"Leadership is communicating to people their worth and potential so clearly that they come to see it in themselves." --Stephen Covey, _The 8th Habit_ (2005), p98.
---
I seem to need to get this out before I go to the warm oblivion of my morning swim and exercise. You lack all context so the following may be even less readable than usual, or just as, but in a different way.
But here: I worked yesterday on the challenge course at the navy base primarily with 12 (seniors were they?) from a larger group of about 66 students from grades 6-12 of the Public Safety Academy in San Bernardino (www.psasb.us.com (?)).
I have a mild ache in my left head (diesel? neck/eye/back strain?) but a memory I've been reviewing (savoring?) of those kids' eyes (well it's more than that--their presences? Their manifestation of Covey's definition of leadership in that short time?). From the beginning, following Brandwein (see below), I met them with a good handshake, welcomed them, and asked them to look me in the eye. They began with a low opinion of their ability and poor focus on any group task. Though my speech, organization, and presentation were often lacking (I'm very out of practice), they came to demonstrate (1) focus and (2) appreciation for themselves and the others in the group and perhaps for some basic life principles and skills.
The 12 skills, by the way (from Brandwein, _Learning Leadership_), are:
Teamwork
Resposibility
Respect
Motivation
Listening
Planning
Initiative
Creativity
Persistence
Presenting
Problem Solving
Observation
Each skill has a card (an 8.5x11 piece of paper) with lists of Leader Actions, such as, from Problem Solving: "identifies and weighs options"; and corresponding Leader Lingo: "What are my/our options?"
In speaking and behavior, as in writing, providing practice with a template helps people get new ways of being and doing. We often lack the words and practices which would let us act and interact in more beneficial ways.
-----------
Subject: Fwd: Re: DTA 12/10
Brent, Steve:
Some of the following approaches helped make the day go well overall with the group I had--I got to mention these in the post-program eval, and wrote the email below to give more detail, and thought it would be good to send it to you too.
Background: From Brandwein's book (below), I used cards about 12 leadership skills: I laid the cards down (after some intoductory activities from Brandwein to get them to think about what leadership could be before feeding them B's skills) and let participants choose which skill they would represent.
Other background: the "I appreciate. . ." debrief: (1st go-around) each participant says one thing s/he appreciates that s/he did during the initiative; (2nd go-around) each participant says one thing s/he appreciates that one specific other person did during the initiative (or switch the order!). We did this at least three times, including in the final debrief, where it was applied to the whole day.
Also: the simple definition of leadership I gave them was: Leaders develop other leaders. The fancier one is below. In writing this I see that the simple definition comes more directly from John C. Maxwell's chart of "Leaders who develop followers vs. Leaders who develop leaders" (p 210, _The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. . ._).
peace,
Colin
---------------------
I'm glad I got to work with you all today!
Here's the source for the leadership definition I was using:
"Leadership is communicating to people their worth and potential so clearly that they come to see it in themselves" (Covey, _The 8th Habit_, p98).
Michael Brandwein wrote _Learning Leadership_, _Super Staff Supervision_. www.michaelbrandwein.com.
The "I appreciate . . ." debrief comes from QuailSprings.org's thanksgiving practice (every one says something s/he's thankful for before a meal. . . I was never at ease with it, but the "I appreciate . . . ." phrasing I could work with.
I hope we're out there again soon!
Peace,
Colin
-----------------------------------
Not sure if I'll send the following. Brent started the company (but did not work this program). I've worked with him from before that. He's somewhat used to this:
Subject: Toxic Fumes
[Brent, thanks ahead of time (I am hoping)for your patience with this--sometimes I like to write to help move on from things. No need to read this carefully.]
You may have seen the headlines in yesterday's _USA Today_ about someone vowing to test the air near schools for toxins.
It seems important to mention that due to machinery used in resurfacing the pool area there were, nearly constantly, loud noise and fumes blowing over the program area (especially intense for me when belaying close to pool fence).
I can't think of anything you could do about it (if it was due to a generator, could the generator have been moved? Maybe--; Provide respirators?), but in both recovering from and appreciating yesterday, it seems important to mention this. One participant in my group was very affected by the air quality until someone brought her Claritin--she had been there last year and noted that her allergies are a problem there more than elsewhere.
We had a great day weather- and wind direction-wise on 12/4. But as you know there is often air pollution from their notorious sewage plant (as there was yesterday, though the diesel fumes dominated it).
Definitely disregard this as a complaint (although it is!)--I'm glad to be able to work there. But if the opportunity ever comes up for you or I to affect air quality issues around the course, perhaps this note will help make our action more likely.
There's a history of neglect of environmental health in this country/world, and later regret about it (usually by those who paid the most with their health, but also by those who care and who come to be aware of the costs).
Thanks for listening--
The story of much of our urban lives is that wherever we go we're breathing someone's air pollution. Things may slowly be getting better (smoking bans, stricter emissions control on diesel, etc).
Peace,
Colin
--------------------
and that's the end of work for 2008? I got to see my friend again after writing that last post/email. She helped me by emailing back somewhat quick (we never--well, rarely--interact that way).
After an exciting week--the paper says it's Thursday--maybe I can let you rest a while and sew my pants, read, work on essay, app, getting character refs. . . My dad is coming to visit on New Year's Eve.
Peace,
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
well-- (fun avoiding reproduction)
Hi, I've been wanting to write again, since last night, since it seems I can write you this way and, while we don't talk about these, still they may help--(me at least, to move on from a thought).
Mainly I was thinking: I _so_ don't want to pass up loving you physically (beyond the way we help/love each other by kata'ing/walking/etc) if we could do so gracefully--
[I] suppose I'm only mentioning this because I have the sense or body hope that it still is possible--
It's (sex is?) such a devastating power though--after that checkers night. . . well, partly because I'm not more busy, it was perhaps two days of: thinking about the possibility, what it meant, arousal. (From when I first asked you to walk and you said yes, it's been that way [when I get stuck on the possibility].)
---
so since I'm still feeling it may be possible, what might graceful be?
(-) Us not smiling, laughing (not the whole time. . . but maybe you'll see:)--just a somewhat serious and calm being present--letting us look at each other
--a mutual being present / gazing without submissive, escaping mask (a mask reflexive to us and most everyone?).
(I seem to think we have to go slow and work with/appreciate ugliness, inadequacy, who knows what else--I feel these things [ugliness, inadequacy] in me and want them accepted--feel that you sometimes feel them in yourself and I want to accept yours[?? something like that]--a sort of being patient and being there with whatever is there and not withdrawing
{(}--there's not really anything possible to idealize about most people's faces during orgasm, just as one example [well, I'm not an expert--I bet it can be done--a dancer could serenely smile--a (whatever the expression at that moment is) could be loved. An art project? A photo gallery?]. But still, one can be with that face.)
(-) Some beforehand discussion of how we'd do it [ugh], what it would mean, results hoped for, if any. . . Probably at your place, but what else? I still have condoms I took to Mt Laguna--(, plain, no lube, no anti-sperm) [and we don't need to have intercourse--but be clear: sleep and no sex; or mutual touching, masturbation?; or?]
(-) it means more of a connection between us, if we do it well--and where would that lead:
a lot more time together [how much?], if I spent the night, eating together more [a challenge for me?], shower?, so on
(-) I also seem to think if we were together a night, I might still want to stay away for a week afterwards [or else be too overcome by desire to be able to stay away happily though you might want a break]--[']ideally['] I wouldn't, but that seems to be what we do:
any greater intimacy seems to cause a recoiling, and then, so far, a gradual continuing on, closer, maybe?, than before, perhaps because we've accepted more of the other over a longer period of time and may feel more secure [at least if you still want to hang out after this/the last interaction].
---
--- I think we could do this well.
I don't know where it could take us. I don't know how we'd relate long term if I'm off wandering around somewhere[, or if you are]. I do think whatever we'd learn could help us better be with whoever's next [whatever the relationship--not just referring to lovers]. At the same time, it seems possible the more we're with each other, the more of a home we'll feel in the other.
But I'd like to think that a good home gives us more ability to be at home with more people in more places. To challenge ourselves more[, to love more generally (not only partner-intimacy--type care?)], whatever that means.
who knows--
'end transmission' (as one of my friends wrote)
peace,
and love,
and thanks for this chance to think about love. Let it go, fade, if you like.
I don't quite know how we could get started. I did try to kiss you once a long time ago, foolish me--you'd need to accept the hard-on, be patient with my lack of [, and perhaps need to practice,] control--I swear sometimes it has seemed you could touch my arm and I'd come[; does this relate to writing?]
Yeah, or just let this be--I'm happy with that, happy to walk and be a companion, and do the exercise and not think about this.
this is more meaningful--meaning less peaceful, more intense, more joyful[, energizing], but probably also more disturbing[, disruptive], maybe more sad--I doubt that [sad] though.
whatever way's best, if we go slow [or not at all], aware, may avoid crash
and I'm happy [well my DNA isn't, but we want to foil that anyhow(?)] should you apply this with another--it may apply there-- [sometimes I believe my main role for you--for anyone really--is to help you be more confident, more able, to create the kind of relationships good for you--perhaps to find a person to be a more traditional partner with. And vice-versa: you help me clarify how odd I wish to be, strengthen me in that? Who knows.]
[seems also, at some point, we may need to address something about the other that disturbs us--we are somewhat untraditional(, uncommitted?, not duty-bound?), . . . Count (,then,) only on what we know we already like to do, don't expect more? We seem to deal with getting too much of the other by just not stopping by, until time and proximity draw us together again--a cycle. Elegant?]
My betrayal is I'm publishing this [just shot the . . . foot?]. You stay more or less anonymous, I think you'll agree--whatever I say or write reflects more on the view from here than on that from anywhere else. But if that's too much, keep me at the right distance. Or?? Could I act differently?
Publishing it is a way of leaving it behind, saying, "I'm not there any more, now I'm somewhere else."
Am I saying 'I don't care'?
Muse, I've written you before (only once? about something covered here: serious gazing, in "love, trick"), and by the end felt no need to send it. . . published it instead. Moved beyond caring about it.
Now I've been affected by [Lie--I've been affected by what you said, and the feeling, somewhat frightening, around that moment. And that I wrote before, and that we walked again.] Thomas Mann's Settembrini character's ~"only keep talking--that is contact, in contact there is life", as a counterbalance to a buddhist reserve. And now Melville comes in with: ~"throw both heads overboard and float right and light."
I think you can receive this, read it or not, and I'll probably (or may?) get to spend time with you again--(and we can ignore it, or attempt to kiss passionately ['meaningfully{, thoughtfully, with consideration}' it would have to be, and after brushing teeth?], or something else).
Well, I see that after beginning with a calm gaze, I've got to laughing and distancing, masking a bit.
how much is required for--is this what the brain is for?
Don't think I can keep this up. But I respect that you may not want any more-- though I question that shame, consideration. Is any violence done here? Is any of this harmful? Yeah, there are some emails I'd rather not get (Only mass emails are coming to mind?--as long as I can be content as Buddha in not replying, in not accepting harm.). Based on my sense of you, you're at least not harmed by this, but maybe the publishing part could bother. I know I may be wrong.
To whom am I talking?
What is this for?
---
What about the (often?) rather brutal post-coital vision of lover and of everything else? Of the feeling you've been had by the DNA's drive? Of the fear it may have won, you have been 03ZED(sp?)? Your life belongs to something else now. That, following Franklin, you paid too dearly for your whistle.
---
Let's end with John Heron and his partner's "principles of dyadic inquiry / cookbook of dyadic inquiry"(?), wherein is described a practice of a kind of reverence for that moment and source and that physical origin of all of us. Source of consciousness, source of mind, I forget his words--there our instance started--
peace,
Colin
Mainly I was thinking: I _so_ don't want to pass up loving you physically (beyond the way we help/love each other by kata'ing/walking/etc) if we could do so gracefully--
[I] suppose I'm only mentioning this because I have the sense or body hope that it still is possible--
It's (sex is?) such a devastating power though--after that checkers night. . . well, partly because I'm not more busy, it was perhaps two days of: thinking about the possibility, what it meant, arousal. (From when I first asked you to walk and you said yes, it's been that way [when I get stuck on the possibility].)
---
so since I'm still feeling it may be possible, what might graceful be?
(-) Us not smiling, laughing (not the whole time. . . but maybe you'll see:)--just a somewhat serious and calm being present--letting us look at each other
--a mutual being present / gazing without submissive, escaping mask (a mask reflexive to us and most everyone?).
(I seem to think we have to go slow and work with/appreciate ugliness, inadequacy, who knows what else--I feel these things [ugliness, inadequacy] in me and want them accepted--feel that you sometimes feel them in yourself and I want to accept yours[?? something like that]--a sort of being patient and being there with whatever is there and not withdrawing
{(}--there's not really anything possible to idealize about most people's faces during orgasm, just as one example [well, I'm not an expert--I bet it can be done--a dancer could serenely smile--a (whatever the expression at that moment is) could be loved. An art project? A photo gallery?]. But still, one can be with that face.)
(-) Some beforehand discussion of how we'd do it [ugh], what it would mean, results hoped for, if any. . . Probably at your place, but what else? I still have condoms I took to Mt Laguna--(, plain, no lube, no anti-sperm) [and we don't need to have intercourse--but be clear: sleep and no sex; or mutual touching, masturbation?; or?]
(-) it means more of a connection between us, if we do it well--and where would that lead:
a lot more time together [how much?], if I spent the night, eating together more [a challenge for me?], shower?, so on
(-) I also seem to think if we were together a night, I might still want to stay away for a week afterwards [or else be too overcome by desire to be able to stay away happily though you might want a break]--[']ideally['] I wouldn't, but that seems to be what we do:
any greater intimacy seems to cause a recoiling, and then, so far, a gradual continuing on, closer, maybe?, than before, perhaps because we've accepted more of the other over a longer period of time and may feel more secure [at least if you still want to hang out after this/the last interaction].
---
--- I think we could do this well.
I don't know where it could take us. I don't know how we'd relate long term if I'm off wandering around somewhere[, or if you are]. I do think whatever we'd learn could help us better be with whoever's next [whatever the relationship--not just referring to lovers]. At the same time, it seems possible the more we're with each other, the more of a home we'll feel in the other.
But I'd like to think that a good home gives us more ability to be at home with more people in more places. To challenge ourselves more[, to love more generally (not only partner-intimacy--type care?)], whatever that means.
who knows--
'end transmission' (as one of my friends wrote)
peace,
and love,
and thanks for this chance to think about love. Let it go, fade, if you like.
I don't quite know how we could get started. I did try to kiss you once a long time ago, foolish me--you'd need to accept the hard-on, be patient with my lack of [, and perhaps need to practice,] control--I swear sometimes it has seemed you could touch my arm and I'd come[; does this relate to writing?]
Yeah, or just let this be--I'm happy with that, happy to walk and be a companion, and do the exercise and not think about this.
this is more meaningful--meaning less peaceful, more intense, more joyful[, energizing], but probably also more disturbing[, disruptive], maybe more sad--I doubt that [sad] though.
whatever way's best, if we go slow [or not at all], aware, may avoid crash
and I'm happy [well my DNA isn't, but we want to foil that anyhow(?)] should you apply this with another--it may apply there-- [sometimes I believe my main role for you--for anyone really--is to help you be more confident, more able, to create the kind of relationships good for you--perhaps to find a person to be a more traditional partner with. And vice-versa: you help me clarify how odd I wish to be, strengthen me in that? Who knows.]
[seems also, at some point, we may need to address something about the other that disturbs us--we are somewhat untraditional(, uncommitted?, not duty-bound?), . . . Count (,then,) only on what we know we already like to do, don't expect more? We seem to deal with getting too much of the other by just not stopping by, until time and proximity draw us together again--a cycle. Elegant?]
My betrayal is I'm publishing this [just shot the . . . foot?]. You stay more or less anonymous, I think you'll agree--whatever I say or write reflects more on the view from here than on that from anywhere else. But if that's too much, keep me at the right distance. Or?? Could I act differently?
Publishing it is a way of leaving it behind, saying, "I'm not there any more, now I'm somewhere else."
Am I saying 'I don't care'?
Muse, I've written you before (only once? about something covered here: serious gazing, in "love, trick"), and by the end felt no need to send it. . . published it instead. Moved beyond caring about it.
Now I've been affected by [Lie--I've been affected by what you said, and the feeling, somewhat frightening, around that moment. And that I wrote before, and that we walked again.] Thomas Mann's Settembrini character's ~"only keep talking--that is contact, in contact there is life", as a counterbalance to a buddhist reserve. And now Melville comes in with: ~"throw both heads overboard and float right and light."
I think you can receive this, read it or not, and I'll probably (or may?) get to spend time with you again--(and we can ignore it, or attempt to kiss passionately ['meaningfully{, thoughtfully, with consideration}' it would have to be, and after brushing teeth?], or something else).
Well, I see that after beginning with a calm gaze, I've got to laughing and distancing, masking a bit.
how much is required for--is this what the brain is for?
Don't think I can keep this up. But I respect that you may not want any more-- though I question that shame, consideration. Is any violence done here? Is any of this harmful? Yeah, there are some emails I'd rather not get (Only mass emails are coming to mind?--as long as I can be content as Buddha in not replying, in not accepting harm.). Based on my sense of you, you're at least not harmed by this, but maybe the publishing part could bother. I know I may be wrong.
To whom am I talking?
What is this for?
---
What about the (often?) rather brutal post-coital vision of lover and of everything else? Of the feeling you've been had by the DNA's drive? Of the fear it may have won, you have been 03ZED(sp?)? Your life belongs to something else now. That, following Franklin, you paid too dearly for your whistle.
---
Let's end with John Heron and his partner's "principles of dyadic inquiry / cookbook of dyadic inquiry"(?), wherein is described a practice of a kind of reverence for that moment and source and that physical origin of all of us. Source of consciousness, source of mind, I forget his words--there our instance started--
peace,
Colin
Tijuana Dentists, Dental Resolutions
I'm on the trolley on the way back. I went to Clinica Dental Tijuana, Dr. Ángel Serrano, dentaltijuana.com. It was maybe a mile walk from the border. The exam was free, x-rays were $35, cleaning (prophylaxis) was $45.
I have the letter I need [stating I have no cavities, pyorrhea, periodontal disease and that no work needs to be done] and I didn't need any work done.
Afterward I walked over to Dr Bartell's clinic and cancelled my Thursday appointment. Then I walked around, found a map, a public library, and a cheap, windowless room for $14/night, $60/week (where I asked how to find library).
I rested in the library, then walked toward where Dr Erico Carreño's office is (drerico.com--advertised in sdreader{.com?}), but decided it was too far.
There *are* dentists everywhere you look. [a lot of their market may not be gringos, but immigrants to the US / Spanish-speaking residents who come back for dentists, doctors] I do think the fancier dentists may be more over towards CECUT (along Paseo de los Heroes), where Carreño is--near a highway and very car-centric. DentiCenter is a place one can walk to and is also over in that car-centric/highway area (Zona Rio, I think it is called): www.denticenter.com.mx. You can look in the windows and watch the work. DentiCenter is busy (many in the downtown are not). Also, along Paseo de los Heroes I saw a "UNAM" dentist with patient in a glass building. UNAM may be more prestigous than UABC (these are universities).
So, my feelings are: I'd sort of like to give Dr Bartell a try--he seems to be quite in demand (and to have a decent office). The only complaint a reviewer had about his office was that Dr Palacios is not expert, as Bartell and his dad are, and "his demeanor does not inspire confidence". He was the gruff guy who answered the phone when I called.
They are right next to, or split by, a nice-looking office offering $20 cleanings--
Their location is even more ped friendly than Serrano's.
Serrano was good for me. I went there because I could walk there, because it looked big enough to have a letterhead, someone recommended it in a forum, and I liked the website. I got the feeling it was an ethical practice (in the Spanish version they mention Bible study meetings, biweekly q/a meetings), and the prices were clear and low.
The cleaning wasn't what I'd really hope to have again [though maybe better than one I got at a cheap US dentist--literally a Mickey Mouse dentist: he may have seemed more interested in his images of Disney characters--and the TV they use to distract patients--than my teeth. Got referred to him, with discount, by SDSU dental club on-campus exams. I think Sra Velasquez was the Dr who cleaned my teeth at Serranos. It was a bit rough, but maybe needed.]. I sort of wanted to go over to Carreño's place because he seems to go a bit overboard on the office ambiance--in a good way, and perhaps also in patient care. Serrano's office was more bare-bones and practical, but that partly made me comfortable: no frivolous costs; practical dentistry.
I was also interested in Carreño because he emphasizes "ethical dentistry", not treating people beyond their means and needs. [But did not like as much that he is very clearly a cosmetic dentist - but that seems to be how many make their $$ these days: reproducing a certain look ("movie star") even if perhaps not necessary. But since my work as a kid--I've benefited from pretty teeth. I would probably be buck- and crooked-toothed, if not worse, otherwise.]
I cancelled my appt with American Bio Dental because the treatment they are set up to provide is probably not ethical--though they have plenty of Americans you can call as references. They may have been able to get me my letter for just $50.
Also, Serrano's place got me in the quickest: I called on Saturday, they got me in on Monday. Days less of having this hanging over my head. . . .
So I maybe paid more than I could have, and got more x-rays than maybe I needed. But they helped me with my letter--I should have written it out exactly, as it was they had to make a one-word correction. Serrano wasn't as alarmed as I was about my gums.
---
Well I still am alarmed. It may be the main lesson of this whole thing (great writing eh?).
I need to not eat too much, so that the food doesn't come back up again. Really need to make a point of only eating things once--to eat each bite in such a way so I only eat my food once. . . I had got to (don't want to be any more) where I usually enjoyed the "re-eating". . . [but now with focus on damage that does to gums, ought to be able to reduce that.]
I think I can do this. I feel now that I have a heightened awareness of my gums--as I came to have a heightened awareness of of my hands and wrists after running them into intense RSI/carpal tunnel from excessive typing/computer use (not to mention my eyes)[--somehow ignoring the damage that was being done until hands began to lose function]. [~"don't broaden, but subtilize the mind" --_Moby Dick_, Ishmael commenting on whale's pinhole ear, eyes. Make the mind more sensitive. . .]
Last night I ate a ton, but kept it down and it was after a $40 (perhaps now a once a week habit) visit to Windmill Farms market (has lots of bulk bins and healthier food {I got bee pollen, wheat germ, among other things}, good prices, good quality, but is on the richer side of highway)--sometimes a challenge not to eat too much after that weekly visit. Plus. . . wanting more variety (variety can help make us fat) checked out Smart & Final dumpster. . . Got tons of AltaDeena cottage cheese (two 3lb tubs), yogurt (one 2-lb tub, plain nonfat). But I don't tend to overeat that [r u sure?]. . . Had the store been open, I probably would have bought sour cream (wanted more fat?), and not visited dumpster.
---
My poor grandma--she could use more company, more to do. Partly her fault, partly the fault of urban, social design/lack thereof. [she seemed to be wasting away/not wanting to get up when I left (alone in house, nowhere to go all day), but was in good spirits when I got back--stopped by on walk with friend to let her know I got back. She gave friend date nut loaf she baked, told us about plane crash. Any opportunity she gets to yack seems a good thing for her.]
---
[The other lesson is I can go to TJ for my 6-month checkups and not be afraid of losing $400 each time. . . And even if [I'm] not near Mexico, can probably use my new dentist-finding skills / confidence to find an ethical US dentist (some do exist, it turns out, but may have two-month waits for new patients).
It had been 3 years since I last went for a cleaning. I had been to one cheap dentist before the expensive one, but the cheap one seemed to be a waste of time and money (except that he told me how acid food can eat teeth's protective layer but saliva will restore it). [He did spend time with me and have good stories, but I did have some good questions to ask to start him off.]
{@ Serrano's} The front desk women at first perhaps couldn't quite get that I had no pain ('why *are* you here?'--I imagined that was in their minds).
]
---
walking back from trolley now. Frat boys wearing red tights, jean shorts, red and white horizontal-striped shirts, santa hats. [dressed as elves]
---
Tijuana is mostly overrun by cars. Peds aren't smiling, obvious why. Two whole lanes devoted to cars on the excessively wide streets should be given to peds, trees, benches, as on Ave Revolución (well, no trees there). Exhaust more noxious there than in CA. I still feel affected by it.
---
My gums really want a break, they feel abused. . . by me before the appt, and by the cleaning. . .
Eating less fruit does seem to help appetite control as the author of crdiary.blogspot.com mentioned. . . . used to walk around picking fruit. . . citrus acid don't really help.
The fear is that the teeth will rot from sides, from the dentin(?) newly exposed by receding gums. I feel these sensitive areas. The dentist who scared me away from dentists found areas to work on on sides of teeth. . . [but not along gum line]
that dentist, now retired, would put the enamel (which hardens by UV light) on sensitive areas (and charge you). . . but I find, if teeth not abused, saliva and time fixes these--sometimes sensitive spots come from a chip, for example (biting on gravel in unexamined lentils).
went back to his [the guy who's now retired] office to get my old paperwork, xrays. . . it is now meganclarkedds.com. . . Saw her. . . image of driven, competent, up and coming. . . strong, casually (not overwrought) sexy. . . the new woman we sort of wish our women would be . . . [and are not sure what we'd do as men if they were.]
hardly glimpsed her, made a point not to look, and I write all that. Her receptionist was telling some guy the final payment on something would be $311.
---
in the canyon [now, away from street and house lights], a three-quarter moon ringed in cloud.
---
Thanks mom and dad (perhaps especially mom) for caring for my teeth, finding good dentists, etc. May finally be learning how to do that myself. . .
but if Weston A Price is not right (see skeptics on biological dentists, in del.icio.us links), why do so many need to go thru torture of braces? (with Invisalign[tm], life may now be better, but question remains).
---
walk, kata, with neighborhood friend.
---
will spend some of the money not spent on dentist on more new shoes (, inserts?), I bet. . . Feet could be the next abused area of body needing more care--dance exercises go a long way to helping. . . .
---
The whole oddness of Mexico [for a long-time US resident] takes on a new dimension in the realm of dentists and when health is at stake. . . more could be written but I'm about dead out (asleep).
peace,
Sunday, December 7, 2008
WhyIWant2WorkInTheMaritimeNdstry DRAFT02
I would like to travel, to work as part of a team 24/7, and to be on the water. I would like a career where advancement depends partly on self-paced training. And I would like to participate in the greening of shipping and of transportation in general. Those are some reasons I seek a career in the Maritime Industry.
I want to travel and to keep moving often. I like having to pare my possessions down to what I most need and to what I am able to carry. I have enjoyed several multiple-month bicycle and hiking trips--now I seek to be working with others while also continuing to move.
I want to work as part of a team 24/7. I've read in some mariners' blogs that they value working and living with the other sailors for the duration of a voyage, however difficult it may be, and that they are often somewhat sad at the end when crew members go different ways. I'd like that kind of experience. I'm aware solitary watch-standing is often part of it.
I want to be on the water, in big ships, or perhaps on canal tugs and barges. Partly this comes from my goal of spending less time where many people use cars--a reason I lived in NYC for two years and in the Sierras for two months. Partly this comes from a long-standing orientation of mine toward the water: in 1993-1994 I was volunteer crew aboard the historic schooner Alexandria (New London to Boston), I completed a rough computer assisted design of a 40' offshore sailing catamaran, and I was accepted to USCGA and USNA. Going to USNA, like my dad, had been an ambition for years, but I began to question it, and I ended up working as a cashier to fund a move to Maui to windsurf instead. At any rate, in exploring my current goals I've become aware of many opportunities to crew on small sailboats, but I've decided to focus on large ships: I'd like to have substantial shelter, I'd like to earn money, and I'm interested in commercial ships and shipping with all their complexity, as well as in the possibility of working aboard humanitarian and research vessels.
I would like a career where advancement depends partly on self-paced training. I have already benefited from working on the requirements of this application. This is reminding me how well the advancement system of the Boy Scouts worked for me. I want more structure in my life, but I don't want to make a four-year military commitment, and I'm not yet sure I want to be a mate. I'd like to work up to the level that suits me.
I am also interested in participating in the greening of shipping and of transportation in general, when I have the opportunity to do so. I've read about one or two new cargo ships designed to obtain some of their power from the wind. I've also read about engine and fuel innovations that allow ships to run more cleanly. I've long been aware that moving cargo by water is often the most energy-efficient way to do it. In the event energy becomes scarce or CO2 production is restricted, I'd like to be a part of a Maritime Industry that uses such a situation to improve.
Those are some reasons I'm seeking a career in the Maritime Industry. Overall, I believe getting into the Industry and working on ships--whatever the difficulties and challenges--will suit me and be meaningful.
I want to travel and to keep moving often. I like having to pare my possessions down to what I most need and to what I am able to carry. I have enjoyed several multiple-month bicycle and hiking trips--now I seek to be working with others while also continuing to move.
I want to work as part of a team 24/7. I've read in some mariners' blogs that they value working and living with the other sailors for the duration of a voyage, however difficult it may be, and that they are often somewhat sad at the end when crew members go different ways. I'd like that kind of experience. I'm aware solitary watch-standing is often part of it.
I want to be on the water, in big ships, or perhaps on canal tugs and barges. Partly this comes from my goal of spending less time where many people use cars--a reason I lived in NYC for two years and in the Sierras for two months. Partly this comes from a long-standing orientation of mine toward the water: in 1993-1994 I was volunteer crew aboard the historic schooner Alexandria (New London to Boston), I completed a rough computer assisted design of a 40' offshore sailing catamaran, and I was accepted to USCGA and USNA. Going to USNA, like my dad, had been an ambition for years, but I began to question it, and I ended up working as a cashier to fund a move to Maui to windsurf instead. At any rate, in exploring my current goals I've become aware of many opportunities to crew on small sailboats, but I've decided to focus on large ships: I'd like to have substantial shelter, I'd like to earn money, and I'm interested in commercial ships and shipping with all their complexity, as well as in the possibility of working aboard humanitarian and research vessels.
I would like a career where advancement depends partly on self-paced training. I have already benefited from working on the requirements of this application. This is reminding me how well the advancement system of the Boy Scouts worked for me. I want more structure in my life, but I don't want to make a four-year military commitment, and I'm not yet sure I want to be a mate. I'd like to work up to the level that suits me.
I am also interested in participating in the greening of shipping and of transportation in general, when I have the opportunity to do so. I've read about one or two new cargo ships designed to obtain some of their power from the wind. I've also read about engine and fuel innovations that allow ships to run more cleanly. I've long been aware that moving cargo by water is often the most energy-efficient way to do it. In the event energy becomes scarce or CO2 production is restricted, I'd like to be a part of a Maritime Industry that uses such a situation to improve.
Those are some reasons I'm seeking a career in the Maritime Industry. Overall, I believe getting into the Industry and working on ships--whatever the difficulties and challenges--will suit me and be meaningful.
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