May 11, 2000

"Harmonious Fun"

The weather has been delightful today. A breeze, between gentle and forceful, but coolish has been billowing the curtains out. It's pleasant, for the past couple of days have been really hot. As we are only using the evaporative cooler, the house doesn't get very cool, unless, of course, you are sitting right in the path of the evaporative cooler's blast.

A load of towels is in the dryer, and another load of towels is in the washer. I'm starting to get caught up on chores. It's been a peaceful day.

The only battles have been in Everquest. My favorite hero, Razhann, is now twelfth level! Laura's eighteenth level hero Sanomy, has been 'power leveling' him. In exhange for this, Razhann lets Sanomy have most of the loot off the corpses of the dead enemies he has killed with her assistance. Sanomy is quite the powerful (and wealthy) druid now. Laura has learned one of the best teams is a druid/cleric combination, and since Razhann is a cleric, they will make a force to be reckoned with.

For those not in the know about these sorts of role playing games, DRUIDS are spellcasters whose focus is all things natural, allowing them to call upon nature for aid. They feel a kinship to the woodlands, and animals will not attack them, unless they attack first. Travelling is one of their specialities as well, with teleports to far regions at later levels, and even group teleports. They have some healing and direct damage spells as well.

CLERICS are devoted to their patron diety, and seek to be holy, as they rid the world of evil. They are popular with groups of all sizes because of their superior healing abilities. At later levels, they can even raise the dead. Undead creatures are a particular source of their wrath, and they have superior direct damage spells just for them.

Both Druids and Clerics are well rounded characters, able to do solo play as well as group effectively.

In addition, being both of elven, heritage, Sanomy (WOOD elf) and Razhann (HIGH elf) have chosen the same diety, Tunare, the Mother Of All. From Tunare, all life has sprung forth. Thus, followers of Tunare strive to protect nature in all its forms. This makes them a harmonious pair, as well.

Razhann, level TWELVE now!

Sanomy

 

May 12, 2000

"The Stars Are Still There"

The Stars Are Still There The star that shines the farthest, shines the deepest. If you cannot see it, that doesn't mean it's not there. Starlight can't be touched by the hand, as with small candles. But it travels across time. It travels, and we know it's real. Though a greater light hides them, the stars are still there. JAL, 5-12-00

 

May 13, 2000

"Gladiator"

"Today I saw a gladiator who became powerful than the emperor of Rome himself!"

We went into the movie theater with high expectations, for both Anton and Cynthia had told us Gladiator was good. However, settling into my chairs at the theater at Arizona Mills, for it had an earlier showing than our usual Ray Road AMC theater, I busied myself with a new clue book to Everquest.

But from the minute the auditorium darkened, the present world and its diversions were swept away. We were thrown back to 180 AD, between the eras that saw the rise of the Roman Empire and its gradual decline. We're in the northern reaches of Germania, in the midst of a terrible, savage battle. As we watch, we learn General Maximus (Russell Crowe) is a distinguished and decorated soldier, commanding the Roman Empire's brutal war machine against the barbarian hordes. His side has won, but he surveys the damage. Was it worth it? He wants more than anything to be home with his wife and young son. But he is favored of the emperor. Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) knows he won't be able to rule long. He wants Maximus to lead the country towards a more Senate-led government, for he knows his son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) is corrupt and will do nothing good for the country.

Naturally, this upsets Commodius, and from there, the story takes off. In this extremely realistic and adrenaline-stirring epic, both the heroes and the bad guys are believable. I love the concept of the hero, which this film conveys better than any I've seen, even The Matrix and Braveheart, for Maximus has genuine depth of feeling, showing both tenderness and precision, as well as desire for revenge. The villian is not cardboard, either, and is even a tragic figure. He cries and is afraid to be alone. Yet his actions cry out for justice. We, the viewers, thirst for revenge, as well.

The visual impact, from the Coloseum, to the costuming, such as the detailed shields and armor and the exquisite dress of the upper-class politicians, is breathtaking and voluminous. Although the story is largely fictional, "Gladiator" uses actual historical figures and tells its story in the context of the events of the day. They did some research to capture the authenticity of the period. There is not a single weak element in this film.

But to get the full effect of the special effects, such as enhanced fight scenes with rapid jump cuts, you really need to see this movie on the large screen. Interspersing the rapid flurry of battle with see-every-pore close-ups enlivens the contrast, and increased our immersion in the film. We lived it. I felt drained, yet exhilarated and uplifted. Filmmaking doesn't get any better.

 

May 15, 2000

"Of Mothers"

Some people should just not be mothers.

Uncharacteristically, we were watching the evening news on the TV. I could scarcely believe what the leading story was about:

Ruth Ann Burns was suing Dr. Leroy Kareus, Burns' family physician, and Dr. David Kaufman, her obstetrician, for failing to detect and date the pregnancy of her now 2-year-old son, Nicholas, in time to have an abortion. She was seeking approximately $180,000 in damages to pay for lost wages and the cost of caring for him until his 18th birthday. The Arizona Republic

It only took the nine member jury thirty minutes to rule in favor of the doctors. ''Burns blames her doctors for not obtaining a more exact date when she said they knew she wanted to have an abortion. '' She had had three abortions earlier.

The doctor said in his defense that he had every reason to believe she wasn't pregnant. The slender, pale and cold faced woman, in a black suit and white blouse was shown exiting the courtroom with her boyfriend. She looked bloodless.

The following news story contrasted greatly. It, too, involved a mother. A young hispanic woman was sobbing. She, too, had sued a doctor. Her tiny infant, who was suffering from some delicate condition, had been released too soon from the hospital. As a result, the baby had died. I felt so sorry for her.

What a contrast! The young sobbing woman would have made a very loving mother, I'm certain. And I can only wonder what Nicholas, the child of the other woman, will think when he learns what his mother has done. How utterly unwanted and unloved he must feel!

It would have been far better for this cruel woman to have given up her child to some family who would have WANTED him and felt it was a privilege to take care of him. But she didn't do that. The father of this child also rues having the child. He blames the child for working 80 hour weeks so they could afford the $1200 a month mortage on their house. Excuse me! Have these people ever heard of inexpensive housing, such as manufactured homes? They also 'must' have a fancy van, instead of a smaller used car. They just don't want to give up their wealthy lifestyle. So they blame the child and the doctors for it all.

I can't believe the gall of some people!

On the other hand, my dear mother, for whom I only had a card (although well chosen) and a phone call this Mother's Day, has always been careful to tell me how much I was wanted. I was not an 'oops' baby. And even if I had been an unplanned child, I'm sure both my parents would have loved me just the same. Would all children were so lucky.

 

May 17, 2000

"A Day In Tucson"

We were southwards bound to Tucson today. Julia saw the 'shoulder, elbow and hand' doctor. He had Julia move her arms this way and that, as he came to his conclusion. He thinks she has a pinched nerve as well as bursitus. In three weeks she will see him again if there is no improvement.

It has already been three weeks of suffering, so hopefully by then she should be well. Afterwards, we didn't want to just rush back home, as an outing with the three of us is so rare. The delicious food of La Parilla Suiza lured us, and I again had my grilled pork with chilequiles (baked tortillas with enchilada sauce, cheese and sour cream). Julia had that as well, plus an onion soup for appetizer which we all tasted. Laura had fish tacos, which was something she'd not ordered before. The bite I had of each was good, but I still prefer my usual number '38'.

After our tummies were content, we headed home. The following photos are from a visit to Tucson over a year ago. We'd went to the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum that day. I took some eighty pictures that day, and have quite a few worth revisiting. In particular, I never cease in delighting in the strange cacti we have here. Witness this:

Sonoran Old Man Cactus
Pitaya Barbona

And for a close up of the Cephalocereus alensis, cactaceae - cactus family:

 

May 19, 2000

"Bleah"

I'm not feeling so good today. I'm all full of shivers. I jokingly asked Laura to buff me up. ''You could put SHIELD OF THISTLES on me, so I can fight the bugs better.'' When we're playing Everquest, Laura, as her druid, Sanomy, will put Shield of Thistles on me. Every time the monster hits me, they get hurt for six points of damage from this special shield. At least I finally have a decent picture of Sanomy up now. Bleah.

Hope you're all feeling well.

 

May 20, 2000

"Frustrated"

I miss it when I don't write a decent journal entry. Yesterday's, under the influence of malaise, didn't count. But nothing seems to inspire me lately. I am in awe of those who write well every day. I asked the 'source within' 'what gives'. The answer wasn't poetical, but it WAS an answer.

For not long, this boring What is so quiet will soon be dense and full of sound. Hunker down within for the deeper quiet, so by that, you may know the contrast.

Basically, it's a 'hang in there, better stuff is coming' message. I hope so.

 

May 21, 2000

"In A (Wild, Wild) Galaxy Far Far Away. . ."

Or maybe it's a MOON of some planet. I can almost see a face in it. (But, of course, I often see faces in strange places.) Heading home from watching a sneak preview of Shanghai Noon, a martial arts comedy western, we all commented on the nearly full moon. It's 'face' was quite visable. By turns, I could imagine it to be a round woman's face or a round man's face. Mostly, I imagined a woman's face.

Oh yes, the movie, you ask, ''How was it?''. Let's just say I laughed so hard, Laura thought I almost <quote> split a gut <unquote>. I did have several good belly laughs. The rapport between Jackie Chan (as 'Chon Wang', and yes, that's pronounced nearly 'John Wayne') and his sidekick Owen Wilson ('Roy O'Bannon') is delightful. How does Chinese Chon Wang end up in the United States? The always lovely princess needs rescuing, She's been kidnapped and is being held captive for a ransom of a trunkload of gold. The emperor dispatches three of his most fierce and noble Imperial Guards to deliver this ransom to Carson City, Nevada, where she's being held. Chon Wong ISN'T one of those three. In fact, the only way he gets to come along on the adventure is by offering to carry the bags for his uncle, the interpreter.

But, of course, his "kick-fightin' " ways fit right in in the wild, wild west! He uses whatever he can get his hands on to vanquish the baddies - a deer rack off the wall, a horse shoe attached to a long rope, ANYTHING! He always amazes with his athletic deering-do. Outside of Drunken Master, this is one of Jackie Chan's best.

 

May 22, 2000

"With Liberty And Justice For All?"

I remember so many times as a child, hand on heart, turning to face the red and white striped flag, with its white stars on a field of blue, and reciting these words:

"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands- one nation indivisible-with liberty and justice for all."

But what do those words really mean? How does this nation of so many different types of people, with all their various lifestyles and beliefs, become INDIVISIBLE?

And is there really justice for all?

Possibly right now, you're thinking of examples you know of people who didn't quite get justice. This is a good country, but it's got flaws and they need to be addressed if we're going to fix them.

Julia discovered a serious flaw recently when she went through the process to become a notary public. " An Arizona Notary Public is a public officer commissioned by the Secretary of State to perform notarial acts. A Notary is an impartial witness." The 'impartial witnesses' must be a resident of the state to which they are applying, at least 18 years old; and not have been convicted of a felony unless her civil rights have been restored. One of their duties is attesting to the genuineness of signatures on documents, and that the document itself is truthful.

Naturally, if an applicant lies on an application to become a Notary Public, that constitutes perjury and is a fraudulent act.

The Notary Public may need to place someone under oath, and is advised that the person may 'swear or affirm' their oath, the difference being as follows.

"For an oath, the person is swearing to a supreme being. For a member of one of the Christian religions, the person would swear to God. For a member of a different religion, the person would swear to whatever supreme being was recognized by that religion. If the individual does not believe in a supreme being or doesn't want to swear to a supreme being, the person makes an affirmation. The person being placed under oath must make the decision about which type is appropriate."

However, when Julia herself purchased the bond that allowed her to become a notary public, she was not allowed the choice between affirmation or swearing. She had to swear, using the words, "so help me God.". She felt troubled about it, as she is not to lie, and yet to get the bond, she had no choice, but to lie. She told the Arizona Atheist organization of her plight, and they advised her to write a letter to the editor of the Arizona Republic, the newspaper from the state's capital, Phoenix. She did so, and read the letter to us. I thought it extremely well written, calm and clear in its presentation. I'm sharing it with you:

I recently became a Notary in the State of Arizona, at my own expense, hoping to perform a useful public service. I did not know in advance that in purchasing a bond (for protection of the public) I would be forced to swear an oath ending in the words "so help me God." It disturbed me because I am by mind set a skeptic and cannot with honesty swear to a God whose existence is but a myth as far as I know. I'm fond of Apollo and Venus, and ancient gods too, but I don't take them as any more than colorful myth. I wrote to an official of our state for some guidance, expecting that I could certainly affirm loyalty to the Arizona Constitution. It surprised me that I was instructed unequivocally that I may NOT strike through or alter any of the words in that oath because that would invalidate it. So, having put out over $100 in fees (significant money to me) I signed this oath, feeling in my own conscience that I have subscribed to a LIE probably worse than any suspicious documents that members of the public are likely to bring. This is my public apology and regret that believers would draw a circle that excludes unjustly. In a society which is not supposed to be a theocracy, why "Ditat Deus"? For me I trust in Liberty and the rule of law, without prejudice of, by, or for religious concerns. Sincerely, Julia Cybele Cachia

the Arizona seal, with its "Ditat Deus"

Isn't 'liberty and justice for all' supposed to include believer and non-believer alike? Is ALL ALL or isn't it?