This morning, we had some free time before 9 am, so Trisha and I got up early to go to morning assembly at Awere. The morning assembly starts at 745 am, and I think I was up at 5 am---ready to go. It was so much fun, walking through Aloyo I Long again. There were many hellos and it seems that a few people actually remembered us. But the signs of recognition were everywhere, and the students were real excited to see us. I have to say it was a real good feeling to see the smiles and receive warm handshakes from many excited students. My good friend and colleague, Nyeko Alfred was not there, but I have learned he is doing a research project in the Pader district and the Deputy Head Teacher has given me Alfred's phone number. So although I am still apprehensive about making sure I see my friend, I am now optimistic that it will happen. The Deputy Head Teacher remembered that I was from the city that brewed the best beer in America.
Is that still true? or is it a Belgian firm. I had a great breakfast this morning and a great adventure. It was so much fun to be walking through Gulu again.
I am having some internet problems, so I will end here
John
Walk to Atanga SS
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Finally at Gulu
We arrive in Gulu !!! So it is 6:50 a.m. and I have had my first cold shower at the house. I guess it will take a little getting used to because it was cold. Yowser. It was so fun to see Jamie and Margo and Sarah and some of the other people at the IC house. Jamie is now in charge of running the house, and he seems to have brought a lot of his joy and zest for each moment into the job. For those of you who saw the video of me leaving the front gate, you will remember Jamie as the narrator of that piece. “A beautiful day at the Invisible Children house. Enter John Magee.” I actually am located one bedroom away from where I was last year. The ride from Gulu we took in a 28 passenger van, so we had our 19 teachers and Amy and Catherine for the whole trip. It was a relatively uneventful trip, until we hit a guy on a bicycle. 2/3 of the way into the trip, a young man on a bicycle just cut across the road as we were probably going about 50 mph. All of us held our breath as in a split second we imagined the worst. The driver honked and slammed on the brakes, and the bicycle and the young man appeared as big as life in the front windshield of the bus. In the end, we probably clipped the back 4 inches of his bike, and all of us breathed a sigh of relief.
I sat on a jump seat, that had far less cushion as a regular seat, but I chose to endure butt pain for more leg room. We essentially sat 4 across without an aisle and it was a tight fit. I had Josh and Allison on one side, and Bre on the other side. Bre is a good friend of Angie G. from last year. We tried to watch the movie, “War Dance” but my battery died with about 10 minutes left in the movie, so we used our split head phones to share music on our iPods. It was a blast, we had a great dance party, and Bre has a great laugh and a great smile. We listened to Austin and the best Prince dance song ever. "Good Morning, Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and something something girls.
John
I sat on a jump seat, that had far less cushion as a regular seat, but I chose to endure butt pain for more leg room. We essentially sat 4 across without an aisle and it was a tight fit. I had Josh and Allison on one side, and Bre on the other side. Bre is a good friend of Angie G. from last year. We tried to watch the movie, “War Dance” but my battery died with about 10 minutes left in the movie, so we used our split head phones to share music on our iPods. It was a blast, we had a great dance party, and Bre has a great laugh and a great smile. We listened to Austin and the best Prince dance song ever. "Good Morning, Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and something something girls.
John
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Amelia and Tiffany
Yesterday morning we started the day, by attending the US Embassy and listening to several speakers and asking questions. Just as the meeting was about to start, we were joined by three friends. Two of them, Tiffany and Amelia, I had met and had several great conversations with last year.
For Annie G. and Molly C. and Kenzie and all the other students who want to do something in Africa or somewhere soon, Amelia epitomizes the "can-do" spirit of many over here making a difference. Amelia was the English teacher who last year, I met after she came in from the bush, she is teaching English at a school, a couple hours away from the main road. She saw a need and answered the call. She is teaching at a school and has accepted that her daily life is not easy, but bringing education to her students is very important to her. Btw, students she is on facebook,
and she would love to hear from you, and you can also see pictures of her work. I know you need her last name, but I will get that to you soon. **** (Amelia Hirsch) She was telling me that all of the students she has taught, have never seen a color crayon in their life. She is working soon in Nashville to raise money for these students and her school. She is going to combine students' artwork with a portrait picture of them, and sell them somewhere in the states. Again, she did not listen when the first four or five people told her "No., she could not do this." She just found a way to make a difference.
She was with Tiffany who is leaving this week after completing a two year assignment with Invisible Children in Uganda. I was telling both of them, about how I had shared Amelia's story with students who were passionate about getting here, passionate about making a difference in peoples' lives. Tiffany had a great point, she got a real "boring" degree, Accounting. Yet every NGO (non-government organization) needs "boring" people, etc. accountants, IT people, etc. And it was through her ability and education in accounting that she spent 2 years in Uganda---watching "the numbers" making a difference, putting cash in the debit column, and education and dreams in the credit column. Taking contributions from all of you who have contributed to and making sure this giving can build a sustainable model of education for Ugandans. Without the "boring" people like Tiffany children in Uganda would still be invisible, but with infrastructure and quarterly reports and income statements we now know their names Amos, and Jennifer, and Emmy, and ......
Shout out to all those accountants like Tiffany and teachers like Amelia
I am honored and humbled to share words and friendship with both of you,
John
For Annie G. and Molly C. and Kenzie and all the other students who want to do something in Africa or somewhere soon, Amelia epitomizes the "can-do" spirit of many over here making a difference. Amelia was the English teacher who last year, I met after she came in from the bush, she is teaching English at a school, a couple hours away from the main road. She saw a need and answered the call. She is teaching at a school and has accepted that her daily life is not easy, but bringing education to her students is very important to her. Btw, students she is on facebook,
and she would love to hear from you, and you can also see pictures of her work. I know you need her last name, but I will get that to you soon. **** (Amelia Hirsch) She was telling me that all of the students she has taught, have never seen a color crayon in their life. She is working soon in Nashville to raise money for these students and her school. She is going to combine students' artwork with a portrait picture of them, and sell them somewhere in the states. Again, she did not listen when the first four or five people told her "No., she could not do this." She just found a way to make a difference.
She was with Tiffany who is leaving this week after completing a two year assignment with Invisible Children in Uganda. I was telling both of them, about how I had shared Amelia's story with students who were passionate about getting here, passionate about making a difference in peoples' lives. Tiffany had a great point, she got a real "boring" degree, Accounting. Yet every NGO (non-government organization) needs "boring" people, etc. accountants, IT people, etc. And it was through her ability and education in accounting that she spent 2 years in Uganda---watching "the numbers" making a difference, putting cash in the debit column, and education and dreams in the credit column. Taking contributions from all of you who have contributed to and making sure this giving can build a sustainable model of education for Ugandans. Without the "boring" people like Tiffany children in Uganda would still be invisible, but with infrastructure and quarterly reports and income statements we now know their names Amos, and Jennifer, and Emmy, and ......
Shout out to all those accountants like Tiffany and teachers like Amelia
I am honored and humbled to share words and friendship with both of you,
John
More News Soon
Had the first night in Africa, visited Lubiri SS in Kampala today. It is funny, several of the teachers recognize me from last year. I wonder how that can be. Must be my good look????
I am with 18 new people so of course I told the Chicken joke with the dollar bill today, and also last night I had a bad dream. I dreamt I ate a 50 lb marshmallow and I woke up and my pillow was gone.
John
I am with 18 new people so of course I told the Chicken joke with the dollar bill today, and also last night I had a bad dream. I dreamt I ate a 50 lb marshmallow and I woke up and my pillow was gone.
John
Monday, June 23, 2008
How Many Throws Does It Take to Smash a Car Window with a brick
If you said less than 12, you would have been wrong? I don’t know if it is my brick throwing ability or my choice of bricks, but at 1:48 a.m. Friday night in St. Louis, I could not break into my car. After a whole day of packing, a printer (one of the things I missed in Uganda), 2 U of I basketballs, 1 soccer ball, iPod speakers made the cut. Left behind were a towel (I will buy one in Kampala), several shirts, and a lot of little stuff.
Any way after I packed everything, I realized I did not have my wallet. Apparently, It may have been in my car that I left behind at my house, and then when I got there, some BIG DUMMY had locked it. So luckily I had parked the car in complete darkness, I worked open the back window and was taking random (used correctly students) stabs searching for the unlock button in the back. I decided I needed light, so I got a lamp from upstairs, a long extension cord, etc. As I pulled the extension cord, for more length, I knocked over the light, so I had to get a new light bulb. Too bad it was not on videotape (so you could have chuckled at me). After getting the lamp, cord, and chair outside, the lamp did a very poor job of illuminating the inside of my car to help me see.
So then I went with screwdriver and hammer trying to break a window—no luck!!
I then picked up a brick from my patio and start trying to bang in a side window. Twelve pretty good marks, but no breakage. WTH!!! I then went into my house to look for more methods, found a BIC fireplace lighter, held that inside of the car, and found the unlock button after 10 or 12 swipes. A very nice sound, indeed. So no sleep on the night, before two hours of traveling. Oh well. TINA—This is Not Africa. I am now traveling with 18 wonderful people, 4 veterans and myself, and 14 rookies.
I am now in Kampala at the BackPacker's Youth Hostel. We just had our first meeting and everyone is really ready to get into this experience. It seems like a really good group of teachers,--different styles, different looks, different methods, but all of us seem real committed to do our very best in the next month. Amy, the teaching coordinator, just told me she has not seen Nyeko Alfred at Awere when she visited. This news makes me a little apprehensive, as it is very important to see my friend. Don't worry I will find him, and I also can't wait to see how much Amos, Isa, Geoffrey, etc. have grown over the last year.
I will write again soon, think good thoughts for me and friends, and I assure you I will be thinking about you, and all the greatness and kindness I have seen from all of you in the past year.
Your teacher, your friend, your brother,
John
Any way after I packed everything, I realized I did not have my wallet. Apparently, It may have been in my car that I left behind at my house, and then when I got there, some BIG DUMMY had locked it. So luckily I had parked the car in complete darkness, I worked open the back window and was taking random (used correctly students) stabs searching for the unlock button in the back. I decided I needed light, so I got a lamp from upstairs, a long extension cord, etc. As I pulled the extension cord, for more length, I knocked over the light, so I had to get a new light bulb. Too bad it was not on videotape (so you could have chuckled at me). After getting the lamp, cord, and chair outside, the lamp did a very poor job of illuminating the inside of my car to help me see.
So then I went with screwdriver and hammer trying to break a window—no luck!!
I then picked up a brick from my patio and start trying to bang in a side window. Twelve pretty good marks, but no breakage. WTH!!! I then went into my house to look for more methods, found a BIC fireplace lighter, held that inside of the car, and found the unlock button after 10 or 12 swipes. A very nice sound, indeed. So no sleep on the night, before two hours of traveling. Oh well. TINA—This is Not Africa. I am now traveling with 18 wonderful people, 4 veterans and myself, and 14 rookies.
I am now in Kampala at the BackPacker's Youth Hostel. We just had our first meeting and everyone is really ready to get into this experience. It seems like a really good group of teachers,--different styles, different looks, different methods, but all of us seem real committed to do our very best in the next month. Amy, the teaching coordinator, just told me she has not seen Nyeko Alfred at Awere when she visited. This news makes me a little apprehensive, as it is very important to see my friend. Don't worry I will find him, and I also can't wait to see how much Amos, Isa, Geoffrey, etc. have grown over the last year.
I will write again soon, think good thoughts for me and friends, and I assure you I will be thinking about you, and all the greatness and kindness I have seen from all of you in the past year.
Your teacher, your friend, your brother,
John
Thursday, June 19, 2008
The Journey Begins Again
On Saturday morning at 5 am, I will begin the journey back to Northern Uganda, and my favorite city, Gulu. Of course, I will also visit my favorite village, Aloyo I Long, which roughly translates to "Man Who Pees Himself."
Although, I am 49 years old, and I am quite committed to helping solve the problems of poverty, disease, and hunger. There is part of me that still giggles at the last sentence in the last paragraph. If you know me, you know that this is true.
Last year, I went to Uganda with the financial support of so many friends and family. This year I am going with the kindness and lessons I have learned from so many of you.
This year, I go with the spirit and support of Phil Williams. He was my best friend, and each and every time I saw him--he made me feel special. Someone this year said at Mass, "That you find friends who remind you of what you like about yourself." I believe that is true, because I had a friend named Phil. I know that my 50 Biloxi students know that my friend Phil was there the entire week helping me and helping our group do our very best. The people of Gulu will never know Phil, know his laughter, know his kindness, know what a friend he was. So this year I go with that purpose, to spread his message, his love, and his friendship to all of the people who won't be lucky like me--- to have met, hugged, and laughed with Phil Williams.
I also go with the spirit of the Biloxi group. How can you have been on that trip and not feel that we can change the world? It is from that group, and all their little extra efforts that will remind me during the next 6 weeks, to always do a little bit more than my best. Giving them an 11 when 10 is perfect, might come from me, but it has it roots in all of you. And if I am able to do good on this trip, it is because of your efforts and your examples.
I go with the spirit of the Nerinx community, you are all so talented and so wonderful. And when I say great things about you as freshmen, go find the Seniors who I taught as freshmen in E 14, and ask them the great things they have already accomplished since they left freshment Algebra. I go with the kindness and the interest that so many of you shared with me after my presentation and slide show. Telling me that you too would be in Africa soon, making a difference. I believe you. My colleagues on the faculty who make me want to be a better teacher and a better man, through their examples and their kindness.
I go with the basketball tournament at Chaminade, and the Walk/Run at Parkway West, and the backyard basketball game in Oakville, I go with all of those good thoughts and good intentions, but mostly I go with the idea that all of those young people put ideas into action and from their action came results.
I go with great thoughts and wishes from friends I have known 30 years and smiles and handshakes from people who know me just from playing softball in the Blackthorn league. I go with the dreams of people who I have not met, but will follow my actions through this blog.
I go with the support of my family, 2 great sisters and a brother, and all three of them married great people!! I go with the well wishes of 7 nieces and 1 nephew, and 1 nephew who watches his uncle from above.
And I go with the support of my parents, who have taught me that faith is the most important thing we have. And who have shown me that example, daily for the last 40 years.
So thank you all, all of a sudden, my task seems quite easy.
John
Although, I am 49 years old, and I am quite committed to helping solve the problems of poverty, disease, and hunger. There is part of me that still giggles at the last sentence in the last paragraph. If you know me, you know that this is true.
Last year, I went to Uganda with the financial support of so many friends and family. This year I am going with the kindness and lessons I have learned from so many of you.
This year, I go with the spirit and support of Phil Williams. He was my best friend, and each and every time I saw him--he made me feel special. Someone this year said at Mass, "That you find friends who remind you of what you like about yourself." I believe that is true, because I had a friend named Phil. I know that my 50 Biloxi students know that my friend Phil was there the entire week helping me and helping our group do our very best. The people of Gulu will never know Phil, know his laughter, know his kindness, know what a friend he was. So this year I go with that purpose, to spread his message, his love, and his friendship to all of the people who won't be lucky like me--- to have met, hugged, and laughed with Phil Williams.
I also go with the spirit of the Biloxi group. How can you have been on that trip and not feel that we can change the world? It is from that group, and all their little extra efforts that will remind me during the next 6 weeks, to always do a little bit more than my best. Giving them an 11 when 10 is perfect, might come from me, but it has it roots in all of you. And if I am able to do good on this trip, it is because of your efforts and your examples.
I go with the spirit of the Nerinx community, you are all so talented and so wonderful. And when I say great things about you as freshmen, go find the Seniors who I taught as freshmen in E 14, and ask them the great things they have already accomplished since they left freshment Algebra. I go with the kindness and the interest that so many of you shared with me after my presentation and slide show. Telling me that you too would be in Africa soon, making a difference. I believe you. My colleagues on the faculty who make me want to be a better teacher and a better man, through their examples and their kindness.
I go with the basketball tournament at Chaminade, and the Walk/Run at Parkway West, and the backyard basketball game in Oakville, I go with all of those good thoughts and good intentions, but mostly I go with the idea that all of those young people put ideas into action and from their action came results.
I go with great thoughts and wishes from friends I have known 30 years and smiles and handshakes from people who know me just from playing softball in the Blackthorn league. I go with the dreams of people who I have not met, but will follow my actions through this blog.
I go with the support of my family, 2 great sisters and a brother, and all three of them married great people!! I go with the well wishes of 7 nieces and 1 nephew, and 1 nephew who watches his uncle from above.
And I go with the support of my parents, who have taught me that faith is the most important thing we have. And who have shown me that example, daily for the last 40 years.
So thank you all, all of a sudden, my task seems quite easy.
John
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Anger and Joy--Reflections Part II
New pictures posted. Two from St. Jude's, one from the Nile.
Traffic in Uganda was the opposite, but it was not just driving on the left side of the road. (Although, driving on the left side of the road is also a misnomer as the Mutatus drove where ever they thought the road was less bumpy and traffic was not in their way). No, traffic is opposite, because they operate under the rule of big. If you are smaller than what is going to hit you, you had better get out of the way or you will be hit. Boda bodas got out of the way of cars and trucks, although some came pretty close! And pedestrians and bicycles definitely got out of the way of the boda bodas. In the vehicles I was riding in over the last 6 weeks, I came closer to hitting people, boda bodas, dogs, goats, and you name it. But interestingly after all these close calls, there was absolutely no road rage. No pedestrians ever shook their fist angrily or banged on the hood of the mutatu that missed them by centimeters. They would just look up realize they came close to being hit, and move on down the road.
The Acholi people have suffered a couple of decades of murder, torture, kidnapping, and other atrocities of the civil war, yet as you walk down any street or path. They are smiling, welcoming, and often laugh with you. As I carried on my exchanges of "How are you?", "I am fine" with the little kids. It was enjoyable to see the smiles on the adults as they walked down the same path hearing our conversations. There was a joy that just permeated the town and your dealings with people. (If you need a visual, go look at how happy Moses is with Karl. I wish I could have filmed the excitement I saw on Moses' face when he saw Karl.) I know our students who have gone to Biloxi or other service trips can really appreciate the joy that I am talking about. And it does not come from----I repeat it does not come from, the good White people going to help the poor. But instead it comes from the conversations we have when we realize we are all quite the same. And it is those conversations of two peers, who were strangers a minute ago, that I enjoy the most. Ask those who talked to the homeless or Junior or Papa Pres in Mississippi, those are nice moments of happiness.
We live in a world, where fear is sold each and every day. We must fear the mexicans who are amassing on our borders to steal our jobs, we must fear the turbanned terrorists who will any day now fly a plane into our house, we must fear all people that are different from ourselves. And by keeping Americans afraid, we keep them angry, and we keep them for actually pursuing answers through reading and conversations.
But unfortunately we do not have enough children to point out that the emperor has no clothes. Or we do not listen. The world is a wonderful place with amazing friendly people who love their children, dream about a better future, and cook and clean and sleep and laugh just like us. And these wonderful people that we have not met or have not talked to--are not our enemies. It is only in their dehumanization that we allow ourselves to promote war and bombings and hit squads and torture. We have seen many examples in the last 20 years of people deciding not to hate and to forgive and to build bridges and dialogues where none existed. In Northern Ireland, In South Africa, In Rwanda, and hopefully very soon in Northern Uganda this will happen.
When we are afraid our body produces adrenaline to help us survive as animals would survive. Fear is a survival tactic. When we get angry, our body produces norepinephrine. Its effect is like adrenaline, immediate and it makes us react---"our blood is boiling". The interesting thing is that our body cannot produce norepinephrine for more than 15 minutes or so. Adrenaline it can produce for ever almost. So when we see people who are perpetually angry, it is not anger really. It is their fear producing adrenaline that is masking itself in anger. This has been known for years to teachers, as the biggest bullies, are often the children with the most fear.
And fear is easy to get rid of. I am still teased by my family because I was afraid and refused to ride the Pinocchio ride at Disneyland. I saw a boat going into a whale's mouth!!!
This is funny to anyone with an intellect, who has acquired enough knowledge to know that you cannot be harmed by a plaster whale, but still quite frightening to the child. So instead of embracing the fear and letting it spread across America. The solution is quite simple--if you are in fear of something read a book, a newspaper or two. If you distrust a people or a group, find a way to meet them and talk to them. Joy and laughter are experiences people want to share. And if you have not shared a laugh with a total stranger for quite some time. Then that is your homework assignment tonight, class.
Often, I have no idea where this blog will end up when I start writing. I wanted to express the joy of the Acholi people I met, and how I did not see much anger when I was there (I also did not see many fat people, but that is a different story). I got online and did a little research and although it did not quite fit. I wanted to end with this excerpt from Yeats' Vacillation:
My fiftieth year had come and gone,
I sat, a solitary man,
In a crowded London shop,
An open book and empty cup
On the marble table-top.
While on the shop and street I gazed
My body of a sudden blazed;
And twenty minutes more or less
It seemed, so great my happiness,
That I was blessed and could bless.
I am blessed and I get my greatest happiness when I can bless. Let someone know how much their friendship means to you, how much you appreciate your hard work, or how you can see their talents that they might not yet see.
peace,
John
Traffic in Uganda was the opposite, but it was not just driving on the left side of the road. (Although, driving on the left side of the road is also a misnomer as the Mutatus drove where ever they thought the road was less bumpy and traffic was not in their way). No, traffic is opposite, because they operate under the rule of big. If you are smaller than what is going to hit you, you had better get out of the way or you will be hit. Boda bodas got out of the way of cars and trucks, although some came pretty close! And pedestrians and bicycles definitely got out of the way of the boda bodas. In the vehicles I was riding in over the last 6 weeks, I came closer to hitting people, boda bodas, dogs, goats, and you name it. But interestingly after all these close calls, there was absolutely no road rage. No pedestrians ever shook their fist angrily or banged on the hood of the mutatu that missed them by centimeters. They would just look up realize they came close to being hit, and move on down the road.
The Acholi people have suffered a couple of decades of murder, torture, kidnapping, and other atrocities of the civil war, yet as you walk down any street or path. They are smiling, welcoming, and often laugh with you. As I carried on my exchanges of "How are you?", "I am fine" with the little kids. It was enjoyable to see the smiles on the adults as they walked down the same path hearing our conversations. There was a joy that just permeated the town and your dealings with people. (If you need a visual, go look at how happy Moses is with Karl. I wish I could have filmed the excitement I saw on Moses' face when he saw Karl.) I know our students who have gone to Biloxi or other service trips can really appreciate the joy that I am talking about. And it does not come from----I repeat it does not come from, the good White people going to help the poor. But instead it comes from the conversations we have when we realize we are all quite the same. And it is those conversations of two peers, who were strangers a minute ago, that I enjoy the most. Ask those who talked to the homeless or Junior or Papa Pres in Mississippi, those are nice moments of happiness.
We live in a world, where fear is sold each and every day. We must fear the mexicans who are amassing on our borders to steal our jobs, we must fear the turbanned terrorists who will any day now fly a plane into our house, we must fear all people that are different from ourselves. And by keeping Americans afraid, we keep them angry, and we keep them for actually pursuing answers through reading and conversations.
But unfortunately we do not have enough children to point out that the emperor has no clothes. Or we do not listen. The world is a wonderful place with amazing friendly people who love their children, dream about a better future, and cook and clean and sleep and laugh just like us. And these wonderful people that we have not met or have not talked to--are not our enemies. It is only in their dehumanization that we allow ourselves to promote war and bombings and hit squads and torture. We have seen many examples in the last 20 years of people deciding not to hate and to forgive and to build bridges and dialogues where none existed. In Northern Ireland, In South Africa, In Rwanda, and hopefully very soon in Northern Uganda this will happen.
When we are afraid our body produces adrenaline to help us survive as animals would survive. Fear is a survival tactic. When we get angry, our body produces norepinephrine. Its effect is like adrenaline, immediate and it makes us react---"our blood is boiling". The interesting thing is that our body cannot produce norepinephrine for more than 15 minutes or so. Adrenaline it can produce for ever almost. So when we see people who are perpetually angry, it is not anger really. It is their fear producing adrenaline that is masking itself in anger. This has been known for years to teachers, as the biggest bullies, are often the children with the most fear.
And fear is easy to get rid of. I am still teased by my family because I was afraid and refused to ride the Pinocchio ride at Disneyland. I saw a boat going into a whale's mouth!!!
This is funny to anyone with an intellect, who has acquired enough knowledge to know that you cannot be harmed by a plaster whale, but still quite frightening to the child. So instead of embracing the fear and letting it spread across America. The solution is quite simple--if you are in fear of something read a book, a newspaper or two. If you distrust a people or a group, find a way to meet them and talk to them. Joy and laughter are experiences people want to share. And if you have not shared a laugh with a total stranger for quite some time. Then that is your homework assignment tonight, class.
Often, I have no idea where this blog will end up when I start writing. I wanted to express the joy of the Acholi people I met, and how I did not see much anger when I was there (I also did not see many fat people, but that is a different story). I got online and did a little research and although it did not quite fit. I wanted to end with this excerpt from Yeats' Vacillation:
My fiftieth year had come and gone,
I sat, a solitary man,
In a crowded London shop,
An open book and empty cup
On the marble table-top.
While on the shop and street I gazed
My body of a sudden blazed;
And twenty minutes more or less
It seemed, so great my happiness,
That I was blessed and could bless.
I am blessed and I get my greatest happiness when I can bless. Let someone know how much their friendship means to you, how much you appreciate your hard work, or how you can see their talents that they might not yet see.
peace,
John
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