tao1776

globalization definition glob·ali·za·tion ( glō′bəl i zā ′ s̸hən, -ī- ) noun the process of globalizing something; specif., the expansion of many businesses into markets throughout the world, marked by an increase in international investment, the proliferation of large multinational corporations, worldwide economic integration, etc. interconnectedness - all of our great spiritual leaders and the great minds searching through the science of quantum physics conclude that all is interconnected. The discovery and acknowledgement of this fact brings wonderment and compassion to the wise. Why is it that when I hear of connectedness, as an American, and as part of a nation that professes to be "Christian," I see not the wonder and compassion of this discovery but the monetary perversion of it?

video of Stalag IX-B being liberated Between December 16, and December 19, 1944, my father was one of the many captured American prisoners during the famous "Battle of the Bulge." Wading through the two foot snow and below zero temperatures, they were crowded upon cattle cars and transported to Stalag 1X-B at Bad Orb, Germany. As stated by another POW...December 17Th, Captured. - Walked all night December 18Th walked all day- 1/3 Loaf bread cheese, marmalade December 19Th in PW cage December 20Th walked all day December 21st walked all day December 22nd walked all day December 23rd Boarded train no food December 24th on train no food no water December 25th on train no food little waterDecember 26th 1/6 loaf, little meat 0100 on train December 26th left train at 0900 Bad orb Stallager (IXB) In April of 1945, the 44th Infantry Division pushed through German territory to liberate the POWs. This is what they had to say: Stalag IX-B is usually regarded as the worst...

DAY, DECEMBER 18, 2009 Prologue: The Compassion Project We cannot deny that we often live our lives as some very complicated series of moments strung together by memories, used to define where we were and where we came from, balanced by hopes and fantasy for having a better future. Families struggle with job loss and health concerns, bills accumulate; the holiday season manufactures increased weight upon our already burdened shoulders. Man , it can get you down! Perhaps you are unaffected by the economic downturn and give little concern to paying your mortgage or making your car payment. Your health is good and the political push for a new healthcare system or the "War on Terrorism" concerns you about as much as the weather in Bangladesh. I think that we can agree that we are seldom the proverbial "hot knifes through butter" when it comes to sliding smoothly through the everyday issues that confront us. Our problems vary as much as our political opinions. But th...

I've had this idea rolling about for some time now. It has been restlessly trying to take form. I've been discussing throughout the pages of this blog for several years about how it was (is) that I fell off the cushion - "Help - I can't get up!" There are times when we can find ourselves walking in balance. This sense of balance, much like that of the "weebles wobble and they don't fall down" - you fret not when times are rough; you know that, "what goes up, must come down." The cold of winter will one day be transformed into the budding growth of springtime. But what happens when things seem to turn into a proverbial "ice age." That all you have lived, all that you have learned, "implies a discovery of facts to which he does not know how to adapt himself."

Its hard to imagine that on December 4 th I was pouring cement and that the temperature was nearing 55 degrees. Yesterday we were hit with close to ten inches of snow followed by freezing rain, It made for a heavy mess. The next few days will see temperatures below the freezing mark. I am extremely grateful that I live in a fairly warm house. I used to heat exclusively with wood. Now I burn when I am home most evenings and on weekends. I was very blessed in that my daughter's boyfriend worked to gather, cut and split and stack almost two cords of wood for me this summer. One big-ass piece of oak burns away in my 1970's Vermont Castings stove right now. Thanks, Jake! I stood in my yard today trying to fill some holes and apply some insulation to areas that allow cold air to seep in. The wind was blowing hard in great rolling gusts that could be heard in the distance like far off giants in some forgotten fairy tale. Just as some smells awaken old memories, the sound of winter...

(Chapters 1 -6 posted earlier) City of peace The more regulations there are, the poorer the people. The more weapons there are, the greater the chaos. Lao Tzu Six years had passed since Bai, his cousin Feng, and Hong Xiuquan carried out the destruction of the shrine of King Gan. “Oh, how quickly my life has changed since that day,” Bai thought. He began to whittle the chronological order of things in his mind from those early days until now. Hong and Feng were held in such high regard among the God Worshipers for tearing down the idol of King Gan. However, the anger of the local villagers caused the arrest of Feng, his rescue, and of his arrest once again. The numbers of the God Worshipers increased in numbers and many that responded did so based on the sole reason of wanting to oppose the local magistrate who, with the aid the government militia moved into the hills around Thistle Mountain looking to oppose any group that would disrupt local tradition. After months of leng...

When I get to the bottom I go back to the top of the slide Where I stop and turn and I go for a ride Till I get to the bottom and I see you again Yeah, yeah, yeah Every generation produces men and woman who seek to make the world a better place. Some work within the science of medicine and invention. Others work for civil change.; for peace, love and understanding. For justice, and equality, to feed the hungry. Every generation produces those that seek wealth, status and power. Some work within the science of religion. Others work within the halls of political change; for influence, war chests and dominion. The powerful ruling the masses for their own good - as the masses are looked upon like sheep that have all gone astray; each one to his own way and God has laid the iniquity of us all upon them. For our own good they rule over us and guide us. Sheep need shepherds. This has always been the way. The history of the world tells the tale of men that have sought power and of their con...

People look at you and me to see what they are supposed to be. And, if we don't disappoint them, maybe, just maybe, they won't disappoint us. Walt Disney There really was a time when I could most sincerely agree with Will Rogers when he said, "I never met a man I didn't like." Keeping this quote within the context of which it was said, I seem to remember that he met people on an even playing field. It was only later, when they proved themselves to be asses, that he left them to their own ass-like devices; perhaps believing that their actions spoke for themselves. So, to a degree I guess that not much has changed. I still welcome everyone with that Howdy-Doody innocence, sincerely warm and friendly. These days the problem lies with me having the "disappointments" and the "do not likes" outweighing the "inspiring" and the "likes" category of people. Of course, in this situation, I'm trying to take full responsibility f...

Born June 7th, 1997 Died November 6th, 2009 Barnaby B. Barnabas was today laid to rest. He was buried in the family pet cemetery along with several other family pets from days gone by. There were no services and no calling hours. He leaves behind many friends and family and his two cat friends, Noble and Butters. Barney survived many obstacles and lived a full and healthy life. His big heart will be missed.

WTF?

You know all that stuff I was saying??? :>)

A chimpanzee who goes to the library everyday is not intelligent, he is just a chimpanzee in a library. I've been sick for the last week. No fever. Just lungs full of phlegm and the feeling that there's a cinder block on my chest. You can surely bet that any cold I manage to catch will readily convert to pneumonia. I guess that the point that I am trying to make here is that the above quote is meant to apply to me. I have known some level of pain and illness and disability for much of the last twenty plus years. I have known pain as a teacher and as a friend. It taught me well; and compassionately. There comes a moment in time when the student is able to share from that of which he has learned. There is wisdom, and experience; self knowledge and a deep compassion because of it. I am becoming more aware of how little I have to offer. I am empty. In the story of Kwai Chang Caine his life's direction was abruptly altered in a moment of anger and revenge. It is incredulous to...

There's something about walking the trails at night during the darkness of an autumn journey as opposed to a journey of a mid-summer hike. Although I know that it is only a shift in my perception due to changes in the depth of the darkness, the crinkle of leaves, the sound of the wind in the semi shorn trees, my eyes see the shifting shapes comes out of the sky and stand there. I'm fuckin scared man!