Falling In Love With Sand

Sure am glad i convinced you to enjoy the beach...

That is how the conversation began; three years ago, spending and entire day at the beach was little more than a boring concept to me; which is peculiar because I have always loved the beach in different ways throughout my life.  Case and point, when I was just five years old, my family would have regular outings to the beaches in New England.  I was told my father would take us and toss us into the ocean and force us to swim.  I can't validate that story per-say, but I know each and every one of the seven of us, has a passion for being near the ocean.

I can name every beach in the Massachusetts and New Hampshire area.  You would be hard pressed for me not to know the major lakes, but I can't attest to knowing all of them.

As of this moment, I am sitting on the beach at Plumb Island, in a lesser know area, that makes summers on the beach in New England feel more like you are on an island resort.  Rarely are there more than twenty people setting up camp here, which gives it that remote feeling you only get when you have discovered a hidden pearl.  Most people who are well traveled would likely understand this description without going into details; it's the kind of experience you often can't repeat or recreate because of what you perhaps did or who you encountered during that fantasy-like visit-- and you wouldn't necessarily want to repeat it, as it gets filed away as one of the most cherished experiences in your life.  That is the kind of place that this is.  the longitude and latitude of this very moment are 42 degrees 42' 15" North and 070 degrees 46' 58" W.  That should be read forty-two degrees forty-two minutes, fifteen-seconds North and 070 degrees-forty six minutes-fifty-eight seconds West, of the equator and prime meridian.

And though it is only 71 degrees and a bit cool, today is the informant of summer arriving.  What is nice about this day is, except for the occasional passer-byer, is that there is virtually no one on the beach perhaps 10 people at this very moment- truly creating the feeling of being on a remote island.  Where on Earth could there be a better place to be than right here right now.  OK so it would have been nice to have a fleece to get that perfectly cozy feeling, but oh-uh what a feeling, as an old theme from Toyota comes to mind.

Rounding the experience off is the popular beach garb from Tommy Bahama; this supplier of furniture and other beach amenities has figured what hundreds of millions of manufactures have not.  I want to have everything I desire when I go to the beach (a cooler, beverage holder, phone pocket etc, within reach oh and by the way, I would like to be comfortable too.  Nice that someone has figured it out.

Back to the original point.  Less than three years ago, you couldn't get me to spend more than a couple of hours on a beach.  Don't get me wrong, I love going there but, honestly, what is there to do? Sit?  Nah! That's not for me.  But all that has changed, now when I go to the beach, I want to pack a cooler with a full days provisions, including: fruit, some sort of mixed greens, a bean dip, possibly a sandwich, beer or wine, chips or pretzels, plates, utensils, cups (or wine glasses- don't like plastic) and gotta have chocolate in some form.  I am planning to stay for the whole day so I try to anticipate when the people are coming and going, and how to avoid that.  Yea, I love staying at the beach all day and enjoying the sunset-- as a photographer, a good sunset alone, can make the day worth any effort you have to put into it.

After returning from Colorado, this unplanned beach run is a welcome transition.  Since I have returned I have been preparing for the construction project, doing a corporate retreat for an organization in New York, and catching up on those never-ending bills that piled up while out of town.  I am beginning to feel like it helps to keep the mental wheels spinning around up there; it feels like the cassette on the rear wheel of a bike, constantly in motion and shifting gears.  Something's definitely different, I can feel that mental shift of the tectonic plates organize themselves.

And though this is the first time I've brought my computer along for the ride, I am enjoying this new experience; it adds a nice element to the whole thing.  Perhaps even a new motivation.  Yep, I'll definitely be doing more of this, this summer.  Life if good.

Capturing the Moment... Editing and Self Evidence

I find it interesting how one story is told when you see part of the picture, yet a different experience is
captured when you understand more about the journey.

Myself, I wondered what the jumpers are thinking when they make that leap, or make that trek to their destination.  Often it is more interesting than the event itself.  I feel I have been there in sine ways.  I recall the first time I reached 210 mph on my motorcycle; the adrenaline rush was amazing-- different though when I did my my first deep sea dive.

There is a story that each of us holds inside; it tells of our motivation behind the action, a fluid that spills into our veins and gives us the purpose in our own lives.  Often this journey is inexplicable; it is that private domain that fill the void-- sometimes it makes sense not to try to explain it away, but just accept it.

What may be true is that we learn a little more about ourselves when we take such a leap, knowing that we have accomplished something that goes beyond human rationale-- it's a rare place filled with beauty, it is a new frontier from within that says I will not be defined.  Friedrich Nietzsche wrote about will to power, I have always believed that he implied this was how we choose to influence our life journey we and the in which we have dominion over that journey.  Such a journey and its choosing is captured in BASE jumps.

I have completed the editing of the BASE jump and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed working on it, and share it with friends.


Kind regards,
Scotland

B.A.S.E. Link

Woke Up This Morning...Never Saw This Coming

Mike's Jump Photo Scotland Willis RemarkableEye.com

Life is full of extraordinary experiences; the more you seek them the more they will  become part of your life.  And each experience is dictated by the amount of energy you apply to be vulnerable to that experience so that you can embrace it.  Be ready because here it comes!

I woke up this morning, continuing my pursuit of building my own home.  By many standards this could be considered a major accomplishment-- I would generally be inclined to agree; today however was embedded with a bit of a twist.

As I was headed into town to pick up some additional supplies to begin the plumbing work, I saw a small group of people assembled, only two vehicles, looking skyward.  As it does with most onlookers, it caught my attention and I began to look skyward.  Initially I thought perhaps someone was repelling or rock climbing; to my surprise, it was a couple of men base jumping! (check out the video here)

JP's Jump in an undisclosed location

Now one must understand, base jumping is an event that is not common among the majority of the population; I would guess that less than 1/10 of 1% or less would even consider base jumping.  It is a cocktail of a leap of faith, insanity, adrenaline junkie and liberation from all the things in life that bind us and oppress the human spirit that makes you feel alive.  Moreover, base jumping occurs so quickly and is over in less than an instant.  So seeing this event was rare.  So rare in fact that I missed the first jump and missed half of the second jump.

But a natural born opportunist I drove off; then realized that I would be missing an opportunity of a lifetime if I did not go back and at least talk to the two people who had just embraced life in a way most can only dream of or fear all together.

So I turned my vehicle around and stopped to chat.  Mike and JP were the two base jumpers.  I initially was only able to talk to Mike, but that was enough.  He picked up on my enthusiasms and allowed me to prod a little bit.  After a 5-7 minute conversation, Mike informed me that they would  be jumping again today, after  I told him I would love to shoot the jump.  I had both my HD video camera and my second still camera with me-- never leave home without them.  JP then jumped into the conversation and asked the pertinent question after I asked if I could hike up with them for the shoot, "how good are you at climbing?", I replied "good".

So I headed off to town to eat, run a few errands etc.  Before I knew it Mike was texting me saying that they were about to do another jump if I wanted to go with them.  Darn!  I was not quite ready yet, and still had a few things to do, but I think I could make it work.

After Mike asked if I could be there by 9:30, I told him probably more like 9:45.  I began to pick up the pace with my list of todo's and began to wonder if I even needed to really do this things.

What is peculiar is that I almost did not go into town; I was prepared to head up to the work site and continue my project Antlers Edge; plus I had visitors coming to town-- my mother, my son, my granddaughter and his girlfriend, I wanted to prepare,  I turned around less than half way there and decided I would burn some time as it was before 7 a.m.-- something I did not realize.

So I rush back to the jump site and luckily Mike and JP were patient enough to wait 20 minutes for me to catch up to them.  I threw my video camera bag over my back and we began the trek up to the cliff they would jump off.  Their preparation was meticulous but routine, as have had hundreds of jumps.

Life is full of chance moments and we never truly know what to expect so two things come to mind: 1) enjoy the human experience, it is full of gifts and even the negative experience can and in many cases do, lead to the extraordinary-- backtrack and you may be surprised by the events that lead you to where you are; 2) allow fate to intervene and chance to play a role in making you life outstanding. I live each day open to being vulnerable and never regret it; it puts a new face on vulnerability, one I find very appealing.

I got to meet two great people, who allowed me to enter their lives for a brief moment in time, capturing a priceless experience up close and personal.  Never miss the opportunity to seize the day.

A Pause for the Clause...Good Faith

(google images)

In light of the death of Supreme Court Justice Scalia, it is important to reflect on his role as well as his contributions on both sides of the fence. On the surface we see a staunch republican whose views might be directed by his political beliefs; dig a little deeper and some of his positions on SC decisions might surprise you. More on that later. What is more important to understand is the implication of the circumstances which surround this conundrum of the vacant seat that now exists in the Supreme Court.

Known for his fiery descents, if ever there were a scenario that explains away the division in congress right now and for the past eight years at a minimum, this is yet another one. “take care that the laws be faithfully executed.”

Mitch McConnell, Jr, to delay a nomination would be a failure to your constitutional obligation on the grounds of the evidence you publicly pronounced: "The American people‎ should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new President.” (Facebook page Feb 12, 2016)

Chuck Grassley Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa),"has no plans to start up the confirmation process on his panel." accord to Politico.

"This president, above all others, has made no bones about his goal to use the courts to circumvent Congress and push through his own agenda," Grassley said. "It only makes sense that we defer to the American people who will elect a new president to select the next Supreme Court Justice.”

The oath of office for congressional leaders includes the following: "I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter."  This would include maintaining the balance of Justices to the U.S. Supreme Court-- that number is currently nine; and unless modified by Congress, should remain at that number; it is not a personal choice but a congressional obligation.

Article I Sec. 2 of the U.S. Constitution states:

When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies. Would this attribute of the Constitution exempt SCJ, when the very same doctrine later states the responsibility of the Supreme Court itself.

Can one honestly state that Justice Scalia, were he obligated to make a decision on whether President Obama had a responsibility to appoint a new Justice, if  one were  prematurely removed, that Justice Scalia, would argue against a nomination rather than President Obama's (or any other president) legal obligation to submit a nomination for replacement.

Constitutional Interpretation
More importantly under Article II Sec. 2 of the Constitution it states that: "... he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the Supreme Court."  There is neither precedence nor written law that states that the President should not at any time fill a vacancy of a Supreme Court seat. He in fact has an obligation to fill such a position immediately as the number of SCJ's is established by Congress under Article III Sec. I of the Constitution. Again nowhere in the Constitution does it state that there should be a delay in the nomination of a SCJ at any point in an administrations tenure.

As Politico reported "no Senate leader has ever asserted a right — and there is no precedent for a sitting president to hand over his power of high-court appointment at the request of any member of the legislative branch."

In an article from the Washington Post, Barnett states the following regarding the interpretation of the good faith clause:

He is executing the laws passed by Congress, which includes this discretion. If Congress doesn’t like this, it should change the law... He goes on to counter this statement, he once held by asserting in an example of a tenant who has a contractual fiduciary responsibility to their landlord based on a volume of business "... it would be bad faith for the tenant to refer the customer to the tenants other store for the purpose of avoiding the percentage lease¹.

This is a poor example of bad faith in the context of the good faith clause, as 1) POTUS is not pondering a decision so simple as a few revenue dollars in a lease agreement; as an authority on Constitutional law, he more than likely understands the gravity of this nomination 2) his contract comes with a moral obligation to a much wider audience i.e. citizens of the United States. And just as he has stated in the past that he could not show favoritism for people of his own race because he is representative of all citizens not solely his own ethnic group; it is a moral compass and obligation that goes beyond the dynamics of a 1 to 1 relationship-- such as that given in Barnett's example, a elementary oversight. Both the repercussions and expectations are exponentially more significant. Would you not say that a SCJ position influenced by his/er upbringing would render their decisions unfaithful? At which point do we then distinguish between experiential influence and moral obligation, and which persons are manipulated by those factors.

The Senate and House behavior in matters relative to advancing legislative action in the interest of the United States, borders on criminal.  Never should personal emotions be engaged or confused with the foundation of what the Constitution was built on-- morals and responsibilities.  For it is not possible to build a more perfect Union, without fully embracing its predecessor:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

As an originalist, the late Justice Scalia, would have encouraged a replacement, under a judicial obligation, were he around today to submit a decision.



1. Randy Barnett is the Carmack Waterhouse Professor of Legal Theory, Georgetown University Law Center, and Director of the Georgetown Center for the Constitution.

Suffering

Wikipedia
: ^[2] Suffering is the basic element that makes up the negative valence of affective phenomena.

Merriam Webster

:  ^[1] the state or experience of one that suffers

A brief look at the days' news headlines, and it is not difficult to see; the impact of war, the struggle to pull people out of poverty, deteriorating environment, from glaciers to endangered species, disease, famine etc. And though the two definitions above both suggest that suffering is a human experience, not until Wikipedias' second explanation (listed above) do they infer suffering in the boarder sense of things not human as well.  This is the context in which this article is written.

This morning I woke up at approximately 4:00 a.m. EST, disturbed by the matter of suffering; different images and thoughts entering my mind about suffering from a historical perspective to modern day.  For over an hour I could not shake the visions and thoughts from my mind.  I don't generally have a propensity towards these thoughts, but they arise periodically; it is not an emotional struggle in the sense that it disturbs my thought process, but more along the lines of an overwhelming desire for a different sense of the human experience as it relates to all things that result in, interact with or are some part based on human actions as a causal factor of suffering.

After reflecting on a statement captured from a food critic on a local Boston radio show, a rather odd source to be sure; it helped create some context for this approach for suffering.  The essence of the food critic's argument was that farm-to-table  is a way of life and not a propaganda technique to get people or consumers in the restaurant.  We cannot use propaganda to end suffering. Authentically doing something about suffering actually holds  value.  Perhaps that is not the most productive way to put it, because there are multiple agents of change who "want to do something about it", but where does the real change occur?  What type of campaign, commitment, determination, endurance and perseverance would it take to ensure suffering comes to an end?  Can we achieve that?  Authenticity however, may suggest something all together different, a more active role in ending suffering.

By saying or assuming ending suffering is not possible, not related to personal injuries of course, then why would we attempt to change the course of events at all?  Does that result in some sort of fatalistic view that there is no hope.  Yet and still, even the sound of the word "hope", brings with it an air of never-going-to-happeness.  It is that very sense of jargon, and hyperbole that often results in the autonomic response of head-nodding.  Out of the jargon jar, and into a more productive script may be one possibility; that with a lot of will power, political effort and fundamental shift in the way humanity thinks about suffering and the ability to end it, that we perhaps will emerge on the other side.

This article will begin a short journey into my exploration of suffering, and what we will do, are doing and can do to end it.  My initial thoughts are that it requires a never ending effort, the kind of effort business people put into running their company, but with a different objective.

All of this begins with the belief that suffering exceeds all other priorities and that it is not limited to people, but animals, the environment or anything else that is subject to virulent exploitation by the human species.  Ending suffering is a way of life.

I look forward to discussions and insights.  I can also be reached on twitter @scotlandwillis

Freedom & Liberation

Mans greatest ambition is not to be better than anyone else, mans greatest ambition is to live free; it is the sense of freedom that comes from doing something that no one else has done--can do, that liberates one from all others and all other attachments; it is why we marvel as what we have not yet seen. Live free or die

Sex in a Series

The Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality states that "Women are more likely than men to feel that a poor sex life is an unfortunate, but separate part of the couple’s relationship. Men are more likely to feel that a poor sex life undermines the entire relationship."

While some of their research goes back to the late 1990's, it is difficult to believe the full breadth of this research.  Times have changed, in a variety of ways.  There is research that the physical strength of women is increasing more rapidly than that of men; but that is just a semblance of what changes are occurring in our society among women and men.

Just as womens' physical state is advancing so to is there thinking.  And this brings us to the topic in this article.

This is completely non-scientific in nature, merely an opportunity to share a few thoughts.

As times have changed regarding sexuality and the liberation of women's commitment requirements, sex for women seems also to have emerged in a whole new light.  Women are no longer locked down due to advances in the medical industry i.e. The Pill.  Other advances in the Day After product, also allow women to have more control over the outcome of pregnancy.  Controls such as these also play a role in what opportunities women have; in the workplace, among competitors etc.

Emerging on the other side, women of today could very easily feel differently about the role of sex in a relationship. Most importantly perception of a poor sex life with a partner has also evolved.  Television programs seem to be an accurate reflection about the more carefree nature of female sexuality, e.g. Sex In The City, promiscuity, and sexuality experiences for pleasure rather than commitment.  This is not a broad statement of the character of women today, but rather a suggestion that the opportunities for vastly different perspectives on how women are expected to behave is different.  Rather than this being a bad thing, it is really just a thing-- call it evolution of the woman.

With downturns in religious commitments, increase in divorce rates and a broader length of time women are remaining unwed, all seem to trend towards a more independently minded woman.  And it seems that the line between women and men's belief that sex undermines the entire relationship, might be thinning.

I welcome the change, not in terms of a value system of ones integrity but rather the equanimity between men and women.  Sure we are different physiological creatures wired differently psychology, but what lies over the horizon for society can only be great, a place where the other is challenged by the privileges of control.

Germanwings / Lufthansa Solutions

One Possible Solution

Lufthansa Flight Solutions
There is a solution to the locked door. In the mid 1990s Electronic Data Systems, Hughes Electronics and GM developed OnStar; this satellite system could be used as a secondary backup for extreme scenarios such as with the Lufthansa/ Germanwings flight. This remotely controlled apparatus, would be engage by a pilot, face with the current situation of Germanwings. 

The pilot would carry an emergency warning mechanism that could transmit a signal to the radio control tower over the geographic area in which it is flying;  It could employ biometric recognition, issued by the airline carrier so that no one else could steal it and use the device.  With today's transmitters and nanotechnology, I believe this is quite possible.

Digital Globe launched one of the most powerful satellites in Aug. 2014; this device would seem to have the necessary power to engage in such a task. It is a fine line however as you risk infiltration (hackers) but a type of firewall could be developed and the main control would reside in each air traffic control tower under the NTSB. Nonetheless, there are potential applications for use of this technology.

Where to Begin, Climate Points

What is the matter with the planet, what is the matter with humans?  This is the subject of the last GENN) blog.  My goal is to keep L4A focused on writing about controversial matters that should be given critical thought.
article I will write pertaining to the environment on this blog.  Not to worry, all future articles will be published on Global Environmental News Network (

That being said, there are a few reasons for this shift.  First there is a great debate over what is causing climate change, and for some, whether or not climate change is real or myth.  This leads me to say initially, Greek Mythology, that is myth.  But my preference is to not stand on the soapbox, rather make a couple of important points.  Second the challenge is not whether or not climate change exists, but that we a humans have strongly held cultures stratified by the people we interact with causing us to believe one thing or another.

Several scientists and other researchers as well as universities have chosen to delve into this matter of cultural struggles among people-- they call it cultural cognition; it is in many ways linked to risk decision science.  I won't get too deep into this subject until a later moment in time.  Suffice it to say that our internal cultural battles often combat that of science.  In other instances, science cognition theory, asserts that individuals' rejection of climate change results from a type of disbelief due to the level of scientific explanation, knowledge and technical-- perhaps because they are overwhelmed.

Whether it is climate scientist (science factor) or ones' social in group (social cognition factor), the greatest challenge is to shift the way in which people think, to one that is persuasive in what they believe.  Herein lies the focus.

It will then be my effort, to help shift that people believe, not through generating threats or bullying scare tactics, but by offering cogent reasoning, examples, and dialogue as a means to engage individuals who oppose.  I find it necessary to befriend in order to engage opposing viewpoints.  You cannot become part of an in group as long as your cultural span is completely outside that of your opponents.  For this reason the strategies involving risk decision science and methodologies will be important.  There is no intention to mislead or haze ones perspective, nor threaten their cultural assertions, but appeal to what is most important as a way to open the doors of engagement.

Be Well

link

The Great Loser, Tragedy of Wall Street and Human Behavior

The Conundrum

Perhaps the most unfortunate behavior characterizing human (as a general blanket statement) is predictability.  Men often respond to high pressure decision-making with the same involuntary reaction they experience when getting an erection.  What is the president you may ask yourself?

Take one of the single greatest economic driving forces in the world; as a matter of fact you can drill down and look no further than the New York Stock Exchange.

Throughout the day tickets fly, monitors flash, people scream on the floor waving pieces of paper, pencil or pen in hand and the most up to date have a portfolio of electronic networks from personal smart devices or tablets.

As the bell tolls the adrenaline continues to flow becoming the venom of ones soul, the ticker board rolls as pennies, quarters, fractions and dollars, forcing individuals to react to strategic moves that will create the greatest advantage for their clients or themselves.

Holding an internal database of positions that need to be executed, lest they suffer, to perfection.  Scouring the floor, screens and monitors for immediate advantages.

The looser hold out for the deal they missed then in disbelief the wait and watch with piercing anticipation for the shoe to fall off the other foot; "but wait, that can't still be going up" they exclaim Shit!  They saw the numbers yesterday and recognized the pattern of consecutive escalation in price, the buy was still there if they would only have bought at opening bell.

Decidedly they wait...and "No not another climb!" yep, triple digit increase.  Their heart sinks as the number continue to go up on the buy-in, they missed out on.

Unable to bare the risk of a further missed opportunity and finally, after holding out nearly all day, just past lunch time and mid-day!  They buy.  Followed by a deep and nearly immediately plunge into the jackpot of failures abyss.  They not only missed the numbers, the bought at the wrong time.

The bell rings and for the clean-up, they purchase, using what remaining assets they have to mop up potential earnings for the next day.

Water Writes (Rights)

Yesterday I was listening to an old CSPAN podcast of a Supreme Court water rights argument in the
case of Kansas v. Nebraska and Colorado.  There are some interesting points that arise in the case as you listen to the SC Justices integrate the prosecution or petitioner and the defendants.

The Case
At issue is violation of both the Republican River Compact and known wrong doing, which seems to arise as a separate issue in my opinion.  Let me simplify this and get to the point because it is made out to be a typical overly complex litigation with meaning getting lost in the language.

These three states made a compact about use of the Republican River.  The violations go back over 10 years.  Nebraska had under estimated water use requirements and violated their use because they argue that the tools to estimate water needs was not accurate enough.  One of their models for the baseline analysis was the dust bowl era.  Seemingly that would be a valuable baseline for water minimums, and it is.  However as it turns out, that water minimum is not the lowest water levels that have been reached over the time since their compact.  Now you might be able to see where this is going.

Colorado is supporting Nebraska's argument, but Kansas is arguing that modifications in the compact are not allowable without acceptable revision (simplified here).  Further Kansas states that such revisions are a "threat" to their water rights; there is also no precedence for addressing disputes for violations of the Compact as can also be found in the Cornell review of that case.

Now there are other factors in the conversation but I am choosing not to go into those because I am not necessarily going in that direction.  As a last note Justices Ginsberg, Alito, Roberts and  Scalia-- as to my memory.

The bigger issue here is the value of water itself.  When considering the volume of water, it is one matter.  And clearly at risk is future violations and what exactly those violations mean going forward if there is not real consequence.  But also this should be an alarm for the real threat of water availability and scarcity.  As we encounter greater concerns over usable water an pollution of it from farms and other industrial requirements for water, how much influence do we as citizens have over this water.

As individuals we lack the power in most cases to even bring our arguments to the Supreme Court, yet our concerns are no less valuable.  Granted that we are getting use from the water that is stated in this case, but I am more concerned about the very nature of the argument that Kansas is making, which is how do we generate consequences for a dispute that satisfies an individual, let alone a state?

Oh!  I found it very interesting that one of the Justices (I believe it to be Justice Scalia) made a point of saying that if better ways of measuring water consumption from the River,  become available that doesn't necessarily meant that you are suppose to continually ask this court to make allowable revisions in the Compact.   Now it is my understanding that the whole point of law is to adapt when things are not accurately accounted for including human behavior relative to the greater good or violations of ideologies that were once though to be sufficient as in the case of civil rights arguments.

This is probably enough to marinate on but it does get you thinking about the importance of water and perhaps how we should elevate our awareness of what it actually means to and in our society.

Over Simplification

Today I had a task, seemed simple enough... WAIT!

It's rarely that simple.  Let's talk about the task first.  On the front of an off road vehicle or SUV as some call it, there is a bull grill or a grill guard.  This device is used to add to the physical appeal of the vehicle or if you live in the high country can be used to fend off large animals that cross the road in the high country area (obviously this could be low lying country areas as well).

There are four bolts and nuts that hold on that grill.  As you might imagine these bolts and nuts are not the typical nuts and bolts you would simply use around the house.  They are stainless steel, with heavy duty threads.  They are designed to hold a heavy load and maintain their strength under more than typical stress.

I was suppose to remove these nuts and bolts as a courtesy to someone close to me.  "...just borrow the neighbors tools..."  First mistake, letting someone who knows nothing about automotive tasks offer directions to a task that will require some time and effort.  Correction some time and a great amount of effort.  But in an attempt to satisfy her request and frustration with my rejection of the task, I took it on.

Now my better senses would have simply said, there is a shop that can do this quicker and easier than the amount of energy I would have to put in; that would have been the smart thing to do, but I did not do that.  Mistake!

So what is the real problem here.  The highest concern is that I would injure myself carrying out this task without the proper tools that would make this task easier.  All the other party is concerned with is carrying out the task that meets their satisfaction, while I am considering all the other factors including injuring myself for one simple reason... sorry two reasons: 1) I know much more about what I am doing 2) I am concerned with more than just the task.  You see often other people are not concerned with the risk simply because, if they are not experienced in the matter, they can psychologically distance themselves from the risk since the risk is not their own; or to phrase it better, they have nothing to lose, including serious injury.

There is yet another issue.  The quality of the work being done.  A comprehensive knowledge also means your results will be much output if you are seriously concerned with your input.  Or let's put it another way, your output is determined by your input.

So in the future, one of the best conversations you can have with someone is to tell them to inquire as to the level of involvement with a task.  If they better understand what is involved, they are more likely to reconsider what they are asking of you.

The Greatest Love

Love is not  reserved for one person.

The greatest Love is all the Love I've ever known and all that sstill awaits.
♡

Efficient Outcomes

We live in a world that is flawed by you, and everyone you do and don't know.  Those everyone's are humans; homo sapiens that reside at the top of the food chain but way below the chain of common sense.

Not to beat up on humans, I love being one, but let's take a look at some primary accusations the rest of living organisms might make if they could, well...only find a way to communicate with us.  One perfect example can be found in a book titled Ishmael.  While I don't purport this novel to answer humanities failures, but it does probe into the culture of our behavior. 

We lack the ability to respond to a fundamental reality of finite resources because in an economic system the value of these resources are externalities that hold little meaning in comparison to wealth building in financial terms.  We fail miserably in efficient outcomes.

Why?  A culture of belief that never ending consumption, is the key to our remaining at the top of the evolutionary chain.  This includes development, a term that has evolved from the establishment of civilization. Humans have a tendency to conquer rather than coexist.  As Darwin might say, survival is based on one's ability to thrive over another organism.  Evidence of this can be seen not only in grand edifice as a symbol of human greatness, but in our crowing achievement of eliminating disease.

To be certain, there is no turning back the magnitude of our achievement, though cataclysmic they may be in

scale.  Sure we will see glimpses of a change in the tides but culture is a difficult thing to change.  Not only are we slow to respond, in many cases we are just to late.  It is human culture that  is the greatest contributor to the accelerating background extinction rate, dominating the landscape with estimates from 1000 to 10,000 times normal extinction rates of other living organisms-- that is the impact of a civilized society.  Wikipedia has a very interesting way of stating it, as long as species have been evolving, species have been going extinct; no species is evolving faster than humans.

Visiting Africa

How do you see South Africa.  It is  a beautiful place but not without its challenges.

Faces of Africa is a compilation of video and still photography of recent travels there

Enjoy the Africa video link here

Thank you all for your feedback, I am really glad you enjoyed it!

Balance of Law

We live in our insular worlds; increasing pressure to not disturb the larger systems that are in place-- where does that leave us?

A challenging question for sure; it is difficult to take action against unfairness whether it is police misconduct or failing politicians, responding to the needs of poverty or giving more of ourselves.  Government structures are creating laws that increasingly restrict what public misconduct is as well.

But the world we live in is a complex one, technology for all its amenities has also resulted in the ability for computer smart programmers, to exploit average consumers credit cards; while most of the world love craigslist, how do we contend with the violent behaviors from predatory people? And we are suppose to be able to trust the politicians we put in office to act on our behalf and band together when they do not resulting in someone who does.

The balance of the law is not just about what we expect of the judicial system and legislators, but what our action result in.  In a world where things just keep increasing in size, how do you leverage help when there are so many burgeoning causes-- all of them with meaning and justification for action.  Overwhelmed we often won't disrupt the status quo.  But keep in mind this, the most exciting, meaningful and important events throughout history have been disruptive; disruptive technology, disruptive social moments, even in business there are opportunities that exist because of calculated disruptions that break the mold of what is tradition.

Organizations like policymic, policemisconduct.net (The CATO Insitute), IPCC, Harvard scientist converting energy into energy, Pew Research, and thousands more mark the importnace of individual actions; more  importantly the power of crowd sourcing-- something we are part of but don't often use.  We as individuals have the power like never before to assemble in an interconnected philosophic way, mount our ideas and beliefs and change the world.  It does not always work out with the ease and simplicity we would like it to, sometimes we can even question why bother; but in the end, we have moved the needle across the arch that bends towards justice.  We as individuals are the balance of the law.

Boston's Finest B & E

It's 3:03 a.m. and Boston's Finest(Estb. 1854) has just finished doing reconnaissance and dusting my place for finger prints.

After a late night B & E, I placed a call to my local 911. Before long, and after establishing that my event is a non-critical emergency, the 911 operator dispatches Boston's Blue to my address. Within 30 minutes, I receive a call that they are down stairs waiting. An officer responds, followed by a sergeant and a detective.

Every day officers from the Boston Police Department (BPD) make their way to residents and citizens in need of their assistance. And though it is not my wish to ever have to call them for any type of emergency, it is nice to know that they are there and on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week and 365 days out of the year. Wait... lets make that 425 days of the year, if you calculate officers over time, take away from family time and just plain time to contribute to making our lives a little more comfortable.

Have you ever stopped to think what The City would be like without them. How much more insecure would you feel? Think about it. No one to call during the Marathon emergency, no direction during special events, no response to emergencies such as a violent crime, and no one to respond to the smaller emergencies. No one to intervene in domestic violence, in general no one to offer a safer more secure City.

Granted the BPD is not perfect, but I have to acknowledge the fact that neither am I; so it is important to acknowledge what we appreciate about them when our opportunity comes.

Thank you for standing up to the criminals that are not concerned about the quality of life most people want for their children; thank you for stopping by the schools and talking to the students to create a better relationship with students and letting them know that you are there to help them first, not threaten them; thank you for being considerate and allowing the ambulances to make their way during an emergency; thank you for getting out of bed to dust for fingerprints because someone broke into my house; thank you for being approachable and thank you for not disliking me because another citizen was a jerk and fucked up your day.

Your job is a tough one on many levels; from salary restrictions and cutbacks to risking your life and everything between those ends of the spectrum; office politics, law suits, lies and challenges towards advancement; and the resources you need will not always be at your disposal-- you try harder nonetheless. I appreciate everything you do right, every time you do the right thing and every time you try to do that.

From us, the residents of Boston who don't take time to thank you enough. Thank You. Please continue to do your best and I will continue to acknowledge why we should be thankful you are here.

I say hello every time I pass you even if I don't know you; I may say have a great day, just because I don't think anyone else has and perhaps that is enough to make a difference in your day. I hope the result is that you might make things a bit easier on someone else-- pay it forward.

You put in a lot of hours and a lot of years, but it does not go without thanks for what you add to the City, and the people who live here-- we are in need of your service.

After a total of about 3 hours, all of the officers from Boston's Finest have left the crime scene in my home. My home has returned to the secure feeling place it was at one time, despite the impact of the criminal who broke in, knowing that Boston's Finest is not too far away. Though every mystery will not be solved, every criminal will not be caught; justice will not always be served, you still make a difference.

In their wake (the visitors in Blue), advise, good conversation, assurance, and insights that reinforce my confidence in their ability to carry our their job. They leave me with a bit more appreciation then before they arrived. They are good people, not just cops.

Victims and Vigilance Who is to Blame

This is just a surface analysis of the Trayvon Martin case.  While it provides some detailed references and questions, it is by no means comprehensive.  It is simply to state that each person with an opinion should do some research and think more critically about the circumstances surrounding this case.  Arguments can be made for both sides; it is a troubling case that will be studied for years to come.


There is a troubling culture in the United States-- violence.  From the outsiders perspective, the disparity in the level of imprisonment in the U.S. outweighs that of any developed nation.  The United States not only has the most prisoners among any developed nation, the United States has the highest prison population in the world (2009 International Studies for Prison Studies) with over 2 million individuals incarcerated.  So while we might not be able to compete for low wages in the functioning part of society, our prison population quite possibly offsets that factor through privatization of the prison systems.  Is there something wrong with this association?  Yes.

Who was following whom?  Who was carrying a gun?  Who ignored the police urging that he stay in his car?  Who thought that the other was one of "them," someone about to get a away with something? (Southern Poverty Law Review)

Currently with the debate regarding George Zimmerman acquittal of murder and or/ manslaughter of Travyon Martin, United States is once again facing its shadow that prevails over its glory-- events which occurred on the night of February 26, 2012.

Despite the strong bias one might feel in this case, it is important to look more deeply at some facts and issues surrounding this case.  It is the nature of humans especially in the U.S. to look only at what comes out in the news and other media sources; we also listen to public figureheads that are not quite as reliable as we would like them to be.  In situations such as this it is important to delve more deeply into the matter to arrive at some deductions and conclusions that offer a more accurate and reliable data conclusion.
At first glance it can be troubling to see the results of this Travon/ Zimmerman case, but there are some important factors and legal aspects to consider to think more critically.  So helpful at doing some surface analysis I considered the following:

1. defining the terms of the accusations in the case
2. understanding more about the case itself 
3. listening to the 911 call recordings
4. considering the timing of events
5. assessing the factors in the causes of action
6. reviewing the explanation of the laws regarding manslaughter and second degree murder

More alarming is the disproportionate number of people who are Black or Hispanic where the conviction rates and sentencing are off the chart when compared to their white counterparts.  Some data suggests that

Paul Barret of Business Weeks Politics and Policy laid out valid points regarding the case the first of which is that Zimmerman is guilty for pursuing his victim when he should have remained in his car as advised by law enforcement.  Had Zimmerman remained in his vehicle, the fact is Trayvon Martin would likely still be alive.

• According to the Sentencing Project's website, the rate of incarceration for white Connecticut residents in 2005 was 211 per 100,000 people; for black residents it was 2,532 per 100,000. 

Beyond that we must look at the law however fair or unfair it might appear.  Issues that would come up causing a verdict against plaintiff would be adequate provocation; withdrawal, .  Self defense is the easy low hanging fruit that we as observers would gnaw away at, but would our assessment be accurate?  From a bias perspective it is easy to say that a man with a gun could not possibly be defending himself against a teenage boy with no weapon; however, one the act of violence is initiated several other factors come into consideration.  Did the defendant attempt to remove himself from harm, or did Trayvon attempt to remove himself from harm recognizing that Zimmerman was drawing a weapon.  Additionally did his actions (the defendant) have any other purpose?  If Trayvon was intimidated (which is almost impossible to determine), he could easily have murdered Zimmerman if he felt his life were in jeopardy. 

Murder requires unlawful killing with "malice aforethought" (i.e., intent to kill, knowledge of death or unreasonably high risk of injury will result / “depraved heart”, or intent to commit a felony).   While Zimmerman could be culpable based on his intention of following the victim; it is difficult to state that his intent, based on his conversation with the 911 operator, was to "kill or commit a felony".  Under the "Substantial Step", penal code, Zimmermans decision to get out of his car and follow Martin, could be punishable by law if his intent was to commit a crime of murder.  The challenge to this fact is that he called the police, an action an individual with criminal intent would not likely carry out, unless she/ he had planned out such a crime.

Actus reus and mens rea both come into play here (i.e. the physical portion of the crime and the mental portion of the crime).  When Zimmerman got out of his vehicle we cannot with absolution determine that he made a mental decision to attack and kill Martin.  His physical behavior was not aggressive nor was his mental behavior that of someone who intended to kill an individual as mentioned above, it is not likely that one would call the police while intending to commit the crime of murder (which would essential seal their fate). 

What Does "...up to no good." Mean

There is much to be said however regarding Zimmerman's conversation with the 911 operator.  For example the language "I think he is up to no good", followed by "these assholes, they always get away." suggest a turning point in Zimmerman's behavior, from observer, to stalker.  Perhaps the prosecutors should have spent more time considering this angle.  At this point he is making a conscious decision to exercise prejudice in his actions.

What were Zimmerman's Actions 

Did Zimmerman use his gun to protect himself because of a perceived threat, or was he in control of his actions?  Because so little is truly understood about Zimmerman's actions, we cannot say whether he lost control of his abilities regarding he being the attacker (initiating the conflict) or the victim (i.e. Martin initiated the attack).  This makes this case more challenging.  The autopsy should have revealed more in terms of the struggle itself.

Drugs
THC levels and whatever amount of marijuana found in Martin's system or on his person are by no means rationale for mind altering responses.  

The 911 Recordings

If you listen to the 911 Operator recordings, you hear concerned residents calling (wikipedia files) in the event from where they stand, hear, and see, but you cannot conclusively say that the individual shouting for help is Trayvon Martin or Zimmerman, before hearing the assumed shot in the background.  Again, none of the witnesses stated that they actually saw a gun, but we can draw certain conclusions and testimony and collected evidence answers the weapons possession issue.  Law enforcement officers were also negligent for sending narcotics investigators rather than detectives to provide a more accurate assessment of the circumstances.  This would clearly work in Zimmerman's favor.  

The autopsy states that the gun was between 1-18 inches from Trayvon's chest.  There is a significant difference in this research.  One's actions at one 1 inch suggest a very different action that one's potential actions at 18 inches.  At 18 inches, the opportunity to offer a warning from a pursuant are much more likely to deter that pursuant if you have a gun.  At a range of one inch, it could be argued that there was a struggle and the firing of the gun was a result of that struggle.

The conversation Mr. Martin was having with his girlfriend moments before his death suggest that she was advising him to run, while simultaneously Zimmerman was speaking with police that Martin was on the run.  These two pieces of information clearly have very differing perspectives on what was occurring.  For Mr. Martin, he was being pursued and felt threatened by Zimmerman, immediate grounds for self defense, therefore Martin could have been vindicated in his response to Zimmerman approaching him.  Attacking Zimmerman would be completely justified.  While Zimmerman (a perceived assailant) was monitoring Martin's activity.  Did Zimmerman have a right to stalk, Martin?  Which would be Martin's perspective if he 1) understood the law and 2) was still alive. 

These events surrounding Trayvon Martin should really force and encourage all citizens to look at the disparities rather than solely the event itself.  If in fact Trayvon Martin killing should have been resulted in the conviction of Zimmerman's for manslaughter and second degree murder, but did not; we need to arrest our law; look at what revisions mandate change; and accommodate a more balanced system that is truly based on one's actions.  

Under the law, Zimmerman should never have left his vehicle; the 911 operator should have given firm instructions for Zimmerman to remain in his vehicle rather than state that "...you don't need to do that..."; Fact, Zimmerman pulled a gun and a trigger, but that in itself is not a crime if you are "defending yourself" against a life threatening confrontation; and prejudice is not enough to convict someone of a murder.  Yet, it is Zimmerman's perception that a threat was real, his belief that "those people always get away" that resulted in Trayvon Martin's death.  

One thing is certain, taking one's life must be based on more than looking like a suspicious character.  But at the same time we cannot overwhelmingly state, beyond a shadow of a doubt that George Zimmerman is guilty.  It is difficult to reconcile this but it is something that should force us to assess the legal system which allows an individual to walk away with complete freedom after taking another persons life based on perception. 

Condolences to the family as no persons child should leave this planet before their parents.

Amazing Life Amazing People

It was 3:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon on a late Spring day.  Having gotten up early to do some gardening, much of the day got away from me.  It was about this time that I was feeling like I needed to be doing something else.  I didn't just want to go for a drive but I was still lost... almost lacking focus.

I fired up the Harley Davidson VROD, having decided that I would take a quick spin since it was so nice outside.  Still, I wasn't sure where it was taking me.  Initially I planned on going to the grocery store to get some multi-grain bread.  While Trader Joes has my favorite bread, they don't have many of my other favorites (I try to stay away from processed foods).

My friends in Estonia have a strong sense of national pride and it is one of the things that makes them so amazing to me (Allan and Karoli).  And this is the heart of this article, the impact friends have on what you do in life.  Where you meet them, what is occurring at the time and where you are spiritually/ metaphysically etc.


I lead a very ordinary live, my experiences are exceptional, and exceptional experiences become what they become because of what I want out of those experiences.  Secondly, the people I meet are amazing not because of who they are (meaning their social status) or what they have, but because of what they want out of life.  Zach C. I met during his short and simple visit in Boston, but he had a lasting impact on me as a result of our discussion about decisions regarding college, professional writing experiences, social networks and technology.  Lisa is a woman I met from Canada who moved to Australia.  She is amazing in so many ways; from the very natural way she inspires me to write to her insights into my being, she seems to understand things about me no one else does.  Andre and Andria befriended me and have become life long friends after talking about my book Seed (still in the works).  Andria's background directly relates to the topic of my writing interests.  Lise from Quebec has an exceptional gift of kindness and has invited me to come and visit with her and her husband.  They are an extraordinary couple and seeing them together elevates the joy in my heart-- there relationship is magical yet simple.  David who is an English specialist from Switzerland has chosen to return for another visit.  David also dances competitively (he is quite good).  And Amanda and Mark, whom I visited with last summer opened their home and hearts each is a master in their fields of photography and sculpture (respectively).

I have made friends with people all around the world.  Today was exception on a local level.

Four years ago I met Mario after purchasing a sailboat to sail from Boston to Cape Cod, on my first solo open water journey.  No instructions just faith, research for what I needed.  Prior to making the full trip, I connected with Mario after searching for an alternative motor for my sailboat on Craigslist.  Mario provided  a motor I needed to make the trip safe.  Upon arriving in Hull, MA, Mario greeted me with kindness and as promised, a motor.  Harry was a long time friend of Mario's and offered a battery that I needed, further ensuring safe travels.  So my motorcycle ride took me across Boston, into Cambridge, back to Boston and then out to Wollaston Beach in Quincy, then to Hingham and finally to Hull, where I would be reacquainted with Mario after passing his house-- four years after our initially meeting.  Having passed his house, I turned around noticing two boats in the driveway.  That had to be him I thought.  To my pleasant surprise, Mario was working on his boat.  We greeted each other as old friends might.  His hands soiled with grease and dirt from working on the motor, firmly gripped my own, it was a comforting familiarity.  We began talking about sailing, motorcycles and Craigslist- as friends would.

Each of the persons I have just spoken of reflect something in me that is somewhat of a quest.  Perhaps it is a quest to get the most out of life, possibly to answer questions I have not been able to answer myself, or perhaps it is to engage with people who seem to make my life more amazing just by knowing them.  Their kindness, positive energy and personal journeys speak volumes of what I seek myself.  In this respect I suppose we are very much the same.  We all had a journey, a story to share and a desire to listen for something new.

Anonymous...What is the Absence of a Name Responsible for Action or Justice; The Question Is...

"We are group of concerned citizens that have recognized an injustice in the system."


It is 11:24 and I have just returned home from working with a client.  HP posted an article that continues to surface in the plight of women, girls and injustice in the balance of the Scale-- we know as Justice.
One can debate what is right or wrong according to the rule of law, but what cannot be disputed is the fundamental understanding of human nature's moral compass.
We don't resist government as a people for the sake of resisting government.  With the proper infrastructure, accountability and commitment, a governing body can be very effective.  There is no reason be stand against corporations, if they are guided by the same standards and expectation that individuals are suppose to be held to.  What then is the problem?


Exceptions!
Exceptions interfere with consistency and continuity.  A claim is made about right or wrong; positions are taken on behalf of interest...  But who's interest.  Sure our founding bodies that created the Constitution had ideals in mind that would protect the well being of individuals, however corruption and currency got in the way and forever changed our destiny.
So at this cross roads what do we do?  We could minimize years of fabricated and/ or real conflict and get at the root of such disharmony by rethinking about how we look at more effective ways to meet the needs of the general population.  From redistribution of wealth to people friendly policies (so as not to get conflicted with social policies).  We are the People; and the only entitlement we deserve is a society based on egalitarian structures that rectify the imbalances of greed and secularism.
Liberate justice, not in the form of retaliation but restoring balance and accountability.  Is government is off kilter? Yes.  

Can it be fixed? Yes.  But the road to redemption is a long one. This oration is not a depiction of religious discourse, but that of the moral compass of man kind.


Fix what is wrong as leaders, not to control or punish but to bring back the balance to a scale that has long remained uncalibrated and diminishing in purpose and meaning. 

" I do not pretend to understand the moral universe; the arc is a long one, my eye reaches but little ways; I cannot calculate the curve and complete the figure by the experience of sight; I can divine it by conscience. And from what I see I am sure it bends towards justice." (Theodore Parker; wikipedia)