, etc. are also a great indicator of a place you don't need to be eating in. Run away.<br />
<br />
"Is the crab cake made with fresh crab?" Apparently everyone from the chef to the server will lie if you ask this question. If you're not in a restaurant situated on a bay or ocean, you should probably assume the crab cakes have been frozen. What a shame.<br />
<br />
"This Risotto looks like baby vomit." Risotto, apparently, is difficult to cook properly. Not sure I would feel good about ordering it. <br />
<br />
"Scallops" Oh my. So many bad scallops tossed into trash bins- it makes you wonder if anyone has ever cooked them before. <br />
<br />
"Pasta" Make it fresh. End of discussion.<br />
<br />
Finally, if you ever cook something to be served to others, taste it before it gets served. Taste it, and do it over if it isn't right. <br />
<br />
Cheers!aablythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656248371954661012noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952507967717821201.post-9286108199712187252011-04-15T19:56:00.000-07:002011-04-15T20:07:11.777-07:00Late Night Frog WatchThe family just made the bold trek into the night wilderness for a frog watch. This is real, for city-folk and doubters, and is pretty close to how it sounds. <br /><br />The watch took place at Eagle Creek park in Indianapolis. About twenty people arrived as night fell upon the learning center building. A presenter called Frog Dawn gave us all the low-down on frog life and lore. She also is an excellent mimic of frog calls, which makes her parents either very proud or very smug for naming her Frog Dawn. She has a friend who presents at the park, too, called Hawk Dawn. She does not imitate hawk calls. Her parents? Confused.<br /><br />The youngest of our family, the one who has the spooky talent of wrangling lady bugs from unknown places, she captured the only frog of the night. Perhaps she is some sort of animal medium. She was quite happy to be hunting frogs as well as staying up quite past her bedtime.<br /><br />Fun was had by all. And I am sure it beats out TV and video games.<br /><br />Thanks for reading.aablythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656248371954661012noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952507967717821201.post-79262374404922736702011-03-05T11:32:00.000-08:002015-03-01T10:55:21.402-08:00Dog's Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
If your dog could only speak one word, what would it be? This question was posed to me recently by a brilliantly funny friend who always keeps company with brilliant dogs. My dog, I suspect would have a single word similar to the one that got Ralphie in trouble in "A Christmas Story." Yeah, the one that wasn't fudge.<br />
<br />
It isn't so much a question of his manners or civility. He just is mostly on the edge of exasperation with us humans in his life. He doesn't do calm very well. Most of his breed are this way.<br />
<br />
He, my dog, is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. This means he has one burning desire in life- to bring into one confined space, all living creatures. We do not comply with his wishes. <br />
<br />
He has a list of things that annoy him, or, rather, his people have generated a list. It grows constantly. The fact that he is nearly 13 does not make him more agreeable. So, without further meandering, here's the list (annotated).<br />
<br />
INANIMATE OBJECTS WHICH MAKE NOISE<br />
LIVING THINGS THAT MAKE NOISE<br />
UNIDENTIFIED NOISES FROM OUTSIDE<br />
PEOPLE ENTERING THE HOUSE<br />
PEOPLE LEAVING THE HOUSE<br />
STORMS<br />
MUSIC<br />
KIDS PLAYING IN UNSAFE WAYS<br />
DOGS HE DOESN'T KNOW<br />
DOGS HE IS FAMILIAR WITH<br />
BICYCLE PUMP, simply touching it, because offensive noises will ensue<br />
CARS<br />
TRUCKS<br />
DOORBELL, disembodied herald of visitors must die<br />
<br />
In case you think he is always grumpy, there are things which make Conner happy. <br />
<br />
FOOD<br />
NOISES OF FOOD PREPARATION<br />
PEOPLE EATING<br />
THE LEASH<br />
<br />
See, all very well balanced.<br />
<br />
Good boy!aablythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656248371954661012noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952507967717821201.post-24313625640688153102011-02-04T13:49:00.000-08:002011-02-07T18:48:08.396-08:00No More Ice-BreakersFor the last several days, I have been busting, cracking, shoveling, melting, tossing, cursing, stomping, and begging the three-inch-thick layer of ice lain upon my world. My hands are blistered and trembling. And after all I have done, there is still more ice, mocking me. Yes, it mocks. It groans with sarcasm as I approach it with my garden shovel.<br /><br />We'll see who laughs tomorrow when my new employees arrive to finish the work. Who have I hired, you ask? Well, well, WELL! Let me clear my throat!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KRnYlTq05T4/TUx3G_GR7ZI/AAAAAAAAADg/InHwcSthPI4/s1600/sumo.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 132px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KRnYlTq05T4/TUx3G_GR7ZI/AAAAAAAAADg/InHwcSthPI4/s200/sumo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569957801051155858" /></a><br />Asashoryu, having not much else going on, is on the way to spread salt upon the ice and stomp it into unrighteous bits.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KRnYlTq05T4/TUx4dQgS7_I/AAAAAAAAADo/0B2SoYBK3rw/s1600/irishcloggers.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 106px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KRnYlTq05T4/TUx4dQgS7_I/AAAAAAAAADo/0B2SoYBK3rw/s200/irishcloggers.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569959283192426482" /></a><br /><br />These Irish Cloggers are also en route from parts unknown. Well, unknown parts of Wisconsin. They are sure to break up the bigger parts of the sidewalk.<br /><br />Finally, the stompiest solution to my problems, if the first two can't cut it....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KRnYlTq05T4/TUx5avt387I/AAAAAAAAADw/hIDFmLTyZTE/s1600/savionglover.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 160px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KRnYlTq05T4/TUx5avt387I/AAAAAAAAADw/hIDFmLTyZTE/s200/savionglover.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569960339542897586" /></a><br />If Savion Glover can't break up the frozen waste that is my property line, then I give up. Nature, you win.aablythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656248371954661012noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952507967717821201.post-763065697228757682011-02-03T19:45:00.000-08:002015-02-28T15:46:10.719-08:00The Stupid Life of Boys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As the Midwest, and especially Indiana, is gripped by the icy clutches of this year's winter, I can't help but recall winters of my youth. We were young once, and stupid. I found myself today describing to my daughter what it was to bumper ride at the bus stop on icy mornings. She agreed I used to be quite stupid.<br />
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If you can't guess by the name, a bumper ride consists of grabbing onto the bumper of a car which stopped at the bus stop corner, then holding on to slide as long as you dared until you had to let go. No one was ever hurt, but the possibilities of injury now stagger my adult mind.<br />
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After buying another sled as well as a snowboard earlier this season, I remembered the equipment my brother and I used on our snow and ice hills. We careened on cardboard, tobogganed on trash can lids, and sliced on aluminum siding. Our parents had, in fact, bought actual sleds for us, but many of our friends had to do without, so we got used to the fun of improvisation. Never did anyone wear, nor even own, a helmet, pad, or piece of actual protective gear. There were more than a few icy chutes of a hill streaked pink from someone's split lip or newly rearranged dental alignment. <br />
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And we kept going. The rule in our neighborhood was simple. You went in when, and only when, no one could understand you anymore because your face and mouth parts were too numb to respond. By then you trudged home in some sort of exhausted, trance-like state, famished and beaten, but Mom still looked at the clock as if to say, "back already?" When the jeans came off, they stood on their own by the door, infused with ice. <br />
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As I fell flat on my back yesterday for about the ninth time, I started to complain to myself, but then I remembered, this used to be what we called fun. Nothing was broken, and to someone watching, the falls were probably funny. So I went back chopping the ice in the driveway wondering how much longer my hands would work. Did I suddenly turn ambisinister, or had the cold and fatigue finally beaten me again? I dropped the shovel and started to ask someone walking by what time it was, but they couldn't understand me. I figured then the work was done. <br />
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If someone grabs your bumper by the bus stop, don't worry, I've done it lots of times before.aablythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656248371954661012noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952507967717821201.post-19077136546148750232010-12-04T10:41:00.001-08:002015-02-28T15:20:14.517-08:00What School Leadership Should Be About<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Leaders in education cannot become concerned only with standardized test scores. Leaders cannot afford to mistakenly believe that their schools are islands of learning beyond other concerns. The community of school is bound to the human community that surrounds it, and, by extension, to the rest of the world. The issue of involvement and interaction with the school environment is important, but only as it is a strategy that leads toward social justice.<br />
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One unseen issue is that schools are filled with teachers and leaders of good intent, but also with a lack of clarity concerning the real problems of schools. We mostly fail to confront our complicity as agents responsible for the very inequities we rail against. We are complicit and instrumental agents who usher along cycles of social reproduction, even when the model we reproduce is the essence of racial and class hegemony. Jonathan Kozol in The Shame of the Nation calls our education system a kind of American apartheid. I would stretch a bit further and liken it to an Indian caste system, or the Mexican encomienda. In these old-world systems of social hierarchy, the effects of which are still actively being worked out, social status is determined by the nature of your birth. In India your occupation was a copy of your parents’ social level and associated work tradition. There were strong racial and ethnic restrictions built into this system, but all was cloaked in the primacy of religious mandate. The Brahmins, the keepers of religious tradition, not surprisingly, enjoyed the most privileged status. Social mobility was not a provision of the caste system. In Spanish-controlled colonial Mexico, the encomienda system was focused on the individual’s ethnic or cultural birth rights in a more blatant manner. The Spanish born, or peninsulars, were most privileged, of course because they were of the conquering culture. As time passed other social strata had to be created. The criollos, or Mexican born of Spanish parents, were less affluent. The mestizos, or those of mixed Spanish and indigenous heritage, were a level further removed from power. The indigenous population, still the bulk of society in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, received the least amount of access to the cultural capital of their day. Brought into the fray against their will, the African slave population was the lowest of all.<br />
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If some educators would read this, powerful reactions may arise. I’m crazy for drawing comparisons of American education to colonial racism. But am I that far off? America’s history runs parallel with that of Mexico. We are also still reconciling ourselves with our own history of slavery followed by legalized institutional racism. Social inequities in education continue to exist. How can that be unless social reproduction is being continued and managed through our public schools?<br />
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Consider the explanations in another light. If “school” is not the problem, meaning the current system of education as practiced commonly today, then gross inequities must be explained in other ways. Poor kids are just too ill-equipped socially, mentally, or are otherwise deficient. They will never “measure up.” Those foreign language speakers just aren’t trying hard enough; they’re faking it anyway. Those special needs kids are hopeless, or they use their disabilities as a crutch. And those black kids just are a mess. They act entitled to everything and argue and complain whenever they’re held accountable for something. Once you see the counter-arguments for what they are, racist, ignorant, and elitist rubbish, then what is it that remains? The system itself perpetuates social and racial inequities. Who fares consistently well while other identified sub-groups lag behind year after year?<br />
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And so the leader of the American school first must challenge himself to face this ugly reality eye to eye. Call it by name. A leader in education must think and act like a social reformer. Social justice will never become real by wishing for it. It will never come to pass by waiting for others to make it happen. The easiest path to follow is the one that already exists; this path leads to social reproduction. Those who seek social justice in schools must blaze new trails in the landscape of educational practices.<br />
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Creating a school environment in which authentic dialogue among all parties involved is practiced and expected; this should be a high priority of the leader seeking social justice. Raising the level of educational discourse is essential if justice is desired. Anything less is just complacency. Leaders who are willing to engage in the tough and uncomfortable issues that really need to be the topics of staff development meetings; they are the ones who will move us closer to social justice. Leaders who understand that parental involvement takes on hundreds of forms, not just ten or twelve; they will earn the respect of the community. Leaders who take time to understand and appreciate the diversity of their student body; they will inspire students to achieve higher levels of learning. Leaders who speak of social truths and realities instead of test scores; they will earn the respect of their teachers.<br />
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Saint Maximilian Kolbe was executed by a lethal injection of carbonic acid at Auschwitz, 14 August, 1941. During the weeks before his execution he was savagely beaten and starved, once left for dead. He continued in this nightmare environment to minister to others, perform Mass, give last rites, and generally share the work of God. He would use smuggled wine and bread for his Mass services. Relevance? Those dedicated to a great and noble cause will do anything necessary to bring about the desired change.<br />
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Educational leaders should, indeed, view their position as a privilege as well as a heavy responsibility. Social change will only come when leaders actively seek such change. In the last issue of his publication, <i>The Knight</i>, Kolbe wrote, <br />
“No one in the world can change Truth. What we can do and should do is to seek truth and to serve it when we have found it. The real conflict is the inner conflict. Beyond armies of occupation and the hecatombs of extermination camps, there are two irreconcilable enemies in the depth of every soul: good and evil, sin and love. And what use are the victories on the battlefield if we ourselves are defeated in our innermost personal selves?”<br />
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Those who would be real leaders in education must dedicate themselves to social justice in the same way that religious leaders dedicate themselves to divine missions. In fact isn’t the educational mission another kind of divine mission? Do we not speak of love? And what is love if not an acute and sincere concern for the well-being of others? Social justice must ultimately be based upon a deep concern for the well-being of others. This requires school leaders who recognize the humanitarian mission of education. It requires individuals who will not compromise the educational mission out of fear of retribution or fear of angering teachers and parents. It requires a bravery and dedication usually attributed to heroes and saints. Anyone who moves into a school leadership position must accept this responsibility, or hopefully recognize their own limitations and allow someone else to take up the challenge.<br />
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“The most deadly poison of our times is indifference.” Saint Maximilian Kolbeaablythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656248371954661012noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952507967717821201.post-3302891183979207062010-11-26T13:31:00.000-08:002011-06-10T07:14:41.544-07:00Holiday ShoppingI have no money. I have a family with three kids. I have a house and two cars. I have a dog. Once again, I have no money.<br /><br />This is the main reason I do not get thrills from the shopping madness that grips so many others. Other reasons might include my general dislike of people in crowds. Nearly every tragic event in history takes place in crowds. The Kennedy assassinations, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Lady Ga Ga Concerts- always among crowds. <br /><br />Try to think of a national tragedy that took place with a guy sitting at home with a book. <br /><br />Also I am basically through with the idea of trying to please others or myself with some goofy purchases. I think folks would serve themselves better if they all rushed out in mobs to the shelters and soup kitchens to volunteer their time the day after Thanksgiving. Take their money to the Red Cross bucket. That would be a crowd worth walking among.aablythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656248371954661012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952507967717821201.post-50253855273148455592010-10-02T12:04:00.000-07:002015-03-01T10:58:58.052-08:00Renaissance Fairs, Oh MyI love going to period history festivals. There, I said it! I love these people. They are fearlessly embracing what can only be called a lifestyle. They dress in costumes, speak in phony accents to strangers, and walk about through some field as if it were the most natural thing to do.<br />
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Be aware; many of these costumed citizens have created their own garb, and probably invested small fortunes in time and talent getting the details just right. And yet I just can't get past it. Forgive me, but not a one of them is datable. Sure there's cleavage enough to embarrass a night club owner. But then there's the rest. I will refrain from the details, but seriously, would it kill someone to floss? <br />
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There are people, I found out, who get the creeps from costume fairs. I don't especially understand that one, but I can see where some of the creepiness can seep into a phobia. <br />
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I don't sound much like a defender of the lifestyle, but I kid out of love. There are some courageous folks in those fields.<br />
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Good Morrow, Good People!aablythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656248371954661012noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952507967717821201.post-35441519597528123122010-09-28T17:51:00.000-07:002010-09-28T18:11:12.146-07:00A Beautiful WorldThanks to Colin Hay for this blog.<br /><br />I like the Fall air, but not what's on TV<br />I like to feel the chill at night, but it's good to have my wife warming me.<br />I like my Corgi's piercing bark, but why does he bark at me?<br /><br />It's a beautiful world.<br /><br />I like to brew my own coffee; it's stronger than most you buy<br />Coffee is about flavors and complexity, not syrups and foam<br />I drink the coffee of other lands whenever I roam.<br /><br />It's a beautiful world.aablythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656248371954661012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952507967717821201.post-59333735264668764162010-09-25T09:40:00.000-07:002011-04-19T18:25:29.827-07:00Ten Years of FatherhoodIt's been ten years since my first child was born. I would like to say I have become a great father, but I think this is just one of those jobs that you keep on doing without becoming great. You can be good once in a while, but never great. Great is reserved for the mom, who rightly deserves the praise.<br /><br />I thought about writing about my own dad here today, but that would take more time than what I have to give right now. Another blog for the future.... I can't believe how much love I have for my kids. It just hardly seems possible when you don't have children to realize that your heart will grow enough for the love you need to share with them. <br /><br />Nora has been the source of tremendous pride so far these ten years. I know her best is far in the future. Taking on type 1 diabetes like she has for the past seven years has been amazing to see. I can hardly predict or imagine what the next ten years will bring for all of us in this party of five.<br /><br />It should be fun.aablythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656248371954661012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952507967717821201.post-3362125137240487912010-09-19T16:40:00.000-07:002011-06-10T07:18:19.986-07:00Blackberry Buzz-KillI don't say the H-word very often, but I think I hate my wife's blackberry. To be clear, it is the never-ending stream of -bzzz- interruptions to everything we do that -bzzz- bothers me -bzzzz-. I don't know who -bzzzz- keeps -bzzzz- oh, just forget -bzzz- it.<br /><br />Bzzz.aablythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656248371954661012noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952507967717821201.post-27319196023749311052010-09-11T07:45:00.001-07:002011-06-10T07:17:47.637-07:00New EndeavorsMy most excellent wife has taken on a new experience. She will be working for a small company which investigates fires. Forensic work is very cool, as anyone can tell by turning on a TV for half an hour. I am so impressed with her drive and dedication. She really is an inspiration.<br /><br />I will, however, have to rethink my plans for retirement now. The old potato chip bag behind the switch plate trick will have to be put away. <br /><br />I have a book that I wrote in a college class years ago. I may just have to dust it off, rewrite it, shop it around, and see what comes of it. I have thought about this for a while, but fear of failure kept it down. My wife demonstrates to me daily that new challenges should be embraced.<br /><br />I will have to give it a try.aablythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656248371954661012noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952507967717821201.post-70723143609090578882010-09-08T16:09:00.000-07:002011-06-10T07:16:32.196-07:00About the Size of ItKnowing that my gorgeous wife had just been out shopping for new jeans, I asked, just out of curiosity, "what size are you wearing now?" Before you curse my lineage or poison my quinoa, I was doing a good thing. She has been working steadily for a long time now, training for a 105-mile bike ride in Death Valley for type-1 diabetes research. She has been transforming herself. I considered this before asking, figuring it might be a good build-up moment. What could go wrong?<br /><br />Although I will not write the number here, I will enter into the main reason for writing today. Female clothing sizes are absolutely meaningless and without reason or merit. The number attached to a pair of jeans for a woman has about the same value as the contents of a Chinese buffet's fortune cookie. <br /><br />This is what I learned from the conversation. The numbers have no actual reference to the physical world. There are generally consistent ways of numbering the sizes, but the variations are important. If the clothing is more expensive, you may be able to wear a smaller size, according to the number, at least. If you are shopping for bargain pants, you might be surprised by a larger size than you expected to see. In this nefarious system, there is actually a size zero. <br /><br />I imagined that there might also be a negative size, which, if you are able to wear it, actually transports you to Bizarro World. "Me wear minus two dress, go to Bizarro Club now -pop!-" <br /><br />Happy shopping!aablythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656248371954661012noreply@blogger.com2