I may have forgotten to mention my theme – it is fractals, fractal art, everything fractal up to and including my new book Fractal Dreams! Have a look around my pages and such to see lots more fractals. Also, every Friday I post a FridayFractalFeature (fff, for short) for all to enjoy! Thanks for stopping by and engaging in the A to Z 2013 Challenge! This is my FIRST ever, so I’m pretty excited! So every day I will post a fractal whose title starts with the letter of the day… and perhaps other things fractal related.
R is for….
the fractal for R is: Rumspringe
RUMSPRINGE
Rumspringe is in my book, Fractal Dreams, which is available exclusively at RedmundPro.
Disclaimer: I am NOT a mathematician, so please forgive the uneducated tone of my definitions. I am an artist, so I try to explain the math of fractals to the best of my (limited) ability.
… is exactly what I had while reading KILLING US SOFTLY, by Red Dwyer. This is a powerful book with a powerful message. I encourage you to read it. However, you should know it IS intense…
and compelling…
REVIEW:
“Killing Us Softly”
By Red Dwyer
See this book and many others at Redmund Pro
I resisted reading this book at first. Why? For the same reasons we prefer not to discuss our wills, our pre and post death wishes. It sounds depressing. I’ve never had the experience, so I don’t need guidance. These are all the reasons a child will give, and it was the child in me speaking.
I don’t foresee this being something for which I need prepare. And I felt I would be making myself depressed and sad by reading about this woman’s experience as the spouse of a cancer victim.
But from the preface forward, I have felt nothing but enlightened and supported. It has become less important whether or not I’ll “need” this to prepare for similar such life events of my own.
I honestly don’t think I have read a more intelligent and straightforward book of any sort, in any genre. There is a peer (educated) to peer (educatable) dialogue going on between the author and the reader. And somehow, she had the strength and foresight to put into words every aspect of such a life changer as a spouse dying from cancer. I can’t imagine I would ever be able to think of all the things she has, that indeed need attention and decisions. Until I was already in the eye of the storm such an event would bring to my life and those who are a part of my life. Such a time is clearly not the best time to be rational and think critically. Even if I have read the book, I know there will be things defined or spoken of here that may not even cross my mind. So I will keep it for reference. Should the need arise.
But that mattered not, as I measured my progress through this calm, collected journey, related with the best perspectives one could hope for. There are many reasons for that. First, the author is as articulate and thorough as anyone I’ve known in discussing the ins and outs of this particular subject. She has done her research. But it’s more than that. She has the gene that calls her to share her experiences, not for the purpose of sympathy, but to teach, to guide. I have no doubt the author is an old soul, one who has witnessed far more than this woman could ever have in her lifetime now. And with that perspective and objectivity, she is a most capable educator, counselor – labels that go far beyond the role this book can have in the specific situation she writes of in “Killing Us Softly”.
Succinct and complete. There is no fluff. This is the real meat of the subject and she is telling it straight. When the author reminds us to question the medical professionals, especially when their attitude is condescending, or tired of your questions, it makes my shoulders a little straighter, I sit higher and remember how important it is to always come from my center. That place of strength that I have nurtured and fed. That I trust will keep me at my best in times of great stress or pain.
As she explains at the start, this IS so comprehensive because she had the presence of mind to document all of the issues she discusses as they happened or came to mind. I think there are very few of us with that kind of dedication, passion and purpose.
This book is intense and powerful. It is not for everyone. If you are a casual reader looking for a light read, read something else. However, if you are looking for a straight up experience being the surviving spouse of a cancer victim, I highly recommend this book. Or, perhaps if you are a student of human nature, the resilience, the struggles, everyday stuff, compounded by a very emotional situation, this book is for you. “Killing Us Softly” lifted my soul with the realization that we are stronger than we realize, but we must be smart about how we cope. This book can certainly be most helpful in that undertaking.
This book is probably best read in small bits, perhaps a chapter or two at a time. It is organized so well, that by perusing the table of contents, one can find just the situation that the reader might be struggling with now. Perhaps it is learning how to handle the medical professionals. They are knowledgeable, but they are not the ones who must make the decisions. Or perhaps it is the well-meaning relatives and friends, who also might think they know what’s best for you and your mate, child, cancer victim. When undergoing the great trauma, the emotional roller coaster of end stage, we may not be best able to make objective decisions that are best for all. So preparation is key. And knowing what to expect helps keep some of the surprise, and its relative frustration, elements to a minimum.
Finally, the author brings us back with her to her current life, a couple years removed from the raw nature of her emotions and fears and dreams she guides us through within the book. So we understand there is life after cancer. And with guidance and help, any one of us can get through to the other side, as did she.
Whether then or now, whether right or wrong, whether won or lost, many have given their lives for their country and beliefs. We, the fortunate, enjoy the fruits of your sacrifice. We shall not forget.
… the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month…
Such experiments could perhaps lead to new discoveries about treating such things as depression and different approaches to behavioral issues like ADD or ADHD.
I would like to introduce you all to a very special person, someone who has been an inspiration to me most of my life for his drive to follow his dream of being a “gainfully active” artist.
Ladies and germs… meet my BRO, David J Russell…
David is ten years my junior, the youngest brother in a group totaling 9 (yes, count ‘em, nine) siblings (7 still alive and kicking), all sprung from the womb of our tiny (5’2″), late mom, Gloria and all sired by our laid back, late dad, Richard, both of whom always told us all to “get a REAL job”!!! I’m the eldest (chest bump) and there has always been talk that either our folks stole us from wandering gypsies, or they tried to sell us to said wandering gypsies. I’m never sure which. Trust me, that made for lots of sibling rivalry ammo during our formative years!!!
Along with the other younger brother, Patrick, eleven months David’s senior, David moved to Orlando lo these many years ago and both became part of the Disney “family”. Patrick is the IT guy, David, the artist/performer. He is responsible for the creation of many of the interesting audio skits you might hear while waiting in line (and waiting and waiting) to get into some rides or attractions at the world famous theme park. In fact, David has also done voice overs, as a character or two, in said skits. And, naturally enough, Patrick and his Web building/hosting company at the time, SNP, created the SAK website.
David has always been the ham of the family, and the only one who dared to defy the parental edict “get a real job”!!! His performing, directing and producing career came out during his days at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. This now 42 year old festival is also where David met the love of his life, the sweet Morgan.
Any of you remember MD20-20? A kosher favorite, also popular among high school kids and broke hippies, seeking substance aided alteration, especially during the 60′s and 70′s. Well I just have to say, good thing it all worked out for Morgan/David, or I’d forever have lost a perfect mnemonic memory aid for we indulgers, who suffered early and sudden bouts of Alzheimer’s, even for family member names. And even now, when the memory is more like a sieve or a colander when it comes to information.
So, they all moved to Orlando after finishing college. Orlando is where Morgan is from. Not sure what brought her up to Minnesota, but, kind of a moot point now!!!
And, to fill things out, here, in David’s own words, he tells us about himself:
About me: I am the President of SAK Theatre Co. and served as the Artistic Director and Managing Director for SAK Comedy Lab for 10 years. SAK is a 200 seat live Improv Comedy Theater in Orlando, FL.
I have a lovely and wonderful wife Morgan who also performs at SAK (and Disney’s World Showcase Players) and is the Director of Interactors at UCF for the TeachLive program. We have two awesome children, (Marina and Walker) who I just adore from head to toe.
I also serve as a Show Director for Walt Disney World Entertainment.
So, that, in a nutshell, is my youngest brother, David. As I mentioned, being the only Russell Sprout (as I call us) who dared defy the parental edict “GET A REAL JOB”, David has always been an inspiration to me. Their children are now putting David and Morgan through the wonder years (parenting 2 adolescents).
So, I’ll leave you with this little vignette:I’m about 15ish, David is 5ish. I am the designated babysitter, so, of course, I am performing my duties in front of the TV, probably watching the Twilight Zone. I am totally immersed in whatever’s on TV, barely hearing in the background the sound of a wax paper bag rustling, coming from the kitchen. It probably would never have risen to my consciousness, had not David (wearing that shit-eating grin he still wears today) said to me, out of the blue, as he walked from kitchen into the living room, “I’m not eating potato chips, Janet.” (Word for word, hand to god!!!)
Badum-CHING!!!
filed under:
D is for… (David)
R is for… (Russell)
S is for… (Sprout or SAK)y’all take care now, y’hear‽‽‽‽
Just wanted to share a recent find. As do all creatives, no doubt, I often wonder how original am I? When I encountered this series, “Everything is a Remix”, it brought the subject of creativity right up to my forebrain, where I continue this debate with myself.
I discovered this most recently, while learning the art of making fractals. After a couple years of intense fractaling, I took a break from them, and recently returned to them. With a very invigorated Muse. Some of the “new” fractals I made/make, are tweaks or manipulations of some previous work of mine. And, in fact, I and many of my friends at my favorite art site, DeviantArt (DA), are even willing to share files, scripts, or parameters (kind of like “the code” for that piece, that can be pasted into whichever fractal generator is being used) of my/their own pieces, so others may learn from them. I have learned SO much by deconstructing (reverse engineering) someone else’s parameters, and (since I NEVER can put it back the way I got it) I end up “creating” work on my own that, if not right away, then days, months, even years later I might go back to and go “WHOA! who the fark made that‽‽‽” ” and suddenly I say “Oh, I did…”, with great wonder. And pride.
Which, on a side note, is a great idea. Putting whatever your project/medium may be aside for a while – short or long, can be the best thing you’ll ever do for yourself as an artist. Not only will you have grown, refined your skills, and thus have a new “eye” with which to view something; it is SO gratifying to see a piece of art you’ve created, read something you’ve written, etc., and look at it in wonder, impressed by that “it” factor that makes it a standout piece and realize you really ARE good!!!
But, I digress…
Since, I found Part 3, “The Elements of Creativity”, the most interesting of this series I’m posting it first. Really, each Part (episode) is not really too long, so if you should find yourself wanting more of Kirby’s latest project, I’ll also include the other parts/episodes.
Everything Is a Remix – Part 3: “The Elements of Creativity”
Everything Is a Remix – Part 1: “The Song Remains the Same”
Good Day After green day, all you real and faux Irish folk out there. So have we all settled down from all the merriment? All the tomfoolery? all the foolhardiness? Or are we continuing our search for that mythical little guy with his mythical little pot with our mythical gold in it?
Well, whatever your position on the commercialization of St Patrick’s Day, and all its attendant foolishness, please, let me remind us all of the true reason for celebration; the Real story behind that giant of a man in green, the saintly Patrick of Ireland.
So, lest we forget, I submit to you, the REAL STORY behind why everything in the world turned green yesterday and we even drank of such green brewskies or whatever, in our own little green ways.
The REAL Story
And thaqnk you all for attending, this morning, or whatever part of the day it is for you!!!
