two feet in.

Quick Visit

I was reminded today that this blog of mine continues to exist, in spite of virtually being ignored by me and most of the rest of the world (with the exception of penile enlargement comment spam) for the past four months.  So, I thought I'd stop by for a visit, dust off the furniture, and air out the stuffy rooms.

I was also reminded that I continue to pay for this little nook of cyberspace, and in eras of economic downturn I have to wonder about the advisability of such an expenditure.  I'm going to let these observations and questions wander around inside my head for awhile before I do anything rash and hit Delete.  Maybe I'll be back tomorrow, or in another few months, or it'll be two feet out for good.  Feel free to weigh in on the matter.

Two Feet Returning

It appears that there are at least a few people left that track two feet in, and several more who I've invited to attend the party.  Since it's been awhile, and because there are newbies, I thought I'd take a minute or two to reflect on whatever it is that I'm trying to do here.  (And maybe in the process figure it out myself...)

Not so long ago someone said to me that it seemed as if all I am interested in is politics.  In some senses I guess I'd say that this is political blog, but not really.  You usually won't find me hanging out over there at The Political Blogs (Daily Kos for example).  It's not that there are not good people there saying important things, it is just that I don't have much patience for the mainstream democratic line, nor do I generally desire to follow the minutia of this or that piece of legislation.  Yes, I am interested in politics, but I think a more accurate description would be that my actions and writing are driven by the concepts of justice, human dignity, truth, love, and freedom.  In that sense, my writing here reflects a radical analysis.  So, you may ask, just what makes a radical analysis radical?  Robert Jensen writes:

...One standard response to that question is to remind people of the origins of the word -- radical, from the Latin radicalis, meaning "root."  Radical analysis goes to the root of an issue or problem.  Typically that means that while challenging the specific manifestations of a problem, radicals also analyze the ideological and institutional components as well as challenge the unstated assumptions and conventional wisdom that obscure the deeper roots.  Often it means realizing that what is taken as an aberration or deviation from a system is actually the predictable and/or intended result of a system.

For example, on almost any economic issue, mainstream liberals and conservatives can be found fighting about the ins and outs of a particular policy.  For example, should the capital gains tax be lowered or raised?  Those who stay within the conventional analysis will not address basic questions of the justice of the whole system.  What goes unasked is a more central question:  Why should we accept a system in which some individuals are allowed to accumulate large fortunes while others work much harder but have no material security?  Radical critics of capitalism would not lose sight of the root cause of the problem:  the fundamental structures and values of capitalism and the contemporary corporate system.

Having said all of that, you should know that (for better or worse) my analysis typically comes more from my heart and gut than my head.   This is something that I occasionally beat myself up over  because I do believe in the importance of presenting a radical analysis that actually has some concrete, carefully thought through analysis to it.  Sometimes I do that.  But more often I just write from the heart and gut and point you to other people who've done the other stuff better than me.   

And, when all else fails, I just share some amazing sky.  That's what 98% of the visitors to this site come for anyway.  Amazing sky and/or foot sex.   Hopefully they and you won't leave disappointed, and will even hang around for awhile.  However, though these two feet may be in, but they don't generally cavort with just anyone -- foot sex seekers may need to pursue their quest elsewhere.

(Oh, and if you feel so inclined, please spread the word about this blog.  One thing I've learned is that, much as I do like the sound of my own voice, I'm more likely to throw it out there when I feel like folks are listening.  Thanks.)

Hello?

Is there anybody in/out there?

Yes, I AM finally going to get this blog rolling again, but am wondering if there is a soul alive that still checks here now and then, and/or tracks this site in any manner.  If so, please let me know one way or another (leave a comment or email).  Just so I know I'm not writing in an echo chamber.  Not that this would stop me.  I like the sound of my own voice.

Thanks and more to come very soon.

What is Love?

global justice is love
brought to you by the isLove Generator

Happy Friday.

(Not Nearly) Every Day

I vaguely recall saying awhile back that I was going to post something every day in November.  Well, it is quite clear by now that statement was a touch optimistic.  I'm now aiming for more days in November than not -- and even that will be a vast improvement over the past few months of nearly non-existent blogging.

It is frustrating, because there's much I've got on my mind that I'd like to be writing about, and pesky things like sleep keep getting in my way.  Can someone do something about that, please?

(Almost) Every Day

Just when I'm feeling that the time has come to dust the cobwebs off this blog, I discover that November happens to be National Blog Posting Month (otherwise known as NaBloPoMo).  Now I'm not generally one to jump onto these internet bandwagons, and I'm also finding this all out a good four days into the month, but this serendipitious timing is as good a reason as any to get writing again. So, I'll give it a try.  Stay tuned.

Back to the Breath

I recently began to practice Vipassana meditation, also known as mindfulness meditation, and one of the first things that you learn is about centering yourself in your breath.  And, as you find that your mind goes elsewhere, as it inevitably does, to simply return to the breath without judgment or recrimination.  Again and again, back to the rising and falling of the breath.  This is somewhat like training a dog to stay.  Each time it gets up and wanders, you gently move it back to the starting spot and begin again.   

In that spirit, rather than beat myself up for not attending to Two Feet In since sometime back in April, I'll simply return to the breath and begin again.  Much like meditation, writing here is a way of centering and remaining engaged with myself and in my relation to the world, and so I'll aim for an everyday practice.  However, much like my meditation practice, or occasional lack thereof, the reality is likely to be a bit different.  So, no judgment goddamnit!  Just do please keep coming back.

Two Feet... Back!

I know that it has been too long since there's been any kind of writing going on around here.  Indeed, I wouldn't be surprised in the least if all of my regular Two Feet In visitors have long since given up on me. 

During my absence I've actually been trying to do much writing, but it has often ended up to be far too personal to send out to the world.  However, writing of one kind feeds into the other, so I think I need to make an effort to do both.  Plus, I've been missing the kind of creative and intellectual energy that comes from my writing in this forum -- even if just in sharing my thoughts on the latest absurdity of the day.   

So, I'm back!  More very soon.

The Question that is Surely Keeping Each and Every One of You Up at Night...

Will Two Feet In ever resume a regular posting schedule??

No need for Ambien, Lunesta, Tylenol PM...  The answer is yes.  I just don't know exactly when.  Things will continue to be sporadic for the next month or so, and then, if I have any readers left, I plan to get back at it.  Thanks for your patience and sleep well, please.

Not That I've Been Writing Much Anyway...

But... I am swamped at this point in the semester.  Student work that needs response, an interim report to write for program funders, and then off to a conference for four days.  It'll continue to be Two Feet Out around this bit of cyberspace for the next week or two.

Two Feet In? Out? Adrift at Sea?

Regular and faithful Two Feet In readers have probably noticed that my writing has not exactly been prolific lately.  I seem to have hit a bit of the blogging doldrums -- I've started many different postings but have not followed through in getting them out to the world.  Some of the problem is that there's simply too much to do in the awake hours of my brimmingly full life.  However, I've also been experiencing some  of the failed/ex-writer syndrome, and the writing I am doing is ending up too personal for public consumption -- even on a blog as all over the place as this one. 

However, it has come to my attention that in merely two days, Two Feet In will celebrate its one-year anniversary!  On the one hand this is exciting, since I started the site with few expectations, and don't think I imagined that I'd keep going this long.  Conversely, my state of blogging doldrums makes me not want to make a big deal out of this milestone as I contemplate the possibility of closing down the shop.

If you have thoughts or opinions on this matter, or any kind of feedback related to Two Feet In, please let me know -- I would very much value input from all, both friends and strangers.  In the mean time, please know that I am honored that you take the time to visit Two Feet In, and I do hope to be back up to speed soon.  Many  thanks.

The Movie

You can view a short film that I made based on a previous version of My September 11th essay HERE . 

However!   Please note that the movie usually does not play past the first few seconds (actually, after many tries I can confidently say that it never plays past the first few seconds, at least not with my operating system). 

So, if you'd like to watch it --  right-click on the link, and download the file to your computer desktop for viewing.  You'll need Windows Media Player.  You may need to open the Media Player first, and then  open the movie file from there.  Good luck, and please do not share the movie publicly without my permission.

Also, please contact me if you know of someplace on the internet where this film could live, and function successfully.  Thanks!

Be it Hokem or Hokum, You Won't Find it Here

Many readers may remember that not even a week ago, I pledged to blog everyday for a month -- an effort at which I have already failed.  So, I'm posting this entry to yesterday.  Yes, I know, that's cheating, but believe it or not, life does occasionally get in the way of blogging.  I'm sure I'll miss a few more days as we proceed through the month, but know that I am striving to once again be a regular blogger after my summer of intermittent and often non-existant writing.

Now is a good opportunity to welcome new readers to the site.  Last week I published my short piece about Hitchens and Piffle on CounterPunch, and included a link to Two Feet In. Consequently I'm receiving many first-time visitors.  I encourage you all to settle in and stay awhile, and to comment!  I write on a wide variety of topics, so there ought to be something that gets you thinking and hopefully responding in some form or another.

Speaking of piffle, my Hitchens commentary generated a nicely full In-Box of notes from people who either appreciated the piece, or who called me "shameful" for using Cindy Sheehan's anguish to further my own "selfish cause."  If it is selfish to speak out against the wrongful deaths of human beings from any walk of life, then yes, I am guilty. 

Then, there were notes like this, that made my day:

Right on.  Hitchens is a scoundrel.  But as for piffle, where have you been?  I like just the sound of the word so much I've been using it for most of my adult 84 years.  But I must say I like the sound of twaddle better and use it more.  All of this is because nearly everything we read and hear is either piffle or twaddle (take your pick).  Also, BTW, and at the risk of sounding ungenerous, it's not hokem but hokum.  And that's not bunk.

Two Feet In readers can be assured that I strive for a minimum of piffle and twaddle, and never resort to hokum.  Beware, however, that in my endeavor to blog daily, the bunk factor may occasionally be higher than normal.

The Month Begins

Many apologies for my on-again, but mostly off-again blogging over the past several weeks.  I've been involved in several projects, while simultaneously experiencing the day care two-week summer vacation.  Somethings gotta go when the kiddies are around all the time, and in this case it was the blog. 

But! -- Tomorrow we return to your regularly-scheduled schedule.  Children have care, mama has predictable working hours (if there is such a thing with my teaching and post-doc duties), and there will be pockets of time during the day and evening for writing. 

Awhile back I was inspired by good friend Evan.  He set a goal for himself to write in his blog every day for a month.  Since writing begets writing, and I both need and want to write often, I'm announcing a similar goal for myself.  We'll see how it goes, but that's the plan.  Not sure what'll the plan will mean for Two Feet In, but I suspect that I'll be headed into more personal writing territory.  Time for trolling the news-sphere of the internet may continue to be limited, which means that blogging may be less new-sy, and more me.  If you don't like it, send the complaints here.  Otherwise, you should check back daily, because I will be here.

Tomorrow

My dear friend, Uncle Rudolf, has rallied his writing masses and produced yet another stunning issue of Rudolf's Diner -- this time around the theme of Tomorrow. 

Faithful and observant Two Feet In readers will find an essay that I wrote, but chose to publish under a nom de plume.  I've been told that I have a particular talent for writing reflections of angst-filled youth and coming of age, and this issue's contribution follows that trend.  I once posted a portion of the story on Two Feet In, but pulled it as I decided that one must have boundaries, occasionally, even in cyber-space.  Don't get your hopes up for racy or revealing tale-- it is more like a PG-13 version of a Hallmark After-School TV Special -- thus prompting some of my deep ambivalence about having it publicly available.  I'll leave it to all of you to figure out which one is mine.

Anyway, go enjoy Rudolf's Diner, today, not tomorrow.  As Rudolf likes to remind us, "You can sleep when you're dead."

Gold in the Darkest Blue

I've been thinking a lot lately about the color blue.  This may seem on odd subject to occupy one's mind for an extended period of time, but I am a quilt-maker, and so it is not unusual to obsess about a color. 

Today, while thinking much about blue, I serendipitously heard an interview with a favorite writer, Rebecca Solnit .  She was discussing her new book, A Field Guide to Getting Lost, in which she pays much attention to blue.  After hearing a brief reading of the following pages, my blue fixation compelled me to go buy the book:

The world is blue at its edges and in its depths.  This blue is the light that got lost.  Light at the blue end of the spectrum does not travel the whole distance from the sun to us.  It disperses among the molecules of the air, it scatters in water.  Water is colorless, shallow water appears to be the color of whatever lies underneath it, but deep water is full of this scattered light, the purer the water, the deeper the blue.  The sky is blue for the same reason, but the blue at the horizon, the blue of land that seems to be dissolving into the sky, is a deeper, dreamier, melancholy blue, the blue at the farthest reaches of the places where you see for miles, the blue of distance.  This light that does not touch us, does not travel the whole distance, the light that gets lost, gives us the beauty of the world, so much of which is in the color blue.

For many years, I have been moved by the blue at the far edge of what can be seen, that color of horizons, of remote mountain ranges, of anything far away.  The color of that distance is the color of an emotion, the color of solitude and desire, the color of there seen from here, the color of where you are not.  And the color of where you can never go.  For the blue is not in the place those miles away at the horizon, but in the atmospheric distance between you and the mountains.  "Longing," says the poet Robert Hass, "because desire is full of endless distances."  Blue is the color of longing for the distances you never arrive in, for the blue world.
...
The mystic Simone Weil wrote to a friend on another continent, "Let us love this distance, which is thoroughly woven with friendship, since those who do not love each other are not separated."  For Weil, love is the atmosphere that fills and colors the distance between herself and her friend.  Even when that friend arrives on the doorstep, something remains impossibly remote:  when you step forward to embrace them your arms are wrapped around mystery, around the unknowable, around that which cannot be possessed.  The far seeps in even to the nearest.  After all we hardly know our own depths.

Now all I have to do is translate all of this blue rumination into my next quilt project.

Two Feet Traveling

Leaving tomorrow on a jet plane, and these two feet will be traveling for a few weeks.  Blogging is unlikely, but you never know, so please check in periodically. 

While I'm gone you can fulfill all blogging needs by visiting some of the sites listed in the sidebar.

Ciao.

Done.

I moved this picture to today's posting, from one several days ago,  because it seems quite appropriate for the day that I file my dissertation(!):

And, what does one "win" after seven years of graduate education at this fine institution?

Sucker.
 

Two Feet Trudging to the End of the Semester

A version of the previous post was recently published here. Much to my horror, with a misspelling in Marla's last name.  As I said to the person who pointed the error out to me, that's what I get for sending things off to Common Dreams in the middle of the night.  Things that I have not adequately proof-read!

Truthfully, though, after sending it in to Common Dreams, part of me hoped that they might not publish it.  Somehow it almost seemed too personal for such a widely read forum.  Even with the typo, however, I am glad it is there.  I may go down in history as one who writes many existentially-wondering pieces with little concrete analysis, but, I think, that's okay with me.

Blog posting will continue to be sporadic, as end-of-semester teaching crunch is upon us.  And, I have that dissertation to finish in the next three weeks or so...  If I could only write an existentially-wondering dissertation, I'd be in great shape.

Don't give up on my though, and please do check back often.

Changes a-foot at two feet in.

Over the past several weeks I've been debating whether or not to continue this blog or not, given multiple responsibilities -- I am often in the position of too many projects and too little time and the blog definitely adds to that. 

Though I have had several opportunities, I've generally chosen not to publicize two feet in, as I've been quite happy with my small but growing group of faithful readers, and have tolerated the larger number of feet sex seekers.  Yes, my humble little blog was once the #1 Google search return for feet and sex together, generating many, many visits.  For those who are wondering, the feet are here, and the sex (or more accurately government-supported abstinence from sex) are here, here, and here.  (Note that with this posting I'm sure to zoom up in the rankings once again!  Hurray!)

And, while I set out to do more substantive writing here, I have quickly devolved into standard blogging genre.  Write a sentence or two to orient readers to issue at hand.  Supply quote from relevant news source, not too long or wordy.  Conclude with oh-so-insightful comment, deeply-thought-provoking question, or general statement usually aimed at highlighting the absurdities with which we live.  Nothing wrong with this genre, but lots of people do it far better than I do, with much more to say (many examples can be found in the new blogroll on the sidebar).

So, time issues, abundance of feet sex visits, and feeling like my writing isn't what I'd like it to be have made me question whether or not to continue.  But!  I have decided that the blog must go on!  Astute readers will, however, notice a few changes in the coming months. 

First, I have added a blogroll of weblogs that I tend to read more often than not, and I plan to add some more sites that I read less often than more, but still enjoy visiting.  This is one attempt to stick my foot into the blogging world that I've up to now only participated as a wallflower.  Plus, these people all do it better than me, so I'm happy to send my friends and feet sex visitors in their direction.

I'm also going to redo my kind of loosey-goosey categories at some point in the near future.  Some are pretty self-explanatory -- amazing sky is amazing sky.  However, "world" and "humans" are just a touch too broad I think.  Since much of my writing tends to be around educational issues, I may also break down that broad area into more manageable pieces.

And, finally, I plan to try and break out of my blog genre rut and get some more personal stuff up for reading.  My favorite blogs to read are an idiosyncratic mix of the personal and the political, and I'd like to move back in that direction.   

Having said all this, I'll also say that I have a dissertation to finish, and I'll be in big ole' trouble if I don't get it done soon.  So, postings may be on-again-off-again for the next month or so.  In the mean time, I would appreciate any feedback from those who have been reading the blog for awhile (you non-commenters, I know you're out there), as well as new visitors.  Leave your thoughts in the comments section below or send me an email. 

Signs.

Uncle Rudolf and his comadre Henrietta send word that the new issue of the Diner is ready, and it's all about signs. 

You should trust me that it'll be good, and check it out here. 

Two Feet too Busy to Blog

I promised myself not to blog anymore until I finish a complete draft of my next dissertation chapter.  So, these two feet will be sitting down in my little dissertation writing cave and working until further notice. 

Please check back this time next week, if not sooner.

call it what you will, just don't call it funny

It has been communicated to me that yesterday's post was "NOT FUNNY."  I'd like to say that I concur with this sentiment, except that it was not entirely clear to me on what level it was intended. 

If we're talking about the reality of dangerous schools, then not funny.

If we're talking about the reality of legislation that spends lots of money to uncover 26 "persistently dangerous" schools in the whole country, including South Dakota, then funny.

If we're talking about large corporate private military contractors  making lots of money to  do  what? in Iraq, then not funny.

If we're talking about arresting teenagers for throwing buckets of eggs at their high school from a plane, then funny.

And, as I suspect was the intention, if we are talking about my comidically-challenged ability to write something that will make you laugh, then I would most definitely agree, not funny. 

Just trying to point out some of the absurdities with which we live.

sankofa: 2004 gone but not forgotten

I'm sure that the powers that be would love for us all to forget many of the horrific events of 2004.  They'd like us to ignore, forget, and go shopping.

Sankofa is an Adinkra symbol of West Africa.  "Return and get it,"  or "Go back and fetch it," are two literal readings of its meaning.  More symbolically the symbol emphasizes the importance of learning from the past in building the future.

My new year's resolution is to do just this -- to continue trying to understand and learn and work towards a more peaceful 2005 and beyond.

That, and finish my dissertation.  And sleep on a regular basis.  And...

not to go silent all of a sudden

Last night John and Evan and I got together, drank beer, and wondered where one finds the time and energy to keep writing going -- given relationships, children, and the day-to-day work that we do.  In this image John contemplates whether his writing life will improve with technological infusion of Powerbook.

For the first time in many months, I have been profoundly uninspired to write during the past week.  Ideas are not the problem, as there is plenty on my mind, but when it comes to sitting down and putting the proverbial pen to paper -- fingers to keyboard -- it just is not happening.  Seeing as sleep is an on-again off-again event in my life, lack of time is not the main issue for me right now. 

Don't want the blog to die away though, and am semi-confident that inspiration will return shortly.  In the mean time, please stay tuned.  I'll do some photo-posting/blogging over the next few days, and will hopefully soon return to my marginally-insightful, questionably-of-interest, observations on life and living and trying to be part of this world with two feet in.

sunday night meditations of a failed ex-blogger

The playwright, David Mamet, said, "You're only a writer as you write the last line.  Before that last line, you're a failed writer, and after the last line, you're an ex-writer." 

I've been mourning the absence of my usual trusty computer, who is off visiting the good repair-persons at Apple.  As I anxiously await its return, I've been relegated to using the vastly inferior old computer, which, among other things, lacks an "a" key.  Every time I get to a word with an "a" I have to do a kind of backwards, double-type action, just to make sure it shows up.  The extra effort necessary for a's (a common letter!) has made for a relative dearth of blog postings in the past few days.  Old computer also makes it more tedious to post images and links, so my blogging will be pretty barebones until I am again technologically-enabled.

This down time has given me the chance to think about the strange little blog that I've got going.  I know that I have my devoted core audience, those that tune-in occasionally, and those that stumble upon the site when doing internet searches for various Barbie products that I have scorned/mocked in several postings (it seems that the Cool Crimpin' Styling Head is a popular gift choice this holiday season, and everyone who searches for one ends up at my blog!). 

For awhile there, I was considering ways to expand the two feet in empire -- blogdom on the march -- I'd win new hearts and minds, bring new devotees into the fold.  To do so would be pretty easy.  I could go all-education-all-the-time, and join the greater world of education/teacher/school blogging.  Or, all-mama-all-the-time, and thus win the hearts and minds of parents everywhere who like to expound on the amazingness of their children.  Then, there's always the trees and sky route:  it wouldn't be too difficult to develop a solid readership from the nature-as-inspiration cultists out there.  As it is, I fear that what I'm doing is perhaps too all over the place for massive reader appeal.

My visions of empire were short-lived though, as, really, I'm doing this blog for the purpose of creation rather than consumption.  And, in my mind, all of the different areas that I write about -- however idiosyncratic they may seem -- are connected in a kind of kaleidoscopic understanding of our world.  It does make me feel good that there are readers out there -- but even if I only got one hit a day, I'd still continue in this small effort to be wide awake to the good, the bad, the amazing.  My blog is not going to change the world, but doing it changes me... so I will continue in spite of failed ex-blogger feelings after every posting.

In the mean time, thank you to all who *are* visiting my little corner of cyberspace.   And, a friendly push to get up off your lazy blog-consuming rear-ends and leave some comments behind!
: - )

 

two feet (out)

Here's a picture from back in the lazy days of summer.  We're far from summer now, and even then I didn't ever hang out in the hammock with my feet up.  However, it is the only foot-related image I could dig up on short notice.

All this to say that two feet in postings will be intermittent at best for the next week or so, as these two feet will be getting on a plane and going to where the air is cold, the seasons are real, and the internet access is dial-up only.

al andar se hace camino

Caminante, son tus huellas
el camino, y nada más;
caminante, no hay camino,
se hace camino al andar.
Al andar se hace camino,
y al volver la vista atrás
se ve la senda que nunca
se ha de volver a pisar.
Caminante, no hay camino,
sino estelas en la mar.
--Antonio Machado

We make the road by walking.