The law has always fascinated me.Laws are meant to protect you, or others from you, to keep some kind of order,or regulation in this society ,so vast. When I was a rebellious Young woman, I thought most laws were just a pain in the butt. Many people feel that way,but you just can't please everybody. Many laws are formed on our behalf; they are there to help us. All you have to do is alittle leg work and there it is yours for the taking. Just sitting there waiting to assist you and others like you.alot of people seem to think you need a lawyer in order for the law to work for them, not necessary true. There are law libraries at court houses, people to answer your questions, and there are always on line resources.
We are always changing and tweaking our laws; what works today may not work ten years from now, or even tomorrow for that matter. We are always trying to do our best to maintain balance. I just know when I start whining about things, I just look at what is going on in some of the other countries of the world.Then suddenly, I feel blessed. I had this opportunity to look at a very old book of laws. The year must have been around 1700 or 1800 hundreds; they talked about lynching and hanging people. To lynch someone actually means to hang them without due process of the law. It explained, for what crimes someone could be lynched, hung, jailed, or somehow publicly humiliated. Scary stuff! I guess that worked for them in those days, or not? Although to this day, we still use the death penalty in some states, However with much controversy. Personally I don't believe its our right to make that call. Although I'm often torn on the subject because when someone brutally abuses a child, or kills someone for fifty bucks out of the cash register. Many reactions are pretty harsh and justly so.But really, an eye for an eye or something like that? Two wrongs don't make a right, how do we know we are right? How can we be sure of guilt; especially when we are taking about a sentence of death. BEYOND A SHADOW OF DOUBT! Not just doubt, but shadows of doubt. It seems to me one could always find a shadow of doubt. The crimes these people commit are unjust, and even heinous, but who are we to pull the trigger? This law just doesn't feel right (Beyond a shadow of doubt) to me.
Friday, March 30, 2007
READING REACTION BABY MYNA
I have a bird;he is a type of parrot called a Sun Conure. His name is Conrad, and is vivid yellow and orange with blue and green wing tips and tale feathers.Conrad is very spoiled, and he is one of the loudest birds of his kind. Which makes it almost unbearable when he wants his way and wants it now. These birds roam free in South America. There is also a fluke of a flock in San Fransisco, for they somehow adapted to the weather and multiplied in full force. It seems many of the people in the neighborhood would like to be rid of them, for they are so loud (I feel for them). Apparently they are a big tourist attraction; therefore the city is not as enthused to get rid of them.
Although my pet bird was born and raised in captivity, and he knows no other way of life. He could easily leave if he so desired,for he is not caged.His wings aren't cut all the way back either. I can however relate to the story. I once found a baby squirrel who was being attacked by blue jays. I chased them off, as I did I realized the squirrel was not running from me.I told myself he was in shock and that I could not possibly leave him. I scooped him up a took him in the house, and put him in a shoe box. Of course being a teenager I couldn't leave the poor little guy alone. He would ride on my shoulder which I thought was the coolest thing. I would walk up and down the street, and to the store. Of course I received alot of attention there. For three days I thought how cool it would be to have a pet squirrel, but for three days he just would not eat or drink and began to nip at my fingers. Not wanting him to die in my care I decided to let him go. Unknowing of his survival rate, yet better to let nature take its course.
In a sense I felt this way for the Myna bird in the story. I also felt for the young blind boy. I thought it could really help him to have the companionship of a loving pet. I hope he eventually had the opportunity to have and enjoy one.
Although my pet bird was born and raised in captivity, and he knows no other way of life. He could easily leave if he so desired,for he is not caged.His wings aren't cut all the way back either. I can however relate to the story. I once found a baby squirrel who was being attacked by blue jays. I chased them off, as I did I realized the squirrel was not running from me.I told myself he was in shock and that I could not possibly leave him. I scooped him up a took him in the house, and put him in a shoe box. Of course being a teenager I couldn't leave the poor little guy alone. He would ride on my shoulder which I thought was the coolest thing. I would walk up and down the street, and to the store. Of course I received alot of attention there. For three days I thought how cool it would be to have a pet squirrel, but for three days he just would not eat or drink and began to nip at my fingers. Not wanting him to die in my care I decided to let him go. Unknowing of his survival rate, yet better to let nature take its course.
In a sense I felt this way for the Myna bird in the story. I also felt for the young blind boy. I thought it could really help him to have the companionship of a loving pet. I hope he eventually had the opportunity to have and enjoy one.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Reading Reaction #2 The Mute Sense
This author really brings smell to life in her writing. Her wonderful vocabulary really stirs the senses.I'm just so intrigued by the way she describes certain smells. Like "Myrtle-mad August" and"Cereus drenched the air." At one point she talks about describing a sent to someone who hasn't smelled it before; I think that could be like describing sight to someone who can't see. To me, it's so true what she says about smell and memory. I know I've stopped in my tracks from a whiff of something so familiar,yet I just couldn't" place it. As my mind manically searches its data banks to what seems like no end. This unresolved sent will remain in my memory until I identify it, or until it slowly fades away.
I smoked for over 25 years. The last several years I profusely disliked the smell of the smoke; I quit about 10 months ago. Now when I smell a cigarette it smells so good and gives me a great feeling of satisfaction. I think its just somehow fulfilling the memory of my addiction I carried for so long. I also really love the smell of coffee which is probably also another addictive sensory. The smell of certain gardenia flowers makes me want to follow my nose to find the source. Then, I just want to roll around in them just like a cat with catnip. One of the most memoratic smell for me reaches farther then my comprehension. It's the ocean, something about it is just all to familiar as if it comes from several lives back. In a sense it's like a cellular memory. No smell makes me feel more comfortable, or more at ease;then, the smell of the ocean. It's as if I'm home again. I truly enjoyed this article and most definitely could relate.
I smoked for over 25 years. The last several years I profusely disliked the smell of the smoke; I quit about 10 months ago. Now when I smell a cigarette it smells so good and gives me a great feeling of satisfaction. I think its just somehow fulfilling the memory of my addiction I carried for so long. I also really love the smell of coffee which is probably also another addictive sensory. The smell of certain gardenia flowers makes me want to follow my nose to find the source. Then, I just want to roll around in them just like a cat with catnip. One of the most memoratic smell for me reaches farther then my comprehension. It's the ocean, something about it is just all to familiar as if it comes from several lives back. In a sense it's like a cellular memory. No smell makes me feel more comfortable, or more at ease;then, the smell of the ocean. It's as if I'm home again. I truly enjoyed this article and most definitely could relate.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
WHAT HAPPENED TO COMMUNITY?
Things that have changed since I was a child.
Interaction between other beings. That seems to be on the verge of extinction. People don't talk to each other anymore like they used to. In the grocery store or on the streets. Its like we are in our own little bubbles. When was the last time you went to a friendly neighborhood barbecue? I'm afraid friendly neighbors are a dieing breed. Even when I try to be one people mistake kindness as a weakness and try to run the well dry. My grandma had this neighbor, Viola was her name. She always made lemon meringue pie. We would visit her in the afternoons, eat pie and she would paint my nails or something girly like that. When we left my grandma would have me cover my head and run home because there were so many bats in our neighborhood. She said they might get tangled in my hair so of course as a child I was afraid and excited all at the same time. These visits would take a couple of hours and were always fun. Most people today would rather spend those hours in front of the boob tub instead of getting to know there neighbors.
My mother used to take me to varies places on the streets of Los Angeles. We would pick a bench to sit on and watch people interact. We would do this for hours. It was quite entertaining. Back when people acknowledged other people that is. Just a few years ago I spent several weeks in the bay area. It seemed as if everyone had a cell phone stuck to there or right in there ear. So it actually looked like they were walking around talking to themselves. I kept turning around thinking people were talking to me, not a chance. In fact I got the feeling they would walk right through me if they could, I was so invisible to them.
In 1989 we lived in Santa Cruz, Ca. My children were four and six years old. It was just another day people busy doing there own things. When suddenly the earth shock like I've never seen it shake! A 7.1 earthquake! It was like being in a movie. Cars jumping toward us, tops of buildings falling to the ground. My children looking at me for help yet I could not even move just a couple of feet to grab them. It was all I could do to keep on my feet. What seemed like forever was just a brief moment. It was the next several minutes that was even more amazing. A man standing next to me in a suit in tie was asking me if I was alright. suddenly people cared about one another. There were businessmen assisting homeless people and visa-versa. There were no black and white, no he or she. For those moments and actually for days after we were all united. I was the most amazing thing I've ever seen.
Is that what its going to take to bring people together again? Some major devastation. Or maybe thousands more people will die lonely. Neither sounds very promising. But something needs to give.
Interaction between other beings. That seems to be on the verge of extinction. People don't talk to each other anymore like they used to. In the grocery store or on the streets. Its like we are in our own little bubbles. When was the last time you went to a friendly neighborhood barbecue? I'm afraid friendly neighbors are a dieing breed. Even when I try to be one people mistake kindness as a weakness and try to run the well dry. My grandma had this neighbor, Viola was her name. She always made lemon meringue pie. We would visit her in the afternoons, eat pie and she would paint my nails or something girly like that. When we left my grandma would have me cover my head and run home because there were so many bats in our neighborhood. She said they might get tangled in my hair so of course as a child I was afraid and excited all at the same time. These visits would take a couple of hours and were always fun. Most people today would rather spend those hours in front of the boob tub instead of getting to know there neighbors.
My mother used to take me to varies places on the streets of Los Angeles. We would pick a bench to sit on and watch people interact. We would do this for hours. It was quite entertaining. Back when people acknowledged other people that is. Just a few years ago I spent several weeks in the bay area. It seemed as if everyone had a cell phone stuck to there or right in there ear. So it actually looked like they were walking around talking to themselves. I kept turning around thinking people were talking to me, not a chance. In fact I got the feeling they would walk right through me if they could, I was so invisible to them.
In 1989 we lived in Santa Cruz, Ca. My children were four and six years old. It was just another day people busy doing there own things. When suddenly the earth shock like I've never seen it shake! A 7.1 earthquake! It was like being in a movie. Cars jumping toward us, tops of buildings falling to the ground. My children looking at me for help yet I could not even move just a couple of feet to grab them. It was all I could do to keep on my feet. What seemed like forever was just a brief moment. It was the next several minutes that was even more amazing. A man standing next to me in a suit in tie was asking me if I was alright. suddenly people cared about one another. There were businessmen assisting homeless people and visa-versa. There were no black and white, no he or she. For those moments and actually for days after we were all united. I was the most amazing thing I've ever seen.
Is that what its going to take to bring people together again? Some major devastation. Or maybe thousands more people will die lonely. Neither sounds very promising. But something needs to give.
Monday, March 5, 2007
A CHILDS MEMORY
Growing up was an adventure for me. My mother was a drug afflicted hippie. So there had never really been a dull moment. I can't say it was the safest or healthiest of environments for a child. But it was the hand I was dealt. There were definitely some adventures. My mother was kind of a nature freak and was always quite daring. I used to say "If there was a no trespassing sign she was there ". I always had a choice come or stay in the car. One time she pulled over because she saw a broken down fence, a trail and of course a no trespassing sign. She said come on, I reluctantly followed. We came to a cave. I looked down and saw bear tracks in the hardened mud. I was only about eight but even I could comprehend that the tracks led in but not out. Needless to say I went back to the car and about 15 minutes later my mother returned with her curiosity fulfilled. I was never really worried about her because to me she was invincible.
OK, now for the real tale. We lived in the Los Angeles area and would often visit the L.A. Zoo. One day while leaving My mother heard a noise. We were almost to the car when my mother stuck her head in some bushes, then her shoulder, waist deep then her butt just disappeared! Being only about six and not wanting to be left alone in the parking lot. I quickly followed. It was like walking through a dense jungle. My mother was pushing branches aside. As I ducked, bobbed and briskly climbed over branches to keep up. She just knew there was some adventure waiting on the other side. I was amazed! I would have given anything to see my face when we reached the other side. She found the old L.A. zoo. It was overgrown and no longer in use. No kidding it was like a fairy tale, an abandoned city. Arched ways created by overgrown vines. Many rock walls covered with moss, cast iron cages which many were wide open. Giving the feeling that all the animals had escaped or something. Much to our surprise there were still some animals left there. In one cage there were a pack of hyenas the noises they made were spooky. In another cage there were several monkeys. It was really quite sad. There my have been more but I refused to go any farther. Of course being the animal lover my mother was she wanted somehow to rescue them all. Knowing my mother she would have found some way to start a ruckus. I quickly assured her that they were well taken care of. I'm sure they will soon go to the new zoo. And we were sure to get in trouble if we were caught there. Although twas all said in scared little six year old terminology. Amazingly enough she agreed and we were quickly on our way.
My memories my not have always been fond ones as a child. But I experienced more then most children at that age. I've been so close to a GINOURMOUS rainbow that I felt that I could reach out and touch it. With colors so vivid I could not put into words while walking up steps that were somehow attached to a giant mass of rock mountain. With huge water falls to were it was just a mist all around us. I've slid down natural rock water slides covered in moss that led to a deep pool of water deep in the deep mountains that took miles of walking to get to.I definitely was not a sissy la la. Life is taking the good with the bad. I have good memories and some filled with sorrow. But that is what has shaped me into the person I am today. Hopefully thats a good thing!
OK, now for the real tale. We lived in the Los Angeles area and would often visit the L.A. Zoo. One day while leaving My mother heard a noise. We were almost to the car when my mother stuck her head in some bushes, then her shoulder, waist deep then her butt just disappeared! Being only about six and not wanting to be left alone in the parking lot. I quickly followed. It was like walking through a dense jungle. My mother was pushing branches aside. As I ducked, bobbed and briskly climbed over branches to keep up. She just knew there was some adventure waiting on the other side. I was amazed! I would have given anything to see my face when we reached the other side. She found the old L.A. zoo. It was overgrown and no longer in use. No kidding it was like a fairy tale, an abandoned city. Arched ways created by overgrown vines. Many rock walls covered with moss, cast iron cages which many were wide open. Giving the feeling that all the animals had escaped or something. Much to our surprise there were still some animals left there. In one cage there were a pack of hyenas the noises they made were spooky. In another cage there were several monkeys. It was really quite sad. There my have been more but I refused to go any farther. Of course being the animal lover my mother was she wanted somehow to rescue them all. Knowing my mother she would have found some way to start a ruckus. I quickly assured her that they were well taken care of. I'm sure they will soon go to the new zoo. And we were sure to get in trouble if we were caught there. Although twas all said in scared little six year old terminology. Amazingly enough she agreed and we were quickly on our way.
My memories my not have always been fond ones as a child. But I experienced more then most children at that age. I've been so close to a GINOURMOUS rainbow that I felt that I could reach out and touch it. With colors so vivid I could not put into words while walking up steps that were somehow attached to a giant mass of rock mountain. With huge water falls to were it was just a mist all around us. I've slid down natural rock water slides covered in moss that led to a deep pool of water deep in the deep mountains that took miles of walking to get to.I definitely was not a sissy la la. Life is taking the good with the bad. I have good memories and some filled with sorrow. But that is what has shaped me into the person I am today. Hopefully thats a good thing!
WEATHER AND ITS PERFECTIONS
To me all weather has something perfect about it. Here we go again. Just what is "perfect" just kidding! I'm not going to dissect the topic. This time. I guess in the traditional sense to me perfect would feel nice and warm on my face and body,just relaxing. Maybe a few clouds in the sky so that it doesn't get to hot. A little bit of a warm breeze could be added. It would feel so nice upon my face and ever so slightly blowing my hair back. There that's my perfect weather day. On a day like that I could just curl up in a hammock and take a nap.
Now, what about the perfectness of a thunder and lightening storm! What a thrill! BAM! Then the sky lights up.Nothing like a wake up call form mother nature. It can be scary yet you almost can't help but stare out the window. How about wind storms? I've been in some so bad that it sounds like a locomotive running right next to the house. To where I could not sleep just lay there waiting for a tree to come through the roof or something. I couldn't imagine living back east were they have tornadoes or hurricanes. What power and yet how devastating. Of course that's what they say about our earthquakes. I've been in a few bad ones myself. Then there is snow, to me its beautiful to watch and play in. Around here most snivel relatively quick about it. Sure it's cold and somewhat dangerous. Especially when we are a community ill prepare for it. My dad used to say "It's not snow until you have to dig your way out of your house " NO THANKS ! People complain allot about the rain too but look how green and clean it leaves everything.
Weather can leave you ah struck, happy, tired even devastated. It can bring communities together or tear them apart. I just know if it weren't for all the many variations of weather we'd probable never be able to appreciate our "perfect" weather day.
Now, what about the perfectness of a thunder and lightening storm! What a thrill! BAM! Then the sky lights up.Nothing like a wake up call form mother nature. It can be scary yet you almost can't help but stare out the window. How about wind storms? I've been in some so bad that it sounds like a locomotive running right next to the house. To where I could not sleep just lay there waiting for a tree to come through the roof or something. I couldn't imagine living back east were they have tornadoes or hurricanes. What power and yet how devastating. Of course that's what they say about our earthquakes. I've been in a few bad ones myself. Then there is snow, to me its beautiful to watch and play in. Around here most snivel relatively quick about it. Sure it's cold and somewhat dangerous. Especially when we are a community ill prepare for it. My dad used to say "It's not snow until you have to dig your way out of your house " NO THANKS ! People complain allot about the rain too but look how green and clean it leaves everything.
Weather can leave you ah struck, happy, tired even devastated. It can bring communities together or tear them apart. I just know if it weren't for all the many variations of weather we'd probable never be able to appreciate our "perfect" weather day.
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