Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful, lest you let other people spend it for you.” —Carl Sandburg
“Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds. Discard them, and their value will never be known. Improve them, and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Welcome 2012 - JK Cosmos
Welcome 2012! Another New Year to reflect and plan, to be resolved.
Having taught too many college classes at a few local colleges, the time to think and to recollect is bitter-sweet. Another year past and done with and what's been accomplished. The regret at not having done as much, not having accomplished the goals of last year's resolve - forever gone. How many more years of good health and motivation, inspiration, active life and living? How much to be done and how much will actually be accomplished? The never-ending, always hopeful questions with some sense of loss and some sense of being in the void, that vacuous and open place of time and effort and time and wishful thinking. How to bring it all home, bring it together; really matter? Questioning the purpose and purposeful life, and the ability to move forward with some sense of having mattered...is this the question most people pose?
Hope! Hope to matter, to leave a positive impact or to motivate, inspire another person to matter...time and effort - how to bring it to fruition.
And so it goes...and so we aspire to do better...and how to take away that poignancy and urgency..or is that part of the life-force and the movement towards a better life and more significant existence?
Hope! Hope to matter, to leave a positive impact or to motivate, inspire another person to matter...time and effort - how to bring it to fruition.
And so it goes...and so we aspire to do better...and how to take away that poignancy and urgency..or is that part of the life-force and the movement towards a better life and more significant existence?
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Economy, Transitions - Growing Up or Was that Old/Older - JK Cosmos
Politicians, our reps in DC - how are they talking so much nothing that nothing is exactly what is accomplished? When did the electorate decide to watch tv and tweet & post on fb rather than work up a sweat about the inequities in the US of A? The economy and news about interest rates, jobs, professional development - gloom and doom. The 'talking heads' at both conservative and liberal news outlets; the written work the live news streams and television - shout at the masses - the economy has tanked!
Has it? Has the United States relinguished leadership & power to China, to the Middle East - to what flavor are the media junkies serving today? Where are the reports based on facts and figures? How can the average Joe & Jane learn more about the realities they face? It may seem that the main street Americans are too busy trying to keep body and soul together. They are. It may seem that the middle class, now sliding to poor, has more significant plans, to find that better job, to pay off college costs with their children, to figure out how to keep the house, manage the car bills and to top it off, medical insurance.
And the question becomes, what are the leaders doing? How are we, the people, to view the world now with banks manipulating and continuing to soak up the monetary resources. The banks, who required funding and more funding, greedy and ever-taking from the working class. Prosecuting those responsible for the fall-out would seem reasonable and fair, where are the prosecutors and where is the anger of the people paying the bill on those mis-steps of the very wealthy; bankers and politicians.
And so we think about lobbyists and the powerful hiring more powerful - the few who advocate and dance the dance of those few in control and charming, conniving and manipulating the weaker or perhaps the weakest - the politicians, with eyes on the prize of being re-elected and the money that will accomplish that - not the one vote from consitutuents; but rather the super funds and treasury overload of the conglomerates and the lobbyists that reward that vote, that stall, that back to committee motion.
Is this the bargain? Are we seeing the fruits of our labor? Has the world gone crazy or is this the end-game? Growing up has become a painful reality for most baby boomers. Growing older has not been the peace and loove child of the sixties. The promises of youthful activism and hard-work, studies and volunteerism has lead to what? And that is the rub, the total undenialable and caustic rub...
There are some, a very few, who do not believe the news. The minoirty of the people believe in and for something more. What do they believe in & for while the news people drone on about the negative the downsliding...They believe that America is the greatest nation in the world. They believe that America can and will lead on and move forward. They believe that despite reports and newscasts, the US of A can prosper and the people can aspire to do and be whomever they want and dream to be. For the most part, the they are citizens from elsewhere, the newly minted Unites State citizen, and hurrah for them. The rest of us should and need to listen closely. The rest of us need to stop talking and to take a 'pause' to regroup and to carry on..afterall we are Americans and know that the United States is the greatest nation in the world!
Thanks Tony for reminding me! Well-said!
Has it? Has the United States relinguished leadership & power to China, to the Middle East - to what flavor are the media junkies serving today? Where are the reports based on facts and figures? How can the average Joe & Jane learn more about the realities they face? It may seem that the main street Americans are too busy trying to keep body and soul together. They are. It may seem that the middle class, now sliding to poor, has more significant plans, to find that better job, to pay off college costs with their children, to figure out how to keep the house, manage the car bills and to top it off, medical insurance.
And the question becomes, what are the leaders doing? How are we, the people, to view the world now with banks manipulating and continuing to soak up the monetary resources. The banks, who required funding and more funding, greedy and ever-taking from the working class. Prosecuting those responsible for the fall-out would seem reasonable and fair, where are the prosecutors and where is the anger of the people paying the bill on those mis-steps of the very wealthy; bankers and politicians.
And so we think about lobbyists and the powerful hiring more powerful - the few who advocate and dance the dance of those few in control and charming, conniving and manipulating the weaker or perhaps the weakest - the politicians, with eyes on the prize of being re-elected and the money that will accomplish that - not the one vote from consitutuents; but rather the super funds and treasury overload of the conglomerates and the lobbyists that reward that vote, that stall, that back to committee motion.
Is this the bargain? Are we seeing the fruits of our labor? Has the world gone crazy or is this the end-game? Growing up has become a painful reality for most baby boomers. Growing older has not been the peace and loove child of the sixties. The promises of youthful activism and hard-work, studies and volunteerism has lead to what? And that is the rub, the total undenialable and caustic rub...
There are some, a very few, who do not believe the news. The minoirty of the people believe in and for something more. What do they believe in & for while the news people drone on about the negative the downsliding...They believe that America is the greatest nation in the world. They believe that America can and will lead on and move forward. They believe that despite reports and newscasts, the US of A can prosper and the people can aspire to do and be whomever they want and dream to be. For the most part, the they are citizens from elsewhere, the newly minted Unites State citizen, and hurrah for them. The rest of us should and need to listen closely. The rest of us need to stop talking and to take a 'pause' to regroup and to carry on..afterall we are Americans and know that the United States is the greatest nation in the world!
Thanks Tony for reminding me! Well-said!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
June lst & another decade. - JK Cosmos
Took my brother, Steven, & his partner, Jim, to Logan Express yesterday as they headed out for Paris. Poignant and sweet recollections, when not in the too far past, my brother & I went to Paris. Young, jubilant and joyful, high expectations and easy going travels. It was an adventure. The journey to Paris, as young Americans, taught us to say we were from Canada, to avoid the 'hot politics' and hate for US that was prevalent at the time.
Traveling without issues and to just live in the moment was the plan. And, for me, it worked. It worked well, in part, as I bought a pair of French jeans, washed out and tight with a flair at the bottom. I also found platform sandals, about three inches high and black and strappy. Thinking about walking around the city on new platforms, never crossed my mind. And finally, to blend in with Parisians, I found a very red and very slick lipstick and cut my hair from shoulder length flip kinda preppy look to a short, layered model, maybe actress look. It worked and Paris was fabulous and the time spent drifting and being on a small green chair at the Jardins de Tuileries couldn't be written much better than the reality.
Another decade and pinning for France, and more to it; for Paris.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Swan Lake/Black Swan-Paris 1973 Boston 2011
Swan Lake/Black Swan–Paris-Boston(1973/2010) J.K. Cosmos
Ballet, the energy and tension & pure physicality of it, astonishing! The love of ballet began early on and continued in earnest during my formative years and beyond. Providentially, I was in Paris for the foremost dance of Nureyev and Madam Fontaine. The venue, the Louvre, and the setting only in France, laid out the evening on a warm, clear, starry backdrop with the performance of ‘Swan Lake’ the preferred production.
On this night, at this place despite the ‘aha’ moments and fleeting energy of ballerinas fluttering about and the music commanding an audience response; on this night Nureyev dropped Madam Fontaine with a resounding and most dramatic thud. Some were not sure if it was a purposeful drop of the prima ballerina or was it part of the production or was he being such an egotist that he literally dropped her on her dainty and yes, aging behind. After all, this was the last performance for Madam and her retirement was well-known to the arts and creative community.
The morning newspapers cleared up any confusion with articles and commentaries on the ‘drop’ being mean-spirited and by clear intent of Monsieur Nureyev. Horrific in the world of dance! The production, the visuals, the rhythmic movement of the swan/ballet resonates still for me. My emotions high and close clearly mirrored my youth and idealism. The Swan Lake with themes of love and betrayal whispered in my ear the things that I knew were true. The dancers, beautiful and agile, confirmed my knowing that the world was beautiful and lovely. Oh, so lovely.
Ballet, the energy and tension & pure physicality of it, astonishing! The love of ballet began early on and continued in earnest during my formative years and beyond. Providentially, I was in Paris for the foremost dance of Nureyev and Madam Fontaine. The venue, the Louvre, and the setting only in France, laid out the evening on a warm, clear, starry backdrop with the performance of ‘Swan Lake’ the preferred production.
On this night, at this place despite the ‘aha’ moments and fleeting energy of ballerinas fluttering about and the music commanding an audience response; on this night Nureyev dropped Madam Fontaine with a resounding and most dramatic thud. Some were not sure if it was a purposeful drop of the prima ballerina or was it part of the production or was he being such an egotist that he literally dropped her on her dainty and yes, aging behind. After all, this was the last performance for Madam and her retirement was well-known to the arts and creative community.
The morning newspapers cleared up any confusion with articles and commentaries on the ‘drop’ being mean-spirited and by clear intent of Monsieur Nureyev. Horrific in the world of dance! The production, the visuals, the rhythmic movement of the swan/ballet resonates still for me. My emotions high and close clearly mirrored my youth and idealism. The Swan Lake with themes of love and betrayal whispered in my ear the things that I knew were true. The dancers, beautiful and agile, confirmed my knowing that the world was beautiful and lovely. Oh, so lovely.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Response on Conflict in Egypt
Friends have written about religion as the cause of the strife in Egypt. My response was requested and the following is a brief one:
Ralph, not sure if I agree with your analysis, but I respect all of it. There are also Coptic Orthodox Christians in Egypt. My understanding is that Islam is a religion of peace, that is viewed as extreme when the politics are added to the mix. I am not an expert..., nor have I attended services, as you have..I just feel that most people want similar lives, as you mention without harassement & with respect. I wish I had an answer or path to that end, without violence. I think peaceful resistance and demonstrations should work, if the army & police would stand down and not engage with the people. Politicians should listen and do better.
On a global level, changes have to happen to be more just and fair; to give all people a chance at what they deserve, a life which includes a job, a home...I think it goes beyond religion, now. People in the US and Europe are also marginalized and wanting. Egypt is one major part of the beginning of a reaction. I think, not just the middle east, but some European nations, such as Greece, France, Great Britain and Ireland have -rioted and have demonstrations against banks and the government in the recent past and continue to do so. They oppose changing the retirement age and cutbacks on benefits earned. They oppose the backlash of the decades of fiscal irresponsibility. Balancing the budget need not be to the detriment of the middle class, does it? Greed of the upper class and those in power should not benefit on the backs of the working people. Restructuring shouldn't mean the wealthy continue to benefit and prosper while the majority are unemployed, and unable to live their lives with any sense of humanity and without hope.
Ralph, not sure if I agree with your analysis, but I respect all of it. There are also Coptic Orthodox Christians in Egypt. My understanding is that Islam is a religion of peace, that is viewed as extreme when the politics are added to the mix. I am not an expert..., nor have I attended services, as you have..I just feel that most people want similar lives, as you mention without harassement & with respect. I wish I had an answer or path to that end, without violence. I think peaceful resistance and demonstrations should work, if the army & police would stand down and not engage with the people. Politicians should listen and do better.
On a global level, changes have to happen to be more just and fair; to give all people a chance at what they deserve, a life which includes a job, a home...I think it goes beyond religion, now. People in the US and Europe are also marginalized and wanting. Egypt is one major part of the beginning of a reaction. I think, not just the middle east, but some European nations, such as Greece, France, Great Britain and Ireland have -rioted and have demonstrations against banks and the government in the recent past and continue to do so. They oppose changing the retirement age and cutbacks on benefits earned. They oppose the backlash of the decades of fiscal irresponsibility. Balancing the budget need not be to the detriment of the middle class, does it? Greed of the upper class and those in power should not benefit on the backs of the working people. Restructuring shouldn't mean the wealthy continue to benefit and prosper while the majority are unemployed, and unable to live their lives with any sense of humanity and without hope.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Love by the Sea
Creative Writing –Fiction
Kate wasn’t looking forward to this next birthday and dreaded the day that was fast approaching. Her life goals seemed to be unattainable if life continued to play fast and easy without real success. She could barely start her day and moved slow and steady without too much thought.
Patrick called as she readied herself for a Court pretrial hearing at the District Court. She was late and Patrick told her that he wanted to take her out for her birthday. He’d pick her up tonight at seven. He told her he’d take care of everything and to just be ready to go.
Kate wanted to feel happy and knew he was trying to please her. She just couldn’t. Thinking about criminals would distract her and she took off.
The Hearing was a basic ‘Show Cause’ with only one police officer testifying to preliminary matters that sometimes make or break a case. Kate’s client sat next to her and he was preoccupied with the legal yellow pad that she gave him and pen for him to jot down questions and any thought he might have about the case. This technique of having clients ‘help out’ worked well and gave her a break from answering their questions when she should be concentrating on testimony being given. Kate had many strategies to keep her clients under control, similar to those she used to keep the cops under control. Both having similar high energy and continual needs for attention, it seemed to Kate that some of the busy work she gave the cops and now the defendants were similar to those for small children. That did make her smile.
The day passed without incident and without much fanfare about her birthday. A few phone calls of congrats and that she was able to handle.
Seven and Patrick was knocking on the door ready to enjoy some time with her on this propitious day. She was dressed and ready but still glum.
He had a small a package with him, wrapped in newspaper and tied with a plain string. How did she feel?
“Happy Birthday! Come on, thirty isn’t so bad.”
He said it out loud, thirty, and she cringed. How fast the year had passed. Being twenty-nine had made her sad and she dreaded this one all year long.
Kate sat on the edge of the sofa and opened the package. Patrick sat next to her and waited, expectantly.
She breathed out thanking him. It was a seagull on a canvas reminding her of Americana but actually nicely detailed. The scene was framed with rough wood and a white line of thin paint on the border. The seagull had the wing-spread and was in air. Most of the painting was of the seagull, not the background sky. Kate loved it. She thought of a book she had read about freedom and life from the perspective of a seagull. “Hmmm, what was the title of that book about a seagull?” Patrick didn’t know. He wasn’t much into reading fiction. He read philosophy books and used the logic to win and strategize his defense of his clients. He was writing a book, but still didn’t like fiction or anything contemporary.
“Let’s go! Are you ready?”
“Thank you for the lovely gift. Thank you, Patrick. I love it.”
They left Cambridge and drove north. Kate wasn’t sure where he was planning to go and just let the air and the movement of the driving taker her away from her darker thoughts. Her mind kept wandering to past days with Jack. How would she be celebrating this day with Jack? She had to let it go and she had to let him go. The last gift that Jack had given her was a paper parasol. It was huge and had a hand-painted flower on it. What would she possibly do with a parasol? She recalled thinking that Jack was so unconventional in some ways. He’d been so happy to give it to her and he had not inkling really on what she would do with it. They had both laughed and Jack wanted her to open it and walk with him up Mass Ave under the parasol. What a crazy idea!
Earth to Kate! Patrick was saying something to her. She hadn’t heard him, the actual words escaped her. He was smiling broadly, so she returned the smile and wondered.
He took her to a place on the north shore that had a secret gate and they walked through a pathway that seemed to be private, but he assured her that it was not. At the end of the path was a small gate that filled an archway. Ivy covered most of the opening. On a closer look, Kate could see through to the ocean. They both saw the ocean in its more active and waves crashing nature. Kate loved it. The temperament of the ocean banging against the rocks mirrored her feelings. She and Patrick crossed through the gate and they were against the rocks on a ledge that went nowhere. They were close up against the rocks looking out to the sea and looking down to the crashing waves. Her spirit soared. Patrick knew her, after all. What joy!
Patrick leaned on her and began to search for her and she was overcome with passion for life and for him. They stood against the wall of boulders and they made love.
Kate wasn’t looking forward to this next birthday and dreaded the day that was fast approaching. Her life goals seemed to be unattainable if life continued to play fast and easy without real success. She could barely start her day and moved slow and steady without too much thought.
Patrick called as she readied herself for a Court pretrial hearing at the District Court. She was late and Patrick told her that he wanted to take her out for her birthday. He’d pick her up tonight at seven. He told her he’d take care of everything and to just be ready to go.
Kate wanted to feel happy and knew he was trying to please her. She just couldn’t. Thinking about criminals would distract her and she took off.
The Hearing was a basic ‘Show Cause’ with only one police officer testifying to preliminary matters that sometimes make or break a case. Kate’s client sat next to her and he was preoccupied with the legal yellow pad that she gave him and pen for him to jot down questions and any thought he might have about the case. This technique of having clients ‘help out’ worked well and gave her a break from answering their questions when she should be concentrating on testimony being given. Kate had many strategies to keep her clients under control, similar to those she used to keep the cops under control. Both having similar high energy and continual needs for attention, it seemed to Kate that some of the busy work she gave the cops and now the defendants were similar to those for small children. That did make her smile.
The day passed without incident and without much fanfare about her birthday. A few phone calls of congrats and that she was able to handle.
Seven and Patrick was knocking on the door ready to enjoy some time with her on this propitious day. She was dressed and ready but still glum.
He had a small a package with him, wrapped in newspaper and tied with a plain string. How did she feel?
“Happy Birthday! Come on, thirty isn’t so bad.”
He said it out loud, thirty, and she cringed. How fast the year had passed. Being twenty-nine had made her sad and she dreaded this one all year long.
Kate sat on the edge of the sofa and opened the package. Patrick sat next to her and waited, expectantly.
She breathed out thanking him. It was a seagull on a canvas reminding her of Americana but actually nicely detailed. The scene was framed with rough wood and a white line of thin paint on the border. The seagull had the wing-spread and was in air. Most of the painting was of the seagull, not the background sky. Kate loved it. She thought of a book she had read about freedom and life from the perspective of a seagull. “Hmmm, what was the title of that book about a seagull?” Patrick didn’t know. He wasn’t much into reading fiction. He read philosophy books and used the logic to win and strategize his defense of his clients. He was writing a book, but still didn’t like fiction or anything contemporary.
“Let’s go! Are you ready?”
“Thank you for the lovely gift. Thank you, Patrick. I love it.”
They left Cambridge and drove north. Kate wasn’t sure where he was planning to go and just let the air and the movement of the driving taker her away from her darker thoughts. Her mind kept wandering to past days with Jack. How would she be celebrating this day with Jack? She had to let it go and she had to let him go. The last gift that Jack had given her was a paper parasol. It was huge and had a hand-painted flower on it. What would she possibly do with a parasol? She recalled thinking that Jack was so unconventional in some ways. He’d been so happy to give it to her and he had not inkling really on what she would do with it. They had both laughed and Jack wanted her to open it and walk with him up Mass Ave under the parasol. What a crazy idea!
Earth to Kate! Patrick was saying something to her. She hadn’t heard him, the actual words escaped her. He was smiling broadly, so she returned the smile and wondered.
He took her to a place on the north shore that had a secret gate and they walked through a pathway that seemed to be private, but he assured her that it was not. At the end of the path was a small gate that filled an archway. Ivy covered most of the opening. On a closer look, Kate could see through to the ocean. They both saw the ocean in its more active and waves crashing nature. Kate loved it. The temperament of the ocean banging against the rocks mirrored her feelings. She and Patrick crossed through the gate and they were against the rocks on a ledge that went nowhere. They were close up against the rocks looking out to the sea and looking down to the crashing waves. Her spirit soared. Patrick knew her, after all. What joy!
Patrick leaned on her and began to search for her and she was overcome with passion for life and for him. They stood against the wall of boulders and they made love.
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