Hey there I'm Robert MacEwan the author of Ideal Absolutes. If you're new to macewan.org, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed.
There’s just not a much worst job that could be done in office as Bush. Hell, even a Howler Monkey could perform better just guessing. That’s why I enjoy watching Presidential hopeful Barack Obama giving speeches.
Barack Obama, U.S. senator from Illinois and Democratic presidential candidate, speaks at the Truman Memorial Building in Independence, Mo., June 30, 2008
Well, it’s like describing an English translation of Ubuntu. The meaning is closer to a feeling or way of life than a straight word swap. With Ubuntu (African word) I think humanity and pure well being. Pura Vida felt the same in that it felt like a way to live or living pure. This does not automatically extend to everyone touching down. We ran into plenty of Americas acting as expected. Pushy, complaining, lazy and pissed there wasn’t a McDonald’s right around the corner. I call it “Dale” syndrome.
Behind them the air of entitlement wafted passed the good folks ignoring and then laughing at them. Clearly Santa stopped visiting that family long before the idea that a Costa Rican get away would fix their miserable lives. Whether it’s blamed on poor health or a general lack of empathy for others - they repelled all but the most hardened Costa Rica entrepreneurs. In other words - not was ever good enough. Clearly these folks need an emergency Pura Vida intervention.
Our travel through Costa Rica has us in Samara Beach, Costa Rica. Directly across the street from our condo on the mountain side is a family of Howler Monkeys.
The howler monkeys (genus Alouatta monotypic in subfamily Alouattinae) are among the largest of the New World monkeys. Nine species are currently recognised. Previously classified in the family Cebidae, they are now placed in the family Atelidae.
Hello Kitty to be appointed Japan’s tourism ambassador on Monday.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism will announce the appointment on Monday, Kyodo said at the weekend, quoting ministry officials.
It will mark the first time a cartoon character has become a goodwill ambassador for Japan under the government’s campaign launched in 2003 to promote visits to the country, it said.
Under its “Visit Japan Campaign” to attract foreigners, the government hopes to attract 10 million overseas tourists annually by 2010, up from 8.35 million last year.
Google Co-Founder & President Larry Page will be a featured speaker for Google Unwired on May 22, that is this coming Thursday. The event will be streamed live through ustream.tv at which time he will answer questions.
The meat of the discussion will deal with the FCC’s 02/09 switch to DTV. However, I see this as an opportunity to sqeeze in a question about the Google slap of 2007. In advance questions were accepted by cyber.law.harvard.edu. Click to vote my question up.
Have you noticed lately how many people have become conspicuous wearers of crosses? Male and female, young and old, from Goths and punks to fashionistas in Gucci and Prada and everyone in between have them dangling around their necks or adorning their earlobes. Are we seeing a revival of faith in the post-9/11 era? With an estimated 90% of Americans professing a belief in a Higher Power and a third of those claiming Moral Majority/religious right status, it’s tempting to believe that is what’s happening. So has the dicey world in which we live driven us back to the faith of our fathers and to our knees?
No, more likely it’s driving us to the TV shopping networks and our city’s malls where “jewelry of faith” is one of the hottest selling items. The cross of Christ has emerged from its covert place under the clothes of the devout and crossed over from a spiritual symbol to the mainstream marketplace as a must-have fashion accessory for believers and non-believers alike
The Great Crossover
It’s not just crosses and crucifixes either, but other classic motifs of religious belief as well. Angels—such charmingly neutral talismanic Tinkerbell-like guardians that appeal even to those who espouse no particular religion. For the traditionalists, there are Bible charms that open to a scripture about love or the Lord’s Prayer. Pendants with praying hands, Holy Spirit descending doves and the “icthus” fish. “Footprints” trinkets to represent Christ who carries His followers through the hard times. And don’t forget rosaries–it’s not just rock superstars like U2’s Bono sporting them as necklaces now.
Are we really embracing that “old time religion”–or are we simply getting more superstitious? Church attendance, which skyrocketed for a few months after 9/11, has dropped off to its nominal levels again.
Historically speaking, humankind has regarded various types of amulets as protection from forces they cannot influence. I don’t think we in the 21st century are much different than our ancestors. Life in general, and our own in particular, often seems beyond our control. Global turmoil is escalating to scary levels, our economy’s tanking and the prognosis for the planet’s ecological future is poor at best. Our airports, cities, streets, schools and stores aren’t safe. Even the weather has turned on us, relentlessly cranking out killer storm after killer storm.
Wearing a cross—or a Star of David, or medal of the Virgin Mary or Buddha or pendant inscribed with the Chinese symbol for long life—may be an increasingly needed source of solace in a comfortless and grim world. Peace of mind is a state to be highly treasured, and if our personal “security blanket” can be chic, too—ah, so much the better.
Mary Olive Smith produced the documentary, A Walk to Beautiful, about women afflicted with untreated fistual. We watch co-founder Dr. Catherine Hamlin discuss the work performed by the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia.
“It is very difficult,” says Ayehu, “Waiting for food to be thrown in my direction. I don’t mix with people. I live here away from others.”
My hope is that other bloggers will talk about this over the next few days to bring more needed attention to fistula. Take a few moments from making money *guys* to talk/blog this up.
A Walk To Beautiful - currently an estimated 100,000 women go untreated for fistula with another 9000 following suit each year. We as “probloggers” can make a difference. Either blog about the subject or send money their way. Thank you.
Unwired on May 22, that is this coming Thursday. The event will be streamed live through ustream.tv at which time he will answer questions.
