Shall we change careers and what does that mean: the word unspoken - ret,re
9/24/2008
What an incredible 10 days. I have so much to think about.
I need to begin with notes I wrote:
A butterfly flaps its wings one day in China
2 years later a gentle breeze wafts through Vasastan
No one thinks of the butterfly
No one appreciates its link to the breeze
What next will move in a far away place
they will never understand
People who speak differently languages say the same thing. They move their hands the same way, they tilt their faces the same way, their syntax is so dissimilar; only the sound of the words and perhaps the position of the verbs change
A Jew was marooned on an island. When he was rescued they found he had built 2 temples. Why did you build 2 temples? One I go to. The other i would never set foot in.” The Jews must have someone with whom to argue, even within their own. The reformed, conservative, and orthodox do not see themselves as belonging to one and even in Israel, the gift the Jews have given themselves, the ultra-orthodox cannot support the sustenance of the country that is their benefactor.
Right now I am a bit tired. I have been on the computer all morning and have not done Swedish lessons or meditation yet. In the past 2 weeks we have spent time with 2 couples who are educated and fun to talk to. These are the only 4 educated people with whom we have had contact in ever so long.
I want to record a story Busse told me. His grandson is mild to moderate autistic and I think about 8 years old. His father was speaking to him as the child was doing something, perhaps on the computer. The father told the son they had to leave but the child did not respond. Somewhat agitated the father went to his son and asked "Do you hear me?" The boy answered "I hear but I don't listen".
Wouldn't it be wonderful to live in a world where people responded with such clarity. How bright is this child. How do we stigmatize autism.
We spent the last 7 days visiting Berlin and then Stockholm. Berlin is a bit bizarre. I had thought of it as somewhat depraved and existential in the fashion of Sarte derangement. I still think somewhat the same. The architecture is not beautiful. The bullet holes from the Russians and the rebuilding from Allied bombing is evident. There is a darkness to the city. One has to be drawn to the parallels of Trump and Hitler and their supporters. Germany may be the least racist state today. There were 400000 Jews pre war and 200000 got out. Not all made it to safety. The Western countries including US would not accept them. This is a glaring example of ultimate racism. How much more innocent is this than the gas chambers. The public buildings and monuments are interesting but I think forgettable. We saw an art exhibit of art the Nazis stole. It was breathtaking. The dealers especially father and son Gurwitz got away with the art after the war and are as reprehensible as any of the Nazis. We will look for this exhibit elsewhere in Europe. We spent 5 days in a hotel in Stockholm and it was very tiring especially after Berlin. We did get to see Freddie and she can walk 5-6 steps without help and is sometimes able to stand without holding on. We had an incredible Thai meal with Chris and family and we had 2 fun meals at Trannan.
I am gropping with retirement. Dr Costas said I deserve it. Other men have alluded to retirement as something I need to do(both in US and Europe. I do not have purpose in my life. This will need to change or retirement will be unpleasant. How sad that I need a profession to occupy my time. I don't know how I will invigorate my life but isn't this the big defect I have always had and why I have so little contact with and association with friends,
What an incredible 10 days. I have so much to think about.
I need to begin with notes I wrote:
A butterfly flaps its wings one day in China
2 years later a gentle breeze wafts through Vasastan
No one thinks of the butterfly
No one appreciates its link to the breeze
What next will move in a far away place
they will never understand
People who speak differently languages say the same thing. They move their hands the same way, they tilt their faces the same way, their syntax is so dissimilar; only the sound of the words and perhaps the position of the verbs change
A Jew was marooned on an island. When he was rescued they found he had built 2 temples. Why did you build 2 temples? One I go to. The other i would never set foot in.” The Jews must have someone with whom to argue, even within their own. The reformed, conservative, and orthodox do not see themselves as belonging to one and even in Israel, the gift the Jews have given themselves, the ultra-orthodox cannot support the sustenance of the country that is their benefactor.
Right now I am a bit tired. I have been on the computer all morning and have not done Swedish lessons or meditation yet. In the past 2 weeks we have spent time with 2 couples who are educated and fun to talk to. These are the only 4 educated people with whom we have had contact in ever so long.
I want to record a story Busse told me. His grandson is mild to moderate autistic and I think about 8 years old. His father was speaking to him as the child was doing something, perhaps on the computer. The father told the son they had to leave but the child did not respond. Somewhat agitated the father went to his son and asked "Do you hear me?" The boy answered "I hear but I don't listen".
Wouldn't it be wonderful to live in a world where people responded with such clarity. How bright is this child. How do we stigmatize autism.
We spent the last 7 days visiting Berlin and then Stockholm. Berlin is a bit bizarre. I had thought of it as somewhat depraved and existential in the fashion of Sarte derangement. I still think somewhat the same. The architecture is not beautiful. The bullet holes from the Russians and the rebuilding from Allied bombing is evident. There is a darkness to the city. One has to be drawn to the parallels of Trump and Hitler and their supporters. Germany may be the least racist state today. There were 400000 Jews pre war and 200000 got out. Not all made it to safety. The Western countries including US would not accept them. This is a glaring example of ultimate racism. How much more innocent is this than the gas chambers. The public buildings and monuments are interesting but I think forgettable. We saw an art exhibit of art the Nazis stole. It was breathtaking. The dealers especially father and son Gurwitz got away with the art after the war and are as reprehensible as any of the Nazis. We will look for this exhibit elsewhere in Europe. We spent 5 days in a hotel in Stockholm and it was very tiring especially after Berlin. We did get to see Freddie and she can walk 5-6 steps without help and is sometimes able to stand without holding on. We had an incredible Thai meal with Chris and family and we had 2 fun meals at Trannan.
I am gropping with retirement. Dr Costas said I deserve it. Other men have alluded to retirement as something I need to do(both in US and Europe. I do not have purpose in my life. This will need to change or retirement will be unpleasant. How sad that I need a profession to occupy my time. I don't know how I will invigorate my life but isn't this the big defect I have always had and why I have so little contact with and association with friends,
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