mermaidcamp
Keeping current in wellness, in and out of the water
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Black vs White and #LoveWins
June 28, 2015
— 5 Comments
White House
The United States is reeling from yet another mass shooting. The prayer group interrupted by violence is etched into the soul of the country, no matter where we live, no matter what our own religious affiliations. The idea that sanctuaries are not safe is a chilling reminder. While the world watched the church showed the meaning of Christianity and compassion. The city of Charleston displayed solidarity and strength in the face of the tragedy in one of the most significant structures in town. This flow of forgiveness and faith witnessed from the victims’ friends and families has been powerful in its simplicity. They managed to overcome the natural feelings of betrayal and loss by practicing what they preach. They defer judgement to God and pray for peace that surpasses all understanding. I am overwhelmed with gratitude to the congregation of Mother Emmanuel for teaching the country how to mourn, and how to move past sorrow into great compassion. We all need to heed this lesson. These people seem like saints, and indeed they may be. They have a powerful message of hope for us. Nothing is black and white. Nothing is really even under our control. Remember the first commandment when you think you might need to right some wrongs…this is clearly not your personal job.
Meanwhile, right before Gay Pride Weekend in many parts of the country, same sex marriage has become the law of the land. With rainbows flying and floating and projecting everywhere the party to celebrate these new civil rights began. The rainbows appeared early in the morning on Friday and by nightfall the projected rainbows fell on buildings and natural wonders of the world. Other countries celebrated with us by lighting structures to tweet with the hashtag #LoveWins. Twitter supplies a rainbow heart for each #LoveWins, adding to the colorful festive digital fiesta. I found the switch from our black and white racial and political divides to an all out rainbow nation to be refreshing. We need to have a reason to be proud, to embrace the happiness of others, and to actually celebrate equality. Rainbows signify our diversity and our harmony. Let us keep the faith that this nation still has the spirit and the will to make sure that #LoveWins in our future.
What is Community Policing?
June 14, 2015
— 1 Comment
The term community policing has been tossed around in the media lately by experts and citizens of all kinds. This trending topic has been defined by the US Department of Justice:
Community policing is a philosophy that promotes organizational strategies, which support the systematic use of partnerships and problem-solving techniques, to proactively address the immediate conditions that give rise to public safety issues such as crime, social disorder, and fear of crime. Community policing is composed of three key components:
Partnerships – Collaborative partnerships between the law enforcement agency and the individuals and organizations they serve to develop solutions to problems and increase trust in police.
Organizational Transformation – The alignment of organizational management, structure, personnel, and information systems to support community partnerships and proactive problem solving.
Problem Solving – The process of engaging in the proactive and systematic examination of identified problems to develop and evaluate effective responses.
I hope incorporation of these policies will take place as soon as possible. Within the organizational transformation plan is a geographic approach to assignments. In other words, provide neighborhood cops who know and interact with a certain area by assigning them to that area. This is essential in my opinion, and would be helpful where I live. The advice given is to despecialize the force, creating a more generally skilled team to handle most situations. Problem solving and cooperation with the public have been missing elements to improving the safety in our city. Obvious ongoing crime would be obvious to any cop who patrolled here all the time. The force would see what we see, and even become known to the neighbors. These concepts will improve safety for both officers and the public.
National Safety Month #McKinney Style
June 8, 2015
— 1 Comment
The month of June is designated as National Safety Month in the US. Attention to safe practices and awareness is geared toward making the country safer. During this year we are faced with graphic evidence that one threat to our safety can be the police. The teen pool party in McKinney, Texas that turned ugly can only be seen as inappropriate. An enraged cop tackled a teen girl smashing her face into the lawn, then drew his gun on bystanders. I feel the fear as I watch these proceedings. I imagine what my own feelings might be if I was taken down by an irrational armed cop. This reality does make me fear and loathe what police do in my country.
The Department of Justice and the White House sponsored a task force to make recommendations for 21st century policing. The report names 6 pillars on which to focus:
- Building Trust & Legitimacy
- Policy & Oversight
- Technology & Social Media
- Community Policing & Crime Reduction
- Training & Education
- Officer Wellness & Safety
There is a wider gap each day between the cops and the communities paying for police protection. It is not an easy task to build trust when we observe this kind of event on a regular basis. Law enforcement officers are hired to prevent crime and keep the peace. When they look like the most criminal among us, we are right to question the authority we have given them. I don’t know how to reverse this trend, other than doing what you can to love your neighbor and treat him as you want to be treated. That includes all of us.
Codepending with the Cops
May 17, 2015
— 1 Comment
TPD
In a co-dependent relationship each side wants the other to be different. One striking example today is the relationship between the public and the cops. Police departments across the country are found to be engaging in all kinds of costly and illegal practices that are not in the best interest of the taxpayers. One such practice is the use of public safety disability systems to pay off and retire problem (and criminal) cops. We foot the bill for all the retirement and disability payments retired cops are given, whether they are valid or not. Obviously we want to protect, heal and compensate those who are legitimate victims of on the job injuries. To do otherwise would be irresponsible and thoughtless.
Since this system is so easily deceived by bogus medical claims it only makes sense to examine the system for fraud. Tucson has unreasonably high disability figures compared to the national average for cops, which drains our coffers in an unsustainable way. Either we are really doing something that injures our employees more than other cities, or we are being taken for a ride much more than other cities. I sense that it may be a little of each. If they do nothing to take care of themselves they will not be healthy as they go through their careers. Obesity, drug addiction, depression, mental health issues, and low back problems would naturally arise from a work life sitting in a patrol car all day or wearing a bullet proof vest to compress the spine. There are significant risks to health besides getting shot or killed. I think this problem needs to be addressed. They have direct exposure to the worst of general public all day, every day. None of us could do that without experiencing a loss of optimism and bliss. PTSD is as real for the cops as it is for the people who go to war.
In Tucson our police department is drastically understaffed by the city council. They loose more to retirement and atrophy then they can replace by training because they are so far behind in the process. The lack of personnel leads to highly impaired service. I hear people say they can’t get through to 911 after holding for 5 minutes to report gun shots next to their home. I don’t try to call 911 because I have never had a response, and am not expecting that situation to improve by itself. I do report and send in pictures of suspicious activity and crime I see on a phone app. This is a way for me to contribute to better law enforcement without wasting my own time. I think most of the crime in my neighborhood goes unreported. People have no faith that there will be a response or a solution.
To provide protection under the law for our city Tucson needs:
- Engagement- Citizens and cops need to work on the same side to improve our neighborhoods
- Evidence- Citizens need to know that they are being heard and that evidence we provide is being considered and used to stop crime
- Ethics- Taxpayers need to know that our law enforcement budget is spent with return on OUR investment in mind.
TPD
Keep the Beat
April 23, 2015
— 8 Comments
Snapdragon
On stage alone declaring how holy is everything
Drama and grit in bohemian glory, unafraid, uncensored
Blazing through the living backwoods of words, bongos,
Coffeehouse in some village overflowing with reform
Of letters, of institutions, of all the powers who regulate
On fat asses that be in charge of declinations that articulate
Judgements for society not listening, nor daring to perform
Shocking truthful rage behind the masks worn as uniforms
Marching single file, lost in the mass shuffle of minds in thought
Keep the beat, a tribute to those poets who knew not what they taught
NaPoWriMo 2015
Ride the poetry train in April by boarding here. Enjoy reading writing and listening to diverse poets and beatnik bards.
Exchange
April 22, 2015
— 1 Comment
poppy
California Poppy
Currencies and agricultural pursuits have exchanges
Changing times, political events, require sensitive gauges
To measure then analyze the progress we have to report
Comparisons to perfection are built on data that we all support
The withdrawal from nature has no column in this audit of value
The inexhaustible generosity of earth has unlimited virtue
Flowing steadily down from high places feeding the demands
Of a hunger impossible to satiate that nobody alive understands
Pioneers of wilderness and giants of industrial conquest
Bequeath to the future a desolate landscape, fully processed
skull and crossbones
Find your muse and write some poetry this month. Enjoy the work of diverse poets here.
NaPoWriMo 2015
What Is My Modus Operandi?
December 11, 2014
— 6 Comments
unique bloom
The way you do one thing is the way you do everything. This is the theory that detectives use when they construct a modus operandi for criminals they want to catch and crimes that may be linked. In business it is helpful to know the M.O. of your customers or clients in order to better serve them. This way of observing things applies to politics and daily life just as much as it does to business and law enforcement. In our world today it is often necessary to construct a modus vivendi between individuals or groups just to survive. The U.S Congress is engaged in just such a desperate way of doing business. We look at big institutions and see these conflicts but rarely do we bring it down to a personal scale. How do I know what my own M.O. is? How do others perceive my communication? Do I poison the conversation with preconceived notions?
Normally we start be assuming we are right and entitled to our opinion. In conflict, however, both sides usually reveal some irrational thinking that arises from prejudice. If we bring some reflection to the subject beliefs often cloud all evidence to the contrary. We may not be able to start from the position that we might be wrong, but by asking some simple questions we may discover our own ulterior motives and intellectual weakness.
- Do I listen in an open spirit, without a need to form a reply?
- Do I do any research before adopting something as a fact?
- Am I more concerned with appearance than with reality?
- Do I hold any hard feelings for entire countries, races, or religious groups?
- Could I possibly be too prejudiced by my past to make good decisions on this subject?
- Can I see the opposition’s point of view?
- Is my argument based on fact or emotions?
Each of us has a unique way of doing business, and patterns are engrained in all of us. We could all do with less mendacity and obstruction in our lives. To do that we have to identify the ways we create that obstruction through our thoughts words and deeds. Look within, Gentle Readers. You are your own answer.
unique bloom
Spirit of Giving, Animism
December 10, 2014
— 8 Comments
first box to go
I have a rather animistic relationship with my possessions and potential possessions. I find them in a somewhat psychic shopping style, and buy them in a love at first sight condition. This happens on a regular basis with jackets..and other items of clothing. I adore costuming and potential costuming. I like it way too much. When I first find the unusual jacket/prom dress/beaded top I believe we are meant to be a pair. I see us as fabulous fashion partners stunning and shocking our fans. This is where the delusion begins..but not at all where it ends. It ends in my closet, my garage, and alas, gentle readers, in my barn. The truth is that after a brief romance, all these dazzling duds live a life of drudgery, never seeing any action or fun. I need to set them free for their own self realization. They need to party as their original construction intended. No clothing is happy in the bottom of the drawer or the back of the closet.
Yesterday on PBS radio a lady was reviewing a book about Japanese style tidying up and animistic treatment of the objects in the home. The author had been a Shinto shrine maiden in Japan in her youth, so she really knew a lot about space and ritual. Her method of cleansing starts with a realization that we are not treating our objects with love and respect if we allow them to pile up and collect dust. She emphasizes the feeling of happiness an object must evoke in order to stay in our presence. She aptly notes that old papers never give us feelings of happiness. By keeping so many objects that do not make us happy (any more) we restrict our own spacious feeling and daily comfort. I listened in the car to this radio interview and felt very personally touched by this message. I recently chipped the glass on vase containing fake amaryllis that my mother gave me about 15 years ago. It has been on display in my living room in a prominent place all those years and we have enjoyed it. It is not by any means the only gift I have that she gave me, but I do feel an attachment. My partner and I talked it over and joked about it, and I am ready to part with the object, for the good of all involved. Someone may recycle it if I set it free. It has served its purpose and now it can do something new.
Today my friend is going to visit while I go through my clothing to determine which items truly contain joy for me now. I do not dare to estimate how much needs to go, but I now see my wardrobe as a family. I have cramped the pieces into prison quarters with no light or air. How could they possibly be happy as my wardrobe, overcrowded and starved for attention? The majority of these items need to live in another person’s wardrobe, where they can be loved and treated well. Then I will have a well ordered place for the happy items that will remain with me. The Japanese method suggests that while our socks are in a drawer, they are on holiday. We want them to rest and feel good for the next time they go on our feet. We must pay attention to the state of the holiday resort by assuring proper order and visibility for the resting clothing. I totally love this whole concept, and am sure my clothing will applaud the good news. I just told a friend that by the end of the year I plan to make my closet look like a Shinto shrine. He said, “Send me a picture.” Now I have made a true commitment, and at this point nothing looks less like a shrine than my closet. I have a goal and a deadline. I look forward to making the clothing that makes the cut very happy in the future.
Giving Thanks for Less
November 18, 2014
— 5 Comments
chiles from the garden
Tucson winter
I am pleased that our household is free to interpret holidays in our own way, which might include not at all. When I was younger I had many family gatherings at my house with heavy responsibility and expense. I am thankful that I am free of that kind obligation now. Good or bad, the traditions that my parents embraced are not my own. Bob and I live in a city with wonderful dining and entertainment options. We like the idea of supporting those local business owners who provide happy hours, dinners, and delicious lunches. We normally buy some gift cards this time of year when the restaurants offer discounts. It is a fun way for us to make plans to do something special together and save a few bucks at the same time. This year the restaurant we chose is excluding the use of the gift card on holidays and special occasions. At first I was miffed because we had planned to go on Thanksgiving. Upon consideration we realized we don’t even like to celebrate on the real day because it is always crowded with all the servers stressed. We will just go the night before or the day after the real holiday for our party and have the restaurant to ourselves.
This philosophy is catching on quickly here. Rather than bring out lots of decorations for the house I am doing a full deep cleaning and clearing of our home. We have very little space now because we have crammed things into every corner and cabinet. We love art, but can’t find a place to display what we already own. It makes no sense for us to acquire more. The most impressive and useful gift I can think of for our home is a serious removal of clutter and junk from top to bottom. We need a big haul to the Goodwill much more than any shopping trip for new items. We are not cutting corners on anything we like, want, or need. We just don’t want or need a busy expensive winter season. I am ready for the holidays because I don’t build any false obligations or social pressure.
Christmas cactus
Here at our house we celebrate by:
- sharing happy hour at home with friends
- making our own holiday hootch to toast the season
- avoiding driving
- filling our home with music and scent
- gifting small homemade items to a few people
I am thankful for my stress free life. Less is the best for me. Is there anything you could easily eliminate to make this time of year less stressful?
Tucson sunset
Officer Evo, My Dream Cop
November 2, 2014
— 4 Comments
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- antique toys
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- antique toys
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- antique toys
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- antique toys
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- explaining the details
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- Engine 1
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- Restored to glory
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- Love the firetrucks
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- firefighter/truck restorer
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- firetruck selfie
Yesterday I met Canine Officer Evo of the Tucson Police Department. He and his human trainer were at the Cops and Rodders Car Show. This free annual event is sponsored by the Tucson Police Foundation. My partner Bob always brings his antique VW bug to be in the show and I always attend. This year was graced with perfect weather and some really artful vehicles of every kind. My favorite collection this year was old firetruck and cop car toys that a regular exhibitor brought just do try something different. It was also especially lucky because the restored firetruck that normally sits in the lobby at station one permanently happened to to out for some kind of repair, so the retired firefighter who works on this beauty drove it over to the park to be in the show. I love all the firetrucks. They are spectacular works of mechanical art. I was thrilled to have a chance to meet and ask questions of the retired firefighter who has done the body work on these antiques and is rightfully proud of his work.
The police are set up to meet the public and answer questions all day. They are divided into specialties according to training and equipment they use. The SWAT team is very popular because the robots interact with kids and pass a bottle of hand sanitizer, etc. They dress up in jumpsuits and stand next to their big vehicle. The helicopter lands and the crew hangs out all day. People love looking inside the cockpit and meeting the cops on our local beat, since they are usually flying over us shining big obtrusive lights around our hood. There is a booth with their heavy military artillery, a place with TPD recruiting information. At the end of the display I spotted a woman wearing a walking patrol uniform. I asked where she gets to do that, and the answer was downtown and 4th Avenue, a more urban part of town. The same officers do bike and walking patrols. We had a few in midtown and really wanted more on duty here, but they were canceled. Now we have no boots on the ground in midtown, which we regret because air support can only accomplish so much without a coalition on the ground to hold the territory. We have the helicopter on a very regular basis, but are not comforted by our relationship with it. It does not make any sense to us to cancel bike cops because the budget is too tight, and use the helicopter instead. There is such a thing as efficiency. I was feeling annoyed, as I often am, at the priorities (or total lack thereof) of government spending when I saw him, everything I have ever wanted in a police officer.
Evo rules
The canine unit has only 10 dogs. Not all of them are social, and therefore would not be brought out to meet and greet the pubic. Evo, however, is a total party animal. I had no idea they were loving, or that they even were allowed to party with the public. Imagine my surprise and delight when I came down to his level to say hi to him and was given big fat kisses all over my face. He just would not stop with the kissing while he showed me his tummy. We played for a minute and I fell deeply in love with him while his other fans waited to meet him. From little kids to adults, he charmed the humans as no other cop there had the power to do. His trainer opened the back of his car so his fans could see how he rides and answered the millions of questions we had. A very loud and aggressive lemonade vendor came by shouting out his wares. He meant no harm, but his shouting voice was out of place. Officer Evo did not bark to react like a pet dog might, but you should have seen him come to attention. His ears went shooting up and he left his PR job completely to focus on the risk the lemonade guy might pose. At that moment he displayed situational awareness the humans just can’t achieve. He had been there winning hearts and minds since 7:30 am when I met him about 2 in the afternoon. He showed infinite patience and stamina. Of course he is much younger than the human cops. He is only 4.
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- Evo wins hearts and minds
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- selfless service
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- Evo’s limo
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- Evo with the fans
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- falling in love
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- full frontal tummy
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- falling in love
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- Evo wins hearts and minds
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- what’s that?
I learned a lot yesterday even though I just went to see the vehicles. I came away with the following impressions:
- Bike cops would fit into the budget if we just get rid of a bunch of their cars and make them ride bikes in the hood
- We need well trained expensive bomb squads and assault rifles and helicopters, but not for primary care law enforcement
- If we put cameras on cops, sent them out on bikes, and deputized them to do code enforcement, they could do double duty working eliminate the slummy conditions that make the crime so endemic in the first place.
- If we hired more dogs and fewer humans we could get a lot more bang (or bark) for our tax buck.
I would like to see more paws and boots on the ground in midtown. Can I get an Amen?? If you don’t live in Tucson, gentle reader, then this may not seem to apply to you. Your city may also do inappropriate law enforcement stuff rather than more effective stuff just because they can. If they don’t, you are fortunate.
