There's a kind of unspoken hierarchy for which names enter posterity. At the top of mine are those whose birthdays become holidays - King, Lincoln, Washington, Columbus. It's easy to argue which honor is greater after that. To me, a city (Madison, Jackson, Jefferson City) seems logical for the #2 spot. But, Lenin & Stalin got demoted from there in a fate more historically embarrassing than the two for one special Lincoln & Washington now endure sharing Presidents Day. So, it's arguable that someone's name becoming part of an often-used word (e.g. bowdlerize) deserves #2. Given the Lincoln/Washington bit, maybe #1.
From there it's an open field. My arbitrary placement in the posterity sweepstakes after holidays, cities, and names becoming words goes something like this - airports, universities/schools, streets, buildings, statues. What would you add? Because significant philanthropy often confers posterity, including things like wings of hospitals, rooms in museums, etc. makes sense for ranking #9. Then? The current fad marking names on public benches comes to mind; could be a stretch. Near the bottom? Sandwiches? But with most of those names shifting when a delicatessen changes hands, we've probably left posterity-land at this point.
Which brings me to the Bradley Beach Theater. When next you visit the men's room in this quaint relic from the mid-20th century, try to think of anything except the human drive for posterity when standing at the urinal. If you're a woman, wait until the coast is clear, sneak in and take a look at the strategically placed plaque. Oh, if only I'd had the imagination to make this up. In a future post, I plan on naming a holiday after this person; it's the least I can do. First, back to the theater to record the name.
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Friday, August 30, 2013
Curtain Up On Act Three
If the central premise of Daniel Pink's book "A Whole New Mind" (2005) turns out to be on the mark, I could be in for a rewarding Act Three.
According to Pink, those who are right brain dominant will help lead the way as the information age is superseded by the "conceptual age". Each of the six "senses" he identifies as critical to success in this new age- design, story, symphony, empathy, play, meaning - share elements more quickly accessed via the right hemisphere of the brain. And though the detail-oriented, sequential left hemisphere that helps us all decode text remains vitally important, Pink cites convincing research to make his case that much more attention needs to be given to the right hemisphere's facility to see the big picture, take in information simultaneously and provide context. Each of us needs a "whole new mind" - the already valued left and the under-valued but increasingly important right.
"The wealth of nations and the well being of individuals now depend on having artists in the room". Sentiments like that guarantee an author has my attention. Also, any book that extols emotional intelligence, the value of MFA's and the importance of having a high "metaphor quotient" is hitting the right notes. But in the end what won me over was the thorough research and the practical portfolios concluding each of the chapters on the six senses - loads of good ideas for enhancing each. I've already begun applying one idea from the "meaning" portfolio and will be using another from the "story" portfolio in a near-future post; stay tuned for that. Let me know what you extract if you pick up this worthwhile, educational book.
According to Pink, those who are right brain dominant will help lead the way as the information age is superseded by the "conceptual age". Each of the six "senses" he identifies as critical to success in this new age- design, story, symphony, empathy, play, meaning - share elements more quickly accessed via the right hemisphere of the brain. And though the detail-oriented, sequential left hemisphere that helps us all decode text remains vitally important, Pink cites convincing research to make his case that much more attention needs to be given to the right hemisphere's facility to see the big picture, take in information simultaneously and provide context. Each of us needs a "whole new mind" - the already valued left and the under-valued but increasingly important right.
"The wealth of nations and the well being of individuals now depend on having artists in the room". Sentiments like that guarantee an author has my attention. Also, any book that extols emotional intelligence, the value of MFA's and the importance of having a high "metaphor quotient" is hitting the right notes. But in the end what won me over was the thorough research and the practical portfolios concluding each of the chapters on the six senses - loads of good ideas for enhancing each. I've already begun applying one idea from the "meaning" portfolio and will be using another from the "story" portfolio in a near-future post; stay tuned for that. Let me know what you extract if you pick up this worthwhile, educational book.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
My Grade (So Far): Discernment
discernment: the faculty of discerning; discrimination; acuteness of judgment or understanding
***Quick detour: Remember how annoying it was learning new words as a kid if the dictionary defined a noun using the root of the same word as a verb or adjective? Man, I hated that.***
How would you grade yourself so far on this attribute? Part of the difficulty giving myself a fair grade here is how open the definition is. Judgment or understanding about what, exactly? So, I'm going to pick three things that strike me as important enough to be discerning about. When you comment, online or off, let me know which things you picked and your grade. Feel free to pick more or less than my totally arbitrary three.
My grade (so far) for discernment re people: A solid "B". Still make periodic mistakes but very happy with my lifetime batting average.
My grade (so far) for discernment re literature: Definitely on the upswing. It's taken me a good part of my life, but I've earned my current "B" for discernment here. And I believe an "A" could be in my future.
My grade (so far) for discernment re food: 63 years old - spent almost half my life in "D" or "F" territory - picky, provincial and poor. Then many more years trying new stuff but discerning? Hardly - a "C" at best. Since becoming a vegetarian in early 90's my grade has slowly risen to a high "C"/low "B". Grade point average? Looks like a "C" or "C-". But with some luck, there'll be enough years left to legitimately earn a "B" or better.
Two "B's" and one "C/C-" for discernment. Cyberspace teachers - What goes on my report card?
***Quick detour: Remember how annoying it was learning new words as a kid if the dictionary defined a noun using the root of the same word as a verb or adjective? Man, I hated that.***
How would you grade yourself so far on this attribute? Part of the difficulty giving myself a fair grade here is how open the definition is. Judgment or understanding about what, exactly? So, I'm going to pick three things that strike me as important enough to be discerning about. When you comment, online or off, let me know which things you picked and your grade. Feel free to pick more or less than my totally arbitrary three.
My grade (so far) for discernment re people: A solid "B". Still make periodic mistakes but very happy with my lifetime batting average.
My grade (so far) for discernment re literature: Definitely on the upswing. It's taken me a good part of my life, but I've earned my current "B" for discernment here. And I believe an "A" could be in my future.
My grade (so far) for discernment re food: 63 years old - spent almost half my life in "D" or "F" territory - picky, provincial and poor. Then many more years trying new stuff but discerning? Hardly - a "C" at best. Since becoming a vegetarian in early 90's my grade has slowly risen to a high "C"/low "B". Grade point average? Looks like a "C" or "C-". But with some luck, there'll be enough years left to legitimately earn a "B" or better.
Two "B's" and one "C/C-" for discernment. Cyberspace teachers - What goes on my report card?
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Keeping The End Open
Which project undertaken in your life took you the longest to complete? If you're still working on it now, how long have you already been at it? What is your projected completion date?
On my first cross-country driving trip in 1972, one of my stops was the Crazy Horse Memorial in South Dakota. 41 years ago, my lack of imagination prevented me from picturing what visionary sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski was attempting even though at that point he and his family had already been carving away the mountain for almost 25 years. By my next visit to the Black Hills in 2000 Ziolkowski had been gone 18 years, but enough progress had been made I could now see what he'd devoted his life to. The short film about this project shown at the visitor center left me weeping. If you're unfamiliar with the memorial and this man's singular dedication, visit the website. Try not to be astonished and humbled.
Ziolkowski has crossed my mind many times over the past 13 years, most recently when I was tempted to abandon one of my own long running, albeit much more mundane projects. Accepting no government funds, Ziolkowski decided from the outset the Crazy Horse Memorial would have no projected completion date. For now, I've decided this great man's approach is worth following. Declaring my project finish open-ended could be what's needed to re-energize me, as long as I avoid procrastination. How would a strategy like that work (or not) for you?
On my first cross-country driving trip in 1972, one of my stops was the Crazy Horse Memorial in South Dakota. 41 years ago, my lack of imagination prevented me from picturing what visionary sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski was attempting even though at that point he and his family had already been carving away the mountain for almost 25 years. By my next visit to the Black Hills in 2000 Ziolkowski had been gone 18 years, but enough progress had been made I could now see what he'd devoted his life to. The short film about this project shown at the visitor center left me weeping. If you're unfamiliar with the memorial and this man's singular dedication, visit the website. Try not to be astonished and humbled.
Ziolkowski has crossed my mind many times over the past 13 years, most recently when I was tempted to abandon one of my own long running, albeit much more mundane projects. Accepting no government funds, Ziolkowski decided from the outset the Crazy Horse Memorial would have no projected completion date. For now, I've decided this great man's approach is worth following. Declaring my project finish open-ended could be what's needed to re-energize me, as long as I avoid procrastination. How would a strategy like that work (or not) for you?
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Egypt 54 - France 39
Of stuff mentioned to date on this blog, I'm most frequently asked for updates on the "eat around the world" project initiated March 23, 2011.
Early this year I merged two pieces of geography - the number of countries that have viewed my blog vs. the number of sampled cuisines. On January 8, that score was Mongolia 47- Iran 22, a gap of 25 countries. After France became sampled cuisine #39 yesterday (tomato coulis, eggplant a la Provencale, bouillabaisse, peaches au gratin), the gap narrowed to 15 countries. Late in July, with my family's help, four countries (Australia, Columbia, Israel and the Philippines) got knocked off in one stuff-our-faces feast. And because my siblings are geography geeks like me we enjoyed facts, laughs and mild disagreements along with the Australian ginger beer & creamy fish, boliarepa, tu bi' shvat cake & singkamas/jicama salad. FYI, spellcheck really doesn't like that last sentence.
Given the interest in this project, my wife recently suggested starting a separate blog devoted to it. Although her idea has appeal, at present, sustaining two blogs at once is a little daunting. So for now, my original commitment of providing an occasional update will have to suffice. But keep your restaurant recommendations coming. Next stop? Russia via Manalapan, NJ.
Early this year I merged two pieces of geography - the number of countries that have viewed my blog vs. the number of sampled cuisines. On January 8, that score was Mongolia 47- Iran 22, a gap of 25 countries. After France became sampled cuisine #39 yesterday (tomato coulis, eggplant a la Provencale, bouillabaisse, peaches au gratin), the gap narrowed to 15 countries. Late in July, with my family's help, four countries (Australia, Columbia, Israel and the Philippines) got knocked off in one stuff-our-faces feast. And because my siblings are geography geeks like me we enjoyed facts, laughs and mild disagreements along with the Australian ginger beer & creamy fish, boliarepa, tu bi' shvat cake & singkamas/jicama salad. FYI, spellcheck really doesn't like that last sentence.
Given the interest in this project, my wife recently suggested starting a separate blog devoted to it. Although her idea has appeal, at present, sustaining two blogs at once is a little daunting. So for now, my original commitment of providing an occasional update will have to suffice. But keep your restaurant recommendations coming. Next stop? Russia via Manalapan, NJ.
Friday, August 23, 2013
Mr. Id & Mt. Rushmore
Mr. Id needs to know - Which often-heard insincere phrases would you enshrine on this 14th iteration of Mt. Rushmore? In no particular order, your favorite crank nominates the following:
1.) "Let's get together sometime". Oh baloney. If you really want to see someone that phrase is superfluous. Get out your calendar, high or low tech version, and make a date.
2.) "Stay in touch". Double baloney. How many times has someone said this to you and then happily reciprocated when you did exactly as they asked? How many times have you said it to others and really meant it vs. just flapping your gums?
3.) "I'll try". Baloney triptych (Mr. Id has been waiting months to use that word). Possibly the most insincere words ever uttered, tantamount to "I have no intention of bothering."
That's Mr. Id's version; what is yours? And don't waste time moaning about how it should be four phrases to match the four presidents. Mr. Id is way too contrary to follow any insincere blogger's rules.
1.) "Let's get together sometime". Oh baloney. If you really want to see someone that phrase is superfluous. Get out your calendar, high or low tech version, and make a date.
2.) "Stay in touch". Double baloney. How many times has someone said this to you and then happily reciprocated when you did exactly as they asked? How many times have you said it to others and really meant it vs. just flapping your gums?
3.) "I'll try". Baloney triptych (Mr. Id has been waiting months to use that word). Possibly the most insincere words ever uttered, tantamount to "I have no intention of bothering."
That's Mr. Id's version; what is yours? And don't waste time moaning about how it should be four phrases to match the four presidents. Mr. Id is way too contrary to follow any insincere blogger's rules.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Revisiting An Hypothesis
Few films of the past 20 years have stayed with me like "Remains of The Day" (1993). And though the acting and directing were exceptional, Kazuo Ishiguro's story, from his novel of the same name, is what most lingered.
After completing Ishiguro's 2000 novel "When We Were Orphans", I now feel compelled to return to his earlier book. "...Orphans" spoke to me on a few levels; the screenplay of "Remains..." had a similar effect on me. The two stories share superficial elements (time frame, main character is a solitary English man) while also exploring common larger themes (moral ambivalence, the ephemeral nature of memory, the difficulty of meaningfully connecting). "...Orphans" is largely metaphor-free but the writing still shimmers. It's difficult for me to picture anyone getting through the last chapter unmoved.
Over the past five years, I've felt oddly distanced from several novels by Asian authors, including one prizewinner. To this point, my working hypothesis was that these books, well written with one notable exception, didn't have enough noise to engage me. Yet "When We Were Orphans" is an exceedingly quiet book and I was fully engaged. Now that "Remains Of The Day" is in my queue, guess it's time to re-visit that hypothesis.
After completing Ishiguro's 2000 novel "When We Were Orphans", I now feel compelled to return to his earlier book. "...Orphans" spoke to me on a few levels; the screenplay of "Remains..." had a similar effect on me. The two stories share superficial elements (time frame, main character is a solitary English man) while also exploring common larger themes (moral ambivalence, the ephemeral nature of memory, the difficulty of meaningfully connecting). "...Orphans" is largely metaphor-free but the writing still shimmers. It's difficult for me to picture anyone getting through the last chapter unmoved.
Over the past five years, I've felt oddly distanced from several novels by Asian authors, including one prizewinner. To this point, my working hypothesis was that these books, well written with one notable exception, didn't have enough noise to engage me. Yet "When We Were Orphans" is an exceedingly quiet book and I was fully engaged. Now that "Remains Of The Day" is in my queue, guess it's time to re-visit that hypothesis.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Time For An Intervention
My subscription to Rolling Stone lapsed many years ago. So being routinely unfamiliar with popular songs and artists regularly mentioned on their final page is understandable if a tad on the old fart side.
But when a mainstream middlebrow non-music magazine like Time lists "13 songs of Summer 2013" and not a single song or artist is on my musical radar, it's time to get back in the game. I fully recognize at my age the word hip is more likely to be used discussing anatomy needing attention than music my peers and I listen to. But as a lifelong musician, it bothers me being this out of touch. I need a music intervention.
My daughter helped me create a few Pandora stations featuring young artists. My brother tries to keep me up-to-date, periodically making CD mixes for me with current songs by contemporary artists. And my wife discovered a good local college radio station. But more help is needed. Time magazine ahead of me musically? I'm in trouble. Your suggestions are welcome.
But when a mainstream middlebrow non-music magazine like Time lists "13 songs of Summer 2013" and not a single song or artist is on my musical radar, it's time to get back in the game. I fully recognize at my age the word hip is more likely to be used discussing anatomy needing attention than music my peers and I listen to. But as a lifelong musician, it bothers me being this out of touch. I need a music intervention.
My daughter helped me create a few Pandora stations featuring young artists. My brother tries to keep me up-to-date, periodically making CD mixes for me with current songs by contemporary artists. And my wife discovered a good local college radio station. But more help is needed. Time magazine ahead of me musically? I'm in trouble. Your suggestions are welcome.
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