mermaidcamp
Keeping current in wellness, in and out of the water
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Birth of a Blogger
October 12, 2012
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I play the part of Auntie Mame to three kids who live in California. I am not grandmother, aunt, or even Jewish, which gives me a distinct place in the family order. I have creative freedom that the other players do not have. I can be indulgent, which I am. I can go home and ignore them, which I do all the time. I feel a responsibility to model for and with them a fair and loving friendship between kids and an adult. This means the authority card can not be played unless there is a dire emergency. We are equals. Of course if I lived with them full time this would collapse quickly, because adults do need authority in order to hang out with kids at all.
They each have distinct talents and abilities. If I have a favorite it would be Max because we share similar interests in technology. This is the child every Apple share holder wants to meet. I think he wants to marry Siri. The kids inherit my old Apple products and are now officially hooked. The issue is that when a boy is alone with his computer, he is likely to just play stupid games and become addicted to it like to the TV. They need restrictions in order to have balance, so mom has very reasonable rules for tech use, which is a powerful force in discipline. To loose privileges to be with the electronics is severe for these guys, so they do behave in order to avoid it.
Yesterday I negotiated the permission for Max to start a blog. He quickly set up his WordPress page and published a picture of himself from the morning as his first post. I convinced mom that the archive will be her most precious possession that she will not need to file or protect. It will be there. Now comes the fun. He is extremely enthusiastic and interested. Mom is happy too because now he does not like to write. I have urged him to be consistent and thoughtful about his content. We talked about technical quality and how to develop interesting posts others want to read. I am curious to see how this will develop. I wonder if his enthusiasm can be maintained, and if he will use this practice wisely. Do you know any kids who blog, and how they got started blogging? I am very interested in finding other youngsters who are involved in this world.
It is with great pride that I present to the blogiverse the talented, the witty , and the very young Mr. Max Levy:
Max in front of his house
I ripped off his first post, which is this picture. Please join me in wishing him blogging success. We may all learn a lot from this young man. He teaches me all the time. Go Max!!!
Non Stop Bucks
October 10, 2012
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I am not the only one wishing the political campaign dollars had been spent on the real problems instead of talking about those problems while blaming others. If you have children who must compete for attention, dollars, education, etc, picture a nation of these children. The soon to be elected leaders are trying to become head of our national household. They are advertising, traveling, and spending money like crazy to convince voters that they are the best for the job. The race it self is boring, but the budgets to bore are outrageous. Vast sums that can be traced to donors, and even bigger super pacs whose donations remain anonymous run the heavily negative ads.
Imagine how your life would be if the members of your household voted on the leadership who control the money spent in the household. What kind of ads would be run to woo the members of your family? Politics always chooses winners and losers by crafting legislation. This never ending cycle of winning/loosing/changing the laws is paid for by the people subject to those laws. Parents and monarchs can dispense with being elected or making a promise to anyone. We know what to expect from their performance after we observe them in action. Some are wise, some silly, egomaniacal, or weak. The good ones seem to get better with time and experience. They do not need to constantly campaign to stay in the monarchy or parenthood, so they can develop wisdom with all that spare time.
The country that allows all this wasteful expenditure on political campaigning is not in a position to afford to blow so much money. Part of the big argument is about the nation’s debt. I do not see any future in keeping the system that proclaims that we are too big to stop borrowing and too cranky to agree on how to spend money. The Swiss are famously cranky about how to spend money, but have solved this problem within their political system. They keep the tax revenues in the canton, working for the people who paid the taxes, as they see fit. They have, but do not go overboard, with the idea of a federal government. There is a beautiful building in Bern to house the congress, which has two chambers, similar to our own. There are no lobbyists, no free parties for the federal employees who serve in the Bundeshaus. In fact, congress is in session in Bern for only 25% of the year. The rest of the time these civil servants go live at home and make a living like other citizens. The salary to serve is not high, so they must want to do it for the service aspect. I wish the US congress could be treated like that. If they did not have that full time free lunch waiting for them every day from lobbyists, they might be able to work effectively for the people who paid all those taxes. Throwing new groups of bums out every 4 years does not seem to be leading to enlightened governance. It makes sense to throw out the system that creates all these bums.
Mumming and Masquerade
October 8, 2012
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The traditions that exist around costumed rituals abound. Mumming may be from the Irish, may be from the Celtic, but now is interpreted by many modern Brits to honor an ancient tradition. The costumes are significant both in the way they change and in the similarities to ancient customs. Straw boys represent good luck, and are sent to visit newly married couples. There are specific plays and characters for Christmas and Halloween in modern mumming that are uninterrupted traditions from ancient history.
Today people have avatars, play games as super heroes, and give themselves any title they please in their on line lives. I think it is interesting that there are so many groups passionate to preserve the costuming and cultures from history, from Civil War reenactments to the merry mummers of the British Isles, to Helldorado Days in Tombstone, AZ. The tradition of mime is related to the mummers. The costume tells much of the story, just as it does in many Naive American dances. Will you dress up for the end of October? Will you do anything special to honor the dead? It is the perfect time.
Day of the Dead
October 5, 2012
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death photo
All Souls Day in the Catholic tradition is a time to honor and remember the dead. In native belief systems of the Americas death played a central part. Making fun of death, or mocking the fanciest parts of life have gone together forever, everywhere. In Basel Switzerland I saw a collection of art from the middle ages portraying the same dancing skeletons used in Mexico to show death as a fiesta. Being mindful of mortality is known as memento mori. Skulls and other reminders of the transience of life were used in churches and religious settings. Ancestors graves have been a place of reverence for almost all peoples. Art depicting death in a whimsical or dramatic way has been with us in many cultures around the world. To remember mortality is essential to living a full life.
If there are rituals in the entire culture that honor the souls of departed there is a continuity. Fear of of death is made comical when portrayed as the dance of death or the fancy dressed skeleton. The folly of amassing worldly goods seems obvious when the fiddler and the dancers have nothing but bones and clothing. In 1839 the possibility of capturing the image of a dead person became very popular. I have seen quite a few graves embellished with photos. Others use symbols. Have you ever given any thought to your own death, your own grave and epitaph?
Tucson celebrates All Souls Weekend in a mixed tech cultural expression of art and celebration. By building personal or community altars, by artful masquerade, and by watching or participating in the procession Tucsonans have the opportunity to bring mortality to life. Come on down to the Old Pueblo for an old time custom revived.
dance macabre
marigold offering
Asteya
October 4, 2012
Honoring what belongs to others is a yama, or social restraint, set out by Patanjali in the yoga sutras. To practice asteya is to understand that being satisfied with what I have is essential to my contribution to society. It also requires that I honor the time, accomplishments, and possesions of others. The yamas are simple and straightforward, designed for endless practice. They provide an ethical framework for living in this world while seeking enlightenment. Asteya has the effect of priming the pump by a mindset of coveting absolutely nothing. It is to be satisfied. It is to respect everyone’s boundaries and belongings. The most precious belonging anyone has is time.
Lena West
At the TribeUpNY on the equinox we enjoyed the presence and the teachings of Ms. Lena West, social marketing historian/wizard/teacher cum laude. She made the excellent point that time is not money, as the trite saying would have us believe. She ably demonstrated that time wasted can never be found. Money can be leveraged. If one cares to increase the value and the impact of time it must be leveraged as well. Her point is that influence is real, is valuable, and is gained by leveraging ( focusing) time. It was not her intention to come off yogic. Her message was 100 % asteya. Do what you do well. Don’t try to digest the entirety of the world at all times. Make and respect boundaries that create value. When you focus on your own well, take care of it and set limits on it, flow happens. When your focus travels to distractions of any kind you loose the value of the time that is only given once. I think Lena Patanjali West is brilliant. Here is her presentation from TribeUp:
Big Chief
October 2, 2012
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Triberr held the first TribeUpNYC on the equinox, 22 September, 2012. I flew in the day before to enjoy the neighborhood with some friends. I was very happy to be in the city after so many years of absence. The weather was perfect, the crowd was the right size, and the speakers all delivered value in different ways. The face of Triberr is Dino Dogan. He has a booming voice with a cute tiny accent. He is welcoming and very self assured. This event was like no others because this tribe is itself unique. The material presented was valuable and current. It was the combination of the hospitality provided by Media Labs and the sponsors and the high quality of every aspect of the event that created a memorable afternoon. To be true to the tribe’s core value of influence over traffic the small group was treated to delicious party food and drink while given plenty of time and space to schmooze. No name tags, very little Powerpoint, and one guy won a new iPad in the drawing…this was my kind of conference. I am not so much encouraging extra participation in the next New York TribeUP because it was outstanding to be there off peak ( for the first one). There is a plan to spread the Tribal spirit throughout the land. I think that is a good idea. Let’s TribeUp Tucson!! ( not the same as cowboy up for those of you who live here).
Mr. In Between
September 30, 2012
My friend and I have been in a discussion about what is a typical New Yorker. I have gone to visit, enjoyed the company, pondered the nature of things and done ancestry research. TribeUpNYC was a fine example of how simple and yet how complex New York City is now and always will be. I have always appreciated the culture and the talent, not to mention the exceptional goods available there. I have never before attended a conference held in Manhattan.
I knew this was the conference for me because it was being held by my blogging tribe Triberr. I enjoy participating with other bloggers in sharing content and appreciating each other. I like the nature and helpful vibe of the big chiefs, so I decided to go in person. I was blown away by the perfection of the event to my own needs as a blogger. Seriously professional points of view were effectively delivered, including a section about comedy. We were both entertained and educated before being turned loose to party with some yummy food and drink created by mighty fine Haitian caterers. There was that international mix that is common in Manhattan. That is how those of us from way out west know something is very different. We are not in Tucson any more. Multi lingual, multi ethnic cuisine is just the start of the exciting shift.
I was very happy to be able to meet many people I had known on line in one way or another, and thrilled to have direct access to the presenters. They all hung out schmoozing around the party giving darshan. They were all really impactful, and wildly diverse, just as one might want to have in any tribe. Lena West introduced herself as a New Yorker, and my friend Marc and I agreed she is a typical one. She was brilliant and to the point. Her most important teaching in my recollection is that time is not money. Money can be made, lost, made, grown, lost again, invested, etc. Time spent has been spent forever. This brings me back to my definition of the typical New Yorker. Time management is way different for New Yorkers because just being there takes up huge amounts of time and money. Strategy is wildly important to them.
I nominate Lena as typical New Yorker for the following reason: She has no time for Mr. In Between. I think that is what they all have in common. They are masters of a certain kind of discernment.
Bonfire of the 10th Great Grandfather
September 29, 2012
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Rowland Taylor, burning at stake
In England the official night for bonfires is Nov. 5. In Britain it is officially to recall a plot to blow up the king in 1605. Lewis, a town in East Sussex, England is a special center for this holiday. In Lewis the processions of very fancy dress include 17 burning crosses, symbolizing 17 Protestant martyrs killed by Mary Tudor between 1555 and 1557. One of these martyrs was Rowland Taylor, my 10th great grandfather.
Rowland Taylor (1510 – 1555)
is your 10th great grandfather
Son of Rowland
Son of Thomas
Son of Thomas
Son of James
Son of John
Son of John
Son of John
Son of John Nimrod
Son of John Samuel
Son of William Ellison
Daughter of George Harvey
William Ellison Taylor (1839-1918) was a preacher in the Church of Christ, a veteran of the Civil War, and a farmer. I never knew him, but have some of his written documents, including his war records and Confederate pension application. I am not sure what happened with religion between Rowland and William. There is something spooky and creepy about being the subject a bonfire that is burned to commemorate your own ancestor’s burning. It does not make me feel more religious, that is for sure.
Guilllaume Vigne, my 12 Great Grandfather
September 28, 2012
Manhattan in 1600s
My 12th great grandfather was in the first settlement of Dutch immigrants in Manhattan. Guillaume and his wife Adrienne were in New Amsterdam in 1613 as part of the crew of the trading ship Tiger. The ship burned in the harbor. After your ship burns you have fewer choices than before your ship burned. They persevered, as was their way. I am a result of their persistence.
Guillaume Vigne (1586 – 1632)
is my 12th great grandfather
Daughter of Guillaume
Daughter of Maria
Daughter of Abigail
Daughter of Aeltie
Son of Anneke Abramse
Daughter of Cornelius
Son of Annatje
Daughter of Johannis P
Son of Anna
Son of Swain
Daughter of Jerimiah
Son of Minnie M
Son of Ernest Abner
They came to New York after staying in Leiden, a very popular place for my entire family at that time. They offered religious tolerance at a time when Catholics were out for blood. People took big risks in those days to be part of a religious group. After arrival in Manhattan they had to survive by their wits and ability to trade and farm in the surroundings. Adrienne gave birth to the first Dutch male child born in the new world. Their daughter Maria continued to thrive and trade and live in Manhattan with her new fancy Dutch husband from Albany. They were very established by that time. After all, just 4 years after Henry discovered the Hudson the Vignes were there in the Tiger. You could say they were original New Yorkers. I can say no wonder I love lower Manahattan so much and feel at home there.
Satya
September 26, 2012
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ST Teresa of Avila
Truth and the relationship one has with it are both elements of discernment. Each person has a reality that is colored by the limits placed on observation. I have noticed that Americans have been trending toward believing what can be seen has value, whereas what is invisible has no merit or value. When presented with a choice of money or wisdom it would be very common for most to choose money as a solution to any problem. If we only consider short term solutions, money does come in handy. If we look at how the problem to be solved now has arisen we often find there has been misuse of finances. If no new wisdom arrives with new funding, this problem will very likely to expand to the extent that the new funding allows.
Some of you are naturally thinking of politics, but that is not my subject today. Satya, or the truth that is love, exists. It has no need to be believed in order to continue being true. The details, and the attention given to the infinitesimal either hide or make clear what is true. You are a detective in your own life. You not only choose your environment and the people you encounter, but you fill in all the details by focusing on some while ignoring others. When I loose an object in my office and start to hunt for it I never cease to be amazed by what I find while searching. The longer it takes me to find the desired object, the more I am able to sort, file, dump, and make clear what is in there all the time. Clearing away the outdated, the insignificant, and the garbage makes a new level of truth exist between my office and me.
St Teresa of Avila was a woman determined to see the divine in the details of life. Interesting to me is that her focus on every little tiny thing eventually brought her a big fat vision of Interior Castles. I take this to mean that when and if I finally clear out all the junk in my life I too will see my interior wealth. I already prize teaching over money, but St. Teresa is hinting at something even more elaborate and permanent. I am sure that the stern Teresa could never have allowed her office to become such a mess. She does give hope in her quote, “To reach something good it is very useful to have gone astray, and thus acquire experience.” This is very good news. There may well be castles under all this junk.
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