Another New Year

Another New Year loomed overhead and then perched on the edge of Father Time's vast horizon, like a powerful eagle waiting to swoop down on its most vulnerable prey.

Father Time had been expecting him and spotted him immediately, when he arrived on the doorstep. He could see that this New Year was expecting to be welcomed like a prodigal son coming home, and also anticipated being allowed full access to the current tides of time.

"Why should I let you in?" Father Time asked him sternly, momentarily blocking the entrance to the tides of time, much to his dismay.

"What have your predecessors ever contributed to humanity? Have they proclaimed love, manifested its true expression, or merely perpetrated pseudo-love?"

"But I am a brand new year blossoming like a rose bud, filled with fresh potential," the New Year argued. "You cannot deny me access to the tides of time. That is my place in history, my rightful inheritance."

"The New Years, as well as the tides, all come and go," replied Father Time. "You too, will come and go, as that is your fate. To date, your predecessors have merely magnified and multiplied the woes of this world. Why should I allow this phenomenon to continue throughout the rest of history? Would it not be wiser for all of the New Years to be stopped in their tracks?"

The New Year could not believe Father Time's word.

"But I would not be given birth," argued the New Year. "I would die before I am even born, and so would all of the New Years destined to follow in my footsteps."

"Maybe then the problems of man would finally cease?"

"But you have to give me a chance," argued the New Year, tearfully. "That is only fair."

The midnight hour was approaching quickly, and he knew fear for the first time.

"Fortunately for you and all of the other New Years, I have a loving, forgiving Spirit," said Father Time, gently. "But consider yourself warned!"

At the stroke of midnight, Father Time opened the door, allowing the new New Year to be born, but also simultaneously unleashing the tides of time afresh, knowing that this New Year would fulfill his own destiny, just like all of the others.
.

The Almost Lost Hat

A weekend honeymoon across the border seemed perfect for the young newlyweds, who were looking forward to starting their new life together. It also meant that both of them could be back at work on Monday morning, bright and early.

Their weekend reservations for a downtown city hotel had been confirmed. It was just a matter of finding the hotel in a large, hilly city that was totally foreign to both of them.

It was actually a gorgeous day, with gusts of wind tossing brightly colored leaves everywhere, as they pulled into the downtown hotel parking lot. The hotel itself was huge and almost foreboding, other than for its architectural elegance. There was not a soul in sight other than the friendly, parking lot attendant at the gate, who assured them that their vehicle would be safe in the parking lot.

It was extremely windy, as they got out of their car and gazed upwards at the building. It had been a very long drive. 

Being self conscious, the newly weds gazed at each other shyly, but lovingly. The new bride smoothed out the wrinkles in her going-away outfit which was a beautiful, soft, turquoise wool suit, ideal for an early, October wedding. The groom did the same thing with his jacket.

"Let's do this!" suggested the happy, young bride, sensing embarrassment not uncommon to newly weds. "After we get checked into our room, we can explore the city and have a romantic dinner."

"Sounds good to me," the groom replied. "I will get our suitcase." As he opened the trunk of their car and pulled out their suitcase, there was a tremendous gust of wind, then another and another.

"They said this was a windy city," he  commented with a grin, trying to close the trunk of the car. As he placed the suitcase on the ground, the wind knocked it over and the lock popped open. The entire contents of the suitcase spilled out and were scattered in every direction. The newly weds quickly scurried after them.

"Whew!" said the young groom, as he hurriedly stuffed everything back inside the suitcase and locked it, not realizing that the young bride still had her turquoise, feathered pillbox hat in her hands.

"My hat!" she exclaimed, as the wind caught it. The pillbox hat rolled across the parking lot, and she chased after it. When she finally caught it, she promptly plunked it on her head.

"You can't wear that!" her new husband exclaimed laughingly, suddenly aware that the parking lot attendant was watching them, and smiling. "Everyone will think that we are newlyweds!"

"We are!" replied his new wife. "I am goring to wear it and am not carrying it into the hotel!"

"You almost had a lost hat," said the parking lot attendant, with a grin. "Congratulations, newlyweds!"

The question of effort versus insight in writing

When I take a moment and ponder the question of effort versus insight with respect to writing, I begin to see clearly that all of the effort that I could muster could not and would not inspire me to write anything of value or merit. When I try to write in terms of mere effort, it seems my efforts are all in vain, as the writing does not flow freely. In fact, it becomes a burden to write and is no longer a joy, as is more work than pleasure. In other words, speaking from a personal perspective, it is not mere effort alone that creates writers.  

Take for example some simple reflections and insight on my Christmas 2007.

I was playing with a young child who had a brand new water pistol. When I consented to the fantasy play in his world and stated that "I am so gone," and assumed a lifeless pose, after he had pointed his water pistol at me, the child panicked immediately and let me know in no uncertain terms that it was only a water pistol and that there was no water in it. At that moment, I graciously came back to life. I could not help but smile. He knew that I understood what he had done and he smiled too. We probably bonded for life.

I would not write this out of effort. In terms of insight, I see it as an interaction between a child and an adult, one that is worth writing about.

Take another example like this one, also from Christmas 2007.

At a Christmas celebration, a fragile looking, elderly woman immediately downloaded the entire events of a fall she had suffered a number of months prior to that time, complete with all of her aches and pains, the direct result of her fall. I had been aware of the event prior to that time, but stood quietly and listened with empathy and concern. After she recounted the details to me, she said almost nothing else to anyone. She just sat there and graciously smiled at everyone for the next couple of hours. She had stated what was important to her and more importantly to her, she knew that I had heard and understood it. She did not need to say anything else to anyone. Her communication need was satisfied.

This I would not write out of effort either, but rather from what I see as my own insight into the event.

A third example is that of the interaction of a middle-aged disabled woman, who needed to give me a present that same Christmas.

She had a plastic flute that she could not play properly because of her physical limitations. She decided that I could and should learn to play it. She seemed thrilled when I graciously accepted the gift from her. Then she tried her best to instruct me with respect to how to play the flute, simply by playing along with me on the organ, one note at a time. We actually succeeded in making music together and having some fun. Her face beamed with joy, as we played several Christmas carols. I was glad that I had accepted her gift, even though we did make a bit of noise too.

Writing this was not out of mere effort. Rather, it came from insight into the reality of this woman’s need to give a gift at Christmas time.

Here is another example of insight rather than effort in terms of writing.

Being quite busy over the holidays that same year, but at the same time, not wanting to interfere with anyone else's Christmas Eve preparations, I decided to leave a gift at the door of a neighbor. As I approached her house, I could hear people inside and knew someone would probably hear the doorbell. I placed the gift in front of the door, rang the doorbell and quickly departed. A little while later, I called to see if she had found the gift.

"Why didn't you come in?" the middle-aged woman asked.

"I wanted you to have a surprise," I replied.

A few moments later, I was pleasantly surprised when someone rang my doorbell. When I answered the door, a kindly neighbor handed me a gift, gave me a hug and a quick kiss on either cheek. Never have I had such a wonderful heartfelt hug. Actually, it took me totally by surprise and he knew that it had been the right thing for him to do.

That event in itself is not something that I would write about out of effort, either. I wrote it out of my insight into the happening.

Looking further, this time at life in general, not just at Christmas 2007, I realize that great writing comes from the insight that we have into the reality of what is happening in our lives. We have the opportunity to pen each insight in such a way that others can comprehend it and relate to it, but without the insight, there would be nothing to pen.

To write for the sake of writing would be meaningless, if it does not reveal the insight of human beings attained in day-to-day interaction with others. While each instance is relatively insignificant on its own, collectively these kinds of events portray a life or life style that is worth the effort of living and writing about.

   

Pandemic impact on people's lives

Pandemic impact on people’s lives

What happens to the lives of people, when there is a pandemic like the H1N1 virus? In a brief H1N1 recap, it becomes apparent that medical scientists can explain how flu pandemic explains the scope of a pandemic, but not its impact on the lives of people.

 "The 2009 outbreak of a new strain of Influenza A, virus subtype H1N1 created concerns that a new pandemic was occurring. In the latter half of April 2009, the World Health Organization's pandemic alert level was sequentially increased from three to five, until the announcement on 11 June, 2009, that the pandemic level had been raised to its highest level, level six." (1)

At that time, there was the grave reality of a global health crisis. Until the time that it reached level six, it was an epidemic.

"This was the first pandemic on this level, since 1968. Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization, gave a statement on 11 June 2009, confirming that the H1N1 strain was indeed a pandemic, having nearly 30,000 confirmed cases worldwide." (2)

The pandemic, based upon the number of cases of H1N1 infection, led medical professionals and health care educators everywhere to take immediate action, but it also raised concerns and questions.

For instance, is the difference between an epidemic and pandemic strictly a medical, scientific differentiation in scope, based only upon numbers? Obviously, the scope of the H1N1 infection based only on numbers could vary on any particular day, or in any part of the world. What does it really mean when medical scientists refer to the scope of the H1N1 pandemic? Other words for scope might include magnitude or the extent of a disease. It records the number of incidents of infection, documented and reported.

On the other hand, what is the impact of the H1N1 infection?

What does the impact of the H1N1 infection imply or signify to people around the world?

From a medical, scientific perspective, are there other implications with regard to impact? Is it only in terms of the scope, extent or magnitude of the infectious disease that medical scientists decipher the significance of the data they have collected? In other words, is medical science just a numbers crunch or does it entail the more humane elements of care, compassion and concern that have more to do with impact of the H1N1 pandemic on people's lives?
 

Is there yet another way to look at H1N1 pandemic impact?

Note that whether this is purely numbers or care, compassion and concern related, commitment on the part of the medical scientists is still essential. Perhaps what keeps medical science on its toes is the reality of the impact of something like the H1N1 pandemic on the lives of human beings everywhere.

One cannot disregard the importance of the medical, scientific scope of the H1N1 pandemic, in terms of its actual numbers. Nor can one disregard its impact in terms of human lives lost and saved.

Let us look at the word 'pandemic' further.

'Pandemic' is rooted in the Greek word 'pan' meaning 'all' and 'demos' meaning 'people'. (3)

Thus the use of the word 'pandemic' suggests that it may involve all of the people in the world.

Let us explain this further.

A pandemic "is an epidemic of infectious disease that is spreading through human populations across a large region; for instance a continent, or even world wide." (4)

Taking this definition further, "A widespread endemic disease that is stable in terms of how many people are getting sick from it, is not a pandemic." (5)

In other words, the pandemic is continually growing in magnitude or scope. This is what the medical scientists are attempting to track.

"According to the World Health Organization, a pandemic can start when three conditions have been met: emergence of a disease new to a population; agents infect humans, causing serious illness; and agents spread easily and sustainability among humans." (6)

"A disease or condition is not a pandemic merely because it is widespread or kills many people; it must also be infectious." (7)

Now, let us look at the word 'impact', its meaning and signification.

"Impact, in general, can refer to the influence or effect of an object. In science, however, it can refer to the collision of two objects. In medicine, it can refer to impinge." (8)

In terms of science, there is also the 'impact factor,' which is "a measure of the citations to a science or social science journal." (9)

What does all of this mean?

The majority of the world population will probably not understand fully what a pandemic signifies, involves or why one is declared by medical scientists. They will understand numbers of cases of an infectious disease that may affect them regardless of where they are living or traveling in the world.

The H1N1 virus impacts people is such a way that it creates an infection that quickly spreads to others. It can also impinge upon factors other than their health including their livelihood and economic status.

On a larger scale, it can interfere significantly with their human interaction particularly in terms of their financial resources, transport and trade. That in turn can affect the government, as well as the governments of other countries particularly when it involves international trade agreements and transactions.

The full impact factor from the H1N1 may not be felt, known or documented immediately as this kind of information is not always immediately available. Global economists and others will document this later.

While the world may be critical of the work of medical scientists with regard to the scope of the H1N1, it will become evident that their work has not been in vain. The global impact of the H1N1 pandemic is likely to be recorded in history as having been lessened by their vigilance including their care, compassion and concern for fellow man.

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandemic 

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid.

4. Ibid.

5. Ibid.

6. Ibid.

7. Ibid.

8.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impact 

9. Ibid.

Writing for the Internet

For freelance writers, writing means writing, editing and publishing various kinds of content, scripts or manuscripts for the Internet, and this may lead to publication in the form of  blogs, e-books or actual books.

Traditionally, the expression writing scripts has taken on a multiplicity of different meanings, all the way from the use of different kinds of language scripts, meticulously "scripting" ancient writings or poetry by hand with pen and black ink, or written manuscripts that are included in letters, old documents, etc. Manuscript writing includes various genres of literature like plays, novels, short stories, books, etc. Nowadays, the word script can also refer to computer fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, or some of the older "scripts" like Old English text. It can also refer to script associated with the field of entertainment.

There are key issues with respect Internet content writing, editing and publication, which may include the following:

Search engine optimization (SEO)

In the article, “SEO tutorial”, discusses techniques for improving visibility of content for search engines.

“SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the activity of optimizing Web pages or whole sites in order to make them more search engine friendly, thus getting higher positions in search results.

http://www.tutorialspoint.com/seo/

Search engine optimization standards are extremely important with respect to writing, editing and publishing content, script or manuscripts for the Internet. Enforcing SEO standards helps to increase the professionalism of Internet publication. Web pages that fail to meet SEO standards may be subject to severe criticism, or even the deletion of content, web pages or even web sites.         

Appropriateness of genre and content

One of the key issues with respect to writing for the Internet is the appropriateness of content for the script, manuscript, or specified genre. For freelance writers, genre always dictates the style of script, at least to some extent. For example, a play requires dialogue, while a news report requires documented data that is verifiable. Fiction writing allows a fair amount of literary freedom with respect to its manuscript, while a magazine article is looking for specific content in terms of its focus or topic. It is always important for a freelancer to consider the specifications of a web master or a web site when writing any kind of script for the Internet. This may also entail writing appropriate script for different readerships, with respect to language, race, culture or age.

Presentation of script content

Various kinds of scripts have specific criteria for presentation on the Internet. For example, poetic writings generally take on the style of different forms of poetry like haiku, ballad, shadow or galloping cowboy poetry. The script of a play usually has its own distinct format with descriptions of settings, acts, scenes and dialogue between characters, etc. 

Length of script

Writing a script or manuscript can vary in terms of its length. For example, a news report is limited in its length, as it must be easy to read quickly and requires facts, as opposed to fiction, and accompanying specific dates, times and places of events.  A fiction manuscript can be much longer, but may also include reference to, or liberties taken with actual historical events.

Successful, marketable Internet content, scripts or manuscripts meet basic requirements. They are positive, constructive and often highly motivational for readers. Many of them can be applicable to any era. They may or may not have accompanying photography or illustrations as writing appropriate content often serves that purpose.  

Man's best solution for coastal erosion

Mapping of coastal areas reveals the reality of changing coastlines, all around the world. There is a multiplicity of contributing factors to this phenomenon, only one of which is coastal erosion. Shorelines appear to disappear, or simply go through a period of transition.

The best solutions of man may offer a temporary solution, but winds always go where winds will; waves follow wind patterns. Temperature changes like those associated with global warming, alter both wind and wave patterns. Sand goes where winds or water determine its pathway. 

While many of the coastal changes go unnoticed by the majority, more dramatic weather patterns including hurricanes, cyclones, typhoons, monsoons and tornadoes demand the attention of man, as they can bring about major, unexpected changes in a coastline of any country. Global warming can do the same thing, as ice formations typical to northern regions like the Arctic, or southern regions like Antarctica begin to break away and float to different areas.

At best, the solutions for coastal erosion attempted by man appear to be only temporary, as winds will be winds, and waves will be waves. In other words, oceans, seas, lakes and rivers will continue to have altered coastlines, as sand and other debris shifts one way or another.

Attempting to return coastlines to their state of ‘normalcy’ in one area, can result in the shifting of coastlines in other areas, as sand moves about in conjunction with wind and the wave patterns. What is true normalcy may be nature’s best solution. Man’s first instinct is to ‘fix’ something that is ‘broken’, but there are times when nature offers a better solution, based upon the understanding of a larger whole.   

 

Consider the following examples.

A waterway to the ocean has collected silt and sand from the rise and fall of the ocean’s tide. Man attempts to dredge the riverbed, in order to open up the waterway for shipping purposes and at the same time, tries to use the silt and sand for landfill, close by or elsewhere. Pumping silt and sand from the riverbed onto nearby land can lead to the unanticipated expansion of peat moss, which in turn has the potential to disrupt roadways, highways and result in the destruction of buildings, loss of homes and so forth. Barges bring tons of rock and sand to eroding beaches. Trucks and railways serve the same purpose, often with disastrous results.

Wave energy or wave patterns continue to follow their natural pattern, which can result in further problems caused by coastal alteration. At times, this can affect other areas too, whether the rock and sand is derived from a source downstream, or elsewhere. Natural habitats invariably suffer destruction when man builds new developments on coastal areas deemed landfill sites. The cost factor alone can be prohibitive. Waste products often go to landfill sites as well, leading to contamination.  

Should man stop trying to ‘fix’ his world, particularly after a major coastal disaster in a heavily populated area? There are times when that appears to be appropriate, but at the same time, there are no guarantees that the same kinds of disasters, or others like it, will not occur in the same place. Working against, or in opposition to nature alters equilibrium and balance inherent in nature.   

Nature tends to be a ‘fixer’ too. Perhaps some of the best solutions of man allow nature to ‘run its course’, or work in harmony with nature, even when this entails man learning how to live with nature and its vast realm of manifestations.  

Baby Boomers: Job Interview Questions and Responses

Many baby boomers seeking employment after years of not working or working elsewhere go through job interviews where there can be questions from employers, or others. How a baby boomer responds, appropriately or inappropriately, may be the determining factor in hiring. Appropriate responses are more likely to lead to hiring. Note that humor in conjunction with inappropriate responses reinforces the necessity for appropriate responses.    

Consider the following example:

As a baby boomer, you applied for a job and received a telephone call from a potential employer asking you to come in for an interview. You agreed to do so, but all of a sudden, you are starting to experience a twinge of nervousness and uncertainty about the pending interview. What ever happened to all of your courage? Perhaps you had a lot more confidence when you applied for your first job at age 16. If you went to the grocery store or the doctor’s office, you might feel more confident than you do now. Why is this any different? 

"You took early retirement, as a baby boomer," a receptionist comments. "Wonderful!"

You just stand there.

"Now what?" she thinks, wondering why you are not saying anything.    

You could have said, “Thank you.”

Courtesy is always in order, even if you are stunned.

The following is a general overview of the kinds of questions that a potential employer might ask you.

Your interviewer proves to be a man who you have never met.

"Hello! My name is Joe. How are you today?"

"I am absolutely terrified! Oops, I did not really mean to say that. I think I will be ok, after I get out of here! I really did not want to come in today, at all! I had to take my dog to the vet. He is waiting in the car. I wonder if I opened the car window."

This exactly what you are not going to say even though this may be how you feel.

Instead, smile, stand up and offer to shake your potential employer's hand. After all, he is considering you as a possible employee and treating you with respect, so use this response instead.

"I am wonderful, thank you. My name is Brenda. How are you today?"

Here is an opening statement your employer may make. He has to start the conversation somewhere.

"You saw our job advertisement in the paper?"

"I did and it scares the hell out of me, because I have lost all of my confidence and I don't think that I can do it. I am too old to work anymore. Don't you know that I am a baby boomer?"

This is another answer that you are not going to give, even though this is what you are thinking or feeling. Remember that first impressions are extremely important. Respond this way, instead.

"Yes, I did see that advertisement and decided to apply for it because it looks like an excellent job opportunity for me."

Now the employer moves on to his next question. 

"May I ask why you applied here, at this time?"

"That is a really frightening question. Well, let me see. My previous employer told me I was getting too old to stay on my other job, about ten years ago but I stayed there anyhow. Now they have forced me to take an early retirement, just because I asked for some time to take a nap, every afternoon."

This is exactly what the potential employer does not want to hear from a baby boomer, even if this actually happened to you. For some, it is all right to take an early retirement. In fact, many baby boomers are doing just that, for one reason or another. You do have other possible answers that you can give, like this one.

"I have been building my literary profile recently. Research is one field that I would like to develop further, as it has always been a very interesting area of inquiry to me."

Your employer continues, now asking you this question.

"Are you seeking full or part-time employment?"

"Let's see. I do not really know what I want. I have to go my swimming club meeting on Wednesdays, so I do not work that day. Fridays are out too, because my children come to visit me then. I hate getting up on Monday morning. Tuesday evenings, I am always busy, as I go shopping with the girls. What do you think I should do?"

By now, your prospective employer knows that you are not about to work full time and in fact, you do not really know what hours you do want to work. He or she is not about to make that decision for you.

Try this response instead.

"I am seeking full time work, but I am willing to consider part-time employment. How many hours per week are you offering?"

Here is another important question that he may ask.

"Are you available to work on weekends?"

"Work on weekends? I absolutely do not work on weekends, as that is absurd. I go to the cottage up north every weekend, with my poodle, Tiger. The poor dear is fifteen years old and we have gone there for the last fifteen years. Do you have a poodle, too? My last dog lived to be eighteen years old. He wandered out into the street and got hit by a car!"

Obviously, for your employer, this is not an appropriate response. If going to work on this job entails working weekends, you might have just closed the door. Note that your employer probably does not want to disclose his or her personal information to you. Neither does he want to know about your weekend cottage visits, your dog or your other dog, how he died, etc.

You can respond differently by simply asking a question.

"How many weekends a month would you like me to work?"

Here is another typical employer statement, in a job interview.

"Tell me about your previous job and your reason for leaving."

"I really don't want to answer that question. (Sobbing) No, I will not tell you about this. It was a horrible job and I had a bad experience. My boss fired me because..."

Now, your potential employer is getting uncomfortable. He or she does not know whether to hug you and send you packing immediately.

There are better answers, like this one.

"My previous job was a wonderful experience for me, as I had an opportunity to advance my literary career. I learned new job skills that may be beneficial to your company. I have come to know some fantastic people, too."

Then, there is always this question from a prospective employer, 

"What are your salary expectations?"

"I don't think that I am worth what you are offering in the paper. I forget what that was. Maybe around $3000.00 dollars per month, but I do not know what this kind of work is worth. I have never really looked into it. Maybe I am asking for too much?"

Can you see what you just did? You may have turned down what could have been an excellent salary or one that could be higher than your expectations. You put yourself down, as well. Did you really need to do that?

Here is a more appropriate response.

"What you are offering as a monthly salary appears to be appropriate for this particular job description. Do you offer a benefit package, as well?"

Employers love to ask this question.

"Why should I hire you?'

"I don't think you should hire me, because somebody younger can probably do a much better job than I can. I am so dumb! The kids nowadays are so much smarter than we were at that age. They have all of the advantages that we have never had. Most of them do not appreciate them either. Don't you agree?"

At this point and with that response, do not expect to this employer to hire you. You have shown your prospective employer that you really do not feel that you are able to do this kind of work. He or she will likely find someone younger.

Give this kind of an answer instead.

"My literary project was on a research topic, one that might be of benefit to your company. It contains projections for the future. Would you be interested in reading my latest article? It is posted on my web site."

Once you have passed this interview, a second interview may be in order.

"Would you be willing to come in for a second interview, with the rest of my management team?"

"Absolutely not, either you hire me today, or go find someone else! Do you think that I have nothing else to do with my time and energy? Who is going to pay for the gas I need for my car to drive all this way, again? I am so busy. I have to cut my grass too."

Employers do not appreciate this kind of an attitude. Many jobs require several interviews by different levels of management. Remember that the other part of the management team, might recommend that this person hire you. Ultimatums tend to end negotiations immediately. By the way, if you do not demonstrate some degree of flexibility, why would any employer want to hire you?

Here is a better answer.

"Certainly, I would me more than happy to meet with the rest of your management team. In fact, I am looking forward to it. Do you have a particular date and time, in mind?"

After this question, it may be your turn to ask questions that you have, so prepare them ahead of time.

"Do you have any questions that you would like to ask me?"

"Questions, why did you have to ask me that? Of course, I do not have any questions as I have not had a chance to think about this, at all. Are your really dumb, or what?"

Now, you have shown your prospective employer that you came to this interview unprepared. Had you done some research on the job, you might have had several, excellent questions you could have asked him. You might also have opened a new area of interest to discuss with your new employer. By the way, you just insulted your employer too, so the door is there for you.

This works better.

"Yes, I do. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to ask you some questions. When I was researching this particular role in your company, I realized that it included freelance writing projects, with possible travel options. May we discuss those in the future? I love to travel and write too."

Your employer is now summing up the interview.

"I have several other interviews to do today. Then I plan to contact everyone who I want to introduce to our management team either by telephone, or by e-mail. Do you have an e-mail address and an answering machine? By the way, if you don't hear from us immediately, you will know that we are still busy doing interviews."

"That figures, no I don't have e-mail. What is e-mail anyhow? I am a dinosaur, when it comes to computers. I never use those things. They are only for kids who play silly video games. I disconnected my telephone and my answering machine a long time ago because I got fed up with all of those stupid telemarketing calls, all the time."

If you respond this way, how do you expect this employer to contact you? Do you think that he or she is hiring dinosaurs? Do you really expect him to hire anyone who talks to him like that, probably not! Maybe you did not really want this particular job and it is time to do some upgrading in computer skills?

This response is far more appropriate.

"I have included my e-mail address and website address in the cover letter of my resume, along with my literary portfolio. I think that you might enjoy browsing through it. I have an answering machine with this telephone number and my fax number is included, too. By the way, I am willing to upgrade my computer skills at any time. I will be expecting to hear from you."

Your interview is over and you survived it!

"I will be in touch with you, in the near future. Thank you for coming in."

"Whew! Am I ever glad this is over! I really need a smoke. I can hardly wait to get out of here and go to the casino. I am meeting a whole bunch of my baby boomer friends, for lunch. We going to have a few drinks and play the slot machines, for a few hours."

Did you forget to thank this potential employer for interviewing you? Do you think that any employer needs, or wants to hire someone who did not remember to say thank you? He probably does not want someone who has a smoking, drinking and gambling addiction either. 

Obviously, you did not enjoy this interview and your potential employer has probably not enjoyed it either. Maybe he or she has already shredded your resume.

Close your interview in a more professional manner.

"Thank you for taking the time to interview me. I appreciate it. I realize that your time is valuable. I will be waiting to hear from you. Thanks again!"

Offer to shake his hand as you say goodbye.  

These are only a few of the potential questions and answers for baby boomers seeking employment. If you have reasonable qualifications and respond to questions in professional manner, you will get an invitation to come in for a second interview and more than likely, you can expect to have a new job in an appropriate position.

Congratulations on succeeding with your first interview, and getting a new job, baby boomer!

The New Tower of Babel: Inherent Implosion

"Try my inherent implosion theory on that one," said Morgan, a budding, young architect who was pointing her index finger towards a tall building in the heart of a new city growing in leaps and bounds.

Numerous tall buildings towered high on the horizon, particularly this one. It was going to be the highest of all. Its shiny, glass front seemed to splash brilliant, rainbow colors all around and created wonderful beams that radiated from its heart, like those of a diamond exposed to a brilliant light.

"That is my project," said Morgan to her boyfriend. Isn't it marvelous?" 

Todd was a new architectural graduate she had been dating for a while, but she had never discussed her project with him.
. 
She smiled at him sweetly. 

"It is already so beautiful, and it is not finished yet."

"Inherent implosion theory?" the young man asked, marveling at her new recent architectural structure rising high into the sky. "Are you serious? What on earth are you talking about?"

"I am very serious. Look me straight in the eye and then tell me that this building does not have an inherent implosion potential. I know it does, as I designed it. There is no such a thing as a perfect architectural design. Strengthening one aspect of a building has a tendency to weaken other aspects of it.” 

"Inherent implosion is a flaw inevitable in any structure then."

"Right, but there is a lot more to it than that. Figure this out. How can an architect guarantee the future of any building project in our era, much less that of other times? He or she cannot do that. Look at the cost of property alone in this city. No one can afford to buy property, much less build on it, unless of course the insurance coverage covers the cost of construction and development. The insurance only becomes meaningful when it is destroyed or collapses.”

"That is a scary thought," said Todd. "It also means that anyone could intentionally build a flaw into a structure."

"Preventing that from happening is a challenge for architects like us." 

Morgan smiled at him.

“Morgan, you are so cute when you smile," Todd said, not taking her theory seriously. "Maybe I should ask her tonight," he thought to himself. "I have been thinking about asking you to marry me, but I wanted to graduate with my degree in architecture first."

Todd wondered if Morgan heard what he said. 

"What better way to make certain that there will be another structure on this same site within ‘x’ number of years?" Morgan replied. "That way architects will always have employment, too."

"Inherent implosion potential would suggest that it is can be built right into the architectural design. In other words, so that it is already there when it is constructed."

Todd looked more closely at the new building in the distance, putting his hand up over his eyes to reduce the intensity of the setting sun's rays.

"Maybe I should look a little closer into this. You are really serious," he said aloud.

Morgan nodded. 

"This theory is not a new one. The collapse of buildings is a phenomenon that occurred ever since the time of the Tower of Babel, or probably even before that, maybe on a smaller scale."

“You think that the Tower of Babel may have been constructed in such a way that it was guaranteed to collapse?” Todd asked.

“Just think about it,” replied Morgan. “All of the major structures throughout history have tumbled down, at one time or another.”

 “I want you to marry me. Woman, you have to be some kind of a genius to figure that one out,” replied Todd, smiling at her.

"Oh, come on Todd, take me seriously." Morgan laughed at the look on his face.

“Regardless, I want to keep you around for a while," he said, smiling at her even more sweetly. “I am asking you to marry me," Todd said aloud, as he got down on one knee. "I am serious. Morgan, I love you. I really do want you to be my wife. Will you marry me?”

Morgan did not answer immediately.

She continued to expound upon her theory.

"Do you realize that this means that every single structure ever constructed has the same inherent potential for implosion? Every building constructed in the past will collapse at one time, or another. Those currently under construction or any of them going to be in the future all have the potential to collapse. This includes skyscrapers, other towers, large malls, churches, castles on the Rhine, bridges, dams or even space stations. It is just a matter of time. Architects like us will always have employment, as there will always be more and better structures to design."

"Was that a no'?" Todd wondered, remaining silent for a brief moment. "How do I get you to take me seriously? I want to get married and settle down, maybe raise a few children. Don't you?"

"There is an eternal quest for perfection and only thing that does not have inherent implosion potential."

"What is that?"

"Love, of course!”

"Now we are getting down to brass tacks," said Todd, realizing his dream was about to come true and that was a yes.

Distinguishing Between Love and Passion

At times, it is difficult to distinguish between love and passion and while there can be love without passion, love with passion, is far more desirable. A comparison of love and passion with respect to their meaning and inter-relationship will help to answer this question.

Note that there are many different kinds of love and just as many different kinds of passion. In other words, love is not necessarily passion and passion is not necessarily love, even though there are times, when they may seem to be the same thing. 

Love has many different levels, including divine and human love. The same is also true with respect to passion, as it can also be divine or human.

Place love on a continuum from one to ten. Perhaps you might suggest that love without passion, is one out of ten. Love with passion, could be considered in terms of a higher intensity of love and thus be rated as a ten out of ten. By placing passion on a similar continuum, it might become apparent that it is the same kind of situation. Passion without love, would be a one out of ten and passion with love would be a ten out of ten.  

There are always going to be those who consider love and passion as the same thing, but are they really?

The answer to this question is no. Love implies the emotional attachment or feeling that one has for someone or something. Passion more accurately depicts the level of the intensity of a feeling like love, for someone or something.

Note that both love and passion can have negative connotations, or opposites, as well, but even then, they are not the same thing. It is important to understand them within their own contexts.

Let us look at some examples of love, for a moment. A child can love his or her parents and express that love in many different ways. A child can also love an animal, but that love will be a different expression of love. A child can also love his or her toys.

Compare that to passion. A child can be passionate and demonstrate intense feelings with respect to his or her parents, animals or toys. In other words, the degree of intensity simply varies.

Both love and passion in a negative light can also be on a continuum from one to ten, as well. Love, in a negative context would be non-love or even hate, depending upon the degree of intensity. Passion, in a negative context, would essentially be non-passion, or lack of feeling or emotional involvement. That level can also vary.

Both love and passion are typically used in very broad contexts, as well as inter-changeably, but they are definitely different and there can be love without passion and passion without love.       

The controversy about absolute and conditional truth

The question of whether truth is absolute or conditional is controversial. In His era, Jesus Christ introduced a new concept, that of the Personification of the Truth. Within that context, Truth is Absolute as there is God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit in the Trinity, as the three manifestations of the Divine found in the teachings of Christianity.

Speaking in terms of Christianity might be offensive some people. To those offended by Christianity, has anyone found a perfect solution to the human problem of barbarianism yet? Christianity teaches the love of God and one another and thus an end to barbarianism. Why be offended by something or someone who teaches peace? Does not the entire world seek peace?

So I return to the original question.

Is Truth Absolute? Yes, Truth is Absolute when one is referring to Jesus Christ, as the Personification of the Truth. 

Perhaps I might suggest that the entire concept of Truth can generate many different levels of understanding. On a higher plane of Divine thought, Truth encompasses both Absolute truth and Conditional truth. That is not so on a human level of understanding, but there is room for absolute truth and conditional truth and if humankind does err, then there is forgiveness.

Anyone can state from a human plane of existence that truth is conditional. In other words, what I see can differ from what you see. Since no two people see the same way, does that make truth conditional? In other words, it's state of being conditional may be based upon your perception, or my perception. What happens when two or more people see it as the same thing? Does that make it more or less conditional?

Taking it further, there is Absolute Truth that is Divine Truth and absolute truth that is human truth. There is Conditional Truth that is Divine Truth and conditional truth that is human truth. Is there a perfect answer? God's Truth would be perfect Truth, or Absolute Truth. Anything else would be less than perfect truth.

Consider all of these possibilities: Absolute Truth or absolute truth, Absolute Truth or conditional truth, Conditional Truth or absolute truth and Conditional Truth or conditional truth. There is also Absolute Truth as Divine Truth, Absolute Truth as human truth, Conditional Truth as Divine Truth and Conditional Truth as human truth.   

Perhaps the right question is not being asked from a human plane of existence. If or when I am able to come up with the right questions, I will likely know the answer too. In the meantime, I can rest assured that God's Truth would be Absolute, whether humankind sees it as Absolute, or not.

That raises the problem of human perception again. Those who are 'of God' should see the way that He sees. Those who are 'not of God' would see differently. Interestingly, the Bible suggests that God opens man's eyes to see and his ears to hear. What he sees then is truth. Those who do not have their eyes and ears opened are still wearing blinders and are deaf to the cries of others.

Perhaps we all might pray that God would open our eyes to see and our ears to hear regardless of whether or not we have an answer to the question of whether truth is absolute or conditional.

The bottom line is "God is Love." How we see and hear should be in terms of His Divine Love.

Dry Bones of Contention: The Critic or the Critique

Writers tend to be critical of critics. One must ask whether they should be criticizing the critique instead.

As readers, we wade through lengthy loads of literary luggage, with long lists of contents and dictionary definitions. Are these necessary in literature, one must ask?

We might suggest that combination lock numbers, used to unravel time in transit and old, worn out, doggy-bone arguments of indifference, are kind of like a literary plague at times, or at least it seems that way. We patiently read these too.

Then of course, there is the regressive, retentive element of history that keeps on popping up like huge cigars of wisdom that have been puffed to death. The ancient allegations with their decrepit denials and defenses argued relentlessly are ready to wrinkle Father Time's face further. We accept those quite willingly too.

How many times do we read dank and disgusting revelries, drab descriptions and look at fuzzy faces fading on the walls, as some kind of a flip-flop in reality's square? These are like ‘weighty, wordy weapons’ against ‘the reptiles that are replicating relentlessly’.

Much of what we read is more like eating pretzels without salt or playing slippery, slovenly scrabble, while we wade through contemporary, crisscross critiques about deep-fried dragons, full of fractured and fragmented fantasies.

Oh, the world of wild and wonderful words, but it can prove questionable at times.

Oh, I would the harshest critic be, if were to be one. Should we not criticize the critique, rather than the critic?

These all appear to be ‘dry bones of contention’.

On the other hand, does it not take a bit of courage to stand up as a critic, even knowing that as the critic you could wind up being the object of a critique instead?

At least to some degree, we all stand in our own element of understanding in terms of how we comprehend what we read. Even the critic has to stand somewhere. Part of what makes life interesting is the reality that there is such a complexity and diversity in what we do get to read.

Imagine for just one moment a world where there were no critics and no critiques. It might be great for a while, but it would not take long before boredom would set in. In itself, that might prove to be an even worse plague.

Reluctantly, we wrestle with critiques and critics, but we have to face it. Reality demands both. Should we be so critical of the critics? Maybe we are not critical enough. Who knows? Remember that even dry bones are good for flavoring soup!