I finally decided to get around to posting the second batch of my writing for subter.com, as it is no longer available archived there. We are up and running again in a new form, stop on by to see what's what. As always, the new issue will be up on the 2nd of the month.
By the fifth of each month, I’m faced with the challenge of thinking of something new to write about.Then, after deciding on my topic, I let it mull around in my head for a couple of weeks, until suddenly my deadline is nearly upon me and I find I must spit out something of interest.So far, I think I’ve been pretty successful.Even if I do tend to procrastinate, I enjoy the process and the outcome a great deal.I love the feeling that my mind is working away to craft an interesting combination of letters and words, and when the time is right my fingers fly and everything comes together.
So what happens when I find myself busier than normal with work and life concerns, and the specter of “creativity from scratch” looms over me?Easy.I fall back on what I’m familiar with, to a place I know well – book reviews.Only problem is, that requires that I actually read some books.Fortunately, I have been rather successful at that endeavor lately, and have several to share with you.It may seem odd that I have trouble finishing books, but working in a library sometimes creates an overload problem that leads to nothing being read at all.I’ve been making an effort to change that, with decent success.It seems that the more I read, the more I want to read, and before you know it I’ve finished (or at least read more than half of) several books.
At first, I thought the books I’ve read recently were just a hodge-podge of fiction and non-fiction, with no real thread tying them together.Much to my surprise, as I thought about what I might have to say about these books, I realized that there is actually a strong connection between them.They all have to do with being an outsider of some sort; characters or authors that just don’t fit into society’s idea of “normal.”That’s not to say that we really know what “normal” is, or that there even is such a thing.But somehow, we sense when something or somebody doesn’t quite fit with the behavior of the masses, and as it turns out the experiences these folks have makes for some very interesting reading.
Deadwood, by Peter Dexter (1986)
There are certain times, places, and people in history that take on a larger than life mythical quality.Deadwood, South Dakota, is one such place.In the 1870’s, Deadwood was one of the last bastions of true frontier anarchy – not yet part of the United States, but a destination for those seeking their fortune in gold that had been discovered in the hills that were previously set aside for the Indians.The roughest of the rough traveled to Deadwood, and a thriving business of saloons, brothels, and gambling dens quickly sprang to life.Many of the people in Deadwood had nowhere else to go, having been run out of more “respectable” locations.One such pair that arrived in 1876 was William “Wild Bill” Hickock and his loyal friend Charley Utter, and trailing them was the notorious Calamity Jane (Martha Jane Canary).The events of their next few months in Deadwood amount to a strange chapter in the history of the American West, and one that is still controversial in many ways.
I was prompted to read Dexter’s Deadwood after watching the first season of the HBO series of the same name.Although Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane were by far the most famous people that lived in Deadwood, their time there was either short (Hickock was murdered just a few months after his arrival), or sporadic (Jane came and went several times over the years).Dexter chooses to focus his story primarily on Charley Utter, and what we find is a very loyal, sympathetic man who continually strives to follow his conscious in a town that seems not to have one of its own.By following Utter so closely through the book, we get a glimpse into one man’s life during a wild time in a wild place.Most of the characters in Dexter’s book actually existed, and there are records indicating what type of people they might have been.However, so many fictitious accounts have intermingled with the truth that now it is difficult to tell just what the real truth might have actually been – even Wild Bill and Calamity Jane were both known to expound on the truth a bit, or at least not deny possible falsehoods about their adventures.Nevertheless, since Deadwood and its characters have taken on mythic proportions, does it really matter any more?
Nature Noir, by Jordan Fisher Smith (2005)
Usually when we think of forest rangers, it brings to mind a romantic vision of youthful, uniformed men and women leading groups of eager tourists through beautiful parklands.Smith shatters that vision with his account of 14 years as a law enforcement ranger along the AmericanRiver in California, just outside of Sacramento.The lands that Smith and the rest of his crew patrolled were essentially “throw away” lands, slated for inundation as soon the Auburn dam was completed.As it stood, the dam was originally approved in the late 1950’s, but due to a variety of delays it still wasn’t built in 1986 when Smith started his tenure on the American River, and it still isn’t built today.
Over the years, the 48-mile stretch of the American that Smith was responsible for had become home to many people living on the fringe of society.Miners, drug dealers, and other transients found their place in the woods, and the rangers spent their time keeping the peace between the people and the forest.In each chapter of the book, Smith recounts a particular incident in his career, including the tossing of a baby into the open window of a moving vehicle, an unsolved murder case, and the first human death by cougar in the state in decades.As he tells his tales, he artfully weaves in the history of the ill-fated dam, information about the flora, fauna, and geology of the area, and musings on the clash of humans and nature as our lives encroach on what is left of the wild.Despite the focus on the darker side of both nature and humanity, I found that Smith still has a sense of hope and wonder at the world around him.
The Lost Soul Companion – a book of comfort and advice for black sheep, square pegs, struggling artists, and other free spirits, by Susan M. Brackney (2001)
I nearly missed this little gem of a book as it passed by me at the library recently.Fortunately, I snagged it and brought it home.It’s small and short – just 150 pages – and one could easily read it in one or two sittings.The book starts with a serious discussion of depression and suicide, as Brackney is no stranger to dark days.Her advice – get help and don’t give up, is simple, yet she shares it with such sincerity you can’t but help take it to heart.Even if you’ve never suffered from serious depression, her discussion of it is so candid you feel hopeful for her and others that do suffer.Once past the most serious part of the book, Brackney presents a collection of stories and ideas that have helped her cope in a world that doesn’t always seem very accepting of those of us that live on the outside edges of society.
Her advice can be summed up in a few simple ideas:
Take care of yourself – physically, mentally, and financially
Dream big, but accept that you may have to start small on your road to success
Appreciate everything you have to the fullest, because you never know when it may be gone
“Blow the stink off” when you need to, that is, take even a short trip to change your scenery and refresh yourself
Be a playful soul, and don’t be afraid to play a good prank now and then
Find a cuddly pet
Even if you don’t consider yourself to be a lost soul, there’s no doubt a few pieces of wisdom here that you can apply to your own life.If you’re curious, visit the Lost Soul Companion website.
But if you are a lost soul, or even just wandering down a side road for a while on your way back to the mainstream of life, hopefully you’ll find a bit of peace in one of these books.I know I have.Lose yourself in the stories for a while, or maybe find yourself – you never know what you may gain along the way!
From a basket of wickr to a clock (called a tickr)
You cannot stop me!
And that is the kickr
Just try it yourself, there’s no need to bickr
Be a camera clickr!
Whether you’re a nose pickr, city slickr, or even boot lickr
Sharing photos is slickr with Flickr!
Remember the days when your neighbors would come home from their big vacation to Yellowstone, then invite you over for a slide show consisting of 500 out of focus shots of Old Faithful and the three bison they saw?Or maybe you’ve known someone that pulled out the latest 15 photos of their three-month-old grandchild every time you ran into them at the grocery store.You patiently looked at the photos, and told them how delightfully they captured the rising steam of the geyser or that their grandchild looks just like them.You were being polite, and did your best not to offend them with your indifference.People love to share their photos, and more than anything like the acknowledgement they receive when others look at them.After all, it’s an acknowledgement of their life; a validation of their existence.
Today people love to share their photos more than ever.As digital photography overtakes film as the most popular means of capturing the views of the world around us, the methods of sharing have changed dramatically.People still print photos to send to friends and family, or to fill up photo albums and scrapbooks.They might make a disc of their favorites and send that out.However, online sharing of photos is probably the most satisfactory method of sharing large quantities – and Flickr has risen above all others as the best place to store and share photos.I like to think of Flickr as an online scrapbook of sorts.
Flickr has become so much more than your average site to store photos.In just two short years since it was launched it has become a major player in what is called Web 2.0, or the Living Web.Very simply put, Web 2.0 is the new generation of websites that allow extensive input and collaboration between users – like Subter does!Blogging, online link storage sites (del.icio.us), RSS feeds, and podcasts are all contributors to this new era of the internet.
What makes Flickr so great?Why do people enjoy it so much?You’d think it would be a simple matter of posting your photos, sharing a link to them with a few friends and family, and that’s it.That’s not it at all.Flickr has become an entire community of people that share an interest – photography.Skills range from rank amateur to highly acclaimed professional and you’ll find photos of just about everything you can imagine on Flickr.And I do mean everything.You’ll want to be a little careful if you have fragile sensibilities or small children in the room while you surf around Flickr.Mostly though you’ll just find a wide variety of beautiful, funny, and touching photos from people around the world.Not sure where to begin?Start with the Explore page, where each day 200 photos are highlighted.Once you start looking, you’ll no doubt be sucked in by the beauty and creativity that abounds.
People are starting to notice the endless pool of talent on Flickr, as can be witnessed by the recent solicitation of photos for the new Washington State Tourism website by design firm LEVYsheckler.Rather than hire professional photographers to go out and take photos, LEVYsheckler started a group on Flickr called SayWA and as the photos poured in, they selected many for use on the new site.True collaboration here - real photos by real people showing the features of the state, and real money for those whose photos were chosen.Indeed, I chose one of the photos for my March column by searching Flickr, contacting the photographer, and kindly asking his permission for use.I anticipate that more of this type of collaboration will occur as people see what Flickr users have to offer.It may or may not break any new world famous photographers, but it will give many amateurs the opportunity to share their work with a wider audience, and maybe even make a little bit of extra money along the way.
One reason that I find Flickr so appealing is the ease with which I can post photos to my blogs or other websites.Flickr provides an instant blogging interface in which you can choose a photo, write your text, then voila!One click and your post is live.Several different blog services work with Flickr, including Wordpress, TypePad, Moveable Type, and Bolger.If your blogging service doesn’t interface directly with Flickr, no need to worry.Each photo is resized automatically for you!Depending on the size of your original photo file, you may have up to six sizes to choose from, beginning with a 75x75 square (perfect for most avatar requirements) and on up to the original.For each size of photo you then have two link types to choose from – a static link, or a hotlink that leads back to your Flickr account.I’ve found it especially useful again and again, as in the past I would resize my own photos, upload them to Photobucket, and then post them.This is much easier.
Not only does Flickr provide built in applications for its users, more and more developers are creating practical and fun things for people to do with their photos.On the practical side, the new internet browser Flock has a built in uploading interface for sending your photos to Flickr.Just drag and drop your photos from your computer into the uploader, click send, and away they go.I found the Flock uploader to be a bit quicker than Flickr’s (and it didn’t bog down my computer), though you can’t pre-tag photos or put them into sets.Certainly useful for small numbers of photos, and perhaps in the future they will expand capabilities.As for fun fd’s Flickr Toys can keep one busy for hours, creating everything from motivation posters to magazine covers to mosaics with your photos (and the photos of others).
You may have caught the implication from my poetic wonder above that I am somewhat obsessed with Flickr.Yes, I will admit it is true.While some folks spend their hours crafting a MySpace account, I on the other hand, obsessively check for comments on my photos, or to see if the order of my top 200 photos has changed.Flickr is manna for statistics whores.There.I’ve said it.If you concern yourself with how many people read or comment on your blog, for instance, you’ll looooove Flickr.They kindly keep track of your photostream visitors (I’m at 15,852 as of this writing), and the top 200 photos in four categories:views, comments, favorites (other people marking your photo as a favorite), and interestingness.As activity occurs on your photos, you can check in and see how they are doing.But how, you ask, do you create activity on your photos?Heh, heh, heh.This can occur several ways.Of course, if you are very fortunate, your photo will turn up on the Explore page and automatically have hundreds if not thousands of views.Since this is fairly unlikely most days, the next best method is to collect lots of contacts (other Flickr users) and post your photos to as many different groups as possible.As you travel around the site, you will undoubtedly come across other users whose photos you particularly like.You can choose these people as contacts, and as they post new photos you will be able to view them in a constantly updated stream.Likewise, as people mark you as a contact, they will see your photos.
The second way in which to increase traffic to your photos is by joining groups.As you can imagine, there are groups for nearly every topic in the world, and if by some chance you can’t find a group you can start one!One of the biggest questions is do you find groups for the photos you have, or join groups that sound interesting and then take photos to fit.I tend to do a little bit of both.Standard topics like flowers and cats and dogs have groups, but you can also find slightly more esoteric things like moss or hinges represented.Not strange enough for you?How about Remains of the Meal or Dirty Water?Other groups are based on themes, such as Beauty is Simple, and require definite creative effort on the photographer’s part.Still other groups have strict posting requirements – number of views/posts/comments – and don’t you dare break those rules or the moderators will kick you out!The funniest group I’ve found is Stick Figures in Peril – full of the craziest warning signs you’ll ever see.My favorite group, however, has to be the Monthly Scavenger Hunt.Each month the moderators post a list of 20 items or themes for the participants to collect in images.Group members can rate entries throughout the month (with a very slick voting program) and at the end of the month the top three photos in each category are posted.Searching for the photos is fun, but the best part about this group is definitely the people involved.They have been the friendliest, funniest, and all around most eccentric crew I’ve had fortune to run across on Flickr.I fit in nicely.
I suppose more than anything Flickr appeals to both the voyeur and exhibitionist in each of us.We can catch a glimpse into the lives of people around the world, provided freely for all to see.At the same time, we can choose to share a glimpse into our own lives.Perhaps it will help bring us just a little bit closer together as human beings.Funny, isn’t it?People in all parts of the world love the same things.They love their families, their pets, and the beauty of the world around them.They take photos, and they want to share them with anyone that will take the time to look.In the end, everybody just wants a little acknowledgement and validation.
All users may have a free account with Flickr, which allows them to upload 20MB of photos per month.Only the top 200 photos will be displayed to viewers.For a small fee of $24.95 per year, users may upgrade to a Pro account which allows 2GB of uploads per month and unlimited ad-free storage and viewing.
Have you ever dreamed of finding hidden treasure – following a map to the secret location of valuable bounty?Then you, my friend, are a prime candidate for the fairly new sport of Geocaching.Perhaps the treasure you’ll find really isn’t very valuable, but the experience and exercise you’ll get is.
What is Geocaching?
Someone hides a cache and logs the coordinates onto the website Geocaching.com.You visit the site and make note of the coordinates, follow them with your GPS, and look around until you find the cache.It’s as simple as that.Well, it’s a little more complicated, but that’s the process in a nutshell.
Who can be a Geocacher?
Anyone can participate in geocaching. Young or old, active or sedentary.Yes, I said sedentary, because many of the caches are located in urban areas or in areas of mild terrain.Geocaching is a great activity for people looking for fun ways to exercise, other than going to the gym or plodding on the treadmill at home.And the whole family can geocache together.Kids love the suspense of the hunt and excitement of discovering the hidden treasure.
Where can I Geocache?
Almost anywhere!There are currently 234,833 caches in 220 countries.To find caches near you, just visit the website and type in your zip code.No matter where you are, there are undoubtedly numerous caches just waiting to be found.Caches have been hidden in cities and at the top of mountains, in parks and on private land.Each cache log on the website provides information about the location, including ratings for terrain and difficulty (as in how easy it is to find once you get there).You can choose to visit the caches that best fit your level of physical and searching experience.
What equipment do I need?
The only piece of equipment that you need to invest in is of course a global positioning system device, or GPS.Entry-level GPS units can be purchased for under $100, however it’s probably worth spending a little bit more to make sure you get some good features.We use a Garmin eTrex Legend, which can be found for under $150.We can log our coordinates, track our travel time and distance, and even determine our average travel speed.More advanced units have color screens and highly detailed maps, and can run well over $300.Basic functions are easy to learn, and as with all technology it seems that kids catch on real quick.In fact, you’ll probably have a difficult time prying it out of your kid’s hands to get a look at it yourself.
No other complicated equipment is needed to geocache, though you’ll want to wear good shoes for walking or hiking, dress accordingly for the weather, and make sure you’re properly prepared if you’re setting out on a long hike.An extra set of batteries is always a good idea, too, since a dead GPS is of no use.
How do I find a cache?
Once you’ve visited the website and selected which cache you’d like to visit, log the coordinates into your GPS.You’ll then be able to see how far away your destination is from your current location, and the direction you’ll need to go to get there.Start moving in that direction, and before you know it you’ll practically be right on top of it.That’s when the real fun begins.GPS units are only accurate to a certain point, so once you’ve reached the vicinity of your cache your task turns to looking around and finding the hiding spot.Most caches are pretty well hidden, and some are downright stumpers!Don’t feel too bad if you aren’t able to find a cache on the first try, though that doesn’t happen too often.After you’ve done a few, you’ll start to think like the person that hid the cache, and it will get easier to spot even the most well hidden caches.Part of the fun is being a stealthy sleuth, especially if the cache is in a high traffic area.Geocachers are always wary of giving away their activities to non-geocachers, lovingly referred to as muggles.Unfortunately, caches are occasionally stolen or vandalized.
What will I find in the cache?
It depends on the size of the cache.Microcaches, as their name implies, are very small, so may have nothing more than a note explaining what it is.There may be a piece of paper for you to sign to log your visit, but nothing more.Most caches are bigger, however, and hold a variety of items.You’ll usually find a small notebook to log your visit, and some pencils or pens.There are often a number of small items, or the treasure, if you will.This could be anything from magnets to batteries, coins to gum machine toys.Geocaching etiquette requires that if you take something, you leave something behind, and hopefully it’s something of equal or better value.Chances are you won’t find any gold bullion, but you might find some nifty odds and ends.If you’re really lucky, you’ll find a cache containing a travel bug or geocoin.Travel bugs are metal dog tags; typically they are attached to something such as a small toy (Star Wars figure, koosh ball, etc.).Geocoins are – well, coins.They each have a serial number, and their travels can be tracked on the website.If you take one from the cache, you are then required to drop it off in another cache to help it on it’s way.
Anything else I need to know?
There are no doubt plenty of details I’ve left out here, but my aim is just to give you a quick introduction to geocaching.I haven’t covered hiding a cache, which I consider to be more of a 200 level activity that requires commitment, continued maintenance, and has its own set of etiquette rules.Fortunately, there are websites and books that you can refer to if you’re interested in learning more about geocaching.The most important thing to remember is to get started, and have fun!
Also, check to see if there is a local geocaching group in your area.Many states have associations with regular activities and opportunities for meeting other geocachers.
Complete Idiot’s Guide to Geocaching – Jack Peters
Essential Guide to Geocaching, Tracking Treasure with Your GPS – Mike Dyer
March is now upon us, and that can only mean one thing – time to gear up for St. Patrick’s Day!If you’re of Irish descent, there’s no question that you’ve been looking forward to this day since last March 18th.If you’re not Irish, at least you can pretend to be on the 17th.St. Patrick’s Day is a chance for everyone to tip back a Guinness, eat some corned beef and cabbage, wear green, and most importantly listen to some of the world’s finest music.
Here in the Pacific Northwest, we are blessed with one of the best Celtic punk bands you’ll ever have the great fortune to see.I won’t lie – I have a completely biased opinion of Amadan, I know them all personally, and consider them to be friends.That said, even if I only knew their music, I’d have nothing but good things to say about them.*End of official disclaimer.*
The name Amadan comes from the Irish-Gaelic colloquialism meaning fool, or idiot.The band members are neither, however – they are a group of highly talented and creative boys that love to share their music with an ever-growing group of fiercely loyal fans.Amadan fans are so loyal in fact, they have been known to drive hundreds of miles to see a show.Repeatedly.Not that I’m speaking from experience or anything.
The six members of Amadan blend their musical skills flawlessly into the whole.Drummer Mike Morrow and bassist Kevin Pardew tirelessly keep the cadence and provide the legs that keep the band marching on.One arm of the band is fiddler Naoyuki Ochiai, whose fast and furious bowing never ceases to amaze.The other arm is Andy Gross, didgeridoo player extraordinaire.That’s right – a didgeridoo, which adds an exotic touch to the sound of the band.Jeremy Bauer can be thought of as the nervous system of the band, with his high-energy penny whistle, banjo, snare drum, and vocals.Finally, Eric Tonsfeldt – guitarist, lead vocals, and primary song-crafter is the skeleton around which the rest of the parts thrive. And the heart and soul of the band?The combination of the six band members and their fans, which together drive the living breathing creation that is Amadan.
Amadan has so far released two CD’s, Sons of Liberty (2002), and Hell Bent 4 Victory (2004).Both are a combination of original songs, traditional Irish tunes, and an occasional cover tossed in for good measure.Amadan sings songs that bring to mind Irish revolution, pirates at sea, blue collar sensibilities, and long nights of drinking and camaraderie.Their songs evoke a spirit of not backing down when the world seems to be against you, no matter the difficulty.Choosing a favorite tune or two from Amadan’s repertoire is almost impossible – every song is as good as the last.However, since it is traditional to steer any new listeners in a direction that will get them off to a good start, let me point you thus…
Listen to all of their songs!!!Fortunately, several of the songs from each CD can be heard on the Amadan website.I might suggest either “Johnny Jump Up”or “Black and Tans” from Sons of Liberty.As for Hell Bent 4 Victory, give“Another Brass Rail” or “August 24th, 1688” a try.If I were forced to choose a favorite (thank goodness nobody has yet asked me to), I would have to select “Rhyme of the Remittance Man.”Amadan has deftly blended the poetry of Robert Service with the best of their music – leaving me in sheer happiness every time I hear it.What I’m getting at here, is if you listen to Amadan, you won’t be disappointed.Both CD’s are fantastic – the second rocks a bit harder than the first, but both are top notch Celtic punk.
Currently, the boys are working on some new tunes, and Jeremy tells me they will debut a few next week at the big St. Patrick’s Day festival in Portland.They are set to record their next CD in July, and expect a release date sometime in the fall or early winter.They’ve been away from the stage for a few months, and are bursting with energy for next week’s performances.I for one can’t wait.
If you’re seeking a quiet, calm experience – don’t listen to Amadan.But if you’re looking for a high energy, dance your pants off fists in the air back against the wall shout until you’re hoarse experience – you have arrived.
Amadan will be playing several shows in Portland, Oregon at the Kell’s Irish Pub St. Patrick’s Day festival, March 17-19 (2006).If you find yourself in the area, stop in to the west coast’s largest St. Paddy’s event.Music, food, ale and dancing – all in celebration of the man that chased the snakes from Ireland!
Like it or not, humans are competitive creatures by nature.Just look at some of the most popular things in American culture today.Millions of people live and breathe for NASCAR – a “sport” in which people drive supercharged automobiles in circles for hours, burning up the earth’s dwindling resources at a breakneck pace.Recently, Texas Hold‘em Poker has become all the rage.Professional card sharks meet for a battle of wits, bluffing skills, and fancy mirrored sunglasses to see who will walk away with exorbitant sums of money for a few hours of matching up numbers and shapes.Finally, we have the Iron Chef competition.Two chefs face off in a frenzied flurry of slicing, dicing, barked orders to abused underlings, and ingredients that you and I will never serve in our homes in an attempt to create the most delectable meal and impress the taste buds of a small panel of judges.
I say fie on them all!
The only competition I’m interested in watching these days is mixed martial arts (MMA), or as it is commonly known in the U.S., ultimate fighting.Well, I also enjoy a good demolition derby, but we’ll save that topic for another day when we know each other a little better.
Let’s get back to fighting, shall we?
At this moment, you’re probably scratching your head in confusion and wondering how a peace-lover like me can condone any sort of fighting.Allow me to share some of my thoughts with you – I think a short question and answer session is in order for this portion of our discussion, just to get the ball rolling.
What exactly is mixed martial arts?
Mixed martial arts, or MMA for short, is a comprehensive sport that combines all varieties of martial arts (ju jitsu, kick boxing, etc.), striking, and grappling.Competitors must be adept at more than one style of fighting in order to excel in MMA.
Isn’t MMA essentially a violent free for all, just shy of a gladiator match?
No!Competitors must adhere to a strict set of rules set out by the sponsoring association.In the early days of MMA, there were fewer rules than there are today.However, as the sport has evolved, more rules have been put into place to ensure the safety of the fighters and to create a very professional, legitimate sport.In fact, no one has ever died from participating in a sanctioned MMA match – which is more than can be said for boxing or NASCAR.
Isn’t there a lot of blood?
Yes, there is.It happens sometimes when people strike each other forcefully; it cannot be avoided.However, it usually isn’t as bad as it looks – even small cuts on the head can bleed profusely, creating the illusion of massive injury and carnage.In any case, the referee and fight doctor do not hesitate to stop the fight if the cut is above the fighter’s eye, which can impair vision and create a hazardous situation for the fighter.By far the bloodiest fight I’ve ever seen was the match between Stephan Bonnar and Forrest Griffin, on the final episode of The Ultimate Fighter (season one).
I’m still a little confused – just why is it you like to watch MMA?
In my opinion, MMA is about as pure a sport as you will ever find.Each fight consists of two men, with very little equipment – just four-ounce gloves and hand wraps to stabilize the hand in most cases. They meet each other in a ring or the octagon (depending on which fight circuit you’re watching), with a referee to oversee the match.Fights consist of three or five five-minute rounds, and the fighters must have the skill to either submit or knock out their opponent, or the stamina to outlast them and win by the decision of the judges.Rather than rely on protective equipment, a ball, or some other thing outside of themselves, the fighters are on their own.If they don’t train hard enough, have an off night, or even just find their head at the wrong end of their opponent’s fist or foot, they won’t win.It’s as simple as that.Oh – did I mention the fighters are cute, too?I can’t neglect that very important fact!
I didn’t just start watching MMA spontaneously one day on my own – I live with a man who is probably one of the world’s greatest MMA fans.He’s been watching fights for as long as I’ve known him, and by default then, so have I.To be perfectly honest, I’ve surprised myself with just how much I enjoy watching the fights, and as I continue to watch them, I learn more and more about techniques and the spirit of competition that drives these fighters to do what they do.
MMA has come a long way since the first official Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 1993, when sixteen men from different disciplines battled tournament style to determine which fighting style would prevail.There were few rules (though groin strikes and head butts were discouraged), no weight classes, and the fights could go on for an undetermined length of time.In fact, the very first UFC fight ever included the exciting moment when sumo wrestler Teila Tuli’s tooth was seen flying from the octagon.The original fight sponsors trumpeted the fact that the fights were essentially “no holds barred.”Consequently, ultimate fighting was banned in nearly all 50 states.
Today, the UFC is working hard to stake their place in the hearts of sports fans everywhere.It appears that they are succeeding.UFC 59 will take place on April 15th, and various non-championship events can be seen regularly on Spike TV.Ultimate fighting has even joined the ranks of reality television, with season three of The Ultimate Fighter about to begin.Sixteen fighters in two weight classes are chosen to compete over the course of several weeks in team and individual events to win a coveted UFC contract.MMA is growing in popularity, and has recently been sanctioned in the state of California – opening up a whole new set of venues for fights to take place.
Lest you think that this is just some sort of American fad, think again.MMA is hugely popular in Canada, Japan, Eastern Europe, and Brazil as well as the U.S.Japan has its own fighting circuit, called Pride Fighting Championship.The rules are slightly more lenient, the fighters compete in a smaller ring (as opposed to the UFC octagon), and in my opinion, the fighters seem to be just a bit more tough and scary.There are plenty of Americans fighting in Pride, but the overall national makeup of the fighters includes many Russians, Brazilians, and Japanese competitors too.Several of today’s champions in both Pride and the UFC are Russian and Brazilian.Andrei Arlovski (Belarus) holds the current heavyweight title in the UFC, Fedor Emelianenko (Ukraine) holds the Pride heavyweight title, and Wanderlei Silva (Brazil) holds the Pride middleweight championship.As MMA is evolving, so are the fighters.Every one of these champions, and most of their challengers, are skilled in a variety of fighting disciplines.They must be able to strike, kick, and grapple.Though fighters generally have strengths and weaknesses, gone are the days when a fighter would know only one fighting style.Without flexibility and adaptability, a fighter will be crushed.There is no alternative.
So – where does this leave us?I’ve shared a few of my thoughts about fighting, and a bit of factual information as well.Yet, I feel as if I’ve only scratched the surface.Despite my enjoyment in watching grown men battle with each other until one is knocked out or can no longer intelligently defend himself, I am still unequivocally for peace.How can this be?In my mind, if willing participants wish to meet in the ring to test their strength, stamina, and will – so be it.If they wish to strike, kick, and take each other to the ground – so be it.It is far preferable to the madness we call war that is far too often the way in which disputes are settled.Imagine if differences between countries were settled by a meeting between the best fighters in the land, instead of a war involving thousands of people, many of whom have little or no interest in the petty politics between world leaders.Imagine if the leaders themselves had to meet in the ring to settle their issues.The world might just be a very different place than it is today.Fighting is an outlet that is too often stifled.Don’t get me wrong – I’m not for people just running around beating up on whoever they please.It’s very clear to me that that method doesn’t work on a small scale or a big scale.But when two people wish to face off with only their own bodies to work with – so be it.
War in the ring only – peace on earth.– Wanderlei Silva
Can We Ever Really Know what it’s Like to be Somebody Else?
Every so often, we read or see something that opens our eyes to the wider world.Lately I’ve been reading a book that really got me thinking.Not like that’s an unusual thing, but I started thinking in some different directions than I most usually do.Have you ever stopped to consider how different other people’s life experiences are from your own?More often than not, it’s easy to be caught up in our own doings and limit our focus to the world closest to us.Sure, we watch the news or read the newspapers, and have a decent idea of what’s going on here and there in the world – but do we ever really think about what other people might be feeling and experiencing?
The book I’m reading is called Bury Me Standing, by Isabel Fonseca.Fonseca spent a great deal of time in the early 1990’s with European Gypsies, also commonly known as the Roma.In the first section of the book, she lives with a group of Albanian Roma, who, compared to some of the people she meets later in the book, are fairly well off.I was struck immediately by the fact that the matriarch of the family was only 44 years old (just a mere three years older than me).This woman was already a great-grandmother!Roma commonly marry very early, around the age of 13 or 14, and begin having children right away.They then begin a life of tending to their families – feeding, cleaning, and making sure their needs are seen to day after day.
What were you doing when you were 13?I seem to recall some angst-ridden years that we Americans call junior high, or middle school.We worried about whether our friends really liked us, and if we could ever hope to get the attention of that cute guy or girl, and why, why did we have to get a pimple now?The last thing on our mind was getting married and wishing to have a child in the first year of marriage so we wouldn’t be sent back to our family in shame.In America, for the majority of people, at age 13 we still have several years of school, and in effect, childhood, before we’re required to grow up.
Not only do the Roma begin their adult life much earlier than most of us, they have also spent centuries as a hated people.Why is that?I’ve been trying to piece it together in my mind as I read the book.To me, it seems just ridiculous that an entire group of people should be hated so much, just because of who they are.Hatred against the Roma is so severe, that in 1689 the kings of both Denmark and Sweden decreed they should be put to death.Hunts were conducted, in which the Roma were chased down as wild animals.I suspect that part of the hatred stems from their indifference.They are not interested in assimilating with the rest of society, and others are resentful of that.They don’t have a homeland, and don’t really want one (not that anyone would consider their right to one).They have the desire and ability to be completely self-sufficient among themselves, except for some economic dealings with the outside world.Ultimately, the Roma just want to be left alone.Yet they have been persecuted, murdered, and discriminated against again and again.It is as if the world has chosen them as a scapegoat, so they might not feel so badly about themselves.
Have you ever been that hated?Maybe, but I suspect not.Can you imagine your whole neighborhood under attack, homes burned out and people chased away, based on the unfortunate actions of one or two people?There will always be individuals that commit crimes, but the idea that an entire community should be attacked because of one person’s poor judgment, is unfathomable.In Romania, as late as the 1990’s, angry villagers attacked Roma settlements just because one or two Roma men committed a crime.The government did nothing to prevent the attacks, and church leaders were responsible for organizing them.It makes no sense, but it happens.We are so fortunate here in America.Even when things seem their worst, chances are incidents as extreme as those that occur in Eastern Europe won’t happen.
The vast difference between people’s life experience becomes very clear when we compare two cultures that are so unlike each other.But does it really take an extreme example to point out that every human on earth has a unique, but valuable experience?It shouldn’t.You might recall the game where several people watch an enactment of a crime or accident.Afterwards, they are asked to describe the scene.Even though they’ve seen the exact same thing, they don’t see the same thing.Each person may focus on a particular detail – the victim may remind them of somebody they like or dislike, or perhaps they themselves were involved in a similar event and have strong emotions tied to their own experience.The important thing to understand is that each person brings the history of their own life to each new experience, and we can’t really know what it is like for them.The danger is we try to judge people and their reaction to events based on our own experiences, and forget that they are not like us.
We have a tendency to romanticize cultures or ethnic groups other than our own.Gypsies, Native Americans, the Irish (everybody wants to be Irish, especially on St. Patrick’s Day), and many others become the target of our wishful thinking.Heck, we even look wistfully back on earlier eras of American history and think that somehow, things were better then than they are now.I’m guilty of it, I won’t deny it.Ever since I was young I have wished fervently that I had been a pioneer on the Oregon Trail.I know in my heart that it was a difficult life and the chances of survival were much less than today, yet I believe that it would have been simpler, and some ways easier than much of the life we lead today.I believe though, that as we idealize the “other” we tend to forget that every individual in those cultures faces or faced a daily struggle of experience and survival outside of our warm comfortable ability to comprehend.
As humans, we become acquainted with or close to many people during our lifespan, but can we ever really know what it is like to be somebody else?Ultimately, at the deepest levels, I don’t believe we can.But we can have compassion and understanding for people, because they undoubtedly feel and experience similar things to ourselves.We all feel love, joy, anger, jealousy, and pain – thus we can empathize with others who go through good and bad times.It isn’t necessary to know the details, it is enough to know that all of us share a range of emotions brought on by the experiences in our lives.
This brings me to a second thought – despite the difference in experience, and because we share the same emotions, we must value each person equally.This is a very difficult thing for many people to swallow, as is so painfully clear throughout history and in today’s world.It doesn’t mean we have to like everybody – far from it.It does mean we must acknowledge that we humans don’t all think alike or act alike, and that’s okay.Some people might call it tolerance, but I think a better term is respect.
There is a website, and now a book, called PostSecret.You may or may not be familiar with it, but I would encourage you to visit the site or read the book.People send anonymous postcards with their deepest secrets to Frank Warren, the curator of the project, and he posts a new selection to the site each Sunday.The cards show people at their most vulnerable, yet safe in anonymity.I suspect that you may find some of your own emotions or secrets there – which just proves the point that despite our differences, we are all still very much the same.We can know others just enough – even strangers – to find compassion and empathy in our hearts.And, if we can each do this every day, perhaps we might be able reverse the trend of hatred and hostility so prevalent in our world today.
I'm getting caught up with posting the archives of my writing for subter.com. There will be several here in the near future, and the zine is up and running again after a short (much needed for everyone) hiatus. Starting with this article, my column was called Secrets of the Broken Angel. Now it has no title, I just write. Enjoy!
Just the other day I opened a fortune cookie to find the following message ~
You will make many changes before settling satisfactorily
I thought it quite fitting, considering my plan to write about change for the first issue of the newly reincarnated Subter.Before we go too deep into it though, let’s dissect that fortune, shall we?
“You will make many changes”
Who writes these things anyway?Of course I will make many changes – life is nothing but change!It seems rather like a no-brainer on the surface.Yet upon further consideration, I note that no time frame is specified.Am I to expect several gradual, peaceful changes?Or a number of extreme, gut wrenching changes that amount to a total life makeover in a shorter time period?Either way, changes will occur.Of that I am certain.
“before settling satisfactorily.”
This implies some type of ending to me, or even a compromise of some sort.The idea of a soft landing into a nice fluffy life sounds appealing on the one hand, but once there, then what?Wouldn’t life be dull if nothing ever changed?I certainly think so.The beauty of a fortune cookie fortune is that it makes us feel good about something, if you don’t think too hard about it.Ultimately this fortune predicts a happy ending.Isn’t that really what we’re all trying to achieve?
Change.What’s the big fuss about, anyhow?
Despite the knowledge that changes are inevitable, despite the knowledge that they may be good, the human tendency is still to resist.I imagine this might hark back to the earliest days of man, when so much was unknown and the only drive was to survive another day.As long as life remained somewhat the same, survival was ensured.But a change of any sort – bad storms, earthquakes, sickness, animal attacks, or even attacks by another group of people could mean a sudden end to life.In short, change was associated with bad situations, and a fear of change developed deep in the core of humanity.
Fast forward to 2006.The extreme changes mentioned above are still very real possibilities in today’s world (though you might have to really go out of your way to be attacked by an animal).Hurricanes, tsunamis, avian flu, terrorism – just read the headlines and you’ll see people face these uncertainties every day.Sometimes in just a flash, lives are disrupted and people are forced to change everything about the way they think and what they do.Survival is the only thing that matters.Even if we are not directly involved, we are still affected deeply by the suffering other people experience.“It could have been me or my family,” we think.Thank goodness it wasn’t – this time.Next time we might not be so lucky, and there lies that ancient fear in the core of our being.
Change and fear go hand in hand.We fear the disruption change brings, and we fear the unknown future.You’ve heard the adage, FEAR = F*** Everything and Run?Recently a friend shared her definition of fear, which I believe is a much better way to view it.FEAR = False Evidence Appears Real.How often are our fears based on what we think we know, and how often are those “facts” off base?If you’re anything like a normal human, I’m guessing you’ve experienced this more than a few times in your life.Our personal biases and opinions become facts in our minds, and we imagine the worst possible outcomes before we really know what is going on.Perhaps we should take a step back when we start to feel the fear, and evaluate the situation.Easier said than done, I know, especially when emotions start to run high.Try it though, you may find that with practice it gets easier.
Change is bad, right?Not always, and we know this.Yet we resist and push back and avoid and try to hide.It’s scary to move forward without knowing where you’ll land.It’s less painful to stay in the shells of ourselves as we are, than to step into the unknown.We act as if change is something that only happens to us, rather than something we have control over.It is true, many changes happen without warning, even small changes.What we do with those events, however, is completely in our control.The way we react, the actions we take, or don’t take.It is totally up to us.Only you will know the right thing to do, as long as you don’t succumb to your fears and the fears of those around you.Need I mention that we are so easily swayed by the fears of others?People love to share their fears with others; nobody wants to be alone with their fear.Fear is contagious.
Consider this – we fight change, yet we all want it.We want the world to change, we want our families to change, we want our jobs to change, we want ourselves to change.We want it so badly, in fact, that we do things like make New Year’s resolutions to remind ourselves of the changes we want to enact. The truth is the only thing we can really change is ourselves.It might seem rather self-centered to focus on ourselves so much, but if we cannot manage our own lives how can we possibly expect to make a difference in the lives of others and in the world at large?Maybe the key is to focus on ourselves in a meaningful way, to learn what it takes to be a better person.It probably doesn’t mean buying a nicer wardrobe, though that could be one piece of your personal puzzle.What it more likely means is evaluating our thoughts, beliefs, how we interact with other people.It might mean checking that our actions are in line with our beliefs, and that what we say isn’t just lip service to a nice idea.When we find something we don’t like in ourselves, our duty is then to change it.
But change is hard!Of course it is, sometimes.So is staying the way you are, because if you don’t make changes how will you know there isn’t a better way to be?You won’t.It takes work to change, no one should think otherwise.It may be painful to admit things about yourself, but once you do, it will be easier to release those things and move forward.We all must do it, fighting it will only make it more difficult.Make your choice – progress or struggle – it’s up to you.
Imagine a world where all humanity strives to better itself every day.I know it can be difficult, when so many things seem out of control and so many people seem filled with hate and despair.It may seem pointless and futile to fight the tide of badness.But if you don’t, who will?If I don’t, will you?What about that woman you saw on the bus, will she?Or that family you waited on the other day, will they?I have an idea – let’s make a pact.I promise to fight the tide.I hope that you will join me, and bring your friends and family.It won’t be an easy job, but it’s more important than anything you could imagine.
The whole course of human history may depend on a change of heart in one solitary and even humble individual – for it is in the solitary mind and soul of the individual that the battle between good and evil is waged ultimately won or lost.
M. Scott Peck
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So ends the first installment of Secrets of the Broken Angel, and so begins a year of change for me.I’m expecting 2006 to be a year full of changes, and I’ve promised myself to strive for growth.Rather than approach the year with dread and apprehension, I’m looking forward with excitement.Well, mostly, as I’m not immune to the intrusion of a little fear now and then.
Subter has changed, and so has my column.Previously I wrote about books and reading in Bibliomancy.Now I’ll be writing on any topic under the sun, stretching myself to express honestly and without fear.It feels different already, and I like it.
2006 will be a year of creative growth for me as well.Last year, quite by surprise, I discovered that I really enjoy photography, and beyond that, I seem to have an eye for interesting photos.I look at the world a little differently now, and see things I never noticed before.I visit new places with my eyes open, and I look forward to sharing some of the things I see with you as well as my writing.Who knows, some of my photo expeditions might just open up a new train of dialogue, as I look at the world around me.
The title of my column, Secrets of the Broken Angel, is inspired by a special funerary statue at the local cemetery.There is something about her that speaks to me, and I believe she is full of secrets we’ll never know.I’m drawn again and again to her expressive beauty, and the kind love in her face.She reminds me of what is good in the world, and that there is hope after all.
Due to changes over at Subter.com, this last column I wrote was never published there. I'll be reincarnated in another form beginning in February of 2006. See you then!
The Internet reminds me of a giant loose-leaf notebook, with billions of pages.Every day new pages are added to the notebook, and old pages fall out.When you open the notebook you might find an old favorite, maybe a random oddity or gem, or even something horrible.Occasionally you find that one of your favorite pages has fallen out, never to be seen again.Some of the pages cross-reference other pages, sending you on a treasure hunt for new information, and every now and then you come across a page that just keeps unfolding outwards, bigger and bigger.
Considering the sheer size of the notebook, how is it we manage to find anything useful, and keep hold of it when we do?It seems to me it would be very unwieldy, hard to hang onto without fumbling and dropping all over the place.Do web pages blow away in the wind?Maybe.I always wonder what happens to them when they disappear.Perhaps some careless user let the page slip through their fingers when a large gust of wind came by…
What can be found on the Internet, and how do we find it?With a little bit of effort, nearly anybody can create a web page, thus the wide variety and high number of offerings we face.If you take away the business sites, the major corporate sites, and all of the other “professional” sites, you’re left with an interesting mish-mash of education, entertainment, and personal obsessions.The Internet provides an amazing medium for the average guy or gal to be creative, be serious, or be crazy.I’m constantly amazed at what people will take the time to do, whether it be make funny little cartoons, or build large collections of esoteric information.
Much of what we find is actually introduced to us by friends or acquaintances.How often have you gotten an email specifically sent to share a website that somebody else thinks you’ll like?Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find and share the gems of the Internet.As mentioned earlier, websites will direct you to more websites in a never-ending link fest.One can spend hours following links – just start off reading one blog, and click away at the links they share with you.You never know where you’ll end up!
Since I’ve been using the Internet, I’ve managed to gather an interesting collection of websites representing many facets of what cyberspace has to offer.With billions of pages to choose from, obviously my collection is just a tiny speck in the online universe.Maybe you’ve seen some of these websites, and maybe you haven’t.Either way, I’d like to share some of my favorites with you this month.If you like them, share them with your friends, and keep the cycle going!
What bibliophile hasn’t dreamed of somehow organizing and cataloging their personal book collection?Liar.Of course you have.The only problem is the amount of work required, right?Well procrastinate no longer – you can now very easily keep track of the books you own right on the Internet!It couldn’t be any simpler, either.To sign up, just type in your user name and a password, then you’re off and running!To add a book, just search by title, author, or keyword – click on the book and voila!Instant library.If the search doesn’t bring up your title, you can add the book manually or import the information from another location.The fun doesn’t end once you’ve added your titles.The next step is tagging them, much like you might your photos on Flickr.That’s right – you can add whatever descriptive keywords you want to your library!!!No bizarre cataloging rules necessary, though you can use them if you like.The user interface for editing your library entries seems to be fairly user friendly, and in some cases you can change the way items are displayed for your editing purposes.You can add reviews for each book too.
Not only can you build your own library – you can look at everyone else’s library too!
If you like taking photos, or even just looking at interesting photos, then be sure to check out the Photo Friday Challenge site.Each Friday a new theme is announced, and anyone that wishes to can post an entry.Viewers may then vote on the photos they like best, and a small handful are highlighted as noteworthy entries.No prizes for the winners; just the opportunity to share your photos with the world. The number of entries differs each week, but I note that the trend is well over 500 most weeks.The fun of this site comes in seeing how different people choose to interpret the week’s theme, and if you’re a photographer yourself, choosing a photo to submit.Some past themes:yellow, warmth, retro, massive, nerdy, rural, luscious…you get the idea.
Travelers love to write about their adventures, and love to read about other’s experiences traipsing about the world.Unfortunately, not everyone can be Rick Steves.On the bright side, however, everyday travelers can post their adventures to the Gypsy Journal website.Friends and family can track the whereabouts of their loved ones via this site.Perhaps you’re interested in traveling to a particular area of the world, and would like to read real-life experiences of other travelers – then this is the place to do it.The site also provides travel tips, and a forum where fellow travelers can compare notes.
We all have secrets.Sometimes, we long to tell those secrets, but don’t know who to tell.Now there is a place to tell your secret, in the form of an anonymous postcard.Each Sunday a new batch of secrets is posted.The images are both beautiful and touching, and you may find that you are not alone in your secret longings or feelings.I wonder as I look at them, how the senders must feel when they see that their submission has been selected for all the world to see.Relief?Shame?A sense of peace, perhaps?The project has been so successful that there is now a book available, also called PostSecret.
WORDS
Internet Anagram Server – I, Rearrangement Servant
“I hurl in a bag sir!”Seasick?No, it’s an anagram for my online moniker, Librarianguish.Or how about “I is hurling a bra,” or “A bar gin, hi I slur.”The fun never ends when you type something into the Internet Anagram Server.Amaze your friends – or laugh heartily at the anagrams their names produce.This site is one of my favorites for simple entertainment and fun with words.The anagrams don’t always make sense, but sometimes the fun is in the absurdity of it all.And the quantity – Librarianguish generated 31,090 different combinations!Here’s a few more from the Anagram Hall of Fame:
·Heavy Rain? = Hire a Navy!
·Tom Cruise = So I'm Cuter
·Mother-in-law = Woman Hitler
·Snooze Alarms = Alas! No More Z's
·The PublicArtGalleries = Large Picture Halls, I Bet
·Da Vinci Code plagiarism trial = Voiced aim: grill parasitic Dan (from the recent news topical category of anagrams)
Interested in new words and the way language changes over time?You’ll probably enjoy poking around at Word Spy then.In their own words –
This Web site is devoted to lexpionage, the sleuthing of new words and phrases. These aren't "stunt words" or "sniglets," but new terms that have appeared multiple times in newspapers, magazines, books, Web sites, and other recorded sources.
The site’s main page lists recent posts, with links to the top 100 words of the week (based on look-ups), and a list of subjects, in case you’re not sure what you’re looking for.Word Spy is definitely a great place to keep up with new words you’d like to add to your vocabulary!
When I was in library school, we talked a bit about advances in Internet searching and display, to allow for a more visual way of doing things.As time passes, I’m beginning to see more and more of this sort of thing, such as searching by color.The Visual Thesaurus displays the results of your search in a graphical manner that allows you to see relationships between words that aren’t as obvious in a traditional thesaurus.The only drawback is this is a program that must be purchased for either desktop of online use!Drats.At least you can briefly test the thesaurus online and see how it looks.Give it a try!If you spend a lot of time looking for interesting words, the cost might be worth it.
The Phrontistery – Obscure words and Vocabulary Resources
In my very first column, I recommended a book called There’s a Word For It, by Charles Harrington Elster.The Phrontistery is the online equivalent to that book, for the true logomaniac that enjoys discovering new words.Forthright, the host of the Phrontistery, has amassed a dictionary of over 15,000 rare and obscure words in his dictionary.You can explore glossaries, or the compendium of lost words.There are other treats on the site, including A Loquacious Location of Lipograms (writings that omit a certain letter), and a collection of interesting emails that readers of the site have sent in.I will be the first to admit I was completely distracted by the emails.I can’t help it – they were the source of some head shaking, a bit of cringing, and many laughs.
Sometimes other languages don’t translate well into English, as you can see here at Engrish.com.Mere words cannot describe this site – only images will do.
Fancy yourself to be an artist?Now you can try your skills out online.No expensive supplies to buy; no toxic clean-up chemicals needed.Just sit back and let your creative muse guide your mouse, as you paint your masterpiece.When you’re finished, you can replay it and watch it take shape before your eyes, or email it to all of your friends!
The premise of this site is very simple – type in any text you’d like, and the generator searches images.google for the text, then combines it with found images and random effects to create a poster of your words.Once the first poster has been created, you can keep or destroy the text style, colors, or background and try again.I’ve created some very nice posters, my favorite of which is this one!
LUNACY
All of the above mentioned websites are fine and good, but I must admit that some of my favorite things on the Internet are also the strangest.I’ll leave off most commentary on the following sites – just explore and see for yourself!Some of them are funny, some are creative, and some are downright freaky!
Not happy with your name?Try one of these on for size.There were numerous other generators to pick from; just type “name generator” into Google and you’ll have hours of fun.
As you might imagine, I could go on for a good long time sharing fun links with you.However, the time is nigh to wrap up for another month.I’d like to add a special thanks to Syd, who happened to share several of the above sites with me – I can’t take all the discovery credit!
BIBLIOPHILES
