Semi-Daily Scribbles

Human Existence

HOMEWORK

What comprises generational trauma?
- Alcoholism
- Death by Suicide
- Denial
- Depression
- Drug Addiction
- Lack of Education
- Misogyny
- Poverty
- Racism
- Rape
- Schizophrenia
- Silence

Make a list of self-sabotaging behaviors.
Procrastination. Analysis Paralysis. FoMO. Poor Time Management. O.K. With Being Not Okay. Stare / Compare / Go Nowhere. Cheerleader for Everyone But Me.
Imposter Syndrome. Don't Always Speak Up Because People Comment On My Vocabulary? Inaction-Due-To-Distraction. Not Always Up For New Experiences.
Squirrel!

Survival, trials, experience are shades across the spectrum that make you/me not understand me/you. Common ground shifts with each step.

The sentiment meant something in the moment
And the moment's gone

slipshod

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surreal Estate

If someone uses the phrase "safe as houses," think twice before you accept their invitation to come around for tea. Houses are portals to places we've never been, and would do well to traverse with care. Is it hospitality or the promise of the unknown that propels us to cross the threshold as we stand on the stoop examining the door? It is power all the same. This old house is charming and a curse. A house needs good bones to support dark corners and hidden rooms. Buyers, cellars; agents of forces too great to contain. And gardens are camouflage for that which must be kept covered.

Tracers

I can't pretend I don't see them. Family that have moved on. They could be pulses of energy shot out of overloaded neurons. Tracers with faces that bear the same mix-and-match features as my own. Hereditary, by all accounts. The trailing vine of ancestral knowledge is wrapped around my spine. Gnarled fingers point in one direction. Hoarse voices repeat the answer.

"The end remains the same. Fluid are the steps that lead to the fixed star."

I can't pretend I don't understand.

Brave

The brave have gone on ahead
But not before having tread upon the toughest ground
Lending voice to the marginalized
Speaking truth to those who keep power for the powerful
Never allowing privilege
To shield the poor from view
Never allowing tragedy
To rule the day
Moving forward in the only way dreamers know
With conviction, courage, compassion
And grace
While forging cooperation with impassioned debate
Implicitly understanding that we lose the battle
When the least among us are turned away at the gate
The brave have gone on ahead
But their legacy rests
In our care

A course...of sorts

 

**August 31^st: Bridging Cultures - from Vikings to Cowboys
This course will help participants improve their intercultural communication skills when it comes to interfacing with Swedish colleagues, as well as American colleagues. This workshop is facilitated by Christina Johansson Robinowitz, author of the book “Modern Day Vikings – A Practical Guide to Interacting with the Swedes.”

 

This week, I received the above bulletin at work. Since I can barely keep my email manageable, I took one look at the header, snorted, thought Whiskey Tango Foxtrot and deleted it. Was that rash of me to do? Yup. Perhaps I deleted this workshop notice because I’m already an expert at bridging cultural gaps? Hell no. I am no diplomat. What I am is a loud, stubborn, inquisitive, fidgety, friendly, easily bored, easily entertained, patient, focused, helpful, standoffish daydreamer. It’s a miracle I get anything done, especially since I exhibit most of these traits during any given workday. Are these character quirks the reason why I get quizzical looks from my Swedish co-workers? I’m guessing so. But then I get blank stares and nervous sidelong glances from everyone. I do reckon, however, that when those confused expressions are coming from visiting VIPs from our HQ in Sweden, that’s probably a bad thing.

 

Maybe I ought to think twice before being so dismissive of an opportunity to learn exactly how brusque and abrasive I come across to my colleagues, be they Vikings or Cowboys…or Seahawks (couldn’t resist that one, sports fans.) 

 

p.s. Since I’ve made mention of a couple of Northwesty things (Scandinavians and Seahawks), I’d like to pass along a reminder that this weekend is The Nordic Heritage Museum’s Viking Days celebration. If attending, give my regards to Ballard.

A Living History

This is just the beginning. I have many branches to trace before my tree is in full bloom. I’ve experienced varying degrees of enthusiasm and diligence over the years tracking down information on people with whom I share a common ancestry. Bits of paper and faded photographs are stowed away in boxes and only see the light of day when I get the itch to start digging. I am currently in one of those itchy phases.

Below is my work-in-progress. You can enlarge the text somewhat by clicking on either of the two sections. Hopefully it’s big enough for a passerby to identify a name or two. If you happen to be a long lost relation, or no relation at all, please leave a comment. Together we might be able to add a leaf or bough to this sprawling tree of life.