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Archive for the 'Crew' Category

Celebrating Imagination AND Tradition

October 31, 2013
Batman: The Long Halloween

Batman: The Long Halloween (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Halloween is among the more popular holidays with the Scout-age crowd.  Its not just the candy.  Its a time of year when imagination runs wild.  Forget about what you are, or what your peers think you are.  You can be a pro-baseball player, or an NFL quarterback, or a super-fast goalie.  You can be a soldier or a sailor, Superman or Batman, warlock or web wizard.  Icabod Crane or the Headless Horsemen, Luke Skywalker or Darth Vader, Charlie Brown or Snoopie, pick your hero or villain.  You can be anything you can think up.

I’m not a Halloween guy myself.  The roots of the “holiday” lie in ancient pagan celebrations of Celtic spirits, which became incorporated in All Hallows Eve.  I have a hard time reconciling the tradition with my faith (A Scout is Reverent) but that’s me.  However, it reminds me that one kid’s harmless fun can be another kid’s offense.

I’m not talking about being politically correct.  I am talking about respecting tradition and different perspectives.  History is full of a variety of stories–my post on Tall Tales & the Bear Cub achievement activity is the #1 all-time post I’ve written anywhere.  These stories bind us to those who have gone before.  Our ancestors deserve to have their stories told unvarnished.

At the same time, Scout leaders must be sensitive to perspectives we may not share.  We grow by learning and welcoming new ideas, and figuring out how to incorporate those ideas into our traditions.  The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.  And our Packs and Troops and Crews will grow by letting our imaginations run a bit wild, without scaring off boys… or their parents.

Each of Us a Corp of Discovery

August 30, 2013

Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center

Back to school time is a good time to remember Scouting is NOT Scout School.

Scouting is boy-run, bottoms-up.  School is adult-run, top-down.

Scouting is a game for learning.  School is learning, so we can play games.

Scouting is a gang of eight (the patrol), all for one and one for all. School is all about individual achievement, as a cog in too-often a nameless bureaucracy.

Scouting is not competition for school or sports, but a compliment. We do well what they do not. Successful teams, like Lewis & Clark’s Corp of Discovery, follow universal truths with a strong dose of adaptation–to team members’ strengths and weaknesses, and to their changing environment. And each Troop does this not because we have to, but because we WANT to…go higher, last longer, be better citizens and men.

Yours in Scouting.

Scouting is the Idea

June 1, 2013

English: Front cover of the second installment...

What would B-P do?

Robert Baden-Powell founded Scouting over 100 years ago to fill a void.  He took what he had learned in service to his country and adapted it for boys who clamored for an outdoor life—a Boy’s Life.

Over the years, B-P’s Scouting idea was filtered and further adapted and bureaucratized by men, most with good intentions, as the Scouting Movement became institutionalized in 100s of nations across the world.  As they say, an idea is the raw grain of a movement, and as any other ingredient in man’s diet it is seldom recognizable by the time it becomes a “movement”.

We can argue if the Scout Association of the UK or the Boy Scouts of America (current or “improved”) or the Girls Scouts of America or any member of the World Organization of the Scouting Movement (WOSM) has remained faithful to B-P’s spirit and intent.  How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?

There is no arguing that modern bureaucracies have changed essential elements of B-P’s Scouting for Boys.  That fact is printed in plain black and white.  The BSA has wandered far from the basics of the Game of Scouting, with warm fuzzys and merit badge factories and full-time institutional inertia.  We can (and will) argue whether this is a good thing or not.  And in the United States, this time of trouble regarding such a bureaucratic travesty as membership standards may be the perfect impetus to revisit the whole reason we became Scouts.

Why do you play the Game of Scouting?

As a youth, I never thought much about the difference between “Scouting” and the BSA.  I knew B-P started Scouting in England a long time ago, and communist nations outlawed Scouting.  When I returned to the BSA as an adult leader, I read up on the meaning of that purple fleur-de-lis on my uniform, and the fact that there are many different Scouting organizations, both within the WOSM and without.

The Traditional Scouting movement refers to a back to basics effort that returns Scouting to a style based on Robert Baden-Powell‘s model of Scouting; rejecting the trend of modernizing Scouting to appeal to more youths… In America, the term Traditional Scouting can also refer to “old-fashioned” Scouting in some form, as opposed to the Traditional Scouting movement. –Wikipedia

The BSA is only one player in the Scouting movement.  Some alternate groups are more or less organized, more or less conservative or liberal, more or less “Traditional”.  As a Scouter, this may be a time to stick with the BSA and work to bring the movement back closer to B-P’s ideas and ideals.  As a Scouter, it may be time to plant your flag in another camp.

Either way remember:  Scouting is a Game, and it is for the Boys.

Always Room at the Scouting Inn

December 22, 2012

en: Ideal Scout Statue by Robert Tait McKenzie...

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. -Luke 2:7

Did you recruit a new Scout today?

No?  Are you sure?

Like the original Unknown Scout in the London fog, every day each of us who are Scouts and Scouters represent Scouting and the BSA (or WOSM organization of your choice), in uniform or not.  At school or at work, on service projects or just puttering around the neighborhood.  When people know you’re a Scout, they judge all of Scouting by your actions.  When people don’t know you’re a Scout, each person you meet is a potential Scout/Scouter or supporter.

As I related in my last post, my family recently moved to a new city/state/Council, so my boys and I have been looking for a new troop(s).  In a time of transition like this, we faced (and are still working through) many decision points regarding participation in Scouting.  The boys, being at different ages and ranks, have their own interests and concerns–even whether or not to continue in Scouting at all.  So we poked around on the Council website looking for local Troop and Crew info.  I visited Roundtable to see which units were active.  I asked around when we got to town to see if anybody knew any Scouters… and we visited several meetings to see where the boys felt they could fit in.  In each case, someone had the opportunity to extend a welcoming hand… or not.

Not only does everybody win in the game of Scouting, but there’s also always more room for more players.  While Mary & Joseph were turned away from the Inn so long ago, there’s always room in Scouting for families who want to live by the Scout Oath & Law.  And every day, each and every one of us invite new Scouts in, whether we know it or not, by how we live the Scout Oath and Law.  Do you live On Your Honor?  Are you Courteous and Kind?  Have you Done A Good Daily?

There are no strangers to Scouting, only friends we haven’t met yet.

Merry Christmas.

Everybody Wins in the Game of Scouting

November 30, 2012

Lions Park Scout House

Competition is a good thing.  We learn new skills and new solutions, then hone them further, through practice and competition. We compete on the basketball court and football field.  We compete in school and in our careers.

We recently moved to a new state and my sons have been visiting troops here.  Each troop is a bit different, with a different mix of boys—different ages, different schools, different interests—as well as each a different mix of adults.  One may tend towards canoeing, another towards hiking, another more towards service projects.

No one troop does everything “according to Baden-Powell”, but every troop, I believe, delivers the promise of Scouting as best they can.  Each troop finds their “thing”, or they find it hard to find members.  Every day, our Troops compete, not just for new Scouts but for the time and attention of each and every boy and adult leader on our rosters.

It seems the Intelligencia is determined to stamp out competition, believing it hurts our children’s self-esteem when they can’t win every game.  Life is competition… but Scouting is unique among most games our children play.  Only 5 boys can play on a basketball team at one time; 9 boys on a baseball team; 11 boys on a football team.  How many boys can play on the Scouting team?  All of ’em, 4-8 in a patrol, as many patrols as you can fit.  As Baden-Powell told us, “It is important to arrange games and competition so that all Scouts of the troop take part.”  Everybody wins in the game of Scouting.

National Preparedness Month

September 20, 2012

September is a good time to work with our Scouts—Pack, Troop, or Crew—on being prepared during National Preparedness Month.  Expand on the Bear Law Enforcement Activity with FEMA resources.  Ask your PLC to refresh the Troop on basic First Aid Skills or work on Wilderness First Aid for the backcountry.  Bring in your First Aid and Emergency Preparedness merit badge counselors.  Ask your leaders to take the online BSA Hazardous Weather training.

Be Prepared.

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Release date:
SEPTEMBER 13, 2012
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DENTON, Texas – September is National Preparedness Month. Putting together a family preparedness plan for disasters or emergencies can serve you well in any circumstance. Whether you are facing a severe weather event, a fire in your home, a hazardous materials incident in the neighborhood, or any other emergency, it’s a good idea to plan in advance.

  • Talk to your family members about preparedness and how to respond calmly to emergencies. Discuss what you would need to do to shelter in place, leave your home or evacuate your city.
  • Identify two meeting places, one near your home and one away from the neighborhood in the event family members cannot return to the house.
  • Post emergency phone numbers beside the telephone. Teach children how to call 911.
  • Choose a friend or relative out-of-state whom all family members will telephone to check in. The out-of-state relative can relay messages. When evacuating, notify relatives and friends about your plans. Be familiar with designated evacuation routes leading out of town.
  • Draw a home floor plan and choose at least two escape routes. Make sure you know how to shut off the water, gas and electricity.
  • Keep an emergency supply kit, including water, non-perishable food, important documents, radio and flashlight with extra batteries, extra eye glasses, medications and special needs products for babies and the elderly.
  • Make plans for family members or neighbors with special needs, as well as for care of pets.

During National Preparedness Month, and throughout the year, FEMA and the Ad Council invites everyone to prepare in advance for all types of natural disasters. The Ready Campaign’s websites (ready.gov and listo.gov) and toll-free numbers (1-800-BE-READY and 1-888-SE-LISTO) provide free emergency preparedness information and resources available in English and Spanish.

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Lone Scout Goes to Summer Camp

May 12, 2009

What to do about your Scout who is gone on family vacation or church camp during your Troop’s one week at Summer Camp?  Never fear, Lewis & Clark is near!

Do you love attending Lewis & Clark so much that you wish you could attend another week this summer?  Imagine the additional merit badges and fun you could have by camping another week.  Is your Troop going to camp during a week that you can’t attend?  You wish you could go with them, but your schedule just doesn’t allow it.

The Sioux Council is offering a solution to both of these questions for 2009.  We are putting together a special Council Contingent Troop.  Here’s how it works; we have set aside the Sergeant Floyd campsite during the week of July 19th to July 25th. The Sioux Council will provide the Troop leadership for this Troop during that week.  Youth from around our Council who would like a second week at camp or who can not go with their regular Troop can attend.  We will form a temporary Troop and divide the youth into patrols when they arrive at camp.  This Troop will get to participate in any and all programs camp has to offer.

Here’s what you need to do.  Print off the “Lewis and Clark Contingent Registration” form.  Complete the form and send it along with half the camp fee ($87.50) to the Center for Scouting.  Once we receive your registration, we will contact you to get your merit badge selections.  You will need to have a BSA Medical Form completed (parts A, B, & C) before attending camp.  This includes a doctor’s signature, so plan ahead.  You will also be responsible for bringing you own camping gear for the week.  Participants are required to find their own way to Lewis & Clark and must be picked up at the end of camp.

This came over the wires when I was out of town, so I don’t know if there’s still room available.  Our Troop has camped at Lewis & Clark Scout Reservation during the first week of camp in June, several years running.  We always eat in the dining hall, too.  The camp has a variety of topography on the bluffs above the Missouri River resevoirs, with an extensive waterfront program.  Check for info on Sioux Council website.

Ice Fishing Derby

January 15, 2009

1009 Ice Fishoree patch

Buffalo Ridge District, Sioux Council BSA, sponsored an Ice Fishoree on Lake Shetek, in Murray County, MN, on Saturday 10 January 2009.

Our Roundtable Commissioner initiated the event and we had about 120 Scouts & Volunteers attend. Some even caught fish!

The night before the event, our Cub Scout Pack slept in the Lodge at Camp Shetek with a Pack from Marshall, MN.  The Venture Crew slept outside in a teepee.

Shetek Lodge Fire

The Cubs made ice fishing rigs, watched a movie (Kung Fu Panda), ate pizza, went on a night hike, had a lot of fun. Hope to do it all again next year.

Be Prepared

January 8, 2009
A Scout is Trustworty, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent.

John Shepard
Committee Chair, Pack 25
Scoutmaster, Troop 25
Buffalo Ridge District, Sioux Council
“Used to be an Owl, a good old Owl, too”


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B-Boy Blues

by John Stoltenberg

This beautiful play with this fine cast needs to be seen to be believed. It is powerful and poignant, sexy and sad, searing and profound—and it requires a theatrical run and a national tour immediately.

The extraordinary company of actors and shoestring production came down from NYC to DC for one night only, part of the DC Black Theatre Festival—coincidentally on the day that the other Supremes undid DOMA. But even had that headline not happened, the sold-out crowd in Howard University’s Ira Aldridge Theater would have had plenty grounds for celebration, because right there on-stage, in the sometimes-shirtless flesh, same-gender-loving passion was what ruled.

As adapted for the stage by James Earl Hardy (from his beloved novel) and directed by Stanley Bennett Clay, B-Boy Blues unfolds in scenes that are so surprising, cinematically succinct, and overflowing with emotion that each interstitial blackout becomes its own drama of anticipation. The main narrative arc is a provocatively complex love story between two hot young men: a buppie—Mitchell “Little Bit” Crawford (the captivating Aundra Goodrum)—and a brutha—Raheim “Pooquie” Rivers (the arresting Jas Anderson). We meet seven other compelling and distinctly drawn SGL characters in their circle; Mitchell’s straight coworker and close friend Michelle (the endearing Jacqueline King-howell); and Raheim’s wise and knowing mother, Mrs. Rivers (the astounding Jennifer Fouché, who at one point belts out a song that stops the show). When this director was casting B-Boy Blues, he was blessed with crazy karma.

Dymir Arthur, in a piece for Mused Online Magazine, explains better than I can “Why You Must See James Earl Hardy’s ‘B-Boy Blues.’ “

I will simply add that contrary to what the term b-boy might suggest, the show actually has no breakdancing. But a little past the middle there’s a heartbreaking dance that will take your breath away. And it changes everything.

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Stocks End On A High Note Before Christmas

US Stocks Edge Higher Ahead of Christmas Holiday

Inside North Wests Chic Christmas

The S&P 500 index is up 28.6 percent for 2013, or 30.9 when dividends are included, its best year since 1997. With four trading days left in the year, many traders expect stocks to continue higher until New Year’s Eve. “Nothing has derailed this market this year, even with all the bad headlines of 2013,” said Jonathan Corpina, a New York Stock Exchange floor trader with Meridian Equity Partners. “We still have end-of-the-year cash coming in.” Few investors expect stocks to continue to rise at this pace through 2014. On average, market strategists with the major investment banks expect the S&P 500 to rise to 1,900 by the end of 2014, barely above where the index is trading at now.

US stocks edge higher in midday trading

The rally was fueled by strong economic data and the U.S. Federal Reserve’s decision to begin trimming its stimulus program next month, which removed a major source of uncertainty for the market. The Fed also said its key interest rate would stay at rock bottom longer than previously promised. “Clearly what the Fed did was right down the sweet spot, and it was quite frankly what the market wanted to hear.

US STOCKS-Dow, S&P hit record highs; Apple’s China deal lifts techs

The Nasdaq composite was up six points, or 0.2 percent, at 4,155. Trading was extremely light ahead of the holiday. Homebuilder stocks rose after the government revised up new-home sales figures for the previous three months, a sign that housing may be regaining strength. Beazer Homes jumped 3 percent.

Stocks, Treasury yield climb on Christmas Eve

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) There’s no holding back the Santa Claus rally. The Dow and S&P 500 climbed 0.5% to new records Monday, while the Nasdaq jumped more than 1% to a fresh 13-year high. Investors were feeling increasingly confident after the head of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde , said her organization was much more upbeat about the U.S. economic recovery. “We see a lot more certainty for 2014,” Lagarde said in an interview Sunday on NBC.

Santa Claus rally fuels new records for stocks

u.s. stocks, dow

The figures add to evidence that the housing market is struggling to sustain the pace of its recovery. The yield on the 10-year Treasury sprang 1.8%, climbing to 2.98%. It’s been almost two and a half years since the yield surpassed 3%. On Monday, the Dow Jones industrial average rose 73.47 points, or 0.5%, to a main page record close of 16,294.61.

Stocks: Record-high indexes cruise higher

Post to Facebook Stocks: Record-high indexes cruise higher on Incorrect please try again A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. Sent! A link has been sent to your friend’s email address. 8 View reader contributions and add your own related to this story. Sign in now to share your story.

US STOCKS-Dow, S&P end at record highs in brief pre-holiday trade

The Dow also hit an all-time intraday high at 16,360.60, while the S&P 500 reached a record intraday high at 1,833.32. The S&P 500 has soared 28.5 percent this year, largely due to stimulus measures from the U.S. Federal Reserve. The index is on track for its best year since 1997.

The information is based on all major carriers including ones merged into other carriers. The Standard & Poors 500 index rose five points, or 0.3 percent, to 1,832. The Nasdaq composite was up four points, or 0.1 percent, at 4,153. U.S. markets will close early on Tuesday and will remain closed on Wednesday in observance of Christmas.

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The Taj Mahal

Posted on Updated on

“The Taj Mahal rises above the banks of the river like a solitary tear suspended on the cheek of time.”
― Rabindranath Tagore

Image Posted on Updated on

The day God decided to play with frosting… Snow formation at Rhotang Pass, altitude 3,978 m on the wind whipped eastern pass of the Himalayan Mountain Range.

A word a week

Life’s curve ball

Posted on

Ooty , Queen of the hills, With her lush green bosom welcomed me in to the world. Sliding down grassy hillocks. bathing in waterfalls, trekking, climbing trees, stuffing our little faces with peaches, berries and running wild were our favorite past times.

When I was 20, Dubai beckoned me with the promise of a job. I landed here in July, leaving behind torrential rain and a bone chattering weather. Dubai was hot… hot was an understatement. The heat wave almost sent me to the emergency room during my first summer here.

Since then, I’ve grown to love the beautiful landscapes of Dubai, the Wadi’s, the desert, the beaches, the architecture and the people….


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27.04.2016 Author: F. William Engdahl

How NATO-linked Think Tanks Control EU Refugee Policy

435344444A flood of uncontrolled war refugees from Syria, Libya, Tunisia and other Islamic countries destabilized by Washington’s ‘Arab Spring’ Color Revolutions, has created the greatest social dislocation across the EU from Germany to Sweden to Croatia since the end of World War II. By now it has become clear to most that something quite sinister is afoot, something which threatens to destroy the social fabric of the very core of European civilization. What few realize is that the entire drama is being orchestrated, not by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, or by faceless EU bureaucrats of the Brussels EU Commission. It is being orchestrated by a cabal of NATO-linked think tanks.

Last October 8, 2015 amid the great stream of hundreds of thousands of refugees flooding into Germany from Syria, Tunisia, Libya and other lands, a newly self-confident German Chancellor Angela Merkel proclaimed on a popular German TV program, “I have a plan.” She took the occasion to take a sharp dig at coalition partner, Bavarian CSU head, Horst Seehofer, a stauch critic of Merkel’s open arms refugee position since spring 2015 that saw more than one million refugees enter Germany last year alone.

Since that point, with iron-hard resolve, the German Chancellor has defended the criminal Erdogan regime in Turkey, an essential partner in her “plan.”

Most of the world has looked on with astonishment as she ignored principles of free speech and decided to prosecute publicly a well-known German TV comedian, Jan Böhmermann, for his satirical remarks about the Turkish President. They were astonished as the symbol of European democracy, the German Chancellor, chose to ignore Erdogan’s imprisonment of opposition journalists ands his shutting of Turk opposition media as he proceeded with plans to establish a de facto dictatorship rule within Turkey. They were puzzled as Berlin’s government chose to ignore overwhelming proof that Erdogan and his family were materially aiding and abetting ISIS terrorists within Syria who were in fact creating the war refugee crisis. They were astonished to see her push through an EU committment to give Erdogan’s regime billions of euros to supposedly deal with the refugee flow from Turkish refugee camps across the border into EU neighbor land, Greece and beyond.

The Merkel Plan

All of those seemingly inexplicable actions from the once-pragmatic German leader appear to go back to her embrace of a 14-page document prepared by a network of pro-NATO think-tanks, brazenly titled “The Merkel Plan.”

What the newly-self-confident German Chancellor did not tell her hostess, Anne Will, or her viewers was that “her” plan was given to her just four days earlier, on October 4, in a document already titled The Merkel Plan, by a newly-created and obviously well-financed international think-tank called the European Stability Initiative or ESI. The ESI website showed that it had offices in Berlin, Brussels and in Istanbul, Turkey

Suspiciously, the authors of the ESI plan titled their plan as if it had come from the German Chancellor’s office and not from them. More suspicious is the contents of The Merkel Plan of ESI. In addition to already taking more than one million refugees in 2015, Germany should “agree to grant asylum to 500,000 Syrian refugees registered in Turkey over the coming 12 months.” In addition, “Germany should accept claims from Turkey…and provide safe transport to successful applicants…already registered with the Turkish authorities…” And finally, “Germany should agree to help Turkey obtain visa-free travel in

That so-called Merkel Plan was a product of US and NATO-linked think tanks and of governments of NATO member countries or prospective members. The maxim “follow the money trail” is instructive in this case to see who really runs the EU today.

The ESI came out of NATO-led efforts to transform South East Europe following the US-instigated war in Yugoslavia during the 1990’s that resulted in the Balkanization of the country and establishment of a major USA and NATO airbase, Camp Bond Steel in Kosovo.

Current ESI Chairman directly responsible for the final Merkel Plan document is Istanbul-based Austrian sociologist, Gerald Knaus. Knaus is also a member of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), and an Open Society Fellow.

Founded in London in 2007, the ECFR is an imitation of the influential New York Council on Foreign Relations, the think-tank created by the Rockefeller and JP Morgan bankers during the 1919 Versailles peace talks to coordinate an Anglo-American global foreign policy. Significantly, the creator and moneybags for the ECFR is American multi-billionaire and Color Revolution funder, George Soros. In virtually every US State Department-backed Color Revolution since the collapse of the Soviet Union, including in Serbia in 2000, in Ukraine, in Georgia, in China, in Brazil and in Russia, George Soros and offshoots of his Open Society Foundations have been in the shadows financing “democracy” NGOs and activists to install pro-Washington and pro-NATO regimes.

The select members, called Council Members or associates, of the London-based ECFR include ECFR co-chairman Joschka Fischer, former German Green Party Foreign Minister who arm-twisted his party into backing Bill Clinton’s illegal 1999 bombing of Serbia without UN Security Council backing.

Other members of the Council of Soros’ European Council on Foreign Relations think tank include former NATO Secretary General, Xavier Solana. It includes disgraced plaigarist and former German Defense Minister, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg; Annette Heuser, Executive Director Bertelsmann Stiftung in Washington DC; Wolfgang Ischinger, Chairman, Munich Security Conference; Cem Özdemir, chairman, Bündnis90/Die Grünen; Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, German Liberal Party (FDP) MP; Michael Stürmer, Chief Correspondent, Die Welt; Andre Wilkens, Director of Mercator Foundation; pederasty defender, Daniel Cohn-Bendit of the European Parliament. Cohn-Bendit, known as “Danny the Red” during the May, 1968 French student riots, was a member of the the autonomist group Revolutionärer Kampf (Revolutionary Struggle) in Rüsselsheim, Germany along with his close ally, now ECFR chairman, Joschka Fischer. The two went on to found the “realo” wing of the German Greens.

The Open Society Foundations is the network of tax-exempt “democracy-promoting” foundations created by George Soros on the collapse of the Soviet Union to promote “free market” pro-IMF market liberalization of former communist economies that opened the doors for the systematic plundering of invaluable mining and energy assets of those countries. Soros was a major financier of the liberal economic team of Boris Yeltsin including Harvard “Shock Therapy” economist, Jeffrey Sachs, and Yeltsin liberal adviser, Yegor Gaidar.

Already it becomes clear that the “Merkel Plan” is the Soros Plan in fact. But there is more if we wish to understand the darker agenda behind the plan.

The ESI Funders

The European Stability Initiative think-tank of Soros-tied Gerald Knaus is financed by an impressive list of donors. Their website lists them.

The list includes, in addition to Soros’ Open Society Foundations, the Soros-tied German Stiftung Mercator, and the Robert Bosch Stiftung. ESI funders also include European Commission. Then, curiously enough the funder list for The Merkel Plan includes an organization with the Orwellian name, The United States Institute of Peace.

Some research reveals that the United States Institute of Peace has anything but a peace-loving background. The United States Institute of Peace is chaired by Stephen Hadley, former US National Security Council adviser during the neo-conservative war-waging Bush-Cheney administration. Its Board of Directors includes Ashton B. Carter, current Obama Administration neo-conservative hawkish Secretary of Defense; Secretary of State John Kerry; Major General Frederick M. Padilla, President of the US National Defense University. These are some very seasoned architects of the US Pentagon Full Spectrum Dominance strategy for world military domination.

The “Merkel Plan” authors at the European Stability Initative, in addition to the largesse of George Soros’ foundations, list as “core” funder, the German Marshall Fund of the United States. As I describe in my book, The Think Tanks, the German Marshall Fund is anything but German. With its seat in Washington, as I noted in the book, “It’s an American think tank with its headquarters in Washington, D.C. In point of fact, its agenda is the deconstruction of postwar Germany and more broadly of the sovereign states of the EU to fit them better into the Wall Street globalization agenda.”

The German Marshall Fund of Washington has been involved in the post-1990 USA agenda of regime change around the world in league with the US-funded National Endowment for Democracy, Soros Foundations, and the CIA front called USAID. As I describe it in the think tanks book, “The major focus of the German Marshall Fund according to its 2013 Annual Report was to support the US State Department agenda for so-called democracy-building operations in former communist countries in eastern and south-eastern Europe, from the Balkans to the Black Sea. Significantly their work included Ukraine. In most instances, they worked together with the USAID, widely identified as a CIA front with ties to the State Department, and the Stewart Mott Foundation which gives funds to the US Government-funded National Endowment for Democracy.”

Notably, the same Stewart Mott Foundation is also a funder of the ESI-authored Merkel Plan, as is the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.

This all should give pause for reflection as to who and for what goals the Merkel-Erdogan deal for dealing with the EU refugee crisis is intended. Does the Rockefeller-Bush-Clinton faction in the United States intend to use it as a major social engineering experiment to create chaos and social conflict across the EU at the same time their NGOs such as the NED, Freedom House and the Soros Foundations are stirring things up in Syria and Libya and across the Islamic world? Is Germany, as former US presidential adviser and Rockefeller crony, Zbigniew Brzezinski called her, a “vassal” of US power in the post-1990 world? To date the evidence is pretty strong that that’s the case. The role of US and NATO-linked think tanks is central to get an understanding of how the Federal Republic of Germany and the European Union are actually controlled from behind the Atlantic curtain.

F. William Engdahl is strategic risk consultant and lecturer, he holds a degree in politics from Princeton University and is a best-selling author on oil and geopolitics, exclusively for the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook”

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Sunday, 13 July 2014

When we lived in Surrey we were very lucky to have Jim and Diane living next door to us for several years - do you know I cant remember how many, but I know they left in 2002 to emigrate to New Zealand. I don't think they left because of us (but you never know). However, while they were with us they were great neighbours and we had lots of fun with them, and probably consumed vast quantities of alcohol with them too.

We were quite sad to see them go, but off they went to New Zealand to make a new life for themselves. Since they left we have spoken on the phone a couple of times and exchanged emails and Christmas cards. We weren't really expecting to see them again, but quite out of the blue a couple of weeks ago we had an email, they were in UK, and would be passing almost by our front door on their way from Devon back to London, could they pop in and see us? Well of course they could, why on earth not?

So last weekend they turned up, looking exactly as they had done 12 years ago! Diane had a very slight kiwi accent but apart from that they were just as we had known them, and it was as if it was only a month or so since we had last been together. Isn't that a sign of true friendship?

They'll be heading back to NZ in two weeks time and I guess it will be at least another 12 years before we see them again. Thanks for popping in, you two, and bon voyage (again).

karen said...

How wonderful. Love it when old friends appear out of the blue. xx

Mum said...

You know they are friends when you can just pick up again where you left off. It doesn't matter how long it's been since you last saw them, does it?
Love from Mum


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Posts Tagged ‘gerrard

Premier League most hated XI

Drogba -everyone's favourite post match commentator

Drogba -everyone's favourite post match commentator

Over the years there have been many great players who’ve graced the Premier League, making it the most enjoyable entertaining and exciting domestic competition in the world. Players such as Cantona, Shearer, Henry, Ronaldo, Fabregas and Franny Jeffers have given even the non-football lovers a reason to tune in to Match of the Day on a Saturday night as they show us how the beautiful game can be truly just that. There have also been another set of players though, throughout the years, men who may have footballing ability but also have the knack of causing most of us to scream in anger whenever they touch the ball. I’m talking about the sort of players who if your daughter brought them home, you’d wish she was a lesbian. Players we love to hate.

Now, not many of us actually know Premier League players on a personal level, but we can pretty much garner all we need to know about someone from their attitude on the pitch. Some players such as Paul Scholes for example, will never be truly hated, which is somewhat surprising considering he’s fouled every single Premier League player at least twice, because they just get on with the game in a quiet manner. However for every Paul Scholes, there’s a Robbie Savage, the sort of player that even some of his own fans struggle to find a fondness for. Here’s my own personal Premier League XI made up of players you’d rather glass, than have a pint with.

Goalkeeper- Jens Lehman- Where do we start with Mr. Lehmann? Who can forget his chuckle-brothers esque shoving match with that other loveable chap Didier Drogba, or perhaps chasing a hapless linesman for 30 yards to berate him for a disputable decision. Lehmann also had a penchant for running out of his area often when not really required and for shoving, pushing, and generally antagonising anyone who came near him at a corner. He left Arsenal in 2008 after 199 appearances , during which he picked up a Premier League and FA cup winner’s medal- and got himself sent of in the Champions League final. He was soon up to his old tricks in Germany, racing out of his area allowing Cologne’s Wilfried Sanou to fire into an empty net from 45 yards, he then got in trouble for attending Oktoberfest immediately after, despite being told not to. No doubt he found a few Colonge fans to buy him drinks.

Left back There was only ever going to be one wasn’t there, in fact its so obvious I’m not even going to put his name. The Chelsea left-back is actually one of the best in the world and has won every domestic honour there is several times, but he’s also one of the most hated men ever to put on a pair of football boots. When he’s not refusing to be booked by referees, he’s busy lamenting the fact that Thierry Henry got more chants than he did, or complaining that £3 million plus a year, is enough to make you crash your car- more than a few people were probably wishing it did.

Right back- Gary Neville- I’m sorry but let’s be honest, while there are United fans that love Neville, they both live in Stretford apparently, for many, he’s become something of an embarassment. He may be one of the best right backs Old Trafford has ever seen, but more often than not his behaviour leaves a lot to be desired. Constantly saying anything to wind up the opposition, Neville is hated by anyone outside Old Trafford and even a few inside. As his appearances have become fewer his comments have increased, as have his actions. When he’s not giving players the bird, refusing to shake former collegues hands, or hiding behind Roy Keane in the tunnel, he’s making statements on anything from -deep breath now- Liverpool’s European exit, Carlos Tevez’s worth, Fabio Capello’s management ability, or how Premier League players are worth their wages. If Fred the Red ever retires, United have a ready made mascot.

Centre back- William Gallas- Who can forget the sight of the happy-go-lucky Frenchman sitting in the St.Andrews centre circle sulking, as Birmingham’s James McFadden tucked away penalty. The fact that Gallas was captain only made it more ridiculous. He took a leaf out of the Roy Keane school of youngster morale boosting by claiming in an interview that Arsenal’s younger players needed to “show more courage” if they were to succeed, perhaps sulking in the centre circle is a good way for them to start. Gallas was subsequently dropped from the squad for the next match before being stripped of the captaincy. A must for every dressing room in need of a sense of camaraderie or wishing to give a good example to the younger players.

Centre back- John Terry- Sorry Chelsea fans, well actually I’m not, but it’s yet another Chelsea defender who falls into the most hated category. His Guinness record breaking crying marathon following the Champion’s League final, apparently it lasted 34 days, still makes me wonder how anyone on earth could call him the ‘new Bobby Moore,’ I don’t recall England’s World Cup winning captain, sobbing his eyes out as he’s pictured with Pele in 1970. A player that often finds himself booed at away grounds- except at Old Trafford where, following Moscow,  he always gets and ironic cheer.

Left midfield- El Hadji Diouf- Although he can play in a number of positions for the purposes of this team he’s out on the left wing. What can you say about Diouf, honest, genuine, decent, clean, none of these words coud be used to describe a player who is almost as famous for spitting at people as he is for any footballing acheivements. Celtic fans, Arjan De Zeeuw and fans from Middlesboro have all been treated to a ‘gobby’ from the lovely lad from Senegal. Diouf isn’t a one-trick pony however, no no, he’s got more to his game than just spittting. How about a bit of abuse to those horrible nasty ball-boys at Goodison Park, that’s what’s missing in the modern game.

Right midfield- Cristiano Ronaldo- okay, I still love Ronnie, but as someone said to me when he was still at United: “He might be a tw*t, but he’s our tw*t.” I had to agree.

Centre midfield- Steven Gerrard- arguably the most difficult time I’ve ever had as a football fan was supporting England with Gerrard wearing the captain’s armband. His camera -kissing celebration at Old Trafford as Liverpool stormed to another trophyless season was bad enough but it was his ‘accidental’ assist to Drogba to gift Chelsea the title cemented my dislike of him. He should have been banned for a year, mind you making him England Captain was probably punishment enough.

Centre midfield- Lee Bowyer – The former Charlton,

Leeds, West Ham  and Newcastle man has found an army of haters wherever he’s gone. It’s not just the fact that he holds the record for the most bookings in Premier League history or that he’s even been sent off for fighting with his own team-mates, its also that, well he’s just got one of those faces, hasn’t he?

Striker- Craig Bellamy- It takes a special player to get a list of enemies as long as Bellamy’s but the diminutive Welsh striker has managed to leave a trail of p*ssed off people behind him, wherever he’s gone. A career that took in Norwich, Coventry, Liverpool, Celtic, Newcastle and West Ham saw arguments with managers, and team-mates, ‘putt’ the striker on the most hated list of many. When Bellamy joined newly rich Manchester City  life at Eastlands was fairly quiet for the little Welsh one, although he did find time to assault a United fan- who was being held by stewards- in the Manchester derby, United fans don’t hold grudges though, even giving Bellamy a bit of money on his next trip to Old Trafford. There was also his public support of John Terry which no doubt endeared him to Chelsea fans. He’s a player that can often be seen winding up the opposition and he usually succeeds in that endeavour. Bellamy’s loan move to Cardiff left Pentonville rather disheartened as they were looking for a new forward.

Striker- Didier Drogba- For me one of the  funniest sights in recent Premier League history was Drogba having a ‘fit’ after being flying kicked by Jonny Evans, only to be booked by the referee. The Chelsea forward has become so known for falling over at the drop of a hat, that he’s even admitted it in interviews. Talking of interviews his post-match analysis following Chelsea’s Champion’s League exit to Barcelona was legendary. When he’s not diving, sulking and swearing he does score a lot of goals, but he’s done enough over the past few years to edge his way on to here.

Subs bench– Mark Bosnich, Emmanuel Adebayor, Kevin Davies, Duncan Ferguson, Robbie Savage, Michael Brown, Stephen Hunt.


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Day 35 – Nice to La Spezia, France to Italy

Today, despite a gelato hangover, I managed to get on a train from Nice to Genoa. On the train I met two American travelers, Shane and Allen. They seemed like fun, so we all exchanged email addresses and discussed possible travel plans together in the near future. Eventually they hopped off the train, and I continued on.

My entire life had been leading up to this moment. This was the reason I endured the humiliating act of busking year after year. From a lifetime obsession over spaghetti with my equally obsessed best friend Jenna, to my favourite song from ‘The Wiggles’ being ‘Balla Bambina’ because it was Italian… Today was the day I arrived in Italy.

One of the main things everyone warned me about was Italian men.. Italians even warn me about the Italian men. So of course it was only fitting that within 5 minutes of arriving in Italy I would already have a story to tell. I got off the train at Genoa, and needed to catch another train to Riomaggiore. I wasn’t sure what platform I needed to be on for my next train so I found an old train conductor man and asked him where I needed to be. He helped me out, and then helped me get the elevator working, asked what my name was, pinched my cheek and walked off. A couple of minutes later I was standing on the right platform and there he was sitting on the platform opposite. He sees me, smiles and waves. I wave back then continue messaging Jenna. I look up 5 minutes later and there he is walking straight across the train tracks over to me! He comes over and starts talking to me in Italian, making sure I knew what time the train comes and just general chit chat that I somehow understood (maybe it was his hand gestures). He asked what my name was again, and I asked his to be polite. He walked off for a couple of minutes and then came back. He asked me if I remembered his name and laughed in disappointment at me when I didn’t. I asked him if he remembered my name and when he couldn’t remember either I laughed back at him. I asked to take a photo with him, knowing this would be a funny memory. And what does he do? SMILE!! is what I said to do.. but KISS MY CHEEK is what he actually did!

He then proceeded to get his wallet from his pocket, and take out some ancient looking photos. He showed me a photo of a teenage boy and then pointed back to himself, saying ‘me’. He asked me if I thought he was handsome when he was younger, then pointed to his bald head and laughed saying he was a bit old now. He said I was beautiful and that he was too old for me… I made my agreement for that last bit UTTERLY clear. I have to say. It was the introduction to Italy I had been forewarned about but still didn’t expect.

Message to Dad: Don’t freak out! Hahahahahahaha

My train then came and off I went to Riomaggiore in Cinque Terre (a place that I had put as my laptop wallpaper for 2 years!). I had gotten in contact with another host on couchsurfing named Mattia. He met me at the train station at Riomaggiore and introduced me to some of his friends from France. We all went to the rocky beach to eat pizza and drink white wine. On our way back into town we heard somebody singing and playing guitar, and of course Mattia knew him! So we climbed up the rocks and sat with him and listened to him play and those who knew the songs also joined in singing. Afterwards we collected our stuff and drove to La Spezia to his family’s house to have dinner, chat, and get ready to go out 🙂 While waiting outside they asked me something about fireflies, and I said I had never seen one, so into the garden we search and they catch one! It was so beautiful looking into the bushes you could see them faintly glittering.

In the car Mattia played his cool Reggae music and off we went into town. We found this cool little bar decorated with lots of mirrors and frames on one wall and different artwork on others. Outside was packed with italians (and their dogs) all hanging around. After a drink there we went in search for a place to dance. We got in for free thanks to Mattia convincing them we were all foreigners here for one night only. At first when we were inside the dance floor was too empty to be able to dance, but soon it filled up and we all danced to a mix of 90s english songs, and random italian songs. After we’d had enough dancing we made our way back home, had something to eat and went to sleep.

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Kartik poornima is also the birthday of Matsya, god Vishnu’s fish-incarnation (Avatar). It is also the birthday of Vrinda, the personification of the Tulsi plant and of Kartikeya, the god of war and son of Shiva. This day also is considered special for Radha, the lover of Krishna – Vishnu’s incarnation. It is believed that Krishna and Radha danced rasa and Krishna worshipped Radha on this day. This day is also dedicated to the pitrs, dead ancestors.[4][5]

  Underhill believes that the origins of this festival may lie in ancient times, when a sacrifice called Shakamedhah was performed to attain victory over enemies.[6]

  The festival has even more significance when the day falls in the nakshatra (lunar mansion) Krittika and is then called Maha Kartik. The nakshatra is Bharani, the results are stated to be special. If it is Rohini nakshatra, then the fruitful results are even much more. Any philanthropic act on this day is supposed to bring benefits and blessings equal to the performing of ten yajnas (sacrifices).[7]

  Hindu ritual

  Kartik Poornima is closely associated with Prabodhini Ekadashi which marks the end of Chaturmas, a four-month period when Vishnu is believed to sleep. Prabodhini Ekadashi signifies the awakening of the god. Chaturmas penance ends on this day. Many fairs that begin on Prabodhini Ekadashi end on Kartik Poornima, Kartik Poornima usually being the most important day of the fair.[4] Fairs that conclude on this day include Prabodhini Ekadashi celebrations at Pandharpur and Pushkar Fair. Kartik Poornima is also the last day to perform Tulsi Vivah ceremony that can be performed from Prabodhini Ekadashi.

  Also, it is believed that Vishnu, on this day, returns to his abode after completing his stay in Bali. Hence, the day is known as Deva-Diwali.[8]

  Puskar Mela,
  In Pushkar, Rajasthan, the Pushkar Fair or Pushkar mela commences on Prabodhini Ekadashi and continues till Kartik Poornima, the latter being the most important. This fair is held in honour of god Brahma, whose temple stands at Pushkar. A ritual bath on Kartik Poornima in the Pushkar Lake is considered to lead one to salvation. It is believed circling the three Pushkars on Kartik Poornima is highly meritorious. Sadhus gather here and stay from ekadashi to full moon day in caves. About 200,000 people and 25,000 camels assemble in Pushkar for the fair. Pushkar fair is Asia’s largest camel fair.[9][10][11][12][13]

  A ritual bath at a tirtha (a sacred water body like a lake or river) at a pilgrimage centre is prescribed on Kartik Poornima. This holy bath is known as “Kartik snana”.[4][14] An holy bath at Pushkar or in the Ganges river, especially at Varanasi is deemed as most auspicious. Kartik Poornima is the most popular day for bathing in the Ganges at Varanasi.[5] The devotees also take a bath in the evening during moonrise and offer worship by way of six prayers such as Shiva sambuti, Satait and so forth.[7]

  Annakuta, an offering of food to the deities, is held in temples.[4] People who have taken vows on Ashwin full moon day, end them on Kartik Poornima. God Vishnu is also worshipped on this day. Any form of violence (himsa) is prohibited on this day. This includes shaving, hair-cutting, cutting of trees, plucking of fruits and flowers, cutting of crops and even, sexual union.[14] Charity especially donation of cows, feeding of Brahmins, fasting are religious activities prescribed for Kartik Poornima.[5] Giving gift of gold is said to fulfill all desires of people.[7]

  Tripuri Poornima is only next to Mahashivratri, amongst festivals dedicated to Shiva worship.[6] To commemorate the killing of Tripurasura, images of Shiva are carried in procession. Temple complexes in southern India are lit up throughout the night. Deepmalas or towers of lights are illuminated in temples. People place 360 or 720 wicks in temples, to secure escape reaching hell after death.[4] The 720 wicks symbolizes the 360 days and nights of the Hindu calendar.[5] In Varanasi, the ghats come alive with thousands of diyas (brightly lit earthen lamps).[5] People gift lamps to priests. The lamps are kept throughout the night in houses and Shiva temples. This day is also known as “Kartik Diparatna” – the jewel of lamps in Kartik.[6] Lights are also floated in miniature boats in rivers. Lights are placed under Tulsi, Sacred fig and Amla trees. The lights in the water and under trees are believed to help fishes, insects and birds who saw the light to attain salvation.[

About lalbaba111

i am a professional spiritual guide,i am in spirituality for last 23 years,along doing other works,a civil engineer my self,iwas a business man also,till 8 years back now i teach meditation with mantra sadhna based in Delhi.Iam a SRI VIDYA sadhak,taken SODDAKSHRI VDYA MANTRA ALSO.
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The Most Productive Way of Doing Support Ever!

When you combine the power of the Lean principles with a powerful email integration you get unbelievable results.

We started working on support as soon as we’ve had our first release. In the beginning we used email and MS Outlook, which is an amazingly good product and works quite well for a single support person and 50-100 customers. Though, once our customers went into the hundreds (and later into the thousands), it quickly became obvious that we needed a specialized solution to track all customer requests. It’s pretty much clear who the pioneers in that field are, but we always felt reluctant to go buy a subscription for a tool that looked old-fashioned, was too complex and was not integrated with our Kanban board. That’s how we decided to build an email integration with Kanbanize and cover the support scenario, which would work with our software development scenario.

With that tough problem in mind, we went ahead and implemented the support solution within Kanbanize – something which exceeded even our own expectations. Not only were we able to save a lot of time learning a new system, but it turned out that we managed to bring back almost everyone from the support team back to product development. The mixture of a Kanban system with Email integration scaled so UNBELIEVABLY WELL that we currently have a single support guy, who’s a part time developer too. Can you really imagine that? A half-time person serving the requests of thousands of customers like a boss?* It’s not story telling, it’s the power behind the lean principles combined with a great product. Read on to get all the details and you’ll be able to achieve the same unmatched results in 10 minutes. You heard it right, you’ll only need 10 minutes…

*Of course we have a pool of people ready to jump in and help with the support work in case of peak loads, but these are only rare occasions. It must be also noted that the RnD team does a fantastic job not creating many issues, which is also a part of the equation.

Quick scenario overview

The scenario is simple:

1. A customer (or internal user) sends an email to a predefined address, let’s call it

2. This email is converted to a Kanban card on the support team’s Kanban board (in the Requested column).

3. A Support engineer drags the card from the REQUESTED column to IN PROGRESS. The support engineer works on the card actively.

4. Once the support engineer has finished working on the card, it has to be moved either to “WAITING ON CUSTOMER”, or “PASS TO RND” or “DONE”

5. If the card has been moved to “WAITING ON CUSTOMER” or “PASS TO RND”, the support engineer waits for a clarification or resolution. If the customer or the RnD team write back, the card is automatically moved to another column called FOLLOW-UP, meaning that the support engineer can work on it again.

6. Once the card is completed, it goes to DONE.

Super simple, everyone can learn this in less than two minutes.

Design your support Kanban board

 Now, let’s actually see how the Kanban board for the Support team looks like.

Support Kanban board

Support Kanban board

Quick explanation about all the columns and swimlanes:

Requested: This is where all new cards enter the Kanban board.

Follow-up: When someone replies to us or sends the card back to our board, it goes to this column.

In Progress: When a support engineer works on a card, it should be in this column.

Pass to RnD: When we need to make a referral to RnD, we simply drag the card in this column and it is physically moved to another Kanban board. We’ll discuss the mechanics later.

Waiting on customer: Quite often we have to ask clarifying questions or wait for a confirmation by the customer. When we wait for their reply, the card is in that column.

Done: The issue has been resolved.

The labels for the three different swim-lanes are self-explanatory and  there’s no need for further explanation. They represent our different SLAs from IMMEDIATELY to 48 hours. As a matter of fact our contracted SLAs are much more liberal, but we deliberately enforce shorter response times.

Configure the WIP limits

In this particular scenario, the only place on the board that makes sense having a limit is the “Waiting on customer” column. Many would claim that the customer is responsible for replying to us, and we have no control over this, but reality is that when your limit gets filled, you start looking for ways to clean it. That’s how you get to follow-up with customers and ask your questions again and again. More often than not they would have just missed your emails and you would get the answers that you need soon after you send the “gentle reminder”. Of course, if you don’t hear from the customer after your second reminder, you would just close the issue.

If you don’t have the run-time policy (described below) to physically move cards from the Pass to RnD column to the RnD Kanban board, you would leave tickets in that same column. In such a scenario, you must set a WIP limit here too, as it is something like a “Waiting on us” queue, which is even more important than the “Waiting on Customer” one. The lower the limit, the faster we resolve issues, the faster the customer gets their problems resolved.

So, not only that you reduce the resolution time, by proactively contacting the customer, but you also make a higher quality support, not allowing the issues to just be forgotten (which doesn’t get them resolved). That’s all because of the WIP limits on your Kanban board.

Setup the email integration

This part might be a bit tricky, so please be careful setting this up. First, go to your administration panel, to the email integration tab.

kanban for customer support

As a first rule, if you want to be able to create cards in a Kanban board, out of emails sent from non-Kanbanize users, you need to add a User-defined email address to your users list through email integration (for example a email address where your tickets will be received.) The ADD NEW RECEIVER functionality in the email integration adds the user in the email integration list as well as the user list (This means that a new user subject to monthly charges is added to the account!) Set a new password to use in Kanbanize for the email and indicate your time zone.

kanban for customer support

Once you’ve added the user to your account, set a default board for where the new email will be able to create cards by editing the new user in the email integration list. Give the new user a role that gives it access to the necessary board so that it is allowed to make cards there.

kanban for customer support

So far so good! Now go to the user-defined email address’ client console and in the Settings tab (the location of which will vary depending on where your is hosted) set up a forwarding action to the email, in which companyname should be filled in with the name of your Kanbanize domain. The forwarding action ensures that all emails sent to this email address reach your Kanbanize account, the indicated default board then directs the email to a particular board, column and swimlane.

Click Save and you’ve got the most flexible ticketing system in your hands! All messages will be actionable Kanban cards on the board from which you can even respond to tickets. As it stands, responses made from cards will be sent using the email however, we will soon be introducing the ability for responses to be sent directly from the user-defined email addresses set up in email integration. Email integration is growing, stay tuned for the improvements!

Setup the automation policies

The last step to perfection is setting up the automation policies to rule your board. The first policy that you should configure is moving the card to FOLLOW-UP, when a reply is sent by the customer. To do so, go to the Administration panel -> Runtime Policies and create a new “Card updated by email” policy:

kanban for customer support

The second policy you should set up is the transition between your Pass to RnD column and the real RnD Kanban board. To do so, define the following policy:

kanban for customer support

What this policy actually does, is move your Kanban card to the RnD board without you having to care how and when that happens. You just drag the card to that column and it disappears from your board. If you setup the same policy for the RnD board, whenever the RnD guys move the card to Pass to Support, the card would appear in your FOLLOW-UP column.

If you’re running a support team you would want to know how quickly the team responds to a customer, how much time issues take to be resolved on average, what the load distribution is and what the general demand is. With the analytics provided by Kanbanize you can track all these metrics out of the box, without doing any extra work. Find more details about the various ways to measure your team’s performance below.

Response time

Response time is essentially the cycle time for a card in the Requested column. If your average cycle time in the Requested column is 20 minutes, this means that it takes twenty minutes on average to respond to the customer. How do you track the individual response times? With the process control chart in Kanbanize:

kanban for customer support

Each dot on this chart represents the response time for a particular card. If you hover some of them with your mouse you would see the details and if you click, the card itself will appear in a table below the chart. It’s very easy to spot which cards did not meet the SLA and you could investigate why that happened.

If you want to see the trend of how things are going, it’s also available in the process control chart. Just select the aggregation period you’re interested in and the chart will draw a line visualizing the trends. Also, if you want to, you could filter the chart by Assignee, Type or basically any other card property, including custom fields.

kanban for customer support

You could use this chart to monitor the cycle times for any column, the Requested one is just an example.

Resolution time

The resolution time in this scenario is actually the cycle time of a card. There are two possibilities to track cycle time on a board, the cycle time chart and the advanced search utility with its plotting capabilities.

The cycle time chart is presented below. Each bar is the total cycle time of the chart and the colors represent the time spent in different columns. This gives you a very good idea how each and every issue has been handled.

kanban for customer support

If you’re only interested in the totals, you could use the advanced search to draw a chart with the cycle time of each card:

kanban for customer support

We even have something for the hardcore analytics fans. The process control chart can be visualized as a histogram and you could also get a Weibull distribution line. This gives you the information about how much time it usually takes for cards to be completed and allows you to plan your resources ahead, having risk in mind.

kanban for customer support

New vs. completed

One of the basic charts that each Support team should use is the new vs. completed chart. It gives you a visual representation of the demand vs. the capacity. Should you always get the blue bar (demand) much higher than the grey bar (capacity), it means you have to either reduce demand or increase capacity. The best case scenario is to keep them relatively equal.

kanban for customer support

 Another benefit of this chart is that it shows how demand changes over time. In the example above, you see that the demand is constantly growing for the first four months, then remains stable for another three months and at the end it goes down.

Team utilization

How does a manager know what the average distribution of work across the team members is? They can just use the distribution chart and they would know how much work each team member is taking. Clicking on any area of the chart will generate the entire list of cards that can be easily inspected or exported.

kanban for customer support

This page provides a lot of information about doing support with a Kanban board, which at first might look complex, but is in fact quite easy. This is probably the simplest tool that end users can find, but it’s also a powerful instrument in the hand of the manager. So don’t waste any more time, and get started with the Kanbanize solution for support and helpdesk teams. Enjoy!


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Politics in Education? Are You Surprised?

From a story on No Child Left Behind:

De Soto schools superintendent Sharon Zoellner said she believed in accountability but thought the program needed more flexibility.

“Children don’t learn lock-step,” Zoellner said. “They don’t learn by doing a paper and pencil test.”

Zoellner said a big program facing NCLB was combining schools and politics, which had potential ramifications.

Let’s see how schooling is conducted in this state and country:

1. Students are required by law to attend school between age X and age Y. (Numbers vary from state to state).

2. Owners of real estate (and indirectly, everyone) must pay taxes to pay for education.

3. State representatives and senators make up many of the rules governing schools, and establish a significant part of the total budget for schools.

4. By law, taxes are funneled not to students or families, but to local boards of education. The people on those boards get on the board by way of campaigning for office, and getting election.

5. In other words, the collection and spending of tax dollars on education is overseen by federal and state politicians, and at the most local level conducted by … politicians.

6. And we’re concerned that NCLB gets politics into education? Sorry. It’s already there!

The place to start getting politics OUT of education is to let the money follow the child, and let the systems adjust accordingly.

Source: Moore hosts No Child Left Behind forum, DeSoto Explorer, April 6.

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Supermassive Black Hole at the Galactic Center Verified “Cycle of Yugas” and Collapse Of Civilizations

Ancient Indian Astronomy, which is intricately linked to Indian Philosophy(in Hinduism all these are intricately interwoven) calls the Center of our Galaxy(Sagittarius A* a Super Massive black hole) as Vishnu Nabhi, the navel of Lord Vishnu.

Hinduism states that the world, through Brahma, evolved from the Navel of Lord Vishnu that is the Super massive black hole at the inter galactic center.

Brahma , with the blessings of Lord Vishnu created the world by producing Daksha Prajapathi , the first Man.

Then the entire Humanity evolved.

This is creation part elaborated.

Now to Astronomy.

The Sun ascends and descends from the navel of Lord Vishnu that is the black hole in the Center of the Galaxy.

Sun takes 12, 000 years for ascension, moving towards Galactic Center and 12000 years  for descending, moving away from the Super Massive Black hole(Sagittarius A*).

These 24,000 year of Ascending and Descending cycle approximates the 25,765 Precessional Years when the sun moves backwards in the 12 zodiacal constellations.

Over the past decade researchers realized that most galaxies have at least one black hole in residence in their central regions.

For example, the size of a supermassive black hole appears to have a direct correlation to the galaxy where it exists. Almost a decade ago, researchers calculated that the mass of a supermassive black hole appeared to have a constant relation to the mass of the central part of its galaxy, known as its bulge (think of the yolk in a fried egg). This 1 to 700 relationship supports the notion that the evolution and structure of a galaxy is closely tied to the scale of its black hole.

Other studies found another strong correlation. This one was between the mass of a supermassive black hole and the orbital speed of stars in the outer regions of their galaxy where the direct gravitational influence of the supermassive black hole should be weak: the larger the black hole, the faster the outer stars travel.

Thus it’s now believed that black holes are not only common throughout the Cosmos but they play a fundamental role in the formation and evolution of the Universe we inhabit today.

In fact, we would not be here without them.

 Super Massive Black Hole at the center of our Milky way Galaxy

“The Galactic Center cannot be observed at visible, ultraviolet, or x-ray wavelengths because interstellar dust obscures the line of sight. All scientific information about it comes from observations of gamma ray, hard X-ray, infrared, and radio wavelengths. The precise astronomical location of the Galactic Center at approximately 3 degrees Sagittarius (sidereal) was first verified in 1918 by Harlow Shapley. However its energetic connection to the earth was not realized until 1932 when Karl G. Jansky, an engineer working for Bell Telephone, was investigating the source of the static interference with overseas telephone lines. He discovered that the interference was due to radio waves being emitted from the center of the galaxy. The source of the radio waves appears to be located almost exactly at the Galactic Center, and may coincide with a super massive black hole. This black hole has the equivalent mass of 4 million suns and is the source of most of the gravitational energy in our galaxy. Thus the Galactic Center is the Black hole around which our Sun revolves.
Hinduism understood this connection between Sun and the Galaxy, and used it as a marker for the ascending and descending yuga cycles that are measured by our Earth/Sun relationship to it (ie the pole star alignments at the solstices).

The Cycle of Four Yugas

The precession (caused by gradual rotation of the Earth’s axis) of the equinoxes is the period of time that it takes the Earth’s axis to pass through one complete cycle of the zodiac. It takes the planet 72 years to pass through one degree of the zodiac and 25,920 years to complete one full circle of 360 degrees. One half of the journey takes 12,960 years and covers the four yugas. Satya Yuga lasts 5184 years. Treta Yuga lasts 3888 years. Dwapara Yuga lasts 2592 years. Kali Yuga lasts 1296 years. These four yugas taken together come to a total of 12,960 years.

Picture 95

The Beginning of Kali Yuga

The story of Mahabharat needs to be seen in a certain context. In 3140 BCE, the Kurukshetra War ended, and in 3102 BCE, Krishna left his body. Three to four months after the war, the Kali Yuga began. As of 2012 AD, Krishna’s era ended 5,114 years ago. If you subtract 2592, which is the cumulative number of years of the two Kali Yugas that are at the bottom of the ellipse which describes the axial precession, you arrive at 2522 years. That means we have already completed 2522 years of Dwapara Yuga, and since its total duration is 2592 years, we still have 70 years until its completion. In the year 2082, we will complete Dwapara Yuga and move on to Treta Yuga. The world will go through another upheaval, not necessarily in terms of war but probably in terms of population explosion and natural calamities, before moving on to this new era of wellbeing and upward movement of human consciousness.

Yugas and Human Consciousness

The solar system with the Sun and the planets around it is moving in the galaxy. It takes 25,920 years for our solar system to complete one cycle around the Super Massive Black hole(Sagittarius A*). From the effects upon the planet, we believe this Black Hole at the galactic center that our system is going around is not located in the center of the orbit but somewhere to the side. Whenever our solar system comes closer to this big system, all the creatures living in our system rise to greater possibilities. Whenever our system moves away from it, the creatures living in our system come to the lowest level of possibility – we say this is Kali Yuga.

When our solar system is closer to the “Black Hole(Sagittarius A*),” Satya Yuga will begin. The human mind will be at its highest capability. People’s ability to know life, people’s ability to communicate, people’s ability to live joyfully will be at its highest. Or in other words, we will have sensible people. All it takes to live well on this planet is a bunch of sensible people.

In Satya Yuga, human ability to communicate will be at its best because the ether will be very close. Right now, the etheric sphere of the planet is raised to a certain point. There was a time when it was much higher – now it has come a little closer. When the ether is very close and I want to convey something to you, I do not have to say it. Even when my eyes are closed, you will know what I want to say. When the ether rises a little bit but is still at a certain distance, if I close my eyes, you will not know, but if I open my eyes and look at you, you will know what I want to convey.

The Ether and Spiritual Possibilities

If the ether rises some more, you can know by breath. If you go into the forest, you will see, because your vision is blocked to some extent, after some time, the most significant way of knowing things is by smell. Most animals that live there know things only by smell. Because of such concentrated life energy, the ether is high. Because the ether is high, they do not have to see. If you talk, they will get confused. When the ether is very low, you have to talk all the time – otherwise, people will not get it. Even if you talk, they will not get it. You have to knock and talk continuously to make them get it. The etheric content in the atmosphere determines how sensitive you are in terms of your ability to communicate.

At the same time, no matter which time, which yuga, which planetary position we are in right now, still, individual human beings can rise above all this. Still, individual human beings can live in a golden time within themselves. Even in the worst of times, the possibility to be well above it is always there for an individual human being.

There are many things one can do to enhance the ether or create etheric content. This is why Krishna said, in Kali Yuga, which is down there, far away from the Super Massive Black Hole, the ether will be so low that there is no point in trying to teach them yoga, meditation, mantras, or yantras – they will not get it. Just teach them devotion. If they are devout, they will generate their own ether. And because of this etheric content in the atmosphere, they will perceive. Devotion is not for the dumb – but even if you are the dumbest, you can still get it.

Thousands of years ago, they said that as the solar system moves closer to the Super Massive Black Hole(Sagittarius A*), human intelligence will blossom. As the solar system moves closer, the realization that the whole body and the whole universe are electric structures will come naturally. Right now, we are moving towards Treta Yuga, which is the second best time that can happen in a cycle of yugas.

Krishna also said that after over 5000 years, there will come a many thousand year period of time that will be fabulous. We will not make it there, but we can set the foundations for it and have the joy of creating an atmosphere for a stretch of thousands of years of golden time upon the planet. This is not all predictions and conjecture – this is based on a deep-rooted understanding about what happens with the human mind in relation to the planet on which we live. We do not only live on this planet – we are the planet. If you do not understand this today, you will understand this when you are buried. The planet understands that you are a part of it – only you think something else of yourself.

Hinduism follows the Great Bear Constellation’ or the Saptha Rishi Mandala or constellation

saptarshiyuga copy

The findings are the same. but these calculations are easy to follow.

“According to this calendar the Great Bear stayed in one constellation for 100 years, thus adding up to 2,700 years for 27 constellations. However, 12,000 years were equally divided into four Yugas or Ages with each yuga getting 3,000 years: Satya Yuga (Golden Age), Treta Yuga (Silver Age), Dwapar Yuga (Bronze Age) and Kali Yuga (Iron Age), with the Transition or Mutation period of 300 years each.

It has been established by several scholars through the historical accounts in Mahabharata and visits of the Greeks travelers etc to India, that the Saptrishi Calendar started in 6676 BCE. Moreover, since Mahabharata describes events happening in Dwapara Yuga, it has been established that 6676 BCE marks the beginning of Descending Dwapara Yuga. According to this calculation, we are in the Ascending Kali Yuga (676 BCE to 2025 CE). Now, the Transitional Period of 300 years starts from 2025 CE and ends in 2325CE before the next yuga starts.

What is important here is the Transitional Period. Calculations indicate that in the past Transitional Periods, Sri Yukteshwar’s “complete change” indeed took place. Scholars have linked in this way:

Consider Transitional or Mutation Period preceding Ascending Kali Yuga, 300 years back from 676 BCE – Troy was destroyed, the great Mycenaean cities collapsed, “Third Intermediate Period” of Egypt happened, Indus Valley Civilisation ended, and Hekla volcano eruption”

It is expressed in these treatises that Human Intellect and culture peaks as the Sun moves towards the Super Massive Black Hole(Sagittarius A*) and declines when it moves away from it.

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Know Science behind putting ash(Vibhuti) on the forehead

Hindus follow several traditions and customs. However, most of the time, some traditions are blindly followed, without knowing their actual significance. One such custom that is blindly followed is to apply the ash or bhasma on the forehead. We, generally, see a pandit in a temple having the three lines of ash on his forehead.

Have you ever wondered why this is followed?

There are many aspects to the usage of vibhuti or sacred ash. First of all, it is a great medium to transfer or transmit energy, and it has an ability to help direct and control the energy body. Apart from that, there is a symbolic significance to applying it on the body. It is a constant reminder of the mortal nature of life – it is like you are always wearing mortality on your body.

Normally, yogis use the ash that they pick up from the cremation grounds as vibhuti. If this ash cannot be used, the next alternative is to use cow dung. There are other substances used but the basic material, the body of it, is cow dung. If even this ash cannot be used, the next alternative is to make it of rice husk. This is indicative that the body is not the core substance, it is just the husk.

Why do we use sacred ash?

Unfortunately, in many places it has become a scandalous business where they are just giving a certain white rock powder as sacred ash. But if it is properly prepared and you know where and how to apply it, sacred ash makes you much more receptive; and the place where you apply it on your body becomes more sensitive and goes towards the higher nature. So, before you step out of the house in the morning, you apply sacred ash at certain points to receive the divine around you, not the devil. Depending on which aspect of you is receptive at that moment, you can receive life in different ways and from various dimensions of who you are. You must have observed this – at one time, you saw something and experienced it in a certain way. Some other time, you saw the same thing and experienced it in a totally different way. The way you receive life makes the difference. So, you want the higher aspects of you to be receptive, not the lower.

Within your physical body, there are seven basic centers representing seven dimensions of experiencing life. These centers are known as chakras. A chakra is a certain meeting point within the energy system. These chakras are not physical, they are of a subtle nature. One can experientially know these chakras, but if you cut the body and see, you will not find any chakra. As you move into higher levels of intensity, naturally the energies will rise from one chakra to another. If you receive life from the higher chakras, the same situation will be different for you than if you receive life from the lower chakras.

How should we apply sacred ash?

Traditionally, vibhuti is taken between your thumb and your ring finger – you don’t have to pick up a lot of it, just a little bit – and applied between the eyebrows, known as the agna chakra, at the pit of the throat known as the vishuddhi chakra, and in the center of the chest where the ribcage meets, known as the anahata chakra. It used to be common knowledge in India that you must apply it at these points. The reason why these particular points have been specified is because sacred ash makes them more sensitive.

Vibhuti is usually applied at the anahata so that you receive life as love. It is applied at the vishuddhi so that you receive life as power; power does not mean just physical or mental power, there are so many ways in which a human being can be powerful. The idea is to make the life energies very strong and powerful so that your very presence has an influence on life around you – you don’t have to speak or act – if you simply sit, you influence the situation around you. This kind of power can be developed within a human being. Vibhuti is applied at the agna so that you receive life as knowledge.

This is a very deep science, but today, without understanding the science behind it, we simply apply it like a stripe on the forehead. The one who has stripes one way does not agree with the one who has the stripes another way – this is stupidity. Vibhuti is not something that Shiva gave, or this or that god gave. This is not a question of belief. In Indian culture, it has been looked at deeply as a tool for a person’s growth. Properly prepared sacred ash has a different vibrancy. There is a need to revive and make use of the science behind this.

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Posted by: Kate | January 22, 2007

Bad Sportswife

I’ll do an awful lot for my family. Aside from the typical cooking, cleaning, working when I don’t want to, not throttling when I do want to, and other basics, I also learn about math and space and potty training because it’s important to various family members, and I do get interested – I’m not faking it, I actually care just because someone I love cares.

But I can’t care about sports. I just can’t. Especially football (well, boxing and wrestling, too, but I will not watch those at all, so they don’t count). I find the game too violent and complicated, and it simply does not interest me. I feel like I should care, because Willem cares about sports and I’d like to support him in whatever his interests are… but just like how I can’t fake an enjoyment of certain of the music he listens to (sorry, Opeth, you’re one fan short… but I think the kids like your quiet stuff), I simply cannot bring myself to enthuse about football.

This may become a problem. Yesterday, it somehow came up that not only do I not know the finer points of football, but I don’t know what a first down is. Willem was initially shocked and appalled, followed quickly by an overwhelming need to explain a first down to me. And he was unhappy when I asked him not to. I feel bad about it, honestly I do, but there are some things I don’t want to learn about.

So I’m in this self-imposed existential time-out right now. Would a better wife learn about everything her husband was interested in, just to placate his need to impose sports upon the world, or would she support her own right not to share some interests with him? I just don’t know. I feel guilty that I don’t want to understand the rules of football, but not guilty enough to actually want to learn the rules of football. At all.

He says that since he has made an effort to learn more about my interests – serial killers and knitting, to name two – then I should learn more about his. Which has some validity, but I have already learned lots more about Galileo and watched lots more Mythbusters than I ever would have on my own. So, are there limits?

We’ve had this discussion before. Willem is a consummate teacher, and he derives a lot of joy in being able to communicate knowledge to someone else. I know it hurts his feelings when I ask him not to teach me something. But sometimes I don’t want to know about things, and I’m left feeling like I’m throwing it back in his face, and he feels like I’m stonewalling him. Or something. I don’t know what words he would use.

But let’s widen the net and look at the children (“Just think of the children! Won’t you think of the poor little children?”). I’m happy to enroll Emily in art lessons and took her to a school year’s worth of dance classes on Saturday mornings… and it so happens that I enjoyed those activities myself, once upon a time, so I felt I could share them with her. But trains… model trains, Thomas the tank engine, animated trains… they just don’t rev me up like they do her. She seems okay with this. But should I allow her to pursue indepenedent interests without my presence/interest/interference, or should I involve myself in every aspect of her existence to prove to her that she is loved and attended-to? And what about when Jacob starts developing interests of his own?

Ugh. Just another thing to file under “How much of me is ME and how much of me is Mom/Wife?”

  1. Yuck, I hate football too. I think I may, however, have a general idea of what a first down is…don’t worry, I don’t understand well enough to explain it.
    I think your hubby ought to leave you alone on this one.

  2. Umm, I’m no help here. I’m a rabid football fan that actually leaves her HUSBAND scratching his head at what I’ve turned into…sigh.

  3. I think it’s fair for you to learn just enough about loved ones’ hobbies to ask somewhat appropriate questions or cheer at the correct times if need be.

    When your kids become more train crazy or participate in sports, if you have a base knowledge to ask questions, they can share with you and feel more bonded. And you can mostly just nod and smile at their answers if you sound informed with the questions. 🙂

    I also think this is waaay more applicable for kids than husbands. I spend alot of time with just the smiling & nodding part rather than the asking questions part!

  4. What gypsyhick said!

  5. If you need help with the train info…never mind.

  6. Ewwwwwwww!

    Don’t do it!

    Don’t cave!

    Some things are better left alone.

    I used to be a sports fan. Couldn’t care less now. I snuggle with my laptop and treat the TV as background noise when sports are on.

    Ab-so-lute-ly nothing wrong with not liking EVERYTHING your other half is into.

  7. It is good to have separate hobbies from the hubby…i.e. Golf.

    There are things you do together and then there are things you do apart (i.e. Golf-him, Scrapbooking-me). Therefore, I see no problem in you not wanting to learn football. Children, on the other hand, is an entirely different thing. I don’t know if you have to KNOW or get excited about trains, but at least be excited for the kid. Right? I hope so – because playing Strawberry Shortcake all day long does not thrill me in the least.

    OH – and none of this matters, because you are going to PARIS!!!!!!!!!!!!

  8. Not a big sports fan myself, although if the right basketball team is playing, you might find me sitting there yelling at the television.
    As to the kids’ interests, I think it would be more unhealthy to involve yourself in every aspect of their lives and interests; they need the chance to develop independence and separate interests in order to become well-rounded, self-confident little people.
    Or at least that’s what I tell myself when I’m doing the ol’ “smile and nod, smile and nod.” Valuable skill, as gypsychick said. 🙂

  9. I like C’est la Kate.

    (Joe isn’t a sports guy. I’m so friggin lucky sometimes)

  10. I suppose I’m a bit like Willem in that I’m also the consummate teacher (in fact, I’m thinking about going back to school in the next 3-5 years to become a HS teacher). We went through this many times, whether it was computers or music or whatever. I always had to be the expert who would be dying to teach Anna about something. Looking through the lens I have now, I’d say that it was just me being arrogant. I think I managed to temper myself before Anna got sick, but I know now that if I had it to do again, I would definitely chill out and if she was interested in whatever my gig was, I’d be thrilled and if not, well, ok. I did find it exciting when Anna had her own interests – she was pretty into knitting and, toward the end, quilting. Both of which are pretty kickass, in my estimation, and still a bit mysterious to me.

    Anyway, don’t beat yourself up about not wanting to learn football. Remind your hubby of the things you have learned from him for him and remind him to be grateful for you.

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Chairs With Arms

After drawing Virginia Woolf’s reading chair, I began noticing armchairs and asking myself why they appeal. Partly it’s location, wanting to sit and have tea with a friend – our two armchairs classically pulled up by a warm fire. Or it’s longing – to be curled in a commodious armchair lost in a book, friendly feline apurr. Armchairs in bedrooms imply a generous room and a place to retreat. I know a double armchair in a bedroom – holds baby, mom, and older sibling – and it rocks!

The anthropomorphic character of armchairs, their limbs and heft embrace us. Accompanying adjectives reveal personality: overstuffed, shredded, or worn, floral, velvet, or leather. The few armchairs in those modern houses in the enjoyable TV series, “Big Little Lies,” appropriately look firm and toned.

Armchairs most often include pillows for color and comfort, or to beef up a saggy anatomy. They hang out with footstools, ottomans – some place for feet – whether of matching fabric or something repurposed, a trunk, a pouf. Armchairs need a lamp and a table right within reach, landing spot for teacup or beer and chips.

My parents had a voluminous armchair with sturdy square arms, slipcovered in an awful faux-tweedy fabric – I loved it. The arms held coffee cup and books, and I could hole up there for hours. With an old cabin, we inherited wooden-armed chairs with uncomfortable cushions, but so useful the flat surface of those broad arms.

My clever friend gave me a wicker armchair. It sits near my workroom with a little footstool and a great view. But, filled now with three old wool sweaters, fur-lined and curled into a nest, and occupied most days, all day, by Frances, it’s lost to me for afternoon tea.

You can probably sense a series coming – armchair pictures and paragraphs on “Her spirits rose…!”

Maggie O’Farrell – Book Riches

Sometimes social media delivers a wondrous gift. A while ago Priya Parmer, who wrote “Vanessa And Her Sister” (the novel about Vanessa Bell and Virginia Woolf), posted on Instagram a photo of a small stack of books. I could make out one title and author, “This Must Be the Place” by Maggie O’Farrell.

Born in Northern Ireland and living in Edinburgh, O’Farrell has published seven novels set mostly in the U.K. Her characters – sufferer of eczema, journalist, linguist, reclusive movie star who disappears at the height of her career – are siblings, children, parents. Amongst themselves they grapple with secrets, loss, love, and tragedy. In “The Hand That First Held Mine,” O’Farrell guides parallel stories, separated in time, until they intersect.

Such a fine storyteller, she writes the kind of language I read for. Describing a café gone quiet: “A sack of coffee beans slumps, exhausted, against the counter. A bicycle skims past the window, the beam of its light veering over the dark street. The sky outside is mineshaft black, washed with orange. As if sensing the nighttime calm, the refrigerator obligingly shudders into silence.”

Later the sky goes from “mineshaft black” to “five-fathom blue,” and then “drains slowly into a milky gray.” I love how her observations, often piled up in lists, set scenes and capture the layers of grief or joy.

Describing a new mother after the baby feeds and falls asleep: “She looks about her, in the manner of a traveler who hasn’t seen their home for a long time. She is light-headed with the possibilities open to her. She could read a book, phone a friend, send an email, write a letter, do a sketch, make some soup, sort out her clothes, wash her hair, go for that walk, turn on the television, check her diary, mop the floor, clean the windows, fiddle about on the Internet. She could do anything.

But should she risk moving him?”

Houses – in the best books there are always houses (ones where the kitchen might hold a “kitchen dresser”). “She peeled up the rotten carpets and old, damp lino, scrubbed the boards and varnished them. She whitewashed the back of the house. She rubbed the windows with newspaper and vinegar until sunshine glowed through…. It seemed astonishing to her to own a patch of land, an arrangement of bricks, mortar and glass. It seemed an impossible swap: some money for a life like this.”

Given how often and well O’Farrell writes about children and parents, I enjoyed finding this piece about her “typical” writing day.

I’ve read just two of her books so far, beginning with her most recent, so I’ve missed years of anticipating a new book – but now have treasures in reserve!

Small, Simple Things

I regret my news consumption these days – responding to alerts on my phone with curiosity, dread, and some wild hope that things will change – a frustrating activity. What if I captured those moments?

Carl Richards, in a recent New York Times article, suggests how to “turn wishes into reality” instead of regrets. This sentence stuck out: “Small, simple things done consistently over a long time produce meaningful results.”

It seems to hold so much hope and possibility. A concept good for practical things – saving money, exercise, pulling popweed in the garden, and truly magic for creative work – the 15-minute freewrite, a drawing a day, a few rows knitted!

Having a self-assignment helps – an ongoing series like drawing teacups, flowers, house moments – assuring a place to start and asserting good pressure once begun. Lately I’ve realized that even the rabbit hole of Internet research on a personal project has far more benefit than incessant news viewing. (But still I struggle to resist.)

So I am writing this as a reminder, an encouragement – and to chastise myself. A short time consistently carved from the day might increase skill and will fill a drawer, a sketchbook, or a computer file. Whether those endeavors result in “meaningful results” or not, at least they don’t exacerbate anxiety – and do offer moments of absorption. Some of the best moments life offers.

Plants and People – “Lab Girl”

I read “Lab Girl” by Hope Jahren, a geochemist and geobiologist, because I was curious what she would say about plants. In her book’s three sections, titled in a way that applies to both plants and people, “Roots and Leaves, “Woods and Knots,” and “Flowers and Fruit,” Jahren alternates descriptions of plant biology with tales of her life.

She writes about her relationship with her parents, her education and career (using stable isotope measurements to analyze fossil forests), Bill (her singular lab partner), a professional life with male scientists, and eventually, a happy love story with her husband Clint.

As I read, absorbed mostly in Jahren’s personal chronicle, I remembered my mother who always declared people more interesting than plants. But the next day I awoke and looking at the trees out my window, thought about how long trees have been here (400 million years), and how we endanger them (50 billion cut down in the last 10 years), and about recent scientific inquiry exploring how trees communicate and recognize their relatives (!).

Jahren wrote this book before our government took a bad turn, but even so she says, “My job is about making sure there will be some evidence that someone cared about the great tragedy that unfolded during our age.” Now that we live in a mess, “guided” by the anti-science “leadership” of our country with non-defense-related research funding flatlined and “curiosity-driven research” (what a wonderful concept) threatened, it’s both grand and sad to read this so accessible book about science.

An engaging writer and a driven scientist, Jahren writes, “Science has taught me that everything is more complicated than we first assume, and that being able to derive happiness from discovery is a recipe for a beautiful life. It has also convinced me that carefully writing everything down is the only real defense we have against forgetting something important that once was and is no more, including the spruce tree that should have outlived me but did not.”

In the epilogue, she encourages us to plant a tree this year if we own property or even if a renter with a yard. “Every day, you can look at your tree, watch what it does, and try to see the world from its perspective.”

“Lab Girl” makes one better at that worthy attempt.