Utter Darkness

So after 23 hours and 45 minutes of darkness, the lights came back on. It was bitter sweet. For one full day I did not have access to my e-mail but more importantly, my computer. My roommate and I had a few discussions as to how life has changed so much that we rely on computers. How if electricity was gone permanently, the 'permanent' records many of us have kept on our computers would forever be lost. Sure, that's a big IF regarding electricity, but would someone really want to take the chance?

Yes computers give us the security of passwords and some fraud protection, but they also separate us from ourselves.

No, this is not a big philosophy post, just some thoughts I had regarding the issue. Now I'm going to print those things I didn't have access to so I can utilize them if and when this happens again.

Oh . . . one more thing. So since I've been up here, Seattle and Tacoma have shut down due 1/4 inch of snow and we've had a massive windstorm that has shut off power to both cities . . . I wonder what is going to happen in January.

The End Came

Well, I made it. And what can I say other than this . . .

Frogs, Clients, and Therapists: Part 2

A while back I wrote down part of an article I read and I wanted to see a few responses. I stated that I would post what the article said the correct response would be. First, what the article said.

How would you get the frog to open its mouth and free the waters? Can you think of more than one solution? Where do these solutions come from? In North America the usual response to this story is one that implies aggression. Most people would poke, hit or shoot the frog---even mental health professionals who participated in a bullying prevention workshop. Regardless of their best intentions and a most genuine stance against aggression, most people in this culture are socialized to think of aggression as a solution, and also to act alone rather than as a community. Members of completely different cultures come up with completely different responses. For example, people from the South Pacific Islands, where this story is told, came up with a remarkable ending:

The animals and the humans caucused to find a solution. One of them finally proposed to organize a feast where everyone could try and make the frog laugh. So they each, one by one, tried their silliest grimace, their funniest dance and their most creative jumps. The frog, although obviously interested, would simply not move. Finally, a little snake, who had been rather quiet throughout this journey, started to twist and turn in all directions as if tickled by an imaginary being. The frog first hiccuped, tried to regain his composure and eventually, unable to control his giggles, laughed all the waters out of his gigantic mouth, replenishing the earth and the living beings of their oceans, brooks, and rivers.

So there's an answer. Is it the correct one?

As for today, it is my final and I've been prepping for it. The end is near.

Monday Morning Hello

Well, tomorrow I have my final final. (I love using that term.) Last week we did a huge presentation and I believe my group did well. I should find out the grade to that within the next few days. Then depending on the weather, I should be coming back to Utah around the 20th. So there's a quick update.

Aside from that everything is good. The weather is . . . well . . . rainy . . . but I wish it would snow. Ah well.

Holiday Cheer

So I was driving into my cul-de-sac and something funny struck me. Here are the four houses around us.






And here is our house.



Happy Holidays!