mermaidcamp
Keeping current in wellness, in and out of the water
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In Tucson and around the country damage from mold is a serious issue. This health hazard can be dangerous to humans and pets. It is most devastating to real estate value because insurance companies rightly treat it like the plague. Mold that is rampant must be treated and removed to avoid spread and contamination of the entire area. Since the property with an adjoining wall has been used to collect donations for a decade, the water has been leaking profusely for months, and everything points to heavy duty mold damage I have repeatedly asked the HOA board that collects the donations from the public to hire Rocky the Mold Dog, who appears on TV. He is a beagle with a nose for mold. He sniffs the property and helps the humans identify problems so they can be treated. All health department code has been violated in this building for more than a decade. The unsupervised food collection, storage, and preparation in a leaky environment is a very likely contributor to the growth of mold. There is probable cause to believe the building is completely infested with mold which is damaging my home every day.
There is much more than a conflict of interest between the HOA board members who run the charity scam collecting donations, and the property owners in this neighborhood. I had some work done on my home recently and was informed by the contractor who did the work about the level of danger to my structural integrity posed by the neglect of my next door neighbor. He took some pictures of the rotting roof piled with debris, and explained that the load of all that garbage was a serious threat to my home. He taught me a lot that I did not know about the dangers and damage that mold represents. I read my insurance policy and spoke to my agent who explained the complex and very depressing details of mold, what it does, and what happens to your insurance policy once it is discovered. I am officially freaked out about the physical damage the charity scam has done to my home. The donation traffic has slowed to nothing, the water leak was repaired a couple of days ago after leaking for at least 6 months. I need the people who took advantage of all their neighbors to begin to acknowledge reality and the neighborhood by getting a mold test to confirm or deny the presence of a very hazardous material. Their behavior suggests that they do no believe in cause and effect. Believe it or not, every action will continue to have an equal and opposite reaction.
Mold and Your Health
June 28, 2013
— 5 Comments
Betrayal and Trust
June 24, 2013
— 3 Comments
The decision to trust is a risk. Calculating risk should be a skill we develop and improve over our lives. The influence of relationships on our faith in others is central. Early betrayal can be a blessing because it can prevent deeper problems by showing true colors. Trust and the possibility of betrayal arise together. If we trust the government, or our spouse, or boss, we may find that faith has been misplaced. Few of us have the ability to accurately judge or predict the behavior of our closest companions. Being blind to imperfections is neither healthy nor honest. If we are honest we can admit our own imperfections, and our own potential to betray others. With perspective we can see how our national anger has damaged the entire society.
The rose-colored glasses version of America was a risk. The more we spun ourselves into the greatest country in the world, the more we found ourselves betrayed as a nation. The more we fought for our way of life around the world (whatever that meant), the more undesirable our way of life became. The more we declared war on everything from drugs to terror, the more ground we lost in the global trust department. Now American security is breeched on a regular basis in fairly spectacular fashion. It is lucrative, I imagine, for some, but it is becoming a badge of courage. If the seed of betrayal is trust, then it must also follow that after betrayal trust becomes mature and discerning. It is a cycle, gentle reader.
Transformational Groups and Language
June 13, 2013
— 1 Comment
I am in a chat group with some people who have been to est training or the Landmark Forum, but I have not done that. I enjoy their point of view, but am amused by much of the jargon. Recently somebody in that group asked if others had alienated others with special transformational language. I had to laugh and think of what my own transformational groups and languages have been:
- childhood neighbors
- early childhood school friends
- summer camp buddies
- petroleum camp amigos from Venezuela
- high school choir and drama students
- hippies
- spa bunnies
- swimmers
- vegetarians
- Swiss
There are sub groups,but these are the majors. I have recently been united with my early childhood neighbors and school friends, one of whom went to summer camp with me. I have also gotten in touch with many old friends and neighbors who lived in San Tomé, Venezuela in the early 1960’s. This mostly bilingual group has a language and a culture that is unique. I am not in contact with any high school or college friends, but a small group with whom I worked in a theater company in Cherokee, NC in 1968 has been drawn together through social media. The hippies, spa bunnies, swimmers, and vegetarians all switch places and morph into the current culture. I know a few of each group from the past. I stay in touch with Swiss friends, although I have not visited for a few years now.
The language, slang, and meaning of these transformational groups imprint on us as individuals, and as a collective groupthink. We share memories that fit together like jigsaw puzzles. In the last month I have been amazed to learn some of the things my elementary classmates remember about me, and what I know about them. The past plays back like a very funny movie, missing lots of dialog and motive. What seemed insignificant is memorable, and what was important at the time has lost significance. We do have a thread of common language, and some common ideas. Although we may no longer be a group who hangs out in real life, we somehow are still transforming each other. Even learning about the death of some of our old comrades shakes the foundation of mortality, the ultimate transformation.
Red Rover with Big Brother
June 12, 2013
— 1 Comment
post industrial reflection
We are pretending that the data analysts of the world are geeks and, therefore, benign. How silly can we be? My own father jumped from slide rule to mainframe computer just to get bigger data. The rest of his life was consumed by the opportunity to get more and bigger data. He taught petroleum engineering students how to analyze big data to manage oil fields. He was recruited by IBM in the late 1950’s to be a believer. Data was the future and the future was bigger data.
My parents and all their petroleum friends around the world distinguished themselves by the mass quantities of alcohol they consumed. They liked Ike, war, cars, and cocktails. I never saw them as particularly in touch with reality. They were, in their day, the big science data mangers trusted to produce energy for the planet. They were distinctly reckless, especially my father. He adored fracking and exploding stuff of all kinds. In his 60’s he became a reckless hot air balloonist, risking the lives of many to get his kicks. I am not saying they were evil..not at all. They were lots of fun, and popular for their party antics. What I am saying is that humans handle the data, and I suspect each person attracted to this kind of power (of geekiness and arcane knowledge) of wanting to pervert the universe. I see the greatest generation as having used science to do much damage. I think the Boomers will not be remembered so well in data history either. Control of politics and data has turned into a giant Red Rover dare. Protecting all the various digital borders is now impossible, so cyberinfo is a volatile hacking paradise.
Now there is so much data nobody has any idea how to manage it, let alone isolate the people ethical enough to handle it. This whole idea and verbiage of leak is indicative of the problem. We now have such a complex web of data moving non stop that leaks of all kinds are inevitable. People will now devote their lives and fortunes to creating and finding leaks of important data. The data came from Pandora’s box, but it is much too big to be contained now. We let it all out, then we dare Big Brother to come over. I witnessed first hand the people who conquered the oil fields with data and science. They suffered from intense ignorance. We do too. It is not the tool, but the user,who makes the decisions, who has the power to change the outcome. I am not so worried about NSA wasting time analyzing my data as I am about all misdirected data studies everywhere. This data smuggling and whistle blowing has only just begun, gentle reader. We have a tangled web of growing data to interpret, store and hide.
Charts and Maps
June 4, 2013
— 1 Comment
I love maps and charts. I am wild about pedigrees and anatomical models. The visual imagery path is my natural way to learn. I read, but to really get into a subject, I read charts, mind maps, and even word derivation. I am curious about where things arise and where they go. I like charts because they show momentum and details that we would not be able to hold in our heads without a picture. Here are words about the time I was born:
Zodiac in degrees 0.00 Placidus Orb:0
Sun Aquarius 9.58 Ascendant Aries 5.44
Moon Scorpio 10.22 II Taurus 14.09
Mercury Capricorn 16.19 III Gemini 10.55
Venus Aquarius 28.33 IV Cancer 3.18
Mars Pisces 6.24 V Cancer 26.12
Jupiter Pisces 10.52 VI Leo 24.41
Saturn Libra 2.03 R VII Libra 5.44
Uranus Cancer 6.10 R VIII Scorpio 14.09
Neptune Libra 19.30 R IX Sagittarius 10.55
Pluto Leo 18.50 R Midheaven Capricorn 3.18
Lilith Gemini 12.49 XI Capricorn 26.12
Asc node Pisces 19.42 XII Aquarius 24.41
Now here is the chart:
Birth Chart
I like the visuals. One part of our intelligence is keyed into these pictures and symbols. We take in the information in a different way when we see it in a circle. The practice of drawing mandalas, or any circular design has been a hobby of mine since I was a child. I had a toy called the Magic Designer that held round paper discs and created geometric designs. This technology would later become Spirograph.
I think my love for charts makes me a good navigator. I have done a fair amount of it in planes and cars with accuracy. I enjoy knowing exactly where I am. The same can be said of my family tree. I stay the same, but as the tree grows and I learn more about my pedigree I have a much fuller picture of my karmic situation. If you read charts, now you do too, gentle reader.
Communication Loop
May 16, 2013
— 4 Comments
Butterfly convo
“The single biggest problem in communication
is the illusion that it has taken place.” GB Shaw
Are you in communities? Are you a leader? Do you create valuable content? Does the internet make you compulsive and lonely? I have read several posts lately about the brains of depressed people, and the effects of loneliness on health. It appears that insomnia, which seems to afflict most Americans now, can be a result of altered and damaged circadian rhythms. Depression makes the day/night self timer malfunction. Isolation from live social contact proves to be as damaging to overall health as smoking or obesity. It destroys the self monitoring abilities we learned in elementary school to survive in a social world. Now that social order has been redefined, healthy relationships are less likely to evolve. Human lovingkindness is essential for mental and physical health and well being.
Time spent with screens is not without merit, but if life is to be lived fully screen time has to be secondary to real human interaction. Screen communication increases the chances of faulty assumptions on everyone’s part. We normally present ourselves in the best light possible, keeping the shadow issues away from the public forums. We know others must edit along the same favorable lines to give a spin on their life and times that makes them appealing. How much noise is generated and how much valuable exchange? The answer is never final. It is a mix of magical electronic connections and spammy, even dangerous, invasions of privacy. Caveat emptor, gentle reader. The internet is what you make of it.
History and Record Keeping
April 30, 2013
— 1 Comment
If I learned one thing on my ancestry quest in Massachusetts it is that the record keeper is the author of history. I have realized this by finding census and other documents that conflict with each other while studying my ancestors. Never has it been so clear. I believed that the tribe would have the information on the tribe in Mashpee, so I went straight to the museum to inquire. Because they rely on records kept by the Europeans the family trees are reconstructed using English last names. They use what they have. The records looked like they started in the 1800’s.
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- tribal ancestry
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- mural
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- corn
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- metate
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- display
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- corn and grinder
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- Jeanne Peters, volunteer
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- photos of the past
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- display
I was unhappy about the state of affairs. The tiny tribal museum has little funding, and can open only a few hours, a couple of days a week. I then traveled to the big well funded museum at Plimouth Plantation. Wow, what a difference!!!
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- entrance to museum
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- Plimouth
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- to the Wampanoag homesite
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- greeter
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- fur seating
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- traditional vessel
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- dugout demo
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- dugout maker
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- fire in the lodge
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- rabbits and corn stew
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- winter home
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- sewing double ball
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- snack time?
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- nuts and dried berries
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- elder with wampum
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- Giles the Pilgrim
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- interior of a house
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- lady Pilgrim
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- fancy house
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- Pilgrim building
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- first person interpretation
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- church/fort
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- cannons above church
The museum at Plimouth Plantation is doing some revisionist history in order to correct many of the assumptions and erroneous stories that exist about the Mayflower and the native people. The Pilgrims play characters in period costume, expressing the beliefs of the time and place. The Pilgrims were religious prudes who considered themselves religiously superior to all other religions. They also felt entitled to take anything they wanted from the native people because they had permission from the King of England. Their church was fortified on top with cannons in all directions. I guess they felt that God and the King needed some back up. Although I had a few Pilgrims and only one ( I think) Wampanoag ancestor, I distinctly disliked the pretend Pilgrims when I met them. I am, however, glad they kept some records at the time.
Wellness Account
April 3, 2013
Paying attention is the first step to wellness. Our individual health is like a bank account. We deposit good constitution and healthy habits such as whole fresh food and solid rest. When things go wrong it is impossible to tell which check has overdrawn the account. If you take out more than you put in this will always be the result. Rather that be too crazy about diagnosis and specific remedies, a good overview can help sort out the most crucial from the unimportant. How and why do you use your own resources to damage your health?
Our bodies consist of an advanced bundle of cells and energy connected to create this network of life, feeling and emotion. We are a conduit to something fantastic and sometimes unimaginable; a Responsive Universe…. Our bodies are our best friends. We need to listen to our bodies signals – wellness is the only true focus. Are you listening?
Please check out my latest article published at MindBodyGreen which focuses on listening to our bodies and how we can positively respond to those signals…
Do You Listen To Your Body’s Signals?
John C. Bader
About the Book: www.responsiveuniverse.com
Now Available: Amazon Barnes & Noble
Dreams and Dreamers
March 22, 2013
— 5 Comments
Your dreams are personal and they arise from the collective unconscious as well as your own. We all share a foundation of unknown mythology that our ancestors built into our beliefs. We share, and sometimes rebel against, cultural practices and teachings. To deeply analyze our own psychological types dream work is necessary. The setting and the characters portrayed in dreams are metaphorical players in our spiritual lives. Deeper understanding of our own unconscious leads to better understanding and appreciation for all of life.
There has been an attempt to hijack the word dream and turn it into a house or a car, or that illusive American Dream. The big consumer consciousness promotes purchases of certain items in order to fulfill a dream. It also spotlights outer image as the key to dreaminess. I think it is important to note that marketing experts use the personality types to design ad campaigns and sales persons use them to craft the appropriate pitch for the prospect. The archetype technique is being used strategically to manipulate you and your dreams. If you submit willingly you will buy a lot of stuff with dubious dream fulfillment. Take the reigns, gentle reader. Design your own dreamscapes and accept no substitutes.
The Prince Archetype
March 21, 2013
— 4 Comments
In literature and mythology the prince is an archetypal figure. In drama or our lives the prince represents one who must take the mysterious and trying journey to become king. His dark shadow companion is the wanderer, who never accepts reposnsibility and continues to avoid the dignity and responsibility of his royal inheritance. They look a bit like William and Harry, honestly. The prince can be charming or dark in his presentation. He may complete his journey and become king, but there is no guarantee.
Carl Jung identified 4 masculine archetypes, and made the assertion that to be whole man must be in touch with all of them. He also explained the bi-polar potential inherent in each character. They are described as shadow and positive qualities. The soul embarks on an epic journey to mature on earth. The heroes and Prince Charmings of our lives have lessons to teach as well as to learn. When you think of this archetype who pops into your thoughts? Americans have some pretty wild versions of the prince from Disney to the artist formerly and once again known as Prince. How do we know when our American prince becomes a king? tricky..
