It's All in the Metaphor

How interesting it is when an idea develops and brings people together. My friend, Amos, posted a blog that started with the following quote: "Justice is what Love looks like in public." He asked his readers for their thoughts about such a rhetorical statement. Ironically, the conversation b/t Amos and myself has turned to how to define "rhetoric" and if it should be used...how, when, and why it is often used today.

Then after a lengthy conversation, tonight, at my favorite coffee shop, with people I'd never met- the insight was amazing.

It came down to this: it isn't always WHAT is said, but rather, HOW it is said. You see I believe that rhetorical statements and questions and be used effectively by a person's tone or attitude about the matter.

But let me back up; the definition, understood for "rhetoric" is this: "the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, esp. the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques."

Of course, looking at dictionary.com, I came across definitions like these: the study of the effective use of language or the ability to use language effectively.

Now granted, rhetoric is often stained b/c politics has coined it to express campaign slogans that often mean very little. Companies use catch phrases in their commercials to sell you a product, which isn't necessarily wrong- as their goal is to keep their product in the memory of the viewer. These may be types of rhetorical thought....

But the dictionary's definition clearly defines the word as a metaphor used to explain something that might not be easily understood by the common receptor. It is a way of expression and often considered a skilled form of expression. Such uses of language can clearly express something TRUE and RIGHT. However, it will only be accepted if the delivery is pure of heart. If the oration or notation is harsh- presumptuous - unjust, hurtful, unkind, demanding...then it was un-necessary.

Rhetoric is not a black and white issue. There is a lot of room for grey, here. The person using the phrases, stories or parables has a responsibility in the delivery. The person recieving has a responsibility to take the words for their worth and decide if the rhetoric is useful for them.

But this is only scratching the surface. It is taking on semantics...and it can be complicated. Nevertheless, such an interesting discussion deserved my acknowledgment in a blog. What do you think?

...And He Sang to Me

"My name is Royal, you know, like a royal pain in the ass!" He winked and lit a cigarette. He was charming and I couldn't help but return his firm hand-shake.

He sang for his supper; so I fished my pockets for coins to toss in the can. I figured him to be in his 40's. He wore a faded t-shirt, his baseball cap backwards, jeans with holes and carried a mustache over his grin. What was not to like? He played the oldies on his guitar and his rough vocals made for great sidewalk entertainment. I asked him to play me another and he whipped out "Brown-Eyed Girl," just for me. In fact; he played "Brown-Eyed Girl" every time I walked by.

He loved playing on the streets. The view of beautiful Colorado Springs had a lot to offer. And a local cigarette shop let him use their window as a backdrop.

It wasn't an easy life, Royal admitted, but he was playing music and that's all that really mattered to him.

He went to the soup kitchen every day for a meal and just barely afforded a room at a small apartment near-by, that is, if he could make $12 a day. On a rare occasion he'd land a gig or two a local bar. It was the life he lived and he was ok with that.

Royal spent his early years in the military and had even spent time in a Community Corrections Facility. His on again, off again girlfriend, Kathleen, was a left-over hippie and played music on the street as well, usually just a few blocks away. They depended on each other and certainly did the best they could to survive.

Most days, his mood was cheery and welcoming. He enjoyed playing for the children that stopped to gawk. But often there was loneliness behind his eyes. It was sense of distance or perhaps misdirection. I asked him about it.

He told me that he had two daughters (ah...children of his own). They were grown, he said, he'd even raised them for several years of their life. They were both involved in music production of some kind. But yet; they never did look kindly on the lifestyle he chose. They rarely paid him mind. And he never saw them. Yet he could not justify leaving what he loved.

To most, Royal was exactly what they saw: a guy down on his luck hoping to get a little sympathy change. To me; he was the epitome of survival. He did what he enjoyed the most and he was willing to work hard for it, even if it meant being satisfied with little. He believed in people, even if they didn't believe in him.

I saw Royal just about every other day for a little over year. We were friends. Sometimes I brought him lunch and more often - we just sat and talked. I was his break either way. I played and sang with him a few times, helped him make a buck or two. I often wish I had pictures of him, but I don't.

I wonder where he is today, if he still plays in front of the cigarette shop or if his music still touches other people. I wonder if his daughters ever came to see him, just like he had hoped. I wonder if he ever made it "big," just like he dreamed.....

Patience is a Virtue

It's been a few days, and I appreciate the patience of all my readers. What have I been thinking about and so consumed with, you ask?

Well...

--I finally watched the Godfather I & II, from start to finish. Unfortunately...the second film includes a LOT of Italian scenes, and no, I did not have the version with subscripts. I know, I get it! What is fortunate is that knowing Spanish, I was able to pick it up in pieces. Nevertheless; I found the ending of the first more profound than the second and the second ending more important than the first.

--You may have noticed that I've often posted stories about homeless people that I've met. I've called it Project Homeless and now I'm exploring ideas for a website and ngo that will not only create awareness, but also create opportunities to reach the poor and assist them in finding resources for help. More to come....

--I'm continuing my study through Hamlet by William Shakespeare. He has met his father's ghost and believed it to be the true soul of his dead father rather than an impostor. What is interesting about this scene is how quickly Hamlet is sucked in by the illusion because of his grief rather than relying on rationale. Of course, had Hamlet not believed in the ghost, we might not have a play. Yet; already stricken with confusion and sadness- his emotion turns to anger and revenge following the conversation. He will not let his friends in on what he hopes to accomplish, only swears them to secrecy for what they do know, and continues to stew over the fact that he must go after his uncle for the death of his father, the late King. It is interesting how the mind quickly turns to an "out" in our most devastating moments, whether it be something/someone else to blame or perhaps a way to conceive the closure we think we so desperately need.

--I have begun to read a new book (recommended by a very stellar blog buddy: Amos)- called Sailing the Wine Dark Sea: Why the Greeks Matter. I will have a full posting on my reading soon.

--And of course, I am consumed in writing projects- whether it be for work, future publishing, blogging or project homeless; the ideas are flowing.

So what are you thinking about? What are you consumed with this week?

Developing Times

There are times when life is chaotic. But sometimes in the midst of it, I find absolution. The last few days, my mind has been clearly consumed with what is next for me and what I need to do to get there. I'm inspired and working up the energy and motivation to fuel it. So here is a snapshot of things lately:

A little of this-

And of course this guy...

Then more of this-

As a result of this-"Desperation 08"

More to come...

Dark and Limitless

"Because he's the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now...and so we'll hunt him, because he can take it. Because he's not a hero. He's a silent guardian, a watchful protector...a dark knight." -Lt. Gordon

Just what IS a hero? According to the dictionary, it is a person who is able to perform feats of strength and courage, often for the greater good of the people. But what if being a hero meant not being a hero at all, but something more?

I had never really been a fan of the Batman. That was until I saw Christian Bale's portrayal in "Batman Begins," and of course, "The Dark Knight." I have come to understand the character and how truly complicated Batman really is- he is an outcast, a freak even, ever so much like the villain. You see, Bruce Wayne not only had to learn to face his fear, but he had to become his fear-all this in order to fight for what was right. But he struggled with endurance, he wasn't always popular and he certainly was not a "face" of hope.

Ironically, Bruce tells Alfred the Batman has no limits. But later Batman tells the Joker that he has one rule, a limitation. Mr. Wayne would soon learn that as man, yes, he had limits and questions...and would even want out. Yet when he became what he was truly meant to be-the Batman- rules and limitations were out of the question. And the Joker is right when he said that Batman would have to break his own rule to save the people. Sometimes breaking the rules isn't popular or even easy, but necessary to accomplish great things.

All this makes me think about what it means to live a limitless life.

I believe that each person was created with a purpose. Each person was given talents, gifts, interests, dreams and undeniable personality traits. But what if we were to stop using them? What if, when the task of accomplishing our dreams got harder, we took off our Batman? Bruce Wayne faced that dilemma. He told Rachel Dawes that a day was coming when Batman would no longer be needed, he was worn discouraged. He found excuses for wanting to take off his strength and give in to his limitations.

I heard someone pose this question: "what is your excuse?" Are we really going to give up all that we were meant to be because we can't get out of the box? What is keeping you, us, from breaking out, going beyond what the rules say is possible?

When we become who we were meant to be with One who created us to be that- there is nothing we cannot do. But Heroes are complicated people because in and of ourselves we have limitations; we get wounded, mauled by dogs even, and challenged relentlessly by the villain, the enemy.

So what do we do? Sow up the wounds, realize we cannot always do it on our own (yeah, sometimes we need Alfred, Lucious and Lt. Gordon in our corner), build our weaknesses, sharpen our strengths and believe that we can accomplish good; we can accomplish anything for the better and make a difference in our world.

The King's Advice

"Write with the door closed, rewrite with the door open. Your stuff starts out being just for you, in other words, but then it goes out. Once you know what the story is and get it right — as right as you can, anyway — it belongs to anyone who wants to read it. Or criticize it."-Stephen King

Creating character sketches for a story can be both interesting and difficult. After writing the first draft to my short story, White Shadows, it was suggested to me that I alter the speech of one or two of my characters. It was also recommended that the character sketches might be helpful. The first character I tackled wasn't difficult at all. I had him in the back of my mind more than the others. Now I've been working with the second character on and off for about the past two weeks. I am finding it more challenging. I am also finding that I could create any number of other short stories solely based on the characters bios. But at least, the suggestion, among others has been helpful in how I might improve or distinguish my characters.

"In truth, I’ve found that any day’s routine interruptions and distractions don’t much hurt a work in progress and may actually help it in some ways." -Stephen King

First off, I have noticed that my short story has taken much longer than I had planned. But I find this is probably beneficial as I want to make it the best it can be before I send it off to be rejected of accepted. And in the midst of all of that; I have definitely has my share of distractions while writing. King states that this can be helpful. Right now, I would have to agree. Each time I go back to my character sketches or perhaps the story itself, I am able to see what needs improved- add here, take away there, reword a little here....

"Talent renders the whole idea of rehearsal meaningless; when you find something at which you are talented, you do it (whatever it is) until your fingers bleed or your eyes are ready to fall out of your head. Even when no one is listening (or reading, or watching), every outing is a bravura performance, because you as the creator are happy. Perhaps even ecstatic." -Stephen King

I don't know that there is a more true statement than this when it comes to creativity. When I first started White Shadows, I was excited about the idea of writing a ghost story- even though- I had no idea how I would pull off a fictional piece. I have always written non-fiction. I thoroughly enjoy real stories. But I found that there are stories better told behind the mask of fake characters. I have had fun working on the piece and I have also gleaned in my share of frustrated "bleeding," so to speak. I understand, however, that King is also referring to the idea that some artists would prefer to accept their first draft. This, of course, is more harmful than helpful because, simply a craft cannot be perfected without a little trial an error.

"If you don't have the time to read, you don't have the time or the tools to write." -Stephen King

Bam. It should hit you like lightning! I thrive on books and reading because it is educating. I certainly come up with better ideas and more ways of writing creatively when I read someone else's works, not that you should plagerize. I believe this is essential to every person who wants to be a writer. I continue to learn the dos and don'ts of writing through each story- fiction or non- that I read. From the classics of liturature to biographies, to fantasy and screenwriting; every genre has a way of communicating that can be helpful for a writer to improve their skills in the craft. For White Shadows, the element of conversation is important. As read; I am able to discover what my characters want to say and how they want to say it. I know what rules I can break and which ones I shouldn't. Reading, imagination, and knowledge have given me many of the nuggets I need for the story.

If you have not picked up Stephen King's On Writing- you need to do so, today. The exerpts I've mentioned are only a taste of the meat in his book. Even if you are not into King's genre, you can still gain helpful tools on how to be a better writer and creative thinker. Of course, I am finding that while I have never been a fan of horror; several of the movies I enjoy are based on King's work. So at this point, I need to back read a few- The Secret Window, The Green Mile, and Shawshank Redemption should probably be on my list. As for writing, I'm sure the horrors of King's advice will shock mine into shape. (Cheesy, right?)

Project Homeless: Spare Change- an Older Story

Twenty Five years old. I could hardly bear it. There I was, walking downtown on a warm October's night and I saw her. She and several others were sitting in front of a jewelry store- smoking, drinking and asking everyone who walked by for spare change. Their appearances were rugged, as are most homeless, and their faces were sadly…content. The young woman who caught my eye, behind her rough and worn appearance, was beautiful. Her long, wavy brown hair was matted and her face was tatty, but her deep chocolate eyes were crying for help. I didn't have any pocket change that night, so instead I decided to sit on the ground with her and chat. Some of the others had been on the streets for years, another had recently released from jail and the young woman I took particular interest, had recently been evicted from her apartment.

As the various conversations broke throughout the group; I turned to Maria and asked her about her story. With tear-filled eyes and her chin quivering, she pulled out three wrinkled pictures. Each one was one of her children, she explained. The oldest was only four-years-old. About a year prior; her children were taken to a foster home. She admitted it was her own fault. She admitted it was because her addiction to drugs and alcohol.

Five years even before, Maria had married an older man who she often caught in one affair or another. She often walked in on him at the wrong time. She mentioned that once after and argument, in San Diego, California; he forced her and their three children out onto the streets and left them to survive for six weeks. He had been in and out of their lives as his leisure for the past five years. Sad for her oldest son, River, Maria told me that each time her husband left; River would cry over the fact that "daddy" had left again. The young boy could never understand. I was so heartbroken…

After her husband left the last time, several months prior to my meeting Maria, he was put into jail; on what accounts, she never said. What she did say was that her most recent news of him was his getting a 17 year-old-girl pregnant before going to jail.

Could this story get any worse? I thought. Unfortunately, it did.

Maria had a boyfriend, fresh out of a Community Corrections Facility. She had been so insecure in her marriage, she said, that she thought it best to fill the emptiness with another man, who never gave her that. Drunk and foolish, he beat her everyday and ended up back where he started: in prison for attempted murder, second degree.

I heard it in her voice. It was a desperate plea. She said she wanted to change. Maria had been in and out of Rehab programs for the past few years, but every single time, she retreated to drinking, heroine and morphine. She always justified her addictions; for Maria, they released her internal pain of losing her children to another family. She realized that her children probably wonder, often, if their parents even love them. She shared with me that the court allowed her to talk with the foster parents on a daily basis. She did and loved the foster mother. They encouraged her and were more than willing to help if and when they could. Maria knew her children prayed for her every night and she stated that she did not want to give up, but she admitted she just did not know how to keep going, especially now, since she was on the streets.....again....

I walked away that night, speechless and in tears. I did not know what to say. I didn’t know what to think. All I could do was pray through my sobs. I saw their pictures. I saw their beautiful faces and I saw the look of loneliness in their eyes. They may have been young. They may not have understood, but they saw it all... I did not see her again and may never see her again.

But if I could offer anything, I’m sure I would say, "I'm praying for you, Maria, please make it this time around. Your kids need you."

She was twenty-five years old. Oh Jesus....
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*This is a true story that happened me 21 October 2003. I have come to find that often the homeless are looking for our time, not just our money. They all have stories, just like we do...who are we not to listen?
**I am considering submitting this for further publishing.

Brains are Beautiful

I have read an article from Newsweek magazine about a group of girls who call themselves "Nerd Girls." I smiled when I read the article and even more when I watched a video about them. They pride themselves in pursuing technological careers while still wearing high heels and walking beautiful.

After a visit to the website, I am quite impressed with the self confidence these women exhibit. Each is a grad student or employee in the tech world- engineering, pharmaceuticals, aerospace etc. They hope they can inspire young women and girls to pride themselves on being smart. They also hope they can disband the stereotype of either "ugly-n-smart" or "sexy-n-stick to girly things." They embrace their femininity and they show the boys up. One girl stated, in the article, that just because she dressed to kill on Saturday didn't mean couldn't ace an engineering test on Monday.

They are comfortable in their skin and thrive on brains.

I would have to say that I take the Nerd Girl another step further. There is a generation of women who run the rough and rugged-earthy lifestyle. They read books, they like history, politics and take interest in social justice and the environment. And, damnit, we're sexy. We are the women that are pursuing business, the arts, the media and political status. These too, are often male-dominated professions. But these nerdy girls are ready to "...do it better and do it in heels."

Ambitious women, across the board, are persistent and strong and very often, not given the credit for their beauty. Conversely, beautiful women can often be mistaken as ditzy or dumb. These are the women that despise pretension and work hard for their rewards. But unfortunately, have often been subject to a stereotype that says it's "stupid" or bad to be a nerd (or geek). The young women that have initiated this movement have decided that they are proud of the title.

I know I am, are you?

Humanity or Insane Prince?

I am, once again, reading Hamlet; an astounding play about the distressed Prince of Denmark who learns that his father's sdeath was no accident.

"My father's brother, but no more like my father,

than I to Hercules. Within a month,

Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears

Had left the Flushing, in her galled eyes,

She married. O, most wicked speed, to post

With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!

It is not, nor it cannot come to good.

But break my heart, for I must hold my tongue."

Shakespeare brilliantly sets the stage with Hamlet noticing the oddity of his mother's marriage to his uncle so quickly after his father's death. His grief and his confusion are evident but he is stopped by the protocol of keeping his mouth shut, for now. He has no proof of foul play and of course, at this point; Hamlet is unaware that his father's ghost may have appeared to his friends.


While some might address Hamlet's character as crazed, or perhaps "gone mad for revenge," I find that the above text sets him up -simply to be a conflicted man. He faces a dilemma for which, presently, he has no solution.

He has been broken by the sheer discovery of his family circumstances. He is enraged at what he feels is a lack of respect on the part of his mother and uncle. And he is confused at what seems to be a mysterious death...that is, his father's. Hamlet's tone throughout the monologue is a process of understanding, an attempt to make sense of the situation.

The human mind, in the midst of difficulty will immediately over-analyze the circumstane, in an attempt to fix what is real verses what they think ought to be.

Among the 5 major stages of grief, accepted in modern psychology, anger ranks as one of the top emotions felt (Denial, Anger, Grieving, Bargining, Acceptance). For Hamlet, anger combined with grief, and drives him to an irrational choice.

But is he truly insane? Or is it, as noted, grief process and experience? Could he be afraid for his own fate?

I am only beginning. I am very interested in studying and reading through more of Hamlet's character- what spectators have said or say for his case and against it. For those of you who have read the play: What do you think?

Resting by Waves

I visited the ocean this past week. I am speechless. It was overwhelming. It was as if the waves invited me to be swallowed up. The rush of the water intrigued me. I was lost...in the sound, the sight, in the smell, of the sea. It was beautiful.