Once Books were enough to distract us

I realized today that there are so many venues to write. This is good because anyone can express a thought almost anywhere with ease. Is this how we use the Internet though? To reach others and express ourselves? No.

What are still the main forms of entertainment gambling and 24-7 porn? They are the biggest distractions which can trap anyone. Other websites for the most part have very little to do with education or enlightenment. They want our money or identity.

There's a wealth of knowledge out there, so why aren't we improving ourselves? We rather look at butt clapping applauding the b-word and dancing puppies. Everyone has become a video whore in some shape or fashion due to the mass voyeur delight.

There's just an overload for the need for constant distractions. I wonder how far this need will go. Where are these distractions taking us? There's nothing wrong with entertainment. I love a good chuckle, beautiful women, rolling the dice and even doing a video now and then, but these are only a part of life. Not life.

For some it seems like the need to stay connected to social sites via hand held devices is overwhelming. Like back-alley street junkies a bigger fix is sought with each click? CLICK! CLICK, CLICK! CLICK, CLICK, CLICK, CLICK! How many clicks are enough to feel worthy, fulfilled, connected, or united?

When the power's shut off will we freeze like a crashed hard drive sitting in our distant rooms motionless like lovers who reached one large climax and fell into a blissful coma?

Haitian Relief, Another week still standing even after the fall

The joy of finally publishing a book is still flowing through my veins. I've decided to donate part of Run into Blackness's proceeds to the Haiti relief effort. This isn't a new idea for me though because I've used the arts in the past to help different causes. What's different is the immediate need for money for the Haitian people. We heard of a couple of deaths in Haiti on my wife's side of the family.

Like the many community problems in the States, it will take time to rebuild Haiti. I just hope our America arrogance doesn't get in the way of letting the Haitian rebuild their country. As I stated THEIR country. Many times America wants other cultures to see the world through red, white and blue eyes all starry and glowing.

That's the beauty of perspective. We all have a vision. Let's respect Haiti's vision.

Haiti still digging out of the turmoil

The images remain in my head. I hate having such a detailed, nearly photographic mind. When we first heard about the massive earthquake which hit Haiti, we sat in front of the television stunned. The worse situation to ever place yourself is when you want to do something but can't.

Whether it's a loved one in a hospital fighting a terminal disease, perhaps it's a child crying out wanting comfort, maybe it's a friend grieving from a death, you want to help. You feel this need to do something. Anything to make things better.

The piles of dead bodies and the eyes of people looking from within layers of concrete were images which definitely should make the desensitized droids wake up.

People did respond. People did send money to help. Family members from both sides called the house to check on us. We shuffled the calls with our own to reach people. Then, I typed as fast as I could using every social network site and email to get details. Any info would provide an ounce of comfort.

For two nights I slept very little, less than my usual amount. I didn't want to miss news. I had to text info out as soon as I learned something. Would this make a difference? I just felt this was my part, my role in the chaos.

If we can find a purpose when such events happened it tends to give a direction. It's not enough just to send money. The money's important but the need to stay connected to rebuilding another community, to grasp another cause is more important.

Even this blog is helping me to bring out the images and describe them. I feel some art and words surfacing. Not to just show the ugliness of death but the beauty of hope and the determination for people to climb up their walls and reach out with a hand to rescue strangers.

A New Year with New Words, Vision

This new year came too quickly. Two things I never, never, never do. I don't jot down a long list of resolutions or reflect back to the previous years beating on myself about regrets. I should have done this and that. I tried. That all we all we can do. Do our best and move on. Right.

People got copies of my book, Run into Blackness, in time for the holidays. It was an ideal gift for Christmas and Kwanzaa. I'm beginning to actually feel my poetic gumbo filling my spirit as the book events roll in.

Already my calendar is filling up. The run won't tire me.