monday's musing

Last week's comments and ensuing discussions were so fascinating and thought provoking - thank you all! So I have more, because once you get me started on the media, it's difficult to stop me. ;)

"If we choose, we can live in a world of comforting illusion." - Noam Chomsky

The end of an illusion about one aspect of news coverage came to me in a media ethics class, one of my very favorites with a terrific teacher. We were discussing the people behind the camera lens, and the professor said: "Do you all remember the footage of people drowning after that plane crashed into the Potomac?" We all nodded. Even though it had been years and years before, none of us could ever forget the images of people floundering for their lives in the icy water. "Did you ever think about the fact that the cameraperson chose to film the scene rather than try to help the victims?" We all stopped and stared open-mouthed. It had never occurred to any of us.

looking forward

I loved all your comments on my Monday post.Thank you! Wonderful food for thought, and interesting insights. Whatever the answers, we have a long way to go before we get there.


Now. Back to the frivolous fondling of fabulous yarn. I have gotten so absolutely behind - that nasty bug left me with barely half a brain and I couldn't work - that I am scrambling like a crazy person. When people tell you that it takes three weeks to get rid of this thing, believe them! My club shipment this month is delayed because of it, and I've gone from being sure I can get it out before my move next week, to just working to get it set up and not lose anything in the move. There is no room to pack my little white boxes at the moment! But this move has been so long anticipated that I can't help but be over-the-moon excited, even though everything has been thrown out of whack. (I promise finally to tell the whole story about it.) I will have my own lovely studio with tables on which to pack little white boxes! I might even have room to keep my sewing machine out. And my spinning wheels are already in residence at the new place.


The other project on my mind right now is my Year 3 eBook subscription (which is $16 through July 31). 

This year is a celebration of my beautiful new surroundings and home state, in collaboration with Jimmy Beans Wool!


I have my fall project yarn all lined up, swatched and ready for the commencement of knitting. I am entranced by the combination of autumn colors. Just look at these pop off the screen!

They're beautiful from every angle.

I had to get a little more intimate.

It's a yarny love affair.

Don't you feel like a voyeur?

The colors are so much more delectable in person, and I so wish you could squeeze them too! The gorgeous green is called Strange Harvest, and the yummy pumpkin pie colored skein is Gold Experience, both from Dream in Color. The green has touches of orange that just pop out next to the the pumpkin. I can tell they love each other deeply.


And Jimmy Bean's has them in a kit that you can pre-order in anticipation of the late August launch of the first pattern! Is that not cool? I also understand that they are cooking up a little something special, so stand by. Jimmy Bean's will have hard copy patterns, if you like that best, or you can order the entire digital subscription here for $16 through July 31st. On August 1, it will go up to $20. I can't wait for you all to see the first shawl!

monday's musing

First - thank you all so much for your stories, comments, and private emails. I loved hearing from everyone and the stories were great. :) I am feeling kind of human again today, though my body still hurts. I think I must have been stressing a lot more than I thought. I haven't been this sick in forever.


I thought I'd do a very uncharacteristic musing today, since the heaviest weight on my mind and heart right now is the horrible killings in Aurora, Colorado. May the victims and their families and friends find peace.


I know everyone has seen the renewed efforts to pass gun control legislation, and I'm not going to comment on that. Everyone has their beliefs and emotions regarding the issue, and it has become too politicized even to be able to have a rational discussion. This is not a political commentary, but more of a social/psychological one.


The most frightening thing to me about the killer is his intelligence and the detailed way he planned his assault. And I, along with everyone else can't help but wonder why? Well, what if it's something as simple as wanting to see himself on the television, in papers, on Twitter, and in every single media outlet? Here's a super intelligent young man in a PhD program, but no one is really impressed by that. He'll probably never be famous unless he wins the Nobel prize at 80. He couldn't even get a job. No one is interested in him because he's quiet and always does the right thing. So he stews on it and twists it around, and one day - maybe because he gets refused by some pretty young woman for the 100th time - he snaps. And he wonders "how can I can become famous over night?" because he is tired of waiting and living a life without distinction. And he twists it around some more and he becomes angrier and angrier. And there's one way he can think of to be taken seriously and have everyone know who he is, so he starts planning it all. And then, it goes perfectly. He is famous. He has shown everyone. He will live forever in the history books. And bonus! It only took a few months to plan.


But what if the media refused to publish his name? What if, instead of splashing his name and picture all across the world, he was simply known as "Perpetrator 1" or something equally vague? Complete anonymity. The details could be discussed and no doubt people close to him would know all about who it was. But if the media were required not to disclose his name for perhaps ten years, it would no longer be instant gratification. Would he still have carried out his attack if he knew he wouldn't have his immediate glory? Of course, no one will ever know, but it makes you wonder, doesn't it? And why aren't more people talking about the media's power? Most likely, because the media would have to cover their role, and they don't want to do that.


And if you think further about it, the media play a HUGE part in society. It's that old paradox: by covering events in the way they do, the media become part of history and effect history and popular culture, which they then cover. And the circle continues. My master's thesis in broadcast journalism dealt with the kidnapping of Polly Klaas, and the subsequent panic in California culminating in the Three Strikes law. Although Californians in large part were sure - through the media - that the crime rate was rising sharply, actual crime statistics showed a steady drop in crime rate leading up to the passage of Three Strikes. The media changed California enormously in this particular instance, and all so they could sell more with less work. They listened to each other's broadcasts, read each other's papers, tried to find similar crimes to fuel people's interest, and repeated it over and over. This is standard operating procedure: low effort, maximum profit.


I'm sure there are many of you who disagree, and my intent is not to start any type of war here. All of us have different opinions. I merely wish to present some food for thought: a Monday Musing.


note: the word "media" is used in the above commentary as a plural word

monday's musing

"Health is not a condition of matter, but of mind." - Mary Baker Eddy


I'm still sick as a dog and trying to get my mind to agree I need to be better. Now. Please send healing vibes if you have any extras!


Interesting aside: my grandmother always insisted that Mary Baker Eddy was related to her mother (maiden name Pearl Eddy) by marriage. Having done a little genealogical digging, I wasn't able to tie the two families together, but it sure made a fascinating story growing up. Did you have any stories like that growing up?


(eta: It's definitely worth it to read a little about Mary Baker Eddy's life. It became much more understandable to me how she came to her system of beliefs.)

woof

I've been sick as the proverbial dog here, but I'm beginning to be upright again. Watch out! Here I come. Though you'll hear me coughing long before I get there. ;)

Monday's Musing

"If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. It's the hard that makes it great." - Tom Hanks


Love love love this quote. :) And, btw, happy birthday Tom Hanks!

closure

We closed on our house!

After almost exactly ten months of short sale purgatory: waiting, negotiating, appraising and waiting - did I mention waiting? - it seems surreal. I am having a difficult time believing it. But it's true. The deed was recorded today. It's official.

independence day

Around town yesterday, I was continuing my photo-geekiness taking flag pics. I love this one.

And outside the swim center, the US and Nevada state flags.

Now it's time for our ceremonial reading of the Declaration of Independence. Have a terrific holiday everyone!

a backyard photo safari

A drop of sap on the picnic table caught my eye.

And then I saw the air bubble right in the center. It brought out my inner photo geek.

It was the perfect time of day and I had my favorite macro lens. I changed the battery pack.

The sun was beginning to set behind the mountains.

And the wee drop cast a long shadow.

It looked different from every angle.

I wonder if it will be there come morning?

monday's musing

Just for fun. :)


"I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book." - Groucho Marx


Have a great week everyone!

shearing day