REDONDOWRITER'S SACRED ORDINARY

This American Life: Mr. Daisey and the Apple Factory

I'm one of those people who listens to NPR frequently--always in the drive in to work and on the way home, and on Saturdays and sometimes Sundays. In Los Angeles, I listen to KPCC and I financially support them as well. 

I don't always listen to This American Life, but yesterday I did and was absolutely stunned by Mike Daisey's report called "Mr. Daisey and the Apple Factory" from a show he does at Act One, Public Theater called "The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs." I'd never heard of Mike Daisey before but he is a monologist/actor/story teller and I gather he reports on extremes, not unlike Michael Moore.

Apparently Mike Daisey is a self-proclaimed geek and is/was totally obsessed by all things Apple, and so am I. Yesterday's show starts with host Ira Glass speaking to iPhone's Siri and then next to Mike about Apple--and other electronic products and the manufacturing of their parts. I thought it would be more about Apple but in actuality it was soon about Mike's investigation into how all our electronic peripherals are manufactured predominately in a factory town in China called Shenjen.

Glass says, "Mike Daisey was a self-described 'worshipper in the cult of Mac.' Then he saw some photos from a new iPhone, taken by workers at the factory where it was made. Mike wondered: Who makes all my crap? He traveled to China to find out."

I don't know how to embed a podcast, but here's a link to This American Life's podcast. So, here I am faced with a classic case of situation ethics. These people are employed and wouldn't be otherwise. I just can't stop thinking about all the exploited workers in Shenjen and how we all benefit from their labor. But, is that going to stop me from getting my next Apple product I can't do without, an iPhone? No, it isn't. But, damn; I'll never forget this monologue. Apparently Mike Daisey produced all this before Steve Jobs death, not that that makes any difference to the story at hand. I just feel a lot of emotional tension about my acquisitions. And, obviously, Apple itself is merely the tip of the iceberg. If we didn't manufacture in China, all our electronics would undoubtedly cost thousands of dollars each. Now I'm off to go bury my head in the sand.  

 

 

The Right Things Last: Art Journal Page

While I watched President Obama's State of the Union message, I finished off three art journal pages and below is one I'm calling "The Right Things Last." 

You can enlarge this image by clicking. Most of you know that I shy away from politics here as I simply don't feel well enough informed to hold my weight in the sparring that happens when I do. I do want to say, however, I voted for Pres. Obama and if he runs again, I will vote for him again. The expectations of America of a President who inherited a terrible political and economic mass from the administration before him is disgusting. Give him a chance! As for overturning health care, get a grip. Let's improve it. It's doing too much good already. Bigotry comes and goes. The right thing lasts. 

By the way, I applaud members of both parties who crossed the aisle. I was proud of all of them who mixed it up. 

I'm an American and I am proud to be an American. 

Rest in Peace, Ted Kennedy

They just broke in on TV to report Ted Kennedy's death. We all knew it was coming, but I feel so sad. I came of age voting for JFK and like so many people in my age bracket and of my political persuasion, the Kennedy family saga has woven through our own stories. Two weeks ago his sister Eunice Shriver and now Ted. The end of an era. 

Make Your Own Obamacon

Artist Shepard Fairey is the one whose poster of Barack Obama has become so famous. I know I just love the poster of President Obama and now we can make our own posters thanks to Obamiconme. 

Here’s my result and I’d love to see yours when you make one.

By the way, I chose HOPE because Cookie is still doing well. Yippee!

 

 

Praise Song of the Day: Dr. Elizabeth Alexander

Like so many Americans and people around the world, I was moved deeply by all of President Barack Obama’s and Joe Biden’s inauguration. I did manage to watch the inauguration ceremonies before I left for work and would run into the lounge periodically to see what was happening on TV once I reached work. It was a very busy day for me and Elizabeth Alexander’s poem really increased my awareness of being mindful about all of us going about our routines. The only thing that happened that I personally found thoughtless was the Rev. Rick Warren’s inviting all of us to say together The Lord’s Prayer. What about everybody who is not a Christian? The Rev. Billy Graham had always been so cool about being inclusive when he spoke or prayed at public events. I did take the time last night to write bullet point memories in my journal of the day. 

Anyway, I wanted to take the time to reprint Elizabeth Alexander’s poem, “Praise Song for the Day,” in this transcript from today’s New York Times.

Each day we go about our business, walking past each other, catching each others' eyes or not, about to speak or speaking. All about us is noise. All about us is noise and bramble, thorn and din, each one of our ancestors on our tongues. Someone is stitching up a hem, darning a hole in a uniform, patching a tire, repairing the things in need of repair.

Someone is trying to make music somewhere with a pair of wooden spoons on an oil drum with cello, boom box, harmonica, voice.

A woman and her son wait for the bus.

A farmer considers the changing sky; A teacher says, "Take out your pencils. Begin."

We encounter each other in words, words spiny or smooth, whispered or declaimed; words to consider, reconsider.

We cross dirt roads and highways that mark the will of someone and then others who said, "I need to see what's on the other side; I know there's something better down the road."

We need to find a place where we are safe; We walk into that which we cannot yet see.

Say it plain, that many have died for this day. Sing the names of the dead who brought us here, who laid the train tracks, raised the bridges, picked the cotton and the lettuce, built brick by brick the glittering edifices they would then keep clean and work inside of.

Praise song for struggle; praise song for the day. Praise song for every hand-lettered sign; The figuring it out at kitchen tables.

Some live by "Love thy neighbor as thy self."

Others by first do no harm, or take no more than you need.

What if the mightiest word is love, love beyond marital, filial, national. Love that casts a widening pool of light. Love with no need to preempt grievance.

In today's sharp sparkle, this winter air, anything can be made, any sentence begun.

On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp -- praise song for walking forward in that light.

SoulCollage: American Audacity of Hope

Today I've downloaded more SoulCollage cards into my photo album on the lower, right side bar. When I ran across this card I had made a few years ago, it seemed to fit perfectly on the eve of the inauguration of Barack Obama and Joe Biden. 

I call this card the American Audacity of Hope although it was originally called America. 

I am the one who symbolizes this nation of freedom, compassion, tolerance and diversity. I am sometimes viewed negatively by other nations around the world, but it is a time for new directions and I have infused hope in the millions of people who are proud to be Americans. 

God bless America and God bless our new president and vice president and their cabinet. God bless each of us as we reinvent ourselves. 

I spent four days several years ago in Washington, D.C. It was January, like it is right now and I remember how very, very cold it was. We did all the tourist things, but the Lincoln Memorial, the tour of the White House, the Supreme Court, the Smithsonian, the Ford Theater and the Vietnam Wall immediately come to mind. 

I want to go back someday. 

The Inauguration for the Common Man

The Presidential Inauguration is only a few days away right now and for the first time in my life, I wish I could be there. I'm not much for crowds or cold, so I'll watch it on TV. A friend of mine has recently moved to Washington, D.C. and she sent this link to the Washingtonian that shows all the events and hoopla scheduled. Another friend from Connecticut is spending the night with her and going to the inauguration.

All I know is that for the first time in my life, I made what for me was a significant contribution to the campaign and I’ve gotten two things which are routine to everyone who donated. But, I’m framing them both. Double click on the images to enlarge them. 

During the campaign I got this photo “signed” by Joe Biden.

And a few weeks ago I got this invitation, although everybody is invited to the public inauguration. It’s no big deal, but deep inside it feels a tiny bit like a personal invitation. But, I like to think of myself all bundled up watching the new president being sworn in and hearing his speech. The other inauguration that has always been clear in my memory was John F. Kennedy’s. And though I haven't worn a full-on evening gown for years, I have several and I'd be in pink sequins at one of the balls. 

I don’t envy Barack Obama’s inheritance into the Presidency, but I feel so hopeful for the first time in a long time that visionaries who are action-oriented will somehow help our country to rise out of its problems and fears. Our stature in the international community will also be returned.

I pray for the safety of our leaders and their families. Even in the worst of times, I’ve been proud to be an American but I’m looking forward to more openness in the years ahead. 

Ready for the Road Ahead

When you work in a K-12 school like I do, and have for 17 years, you see 5-year-olds entering kindergarten and you see them graduate from high school 13 years later. Then the reunions come and they are college graduates--and you go to weddings, baptisms. The years speed by. At my age, you don't personally think about the future the way you did when you were young but you do see the future mirrored in the children.

This year's kindergarten class is "The Class of 2021" and the kids actually identify with that number throughout their school years. 

This plaque is in the kindergarten class's garden and these kids are now in the second grade. What a nice gift to leave for the kids who come after them.

Two weeks ago it was Homecoming and the high school has something different going on every day, leading up to the inter-class tug-o-war on the lawn. Usually the older classes win, but this year we had a larger freshman class than usual and they beat the older classes. Here are a few of the kids with their advisor, one of our librarians, Jane. My office is in the library. 

Since the election results on Tuesday, I've been thinking so much about the road ahead for our new President and Vice President-Elect and all the appointees to be named in the days coming up. Right now seems less dire and the future looks brighter. 

But Barack Obama is pragmatic, realistic. I am hopeful for the future and this quote from his acceptance speech Tuesday, has bolstered me, along with others that are popping up all over the Internet. Reading the headline stories from around the world makes me realize that all of us are more hopeful and that has to be a globally good thing. 

"The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there"--Barack Obama. 

All Things Are Possible

I have been crying with joy off and on for the past few hours. I haven't felt this positive about a political election since the first time I voted for John F. Kennedy. 

John McCain conceded with such grace; he was the John McCain I remember since before the campaign began. 

Obama's acceptance speech was historical. I will watch it over and over. 

The months and years ahead will be hard ones for President-Elect Obama but I feel hope unlike any I have felt for such a long time. 

Now off to watch local TV to see how our measures are doing. 

While Waiting for Results: Enjoy the Moment

Work upgraded my camera this fall as well as my computer. I have a new Nikon D60 and a new iMac with a 3.06 Intel Core 2 Duo, version OSX 10.5.5 and a 24" screen. Unfortunately, I've been busy enough this fall that I've been using both by the seat of my pants. It rained lightly during the night and the campus was gorgeous when I got to work--and the air was crystal clear. I didn't want to take the time to tackle the new Adobe Creative Suite, but I did begin reading about the camera and then took myself on a mini-photo shoot. I'm nervous as a cat as I await the election results, but manipulating these photos gives me respite from the jitters. Click on them to enlarge for detail. 

Well, I guess I can go flip on the TV now, heat up my left-over Panda Express and find out the election results. I, for one, am so glad it is over. This morning, drenched with rain, was a pink envelope in my complex's courtyard that said READ AND PASS on. When I got to work I opened it and was utterly shocked. It was hate political literature with lots of notations handwritten and drawn, skull and cross bones, lots of death threats and all against Obama, blacks, illegal aliens, gays, all Muslims and Latinos. It was attributed to America's Political Action Committee. Shame on you!