Hmmmmm. . . What to write? Imagine you're standing in the corner of the photograph on the left and have to place your toe on one of the hearts which will then take your life in a completely different direction - which heart would you pick? Last night I watched a man at the corner of Morris and Brenton slide down a pole he'd been hanging onto and slump deeply within himself, succumbing to sadness and too much alcohol. Since I'd already been in bed and wasn't dressed I watched from the window to see if he'd just stumbled momentarily or whether he really needed help. As he tried unsuccessfully to get up and then eventually to lay there in the snow, I watched as people filed by without offering the man a glance never mind a hand. From the upstairs landing, I called down to Pete to phone the police so that the man wouldn't freeze to death in a snowbank. Of course, I could have gotten dressed and gone down myself to see how I could help and that would have changed our life course in other ways. I was about to claim no judgment here, but that would be a lie. I really hope that someone in that group of people who filed by seemingly completely unaffected by a man lying in a snowbank unable to get up did go around the corner, pull out their cell phone and call for help, but if not, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING???? Is it that you're so superior that you can't possibly imagine that ever happening to you or to anyone you love? In this far-fetched reality, wouldn't you want someone to lend a hand? Why is it that when we see an innocent child reaching for a doll, we instinctively reach out to help? Remove the child from the picture and insert a grown-up (who once WAS A CHILD) and then we just stroll on by - get the frickin' doll yourself dude! Last night, I felt transported onto a playground watching a bunch of children who remain silent and look the other way while others are bullied. It all begins there. In contrast, I grew up in a house where that man in the snowbank would probably have moved in for a few months till he got back on his feet because my parents believed that everyone got 'down on their luck' once in awhile and that giving them a hand wasn't something to be recognized, it was just the HUMAN thing to do! In a world that's so vastly connected, it's easy to forget that every moment of every day we make choices that define us. And every choice will completely alter the course of the universe - infinitely. I know this metaphor isn't new, but I love the image of how each of us is fashioning a necklace of sorts with gems, beads, even rosary beads that represent our journey. Some of us believe that those choices are more divine like rosary beads while others, on days such as today will reflect on the individuals they love as the gems that make up their own necklace - okay, so mine is very expensive - more like a chandelier - chock full of diamonds! As I reflect upon those individuals so dear to me, the image and memory of the man from last night will likely recede, but it will still be part of my necklace - a diamond in the rough. We all believe in something even if that something happens to be nothing. If you're stuck on what to write today, write about whatever it is you believe. Happy Valentine's Day All & especially to Pete, the 'red heart' on my chandelier. . . Please spread some love around - the world needs it! TartanFrog P.S. If someone believes in nothing, can they still write about something?
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This past summer I drafted an article on writers and branding (cartoon really sums it up:) Sadly, I never finished the article when my Mom had a heart attack and passed away a short time later. Below is an excerpt from that article (maybe I'll finish it some day): John Macleod is a cartoonist/writer LIVING THE BRANDWAGON by Dina Desveaux Let’s be honest, what would you rather do this weekend? a) Curl up on the couch—or beneath the stars—and read (or write) a good book; b) Spend weekend drafting a unique platform that you'll later have the ability to deliver with the efficiency of a sound-byte thesaurus; or c) Call an angry dentist back (from her yachting adventures) to perform a root canal on you. Okay, c) probably wasn’t a fair option. What if I’d asked what you would least like to be doing on the weekend? I don’t know about you, but if the dentist weren’t angry, the root canal might win out over the platform. If that sounds crazy then this might not be the article for you. For those of you who are still with me on this, I ask that you read the following quote by Leonard Cohen: "There was a time you let me know What's really going on below But now you never show it to me, do you? And remember when I moved in you The holy dove was moving too And every breath we drew was Hallelujah" Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah If you are an image or a slogan or “a brand”, then please explain to me how you can, with any authenticity, write to me and show me “What’s really going on below”? How can I trust what you are telling me? Because images and brands and slogans are MEANS. Think of a corporate image, or brand, or slogan. If it’s not useful, it’s discarded. Since it was made to order, tailored for the consumer, another one may fit better. Is that what we, as writers, are destined to become? Commodities. According to Chris Hedges, we not only have to “conform to the dictates of these manufactured visions, but we also have to project unrelenting optimism and happiness” or be appropriately depressed in a poetically bohemian fashion, if that’s our brand this year. Whereas people “knelt before God and the church in the Middle Ages”, we “flock hungrily to the glamourous crumbs that fall to us from glossy magazines.” This is the mantra of our capitalist world: Everyone has opportunity. Everyone (with advantages) has (more) opportunity. Everyone (with advantages) has (more) opportunity (to prey upon the weak). The weak are pretty much fucked in this world. Commodoties are objects, like consumer products. They have no intrinsic value. Those nebulous 'theys' all tell me I should, but I can’t seem to buy in! I keep hearing that voice from the past: "You are like a snowflake, unique. Did you know that no two snowflakes are alike?" It's my Mom's voice. I guess she's a teacher, so she should know, I thought, but still...maybe I'd ask Dad. I never did resolve that question, but I've always loved those magical wonderings and those magical people, those that defy explanation. Those are the wondrous and unique individuals I've surrounded myself with. I can't imagine ever branding one of them, so why would I do that to myself? Instead, I joined a community of writers and readers who believe in good writing (and living). I wish I could, in good faith, apologize for my being such a contrarian, but I cannot. You see as much as I want my books to be read, there is something I need more than branding, and that is my dignity. --TartanFrog And the top 5 reasons are: 1. You're a History Buff: Fitting, since the current practice is the result of centuries of patriarchic control of men over women. And, while I have no evidence to point to, it seems reasonable to believe that assuming someone's name indicates his/her dominance in the relationship, which could lead to long-lasting psychological effects about power in the relationship. [i.e. Not an especially helpful tradition to foster an equal relationship.] 2. You plan to have children: "Although we know from modern biology the equal contributions both parents make to the genetic identity of a child, it is still true to say that the mother is the "more natural" parent, that is, the parent by birth. A woman can give up a child for adoption or, thanks to modern reproductive technologies, can even bear a child not genetically her own. But there is no way to deny out of whose body the new life sprung, whose substance it fed on, who labored to produce it, who wondrously bore it forth." Hmmm...all that and not even a name. Does that seem fair to you? 3. It's a Gift Yes, as were the smallpox-infested blankets provided to the North American indigenous population by Europeans who (for the history buff), incidentally invented this practice, namely the British. 4. To Show Commitment to Tradition Ah yes, the commitment card, thus gratifying male vanity. There are a LOT of traditions and customs that could stand to be "tampered with." And calling it feminist crap? I happen to be a woman who believes the fight to be EQUAL is my choice! 5. It's Expected of Me Was there ever a time in my life when I wanted to take a future husband's surname? Hmmm, maybe in the second grade. But after high school the idea never entered my mind. I had career goals and saw myself as a valuable and unique individual. Besides, women had equality, or at least in terms of names we did, right? Then I got engaged and "IT" began. For some reason, even though it was perfectly legal for me to keep my name upon marriage, everyone expected me to take my husband's surname. I was and still am bewildered weekly by such assumptions. These people obviously don't know me. Surnames are one of the most powerful tools used by patriarchy to deny women not only equal rights but even personhood. Not only that, but I happen to be proud of the fact that my name denotes the struggle of my Acadian ancestors who despite repeated attempts to annihilate them, survived. So, for those of you still insisting on sending mail to me with Mrs. so-and-so, could you please stop?? My name is Dina Desveaux, or for the colonization that is this blog -- TartanFrog UPDATE: Since posting this blob, I've heard back from readers with one credible reason & I came up with another one. The most practical reason (from reader) is that you've never liked your own last name. In that case, all the POWER to ya! In fact I did consider changing my name when I got married to take my Mom's... One I came up with: capitalism. There is evidence that by taking a spouse's name, a woman will lose her edge professionally due to the loss of name recognition. So less money, less to buy useless crap I guess... That's right how about just saying no "to the patterns of over-consumption of middle-class North Americans". If you must gift, how about supporting a local artist or charity that gives back! Here are my top five options: 1. Tap into your creative juices. Make a gift (if you're a writer you can even stuff that stocking with a poem), or invite those you love for a feast of local-source foods. 2. Buy a book to support a local writer (like Chris Benjamin - to read one of the latest reviews of the book check out JonTattrie's blog.) 3. Support a local artist like Tracy. 4. Give someone the gift of health or creativity. There are several recreation options where you can purchase a pass or go for the creative juices, a painting class or writing class. 5. If you must gift (cuz you're gonna be made to feel like a heel if you don't), you can also purchase gifts to support children here and around the world through UNICEF's Gifts of Magic or Cards & Gifts. You can either shop on-line or we provide a map that tells you what stores in Halifax stock our 'stuffers'. Most of all, rediscover your 'inner child' over this holiday season. Go play!! Seasons Greetings, TartanFrog |
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December 2015
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