Blood Dripping Down Glasses

When I was six I wore a patch, cause I had bad sight
The kids liked to talk, and Dad said, go ahead and fight
A group dynamic was at play there

When people feel threatened, they don't fight fair
One day in class a bully forced me under a chair
then he went and gathered a few of his friends
It's really kind of painful, how this story ends.
The whole class watched, they just sat by.
None of them could look that victim in the eye
I wanna know of the 30 of you that day
for yourselves, what do you have to say? 
You sat there in class, and looked on, without a sound
as the kids dragged the one guy, and made him get down
under the desk where the teacher put her feet
I wonder if some of you thought this is kinda neat?

Then their bully leader, said move the chair, 
we should take turns kicking him while he's there
The kid just took it, but he had a look in his eye
He took years to get over it, and trust me, he did try. 

The kids went in circles, kicking him in turns.
Can you understand how fear is the fuel of anger's burns
the other kids watched, they made not a move to stop
the kid cringed under the desk, and the kicks continued up top.

Finally the kids went away, but the guy getting kicked, he never forgot that day

Kids grow old, and they get on with things, and we never really think about the things our choices bring.
Lot of trouble, a lot of dealing with some asses, 
but that's the way it goes, when you have blood dripping down your glasses.

The kid forgives the ones who did the crime.  They probably live that way, all of the time. 
Their tools are, anger and fear.  They are weak, and project their strength here.

They are people, and for the sake of their souls, hope they feel regret, and it hits deep and whole. 

What can we do about something so long ago?  Most say they don't know
I think the way that the kid could have been spared
was for the the 30 in the classroom, to get up out of their chairs

The lazy ones who watched and just sat by
Might as well have been the ones, assaulting the poor guy

Don't shed a tear, for those kids that get kicked.
They might get hurt, but they won't get licked
They can only turn out 2 ways:  Good OR Bad.
The difference sometimes depends on the choices that , so called good kids had...

Stand up against bullying, ANYTIME, ANYPLACE, ANYWHERE.

If you friends make fun of you for standing up to bullying, then they aren't friends.
They are bullies

Ancient Prayer

Pushing the feet and feeling lost
gonna make sure the coin won't get tossed
not exactly sure I can afford the cost

going somewhere, up in the air
maybe here, likely to be there
Up in the air, going somewhere


the phone vibrates, and plan is set
all the demands may never be met
at least my intentions are set to be vet

going somewhere, up in the air
maybe here, likely to be there
Up in the air, going somewhere

finding the means to live some dreams
sometimes wear clothes that are torn at the seams
look for the sun, on the water it gleams

going somewhere, up in the air
maybe here, likely to be there
Up in the air, going somewhere

baseball games, crowded trains, 
thinking of pictures and making frames
liking the smoke, it comes from the flames

going somewhere, up in the air
maybe here, likely to be there
Up in the air, going somewhere

The smoke comes from the flames
The smoke comes from the flames

a walk through southern Utah

The faucet is dripping, 
it won't stop.
Take a hammer ,
 give it a pop. 
Break the faucet, 
hardware store closed.

The way to find something 
is not to look,
some very wise people 
never open a book.
Dogs, and babies, 
and birds are smart.

some birds mate for life, 
do they get broken hearts?
The redrocks have colors, 
shapes , and tales.
Dust and weeds move 
by the fierce, angry gales.

I reach for your hand 
and it is not there,
I put my hand down 
and am reminded you care.
A formula for living 
would make someone rich.
Just when you get it though, 
the rules would switch.

The river, the ocean, 
the lake, and the sea,
they are barely distinct,
just like you and me.

Ode to an alliance.

It always made sense 
to get the door for her
seemed easy enough 
as it were


I just let her go by, 
 in front of me, 
yeah that could be as easy
 as easy  can be


wait a second!
 she needs
 something from me
how can I give her 
what I barely see?


to walk alone, solo, as one
seems like you just 

missed the setting sun


I've felt the slow burn, 
of many splendid suns
how to be sure
which one is the one?


if you ask that too much...
you'll never be done


alone by choice,
fucking cop out
grand lie


I'll adjust , 
in the by and by


darkness is here,
it's me that I fear


but she, she says
the lie is so clear


like the sun in the morning,
or the foam on her beer


but she says , but she says
that goddamned lie is so clear

Lookin' down the road

I guess the inspiration for this piece is obvious.  The tragic shooting death of Trayvon Martin, and the beating  death of Shaima Alawadito led me to a conclusion.  There are a lot of scared , violent, and deadly people walking around right now.  It's this elephant in the room it seems.  I wish I could just go on about things, smiling as I go about my business.  It is getting harder and harder.  Elections are being drawn across moral and religious lines,  and this only serves to create new divisions and deepen existing ones. It seems easier and better for mankind if we come to terms with a simple fact; we all want the same things.  A safe place for our kids to play, air to breathe, a safe spot to live, enough food, clean water,  and the ability to see the doctor for most basic health needs.  I mean, in general, the basic needs that all human beings need to thrive. THRIVE, it means more than , just staying alive.

  THIS DESIRE TO LIVE THIS WAY, TRANSCENDS ALL INCOME LEVELS, AREAS OF ORIGIN, AND ETC.....IT IS UNIVERSAL!

    My personal hope is that this becomes our mindset. and then filters our every thought as we go on with our lives, over this long, mean, negativity ridden, nation grieving hate crimes, summer.  We are all Americans: European Americans, Asian Americans, African Americans, Mexican Americans, Native Americans, gay Americans, straight Americans, Christian Americans, Muslim Americans , Jewish Americans, Atheist Americans, etc..etc...

The common thread is Americans, we are all together on  this wide, vast  land.  If we see each other as neighbors, rather than members of groups that look and think differently than the group we look or think like, then maybe we won't be so quick to hurt each other, with names, and fists, and hands, and iron bars, and knives and guns.  I love America. Thank you.




  PEOPLE TIRED OF GETTIN RIPPED OFF, THREATENED IN THEIR OWN CASTLE

LIVIN BEHIND A LOCKED GATE HAS GOTTA BE A HASSLE

YOU MOVE TO LA 'CAUSE THEY CALL IT THE MELTING POT

NEVER THOUGHT YOU'D GET BEATEN TO DEATH AT HOME, KINDA FIGURED YOU MIGHT GET SHOT

WELL, SAY HELLO TO MY UNCLE SAMUEL, HE'S A STRANGE OLD DUDE

SOME FOLKS THINK HE'S CRAZY, SOME FOLKS CALL HIM CRUDE

HOODIE'S

 WILL NEVER

 BE THE SAME,

 THAT YOUNG BOY,

 IS

 FOREVER

OUTTA THE GAME

MY UNCLE'S PLEASED TO MEET YOU, HE'S PLEASED TO TAKE YOU IN

HE'S PLEASED TO SHOW YOU A LITTLE CORNER, WHERE YOU CAN FIND YOUR FAVORITE SIN

LIVIN WITH MY UNCLE SAM IS A PRETTY SWEET DEAL

YOU CAN FIND A NICE WARM PLACE TO SLEEP, IT’S NEVER HARD TO FIND A MEAL

HE'S GOT PLENTY OF WORK YOU CAN HELP HIM DO

HE'S GOT OVER 300 MILLION DREAMS, AND HE'S GOT ONE JUST FOR YOU

MY UNCLE SAM IS CRAZY COOL, HE EVEN LETS YOU OWN GUNS

 SAM  JUST WANTS

 TO ASK YOU THAT,

 YOU MAKE SURE YA KNOW

 IT'S A PERSON YOU'RE POINTING AT

ALL THE DEATH AND VIOLENCE, SEEMS LIKE A TERRIBLE WASTE

LIKE TO SEE US GO A DIFFERENT WAY, AND I'D LIKE TO SEE IT WITH SOME HASTE

MY UNCLE, HE'LL LET YOU PRAY, JUST ABOUT ANY KIND OF WAY

HE REALLY WON’T GIVE A SHIT, IF YOU NEVER CARE TO PRAY.

CAUSE IT DOESN'T FAZE HIM IF YOU BELIEVE IN NOTHING ANYWAY

SO PLEASE BE KIND TO MY UNCLE, HE SMILES WHEN YOU PUT IT THAT WAY

THIS SUMMER LET'S GO SEE OUR UNCLE; HE'S IN EVERY BREATH WE TAKE, THE CHOICES WE CHOOSE TODAY, BECOME THE FUTURE THAT WE MAKE.

'

'No Passport Required"

http://searchwithin4without.blogspot.com/2012/03/folks-here-we-go.html    (Link to chapter 1)
http://searchwithin4without.blogspot.com/2012/03/no-passport-required-chapter-2.html  (Link to Chapter 2)


     Twenty minutes later, the parking lot had a few choice spots left as Allen parked his European 2 seat sports coupe into one of the spots.  He got out, and thought, "I am getting a little old to keep gettin' out of these damn , sports cars. Might be time to look towards a luxury sports sedan".  This was about as much mind as Allen ever cared to give the truth, he was an old man, who still drove sports cars, to appear cool.  He liked the performance, that's for sure.  The feeling when you get pushed back,  as your senses exigently  heighten, because , the specter of death or injury just gets a little more real.  The deal we make every time we turn that key.  The power, the sound, the force of a machine is what sets those cars apart from mere transportation.  Fast cars embody a spirit, a way of thinking, and are American icons for that reason.  


     Allen sauntered into the front door of the bistro.  He smelled garlic, pepper, and curry right away, and heard the murmured tones of several conversations.  His company had rented a small conference room here.  The usual course of negotiating a contract with a client usually brought them to Allen's restaurant for the meetings.  The owner of the place they were at today, was a relative of the bass player, in a major act at the festival, and that bass player had insisted on meeting here.  So it was.  This was nearly the final meeting.  The menu was set. The beverages were set. The silly restrictions, and requests were in, and were gonna be easy to accomplish.


      Major musical acts can be eccentric, and if they were young, and a sensation, then eccentric was the starting point for describing their quirks.  From asking for M & M 's with a certain color removed, to having a bottle of bourbon readily available at a distance of no more than three feet from any band member at any time, the requests were so weird, Allen had given up, long ago, wondering about them, and instead, focused on meeting them.

They asked me to speak at church

      I like debates.  A fascinating result of debate is when both sides learn something from the other. This is when people agree,  and then implement the plans they agree on.  This may happen  because we all sense that collectively, we are stronger than apart.  I decided to wear this mind hat as  I went to a talk on Thoreau at a church in my barrio, the other day, and it was a fun and surprising Sunday morning.  
     I walked the ten blocks there and began to listen to Sarah Johnson Praterelli, adjunct lecturer at CSU - Pueblo, currently  teaching statistics.  Her talk was titled, "Thoreau & Living Simply".  Sarah was entertaining and insightful,  she covered the scope, breadth,  and impact of the climate change crisis, in a straightforward manner.  I learned a bunch of things I did not know.  The point that did stand out was a recent finding by climate scientists that the climate NORTH of the equator will be changing in various ways.  This could mean warmer temps, but usually means more extreme weather, in general.   The climate will be getting warmer, and warmer , south of the equator. ( I haven't had a chance to look into why  this is, so  if anyone knows why this  is, please send me a Facebook message about it.  I always enjoy talking with readers about their opinions, that process is  part of the motivation for this type of endeavor, in the first place. )




Sarah, clearly showed the need for something to be done to address the issues she clearly laid out.  She then shared an experience of hers, how she lived in a spartan shack in the woods of Maine while attending school.
She had some fresh insights, and gave a brief, and informative bio of Thoreau.  I like transcendentalism, so I was engrossed in the info I was hearing.  The only thing missing was some more info at the end.  The brief message of consume less, and be spartan, is a bit, exhausted, frankly.  It is vague and general, and in a consumer culture like ours, it is like a dog chasing their tail.  I guess I wasn' t the only one that arrived at a similar result, judging from the reaction of the other 25 or 30 in attendance. 
 There was a man that spoke up and said technology is too embedded in our daily lives to live simply.  There was a lady that did clerical work during WWII. She said we need to work harder, like she did, banging away for 7 hours on a typewriter, writing manuals for GM products , used by our troops. We thanked her, and kept going.
I spoke about regenerative design, I spoke about all the possibility created by computers, and the speed that our incredible devices can process info.  We are entering the age of abundance, in information, in wealth, and in solutions to problems.  The hope and the possibility are so new, and unprecedented, so they are just beginning to become apparent.
 I shared  that the idea of living simply is a great starting point on how to tackle the problem of scarcity.  I hardly see a need to even plan on reversing climate change, as much as , adapting to it.  That is why the solutions that will work, are the ones that we think of now, in the next moment, and then tomorrow.  


I mentioned these things, and we moved on. The end of the talk was there and the general consensus was this: There needs to be many, creative, fresh, new ideas, on how to solve this problem of scarcity.   They will come from technology, science, people, and society in general.  The people from the church invited me to return and maybe give more of a talk about regenerative technology.  I was taken aback, and then flattered.  I may do it.  I will return to the church, but I am not sure exactly when I will give a presentation to the group. I know I am looking forward to it.


It was a great talk, and I walked away glad for the learning.  
    

Essay on a game.

     Spring. America. Longer days, Easter, graduations, and baseball, baseball, baseball.  The game that renews our hometown pride every year is in full swing again.  A game , that we as Americans, hold near and dear to our hearts.

     I still remember springs and summers over 30 yrs gone by, pacing around , tossing a ball into my glove over and over, listening to Bob Uecker, and his signature call as Gorman, Benji, Robin, and Rollie, brought pride to a team that had never known contention, and to a generation of fans who could add to the stories of 1957 with  some new legends of their own.  The only thing that seemed to get in my way from spending all summer immersed in listening about or reading about the game, was eating (once in a while), and playing the game I spent so much time living and breathing, every summer.

   It all started when I was 4 or 5.  Foggy memories of long gone grandparents, bouncing me on a knee , and sharing these cards with me, and some dry, crunchy, eventually sweet, bubble gum.  That was the beginning of the affair.  The seduction of the gum, and the photos of hereos, along with the emotion that seemed to surround the fans, was all it took to have me wrapped around baseball's fingers.  

      The first card I ever held was a Hank Aaron.  His stoic face was not very remarkable. The hushed tone my Mom got to her voice when talking about "The Hammer" was.  He was to be respected, that's for sure.  He was such a polarizing figure , as so many in the public eye have been. He entered baseball not long after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier, and left, after breaking a record set by the biggest ever, "The Babe".  In doing so, he endured sacks of racist , hate mail, and still swung for the fences.  I met him in 2000 and I will never forget the day I shook his hand.  755 and NO PED's?  What's up Barry? How's house arrest for ya?

    Over the years, our relationship has been tested, only slightly.  Trades, and free agency, have forced the understanding that it is a business as well as a game. Some chases after home run records, and some great new stars , have solidified the game's place in our hearts for a long time.  The "better angels of our nature" have found entertainment, even in a game where PED use has tainted the game's purity.  

     " Say Hey"..."Shoeless"...."The Kid"..."The Babe"....The nicknames are only surpassed in cool, maybe, by old school mobsters names.  Jimmy the fish, Tommy the Gun, etc..etc....

      "So this summer, as I track games on my blackberry, and watch up to the minute web casts with real time stats updates, and video, and other slick tech stuff, I will try and recall , scoring the game in a program, lacing up my spikes, the smell as I approach the stadium, the cheers, and the crack of the bat.  The game will always be there, growing, and moving on, side by side, with us, the fans.  PLAY BALL!!!!

I hope this is funny......

Click the link above, I mean no insult to anyone at all by this...it is funny to me, and might actually help birdge a cultural gap through humor.  That being said, DID I MENTION IT IS HILARIOUS?

"No Passport Required"  

Chapter 2

The following link will take you to the first chapter of " No Passport Required"  

Then just follow the links on the left for each subsequent chapter....

Enjoy and tune in daily  for a new chapter...!  Thanks...

http://whatisjimuptonow.blogspot.com/2012/03/folks-here-we-go.html

"Morning, Allen!  How are ya.", Triumph was hard to mask in her voice...

Allen swallowed and mustered a neutral tone, "I'm well, how are you?"

"Oh fine, just running around here, but I did need to mention something to you about what I saw at work last night.  I am not , like, overly concerned or anything, but I still think I should let you know. "

Allen had his curiosity piqued, "Please, tell me some more"  He was aware of the political motives that were at play here, as he was equally aware, that Samheed, the accused employee, was nowhere near perfect.

"I left work last night after I closed the bar.  Samheed was in back finishing up his closing paperwork. I left, but had to go on back inside after I left 'cause I left my phone charger behind the bar.  That's when I heard WAY more than I wanted to hear.  I saw Samheed and his girlfriend in the back by dry storage, half dressed and groping each other like a couple of drowning victims or something. I was so embarrassed, I quietly grabbed my stuff and slunk out of there as quick as I could...." Stacey's voice trailed off, in seeming  nervous. 


"Thanks for telling me about this Stacey. It was the right thing to do.  I am also sorry that you were made to feel uncomfortable. If you ever need to talk more about this, please let me know. I assure you I will address this, today"


"Thanks, Allen. I knew it would be cool telling you." Stacey sounded relieved.  


"I'll see you tonight then, Stacey?"  Allen, cordially tried to end the call.


"Sure thing, have a good morning"


"Okay, you too, Stacey"


The problem easily became a relief to Allen. The problem could be handled easily. He trusted Samheed, he knew that the security of the restaurant, or any of its' assets was not compromised.  Samheed probably just decided to give in and used poor judgement. Allen also knew just how to solve the problem, and not have to insult anyone, Samheed, Stacey, or lose any face himself. Those kinds of solutions, in the workplace, with people, came too far and few between.  


Allen remembered that he needed to drive into town for a business meeting over coffee and early brunch.  There was a large music festival that descended on the place where Allen lived every year. Nearly a    quarter million people attended the weekend festival, usually held in late July, after the 4th, but before the end of summer.  The desert was hot then, but the shows usually went on late, so that it was balmy and comfy when the music started.  


The meeting should go off without too many snags.  Allen was finalising the contract to provide the catering services for the headline talent at the festival. Backstage, at the hotels, etc. It was the kind of contract that Allen had been waiting for.  He could retire on a deal like this.  These thoughts came and went like gentle waves on a beach as Allen stared out the window at the sun beginning to paint the rocky hills to the west with a brush that left their detail etched in glorious pink 3- D.  

LET IT SPILL OUT

All the little things, keep addin' up

too much too carry in your tiny cup

sometimes , havin' too much isn't so good

'specially when it comes to pain

don't carry too much, no one should

Let it spill out, give it to your mother

now , go and be sure you find some sisters and brothers

if your tears spill out, and splash on the ground

they get to mix with all the other tears around

lots of people leave them as they go on their way

you'd think the ground would be wet every day

let it spill out, give it to your mother

now, go and be sure you find some sisters and brothers

see you don't need the sadness, so you leave it behind

that way , those that need water

 have some to find

we all need each other, to cry on, to lean

this life can be the worst, and the best, you've ever seen

so wake up every day, with your back and neck strong

and go find something to carry, 'cause it won't be long

ROCK AND ROLL!!

      We all have associations that come to mind when we think of music, for me it's rock n roll.  For you, maybe it's classical, jazz, hip hop,  chamber, WHATEVER?  It's all the same...some dudes making some noises on some stuff that's makes ya feel good when you hear it..tap your foot, nod your head...etc...etc..etc...You get the picture.

     What I wanna do is this:   Let's have a forum here where the readers and I will share some of the pieces of music that really are special to us, and why they are....FEEL FREE TO TALK ABOUT ANY MUSIC FOR ANY REASON WHY!  No judgement here, no political views, no hierarchy to opinions, none of that......just sharing...and learning...and relating...

Please feel free to comment as little or, as much, as you'd like!!!

     Okay folks, here we go...blog number one...wow...  I want to start off by saying that all work on this site, photography, writings, any intellectual content, is the sole, and singular proprety of James W Dunnigan, unless otherwise indicated..

I just know I can get people interested in this blog and maybe create a little something here, that has ever been done before.
     I am going to form a short story, and write each chapter for like 15 minutes a day.  I think I can do this, much in the same way that musicians perfect their craft.

             "No Passport  Required"

     The tones descended in octave, like a xylohpone, yet still obvious that the sound came from a computer reproduction, a recording of an actual person, playing an actual instrument.  Al sat up, trying not to wake his wife, and stumbled into the rest of the house to try and make sense and gain direction for the next few hours.

     The yield of an espresso machine, along with a shower , and some music, began to help the plan take shape.  It was Friday, the last day of work for Allen, and he was more than ready for a couple of days off.  It was not like the work he did was exhausting, it truly was something that came naturally to him.  At any rate, a short day there was all that stood between him and the weekend.    

     His attention was laser locked on the ringing telephone from the table in front of him. 

 "Hello!"  He mustered the necessary polite tone, the phone was the person in charge at the restaurant three miles away that Allen and his family owned and operated together.

...The person on the other end of the phone began to speak. Stacey tried to contain her happiness at the apparent misfortune her biggest rival at the restaurant had seemed to create for himself.  Stacey was the best employee there, along with a man named Samheed...they were equal in nearly every rating or measurement possible.  This made for a strongly staffed team however, created a little tension as they often were confused about whom I truly liked more. There was no answer. I needed them both.   People can be so cagey that way.