Damn, damn, damn, that's so loud it hurts

Damn, Damn, DAMN, that’s so loud it hurts

I celebrated the 24th of July celebration in Escalante Utah this year. This holiday celebrates the day when the Mormon pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley for the first time in 1847.

My pioneer home is one of the first in the valley and the annual family reunion this year was attended by 78 family members. 

Each year we all dread the early morning blasts that accompany the Saturday events. The local volunteer firefighters valiantly volunteer to violently awake the community starting at 5:15. They had two trucks this year stopping at various points in town to set off the mortar blasts. Each blast literally shakes the town. It isn’t enough to set one or two but dozens are exploded, each one timed to almost let you get back to sleep, then boom they set off more.

My conversations with other locals has yielded the same results. They all hate this foolish tradition.

This tradition has gone on for some years and I representing 78 relatives say, enough is enough. Lets stop a tradition that not only forces local residents to take their livestock out of town, but causes undue stress, anxiety, and loss of sleep to taxpayers and tourists alike. 

I would hate to see the effects this has on any veterans who have served in active duty, it would certainly trigger their PTSD into high alert.

How about ONE blast at a reasonable time that lets the town know that breakfast is ready at the town park?

I stopped at city hall today to file a formal complaint.

My newly acquired hearing aids have brought a new awareness to me. Loud Sounds permanently damage hearing. 

I attended the Saturday parade which travels down main street, turns around and makes a second showing for all to enjoy.

All was well until the fire truck and emergency vehicles turned on their sirens. The ear damaging volume caused people to cover their ears with their hands.

I have an APP on my phone that measures volume in decibels. The volume of the sirens maxed out the DB meter. It was so loud it hurt my ears. I wasn’t even wearing my hearing aids.

Sirens are designed to heard several blocks away with car windows rolled up to warn us of danger.

These sirens were full volume and less than 25 feet away from children and adults wearing no hearing protection.

This thoughtless act constitutes negligence on the part of the emergency vehicles, their drivers and the city of Escalante.

The level of volume demonstrated by the sirens was 130 decibels, far above the level of permanent hearing damage.

I went to the fire station to state my concerns after the parade, I was met with less than a friendly chief. He referred me to the mayor, his boss.

I have been unable to meet with the mayor as yet although I did find his office manager flippant with her remarks when I voiced my concern for the children who attended the parade. 

I have permanent hearing loss caused by my own neglect to wear hearing protection in high volume venues. 

It would be neglect on my part if I didn’t make you aware of a potentially damaging activity sponsored and supported by the city of Escalante.

How about hearing protection for everyone attending?

Better yet, how about no sirens and no bombs bursting in air!

The Morgue

The Morgue

It looked like a sci-fi movie as we moved through the labyrinth of corridors, the kind that nightmares are made from, biohazard, morgue to creepy lights.

The federal government is the countries largest employer.  

It was a final day of work at the Veterans Administration. 

After 11 years it was time to pull out before all the mundane rules, regulations and bureaucracy crushed any life that was left.

It began with HR they are responsible for managing the human capital.

HR printed out a checklist of all the people and departments that needed to sign off before we got the all clear to leave.

The VA in Salt Lake is massive, hundreds of paper pushers who sit behind cubicles and do their little part in an  antiquated system that needs to be scrapped.

This whole bureaucracy was founded on war and the little men who think up reasons to send our men and women into senseless war and the causalities created when fear is pushed to the brink. 

Give guns and explosives to those involved and causalities happen.

It is always the little people who suffer the most, those  little men who make war and push our young men and women into fighting a war based on profit and greed remain unscathed in their air-conditioned offices and hilltop vacation homes.

These same little men often fund both sides of a war to profit on death.

Wouldn’t it be interesting to place the top leaders of each waring county together in a ring and let them fight each other.

Wounded young men and women often return to a country that does little to heal the internal and external scars caused by war.

As I passed door after door I read the little signs that said hearing, trauma, prosthesis, healthcare, dentistry and a hundred other designations.

With hundreds of employees I estimated that this facility operates with a billion dollar plus budget.

I saw men who walking feebly with canes and walkers, wounded soldiers and mental patients all carrying scars of a senseless cause.

Surprisingly I saw a similar look in many of the professional people who walked those same halls. People with college degrees and certificates who did not want to interact with anyone in those corridors. Eyes held to the ground, body movements indicating they did not want to be bothered by anyone.

There is an all too common story of betrayal by coworkers and management who are caught up in the drama of corporate government. Many are paralyzed and unable to function in their own arena of cubicles and are often let down by the same institution that signs their checks.

What is it that traps good men and women in a toxic corporate government job?

What is it that causes a person to sell their soul to the company store?

There were approximately 15 or so signatures that were required before signing out. Some of those signatures were by the same persons but couldn’t be done at the same time until someone else in another building or office signed first.

It required nearly 4 hours of literally running around before all the dots and t’s were in order.

As we walked out of the last office for the second time and headed out the corridor I wondered how can these people survive such a depressing work place.

Tomorrow I leave for the mountains and desert where I can clear my head and breathe the clean air. It saddens me that so many are so unhappy when there is a light at the end of the corridor.

That light is always on.

It is always ready to guide.

It is up to us whether we choose to leave the nightmarish corridors and walk out into the light.

I made a promise to move a mountain and today we did just that. It took a bit linger than anticipated but the end result is well worth the effort.

A Quarter Million Dollars

A Quarter Million Dollars

Spending time in the city I have been able to observe and watch as people busily move from home to work and and back again. I find I do better if I avoid the crowds and shop when others are at work or play.

I visited my mother in laws house yesterday, it was a hot 4th of July, she wasn’t there but we wandered around the yard, I looked at the berries almost ripe to eat and ate a few anyway. The chickens were out of food and water and looked like they might not survive the heat of the day so I fed and watered them. I kind of like chickens. The tomatoes were growing in the garden, a few were ready so I ate them. Things overall looked like they were thriving.

A couple of houses away I noticed a car with its engine running and a person inside. I was informed that this was a paid security person who was guarding the unused house.

Curiosity got the best of me so I walked over to the house. The man got out of the car and greeted me and asked what I wanted. I said I was visiting my mother in law next door and was curious about his presence. 

I knew that the house belonged to the leader of the Mormon church and I wanted to know how much he got paid for watching the unused house.

I put him at ease by informing him that I had once been a security guard in Provo, that I had done the mirror work in several temples in the valley.

I said I possibly interested in doing more security work. 

He asked if I was currently on temple security, I informed him that I was not.

Finally comfortable with my answers he informed me that a beginning security guard received between 18 and 20 dollars an hour plus benefits.

He said that this job was extremely boring because there was no crime in the neighborhood and little to do.

I thanked him, wished him well and left.

I wondered why he was not allowed to sit in the comfort of the house instead of having to sit his car and run the air conditioner to keep him comfortable.

Immediately my brain went to work to do the math.

20 dollars an hour plus benefits of 30%, security 24/7, 365 days a year, oh my god!

A quarter million dollars!

My mind jumped to the little widow who faithfully pays her tithing, the struggling families who have to budget carefully to pay tithing and still find enough to buy food and milk, the new member who has faithfully given his or her tithing believing that it is helping those in need and helping to build the church.

The Mormon church is paying a $250,000 dollars a year to guard the unused house of the leader of the church. 

A Quarter Million Dollars to guard an unused house!

Why?

I left feeling disappointed, let down and frustrated that perhaps my own tithing dollars in years past had been wasted and squandered on useless endeavors or vain pursuits of those in high places.

I wondered if anyone else knew or cared.

This day I thought you would like to know what I know.

Wait no more

The waiting game

You know the game, at least you think you do. 

It is the game of life.

You were taught the rules by your family, school and society.

What you didn’t know is that you bought into a system that is based on ego, greed, and getting ahead.

But getting ahead of who and what?

Are you truly happy in a competitive world where it is acceptable to cheat to get ahead, to be part of a system that is based on a false premise?

What is this keep up with the Jones’ business?

I know far too many people who are placing their happiness and security in all the wrong places.

Are you?

Do you really have security in a portfolio of miscellaneous numbers held in some bank server?

Are there truly any sure bets when it comes to your life’s saving?

How long are you going to wait before you begin to live the life you long for?

Just a few more years?

In the recent past, how many bank failures or stock market crashes have there been?

Are you you willing to bet that your future is secured by a failing government or a business that is based on greed at the expense of others?

How long do you have before your game of life is over?

If only I could pay off my debts and get back on top of things.

If only I could get a raise, then everything would be ok.

If only my partner would change, then I would be happy.

In my conversations with people I have listened as they describe the various conditions that rule their lives.

I hear the longing in their words to find a better life where they can finally be happy. 

All too often we focus on all the wrong things, the injustice that we suffer, the pains and aches that life offers as a reward to our hard work.

Take a few minutes and watch those around you. 

Sit in a restaurant or shopping mall and observe people.

You can tell those who are happy, those who are carrying the burdens of the world on their shoulders, and those who are carefree.

It is reflected in their faces, in their countenance, and in their spirits. 

If you observe long enough, you will even begin to feel and sense their thoughts.

Each year we watch and wait for the perfect moment to take that vacation, write that book, clean out that attic, or any number of things that are on “that” list.

Today is “that” day.

Wait no longer!

Let the “Jones’” go.

There will always be someone who is smarter, younger, faster, richer or any other number of things.

Peace of mind begins in the mind, with your thoughts and self talk.

Here are “my” rules for a happy life.

Don’t accumulate too much “stuff.”

If you haven’t used your “stuff” in a year you need to think about passing it on or getting rid of it.

If you haven’t used your “stuff” in two years you definitely need to pass it on or get rid of it.

Better yet have a “give away” and bless the lives of those who truly need your “stuff.”

Wake each morning and make a conscious choice to be happy.

Look at life’s challenges as an opportunity to fine tune your path.

Look for life’s little road signs and pay attention to what the universe is telling you. Ignoring the “caution” signs, invite accidents and major road blocks.

Be at peace with your life.

Give gratitude for the lessons learned.

Let the resentment and blame go.

Know that you are the master of your own life and everything that has happened to you has been for a reason.

And above all wait no more.

Choices

Choices

Every day we are faced with making choices. Some choices are automatic and some take a conscious decision.

Today as I drove my truck I made many choices, to drive the posted speed or not, to make a complete stop or not, to push through a yellow light or not, to be courteous to other drivers or not.

The conversation at breakfast was about the choices of a 10 year old. School is almost out and the teacher rewarded the students with candy and toys. The kids have been waiting all year for these rewards. Our 10 year old has been taught the importance of making good choices in food, water, rest and life. However, she chose to bring home several bags of candy filled with toxic ingredients.

Our decision to throw out the bags of candy is our choice.

My new hearing aids come with a blue tooth controller that allows me to change settings. I can use use it to stream music to my hearing aids.

The new music system in my truck is blue tooth enabled, I can stream music wirelessly from my cell phone.

Many of the popular headphones being marketed allow wireless convenience, they come in bright colors and are one of the latest gadgets to vie for our money.

The skies are filled with strange cloud formations. I have wondered why the blue skies of Utah are no longer blue. They have been replaced with chemtrails from planes that fly 24 hours day and night.

When I accept an invitation to have dinner with family or friends, I know that I am sensitive to chemical additives in the food and beverages. I know that if I ignore that most people now cook from packaged meals with little regard for chemical additives that I will get a headache.

The cellular phones that now dominate our lives have changed the way we interact with those around us. The comical drawings and photographs on the internet show us how obsessed we have become with technology. A group of students walking down the sidewalk all looking at their individual phones is indicative of our addiction and dependence on technology for information.

In writing these blogs I have become aware that I have a responsibility to share information that can help to make life better. I have also been keenly aware that many people do not like to have someone preaching to them.

What is it that makes us want to spread the bits of wisdom that come to us?

A sense of responsibility?

Moral obligation?

Wanting everyone to be the same as me?

My choices affect my health, safety, and well being.

Your choices will do the same.

It is no longer safe to assume anything!

Slick marketing schemes, fast talking salespeople, charismatic entertaining preachers, popular musicians, and popular movie stars all promote excessive consumerism and trust in advertising as normal.

If only I had a new car, then everything would be better.

If only I had that new Dr. Dre beats in apple red, then I would be popular.

If only I could move up on snob hill and build a big house then I would be successful.

If only my boss would promote me, then I would be able to be happy.

The fact is, there will always be someone or something that will make what we have now look old and obsolete.

We must take control of our life by advocating for ourselves and not allowing others to make life altering choices for us.

We are told that the food and drug administration,

a federal government agency will make sure that our health is protected.

Hah!

So, what can we do? 

What must we do?

Life is all about choices.

We can choose to be happy or not.

We can choose to educate ourselves, read the labels and make better choices in our food and beverage.

We can choose to limit our exposure to dangerous microwave frequencies by turning off the blue tooth and connecting via a wire.

We can turn off our cell phones and tune into the world around us and discover that we have our own innate built in abilities to find answers.

We can choose to call and write our representatives in government and let them know that we no longer will stand for our skies to be poisoned.

We can ask our family, friends and restaurants to disclose whether they used a package mix with harmful ingredients in the foods we consume.

We can choose to be happy with good old fashioned products that are built to last and be content with minimal possessions.

Expecting someone else to make us happy, healthy, and wise is a fools wish.

We must take control of our lives, choose the best choices and allow others to follow their own path.

I begin with myself.

I create my own sense of security.

I provide myself with quality food, water, education, and entertainment.

Are you ready to take control by making the best choice available?

I am.

I do.

You can too.

Nail Polish

Nail polish

What do you say when a 10 year old wants to polish your finger nails?

Of course you say yes.

I am being immersed in a whole new world, ready or not.

While being painted I was unpleasantly subjected to a strong toxic chemical odor which made me wonder why nail polish companies use such harsh chemicals.

The New York times did an article on nail polish that brings out important information on the dangers of nail polish.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/01/02/ask-well-is-nail-polish-harmful/?_r=0

There is a toxic trio of chemicals, “The trio consisted of a known carcinogen, formaldehyde, used as a hardening agent, and two materials linked to developmental defects: toluene, to evenly suspend color, and the plasticizer dibutyl phthalate, or DBP, to add flexibility and sheen.”

For dedicated polish enthusiasts, The Environmental Working Group maintains a searchable cosmetics database at www.ewg.org/skindeep.

For more than 20 years I have been reading labels and avoiding products that are harmful to me. I am much like the canary that miners would take into the mines to monitor the air. I react to fumes and added ingredients in the water, food and air. I realize that not all people are as sensitive as I am but I am grateful for the headaches that some times last 24 hours from exposure to the myriad of substances that are all around. My headaches have acted as an early warning that danger lies ahead if I stay on the same path.

My previous job at the hardware store exposed me to many unknown chemicals. The off gassing of the packaging material, the products themselves, the hundreds of florescent lights, and worst of all, death row.

Death row was my term for the garden isle where monsanto branded products were only part of the overall toxic cocktail that I had to breathe each day.

The air quality was poor because of poor ventilation and no exchange with fresh air.

My 10 year old is aware of the danger of some of the toxic cocktails that we are exposed to each day. She asked if she could have a stick of gum. I reminded her of the added ingredients and the MSG being labeled as natural flavor. 

Her response was, if I only have one stick how many brain cells would that destroy?

The sad but true tale is that toxic chemicals are killing our brain cells.

I want to keep my brain cells intact and preserve them by avoiding and educating myself.

If you are not a label reader, you are playing Russian roulette with your health and well being.

I recently spoke with someone who follows a health code promoted by their church. I asked about the revelation that includes the prohibition of coffee and where it originated. 

After getting the explanation, I asked about the myriad of chemicals in sodas and the danger they pose to health.

His sad response was that he was counseled by his leaders not to be a label reader.

Do not read labels?

I walked away from the conversation perplexed at the wisdom of such council.

I purchased a book titled “A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives.” It contains over 12,000 different ingredients contained in food. It helps me to define the long chemical names labeled on food packages and make informed choices.

Pick up a loaf of bread and read the ingredients. I can promise you that most loaves will contain ingredients that are not necessary, they will have preservatives, fillers, colors, and enhancers you will find hard to pronounce.

I make bread from scratch, here is my recipe …

Water, flour, sugar, yeast, salt, and love … thats it!

Three years ago I purchased a McDonalds hamburger and fries. It is an experiment. I take them out of the sack once a year and examine them. They look much like the day I bought them. There is no mold, no smell, and they are representative of many of todays chemically enhanced foods. Many restaurants now reheat foods that are first prepared in huge kitchen facilities that are shipped to site and are ready to eat. Recipes that contain a myriad of chemicals, MSG derived flavor enhancers and colors to make our eating experience a lasting memory. 

MSG is highly addictive, causes obesity, and causes the brain synapses to fire uncontrollable until they burn out.

Dr. Russell Blaylock, is an expert in this field.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Blaylock 

In his book “Excitotoxins the taste that kills,” Dr. Blaylock lays out the many different names the food industry uses for this toxic killer.

In todays world, you can no longer trust the corporate institutions to have your best interest at heart.

Whether it be weed killer, restaurant food, gum or nail polish, we are being bombarded by toxic substances.

Learn to read labels, make wise choices, live long and live healthy.

Ten

10

Ten is a number that has many meanings. Recently Ten has come to mean a new challenge in my life.

Bo Derek’s movie 10 has been associated with physical perfection, although this standard is artificially contrived to promote an industry standard of beautiful people based on commercial exploitation of low self esteem.

Ten is a two digit number which can represent any number of meanings in our world today.

My Ten represents the age of my challenge. 

It has long hair, girlish freckles and changing hormones.

My recent change in marital status includes a Ten year old step daughter.

She is the product of a changing world where divorce creates unique challenges to continuity in a child’s life. 

My sudden arrival in the equation of parents and households has upset the previous fragile balance of parenting, schooling and home environments.

So, what is my role in this new matrix?

Husband and partner with my wife? Check!

Father and playmate to a step child? Not sure.

How do I integrate myself into this matrix successfully?

My parenting skills are minimal. Opportunity to raise my own sons and divorce denied me that lesson.

So … the wisdom of observation, intuitive reasoning, patience, long walks in the park, and creative sub-parenting are my subset to meet my “Ten.”

My hope is that this energetic freckle face child can be patient with a better late than never step father who wants to see a happy successful child who is able to meet the challenges of Ten’s in her life.

My life was once One, and that number was the loneliest number that I ever lived, so Ten is my lesson for today and tomorrow and hopefully a long time to come.

Our lives will always be filled with One’s, Two’s, Three’s and Ten’s. 

Our ability to meet and successfully integrate these numbers and life experiences will color and enrich our lives immeasurably.