Give Peace A Chance by Craig Parks is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Friday, April 11, 2014
Give Peace A Chance
Give Peace A Chance by Craig Parks is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Yesterday
Surrounded by beauty, kindness much inspiration, I was even so, all alone, deep inside, because you were not there.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Sunday, September 15, 2013
I actually have been wanting to write...
...here and elsewhere, and I did a little yesterday and the day before, but not like I thought and hoped I would. I am however thinking a lot, but that's what I always do.
Considering once again the possibility of relocating, so that I can do more in my quiet way. But I am trying to consider what it is I will be leaving behind and letting go of.
Probably unrelated, but maybe not:
Healing / loving someone from a distance may be much less complicated than trying to do so from up close.
It may be easier to transcend great distances than to create much needed space without hurting another.
but misreading the intentions of another or stepping on one of their landmines are more likely from afar, and little things which become bigger than you would ever imagine are more difficult if not impossible to repair.
Even so, you can still love then and send them light to do with as they will-
all from your far away cloud.
and so it is
Considering once again the possibility of relocating, so that I can do more in my quiet way. But I am trying to consider what it is I will be leaving behind and letting go of.
Probably unrelated, but maybe not:
Healing / loving someone from a distance may be much less complicated than trying to do so from up close.
It may be easier to transcend great distances than to create much needed space without hurting another.
but misreading the intentions of another or stepping on one of their landmines are more likely from afar, and little things which become bigger than you would ever imagine are more difficult if not impossible to repair.
Even so, you can still love then and send them light to do with as they will-
all from your far away cloud.
and so it is
Saturday, July 13, 2013
once again it's been a while
It's not the challenges of life which have kept me away. I believe that it's more a matter of time management.
Anyway i am here at least for a moment.
I don't really expect most people to keep their promises any more, even when it seems that they have the best of intentions. This is not a statement of disappointment, but more a shift in perspective. It's simply the way things are.
Anyway i am here at least for a moment.
I don't really expect most people to keep their promises any more, even when it seems that they have the best of intentions. This is not a statement of disappointment, but more a shift in perspective. It's simply the way things are.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
The Desire To Write
Well it seemed that I wanted to write. It felt as though I was aching to, Burning with the need to pour out such a wide variety of thoughts and feelings, but then after rereading all of Lost and Found in a Kayak, and an entry or two from this forum, Wide Open I was left exhausted rather than inspired.
( I actually wrote expired when I was attempting to say inspired. Interesting, right?)
Hmmmmmmm dead in the water-
stuck in the Horse Latitudes. And now so, so mentally tired that I just want to lay down.
I will save this and try to come back again later.
Oh Well, Craigie, Better Luck Next Time.
I think it's a matter of reality getting to me, of doubting that my current happiness can or will continue
That I will blow everything. I guess I am afraid of losing what has now become precious. More later,
I just need to rest a bit, then I'll feel better.
Maybe I should stick with non-fiction for myself and the world and leave the poetry just for her.
Yes, no more looking back at the ones who got away and wondering what I might have done differently. Just focus on the present and be open to a new future, one which is not determined or undermined by the past.
Yes, that sounds like a plan.
Let all of the past go, and just begin again today, right now,
or maybe right after my little rest. Yes, I am still exhausted and when I get up it will be like a new day.
That seems good, yes, starting over with a clean slate always sounds very good.
( I actually wrote expired when I was attempting to say inspired. Interesting, right?)
Hmmmmmmm dead in the water-
stuck in the Horse Latitudes. And now so, so mentally tired that I just want to lay down.
I will save this and try to come back again later.
Oh Well, Craigie, Better Luck Next Time.
I think it's a matter of reality getting to me, of doubting that my current happiness can or will continue
That I will blow everything. I guess I am afraid of losing what has now become precious. More later,
I just need to rest a bit, then I'll feel better.
Maybe I should stick with non-fiction for myself and the world and leave the poetry just for her.
Yes, no more looking back at the ones who got away and wondering what I might have done differently. Just focus on the present and be open to a new future, one which is not determined or undermined by the past.
Yes, that sounds like a plan.
Let all of the past go, and just begin again today, right now,
or maybe right after my little rest. Yes, I am still exhausted and when I get up it will be like a new day.
That seems good, yes, starting over with a clean slate always sounds very good.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
check out a new post on Patina
This photo was inspired by the work of Maria Pia Tedesco
See her work at artistamato.blogspot.com.br
Read the full story at alchemyfineartanddesignpatina.blogspot.com
Sunday, November 4, 2012
The Approach Of Election Day
The image of a bird upon a nest is for most of us a bit reassuring. In a very subtle and completely non-verbal way, many of us see such things as a sign of hope. What this unsuspecting mother dove does not know is that she and her mate have built their nest on top of pressure treated lumber. The key word here is "treated" which means that the wood had been impregnated with a highly toxic additive which renders it unpalatable to creatures such as termites. To her everything looks just fine, but it's not. Here in California, one of our ballot measures would require that all genetically engineered food to be labeled as such, and thereby assure the public that the term "Natural" apply only to food products which do not include any genetically engineered crops. Agribusiness interests are pouring a great deal of money into the campaign against this initiative. People want to know what they are buying and what's in it. A lot of big business interests would rather be able to redefine certain terms which might make it easier for them to remain somewhat less than transparent.
Before going any further it might be important to state that the author has not been affiliated with any political party for several years now.
People in a democratic society expect to be able to make informed decisions. Being able to do so is part of the rationale for mandating and funding public education, so that the people are better able to make choices based upon accurate rather than misleading information. Most of us, regardless of where we fall upon the political spectrum tend to support this idea. It is only certain professional politicians and lobbyists who find the idea of controling access to information appealing. At times campaigns of disinformation are designed by particular special interests so that they can continue to make deals behind closed doors where the general public can not see. Knowing who (either living individuals or corporate entities) supports an issue or candidate can influence how we evaluate something or someone. Concealing the identity of a donor is not a protected form of expression under the First Amendment, but the Citizens United Decision rendered by our Supreme Court has now allowed unlimited funding of political spending and the public has no way of knowing where the money is coming from. The doors are closing on the age of transparency. Soon, if one party gains any more power, even the Freedom of Information Act could be dismantled. Public Radio and Television are on the hit list of many who do the bidding of those who want to limit access to information and transparency.
During the most recent Bush Era, The ERIC Educational Network which freely disseminated research related to all levels of education was dismantled. Could it be that some of the results of research which did not support the many scripted programs which came into full force with No Child Left Behind were seen as too inconvenient or perhaps just too distracting for the educational community to have to deal with. Happily much of the information once held in those collections has been restored and is now available, but for how much longer?
Will we see a multiplication of oil drilling platform permits in now protected areas? Will the public even know? It's not a matter of energy independence, because there are many ways of moving in that direction, and most in big business and both parties are not that interested. Instead, for them it's not only about making a quick buck, but also about monetizing almost everything. Social Security was almost on the chopping block before, but the Big Boys in the Back Room had to put on the brakes when AARP began to react. But they will try again. The R and R candidates will usher in another relaxation of all regulation once more, and we could have another financial crisis, but this time, we will as a nation go under, all thanks to those who want to provide a kind of corporate welfare state. I am not a huge fan of Mr. Obama nor many other national level politicians, but I feel that it is unfair to criticize him for not fixing the economy, when the Republicans in Congress have done all that they could to prevent him from doing anything. Almost without exception, they have made this their first priority and put the welfare of the American people on the back burner, just so that the President would not seem successful. It all comes down to being able to make choices, not having them forced upon you or taken away. We like to think of our nation as the land of the free, but if too many honest, hard working, and well meaning people do not really think about what are doing, it may be too late for us all after Tuesday. What worries me most is the Karl Rove is pulling a lot of the strings.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Six Words
Struggling
against
the
urge
to
Run
also consider: Retreat, Go, Stop, Sleep, Dream, Smile, Laugh, Cry, Disappear, Float, Quit, Surrender, Shoot, Attack, Avenge, Assume, Accept, Agree, Advise, and _________
against
the
urge
to
Run
also consider: Retreat, Go, Stop, Sleep, Dream, Smile, Laugh, Cry, Disappear, Float, Quit, Surrender, Shoot, Attack, Avenge, Assume, Accept, Agree, Advise, and _________
Thursday, October 11, 2012
new post on practical navigation log
a new entry on using the Tarot as a tool for navigating life.
practicalnagigationlog.blogspot.com
practicalnagigationlog.blogspot.com
Sunday, October 7, 2012
attempting ...
...to write a new short essay on attitude and possibility using the process and aesthetic convention of stone sculpture as a metaphor. I am in the process of working on a small piece of shale which has many fractures, inclusions and other "imperfections." I also work with more traditional materials such as granite and marble which are more or less free from such flaws. But tend to prefer the less than perfect pieces that others would most likely overlook, because I learn more from them.
Michelangelo told us that a piece of stone already contained the finished sculpture, and that it was the sculptors job to simply remove those parts which were concealing the true potential of the work.
To actually do this requires a great deal of sensitivity on the part of the artist. Most artists back then and now though, didn't and don't attempt such a fete. It's far beyond the skills of many very talented and even quite gifted people. Instead they impose their vision on the stone, and in many cases the results are breath-taking. But it's possible that it would have been even more remarkable if the true essence of the rock was revealed.
Using seemingly flawed stone, suggests many different paths. I have to make decision. I don't follow up on every hint. Sometimes I successfully find my way and sometimes I ruin a piece. These objects help me to perfect my skills so that I will be more likely to feel and reveal the nature of a beautiful rock. The texture itself of even the most apparently flawless stone contains subtle variations and suggests direction and depth. It is a challenge, but a most rewarding one.
After thirty years of teaching, it is my sad observation that in quite a similar manner, students are more often than not shaped to preconceived standards rather than being allowed to reveal their uniqueness. Fortunately the scope of modern education is rather limited and much of the original child remains in the young adult produced by our one size fits all system. But many are damaged along the way, both students and teachers. Teachers who actually know how to inspire are all too often not allowed to really exercise their skills. And those who are doing so are probably in violation of some rule.
Michelangelo told us that a piece of stone already contained the finished sculpture, and that it was the sculptors job to simply remove those parts which were concealing the true potential of the work.
To actually do this requires a great deal of sensitivity on the part of the artist. Most artists back then and now though, didn't and don't attempt such a fete. It's far beyond the skills of many very talented and even quite gifted people. Instead they impose their vision on the stone, and in many cases the results are breath-taking. But it's possible that it would have been even more remarkable if the true essence of the rock was revealed.
Using seemingly flawed stone, suggests many different paths. I have to make decision. I don't follow up on every hint. Sometimes I successfully find my way and sometimes I ruin a piece. These objects help me to perfect my skills so that I will be more likely to feel and reveal the nature of a beautiful rock. The texture itself of even the most apparently flawless stone contains subtle variations and suggests direction and depth. It is a challenge, but a most rewarding one.
After thirty years of teaching, it is my sad observation that in quite a similar manner, students are more often than not shaped to preconceived standards rather than being allowed to reveal their uniqueness. Fortunately the scope of modern education is rather limited and much of the original child remains in the young adult produced by our one size fits all system. But many are damaged along the way, both students and teachers. Teachers who actually know how to inspire are all too often not allowed to really exercise their skills. And those who are doing so are probably in violation of some rule.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
just a reminder
There was still a little time,
he remembered thinking to himself,
and perhaps a chance or two to salvage things
to the extent that she wouldn't want to end everything immediately
that she'd feel sorry enough for him to postpone for just a bit longer what was probably inevitable
He would miss her so much
It's funny because after a few days of complete internal chaos and uncertainty, he had managed to regain some balance.
That lasted for another two or three days.
He began to think he was in the clear.
That he had somehow managed to dodge the bullet which usually hit him between the eyes.
And then of course just when he was beginning for feel thankful for that, it all caught up with him.
He hadn't allowed himself to fall for anyone like this in a long, long time.
But it hadn't exactly been a choice.
It was meant to be,
but it was only meant to last for what would feel like a few moments.
And yet they would both remember,
perhaps forever,
not with a sense of loss, longing, or regret
but rather they would understand,
that the whole thing was a reminder,
that there was still hope for each of them.
There still was some hope left, still alive within them both.
Each had begun to doubt that
each believed they had given up on that possibility
before crossing paths with each other.
he remembered thinking to himself,
and perhaps a chance or two to salvage things
to the extent that she wouldn't want to end everything immediately
that she'd feel sorry enough for him to postpone for just a bit longer what was probably inevitable
He would miss her so much
It's funny because after a few days of complete internal chaos and uncertainty, he had managed to regain some balance.
That lasted for another two or three days.
He began to think he was in the clear.
That he had somehow managed to dodge the bullet which usually hit him between the eyes.
And then of course just when he was beginning for feel thankful for that, it all caught up with him.
He hadn't allowed himself to fall for anyone like this in a long, long time.
But it hadn't exactly been a choice.
It was meant to be,
but it was only meant to last for what would feel like a few moments.
And yet they would both remember,
perhaps forever,
not with a sense of loss, longing, or regret
but rather they would understand,
that the whole thing was a reminder,
that there was still hope for each of them.
There still was some hope left, still alive within them both.
Each had begun to doubt that
each believed they had given up on that possibility
before crossing paths with each other.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Promises, Promises
Devo-lhe a poesia tanto o meu suor meu querido,
e eu me sinto culpado.
Mas estou de luto pela perda de alguém que eu tinha começado a amar um pouco rápido demais,
mas eu poderia ter feito as coisas de forma diferente?
Ele simplesmente não era para ser.
Sentar para escrever a você com a melhor das intenções,
mas, em seguida, olhando para um pequeno pedaço de escultura em uma prateleira.
Ele está chamando para mim.
Eu devo ir, e trabalhar e me curar
com a arte.
Tente me perdoar.
Eu estarei de volta.
amor,
C
Thursday, July 12, 2012
maybe this is true...
...at least in this particular instance.
I am returning to life,
reopening myself.
I had pretty much shut down all non-essential contact with the world.
I had withdrawn more and more into my cave.
I was attempting to sort through the last several years and see what if anything I wanted from life.
If others approached, I would often pull back more,
inside,
while trying to explain,
usually unsuccessfully.
But I have reversed course,
and surprise, surprise, I am enjoying myself quite a lot.
The credit really goes to one person,
but I realize that saying that could place quite a heavy burden on her shoulders.
And I don't want to do that.
So, I need to say a bit more.
When a woman approaches me, I can take forever to get passed my fear of getting pulled into
a situation which will be difficult and painful to get out of. And in those rare cases when I have eventually come around and felt OK, she has lost interest and moved on, or even more sadly, gone back
into a not so good relationship which she had left, or was trying to.
When I approach someone, it's just the opposite. I am certain about everything, and feel that no obstacle in insurmountable, and she's thrown off by the fact that I "just know" so early on.
I have a gift for scaring women away by saying too much, too soon,
about how amazing and wonderful and beautiful they are.
Perhaps it's the downside of being a poet, that when you think you've found "the one," it feels as if you've been waiting your entire life to find this particular person so that you can shower her with all these hopes, thoughts and feelings which you have been collecting over the years and saving just for her.
In spite of that inherent disposition/ disability, I remain cautiously optimistic in general-
not about getting what I had hoped for from this woman,
but just optimistic about finding my way, and maybe
or maybe not
really connecting with someone deeply somewhere along my journey.
I am trying to make certain that even though what I had begun to hope for
doesn't look like it's going to happen, that I will not pull back and hide
for an extended period of time as I have in the past.
I have withdrawn momentarily in the last few days,
but I don't feel like hiding.
I think that, I will want to try again.
I am disappointed, because what I imagined was something wonderful,
beyond anything I've ever known in the real life, non-dream world,
but still I more charged up than torn down,
I feel inspired rather than defeated.
That is part of what's so different.
That I want to remain out here, in contact with the richness of life,
even if it means getting knocked around.
I want to be around all the people I know and care about, drawing inspiration and hope from then,
but also trying to help when one of them is struggling, or needs something that I can help with.
And I had stopped doing that. But I am back.
I know that no matter what, even though what I had hoped would be so wonderful didn't turn out that way that it's still be OK- that I'm OK.
That I won't want to check out of life again.
I Really Love Everything.
Wherever I look, I see so much that is truly inspiring,
even when I am looking at things which are sometimes quite unpleasant, or even tragic.
Everywhere, heroic people are trying to change things,
trying to make their small part of the world better.
And wherever I look, I see love as well.
I'm aware of all the deception and manipulation, and what happens because of that,
how that spirals outward, and downward sometimes in a way that might seem endless,
but here and there, remarkable people manage to break that cycle.
Some do it themselves, some help others to change their lives, and beat the odds,
even when the game appears to be rigged.
Anyway, what I am trying to say is that I am hopeful. And that I will continue to remain that way.
I am back to being me, and I like it.
I am returning to life,
reopening myself.
I had pretty much shut down all non-essential contact with the world.
I had withdrawn more and more into my cave.
I was attempting to sort through the last several years and see what if anything I wanted from life.
If others approached, I would often pull back more,
inside,
while trying to explain,
usually unsuccessfully.
But I have reversed course,
and surprise, surprise, I am enjoying myself quite a lot.
The credit really goes to one person,
but I realize that saying that could place quite a heavy burden on her shoulders.
And I don't want to do that.
So, I need to say a bit more.
When a woman approaches me, I can take forever to get passed my fear of getting pulled into
a situation which will be difficult and painful to get out of. And in those rare cases when I have eventually come around and felt OK, she has lost interest and moved on, or even more sadly, gone back
into a not so good relationship which she had left, or was trying to.
When I approach someone, it's just the opposite. I am certain about everything, and feel that no obstacle in insurmountable, and she's thrown off by the fact that I "just know" so early on.
I have a gift for scaring women away by saying too much, too soon,
about how amazing and wonderful and beautiful they are.
Perhaps it's the downside of being a poet, that when you think you've found "the one," it feels as if you've been waiting your entire life to find this particular person so that you can shower her with all these hopes, thoughts and feelings which you have been collecting over the years and saving just for her.
In spite of that inherent disposition/ disability, I remain cautiously optimistic in general-
not about getting what I had hoped for from this woman,
but just optimistic about finding my way, and maybe
or maybe not
really connecting with someone deeply somewhere along my journey.
I am trying to make certain that even though what I had begun to hope for
doesn't look like it's going to happen, that I will not pull back and hide
for an extended period of time as I have in the past.
I have withdrawn momentarily in the last few days,
but I don't feel like hiding.
I think that, I will want to try again.
I am disappointed, because what I imagined was something wonderful,
beyond anything I've ever known in the real life, non-dream world,
but still I more charged up than torn down,
I feel inspired rather than defeated.
That is part of what's so different.
That I want to remain out here, in contact with the richness of life,
even if it means getting knocked around.
I want to be around all the people I know and care about, drawing inspiration and hope from then,
but also trying to help when one of them is struggling, or needs something that I can help with.
And I had stopped doing that. But I am back.
I know that no matter what, even though what I had hoped would be so wonderful didn't turn out that way that it's still be OK- that I'm OK.
That I won't want to check out of life again.
I Really Love Everything.
Wherever I look, I see so much that is truly inspiring,
even when I am looking at things which are sometimes quite unpleasant, or even tragic.
Everywhere, heroic people are trying to change things,
trying to make their small part of the world better.
And wherever I look, I see love as well.
I'm aware of all the deception and manipulation, and what happens because of that,
how that spirals outward, and downward sometimes in a way that might seem endless,
but here and there, remarkable people manage to break that cycle.
Some do it themselves, some help others to change their lives, and beat the odds,
even when the game appears to be rigged.
Anyway, what I am trying to say is that I am hopeful. And that I will continue to remain that way.
I am back to being me, and I like it.
walking
For some time I have known that proceeding from point A to point B is not my preferred processes.
I can do it when I need to, but I generally do it unless I must.
What I realized while walking at the beach, taking photos, collecting things and generally just looking around, slowly was that this is the way I would like to walk all the time. Stopping frequently to look around and ponder what is there at my feet and off in the distance. I walk like an egret, whenever I am able to. My thought process may be quite similar too.
I can do it when I need to, but I generally do it unless I must.
What I realized while walking at the beach, taking photos, collecting things and generally just looking around, slowly was that this is the way I would like to walk all the time. Stopping frequently to look around and ponder what is there at my feet and off in the distance. I walk like an egret, whenever I am able to. My thought process may be quite similar too.
convergence
I recently realized that the most important aspects of my personal journey through life, and my professional one overlap far more than I had ever imagined. Though the outer trappings are different, the inner dynamics and the learning processes are so similar. Writing the back story for the upcoming poetry collection and doing the same for a small nonfiction book about my work with children and other teachers are turning out to be almost identical tasks. It is very interesting to me.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)