I spend a lot of time thinking about and researching the perfect place to live. I've learned a lot about different ecosystems and gotten very familiar with the geography of not only the USA but various other places around the world. Occasionally, the knowledge can be fun to share in conversation with others. Overall though, it's been a complete waste of my time and life. Sometimes wanting to find a perfect place consumes me. What places have houses available that are affordable. What places have schools I want my children to go to. What places have a climate that I would enjoy. What places will have snow during the winter holidays. What places have mountains. What places will offer the best opportunities for my children in the future.
Place certainly is important. It has a lot of impact on a person and their future self. But what is perhaps more important than that is what you're doing with your life right now. What skills are you trying to learn. What are you practicing. What are you developing. What are you cultivating. What are you learning. What are you experiencing.
With those things in mind, picking a place which imbues you with the energy to achieve the things you are interested in makes a lot of sense. You get energy from your environment. And it can be cyclical. Areas that have longer winters may mean less energy in the winter and more in the summer. Personally, I've been someone better with consistency, with fewer changes day after day. Having a nice rest for a week or two is great, but a long winter is hard on me. The same goes for short days and long nights, or long days and short nights. I prefer more balance.
Ultimately, I know I need to move somewhere to a place which is going to give me what I am looking for, a place which is easy to get outside in, to grow food and plants, to create parks, and opportunities for more time outdoors. And more importantly, I just need to enjoy and make the best out of what I currently have.
Sunday, December 23, 2018
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Immigration
Somehow, immigration in this country, the USA, needs to be changed. The world has become more globalized, due to the prior policies of the USA. Citizens are all across the globe, and often leave their family members all across the globe.
My example is such. I met my wife-to-be on the Internet. A Russian studying Chinese in China. After visiting her for two weeks and seeing the opportunity to find work, I gave my two weeks notice and came back to stay. We lived together for 7 years in China and started a new family.
The single biggest reason that we never came to the USA during that time was the immigration process. During those seven years, my jobs were all for Chinese companies. I was unable to show the ability to financially support my family, despite the fact that since I was 18 I had been working, and thus had a history of showing I'd find a way to make ends meet.
So I was in a catch 22. Stay working in China to keep my family together would not allow me the opportunity to find the gainful employment I needed in America to bring my family there. The only option was to separate my family as I found work in the USA, then begin the immigration process.
After seven years, I finally tried it. Now, anyone who has been together for seven years, who has gone through those ups and downs of being together and raising a family together, they've pretty well established that the basis for their relationship is not to take advantage of a system or a government. I don't see why it is so god damned hard or necessary to keep a family separated for a year or longer. What information will be found to detract from the meaning of this establishment the family is united under?
Unfortunately, the US immigration policies don't care. The members of our government don't seem to care. I implored my Democratic senator, Amy Klobuchar, for help in reuniting my family sooner. This was the response.
This is the sort of garbage that gets my blood boiling. And just to set matters straight, I did try to bring my family here once in 2014 but had the petition withdrawn because I was unable to prove the ability to financially support my family in the USA. There's a case number and everything for it. I'm not sure why the process couldn't be started from there or at least sped up a little. All the casework had been done before.
My example is such. I met my wife-to-be on the Internet. A Russian studying Chinese in China. After visiting her for two weeks and seeing the opportunity to find work, I gave my two weeks notice and came back to stay. We lived together for 7 years in China and started a new family.
The single biggest reason that we never came to the USA during that time was the immigration process. During those seven years, my jobs were all for Chinese companies. I was unable to show the ability to financially support my family, despite the fact that since I was 18 I had been working, and thus had a history of showing I'd find a way to make ends meet.
So I was in a catch 22. Stay working in China to keep my family together would not allow me the opportunity to find the gainful employment I needed in America to bring my family there. The only option was to separate my family as I found work in the USA, then begin the immigration process.
After seven years, I finally tried it. Now, anyone who has been together for seven years, who has gone through those ups and downs of being together and raising a family together, they've pretty well established that the basis for their relationship is not to take advantage of a system or a government. I don't see why it is so god damned hard or necessary to keep a family separated for a year or longer. What information will be found to detract from the meaning of this establishment the family is united under?
Unfortunately, the US immigration policies don't care. The members of our government don't seem to care. I implored my Democratic senator, Amy Klobuchar, for help in reuniting my family sooner. This was the response.
Not very helpful. And the reasoning USCIS gave was poor. Humanitarian. What does that mean anyways? From Google:
hu·man·i·tar·i·an/(h)yo͞oˌmanəˈterēən/Geez.. so there was nothing humanitarian in my request to reunite my family in a timely manner? In the meantime, my step-son is having issues finding a proper education and my wife is having trouble finding a place to live resulting in them floating back and forth between Vladivostok, Russia and Dalian, China. They lack access to adequate healthcare over there yet I have a job which would provide health insurance for all my family once they are here in the USA. And then my son could have access to a more stable education. Color me stupid but forcing them to continue separated from their father and husband, and my daughter who is here in the USA with me, that is very humane.
adjective1.
concerned with or seeking to promote human welfare.
"groups sending humanitarian aid"
synonyms: compassionate, humane;
This is the sort of garbage that gets my blood boiling. And just to set matters straight, I did try to bring my family here once in 2014 but had the petition withdrawn because I was unable to prove the ability to financially support my family in the USA. There's a case number and everything for it. I'm not sure why the process couldn't be started from there or at least sped up a little. All the casework had been done before.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Not Too Different from Animals
I was walking through a supermarket this morning in a hurry.. I was weaving in and out of people but contained.. contained within a path. It dawned on me we were all being herded along paths, from one shop to another, until eventually we arrived to our dormitory for rest. How is this any different than the domesticated animals being herded from one pasture to another, until eventually they are brought to their barn? Or even many undomesticated animals, such as rabbits and deers, running so often over one area that the grass is worn away and a path is worn in.
Our modern lifestyle has us moving from one place to another, all over well defined paths, and even to some extent schedules, all seeming as if we are just pawns being moved from above. It is no wonder that so many people feel we are just objects, part of some peoples greater plan for world domination. It is no wonder there are so many conspiracies. And it is no wonder that there is so much hatred, yet so little action to make things better.
Our modern lifestyle has us moving from one place to another, all over well defined paths, and even to some extent schedules, all seeming as if we are just pawns being moved from above. It is no wonder that so many people feel we are just objects, part of some peoples greater plan for world domination. It is no wonder there are so many conspiracies. And it is no wonder that there is so much hatred, yet so little action to make things better.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Late nite ramblings..
The start of a poem that keeps beginning - maybe I'll have to wait till I've walked these streets the four seasons for it to complete.. any suggestions would be appreciated!
Also, an irony that I noticed, my last post so many months ago about a living history, and inadvertently I've begun to do just that as I assist with the production of End of the Road Ventures. Much history of the area is being recorded and presented this way. It's a blessing to be a part of it, even though I often dread the extra hours of work this steals away from my life!
...
For Jean, you told me to update things after my "bit of bitching" post .. well, I've managed to pay off a good portion of the debt I was in, plus paid off my vehicle just a month ago. Things are certainly looking better in that avenue :)
The Cathedral of the Maples...
I walk your aisles often, ever
in awe of the beauty and majesty
Of your ancient wisdom, it's strength
Forever growing, limbs in praise
Of the sun, but the branches bow gracefully
In reverence towards the earth.
The holy water - stored in your rays
Rich with sucrose, stored for the
Celebration of your rebirth each
Spring after your winter of rest, milked
From your trunk as the first fruits
A gift - a gift from the gods.
Also, an irony that I noticed, my last post so many months ago about a living history, and inadvertently I've begun to do just that as I assist with the production of End of the Road Ventures. Much history of the area is being recorded and presented this way. It's a blessing to be a part of it, even though I often dread the extra hours of work this steals away from my life!
...
For Jean, you told me to update things after my "bit of bitching" post .. well, I've managed to pay off a good portion of the debt I was in, plus paid off my vehicle just a month ago. Things are certainly looking better in that avenue :)
Sunday, May 10, 2009
The Living History
It really struck me just how much so we are living history right now. Not that I am saying we at a turning point in history, even though honestly I feel like I do.. but the point is, all of us, worldwide, are living in history as it is unfolding, regardless of the outcome. Many of us feel that we are going to have no impact on it. And when we look back at the way history is currently written, there are few names out of the billions of people who have lived that are remembered.
But you know what... we live in a fascinating time. We live in a time where everyone has the a voice or the potential to voice themselves. It is more and more difficult for organizations to prevent us from saying what has truly happened. And I think this is wonderful. And I think it needs to be documented.. in your voice, by your hand.
We really are doing this too, to an extent that has never before been seen. So many people with blogs and videos that are easily accessible to anyone from anywhere (think of blogspot and youtube for instance..)
Really, what more could a person contribute to this? Individually, we can all we want :) ... I'm pondering the idea of going around to various parts of the world (in part just because I want to travel) but to have people tell me their individual histories, their perspective on life, on what is happening around them, how they feel.. and to do it completely unedited and with very little to perhaps even no narration. I wouldn't want my influence in the documentation other than just the fact that I am doing it.
So.. is this a good idea? Am I being silly? If a person were to do something like this, how would you go about getting funding? That's the only problem I can envision...
But you know what... we live in a fascinating time. We live in a time where everyone has the a voice or the potential to voice themselves. It is more and more difficult for organizations to prevent us from saying what has truly happened. And I think this is wonderful. And I think it needs to be documented.. in your voice, by your hand.
We really are doing this too, to an extent that has never before been seen. So many people with blogs and videos that are easily accessible to anyone from anywhere (think of blogspot and youtube for instance..)
Really, what more could a person contribute to this? Individually, we can all we want :) ... I'm pondering the idea of going around to various parts of the world (in part just because I want to travel) but to have people tell me their individual histories, their perspective on life, on what is happening around them, how they feel.. and to do it completely unedited and with very little to perhaps even no narration. I wouldn't want my influence in the documentation other than just the fact that I am doing it.
So.. is this a good idea? Am I being silly? If a person were to do something like this, how would you go about getting funding? That's the only problem I can envision...
Friday, May 8, 2009
Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival
I had the opportunity to enjoy the Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival tonite in Ely, Minnesota. I'm glad that I went but want to note a few things before I forget my thoughts.
- There were very, very few people my age (28). Most were older, mid 40s and on.
- Probably one of the best films at expressing everything was the first one - The Good Life Parable: An MBA Meets a Fisherman.
- Diversity.. Diversity.. Diversity. That's what I kept thinking. Diversity strengthens us. But my thoughts have reached a new level of diversity: diversity of humanity. I need to expand upon this thought, perhaps in a later blog entry.
- Science.. science is the business of nature. Keep this in mind. I keep hearing and seeing how science is going to solve all of our problems. Science is man trying to put a logical understanding upon nature. Fuck that. Nature is something you just feel, something you just know. It is a part of us all - nature is diversity. There is no right answer, there are many different ways of getting to the same path.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Diversity
Diversity is something I keep hearing of a lot, especially in regards to nature. It's really important. Diversity helps life in general to continue. There is a strength in not being like everything else. It makes you better able to exist in various conditions, especially when there is a virus/disease/plague because these things latch onto similarity, in fact require some similarity in order to make that next step.
Here's the kicker though.. we shun anything that is different, perhaps even are prejudiced against differences. Look at mankinds history: it is plagued with hatred of those who were different, whether different was of a differing religion, race, and opinion.
Our hatred for difference is most strikingly evident in the way we conduct our society.. everything has become mechanized for speed and mass production. Everything created the same or very similar. Eventually, maybe we will all have the same things materially. But when we are all 'equal', will we be happy? Will we be complete? Will we even be content?
No. We will never be even near happy until we can accept that we are all different and that our uniquenesses makes us special, both individually and as a collective whole. We can work together but we must respect together.
Here, Here. To strength in collective diversity.
Here's the kicker though.. we shun anything that is different, perhaps even are prejudiced against differences. Look at mankinds history: it is plagued with hatred of those who were different, whether different was of a differing religion, race, and opinion.
Our hatred for difference is most strikingly evident in the way we conduct our society.. everything has become mechanized for speed and mass production. Everything created the same or very similar. Eventually, maybe we will all have the same things materially. But when we are all 'equal', will we be happy? Will we be complete? Will we even be content?
No. We will never be even near happy until we can accept that we are all different and that our uniquenesses makes us special, both individually and as a collective whole. We can work together but we must respect together.
Here, Here. To strength in collective diversity.
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