This is what we’ve come too and accepted as normal...

The package doesn’t match the purchased product.

This week Julia and I went out to visit my Grandma and check out a few other stops.
One of the stops was Sonic.  It's a drive in burger joint - I refuse to link to there site.

I was excited by the drive in atmospere...  it reminded me of my youth with A&W.  We ordered our food and it was delivered.  All good.

At some point I noticed the posting for fried ice cream and looked closer... 

It clearly says - FRIED ICE CREAM!
Then a selling blurb...  Prepare yourself to crave...

Then WAY down at the bottom with an "*"
"Product consists of soft serve, rather than fried ice cream."

HUH???  Is it fried or not???

I say... we've come to accept this from media, politicians, stores...  the actual product doesn't match the advertisement.  Sooo sad.  Yet hopeful too... maybe folks can figure out how to force companies to be transparent and fair with their advertising AND their products.

Hello all...  SITREP is military for a situation report.  A "checkin" if you will.

Well I see in a few days away things have changed a bit at ZNG again.

BLUF: 

I’ve just completed three 8-9 hour days of straight classroom/seminar on Iraq and Middle Eastern topics.  My brain feels quite full...  like putting a fire hose in each ear and turning them on full blast while plugging one’s nose.  It’s been good to know my fellow staffs feel much the same – even those who have been there before.

My joking about being in a crash graduate program on the Middle East became real because when I finished the online portion, prior to this seminar, I found that by writing a short paper and finishing what I have I get 4 Graduate level credits in Middle Eastern Studies.  Hmmm...  I’m not sure I’ll write a paper.  It’s just nice to know I wasn’t exaggerating for effect.

The presenters were all published experts with doctorates and extensive biographies.   Ranged from Iraqi Nationals to Pentagon Analysts; even a CNN reporter we’ve all likely seen on the TV.

The basic message was hope for the near and far future. 

I find myself feeling two things. 

First gratitude is felt.  I’m grateful that the timing has allowed me to be involved in Iraq at a time, and in a way, that fits with my personal views and ideals.  That the new scope of operations and focus truly seems to desire an outcome where Iraq is a Democratic Nation.  I’d only Caveat that with a sense of sadness that many of the problems we’re attempting to fix for them are still happening here at home.  Still grateful though.

Second I wish every US citizen had the time, energy, and ability to access to all this info.  That everyone would have a basic understanding of Islam, of historical & economic context, of military operations and strategic goals.  Yet I realize most of us don’t even have that regarding our own country with only a few 100 years of history.

One take away from these last three days which sticks clearly in my mind and which has been completely backed by my varied experiences in life. 

 

In the USA we treat 1,000 miles away as next door and 10 years ago as ancient history.  The majority of the world treats 15 miles away as next door and 100 years ago as yesterday.

Could apply this to the current “bailout” votes and how the word ENRON never comes up.

 

Blessings to all and to all a goodnight!

David

Oh the insights and humor are flowing today folks.  Thanks to Joybringer for the kickoff and a relink to Swami Beyondananda.

Like he says:

“Life is like photography, use the negatives to develop.”

If you haven’t heard of this guy set down your soda pop and check him out.

 

“...endorphins cause our blood vessels to dilate which is better than having them die early.”

“Ego. Egoing. Egone.”

 

Then in my inbox a link to this fake movie trailer.  It should be a movie for real IMO.

Found Al Frankens views on troop strength in Iraq and agree with the assessment overall.  Though I did send him a message questioning why he thinks the de-Baathification process is “disastrous”.

Also in the inbox was an article by Tim Wise explaining white privilege in view of the current election.  Agree with that too though if I didn’t I’d probably dismiss it immediately as a hate filled attack.  

 

Another little quote from the last three days of training:

I can’t change your perception with my facts.

 

Lets all rejoice in our fools folly together.

The beauty of the internet in it's current form is that we can share almost immediately with each other what we're experiencing.

I stepped out my door today and quickly took some pics.

The beauty is grand.  I will miss the color next fall yet will hold the memory near.

Funny stuff from the inbox.  I've seen it before yet it's woth a chortle.  Snopes has more to say about this passing around the web.

The answer by one student was so "profound" that the professor shared it with colleagues, via the Internet, which is, of course, why we now have the pleasure of enjoying it as well:

Bonus Question: Is Hell exothermic (gives off heat) or endothermic (absorbs heat)?
Most of the students wrote proofs of their beliefs using Boyle's Law (gas cools when it expands and heats when it is compressed) or some variant.

One student, however, wrote the following:
First, we need to know how the mass of Hell is changing in time. So we need to know the rate at which souls are moving into Hell and the rate at which they are leaving. I think that we can safely assume that once a soul gets to Hell, it will not leave. Therefore, no souls are leaving. As for how many souls are entering Hell, let's look at the different religions that exist in the world today.

Most of these religions state that if you are not a member of their religion, you will go to Hell. Since there is more than one of these religions and since people do not belong to more than one religion, we can project that all souls go to Hell.  With birth and death rates as they are, we can expect the number of souls in Hell to increase exponentially. Now, we look at the rate of change of the volume in Hell because Boyle's Law states that in order for the temperature and pressure in Hell to stay the same, the volume of Hell has to expand proportionately as souls are added.

This gives two possibilities:
1. If Hell is expanding at a slower rate than the rate at which souls enter Hell, then the temperature and pressure in Hell will increase until all Hell breaks loose.

2. If Hell is expanding at a rate faster than the increase of souls in Hell, then the temperature and pressure will drop until Hell freezes over.

So which is it?

If we accept the postulate given to me by Teresa during my Freshman year that, "It will be a cold day in Hell before I sleep with you," and take into account the fact that I slept with her last night, then number two must be true, and thus I am sure that Hell is exothermic and has already frozen over. The corollary of this theory is that since Hell has frozen over, it follows that it is not accepting any more souls and is therefore, extinct......leaving only Heaven, thereby proving the existence of a divine being which explains why, last night, Teresa kept shouting "Oh my God."

THIS STUDENT RECEIVED AN A+.

HOOPLA HOOPLA about the race for presidency in this USA Democracy.
This video tells a story way better than Evan Sayet has yet...

I simply can't not post this.  Oooh was that a double negative?

This is how I expect the press to ask questions!  Politely and to the point.  AND currently I'd expect politicians and their media relations people to dance --- there is a lot of dancing to do on a lot of issues.  You can't answer every anonymous blogger yet I think you should answer those who point with a smoking gun to verifiable facts.  Verifiable facts which would either make this a NON issue or show you've acted wrongly.  The questions were VERY specific...  I've had enough of "we did what we were legally bound to do" --- ENRON, Katrina, on ad nauseum.

Watching the video actually made me uncomfortable for him:

First gleaned from here with more links and info.
I tried to get on Sen Coleman's site today to ask about another issue yet the site simply won't load.  Maybe do to this issue or recent debates...  who knows.
The issue I was planning to ask about was reference this from the NYT's  Several months back I received a response from SEN Coleman's office stating how the Guantanamo detainees were outside any rights covered by  the principles of habeas corpus.  Seems the US Supreme Court finally disagreed.  I wanted to know what he thought should be done now.

On another note:  I've had several folks lately say something like, "I can't wait till the whole election is over and done."  I keep responding to that with...  hello casting your vote is just the beginning.  Staying informed, active, vigilant, is the actual job of a citizen in a democracy.

Sometimes I’m still surprised by the bizarreness of life.  For those who don’t know I work on the third floor of a brick building on a locked Mental Health unit.  There are two on each floor for a total of six.  Multiply locked doors and none of the windows open.

Tonight I hear a small snake was found in our entry way on the third floor.  WTF?  The evening nurse was relaying the story.  Two staff had captured it in a cup and planned to let it go outside but it hissed at them when they entered the elevator and escaped.

This is how Urban Myths get started.

I knew my night nurse would never believe the story; partly because I’m often full of Sh*T and partly because it’s unbelievable.  SO I had the evening nurse write the note above for verification.

An easy and rational explanation is this occurred due to the construction and total remodel of the unit next door.  For several months crews and equipment have been in and out all day long.  I envision some tiny garter snake living large in a building supply lot when it’s suddenly and unceremoniously carted up and plopped down on the third floor of Fairview University Mental Health.

Poor snake.

Every once and awhile I have to check this guy out...  it's a gift he has I tell ya!

Somebody call Paulson and Bernanke. Tell them I got deal I want to make: I grab a flight to Vegas and spend an indeterminate period of time gambling, drugging, drinking, fighting, and whoring. When I finally crash, they step in to cover my debts plus pay me back all the dough I pissed away. They see to it that everybody but me deals with the consequences of any STDs, paternity suits, felony charges and brain or liver damage I may suffer as a result of my crazed and self-indulgent spree. But if I win any money, I keep it.

Plus his name is Dave so that makes him cool right there.

Tooling around youtube and found the following.  Worth a watch IMO... my comments follow.

I give a huge bow to Gayle for actively pursuing democracy with her volunteer time and personal letters.  I do believe she’s misinformed yet this is what democracy continues to need; people telling their stories and then discussing where the stories differ.  There’s no need to call her any nasty names just share your honest story back.

 

A very small head nod to John McCain.  Why not a bow?  It’s not because his actions didn’t take courage that day pulling the microphone back and stating his view and possibly confusing and pissing off a portion of his constituency.  I know he’s been courageous.  I’ve been reminded of his courage at every turn these past few months.  Yet he and his chosen running mate have fanned the flames supporting beliefs that have spurred Gayle and many others on with these false claims.  Eventually someone had to fall and it was Gayle, a 75 year old volunteer for John McCain.  John McCain and campaign are responsible for the set up of Gayles beliefs IMO and her statements used as fodder for humor.  Thus only a small head nod that you took the appropriate action here - finally.

 

To the media a WTF?  Maybe a local reporter can scoop this story in my backyard.  I took offense when Dana Bash jumped in and started throwing facts around.  The independent reporters seemed to be somewhat comically, and compassionately gathering facts.  Maybe Dana should have just jotted them down in her notebook.  Suddenly a major media outlet wants to ask the tough questions.  It’s about time.

Wow am I labile today.
Had the most wonderful time last evening with friends over food and wine.  Just over flowing with connection and happiness.

Catching up on some threads here at ZNG and struck dumb by how difficult communication can sometimes be even when everyone seems to be trying to put their absolute best forward.

Then spoke and laughed for an hour with Julia reliving highlights from last night while meandering around the house cleaning up - so thankful I put a dishwasher in when I remodeled the kitchen.

Then listening to Ani while continuing to clean.  Suddenly tearful as her music often speaks to me so magically about the whole mixed bag of being here in a body and dealing with all the aspects of living simultaneously.

Had to pull her off of youtube and share with you all.
Smiling through our tears - thankful for the network here that supports that.


And because one good Ani tune deserves another... and another...


The deeper the sadness the deeper the beauty -- grok that?

I have before me a urine specimen jar tightly covered.  Inside of it is a little creature which distinctly resembles this picture.  The staff member on the floor who caught the little creature scurrying across the 3rd floor nurses station assures me from past experience it is exactly what we fear it is.

All I know is I am very thankful I have the next five days off.  The video below made me feel so much better.  not!

Does HOPE allow anything else?

Personal Change has never been easy for me.  I've never seen it be easy for anyone else either.  I've never seen change be easy for entire countries or societies or cultures as I recall. 

It does seem to have more stumbling blocks the further you move from personal to cultural though.

A political blog whispering to the choir.  In case you haven't heard.  Yes We Can!  Whatever that means for you if it makes more peoples days brighter go do it!

Every once and awhile I remember to check out Rob Breszny.  He’s inspired and entertained me for years.  Today I find the following on his front page.  I voted today... my ballots in the mail.  May I continue to emulate what Rob says below.

 

Blessings everyone, David

 

Dear Readers,

Before the last U.S. presidential election back in 2004, What Is Enlightenment? magazine posed the following query to five religious leaders: "Many people argue that the upcoming presidential election is the most important in our lifetime. Do you
agree?"

Four of the respondents said, in effect, "Yes, because George Bush is bad for America and the world."

But the fifth religious leader, Zen Buddhist Jan Chozen Roshi, replied, "I don't know. Our existence is so short, it's like a dust mote in the eye of God. To say that the time in which my dust mote existed was the most important is a self-centered view."

Roshi's wisdom reminded me of an anecdote told by Henry Kissinger, an American politician who was Secretary of State in the 1970s. Kissinger once asked Chinese premier Zhou Enlai what he thought of the French Revolution, which had happened two centuries earlier. "Too soon to tell," Chou answered.

I always like to keep these ideas in mind, even in times of relative peace and calm. But I'm especially fond of focusing on the *very* big picture when divine chaos is whirling around -- like now. It helps keep me humble, and discourages me from any temptation I might have to believe I know the Whole Truth about anything, let alone about the mysterious long-term processes at work in the evolution of the human race.

There's another factor that makes me cautious about getting embroiled in partisan politics and the narrow-minded hostility that fuels it. One of my main goals in life is to love everyone with passionate intensity -- no exceptions. Not just the people I find beautiful and helpful and interesting and attractive. But also the people I don't like and the people who don't like me and the people I disagree with and the people who can't or won't do anything for me.

In order to become the gorgeous genius I aspire to be, in order to fulfill the unique destiny I came to Earth to embody, I have to hold EVERYONE in my heart with compassion and empathy. As I contemplate how every single part of creation is interconnected, I've got to be aware that the creatures I'm allergic to and inclined to feel alienated from are also part of the great web of life.

That's my spiritual goal; it's essential to awakening my best self and cultivating an intimate connection to Spirit. It's also my selfish goal; it's critical to my physical and mental health. Hatred always sickens me. Love always invigorates me.

*

On the other hand:

I was born at a specific moment in history with a unique outlook and a particular assignment. I can't help but be passionate about the truth as I see it.

And the truth as I see it is that Barack Obama is the best choice for President of the United States. He is definitely the most pronoiac candidate.

That's why I'm voting for him and feel good about saying:

BARACK OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT

To all my friends I wish a happy way to celebrate this holiday.