Hillary Clinton on Human Rights

Here's a speech Hillary Clinton recently delivered at the International Human Rights Day Convention in Geneva, Switzerland. She talks about worldwide human rights in general, but is brave enough to address LGTB rights in particular. This woman is my heroine, and now you can see why.

Jennifer Bonardi is Famous

My friend Jennifer Bonardi was recently featured on local television, on the BNN News. She's the executive director of the Ford Hall Forum run by Suffolk University. For over 100 years, the Ford Hall Forum lecture series has invited various speakers on numerous topics, and has held panels, debates, and lectures for free. Listen to her spiel. 

What My Grandfathers Made in 1940

Grandparents Gwen & Hjalmar on left, 1930's

With the 1940 census just being released at the beginning of April, 2012, I've already perused it. Most of the information I know, like the names of my family members, and their birth dates, etc... Though it is still exciting to witness history captured in time, the census seemingly doesn't add much detail to the family story. However the 1940 census recorded salary information, so I looked up what each of my grandfathers made in 1940. 

Surprisingly, both were employed, which I guess during the Depression was a feat in itself. Not surprisingly, my grandfather Taylor (my dad's father) made more money than my grandfather Grimstad. I say 'not surprisingly' because my grandfather Taylor was a U.S. citizen. My mother's father, on the other hand, was a Norwegian immigrant and also not a U.S. citizen at the time. I'm assuming it made a difference in terms of employment opportunities. 

  

My grandfather in 1957, still at Elliott

I know my grandfather Grimstad worked as a painter, and probably received a salary 'under the table.' He made 340 dollars in the year 1940. My dad's father William worked as a printer machinist at The Elliott Addressing Machine Company in Cambridge. The building still stands in Central Sq. In fact, my grandfather William served as an auxiliary military police officer during the war from 1943-44, as a guard for the company. In 1940, he made 1,130 dollars.

Henri, the Existential Cat

Life is an absurd delusion......

Utah!

Hoodoos

Bryce Canyon Navajo Loop Trail

My recent trip to Utah was absolutely amazing. For an 'outdoor enthusiast' like me, Utah is a place of outstanding beauty and scenery. During my week there, I did a lot of driving, but I got to re-visit Zion, visit Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyon Lands, Arches National Park, and Natural Bridges National Park in the short period of time I was there. The weather was mainly good, varying in temperature and conditions from falling snow to desert. I think Bryce was my favorite, but all these parks are amazing.

Trish and Jonathan are volunteering as rangers at Natural Bridges National Park, in Blanding, Utah, and I got to stay with them one day. Highlights were a hike Jonathan and I did, in which we saw Indian ruins up on a cliff, and mating frogs making quite a racket. We also saw one of the 'natural bridges,' which has a huge crack in the middle of it. We didn't see any rattlesnakes or mountain lions, (thank goddess as far as I'm concerned) though a few days later Jonathan got to visit a rattlesnake den.  

Jonathan and I also went out that night and gazed at the stars. The Natural Bridges National Park is famous for its dark skies, and star gazing. There are little interfering city lights emanating from earth. We did see an amazing display, and I would say the clarity was similar to parts of Maine I've seen, but the vastness of the sky was far larger. Also, we saw what must have been a meteorite or comet. It shot across the sky, and was visible for about 3 to 4 seconds. Jonathan and I had our bonding moment. Sniff sniff.

Hamming It Up

I realize how much I miss Jonathan when I see this video. I laugh about every 3 1/2 seconds when I'm with him. Here we are--- Jonathan, Trish, MK and I at the Los Padres National Park in California. Johnathan makes up a song, and MK notes danger nearby.

Steph's Birthday Party!

Here is the entire recording of the "We Love Steph Show," recorded at MK studios in downtown Waltham, MA. As you can see, many local celebrities made cameo appearances. Many haikus were recited.

Now They Know How Many Holes It Takes

On the second banner day in the Los Angeles area Jonathan, Trish, MK and I headed out to Rancho Palas Verdes. This was a great walk along the ocean, right beside a huge golf course owned by Donald Trump. We were intrigued by the cacti along the trail, so close to the beach. We also saw little lizards darting about, and frolicking rabbits. 

After walking for a bit, we climbed down a series of switchbacks and sat on the beach for awhile. Twas bliss indeed. We saw some sea anemones none of us could identify, and I collected several stones with perfectly smooth, bored holes. I have seen stones affected by the current of the ocean before, but these holes seemed purposeful. Some were little tunnels right through the center of the rock, and you could just about stick your fat finger inside. 

Turns out these holes are likely made by a sea creature called the bivalve piddock mollusk. They reside inside the stone for awhile, sometimes leaving their shell behind. I did find many rocks with shells inside. Hail to these little critters for making an interesting day at the beach.

Laziness

I love Susan Piver's work. She is the author of "The Wisdom of a Broken Heart," and a member of the local Shambhala Center here in Brookline MA that I attend! She has an Open Heart Project website, which I signed up for. Everyday she emails out tips about meditation, information about Buddhist philosophy, and practice videos. I love her! Here is a video on laziness which I related to so much today. My only thought is: she doesn't talk about the antidote to laziness! (Oh, that's coming Monday)

According to the Buddhists, Laziness is:

1. Regular Laziness (inertia) 

2. Disheartened Laziness

3. Being 'too busy' laziness

The #1 Obstacle to Meditation Practice from susan piver on Vimeo.

We're looking at the big sky

On the way back from our banner day at Los Padres National Park, the day couldn't have gotten any more bannerish until Trish and I spotted these odd cloud formations off the freeway near the Pyramid Lake region. 

Trish took several photographs as well, and I wouldn't mind seeing them. Trish, I'll show you mine if you show me yours. Ha Ha!

The sunset wasn't bad either.

Los Padres National Park pt. 3

As we drove around Los Padres National Park, we passed some beautiful scenery. There were plenty of pull-offs to stop and take pictures and breathe the air. All in all, friends, it was a banner day etched in the Baron's mind like none other!

MK handled those hair-pin turns with a smile; I was in the 
back seat having several heart attacks & strokes

Los Padres National Park pt. 2

Here are some action shots from our second hike the Los Padres National Park. As far as hiking goes, I'm afraid we didn't go far and brave the elements much. We walked enough, though, to get a sense of the trail. The vast blue sky is perhaps the most prominent aspect in my mind. The varied vegetation also is an experience. We saw a tree with an amazing, smooth, skin-like bark. Also, there are pine trees in the park that grow gigantic pine cones! Literally the size of a child's head! Unfortunately, we couldn't find any intact ones, though it would have been awkward to take back on the plane anyway.

A Kulig in the wilderness without much food

What kind of tree are you?

Los Padres National Park pt. 1

The wayward companions

On the first full day in Los Angeles, we all packed up and drove to the Los Padres National Park in Kern County California. Jonathan drove because I was leery about the LA freeway.

Los Padres National park is a beautiful park nestled in the Sierra Madre mountain range, among other mountain ranges. When we first arrived we saw a hummingbird feeding near the visitor center. She was a gorgeous purple and dark green color.

The park was quiet with few visitors, even though it was a Monday holiday. We went on two hikes, one short loop through the woods, and another longer jaunt more out in the open. We bravely forded several streams, and we saw many backpackers heading out of the outback from their weekend travels. 

We stopped a lot along the road to take pictures. The park reminded me a bit of Mt. Rainier.

Jonathan and El Burro

We also stopped in the nearby town of Ojai, where there was a Buddhist retreat center, and the smell of incense wafting through the air. 

Red Rock Canyon

On Thursday of last week Trish and I visited Red Rock Canyon, in the Cantil and Mojave area of California. It was a long drive, but well worth the welcome sparsity, isolation and beautiful sights seen. In a couple of hours you can escape the overwhelmingly, densely populated human hub of Los Angeles.

I do not mind the kind of driving the desert area offers--- long open horizon, vast blue sky, nothing but tumbleweeds and cacti and joshua trees on the side of the highway. It seems like driving in the desert should take hours, though I do occasionally have panicked visions of the car breaking down in the middle of no where, and lack of water.

We stopped in a visitor center in Mojave. The lovely lady there offered us tips and information. Trish got a few free posters, and I wandered around examining the book and map collection. We also ate lunch in a Subway in Mojave, which was surprisingly crowded, and visited a thrift store.

We walked around the desert, though not for very long. The heat was overbearing. The rock formations in Red Rock are extremely odd looking, in a spooky, other-worldly way. I put my hand on the 'rock' wall and discovered that it could be chipped away easily.

That's me up there yonder

Many little lizards ran around, but not much else. I did see plenty of tantalizing signs of life in the sand, though, mostly tracks of the nocturnal creatures. I stopped and looked at a rattlesnake warning poster. I kind of wanted to see a rattlesnake, but not really.

Topanga Canyon

Day three in the Los Angeles area brought me to Topanga Canyon in Calabasas Highlands, California. I dropped MK off in the morning in downtown LA, and then headed out on the freeway. It was not far. I was just about there when Jonathan called and said that he and Trish were driving out to meet me. I welcomed the company. especially in case of cougar attack.

Once again it was a beautiful day, and I had no complaints except that for some reason I wasn't feeling so well physically. The hiking and adjustment to the very hot weather seemed difficult for me.We walked out on a great trail, mostly in the sun, and it was unlike any trail at home. Lizards in the air, the distant, hazy Pacific Ocean, and mountain side bungalows in the distance. Jonathan climbed out on a very high jutting rock as Trish and I hid in the shade.

As Jonathan informed me, Topanga is quite famous for its wealthy and irreverent residents throughout the years. It has been an enclave for rich hippies and transcendentalists and philosophers.In quaint, downtown Topanga we visited a Mexican grocery store and a vintage clothing store.Cool days.

Ghost Town

Not too many experiences are more exciting for a staunch New Englander than to stumble upon a genuine 19th century "ghost town" in the Western states. Randsburg, a 'living' ghost town in Kern County, California, is such a place. Though somewhat a cheesy tourist trap, the main street in town has 1890's style buildings straight out of a Western film.


One can easily imagine horses once being tied to posts, saloon doors swinging open, ragtime music playing in the background,  and drunk men fighting. You also get the feeling that you're eating dirt as you walk around --mighty satisfactory. 

Trish and I had the pleasure of visiting the General Store, the only building open on a Thursday. Inside it was dark and delightfully cool. The town only bothers to open stores on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, since hardly anybody visits on weekdays. We were very happy to be the only visitors. The General Store boasts a 100 year old soda fountain, and a massive bar with stools. I tried a 'black cow,' which was delicious.

Signature Strengths Revisited

Going back to the Signature Strengths post I wrote on 11/11/2011, I found a categorized list which I like. It helps you to quickly zero in on your areas of strength. Remember, you can take the signature strength test on the Authentic Happiness website. 

Strengths of Wisdom and Knowledge:  

1. Creativity [originality, ingenuity]: Thinking of novel and productive ways to conceptualize and do things. 

2. Curiosity [interest, novelty-seeking, openness to experience]: Taking an interest in ongoing experience for its own sake; exploring and discovering.

3. Open-mindedness [judgment, critical thinking]: Thinking things through and examining them from all sides; weighing all evidence fairly.

4. Love of learning: Mastering new skills, topics, and bodies of knowledge, whether on one's own or formally.

5. Perspective [wisdom]: Being able to provide wise counsel to others; having ways of looking at the world that make sense to oneself and to other people.

Strengths of Courage: 

6. Bravery [valor]: Not shrinking from threat, challenge, difficulty, or pain; acting on convictions even if unpopular.

7. Persistence [perseverance, industriousness]: Finishing what one starts; persisting in a course of action in spite of obstacles.

8. Integrity [authenticity, honesty]: Presenting oneself in a genuine way; taking responsibility for one's feeling and actions.

9. Vitality [zest, enthusiasm, vigor, energy]: Approaching life with excitement and energy; feeling alive and activated.

Strengths of Humanity: interpersonal strengths that involve tending and befriending others

10. Love: Valuing close relations with others, in particular those in which sharing and caring are reciprocated.

11. Kindness [generosity, nurturance, care, compassion, altruistic love, "niceness"]: Doing favors and good deeds for others.

12. Social intelligence [emotional intelligence, personal intelligence]: Being aware of the motives and feelings of other people and oneself.

Strengths of Justice:

13. Citizenship [social responsibility, loyalty, teamwork]: Working well as a member of a group or team; being loyal to the group.

14. Fairness: Treating all people the same according to notions of fairness and justice; not letting personal feelings bias decisions about others.

15. Leadership: Encouraging a group of which one is a member to get things done and at the same maintain time good relations within the group.

Strengths of Temperance: strengths that protect against excess

16. Forgiveness and mercy: Forgiving those who have done wrong; accepting the shortcomings of others; giving people a second chance; not being vengeful.

17. Humility / Modesty: Letting one's accomplishments speak for themselves; not regarding oneself as more special than one is.

18. Prudence: Being careful about one's choices; not taking undue risks; not saying or doing things that might later be regretted.

19. Self-regulation [self-control]: Regulating what one feels and does; being disciplined; controlling one's appetites and emotions.

Strengths of Transcendence: strengths that forge connections to the larger universe and provide meaning

20. Appreciation of beauty and excellence [awe, wonder, elevation]: Appreciating beauty, excellence, and/or skilled performance in various domains of life.

21. Gratitude: Being aware of and thankful of the good things that happen; taking time to express thanks.

22. Hope [optimism, future-mindedness, future orientation]: Expecting the best in the future and working to achieve it.

23. Humor [playfulness]: Liking to laugh and tease; bringing smiles to other people; seeing the light side.

24. Spirituality [religiousness, faith, purpose]: Having coherent beliefs about the higher purpose, the meaning of life, and the meaning of the universe.