Through My LENS...

The last time I looked...  I was...

1. Southern Born
2. Cancer survivor
3. Heart Attack survivor
4. A few pounds overweight
5. Over 6 feet in height
6. INTJ Personality
7. Scorpion
8. Retired
9. Married
10. Divorced
11. Veteran
12. Educated
13. Religious  
14. Teacher
15. Father
16. Husband
17. Writer
18. Poet
19. Artist
20. Male

There is nothing I can do to change the way I am even though I can change my behavior...  but, whatever happens to me, flows through the LENSES of my preconceived ideas and ideals that have been forming and reforming throughout my entire life.  I am not who I was nor will I become who I am today.  Choices help formulate my life and its experiences but my life has already been seen by our Creator who is the past, present, as well as the future.  I am and will become that which I am supposed to become and nothing more or nothing less.  Life conforms to my development and evolution as it revolves around my essence and my essence is what life has given me.

Critical Race Theory

Critical race theory (CRT) is an academic movement made up of civil-rights scholars and activists in the United States who seek to critically examine the law as it intersects with issues of race, and to challenge mainstream liberal approaches to racial justice.  Wikipedia

According to Purdue University
Critical Race Theory (1970s-present)
INTRODUCTION
Critical Race Theory, or CRT, is a theoretical and interpretive mode that examines the appearance of race and racism across dominant cultural modes of expression. In adopting this approach, CRT scholars attempt to understand how victims of systemic racism are affected by cultural perceptions of race and how they are able to represent themselves to counter prejudice.

Closely connected to such fields as philosophy, history, sociology, and law, CRT scholarship traces racism in America through the nation’s legacy of slavery, the Civil Rights Movement, and recent events. In doing so, it draws from work by writers like Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. Du Bois, Martin Luther King, Jr., and others studying law, feminism, and post-structuralism. CRT developed into its current form during the mid-1970s with scholars like Derrick Bell, Alan Freeman, and Richard Delgado, who responded to what they identified as dangerously slow progress following Civil Rights in the 1960s.

Prominent CRT scholars like Kimberlé Crenshaw, Mari Matsuda, and Patricia Williams share an interest in recognizing racism as a quotidian component of American life (manifested in textual sources like literature, film, law, etc). In doing so, they attempt to confront the beliefs and practices that enable racism to persist while also challenging these practices in order to seek liberation from systemic racism.

As such, CRT scholarship also emphasizes the importance of finding a way for diverse individuals to share their experiences. However, CRT scholars do not only locate an individual’s identity and experience of the world in his or her racial identifications, but also their membership to a specific class, gender, nation, sexual orientation, etc. They read these diverse cultural texts as proof of the institutionalized inequalities racialized groups and individuals experience every day.

As Richard Delgado and Jean Stefancic explain in their introduction to the third edition of Critical Race Theory: The Cutting Edge, “Our social world, with its rules, practices, and assignments of prestige and power, is not fixed; rather, we construct with it words, stories and silence. But we need not acquiesce in arrangements that are unfair and one-sided. By writing and speaking against them, we may hope to contribute to a better, fairer world” (3). In this sense, CRT scholars seek tangible, real-world ends through the intellectual work they perform. This contributes to many CRT scholars’ emphasis on social activism and transforming everyday notions of race, racism, and power.

More recently, CRT has contributed to splinter groups focused on Asian American, Latino, and Indian racial experiences.  Read More

Saturday in the Valley

I woke up this morning to the sounds of rain outside my window and felt the immediate congestion inside my head specifically around my sinuses...  one of the pitfalls of living in East TN.  But, for me the advantages out-weigh the disadvantages...  especially at my age where sights and sounds are worrisome. 

As an English major in College, I am very familiar with the symbol of rain in literature...  and, is omnipresent in both prose and poetry to create the proper mental environment among the readers and the critics.  Whenever you have literature present, you have a whole host of critics who like to criticize writers for not writing as they would have expected them to write.

But, college has been behind me for over 50 years and I simply don't give a shit anymore what the critics may or may not think...  Rain, is a necessary evil in the South, especially in the Valley where a little rain is so necessary for survival.

I just mowed my lawn and with this rain and lots of sunny days after the weekend, no doubt I will have to mow my lawn again once maybe twice before the week is over...  While it is not that annoying to mow since I daydream while mowing, it does take time and money...  and, gasoline is not necessarily cheap anymore.

Once it warms up a tad, I plan to put on a sweatshirt and go out on my screened in back porch and listen to the rain for an hour or two...  for me, it is just as relaxing as sitting in my hot tub for 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, I only started learning to relax after I retired in 2015...  perhaps, if I had learned to do this earlier, I would not have experienced a heart attack...  who knows?

Need Coffee...

 

What Does RAIN Symbolize?

The Symbolism of Rain – 7 Examples in Movies & Books
By Chris Drew, PhD

The symbolism of rain varies across different types of literature and movies.

It has been used as a symbol for many thousands of years, perhaps most notably in the floods in the bible.

Rain can symbolize many things. It can represent unhappiness, rebirth, foreboding, determination, the breaking of a drought, and a pause for introspection.

Here are some examples of how rain is employed as a literary device.
1. Unhappiness and Melancholy
2. Ominous Foreboding
3. Rebirth and Renewal
4. Romance
5. Determination
6. A Pause for Introspection
7. Cleansing

1. Unhappiness and Melancholy
Rain often washes over a scene when the protagonist in a film, TV show or literature is ‘awash’ with sadness.

This may be because rain is oppressive. The clouds that it comes with lock out light and the warmth of the sun. It prevents us from going outdoors to enjoy nature. It literally makes our days grayer and darker.

When a character is sad or moody, rainy weather is often employed as a way of showing how the world is empathizing with the character.

An example is in the book Great Expectations. Pip narrates:

…stormy and wet, stormy and wet; and mud, mud, mud, deep in all the streets. Day after day, a vast heavy veil had been driving over London from the East, and it drove still, as if in the East there were an Eternity of cloud and wind. … gloomy accounts had come in from the coast, of shipwreck and death. Violent blasts of rain had accompanied these rages of wind, and the day just closed as I sat down to read had been the worst of all.

Here, Pip is outlining how the weather is mirroring his gloomy feeling as he spends his days depressed in London.

2. Ominous Foreboding
Rain may also symbolize foreboding. In fact, this symbolism often parallels the use of rain as a sign of melancholy – because the rain is indicating that there are no good prospects to come. There are “dark clouds on the horizon”. Indeed, it can often take place in the final scene of a move that we know will not end well.  READ MORE

 

Multiple Intelligences

What is Multiple Intelligences Theory?

Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences proposes that people are not born with all of the intelligence they will ever have.
This theory challenged the traditional notion that there is one single type of intelligence, sometimes known as “g” for general intelligence, that only focuses on cognitive abilities.

To broaden this notion of intelligence, Gardner introduced eight different types of intelligences consisting of: 

Linguistic, 

Logical/Mathematical, 

Spatial, 

Bodily-Kinesthetic,

Musical, 

Interpersonal, 

Intrapersonal, and 

Naturalist.

Gardner notes that the linguistic and logical-mathematical modalities are most typed valued in school and society.

Gardner also suggests that there may other “candidate” intelligences—such as spiritual intelligence, existential intelligence, and moral intelligence—but does not believe these meet his original inclusion criteria. (Gardner, 2011).

The theory of multiple intelligences was first proposed by Howard Gardner in his 1983 book “Frames of Mind”, where he broadens the definition of intelligence and outlines several distinct types of intellectual competencies.

Gardner developed a series of eight inclusion criteria while evaluating each "candidate” intelligence that was based on a variety of scientific disciplines.

He writes that we may all have these intelligences, but our profile of these intelligence may differ individually based on genetics or experience.  READ MORE

 

Brick and Mortar is Going Away

Partly because of the COVID 19 Pandemic and partly because of
technology brick and mortar buildings, organizations, and institutions are going away...

The first of these will be EDUCATION...

Educational institutions both for profit and non profit have realized recently that ONLINE EDUCATION saves them "tons" on money each year in building maintenance and utility costs.  With instructors working from home or other remote locations, they are responsible for their offices and internet connections which they can then use as tax deductions when they file their IRS taxes each year.

Unfortunately, online education is not as knowledge transfer intense as in-class instruction but profits and reduced costs are more important than education.

I have taught both in online jurisdictions as well as in-class jurisdictions and in the online environment, I put in much more time than I do or did in the classroom environment.

The second group of organizations and institutions that will be giving up their brick and mortar buildings will be the RETAIL INDUSTRY.

Amazon and Ebay are good examples of organizations that have been very successful with just an online operation.

When the COVID Pandemic was in full force here in the US, my wife and I ordered as much as we could online to avoid having to go out in public to purchase what we needed.  This type of buying is only going to increase in intensity among the American people.

What will help spur this along will be the increase in popularity of using Crypt Currency and Bitcoins which is a natural byproduct of Pay Pal.

And...  as we begin to do away with gasoline vehicles and transform our transportation industry to electric vehicles and before we are able to build all those CHARGING STATIONS, Americans will be forced to do more and more shopping online rather than driving to a shopping mall or a grocery store.

You're Next...

 BLACKS DON'T WANT JUSTICE THEY WANT REVENGE...  AGAINST WHITES...

So...  this is now what America looks like...  to other Americans and to our global community...  

America is NO LONGER a respected Global Power...

Celebrities and Professional Athletes try to STIR THE POT of RACISM in the hopes that the WHITES will finally just GIVE UP and allow BLACKS to have whatever they want...

If this ever happens, then there will be RACE WARS in America especially since Blacks are only 13% of the overall population...

A majority of Americans, mostly whites, simply and politely try to be diplomatic as the racial events unfold in this country in the hopes that it will eventually be self-regulating...  however, if that does not happen, WHITES will begin to PUSH BACK as their toleration lessens...  and, when this push back takes place, the BLACK COMMUNITY better be prepared to RETALIATE or BACK OFF with their demands...  otherwise, violence and hate will flourish on both sides...  and, this divide will continue for many years.

Meanwhile, our global enemies will take advantage of this division...

A Dying Galaxy

From the smallest microbe to the mightiest oak, death is as true for above as it is for below, even for the mightiest galaxies.

The process, however, is not a quick one. A haunting new Hubble photo of the galaxy NGC 1947 demonstrates this well: Even from a distance of around 45.4 million light-years away (in the southern constellation of Dorado), we can see that the galaxy is slowly on the decline.

The clue lies in the dust and gas. A galaxy in the prime of its life will be filled with the stuff, using it to make new stars. Eventually, the star-stuff will run out, and that's what astronomers believe we are seeing with NGC 1947.

It's a rare type of galaxy known as a lenticular galaxy - disk-shaped, like the Milky Way or Andromeda, but without the spiral arms. NGC 1947 used to have spiral arms, but it has used up almost all the gas and dust that gave them structure; all that remains is a few wisps, backlit by starlight.  Read More

TEAR IT DOWN!!!!!!!!!

 

Mount Rushmore is a National Monument in the Black Hills region of South Dakota...  It was completed in 1941 under the direction of Gutzon Borglum and his son and depicts US Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln... 

We know that Washington and Jefferson were slave owners and while Lincoln did not own any slaves his wife's family owned slaves.  However, most historians will agree that Roosevelt was a racist and had no problems sharing his views with others...

CONSEQUENTLY...  this National Monument is the wake of the CANCEL CULTURE and the WOKE Mob needs to be torn down IMMEDIATELY...  otherwise, we will have a crisis on our hands that will negatively manifest itself as more and more blacks become aware of this national monument.

I would not have thought about this until the BLACKS brought it to my attention...  NOW, every time I think about Mt. Rushmore, I am going to think about my ancestors and how bad they treated blacks back then...  even though I do not know if my ancestors even owned slaves...  I am still going to feel bad for blacks...

If blacks want PITY from me because of what their ancestors endured through slavery...  then PITY they will have...  but, nothing else...  the rest they can earn by themselves...  PITY IS FREE...

Alright Then

Special Instructions for WHITE PEOPLE...  (see left photo)  and these instructions are doing nothing to unite whites and blacks, instead they further divided whites from blacks...  at least in the eyes of some whites...  who now, will NEVER VISIT this site or any other BLACK SITE now or ever in the future,.

Blacks can have their special instructions to whites if that's how they want to play the game but the more they move in this direction, the more the white people are going to back away from them and keep their distance.

I had a black nurse putting in my IV line to receive chemo this morning but if this keeps up then I am going to refuse to let a black nurse deal with me...   and, since this is a public hospital, if I bitch loud enough the management team will have to listen...  and, now doubt other white cancer patients will follow suit...

I am glad that Derek Chauvin was found guilty of ALL COUNTS by the jury and will spend time in jail for the CRIME he committed but as far as heeding any special instructions by blacks well...  they can kiss my ass...

I have never had any problems with blacks until they started demanding CRAP because their ancestors were enslaved by my ancestors...  GET OVER IT...  that happened years ago and you don't deserve any special compensation...  and if, there are whites that are racist then deal with them...  THAT DOES NOT MEAN I AM RACIST...  at least not now, but there is good possibility I will turn racist if this stuff keeps building...

Either we unite or we don't and if the latter happens, then on opposite sides of the street we will walk and AMERICA will never be UNITED AGAIN...

Better learn to speak Mandarin...

Whole Bean Coffee

Coffee drinkers are often faced with a choice: Do you buy whole bean or ground? Choosing the bag of ground coffee or a Keurig K-Cup keeps things simple ― you don’t have to grind it, and because the bag and the cup are sealed, the coffee probably stays fresh, no? These are two of the easiest possible ways to get java in your mug in the morning.

But we’re here to tell you that once you start buying whole bean coffee, it’s an absolute game-changer. And we promise it’s not that much more time-consuming or difficult than brewing a K-Cup or scooping coffee grounds into a machine. The rewards for buying whole bean coffee are plenty, as it’ll open up new worlds of flavor and aromas.

But don’t just take our word for it! We spoke to numerous coffee professionals who back us up. They’ll convince you that whole bean coffee is way better than ground coffee.

All beans are legumes ― except for coffee beans. They’re not beans at all!  READ MORE

Why Not

 

One Step At A Time

Personally...  I am glad that Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all counts yesterday by the jury because the jury really had no other choice if they wanted to keep black people from revolting, rioting, burning, and looting...  and, we must always remember what one of the BLM leaders said when being interviewed by the media:

"...PEACEFUL PROTESTS DON'T WORK HERE IN AMERICA...  VIOLENCE IS THE ONLY WAY THAT WHITES WILL LISTEN..."

Perhaps...  he is right...  who knows?

But...  one thing is for sure and that is that the BLACKS will not stop here with their demands and requests...  they will not stop until they perceive that they have gotten all that they can from the white majority in this country...  Blacks are only 13% of the population in the United States and right now, the whites are listening...  and, making an effort to APPEASE...  but, at some point-in-time, this appeasement will STOP and the whites will retaliate in the only way that they know how and that is through their MAJORITY STATUS.

What is curiously interesting and absent in these debates about what the blacks demand is the fact that WEALTHY BLACKS are not making any comments at all...  or, if they do make comments they are DIPLOMATIC in nature and try not to take sides.

BUT... the real question here is:  IF WE EDUCATE BLACKS AND/OR GIVE THEM MORE MONEY WILL THEY STOP JOINING STREET GANGS...  STOP SELLING ILLEGAL DRUGS...  AND STOP COMMITING CRIMES?

Ever since I was a teenager in the 1960's everyone knew that one could earn more money selling illegal drugs than one could earn with a COLLEGE DEGREE.  And, that fact-of-life has not changed...

WHY?

AMERICANS BUY MORE ILLEGAL DRUGS THAN ANY OTHER COUNTRY IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW...

and, until you stop Americans from buying illegal drugs our government and our law enforcement agencies will not be able to stop illegal drugs from being sold here...

BUT...  more importantly what will be the FATE OF BLACKS IN AMERICA...  now that BLM and ANTIFA have decided that only violent protests are being recognized and addressed...

AND...  what will happen in AMERICA if police departments are defunded, restructured, and no longer permitted to use DEADLY FORCE???

WAKE UP AMERICA...

How True

 

Filthy Paris Streets

Paris officials have blamed a "political smear campaign" after angry comments and pictures of filthy streets spread on social media criticising a "trashed Paris".  The hashtag "saccage Paris" went viral over Easter, with many of the messages accusing the city's Socialist leadership of ruining the capital.  They complained of uncollected rubbish, damaged pavements and graffiti.  The Paris deputy mayor said keeping the city clean had always been a problem.

However, the social media campaign was a "travesty of reality", Emmanuel Grégoire insisted. Paris was densely populated and cleaners were doing all they could, he told RTL Radio, but he said the French capital was no different from London, whose mayor Sadiq Khan faced exactly the same issues.

Among the thousands of tweets, Cyrille Capuano said that for years Paris had not lived up to its reputation as the city of light, and he accused Mayor Anne Hidalgo of turning it into a public dump.  READ MORE

COMMENT:  My wife and I visited Paris last summer for 4 days and 4 nights and while we enjoyed being tourists and seeing all the sights that everyone has read about, we decided that we would never visit Paris again because of:

• the unfriendly rude people
• the poor street directions and signage
• the dirty streets

And, while it may not have bothered the seasoned traveler, I found the Paris Airport and its facilities to be a pain in the ass to find one's way around.  Very few employees at the airport spoke English  nor were they helpful with their directions.  This airport was HUGE and there was a lot of WASTED SPACE.

Hot Tub Fiasco

For several weeks I was unable to use my hot tub because of a heart monitor I was wearing as it was water resistant but not water proof...  Now that the 30 days are over, I am once again able to use the hot tub.  Typically, after a long day whether tired from working or not, I like to relax my body is the hot water of about 103/104 degrees...  and, getting into that hotness has to be done slowly and carefully but once in, I am usually in the water for about 30-45 minutes and run the jets about12-15 minutes as it makes one's body super hot.

Every other week or so, I pour into the hot tub about 1-2 cups of non concentrated bleach to purify the water as best as I can...  knowing that I am going to replace the water about every 3-4 months.  This last time of pouring in the bleach and setting the jets to CLEAN, I noticed that foam was being created and since there was nothing I could do about it at the time, I just went back upstairs.

The next day, I wanted to get into the hot tub and once I lifted up the cover, noticed that there was still some remaining foam but lowered my body into the hot water anyway.  And, once I turned on the jets, foam was created quite easily.  After a few minutes with the jets on and pushing away the foam, I decided to turn off the jets...  the foam gradually dissipated 

Tonight, I will get into the hot tub again and I wonder what will happen and how long this foaming condition will last...  I also wonder why the bleach I poured in caused this to happen...  but, since I am going to drain the water and refill the tub in a couple of weeks, I am not that concerned...  it is just a minor aggravation and/or annoyance with which I can easily deal.