Hope everyone is doing well. I took a break from writing for nearly a year. The Election was a big part of it. I don’t think my council was missed. The last time I wrote was shortly after being Red Pilled. A less than ideal term, nonetheless apropos. It was somewhat accidental. What began with wondering why video satires were taken down on FaceBook , lead me to discover Girl Writes What.
Blame a woman. It worked for Adam. So Karen, I blame you!
I watched her talk Feminism and the Disposable Male, and it got me thinking. Ideas that had worked for decades quit working. Auto nearly shook apart! I began to question assumptions, and was burdened by thoughts that make most of my friends and family uncomfortable. The Red Pill has side effects. Do I need an antidote? Is there a remedy?
Peace has been called a bitter cup. Seems like a lot of medicine is too! Like most people, I care about health, and want the world to transform. Indeed, the author of the letter to the Romans compares the pain of the world to that of giving birth! The Gospels has interesting analogies about birth as well, but I digress.
I try and read a few books every year, although I read a lot of articles, and listen to lectures and VLOG’s on Youtube, I still try and finish books. I spent several months, last summer and fall, reading, Reveille in Washington by Margaret Leech, published in 1941. It is a history of the District of Columbia, commonly called Washington DC.Prior to the American Civil War, the City, wasn’t even that? Although many fine buildings and monuments had been constructed, there was no plan, or vision, to the development. A popular joke at the time was to call it,”A City of Vast Distances!”
As a carpenter, I must say that there were many building projects in DC, and it was good work, if you could get it. The Treasury Building took decades to build. I can’t remember how many years it took to get the dome on the Capitol. At 555 feet tall, the Washington Monument became the tallest structure built since the Great Pyramid. If you could get on a crew, I imagine you could work for years. There were still swamps, and really few proper sewers, or paved streets.
Broadly speaking, from the beginning DC attracted, idealistic people, who were forced to settle for practical. There were many areas in America with work, and promises of a better life. But they settled there. I am biased with an interest in early America, perhaps because of knowing of no ancestors who immigrated after the Revolutionary War. No doubt they exist, though I may have to leave it to others to untangle that web!
Working in construction has shaped my approach to life. I like making things better, especially, unsafe and unpleasant conditions. I find it rewarding. I am fortunate to be near Music too, and record and work Sound in and around Bellingham. It is not enough to live on, though it makes life way more worth living!
I find people more perplexing (& vexing) than any problems in construction or computers. I am always looking for efficient and inexpensive ways to build. And I like to think about computers. Although I make an effort to ponder the problems of the world, I don’t always try to understand people motivations, as I’m supposed to. I do try, though for sanity’s sake, one ought to only compute, so many digits of pi!
I have mentioned in past Blog’s, my interest in the Gospels, early Christians, and reading these in Greek. I think it is fair to say, I have studied Religion, though I don’t describe myself as religious, or a Christian. I was raised Protestant, and am lucky to have married a partner of Catholic tradition.
I think Christianity, has a bad rap, when comparing Founding Documents. How can I say such a thing? Where in the New Testament is any war or killing condoned? I have written previously (check it out!), criticisms of Christianity, and feel no need to further today.
I like the stories from the Hebrews. That’s not to say, some of the stories aren’t difficult. Our thoughts are close akin. We owe a great deal to the Jews, for hygiene, law, and wisdom. In ancient times, the Ten Commandments were popular, prior to Christianity with many people surrounding the Mediterranean, who were not Jewish. Their ideas were recognized as having merit, and virtue, by many who encounter them, even today.
I do wonder sometimes about forgiveness and redemption. Does one need to practice religion, to see the need to heal and repair? I spoke at a friend’s memorial 3 years ago, and I recall saying, it is a shame that we need religion to go to church! I think we have a need to gather, and to do better. We need to acknowledge our limits, as the writer of Corinthians (one and two) quips, “the Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak!”
We stumble, which is the root of the word Scandal. How we do we get back up, how do we redeem ourselves? I am not sure. Some say, acknowledging the problem is the first step. I have done wrong. I have caused harm. I have not always sought to understand. I lost a friend or two this last year. I took a break from writing, I couldn’t find the words, or the proper magic spell.
Notice how this has become the rage? Gender Pronouns, the latest manifestation, of the word made flesh! The Gospels actually devotes some acreage to questions of gender and sex. Heard the verse much, “In Heaven, people are neither male nor female!” Preach?
We argue with words, about words. We call the desire to transform the Uni(verse), casting Spells. How Bow Dat?
I upset some people, posting an article from Breitbart by Milo, about Radical Islam terrifying Gay People. “By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Is that Gospel? I heard a theologian on Larry King in the 1990’s, mention that in the New Testament, the word often translated as ‘homosexual’ is actually condemning sex with minors. In Greek, the term means one not yet an adult.
Need I say more? Perhaps the strongest curse uttered in the Gospels, “Scandals are going to happen, though those that cause harm to children, throwing in the sea with a (huge) millstone around their neck, won’t be enough!” Maybe I found the passage?
Milo has sinned, he has fallen into scandal. It appears that he may have been pushed, though he had it coming? He was mean, rude. I learned about virtue signaling from him. I am grateful for that, though it too, has a bitter taste. Can he be redeemed?
He might think my prayers a waste. I learned too much from that snarky man! There is one thing I must say he did right, using words instead of advocating for bullets, and he knows both. Enough about that, I haven’t brought up racism yet? It is in the air.
A couple months back, a person I respect, though don’t know well, sent me an odd message, which questioned why I wonder about racial differences, and am supportive of police. I was puzzled, as I think these are fair subjects to express in one’s own home. Rather than get defensive, I wrote back, apologizing if I had misspoke, or offended.
I can’t think of a subject, more taboo, except sex and religion, than race. Few want to talk about it, some want to tell you what to think, but it is rare to find souls who really wonder, and are not quick to answer.
I know we are all related. The Bible tells me so! DNA says Amen, Amen! And I know that word is from Egypt, and predates Books. The Data is clear, we have much in common. Computers are helping us understand not only language, but life itself!
I am trying to remember the Cyber, when thinking about life. We didn’t invent either, not in the Big Picture. Sometimes I wonder if computers aren’t part of the renewed struggles over language, religion and race. Robots aren’t science fiction! Monkeys are playing Pong with their minds. I read that an AI which translates language for Google, started borrowing from other languages, on its own initiative, to improve its spelling.
I don’t bring up race with my kids, except to treat all people with respect. I don’t bring up religion often, though I have tried to express traditions and ideas, which I hope they will at least ponder, if not emulate.
“Something’s are getting better, other things are getting worse” as the song goes.
In the 70’s and 80’s (and later) I will admit I had a little pride in being able to speak a little Spanish slang in San Jose. I could go into rather rough areas, and get along with many diverse peoples. Things have changed, and many areas, are “no go zones”, at least during certain hours, not only in the Bay, but in too many cities, and countries.
Perhaps I have spoken with more than most, at least for a Yank. I like to learn. Not always sure what I am open to, I tend to like most music! I see ways we share, love of family, sharing food, and friends. We share these things in common. So much We the People are! We have seen division too.
I often visited the South as a child growing up in the 1960’s. I have seen some changes for the better. The last few years, racial scars, seem to be re-opening, as the stories of sailors stricken with scurvy experienced. I have often wondered why wounds persist. Sure, I have had a few, being a carpenter, left some scars. I like to fix things. This includes my own body. It is damn hard work too! But you know how it is.
I find myself, advocating understanding, and forgiveness (to use an old term), as I was raised to do, though this has not been well received. Are you shocked, dear lurkers?
It is all relative. Einstein was a dead beat dad. But we owe him a debt for his theories, even if he didn’t credit his first wife, with some of the ideas. Speaking of the saint, he and Bohr took great pains, to not use the term Reality. They knew that they didn’t know. I wish we could acknowledge our own ignorance. Thoreau wrote of our need to do this, in order to grow in any profession. Of course, nobody wants to pay us for what we don’t know!
I mentioned the book earlier, Reveille in Washington. Although I have read a number of books on the Civil War, her perspective is unique. Rather than focus on the minutia of battles, tactics and strategies, Leech shows how the war changed life in the United States by focusing on the changes in Washington DC. The District was created by Congress, to be the Capitol of the Nation. It was intended to be a place of mixing. She writes about how racial relations changed during the war, predicated in large part by thousands of refugees, especially former slaves, called at the time Contrabands.
I was puzzled by the grain Rice, mentioned in writing about the Civil War. I found this recently:
“South Carolina was trying tobacco and wheat. But in the last years of the seventeenth century a ship touching at Charleston left there a bag of Madagascar rice. Planted, it gave increase that was planted again. Suddenly it was found that this was the crop for low-lying Carolina. Rice became her staple, as was tobacco of Virginia.
For the rice-fields South Carolina soon wanted African slaves, and they were consequently brought in numbers, in English ships. There began, in this part of the world, even more than in Virginia, the system of large plantations and the accompanying aristocratic structure of society. But in Virginia the planter families lived broadcast over the land, each upon its own plantation. In South Carolina, to escape heat and sickness, the planters of rice and indigo gave over to employees the care of their great holdings and lived themselves in pleasant Charlestown. These plantations, with their great gangs of slaves under overseers, differed at many points from the more kindly, semi-patriarchal life of the Virginia plantation. To South Carolina came also the indentuered white laborer, but the black was imported in increasing numbers.” Pioneers of the Old South by Mary Johnston 1918 Yale University Press
While the stories leading up to the 14Th Amendment are well known, and the shifting attitudes before and during the war towards slavery, there are less known experiences which I have read nowhere else. While I had known that the Union Army paid black soldiers only 3/5 of whites, and that this injustice took months to change, I learned that the Navy has always paid all sailors equally, since its inception, four score and seven (ish) years before the time in question. The location of the first Black Brigades, was a closely guarded secret within the Army, prior to being deployed in Battle. Most Union soldiers quit resisting fighting along side blacks, once they had. As I recall, it wasn’t until the Korean War, that the US Army integrated.
Her writings on the social life of DC during the war are of interest and merit. Bars, hotels and brothels flourished in DC during the war. Police departments, jails, and a myriad of hospitals were created. There were many foreshadows of the struggles which lead up to and characterizes the Era of Prohibition, half a century later.
Her focus on women during the war is extensive, and illuminating, and worth study. How the Union dealt with Southern Sympathizers covers many pages. Lincoln wasn’t the first President to have issues with the Press! He jailed a number of reporters, usually under the pretense of protecting National Security. I’ve made some study of Lincoln, my favorite President. He held ideas which today deserve rejection, though he changed during the war. His son Willie died during the war of Typhoid Fever, which foul unsanitary conditions in the city spread. I think General Lee had Malaria, and suffered from its effects during the war. But I digress?
Lincoln’s personal transformation,(to use a modern term) saved the Union, though the South was in ruins. America changed through the war, and has been trying to forget this ever since. Bureaucracy, Cowards, and Greed, oh yes! The President, tried to cultivate the “Better angels of our nature”, though this is more easily said than done. It has been written. Read their words. They merit time. This is when the world changed!
The Country, near bankruptcy, still had the Herculean task of rebuilding, and learning to integrate. The Union had been defeated many times during the war, and had an entirely new army at the end of the conflict. Americans changed all Nations view of warfare. They also changed the world. Many have written how. It was a time of doubt, defeat, and suffering. The wounded howling in the fires at the Wilderness! Avert! Don’t go this way! And yet people did. And here we are.
During the war, the title of Commander in Chief was largely symbolic, after the time of 1st President, George Washington. State Governors, controlled Militia, and which Lincoln found he could not persuade to follow his orders. After teaching himself, through many questions, and trips to the Library of Congress to educate himself about military history, he decided to raise a Federal force of over 600, 000 troops. Lincoln left the Militias (and their Generals) for Governors to govern.
But as we know, the victory of the Union was marred by the assassination of Lincoln, weeks after General Lee’s surrender to General Grant. His death was immortalized in the poem, My Captain, My Caption by Walt Whitman. He was an admirer of Lincoln, and some say vice versa, though they could not speak in public, other than in passing. This would have caused a scandal, as Walt was a known Sinner. I think Whitman was an American Poet, and perhaps our first Guru. He wrote extensively about everything, though his sexual liberties were not unknown, (as are Lincoln’s, though much less so). During this time, their love was forbidden.
“…He grew to like the Bucktails, especially Company K, with whose captain he became so friendly that he invited him to share his bed on autumn nights when Mrs. Lincoln was away from home.” From the chapter MADAM PRESIDENT p. 303 of REVEILLE IN WASHINGTON by Margaret Leech, Harper & Brothers1941
“I Sing The Body Electric”, was Rock and Roll, it was HOWL, back in the day. Leaves of Grass, stands the test of time. I want us too! History inspires, though not always. People have often complained about people not studying the past. I have found it rewarding, though it is hard work, learning history, and admitting that opinions vary. Many have found comfort, guidance and inspiration from study of those who have lived before us. Whitman was especially good at embracing people of all walks of life, especially the working class. He spent several years in Washington DC, and was famous on the streets of the City, and especially with soldiers whom he visited in hospitals through most of the war.
The most disturbing information which was covered by Margaret Leech was the Hell on Earth, which people created, through their ignorance of the science of hygiene and sanitation. It was during the Civil War that hand washing became routine, at least in America. The British discovered much through their own Hell, known as the Crimean War. Florence Nightingale became famous during this time. All peoples, Men and Women, their relationships with themselves, and each other, were changed by the war.
Washington DC was attacked, by the British during the War of 1812, yet despite this, the District was by no means a fortified city. When the threat of fighting, became all too real, though 50 years had past, DC was not able to defend itself. I think the events of that war; deserve attention, though that will be another time, though its effects are present today, especially in DC.
By the time of the Civil War, there had been tremendous advances in understanding anatomy, as well as sophisticated surgical tools and techniques. However, lack of understanding of sanitation, and germs, contributed to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of men. Doctors may have killed more than they saved during the much of the war. Eventually, practices changed, sometimes by accident. When silk became scare during the war, thread was substituted to stitch wounds. Because it was not as soft as silk, it was often boiled prior to use. It was soon noticed this caused much less infection, though they couldn’t explain why. I heard that on a field trip with a Middle School class not 10 years ago (since cancelled).
“The field medical service of the Prussian army in 1870 was modeled on [Doctor] Letterman’s plan, which forms the basis of the systems used by all modern armies.” From the chapter, ‘The Great Army of the Wounded’.
I bring this up, as aren’t We doing something similar, causing harm, though intending good? I’ve more questions than answers. That may not change. I risk writing about dangerous subjects, because dialog is needed. I hope I have not injured anyone’s conscience. Forgive my trespasses. I’ve a bit on my mind, and a feeling, you too. I’ve voiced my concerns. I better go. Thanks for reading. All the best to you and yours, Roger Hull. 3-20-17
It has been months since I wrote. I hope everyone is well. Doubt has been part of my life. I’d like to think, I am a trusting person. Perhaps you better ask around? There are some who vouch. I heard an Idea a while back, though I am not certain where, my brain associates it with Cultural Libertarians; I will continue to look for the source, best guess is Honey Badger Radio. The gist, is that when it comes to government, whatever powers that a person supports, they also grant the other candidates, should they, be elected. I confided with a friend the other day, I see so much vitriol towards people who believe wrong things, it disturbs me, because I know, I am too often wrong.
Most of my friends see themselves as loving, and tolerant, and not haters. I try to give people, “The benefit of the doubt,” as the old saying goes, whenever possible. Perhaps I am a devil’s advocate? Some of my family agree with that assessment, with laughter. My family helps me with ideas, which I encounter, amid my ad hoc research projects, chance meetings, and media exposure. I do still read books, mostly nonfiction, though I do enjoy reading Ross Macdonald novels, of late. I love how West Coast they are, with Mexico and Canada bookending the jaunts of inquiry. It has been written, that the Detective, is a type of Shaman, required to encounter shadow, doubt, and darkness. They are not to make things worse, though the best know they sometimes do.
I have been building a Network of sorts, as I gather millions of people are too. “Subscribing” to a Channel on YouTube is rather interesting. I can’t say I am satisfied with the quality of news available today, though I know this has something to do with me, as a consumer, and I am doing something about it. I have written of the collapse of traditional journalism, in past blogs, and lamented the lack of diversity, especially from NPR, and the established Networks. My son taught me the phrase Channel, for YouTube, rather than Website. I am trying to keep up.
I do love how many people are communicating with the Internet. I find that many of the Channels on the Internet, are forming relationships, communities, as is parlance. There was a time, not so long ago, when the Online communities, were far less local, existing virtually in the Cyber Sphere; I think back to the 1990’s, and the sound of Dial Up Internet Modems. Today, one can meet many of today’s players, at any number of locations, as touring, has become popular for many in Alt Media.
Milo is planning on speaking at 60 universities in 2016, as part of the Dangerous Faggot Tour. I have enjoyed watching several. Many of the core of Honey Badger, go to Comic, Sci-Fi and Game Gatherings. They also are involved in politics, and Media. As Oscar Wilde quipped, The only thing worse than being talked about, is having people not talk about you”. Seems rather fitting today.
I am fortunate, for many things, which are all to easy to take for granted. My family, and friends, make life worth living. And rarely boring! I have been able to explore, and express, a great deal, in this life. If God forbid, I get hit by another truck, at least I got this far. I can’t say as I have left my affairs in proper order, though I am working on it. I was able to build a bigger barn, though it isn’t totally finished. I do have an Occupancy Permit, which is more than most can say! Personally, I might have let that go, though the Partner, and a majority of Realtors, think it is valuable. It was a difficult project, though I ended up with more than I planned. I am a lucky man.
My job in construction, is constructive, and continues to challenge me to do my best, everyday, in every way, or something fairly close. My fellows are better carpenters, in most regards, I like working in their company. Good quality, integrity, and honed skills, these virtues are somewhat timeless, often rarer, that we want. I doubt that will change, anytime soon. Some of the best things, take time.
I continue working with music. I tend to work more with old shows during the Winter months, here, in the Northwest Corner. An increase in shows, follows Spring rather closely! Yah! My Archives are considerable, and occupy several corners of my mind. I feel responsible for preserving Something, of these wild gifts. I want the music to live on. Some will. Though not enough, not yet!
So I am lucky to have good things to do. Too many good souls, are thwarted from long life, and prosperity. We are trying to do something about this. Not enough, not yet.
I filled up a 2 terabyte hard drive this last month. That doesn’t contain my whole archive, though I am very proud of this collection. I made a point of gathering STEMS, a phrase used to describe Multi Channel recordings, In Progress, prior to being rendered to stereo or mono files for listening. Stems tend to be rather large files. Organizing digital archives, is a subject, in itself, and I continue to learn ways of keeping up. I have a number of methods, means, and materials. Keep you posted!
Thanks for reading. Thanks for your efforts! And Keep in touch, it has been too long!
Shills to The SAAD Truth, and to The Rubin Report, Keep At! R.A. Hull 4-12-16
PS For me walking, keeps me healthy. Watching the land, helps me thinking about time. The volitility of nature, is disturbing, though my neighborhood seems to be going in the right direction, rising out of the sea! I met some geology students from WWU outside the Green Frog, not long back, fun talking with them, pointed their attention towards that wierd triangle at State Street and Ellis. “It is pretty low there….”
The last time I tried to write, I had to pack it up half way. I did more research. Time passed. Summer came. Worked a number of Festivals! I can tell some things are changing. My news, I will be starting a new job! Before the chapter changes, figured I’d better look around, see what needs doing.
I need to thank Canada. Sure I wish you could be a little less aloof when you come to shop, a little less just passing through. Say hi, how’s it going, now and then? Ok? I do think Canada is leading the discussion of Diversity and Freedom!
I started listening last year to Honey Badger Radio, via Girl Writes What. They aren’t all from Canada, there are regulars from the States, and from Britain (More Milo, Go Man, GO!). I hear ideas I haven’t heard before, and mostly, THEY, Do Diversity! Growing up in what became Silicon Valley, it is hard not to have some interest in Gamergate. [A Neo News Story; How do you capture a Movement of nearly anonymous sources? This is the Neo-Journalists of Reddit, where Tweets are gleaned like second hand stores, for treasures and trash; “Changes! Don’t tell them to grow up or out of it!”] I don’t want to trade legal systems, though I applaud the Free thinkers.
One of the things that is rather new about Social Media, it is becoming the Court of Public Opinion. People are aware of Cyber Bullying, though it appears that one can be lynched in Cyberlife. Media has always had power, graffiti dates back thousands of years. Shunning is nothing new. It still hurts. I hope my friends remind me if I forget import things, gently.
I for one, didn’t like Bernie Saunders being interrupted in Seattle, not because a couple people wanted to communicate important and urgent issues; I support Free Speech, however, they forgot their Speech! MLK could speak for an hour, while in less than two minutes, they ran out of words! And nothing new was even said, except to publically denounce Seattle Progressives. “Love may fail, though courtesy prevails!”
Working in Sound, we often joke about musicians asking for, “More Me in the Mix”. It is understandable, though still bears some mention. Basically that is what I heard from the famous disruption. In a free market, you can’t force people to buy your brand, except if they have no other choice? Viva Diversity! Our humans stories, may they be told, may they be heard, and remembered.
Attitude makes a difference. If we would all treat each other a little better than we deserve. Change can happen quick. I have seen some in my life, and I hope to see more. It is a great honor to work with musicians, and although often somewhat crazy, I really love it as no other multitask. I make mistakes all the time, and I try and learn how to prevent, what can be changed. I know I can be a pain insisting some things be done certain ways. Ask Stone. Though he might mention a few times when I have been right!
Consensus is really important. We are prone to misunderstandings, and we fight with real talent.
Some say the Salem Witch Trials ended when one of the Accused, took his Accusers to Court for Slander, and won!
Time is perhaps the Ultimate Appeals Court. One of my favorite films, The Zero Effect, quips, “Judicially Acquitted, though Karmically Convicted in the Public Eye”!
I quit writing my last Blog because I thought folks might think I was being too nice to the Bible. I read it, though perhaps in ways, that is less popular. I wonder who these people were, what they felt, what did they dream? I like to learn, and if one likes mysteries, this is a great time to be alive!
My brother mentioned the Jesus Seminar back in the early 1990’s. I didn’t get around to reading about it, till last year. Basically, over 150 scholars voted, through a form of consensus, on what they thought the authentic words of Jesus are. Part of the rules adopted, is that two Sources are required, and the Synoptic Gospels of Mathew, Mark, and Luke, only count as one Source! This is because they are thought to have been based on the Lost Gospel of Q.
The Gospel of John is consider another Source, and many scholars include the Gospel of Thomas too. There are a few early sources which have some hope of re-assembly in the Future, the Gospels of Judas, and Mary, though the later is mentioned several times, we have only fragments.
Some scholars mention Josephus as an early source, though he mentions the Teacher of Jesus, John the Baptist, and his brother James. This is perhaps not as implausible as one might imagine. The only source I have found in my study, which I tend to not hear mentioned by historians, is the son in law of the Roman general Agricola, who is known as Tacitus. Oh and I ought to included Paul the tent maker, and Peter the former fisherman. There are a few others, Jude, maybe Enoch. There are a handful of “Gnostic Gospels, though most weren’t written by Gnostics. The little I have read seem rather dream like, or visions written in the early centuries, prior to the Fall of the Roman Empire.
Of all the modern scholars I have learned from, I am most impressed by John Dominic Crossan. I have watched a number of his talks, I love his wit, humor, and humility. A skilled preacher can help one see things differently, without changing the past. I do have concerns that we are blocking ourselves from our connection to history. Sometimes it seems like people would rather feel above the people of the past, rather than acknowledge our connections.
I watched a bunch of lectures from the Open Yale series. I found Dale Martin to be a sharp scholar, though I have some quibbles with his Trinity Doctrine as authentic Christianity (as it is much older), he makes a rather succinct case of what is known about Jesus.
He was from Nazareth.
He was a disciple of John the Baptist.
He was recognized as a healer, and Rabbi.
It is unclear if Jesus thought he was the Messiah, though some people did, and claimed him to be King of the Jews.
He was executed by the Romans.
He died, though the Movement survived.
Personally, I don’t call myself a Christian, though it is part of my Culture. I hear people talk a lot of trash, both for and against Jesus. At the end of the day, there is a Story, and it takes time. You’ll never figure it all out on your own, though if you study, and search, and listen, you’ll find clues all around. I don’t expect to make sense of it all. I have encouraged my kids to be tolerant of faiths, and to make room for possibilities. As the Man said, “You may lose your psyche, trying to help people, it is certain, if you don’t!”
I want to hear about the people! How we met, the disagreements we have had, and the solutions we have found together. To me this Story has something of the Divine, that can be heard, and maybe we can still learn some of these tunes, and put others to rest. May we have the courage to make peace, to risk, and to trust. Thanks for the good wishes, thanks for reading, and hang in there!
I hope everyone is well. I haven’t written in months, though I have wanted too. Perhaps an Apology is due? My Blog experiment, has focused on the limits of expression. After several years of research, I have now entered another Phase. I did find some limits. Often the study of history leads to difficult data, and discussions (or lack thereof). In 1990 a Quaker taught me, “that person speaks my voice”. I often live somewhat vicariously, both as a Sound Engineer, and a Producer. Though I worked on my first Stage Crew, when I was 12, did parts in Plays in Middle, High School, and College, I’ve tended to see myself as a Carpenter. That is changing, since closing by business, (1996 – 2012). As a General Contractor, I crafted the desires of others, into enduring structures and services. For complex reasons, mostly having to do with where I saw the need, rather than profit, I focused mainly on older houses. I am glad I did. Providing Sound, recording, and helping Artists, is in large part, how I participate in the Arts. There are times however, when I want more. I am not a stranger to the Stage, though more at home plugging in mics, than using them. I did read a poem from Charles Krafft on Stage, last May. I have mentioned that working with Musicians has made me try harder to be neutral politically. I have provided Sound for diverse audiences, sometimes there has been a political focus, though I don’t campaign for any candidates, or Party. I try to treat folks equally on Stage, though I influence the overall volume, I try and not turn anyone down for expressing their opinion. Occasionally, I have turned people way down, for getting too loud, or violent. I recall an Artist knocking over a barstool, some months ago, and I turned him way down, to say, NO, and he got it, along with a warning from the bartender, and away we went, Rocking On! A friend, who died this year, was famous for going over the top, at times, and we struggled some, with balance, making music together. I turned him down, when too loud, soaking up too much energy and attention for the gathering(s). Not exactly a science, there is trust inherent, with providing Sound. I am protecting more than ears getting injured. The greatest struggles are off Stage. I have some skill at Networking. I like people. I love helping make music. The last 10 years, has been a treasure, which may well take years to reveal. I have recorded a lot (An Understatement) of music, poetry and nature. I am lucky to know many Artists in the Northwest, I network with my peers, and I try and learn from everybody. I have been transitioning, for several years, from the Construction Trades, to working in Music. Computers have been a bridge for me, finding ways to express my love of science, and finding a way to participate, in the process. I hate feeling left out. I struggle with not feeling I am contributing enough. I keep trying to learn history, language and all things digital. Although I am building Equity, in my house, I’d like to earn a living. I make enough to afford to go out, buy some drinks, tip my bartenders, and occasionally buy new underwear and socks. Though I have some savings, my Partner, has been paying more bills than I am comfortable with. I like to bring home the tofu too. I have a habit of reading more than one book at a time. Once I start a book, (at a point) I do try and finish. I read mostly non fiction. I got things to do. This man can only multitask, so much. There are many subjects I am interested in. [I mention a couple of good non fiction books I finished this year in the Post Script; blink by Malcolm Gladwell (thanks Carl), and Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky (thanks Lisa D).] At the risk of trying to construct a theme, and/or message, other than I am looking for work; I was hoping to address some issues, I am not hearing. I am somewhat amazed, how quietly my Country lost the war with Iraq this year. After how many lives killed, millions of people displaced, how much bloody $ (spent and missing), and yet at least, four Divisions of Troops quit, and all those weapons… And yet, somehow, the bombs are being built and used, by people, who say they are against pollution, global warming, and for health care. We need to build peace. Let’s talk about health care. It feels like a tax to me. It doesn’t feel much like Care. I thought it might be something like Driving Insurance, though with some focus on Tune Ups. At least with Auto Insurance, there is an understanding of what is covered, what is not, as well as one’s rights and responsibilities. I am spending more on health insurance, than I have been earning, for a couple years. I haven’t gone to the Doctor, (and rarely have as an adult) since Basic Health ended in WA State a couple of years ago. My rates went up, and my coverage went down, under the Affordable Health Care Act. It was difficult to get, lots of hoops, forms, and loops. And after a year, it went up by over 30%. I see how well, Supply and Demand is working. Well, at least I am not in prison, and millions of people are. I like being free, don’t get me wrong. I am lucky, I have some $ in savings. I have a good partner. whose Health Care is part of her work compensation. I am not after a free ride. I feel though, that access to Health Care, is way too difficult for many Adults. Fortunately, it is more available for children. I’d like to contribute, not only provide for my family, I’d like to help, in so many ways. And yet, I don’t feel like I am making a living. I have many skills. I like to work. No doubt much of my struggles, are self inflicted. Darwin may well give me the boot, and I will have to look for an ice flow to retire on. I hope it won’t come to doing Ice Studies in the Artic, though I have taken an interest in Glacial Modeling Software, this may not be the time to discuss it. Sometimes I feel as though I ought to focus on Music, the Local Scene, Tech Talk, etc, and not worry about the Bigger Picture. And yet, I know I am not alone with struggles. Many gifted Artists are having difficulty earning a living. Music may be good for our health, though it rarely provides health care. Poets, Painters, I could go on… I mention these Artists, though I need to recognize the patrons, promoters and producers; The Supporters of the Arts. I will try and use more names. I have some concerns about the Crowd Funding Phenomena; perhaps it has its place. However, I think we need more relationships and fewer crowds. Do we really need to put 15% of the pie into software Apps that manage said fund raising? While this is less than the State taxes on alcohol, both influence, those working in the Arts. The relationship of alcohol and music is rather old. I have written of their history previously, and I look forward to researching this further. And yet, this year, our community, has experienced deaths though heart attacks, chronic illness, and suicides. We keep going. We try and keep up. We have a lot of good gatherings. Though, part of me, wants to make it easier to dance. I am trying to help. I want to thank the many souls who are contributing, considering one another, and negotiating possibilities, for everyone. Thanks, R.A. Hull November 29Th, 2014
PS I wrote the bulk of this Blog several weeks ago. I almost stuck it in my collection of Drafts… Part of why I decided to publish, is for better or worse, I discovered the MRM (Men’s Rights Movement). It was an accident. I have many aforementioned research projects, as well as my “spare time literary habits”. I try to be careful. Although I don’t try to seek conflict (as a rule) I do try and hear many perspectives. My Father in Law, and I, have gotten in several arguments, over the last 20 plus years. That doesn’t mean I don’t respect him. Our backgrounds are rather different. He reads a lot of non fiction, and is generous with his library. I borrowed the book blink by Malcolm Gladwell. The book makes a powerful argument for the ability of the brain, to make snap judgments, also called “thin slicing”. The title of the book comes from this; however, our brains can get in the way. We experience life, with unique perspectives, insights, and difficulties. He also studied Police Shootings, which has value to all concerned with avoiding tragic mistakes. Too much information can delay, and reduce the quality of choices. Kurlansky examines examples, from Archeology, to Speed Dating, the power available, in a “blink”. All of us have limitations, however temporary, which can influence objectivity. Marketing has made quick impressions, nearly a science. It can be a dark art. The Carrot, may not know the way. I posted a link to a video, a satire of Princess Laya, walking the streets of New York, being cat called by Star Wars characters. I thought it was well done. I soon learned more about its inspiration, and well, that is how I met Karen Straughan (Known as the Gateway Drug to Men’s Issues). Life is different now. Everything is in flux; I am thinking about ideas accepted for decades. I will say this: The banning of Men’s Centers on several Campuses, in 2012 and 2013, was perhaps, the best thing that could have happened to the Men’s Movement. Short of recognition, forbidding men to gather, and talk, was guaranteed to make it grow. Men’s Rights Associations are now on over 50 Campuses in the United States and Canada. The Men’s Issues Conference: The Male Student in Peril at KSUM, this November, was a damn good start. Many good talks, and Q&A Sessions occurred, and was documented. Speakers were as diverse as Naomi Wolfe to Karen Straughan. Dr. Janice Famengo was perhaps the most controversial Speaker, her appearances have been protested, and disrupted in Toronto and Ottawa; although soft spoken, her re-examination of Data on Domestic Violence from Canada and the USA, is changing everything. Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is nearly equal between men and women. Paul Elam of A Voice for Men said it took over 70 years for Suffragettes, to get the vote. Men and boys will be included in Gender Studies, sooner than that if, we mind our Manners. Change is often slow, though sometimes, it happens in a blink. Please take me with a grain of salt. I enjoyed Salt, by Mark Kurlansky. I was surprised to learn, Salt production, was perhaps humanities first Industry. Salt trade is thought to be older than agriculture, the making of bread, or its cousin, beer. I do wonder if Mammoths were hunted within hierarchies, though it can be argued that Salt was the first catalyst for the organization of world trade. It influenced the roots of mining, fishing, and the domestication of animals. There is even a chapter about the US Civil War, called the War between the Salts. There is so much to learn! Thanks for bearing with me, as I ramble on. Stay real, R.A.Hull
Walking on the island along the River,
We were looking at rocks,
Though we found a nest of eggs,
Speckled white and brown,
Delicate miracles,
Stones being born,
All that I could see,
For a Moment,
Then you said, “I’ve heard of birds,
That makes their nest on the ground.”
Right on cue,
A bird appears from nowhere,
Squawking,
“I’m hurt so bad, don’t chase me!”
Wing dragging Thespian,
Who taught thee to Act!
How could,
Or rather, why would,
Truth,
Create creatures whose modus operandi,
Is to wing it, and deceive?
Good work, if you can get it.
Hell of a way, to raise a family.
Some really drag it around,
Steal the show.
Most hide their gash, too well.
Why do some carry on so?
Clear roles, are hard to find.
Maker,
Taker,
Faker,
There’s a cat,
Got to go!
R.A. Hull
Bellingham July 31Th, 2014
Photo by Miranda Zickler
I heard the news today…
- Thou shalt not kill our leaders
- Thou shalt not break into our houses
- Thou shalt not intercede against our meetings
- Thou shalt not use poisons, germs, or toxins
- Thou shalt not bug our offices and bedrooms
- Thou shalt not break open our mail
- Thou shalt not surveill us while we journey
- Thou shalt not write false reports about us
- Thou shalt not send provocateurs among us
- Thou shalt not use us to justify thy power
- Thou shalt not send spores of death among us
- Thou shalt not use drugs, hypnosis, robo-wash, behavior modification or desensitization procedures to wire up thine Agents
Written by Ed Sanders
In April of 1976, the Church Committee issued a 110,000 word report, in 14 published papers, after 800 witnesses, with 183 recommendations “for protecting the civil rights of American citizens.” The Church Hearings were on Television
From America: A History in Verse by Ed Sanders
Thick things that throttle thriving thoughts,
thus these thorny thinking Theists
thrilly thunder their throaty throbbing theories thermally,
though theatrically thieving thespians thanked them thriftly,
thoroughly thawing this thread thin theme’s thrust.
R.A.Hull
B-Ham
May 23rd, 2001
This poem was inspired at a party talking with 3 men from Quebec. I was feeling linguistically challenged. I inquired as to difficult sounds for them, and Th came to the top. And this soon followed. Years later in 2009, I was going to the Memorial of a friend in Calgary. I was detained at the Border, for secondary screening. A Canadian Border Agent. went through my wallet, found, and read, this poem. The Guard laughed, calling it “An alliteration…”
Although a copy is safely preserved by the Authorities, it has previously, never been published.
I wanted to write Charlie Krafft, though we have, only met once, and exchanged, a letter or two; Last August I heard, that he had caused a rue, with an article from a Seattle author, which was rather critical of him. Trusting my sources that “a disturbance in the Force” had indeed been perceived, and wanting to presume innocence, I resolved to look into it. I still haven’t communicated with Charles. I am not mad at him, I don’t think he is evil, or ill. He is a lot smarter than me, for sure, and funnier. I am not trying to Deny anything. I believe the nightmare was real,and I think it’s not over. The Hollow Cost. We need to remember, and we all need to heal.
I don’t know if it is legal to communicate with him, or even ;what I can write about the subject. All I told my Partner, was I wouldn’t want to debate history with him, especially WWII, and Europe. I know some people who can, and one, who is a mutual friend of Charles, and myself. I will bring “it” up next time we meet, though I don’t like talking about it. The last time I saw either was at MONA in La Conner, as part of the Readings of the River Rats, featuring Alumni of Fish Town on the Skagit. This was in 2009 as I recall.
After his reading, Charles approached me, and said, “what do you do?” I explained Construction, working with Live Sound, and Recording. I think I asked him about Ed Sanders (an Artists from the Fugs, a Historian and Private Investigator!). He was very nice, I think he asked about my travels, how I came to be at the Reading. I really like stories about Fish Town, the Scriptorium below the Bridge, accessible mostly by boat, much of the year. I am interested in Intentional Communities. I lived in one, west of Bellingham from 1988 through Fall of 91. Seems like a long time ago, though certainly life changing. Although I did write frequently during this period, as did several community members, Farm Life seemed closer than the Art World. We were doing theatre, and I helped with Sets, Lights and Sound during these years, I thought of myself as a carpenter.
A lot of why I was wanting to write Charles, was to share some poems from my best friend. Beyond reasonable doubt, I know he would like some of them. My friend has never been published, though he is gifted, intelligent, and got me into writing over 30 years ago.
Rick K is working on an anthology of sorts, a best of, or introduction. He writes by hand, has never owned a computer. The notebooks are well organized, each bearing his Moniker, Psychedelic Oblivion Enterprises (POE). He has gathered some older poems, though he didn’t include Tommy Tomorrow, which is a ground breaking Time Travel Poem, 8 pages long, and is hand written, as is all his work.& I estimate 30 spiral notebooks, all named, kept in a milk crate last I saw them, he was living on the Campus of a company that makes Operating Systems for personal computers. He got away with it for years. May He Live Long and Prosper!
It was good to see him, last week. We didn’t do much, perhaps? We went for a drive at noon, up Stevens Creek, and up Hwy 9. Hung out at the Park a bit, laughed about growing up. The time I got left behind on a YMCA field trip, for a Epic maybe 20 minutes, guess I was 8 or 9. I can still recall the 2 women, playing cards, and drinking canned beer. They gave me a can of Soda (!) and let me feed ice cubes to their dog. I think they handled the situation no better than angels could.
Rick always has some stories about his dogs, Jessie and Kona, which though dearly loved, lead a checkered path, for a pair of Pit Bulls, worthy of a book, or two. Rick lost the dogs to the State of Califonia, which ordered their deaths. He did break them out of prison, giving them several months more life, before, the James Gang, as they were known, were captured, and he never saw them again. He later named his only child, after Jessie (now 17). She was the first dog to ever communicate with me, and it has only happened a few times in my life.
I understand a few words of Bird, though don’t try to speak with them, except for an occasional polite caw with the crows in the neighborhood. The most common word, for song birds, is of course, “Me, me, me”! This is followed by, “you, you” and “Cat, Cat” is the 3rd most common song, I hear. I have a lot to learn.
Rick gave me a 8 Gb SD Card (these small Chips, which for us born in Silicon Valley, still are the epitome of Science Fiction, no longer fiction!)of recordings and Interviews he made, with my old H2 Digital Recorder I gave him last year!!! I am looking forward to some funny moments! He came up with 20 questions, Yes, or No, called Are You A Criminal? He recorded people in several bars. I have only recorded him a couple of times.
Once, he performed The Gates Motel, The Gates Of Hell, for the 1st emancipated Minor in the State of California, and yours truly, at the place it was composed! I later recorded it in 2006, before the Authorities confiscated his RV, named Beggars Tomb, which was home for near a decade. I didn’t talk with Rick about Charles, other than to say I planned to send them to a poet I know, or the Subject of the fore mentioned. Neither have I talked with my trusted legal advisors, though I will communicate with them. Inshallah.
Maybe Semantics,rather than Semetics, is the Gist of the dispute. Most people don’t want to talk about “it”, I certainly don’t like talking, or thinking about it. Though it is important to be remembered. And work at preventing again!
My Country, changed the rules, during the last 20 years. I have studied war, since childhood, asking about Viet Nam War I watched on Black and White TV. We were watching color TV by the end of that war. In every text book, or battle map, which attempt to describe the Metrics of War, some reckoning of Dead, Wounded and Prisoners was made, in written form. For reasons unknown to me, neither President George W. Bush or Barack Obama, do not want to know, who dies, is harmed. They ordered the Military, to not count, those it kills, or harms, or wither they were Civilian, or Enemies. This is unlike all previous Presidents. Not wanting to know, is the meaning of Sin, in the Gospels I read, and was raised with.
At least Charles has tried to count the dead, and numbers them in Millions, though, it is forbidden by law, to say how many. I think it is more than the article mentioned, yet if my Government doesn’t count those killed, neither casualties, nor how many detained in War, why should Charles Krafft? In fairness, he wasn’t given much space to explain himself, and listening is in rather short supply, even in Seattle.
I think there are 167 (158 as of 12/31/13 NPR, I don’t know how many are being forced fed) prisoners in Cuba, currently held by the USA, at Camp XRAY. Over half, are from Yemen, most were not adults, at the time of 9-11. Fortunately, few of these men, are likely to be able to get into my favorite Pubs and clubs, or even buy booze, should any escape, so thank God, we don’t need to worry about that!
So I want to talk more about Music, Community and Tech in 2014. There is a lot of noise in the world. I am trying to not add to it. I have. Working with Music, and poetry, and Artists, helps me feel I am working at improving our community. It gives me hope, it helps me feel useful. Dharma.
I remember that Sir Richard Burton encountered a Culture, during his early travels through the Middle East to Afghanistan and India nearly 150 years ago, which had no concept of truth. I have forgotten their names, though I know I can find it, for some reason, I so love these people, that I want to let them remain anonymous.
Okay, I realize I mentioned Attention Deficit, and Love. What do they have to do with each other? The Problem and the Cure! The trouble, is attention, and love. They are related. If the term love doesn’t work, what about that which is used in describing the behavior of Primates, by Biologists, and anthropologists,. Grooming? I ain’t joking, folks need more attention. I understand there might be too much of a good thing, though some fates are worth risks.
I don’t know what my life could have been, except, that my son, has less violence in his life, and better video games. Every year of my life, until my mid 20’s, I got attacked,punched, kicked, stuffed in dumpsters. That isn’t very unusual. I learned a lot. I have always tried to learn. Many of the people were those I went to school with. One teacher in Middle School shook the hell out of me for going talking to a friend outside metal shop. A principal twisted my arm for not picking up confetti, got 3 days suspended too, at the age of 18. After graduating, got punched by my a Youth Group Leader, while in Australia, didn’t like something I said. The next few years involved Punk Rock, so it was somewhat in the turf, and it got easier to handle, and talk my way out of Intense Cituations! So I let you know how it goes. I was able to do a great deal in my life so far, as an adult. I found love. I learned to work with people. I got better at when to talk. I did have guns pointed at me several times, though only by a Girlfriends EX, a couple times, once getting picked up hitchhiking, and all 3 visits to Northern Ireland. I am proud of standing up when the Army Sniper was pointing his rifle at some young children, and the squad leader got them out of the Square in Derry. At the time I wished I said something, though years later, I reminded Kath, that our being there, changed what they did.
If your a Buddhist, I might say Meditation, and the Dharma, or Meditation and less Medication! Christians remember, Sin, as the opposite of being watchful (A-MARTYRos) and LOVE (or A-GAPe in Greek). I have written about this in previous BLOGs. There is much, We don’t know! I don’t know enough to say more, except, there is an awful lot of pain, misunderstandings, and wounds on this world, this blue jewel in vast space. Thanks for working at peace.
Blaiming Genes, doesn’t make as much sense, as once thought, as the rise of Attention Deficit Disorder seems to be concentrated in the United States, perhaps it is something in the water? Maybe. I have studied the subject for 40 years. Maybe it is genetic? I used to think it was, however, I think Culture is too.
When I was born, babies were separated from their mothers, often over the whole night. I have yet to find the names, of the people who started this, the Statute of Limitations may have expired, though the effects and Kharma, are still causing Harm to billions, you name it, it is effected! I can cite my own experience, though improvements in Civil Rights, technology, especially very small such as Physics, Computers, and genetics, the very BIG, has also changed inconceivably. Less than a century, since the discovery of other Galaxies, Andromeda was recognized among the Heavens again, by the astronomer, Edward Hubble.
My father worked on the Hubble telescope, which proved that the number of Galaxies, is at least between 10 and 200 Billion. My wife says, that doesn’t really work for her, as a source of inspiration, though when I say, how lucky we are to know each other, how many more places, we each could have been! She likes this. So we are back to Metrics, means of Measuring. The Hubble Telescope, furthered our vision, with a myriad of Images, not only DATA, was beamed back to Earth, beauty and wonders, the Heavens Declare Glory!
And yet these awful wars, in the very period since these discoveries, Millions of people, billions of mammals, and ecosystems… How many trillions of $ went to weapons of Mass Distruction, and as the pun goes, Mass Distraction too!
I don’t have the fortune, of getting to speak with Moslems, very often, and my Government, isn’t excactly fostering cultural exchange. I am trying not to drone on. Maybe the Drones will stop, though the President thinks they are too fun!
I want to wish everyone a good year. What are my plans? I hope to publish several CD’s from local Artists. I’ll mention Names, next Blog, as I am trying to protect the Innocent. I have more to do on my house… I hope to play my ukulele more. I want to write a poem about killdeers. I heard one, when I was with Rick. Though I didn’t mention, I have been musing about them for months!
I am looking for work, especially less in rain coats. However, I am open to offers, pitches and proposals.
Try to pay attention to each other, I think it is good for everybody. Peace.
Backup Experience 