911

Everybody's probably doing something 9/11 related for today, why should I be any different?

There's controversy over a mosque being formalized (it's actually been in existence for a while already)
near the site of the Twin Towers attack. Some think it's a good idea, some thing it is not.  Those who support it are calling those that don't bigots. Those who oppose the idea are accusing the supporters of being either terrorist sympathizers or communists.  Sheesh!

So, where do I stand?  The mosque isn't breaking any existing laws by being there...however there are the feelings of those who lost people in the attack.  Some of them are in favor, some are opposed.

There are questions about the financing of the project, the imam in charge of the project, the other people involved with the project...lots and lots of questions. We are not breaking laws by asking these questions.

Are there any other places of worship in the same radius area that are being rebuilt? Can a religious center for all faiths be established in the same radius area to make sure all bases are covered?

And, here's the big one, how do we get past all this duplicity, hatred and unrest that is brewing and building all around us? This presidency and administration was supposed to be about change, inclusion and bringing our country back from the brink.  The polar opposite seems to be occurring...other than the change; that's happening - and it seems like a negative change at that.

We have to turn this ship around, get it back on course....let's not push our constitution aside, let's remember how to cherish our freedoms by becoming responsible for them. That is the kind of change we need. A real, organic, fundamental change in how we view ourselves-not as horrid oppressors but as a people with a diverse history and great potential. True, we've not always been our best, but as a nation name me one which hasn't gone through its' own version of slavery, oppression and mismanagement.

It is an unfortunate part of humans that we are not perfect, as individuals or collectively.  But we have the ability to learn from our mistakes and become better because of them.  We just have to do it.

So what's to be said for today, September 11, 2010?  Fifty Five is the New 911-the emergency call saying it's time to wake up and make some REAL POSITIVE changes....while we still can.

The New Memory

We've been helping pack the remnants of Jack's family home for the past several months; touching bits of the past that meant so much to the them...freed briefly from their old newspaper wrappings to be reviewed, sorted then re-packed for their next adventure.

Jack and his sister peer through the pages of memory...a loved-to-pieces stuffed Mickey Mouse, a boy scout badge sash, holiday decorations, table cloths and tools...each with a story, a bit more revealed to me about this man I love and his family.

I've also been blessed with gaining a friend in Jack's sister, and have been made to feel welcomed by his nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jack has in a sense grown up before my eyes through black and white pictures; a small child, a young boy, a lad, a young man, a married man....his personal journey pasted carefully in black paged photo albums. His mom drew little illustrations on some pages; a beach ball on a bit of sand, a stack of school books held together with a buckled strap, a New Year's Eve top hat....she was quite good.

Luckily his family were reunited before his mother passed. I know it brought her peace spending time with her long lost son during those final months...and I am sure it helped Jack too.

That's what we've been doing lately.  We're still waiting for the recording equipment to come back from the shop, but will be recording some brand new material as soon as we get it back!

For today Fifty Five Is The New Memory; adding Jack's family and their memories to mine with a gentle stir and a bit of love.

Jack at his mom's kitchen table...a little blurry.

Thoughts on School Days

September's dawning makes me think of opening day at school.  After the initial one in first grade, where I was the shortest kid in the entire building, they all had similar routines, similar sensations.

The crisp new clothes; uniforms for the first nine years - minus a couple of month stint in 4th grade when I broke my arm.....new school bag (wasn't 'til transferring to public school that I was finally able to don the more practical back pack), new shoes-saddle oxfords, even when I didn't have to wear them anymore....even the smell of a new copybook sends waves of memories.

Although nothing can ever compare to the jolt given when anyone even mentions mimeographed fact sheets!  Their smell alone is worth a thousand blasts from the past.

September does that to me.....the early part of it at any rate.  Sure there were times when I absolutely hated school....and to this day I'm not sure how I graduated.....but there were some pretty amazing moments, too.
Moments that I wouldn't trade for anything.

So for today, Fifty Five Is The New Thoughts on School Days....with the knowledge that I'm still a student in this university we call life.

Contact

Been thinking a lot about family and old friends...people I've not seen or contacted in a long time. God's honest truth it's all my fault, I'm an awful correspondent, relying more on the ether and-thank Cosmos-the Internet including blogs and Facebook to play catch-up.

Our Garden at 7th Avenue

As the sun rose over the Bay Bridge I finally dosed off and had a dream that the whole world had changed-and it didn't seem that far off base. Social unrest, racial tension...the whole blah, blah, blah. 
There I was on Market Street-Market and Van Ness to be exact. It was mid-day. One of those glorious San Francisco autumn-thinks-it's -summer 's kind of days; turquoise  sky....but everything had changed. Subtle changes, like in the Twilight Zone.

I recognized all the people, places and things....but they sounded and acted just slightly off the mark, like they were substitutes for the real thing.  I woke up wondering what it all meant. did I wake up too soon?
No. I think it was just the right time.  It was a wake up call.  So I'm going to take it as such and make an effort to be more in contact with the people I love and who love me.  Not saying I'll be perfect at it...hard to teach an old dog new tricks.  But I'll sure try.

So for today, Fifty FiveIs The New Contact....getting back in touch with those that matter.  To quote Martha Stewart, "It's A Good Thing."