Shameful!

It has been over a year & a half since I've blogged! I have established a place for my own little soapbox and I've neglected this sacred space!

On December 14, 2012 the US was blind sighted with a horrific event.

http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-201_162-10014902.html

The shooting at Sandy Hook School brought two emotionally charged topics to the table;
1. Gun control
2. Mental Health support

I have mixed feelings on gun control and many interesting viewpoints need to be evaluated. I know that I could not have a firearm of any kind in my home at this point in my life.

In respect to mental health support, we as a nation essentially suck at this. Not sure if it is has to do with the stigma of having a mental illness (I think we all have some form of MI (mental illness) embedded in our DNA.... just watch cable!)or the mental health system structure itself.  It has been suggested that included in an annual physical exam, a psychological assessment could be done at the same time. Hmmm? You're there in the office anyway. Would your physician use a standardized questionnaire or ask you a series of questions and create a narrative of your responses and body language cues?  I don't see this scenario feasible in today's health care field.

We, as a nation, need to get on the PRO active side of this conversation rather than the RE active side that we've been filling up the airwaves after each subsequent tragedy.Just this weekend a woman in New York was brought in for phsychological testing after pushing a man in front of a subway train.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/29/justice/new-york-subway-death/index.html?hpt=hp_bn1

I've recently subscribed to the NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) to keep this issue in view to keep the discussion going.... we need to do SOMEthing, now!


FYI : NAMI link
http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=your_local_nami

The Memory of an Elephant

Have you ever forgotten something very important? During those hectic "out- the-door moments", we tend to forget things, like keys, planners, cell phones, and the like. These issues can be easily remedied by strategic planning/placement of items in the future.

What happens when you forget important events that only come once in a lifetime, a wedding (ideally), birth of a child, first steps, meeting a significant person in your life? As we get older, our memories seem to cloud up. Photographs and journal entries are nice stimuli to spark that memory, but sometimes even those trigger a response.

In today's society we are bombarded with information at all hours of the day (how did we survive without cable television/CNN/internet!?!?). How can our brains filter the information effectively to keep the "good stuff" or the pertinent information and let the other information get recycled (environmentally friendly thought)?

It frustrates me that I can vividly recall insignificant events like the infamous "Bronco chase", yet, recalling specific events from a trip to my family's homeland seems to be a clouded memory. (They occurred within 5 years of each other).

The LOSS of innocence

MTV has (or had) "Skins,"16 and Pregnant" and "Teen Mom". Noticing a theme?? Not only are we "glamorizing" sexuality at an early age on television, I hear songs like Britney's little ditty "If U Seek Amy.." (seriously??) amongst countless others that have sexual undertones.Yesterday, I heard a Rhianna song on the airwaves titled "S &M" with lyrics such as: (and your kids are probably singing along!)

"Cause I may be bad, but I'm perfectly good at it Sex in the air, I don't care, I love the smell of it Sticks and stones may break my bones But chains and whips excite me"

WOW... glad I have a young adult child and not a tween in days like this. Messages through media (what I have mentioned is just a sample) are stripping the innocence of childhood. I know there are others out there with books like Cinderella Ate My Daughter by Peggy Orenstein that are debunking the princess culture of young girls. Boys are getting the message that girls are collateral, yuck!(my interpretation)

Our government is endorsing NASCAR yet de-funding public television (well, there IS that Katy Perry wardrobe fiasco ;) ) & public radio programs. Where are our priorities?

Parents of the US, please be in touch with your kids viewing/listening habits. I know that having discussions about issues can be taxing, uncomfortable & time-consuming. Raising your kids in a socially appropriate culture is worth the hassle, no?

Intelligence

After hearing this conversation on Speaking of Faith on "The Meaning of Intelligence", I thought of how much "manual" labor in our society is discredited. Yet, without those willing to to such labor, how ever will the extravagant buildings and bustling roadways ever be complete? However insignificant these tasks seem, they are necessary for progress.

On one of the recent blistering summer days, I surprised my postal carrier for her duty by leaving her an icy bottle of water. Acknowledging her work during that time made her feel valued.

Having "intellectual" conversations with people can be quite enlightening, keeping my brain synapses in constant motion. Yet, there are opportunities to discuss the mechanics of a task that sometimes seem more favorable.

Makes TOTAL sense

Quote from Andy Warhol:

"They always say that time changes things but you actually have to change them yourself".


I've noticed the truth of this statement in my most recent transition of my son leaving for college. The house is empty of his daily presence and my daily routine no longer involves juggling the car keys back & forth. I miss some of the hecticness that kept me grounded, yet I find the calm left behind almost pleasant. Investigating new opportunties encourages me to change my routine, because if I leave it as is, I will be running in place, going nowhere.

Simplicity...

Photograph by Alan Ross

Black and white photography captivates me. Light and shadow creates a unique dimension that we rarely see with our eyes. The process of catching this balance has been a challenge in my photographs. Ansel Adams was a pioneer in this art and several have followed. I thank them for the talent they posses and give me goals!

Certainly not like Monet!

A trip to the Art Museum makes me feel inspired to be creative. Perusing through the expansive galleries is a trip through history. When ancient people had nothing more than the tools they created with their bare hands, the meticulous handiwork astounds me.

Today we are provided with gadgets and instructions how to recreate masterpieces... why not establish your own!?

I attempt to free my mind of life's distractions prior to making a trip to the museum in order to fully appreciate the talents of those who toiled (or perhaps not) hours, months, years to create the works that grace the walls of our local (and FREE) cultural venue.

Occasionally I feel a bit intimidated looking at these pieces, frustrated at my limitations in the realm of art. The "mind's eye" is complex going from concept to the process of delivery. Photography is the most satisfying as it is the most direct route.


Perhaps when freeing up my art/creativity space, I shall surround myself with...

artful inspiration!