Famished Writer

"Storm Front" Nebraska by Mongo, Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain) Socially most of us know, and some obey the unwritten rules of idle conversation or chit-chat.  In conversations with casual friends and acquaintances the topics of religion and politics are considered inappropriate or elicit the response, “Dems fightin’ words”. Ok, nobody I know talks like that, but almost everybody I know talks incessantly about the weather, whether or not we care or are interested. Interpreting or lamenting about the weather has the same effect often as one who enjoys listing, describing, and generally complaining about their medical issues and ailments.  Hypochondriacs and meteorologists unite! You're both casual observers of a process beyond your comprehension.  Safe topics of discussion are life savers in uncomfortable social situations; they break the solid ice block of unstable stranger ground and build a (light-footed) communication bridge.   Observing...

Image By The Field Museum Library (Lotus flower beds  Uploaded by Elitre) [see page for license], via Wikimedia Commons February sticks out like a swollen black and blue eye on the face of our numerically perfect divisible calendar of convention. It follows its own rules and agendas, and like the ‘y’, it is allowed exemptions to rules “sometimes”.  I suppose it does make sense that we throw Valentine’s Day, or the day to cherish your loved one, into this abbreviated, chilly, temperamental month.  Aside from Februarys’ brevity, icy hospitality, and requisite acknowledgement of the importance of spontaneous romance, it is an enigmatic month sometimes laden with disappointment. Yet, out of the February black and blue gloom, perhaps there are some lessons about love we can all learn. Learning from others (mistakes) is undoubtedly the most efficient and painless way to accomplish leaps and bounds in life, but what can we learn from others about love? Is not love ...

Image [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons, "Future Fiction", 1941. My Mom called for her weekly chat last Sunday and out of the sky blue she told me she read the most interesting article in the newspaper that posed the question, “ Do we know when we are going to die ?” My mother does not normally discuss things other than the sky being blue (or not), and I assumed she meant what actual time, as in, on the clock. Of course, I know I will die at 5:55, but I am not sure if its am or pm, I guess I’d rather not know. There was a special on the Smithsonian Channel recently about one of the “Seven Wonders of the World”, called “ Stonehenge Empire ” which is about science utilizing todays innovative forensic technology to unearth the mysterious origins of its past and significance. In one segment the common assumption that the ancient civilization responsible for erecting and designing Stonehenge were somehow “cavemen” or lesser humans-since the wheel had not yet been...

US Army jump, Mt. Rainier, Washington, via Wikimedia Commons “Why would you want to jump out of a perfectly good plane?” That is the question my grandfather posed to me when I was 19 years old and seriously considering a career as a smoke jumper.  Call it a death wish if you want, but being a firefighter is every young man’s (or woman's) dream, so why not mine? You know, people do skydive as a form of recreation.  It's an adrenaline junkies sport perhaps, but then so is any great feat of athleticism.  Defying those natural “laws” that keep us mortal humans grounded, or anchored in the fixed elemental realm, creates a curious carnal excitement. Athletic events are the only honest form of real “Reality TV” anyway. Anything can happen. Both disaster and miracle, either of which stimulates the endorphins for both the doer and watcher.  Aside from living vicariously through those brave enough to consistently exercise their Risk muscle, some (like me) observe dar...

Photo by By Charles Fletcher Lummis (1859-1928) (http://www.scvhistory.com/scvhistory/hs3008.htm) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons In this Age of Innovation and Information infiltration, it still amazes me when I learn new history. Aside from the blatant oxymoron, what I mean is, when I uncover what seems to be a significant piece of human or cultural history that should have been learned during the accrual of basic education- it feels like Ive been lied to, important information has been withheld and I feel ripped off- why didn’t I know this ?  Ultimately, Historians have a vast responsibility with Father Time as a heavyweight opponent and infinite miles to cover. I remember watching an episode of Jeopardy where one contestant was a Smallsville Highschool History teacher and he relayed a story about his students challenging him to teach his syllabus backwards-alleging that he would not make it to World War II-they were correct. Those omnipotent teachers only ...

Image from ebay auction (closed) Now that the image of physical perfection is blasted everywhere we look, the obsession with our “packages”, or “bodies” has become relentless, but there is hope for all of us with the latest fad diet-at least I’m hoping it becomes one anyway. This one actually works kind of like a microwave, working from the inside out and the results are permanent. This fad diet does not include any food restrictions, or mean beating yourself up over missing a workout, this diet actually promises to put you in a better mood-seriously! Most females talk about their weight issues like the weather. It's mandatory small talk but ultimately it’s a silly ritual where one puts themselves down so the other can compliment them back-women! The obsession with appearance is not an entirely bad thing or even shallow value. In fact certain standards are actually hygiene related and taking care of the way you smell and look is just basic courtesy when in public.  Yet ...

The bamboo business is growing like weeds in an unattended garden, from ornamental, structural and other utilitarian eco-friendly ways, the rising popularity of this grass, is in a cash crop contest lately with legalized marijuana, the “other grass” . The growth spurt in cash dollars has translated into a couple extra billion dollars at least for the state of Colorado, Washington is right behind and those numbers could well exceed expectations. It will be interesting to see if Seattle Medical Marijuana Dispensaries will be as hot as a cup of freshly brewed Starbucks.  Now, back to bamboo and all the things it can do-some interesting facts and some incredible photos too! First here are some general but interesting facts about bamboo: Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants on earth with a documented 98 inches in a 24 hour period. Seen a flowering bamboo? Me neither, many bamboos only flower every 65 or even 120 years after it fruits most species die shortly ther...