on-the-upbeat.com

Addressing a Pet Peeve

Carolan Gladden — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:37:00 GMT

I have always griped about some of the schooling I was subjected to back in the day and that seemed not to have changed one iota for my children. And I venture to say in recent times has changed for the worse -- thank you, GWB!

Now, surprisingly, I find a headline: "How Schools Stifle Creativity," and I dive into the article that tells me about the talk that Sir Ken Robinson, PhD, gave in '06 at the big Technology, Entertainment, Design (TED) conference. His areas of expertise -- creativity, innovation and human resources.

At this time he is exploring why the messages in his 18-minute talk have resonated with audiences -- to the tune of 3 million 500 thousand downloads in 200 countries!

The simple premise: We are all born with immense natural talents! And then what happens? Schools tend to stifle them.

Robinson's indictment is thorough. "The narrow emphasis on certain sorts of academic work ... arid approaches to teaching math and sciences ... the exile of arts, humanities and physical education programs ... an obsessive culture of standardized testing and tight financial pressures to teach to the tests."

He emphasizes, "The result is a disastrous waste of talent among students and their teachers." And he believes this situation has arisen because our education system is "rooted in the values and demands of industrialism ... linear, mechanistic and focused on conformity and standardization ... nowadays buttressed by major commercial interests ..."

As Robinson explains, "The tragedy is that meeting the many social, economic, spiritual and environmental challenges we now face depends absolutely on the very capacities of insight, creativity and innovation that these systems are systematically suppressing ... Education is about developing human beings, and human development is not mechanical or linear. It is organic and dynamic."

Ah, but there is hope, as in Robinson's book, The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything (Viking). And the bottom line:

"All of us ... must nurture creativity systematically and not kill it unwittingly."

Positively,
Carolan

Yes, I know ...

Carolan Gladden — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:33:00 GMT

Yes, I know San Diego needs all the rain it can get. But I can't help the fact that every time there is rain my brain goes back to Portland and the fierce dirge, "Omg it's gonna rain forever and ever and ever ..."

Today at my Toshiba laptop, I'm trying to peer through a combination of long jagged streaks and big puffy drops that are clogging the window screen and leaching through to my inside window. Beyond the spattered window I have the watery impression of tree branches swaying rhythmically in the prevailing wind. And hardly anyone is out and about in my sprawling apartment complex, although a few cars streak by on the street beyond.

My intention was to walk to the gym immediately upon arising -- but then I saw the weather, not to mention hearing about the disastrous Chile earthquake and potential tsunami throughout the Pacific region. So of course I'm not getting to the gym and I must admit -- for the bazillionth time -- how fortunate I am to be here in San Diego, safe and warm, sipping tea and listening to this lovely jazz for a rainy day.

Enjoy!

Positively,
Carolan

A Passion for Roger Ebert

Carolan Gladden — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 18:10:00 GMT

I have always loved Roger Ebert -- his movie reviews on Siskel and Ebert and the Movies always reflected expansive and positive views of the world and our humanity. Siskel not so much ... And even after Siskel died from a brain tumor, Ebert outdid every replacement in matching my own film sensibilities.

In recent years, since Ebert has been off the tube (due to extreme complications that began with thyroid cancer) I've not only read his movie reviews on his website http://rogerebert.suntimes.com but have also been enthralled by his experiences and thoughts presented in frequent journal entries.

Now Chris Jones has masterfully cchronicled Roger Ebert: The Essential Man in the current Esquire magazine. A long, factual article that captures the complex story and amazing essence of both the non-religious Ebert and Chaz, his fantastic African-American wife.

Most important is the fact that he did not see it before publication -- says he never does that to any writer -- and, although he found parts of it painful, he praises the author and says it is all indeed true. He says he doesn't mind the mug shot exposing his changed face but would rather the article hadn't said he's dying in increments. His retort: We are ALL dying in increments!

And then these profound thoughts: I believe that if, at the end of it all, according to our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier, and something to make ourselves a little happier, that is about the best we can do. To make others less happy is a crime. To make ourselves unhappy is where all crime starts. We must try to contribute joy to the world. That is true no matter what our problems, our health, our circumstances. We must try. I didn't always know this, and am happy I lived long enough to find it out.

Read the entire article: http://www.esquire.com/features/roger-ebert-0310

Positively,
Carolan

All-time Favorite

Carolan Gladden — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 23:57:00 GMT

I have wanted to do this forever but it took the right electronics and a bit of hutspah to accomplish sharing my all-time favorite -- the In-a-Gadda-da Vida drum solo.

I remember all those years ago how this solo took over my system as I would lie in the dark on the living room floor and play it with as much bass as possible. I also remember so fondly the local Portland drummer who always played it when I came into the Beachcomber.

And, as I prepared for this unveling, I did some homework, uncovering interesting details.

The band: Iron Butterfly, out of San Diego.
The piece: Released in 1968.
Written by Doug Ingle, the band's vocalist and keyboard player.
His father was a church organist.

The drummer: Ron Bushy, highly respected for this lengthy drum solo.
His surreal primal drum patterns set the standard for generations ofrock drummers.
Bushy was also a talented graphic artist.
He created most of Iron Butterfly's logos and merchandise artwork.

The title: Was supposed to be "In The Garden Of Eden."
Stories of the change to "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" are many.
Most rest on the effect of substances on minds.

Woodstock: Not played at Woodstock as scheduled.
Reasons seem to revolve around transportation and concert promoter difficulties.

And now, Ron Bushy on In-a-Gadda-da-Vida!

Positively,
Carolan

More on Haiti

Carolan Gladden — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 16:35:00 GMT

"Why did it take a natural tragedy ... for the US and legions of public agencies and private donors to leap over themselves to promise to send an armada of food, medical supplies, clothing, building materials, construction teams, security forces and cash to Haiti?" So asks Earl Ofari Hutchinson in Huffington Post.

Of course in the days since the huge earthquake we have all witnessed on tv the devastation of Haitian structures and the decimation of the Haitian people. But there is much more to know to understand the why of it all.

First, from what I know as a result of working with an ex-pat Haitian, reading and following the recent history, Haiti has been literally dying for a very long time. And we of the U.S. have blood on our hands. From backing cruel, corrupt dictators to deliberately undercutting their rice and sugar export markets, our interference has not helped build what could have been.

And, as Hutchinson, a ppolitical analyst/social issues commentator explains, "Haiti's corrupt, repressive military rulers and government officials get standard blame fort the country's chronic poverty ... But Haiti is also a relentless victim of crushing and never-ending debt servitude to the IMF (International Monetary Fund) and foreign banks, vicious labor exploitation, and the blind-eye U.S. aid policies that stunt Haiti's farm and manufacturing growth ... The nation's debt burden would sink virtually any developing nation."

It is a disgusting truth that this small poor land -- slightly smaller than Maryland, with $400 annual per capita income and life expectancy of 53 -- has had to "shell out nearly $1 million a week to pay off its debt the World Bank and IMF"

When were these debts incurred, you ask? Between the 1950s and the 1990s! By whom? By the Papa Doc and Baby Doc Duvalier regimes and their successor military governments.

Oh, not too long ago the World Bank President Robert Zoellick publicly pledged to forgive part of the debt that amounts of half a billion dollars. But "the bank reneged on the promise ... money that could have bankrolled a vast expansion of healthcare, nutrition and feeding programs, supplies of clean water, and rebuilding the country's badly frayed infrastructure."

Read the entire heartbreaking article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/earl-ofari-hutchinson/where-was-the-world-when_b_423309.html

Please understand Haiti, help Haiti and enjoy Daniel Lanviere's happy music about a bad voodoo priest on an album brought to me long ago from Haiti.

Positively,
Carolan

Haiti -- what we must know

Carolan Gladden — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 16:07:00 GMT

Long ago I worked with a unique Haitian on his book about Haiti. I learned sooo much about this valiant country -- the very first to fight for and win independence from its Colonial owner, in this case France in 1804.

This man was part of the government of Baby Doc Duvalier in the 1970s and left the land of his birth, the land that he loved, before the corruption and "disappearings" took him. From him I learned Haiti's history, how Toussaint L'Ouverture -- one of few slaves afforded an education -- led a revolution that succeeded. Read about it:

Over time I came to know of the country's lack of schooling, clean water and infrastructure but also of the indomitable spirit of the Haitian people, of their artistic leanings and engaging musicality. I even celebrated with Boukman Eksperyans, a band in exile, at the Belly Up. And I discovered distateful truths from Randall Robinson's An Unbroken Agony.

About the Haiti Revolution: "It may have been the most stunning victory won for the black world in a thousand years. There has been nothing quite like it, before or since."

Then, among many surprising facts, he tells us that the entire system of slavery was put on notice. And, "As a direct result of what the Haitian revolutionaries did to free themselves, France lost two-thirds of its world trade income ... Jefferson and the Republicans showed nothing but hostility to the new nation ... the new Republic of Haiti was met with a global economic embargo by the United States and Europe ... strengthened by a further demand from France for financial reparations of roughly $21 billion (2004 dollars) as compensation from the newly freed slaves for denying France the further benefit on owning them.

"It woud be the first time in history that reparations would be imposed by a defeated nation on the nation that had defeated it."

Read about Haiti: An Unbroken Agony; Haiti, the Duvaliers and Their Legacy; The Rainy Season; Spirits of the Night; The Serpent and the Rainbow.

Listen to Boukman Eksperyans on their cd Revolution:

And please help Haiti if you can.

Positively,
Carolan

Words to live by ...

Carolan Gladden — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 18:23:00 GMT

I just discovered that Meryl Streep is more than an amazing actress with an arresting face and a very private personal life. In the current (January 2010) Vanity Fair she opened up about her family, her acting roles. And to me, most importantly, about outgrowing the societal constraints that have long insisted to all of us females that we be "appealing" -- which in my book has meant soft, pretty, pliant, self-sacrificing workers, friends and helpmates.

But Meryl, now 60 and reveling in it, said with a snort of laughter: "I can't remember the last time I really worried about being appealing." Then more seriously, "It's freeing as an actress ... I don't think it's something anyone can tell you. I think you just have to get sick of hearing the accommodations in your approach to things ... the way people have to get sick of drinking of drugs before they stop. As there begins to be less time ahead of you, you want to be exactly who you are, without making it easier for everyone else."

Hmh, bright, smart, emotional, sensual/sexual, erotic/exotic, complex, contradictory. Music and writing sustaining factors. With calendar years a mismatch to interior life, self-sufficient yet loving to lean. Ah yes, mellowing into exactly who we are!

Positively,
Carolan

New year, new insights ...

Carolan Gladden — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 18:08:00 GMT

I have always told survival stories -- anecdotes, mostly humorous, and mostly involving such characteristics as my lack of sense of direction or totally off-the-track life experiences.

It is true that I have successfully weathered anything I've encountered, be it drowning in debt, failed business ventures, stormy jobs, rocky relationships, raging anger, divorces, death of a son. But then I heard something on Grey's Anatomy that gave me pause -- an admission by a parental figure to a now-grown child: "Nobody stood up for you." And it went on to become a sincere apology.

Well, midway through that emotion-filled speech I dissolved into great gulping sobs. I mean, I do understand that I had the toughest, strongest mother and the softest, most artistic father anyone could imagine. And indeed I've written that neither practiced very much parenting. But as a result of Meredith Grey, I am now able to voice the anguish lurking in my unconscious mind.

All my life I have needed to be cared about and to feel precious yet allowed to be human and therefore fallible -- not the most independent person in the room.

Bottom line, I hope that this brave new insight can be trusted to guide me in constructive forms of self-parenting that begin satisfying unmet needs. Not mention steering me toward valuable, validating two-way relationships of every kind.

And so now for sure it's Joy to the World!

Positively,
Carolan

A Quote for My Life

Carolan Gladden — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 19:27:00 GMT

I need to write to find out what I'm thinking.

This pronouncement was made by Larry Gelbart-- originator of MASH and acclaimed writer of such fabulosities as Tootsie, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Barbarians At the Gate, and on and on.

Now I'm no way an award-winning or a comedic writer. But it is true that I think through my fingertips. And today i'm being led to some important reflections ...

The art of spelling and English language word usage is on its last legs.
Evidenced by such usage as conversate, ladys, old skool, quite (for quiet), perfur (for prefer), lifes, etc. etc.
Music continues to be my be-all, end-all. Oh, and a little sensuality thrown in makes everything perfect.

Friendships are precious -- new or old or family members -- I treasure each and every one more each and every year that I'm on the planet.

It seems that you can take the guy out of the ghetto but you can't take the ghetto out of the guy.

And so, Joy to the world!

Positively,
Carolan

To: New Union Tribune Owners

Carolan Gladden — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:37:00 GMT

Regarding the new SignOnSanDiego:

Why on earth do programmers think they must keep changing a much-used website? This STINKS for being able to find anything. In the past I have searched What's Playing Now and found a simple list of movies currently on local screens. Now the type is too small, the list is gone -- not to mention that for an ostensible NEWSPAPER, this website divorces itself from any concept of front page.

Sooo must we assume the new owners don't give a good G-D about newspapers and will concentrate solely on the soulless masses who can't recognize the difference between what you have now and what a newspaper really is?

Positively,

Carolan

Attn: Red Lobster

Carolan Gladden — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 18:56:00 GMT

Dear Red Lobster Management:

I am really sick to death of the "specials" you and many other organizations keep emailing me -- only for 2 people! For your information, nearly 40% of Americans are single -- and of adult women, the percentage goes above 50%.

Get with it -- offer us something nice, a good bargain now and then or how about a singles club with permanent discounts?!

Positively,

Carolan

Living directly across the street from Red Lobster.

To: Senator Judd Gregg

Carolan Gladden — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:58:00 GMT

Do you Republicans have NO ethical boundaries? For more years than I have been alive, you have been your obstructionist worst to try to block every single idea that would help ordinary people in this country.

How much taxpayer-funded time did you and your staff devote to preparing a manual on how to sink health care reform? This is tantamount to figuring out on my dime how to help me DIE.

And so it's about time that all of us members of People for the American Way, moveon.org, ACLU, NOW and other inclusionist organizations speak up, speak out -- let our voices be heard loud and clear.

This country and its people are better than that. YOU WILL NOT WIN! And you should be hounded out of office as New Hampshire is certainly better than you!

Positively FED UP!
Carolan

Lessons learned and a friend revered

Carolan Gladden — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:50:00 GMT

I have been a woman of a certain age and on my own for years. And for years I've considered myself a strong person, one who can cope with anything life throws at me, a survivor. To be sure, several recent personal experiences have not displaced these long-prized attributes. But these male-female encounters have forced me to acknowledge a definite fragile emotionality,

They've also served to reinforce and indeed add several items to one special list.

I HATE:
Anger
Argument
Backed into corners
Being baited
Bullying
Criticism
Deception
Deceit
Distrust
Glibness
Lies
Pretended understanding
Taking without giving back
The names should be nameless -- they know who they are -- but each one rippped holes in my veneer in his own way. And I have cried too many tears over the lack of caring and true connections.

Still, I remain positive. And I am thankful and eternally grateful for one very special man who I've known for 30 years and who's never taken advantage, always been supportive and now proven yet again to be a for-real friend, the kind we all need in our life.

Positively,
Carolan

To: CVS Pharmacy

Carolan Gladden — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 02:22:00 GMT

Dear CVS Management:

I cannot be the only dedicated Long's customer who was outraged when CVS took over my local Long's store and just flatly eliminated many of my favorite products. Not to mention doing away with my favorite 10 for $10 aisle always full of delectable snacks on the cheap.

Now you may be surprised to know that you have lost a customer who regularly spent more at Long's than all other stores combined. The reason: I have discovered the joy of ordering online from Amazon or other purveyors all of my favorite health and beauty products. At good prices, often with free shipping and always without having to show a "discount" card or anything.
Regards,
Carolan

To: James Carville

Carolan Gladden — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:15:00 GMT

Hi James, I've been a fan since I first saw you in fullout operation with Bill Clinton. But I just read what your wife has to say about her "belief" in Sarah Palin -- and I have to ask how on earth can you be in a relationship with this dunderhead?

I won't speculate what keeps you together -- but I fervently hope that at some point you see the light and move Mary Matalan out with her own toxic kind.

With great concern and all good wishes,
Carolan

Belief Turned into Hell

Carolan Gladden — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:26:16 GMT

I really thought I was way past being rocked by insensitivity. But as I rather painfully learned today, that is NOT the case ... It's about a man, you see, a man who has some imperfections (don't we all?) but who nevertheless I have believed for 8 years to be scrupulously honest.

Yes, he's younger, African-American, a foot taller, and our backgrounds could not be less alike. But those things rarely got in the way, even though we did have a few ups and downs. Once I even moved him bag and baggage back to his former residence -- thinking I would never hear from him again.

Ah but I DID! And so some lovely times, not to mention seeing each other through traumas, such as both being out of work. That was 5 years ago when my beloved Academic Press Editorial Group got dumped.

However, to be honest, I must admit that early on he told me he had loved just one woman in his life - his high school sweetheart to whom he was married for a few years and unhappily divorced. But then he met moi (smile).

Now flash forward to 2009: he has no driver's license because of a DUI, he has no job because he stayed too long at the fair. And his mother is diagnosed with metastasized cancer and a few weeks later passes away.

Well, the only way to say it is he comes unglued -- stays away, stays with relatives and friends in various locations, ignores email, home phone, cell phone, drinks alcohol, smokes pot. And in retrospect his occasional phone calls seem to be pleas for help, but of course it's not my help but professional help that is called for.

His birthday was last week and no word from him even though I sent a loving ecard. Sooo this morning I phone and a female voice answers. I ask for him -- 'He's not here." Who is this? "I'm his ex-wife and ... present wife," she says, "and who are you?"

Omg, my world imploded! And the whole thing seems so totally inexplicable, incomprehensible, inconceivable. And yes completely and utterly inexcusable!

Yes, it ain't no way to treat a lady.

So please pardon me for not being:
Positively,
Carolan

Mad as hell and ... you know

Carolan Gladden — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:59:00 GMT

As a more-or-less frequent flier, American Airlines recently notified me that TSA (the Transportation SEcurity Administration) has introduced this new program called Secure Flight -- "designed to enhance the security of domestic and international commercial air travel."

WHOO-EE!!!!

Now, they are asking me to provide my full name as it appears on my passport and my date of birth. Now, I have no objection whatsoever to this effort. However, I wrote back:

Please go to the next step, which MUST be this information entered into TSA's database -- along with the fact that I have a hip replacement.

I am sooo damned irritated to always hear the ping of their metal detectors and then be forced to stand barefoot with my arms outstretched for what seems an interminable period of time while some unpaid underling "wands" me. Why one time there was even a beep at my ribcage and I was forced to say, "I wear an underwire bra -- should I take it off for you?!"

Going through an airport used to be the happy prelude to a vacation or business trip. Now it is just plain disgusting!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And of course I'm still waiting for any sort of reply.

But I'm still
Positively,
Carolan

I'm Baaaack ...

Carolan Gladden — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:43:00 GMT

Side note: When we get sick, the older we get, the longer it takes to regain health.

This has been a long siege. Oh, the atrial fibrillation has NOT come back -- on doc's advice I've modified caffeine and ratcheted down my exercise target heart rate. But then along came "the cough" -- everybody everywhere seems to be coughing! And at work, the younger gal in the next office was actually diagnosed with H1N1. That was over 3 weeks ago and she was home for days.

But it does seem that my story proves the prevailing wisdom -- the older we are, the more exposure we've had to a variety of flu strains and that means that our immune systems have built antibodies. And so we don't get the full force and fury of this menace.

I didn't have to use sick leave but did work at home a few days to keep the worst of my contagion away from everybody. Now it's almost gone -- even went to the gym yesterday -- but believe me 3 weeks of coughing is way more than too much!

Positively,
Carolan

What a couple of weeks!

Carolan Gladden — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 18:57:00 GMT

Over the past two weeks, I have gone from scared nearly out of my wits to tears to my preferred optimistic and positive stance ...

As it turns out, all may not have been well after the Monday medical test as I kept feeling groggy and a little queasy -- the latter most unusual for me of the proverbial cast-iron stomach. And then on Thursday morning a racing heart, sudden dizziness and a fall prompted a phone dialogue with a Kaiser nurse. And -- oh boy -- my first ever visit to an ER, where an EKG revealed atrial fibrillation (look it up).

After some time in the waiting room for lack of an ER bed, I shivered under a light covering in an ultra-air-conditioned ER space as they rehydrated me, administered oxygen and monitored my heart.

At last a down-to-earth young doc laid out the possibilities with the intention of sending send me up to a hospital bed overnight. Ah but little did he know that 5 minutes after a subcutaneous shot, my normal heart rhythm would be back!

And so back at home and work -- and with confirmation from my new primary doc -- I'm empllying positive thinking that this was a one-time anomaly but taking a tiny beta blocker and a baby aspirin to (1) lower heart rate and (2) ward against clots plus relaxing and controlling stress.

Guess the time was absolutely right for my new mottor "It is what it is." And I must add that everyone I encountered at Kaiser was magnificent! So altogether a learning experience and I'm still ...

Positively,
Carolan

Why oh Why Does the Media Ignore AMA, AHA, ANA, AARP & Wendell Potter?

Carolan Gladden — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 03:20:00 GMT

All day long the bleating of the media about the Baucus Bill -- and not one word about the momentous House hearing on C-SPAN yesterday. In that hearing an amazing panel of health care executives spoke plainly about House bill 3200 and why it is good. And they spoke just as emphatically about why the Baucus bill is nothing but B.S.

This panel consisted of not only the President of the American Medical Association, the President of the American Hospital Association, the President of the American Nurses Association, The Representative of 40 million American Association of Retired People (AARP) members but also the magnificent turncoat Wendell Potter, former VP of Communications of Cigna -- one of the largest for-profit health benefits organizations -- as Potter says, "These companies no longer call themselves insurance companies. They do not want to insure anybody or anything. They just want to satisfy Wall Street by making money. Any way they can."

Never before have so many powerful organizations come together in support of health care reform. And every American should hear what these honorable people have to say. They all agree that the health care system must be reformed. They all agree that negotiating prices of medicines should be part of the deal. They all agree that having a "public option" is mandatory to force for-profit companies to be competitive.
Plus they all shoot down the possibility that "cooperatives" could satisfy that need.

And Potter, who one day saw the light after living high and mighty at Cigna, now reveals the nefarious attitudes in the for-profit companies. And he explains over and over that neither Congress nor we the people nor indeed the President can believe what the for-profit companies promise.

We must dump the Baucus bill that once again would benefit companies and embrace House bill 3200!

Positively,
Carolan