Nativity Set (or Symbol of Redemption?)

My new Nativity Set

Vera brought home from Austria one of the best Christmas gifts I've ever received: A hand-carved, wooden, made-in-Austria, basic Nativity set from a little shop in Vienna, and direct from the craftsman. It's beautiful, and I've wanted a good Nativity for a long time, ever since my mother's Italian set was lost.

While deeply spiritual, I am not at all religious. This is about family tradition. This is about the non-dogmatic symbolism involved in the birth of Christ which is echoed in many other religions and secular philosophies; namely, Hope and Redemption.

-Brent

 "Most people understand imagery and symbol better than doctrine and dogma." - Brennan Manning

Merry Christmas! (or A Holly Jolly Christmas?)

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Merry Christmas, Everyone!

-Brent

"When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time. Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?" - Gilbert K. Chesterton

Role Playing Games (or The Latest Thing?)

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I have often voiced that what I need personally is not another new system to play the same genres (e.g. fantasy, sci-fi, post-apocalypse) but rather new ways to play the games I already own. Intellectual property rights armor the author(s) of original games from monetary loss by preventing others from utilizing that game for profit. Yet, it is those same copyrights that remove a system from profitable use by others that drive those others to invent their own new systems. 

Creativity demands and will find an outlet.

Innovation and a distillation of ideas as regards rule mechanics has been a boon, but witness the hundreds of role-playing games that are produced each year, and witness how many are successful. To be sure, standards of success are set differently for each game and each publisher. Sometimes it is perhaps enough to complete the product and have it for sale – to be considered a success, regardless if it sells or not. That aside, most of these games are objectively bad: Low production value and a re-hash of what a dozen or more publishers have already done (but now with a new twist!). Originality is to be desired. Novelty is to be avoided.

Allow me to say this just once: Not everyone’s personal campaign is deserving of a setting book or a new game system.

This is not about stifling creativity, but rather about the focus of creativity, profitability, copyright, and quality. If you are a gamer, please take stock of all the RPGs you own. How many have you actually read cover to cover? How many have you actually played more than once, if at all? 

A balance must be struck between the need to create new worlds of adventure versus any real need for a new game system. In my own life, it has led me to simplify away from new games. I'm perfectly happy creating game worlds with Risus and only purchase a new game via Kickstarter (www.kickstarter.com) projects, and then, only for Japanese RPGs being translated into English as a matter of support rather than any desire to play them. 

Like everything else in life, how much is too much? Is it a necessity or just a want? Do we need the latest thing for the sake of having the latest thing? Can you not find a way to accomplish what you need with what you have? Just something to consider.

-Brent

"Necessity is not an established fact, but an interpretation." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Mason Of The Year (or Me?)

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Saturday the 14th was the 159th Installation of Officers for Naval Lodge 87. The new Worshipful Master is part of my "class of 2009", and a good man. It was a fine ceremony, a great reception, and a most excellent dinner. I have much hope not just for this year, but for the next several as the men in line are all of good character and personal friends (being beyond just a brother).

It was also good to be home. Naval 87 has always felt like my home away from home, and being in the company of such upstanding men has always "charged my bat'tries" as my great uncle Bob used to say.

However, the most personal and significant thing to come out of the installation was being awarded Mason of the Year by the new master. For those unaware, Mason of the Year is a special recognition of a brother mason in the lodge who has shown extraordinary devotion to the craft, his brothers, his community, or some other extra effort as a Mason. I was awarded this great honor for for anything specifically in the last year, but for my efforts at editing and designing the Naval 87 Trestleboard for the last 4 years - in fact, before I was even initiated. Not to pat my own back, but my Trestleboards (you can see some of the covers in an earlier post) have garnered recognition and accolades not just from my lodge, but from Masons across the state, nation, and even internationally

I get my name on a plaque in the lodge lobby; and a special dinner where the Grand Master of California will personally present to me some kind of framed letter. So that's cool, but I have always been grateful for the thanks my lodge has given me, because I do it for them, but this honor was especially moving to me, as I also got a standing ovation from my brothers.

That alone is worth far more to me than any other perk that comes with the award.

-Brent

"Masonry is one of the most sublime and perfect institutions that ever was formed for the advancement of happiness, and the general good of mankind, creating, in all its varieties, universal benevolence and brotherly love." - Duke Of Sussex

LEGO (or Extruded Fun?)

My current unsorted mess of Lego.

So,  I'm 42 years old, married, with two children - a boy (age 16) and a girl (age 18). Vera pretty much tolerates my Lego enthusiasm, and even points out when a MOC isn't working, or points out what could make it better, but isn't keen on me spending so much money on it. So, my collection grows slowly, but steadily.

My interest in Lego started when I was a wee lad of 5, back in 1976. My great-grandmother had Lego sets in her house for all the grandchildren to play with when visiting, and it was one of the greatest reasons for visiting her. Heh.

Through the intervening years until I was 21, I collected bricks of all kinds, mostly the classic space line, and I had buckets, and buckets, and buckets full of bricks. However, when I was 21, I joined the US Air Force, and donated all my bricks to Good Will, thinking I could no longer keep them, and besides, I was "too mature".

B I G - M I S T A K E.

After that I was too disheartened to get back to the bricks, until after I was married, and had children. Christmas 2005 , my wife asks what I thought about Lego as a present for the family, and it was like a fire had been lit: The torch rekindled. The passion was suddenly there again, and now as mentioned, slowly and surely, the collection grows. However, I still wasn't very good.

I found Brickshelf around 2006, and that kicked my skills up a notch. Then I was reading an article about Nannan Z in Brick Journal and he mentioned the Builder's Lounge. I took a look, and a whole new world opened before me. Suddenly there was so many possibilities with the bricks, to be used in every possible way. I don't know what it was about BL that inspired me so, but everything I've done since then, has been better, because of that place. Now, to be a member of it, is truly a great honor.

Since then, due largely to time constraints, living conditions, and other outside factors, I've had to retreat away from building with Lego, and in fact, I've just gone through a 'dark age' of 3 years. Come January when living conditions will once again change, I plan to get back to it. 

With my small collection and assortment of what most would consider useless parts, I hope to return the favor of inspiration to others, showing what can be done when means are limited. Creativity and imagination can make up for whatever you lack in pieces. Less Talk...more MOC (my own creation) as it were.

I realize plastic bricks might not be considered part of the authentic experience I've previously mentioned, but we all have our guilty pleasures and exceptions. Besides, some Lego creations border on artwork. I leave it for you to judge what is a toy and what is a creation.

-Brent

"Whatever good things we build end up building us." - Jim Rohn

Jean Shepherd (or Who?)

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Jean Shepherd. If you are asking yourself, "Who?", then you have lived a tragic life. Perhaps the next image helps?

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Yes, Jean Shepherd is the master humorist behind the classic Christmas movie, A Christmas Story.

Shepherd started out as a radio broadcaster, did a stint in Television, but was largely known for this writings, including his semi-autobiographical tales which were published originally in various editions of Playboy Magazine.

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These tales were later collected into books such as In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash; Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories: and Other Disasters, and so on.

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These various stories were then incorporated into one narrative that became the seminal A Christmas Story.

I tell you all this because those writings are masterpieces of humor and the written language. The turns of phrase, the near poetic orgasm of speech is amazing. Read them aloud if you have the chance! Each short story tackles a topic that will have you laughing in stitches. Trust me, find his books, read them, and laugh uproariously!

Now, there have been several movies and TV specials based on his writings, but outside of A Christmas Story, none of them are worth it, especially that abomination A Christmas Story 2 (which is a posthumous travesty). This is largely because Jean Shepherd was involved in the scripting of the original movie, actually narrated it (yup, that's his voice - he was in radio remember) and had a cameo. The remainder shows/movies were made with more or less involvement from Jean Shepherd and never rose to the magnificence of A Christmas Story. Just stick with the books, and thank me later for enlightening your life.

-Brent

"That reminds me of something that happened to me when I was a kid." - Jean Shepherd

Christmas Theater (or Holiday Movies?)

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I do not pretend to be the final word on what qualifies as a good or even great movie, much more specifically a good or great Christmas Movie, but I do offer up the following as my favorites. 

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Christmas In Connecticut: This movie plays like an extended sitcom, but the humor is genuine and clever. In order to keep her job, the heroine has to pretend to be married with a child, living on a farm in Connecticut, be a fantastic cook and an amazing homemaker. Hijinks ensue.

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A Christmas Story: Destined for all-time Christmas Classic status (up there with It's a Wonderful Life), the story is mash-up of author Jean Shepherd's biographical reminisces of his youth distilled into one cohesive story. If you've never read Jean Shepherd, you are robbing yourself of a great experience.

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The Family Stone: A star-studded cast depicts a very liberal family in New England in the midst of family turmoil. What completely sells this movie is the honest performances, the witty humor mixed with slap stick, and the touching and sometimes heart-wrenching drama. A great movie that deserves attention.

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Frosty The Snowman: The children's classic cartoon. Though it contains very little in the way of significance (other than the Christ parable), it maintains it's place on my Christmas movie list by virtue of my own childhood nostalgia.

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The Holiday: Another star-infused Christmas movie with an honest heart and a fair share of laughs and tender moments. Basically, two ladies seeking to escape their lives during Christmas switch homes, and the change of perspective allows them to find themselves. Eli Wallach steals the show every time he is on screen.

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Home Alone: Yes, yes, this movie. Ignore all the Hollywood hype since the movie came out, ignore all the fallen-star schadenfreude-filled glee about Macaulay Culkin...and just enjoy what is a sincerely funny movie about a young boy left alone on Christmas.

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Home Alone 2: More of the same, down to the misunderstood, but different, oldster that just needs some sage advice from a child. Just as good as the first (because it's practically a remake).

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It's A Wonderful Life: Here we have the ultimate Christmas movie, at times laugh out loud, and others a real tear-jerker...and sometimes even frightening. What sets this apart from other movies like it, is that the movie does not play cheap with emotions or reactions. It's an honest look at the dark moments in our lives and the 'what ifs' that play in our heads, and finally the glory of winning through it all to receive the light...just in time for Christmas.

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The Little Drummer Boy: Included here only because I love, Love, LOVE the song, The Little Drummer Boy. The movie itself is largely mediocre and boring, but when the Boy arrives at Christ's birth, and he starts to play, I can't help but get teary. It hits the emotional side of me something fierce.

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Miracle on 34th Street: Another Christmas classic about the belief in Santa Claus. This movie is actually extremely meta in that it plays on our sense of reality versus that which we can prove versus that which want to believe despite any evidence. It's an allegory for the belief in (a) God. It can also just be enjoyed as a straight story.

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National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation: Every December 1st, this is the first movie played for the Christmas season around our home. Adult language, sexual innuendo, scatological humor, electrified cats, and outrageous humor do not detract from this authentic Christmas movie precisely because it magnifies and exaggerates all the Christmas related chores, tasks, and events that surround the holiday. We've all been there.

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The Ref: Not to be outdone in vulgarity by the previous movie, The Ref has no redeeming message, no uplifting tale, no well-spring of good will to all. Instead, it is an acerbic, hilarious comedy, about a burglar who is forced to take a family hostage during Christmas and ends up becoming their marriage/family counselor.

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Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: Another childhood, nostalgia filled classic of stop-motion animation. The story is passable (and frankly weird - an elf who desires to be a dentist?), but Burl Ives as a snowman singing Holly Jolly Christmas keeps me coming back every time.

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Santa Claus Is Coming To Town: I'll be honest, as 6 year old kid, my first crush was on Jessica/Mrs. Claus...when she let her hair down...wow! The Winter Warlock and the Burgomeister are also reasons to keep watching. The actual story about Santa is kind of dull.

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The Santa Clause: A novel exploration of the Santa Clause mythology makes for fine watching, and Tim Allen is always good. The heart-warming angle is ham-fisted and I could do without it, but the rest of the movie is pure Christmas pleasure. Also, David Krumholtz, which is reason enough.

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Santa Clause 2: Also known as The Misses Clause, I find this sequel to be superior to the first in that it no longer needs the exposition of the first - the foundation has been layed - and plays with and explores more the mythology of Santa Claus. There is also an interesting nod to Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker throughout. More David Krumholtz.

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Santa Clause 3 - The Escape Clause: They really should have stopped after the first two, because the plot is nearly unbearable as Jack Frost tries to usurp Santa Claus from the headman at the Northpole. Predictable throughout, and only saved by Martin Short as Jack Frost. Also, a criminal lack of David Krumholtz.

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White Christmas: White Christmas is essentially a loose remake of Holiday Inn, both starring Bing Crosby who sings White Christmas. The plot is about opening an Inn in Vermont which gives excuses for singing throughout. Old timey, Christmas fun, with White Christmas being significantly more Christmas (and in color) than Holiday Inn.


So there you have it. There are several other Christmas related movies that could make the list (Grinch for example), but as of yet, I do not own them, nor have I watched them in some time. Perhaps next Christmas? In the meantime, enjoy!

-Brent

"Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!" - Charles Dickens

DE Safety Razor (or Shave Like A Man?)

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For many reasons, not the least of which was the absurd cost of multi-blade cartridges, I decided to lay aside the modern razors and return to shaving as my grand father's did (presumably, as I have no earthly idea how they shaved)...using a Double Edged Safety Razor.

The initial investment is quite hefty, with a razor, brush, bowl, stand, and shaving cream setting me back a little over $100.00, but considering the blades cost just pennies, the investment pays itself back in short order.

Not sure why, but shaving this way also appeals to my DIY ethic, and I no longer dread the shaving process which was normally reserved for odious chore-like duties. Now it is a luxurious time to pamper myself (in a manly fashion of course), and I actually look forward to shaving.

There are many websites devoted to shaving with DE Razors, so I will not bore you with details, but allow me to offer this one bit of advice I learned in the few months since I started shaving this way:

Shaving with this kind of razor can actually create amazingly good shaves to rival anything in the multi-blade cartridge categories, but it takes a lot of practice and in my own personal experience, the thing that has made all the difference between a so-so shave with nicks and cuts and a "smooth as a baby's bottom" shave is making sure the shaving cream is not just wet, but really wet, dripping wet in fact.

I highly recommend giving it a go. I know I've been happy with it.

-Brent

"Winning is like shaving - you do it every day or you wind up looking like a bum". - Jack Kemp

Winning is like shaving - you do it every day or you wind up looking like a bum.
Jack Kemp
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/shaving.html#SghjMPczR1m3R8pH.99

Christmas Decor (or DIY?) Part 3

Manistique

This time out, I present to you my series of homes I painted for Christmas 2012. Each is made from a paper mache home (between $1.00 and $2.00 at the local craft store) that I carved out windows using an exacto-knife, and then painted. Polina insisted the houses needed names.

The above home is named Manistique. So named after the street my maternal grandparents long lived on in Detroit, MI, and whose home I based the painting of this particular Christmas house.

Truckee

After painting this one like a log cabin, the above home was named Truckee (after where I was living during the Christmas I painted it) rather appropriately I believe.

Griswold

This house was painted as a direct homage to the Griswold home from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and so when naming it, Griswold was the obvious choice.

Alpine

This particular house took several attempts to capture the Bavarian look I was aiming for. Interestingly enough, the multiple layers of paint gave it a wonderful texture which is visible in the picture. It is simply named Alpine.

Cornerstone

Lastly, we come to this house. It was intended to look like an English manor, and I added the Masonic hints almost an afterthought, which is why it became known as Cornerstone.

-Brent

"Winter in the country is very white. There is black grit on all the shoulders of the roads and on the big mounds from the plows, and all the cars are filthy, but the fields are dazzling and untouched and pristine." - Susan Orlean

Aside #15 (Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...)

Dima keeping warm...

Having our first real and significant snow fall this year.

Christmas Decor (or DIY?) Part 2

Jeff's Sled

Continuing the Christmas decor DIY theme, I present the following three Christmas sleds I made last Christmas (2012) for the family. They are made using wooden sleds (less than $1.00 per sled at a local hobby store), acrylic hobby paint, and glued on pieces of Christmas themed scrapbooking paper.

 

Polina's Sled

Vera's and my Sled

-Brent

"In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy." - William Blake

Christmas Decor (or DIY?) Part 1

Vera and Jeff's Stockings

Touching upon a familiar topic, the DIY ethic I have much lauded extends itself to decor as well. There is far more significance to something made by hand for the people you love than in the purchase of cheaply made (potentially toxic?) goods made by foreign labor. This is especially true when it comes to certain seasons and holidays which should carry meaning.

Polina and my Stockings.

In this case, fabric stockings made by Vera; fabric and bells purchased, and then cut and sewn at home with her own home-made patterns. These particular stockings were crafted about 6 years ago and have been treasured family possessions ever since.

Next time you go to buy some cheap made-in-china product, consider making your own.

-Brent

"Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?" -Charlie Brown

Egg Nog (or Winter Anyone?)

A glass of my actual Egg Nog on a cold December day in Truckee, CA

First thing to address: I've had this recipe for a while now and I honestly cannot remember where I came by it originally, nor how much I have altered it since. Forgive me for the lack of attribution.

In the same way that Pumpkin Pie is strictly a November treat, Egg Nog is my herald of December, the month of winter and Christmas. Certain traditions must be upheld (or they aren't qualified to be called traditions) and Egg Nog is one of them.

Some years ago, I got very much in a foul mood over the Egg Nogs to be had at the local markets - they of the high fructose corn syrup variety and put myself on a quest to learn how to make it myself. I found recipes, I experimented, and what I present to you know, is the recipe I use for making Holiday Egg Nog that tastes for me like winter.

EGG NOG
 4 Egg Yolks
 4 Egg Whites
 1/3 Cup Raw Sugar, plus 1 Tbs besides
 1 Pint Whole Milk
 1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
 3 oz. Spiced Rum
 1 Tsp Spice Mixture: Allspice, Nutmeg, Mace, and Cinnamon

Directions
1. Beat egg yolks until they lighten in color.
2. Gradually add the 1/3 cup of sugar and continue beating until dissolved into egg yolks.
3. Add milk, cream, liquor, and spice. Stir to combine. Set aside.
4. Beat egg whites to soft peaks.
5. Add 1Tbs of sugar to egg whites, continue beating until stiff peaks form.
6. Whisk egg whites into the other mixture. Chill. Serve (with whip cream if you'd like)

-Brent

“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.” - Edith Sitwell

Anime (or Japanese Cartoons?)

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Sometime in the late 1970s, as a kid, I watched Kimba the White Lion (image above) along with G-Force (image below) on TV. I was not yet 10 years old, and so while I could not understand the differences, I certainly felt the differences between these cartoons and U.S. made cartoons such as Tom and Jerry or Bugs Bunny (which is not a slight to those beloved shows).  There was a different kind of story telling, a different way of displaying action and characters that fascinated me. This was my first experience with a medium that is called anime, a type of Japanese cartooning, but it would take some time before I encountered it again.

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 Some years later in the 80s, the cartoon shows of Gaiking (image above) and Robotech (image below) came to television, and at this point, a young teen - a certified geek - I was hooked! Again, it was a completely different way to telling stories unlike anything seen in American cartoons. Yes, both had a preposterous plots about giant robots fighting aliens to save Earth, but it also dealt with many more mature themes such as PTSD, death, honor, sacrifice, unrequited love, and so on. Simply put, I finally understood that anime is not a cartoon in same manner as Yogi Bear...no, anime is simply a medium through which Japan was making movies, for kids, for adults, and sometimes both.

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The interesting aspect in this, is that up to a certain point in Western literature, such classics as Treasure Island, Ivanhoe, Gulliver's Travels, and others were simply published as literature and not directed for child or adult. Often these fanciful stories found there way into the hands of young boys as favorites - indeed, these books are often to be found in both the young adults/children's sections as well as adult sections of bookstores. Anime initially seemed to follow this older method of story telling - which is simply the telling of a tale, and the appropriate audience finds the story. There were of course those stories specifically aimed at one age group or gender, on purpose, and this is to be expected, but by and large, most anime simply was without regard to any specific intended audience. At least it used to be. Now, anime is sub-divided into very specific categories which are then sub-divided again ad infinitum.

The history of anime and the sociological means by which the medium developed and the sub-divisions could fill a book (probably a book on psychology (perhap psychiatry), so I won't get into it here. Suffice to say, if there is desire, no matter how innocent, or perverse, there is an anime for it.

Anyway, time progressed and I enjoyed anime as I came across it...however, there was a growing creep of something called hentai - which is basically Japanese anime porn - which started to show up in most of the anime that I would otherwise watch. Specifically, a form of hentai involving rape of female characters by tentacles...I'll leave it your imagination. The image below is a mild bit of foreplay before the explicit and graphic details emerge.

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Certainly not every anime was like this, not even most, but it seemed like every show I chose to watch would devolve into this, and I ended up forsaking anime for many, many years. Then, when all hope was lost, my father asked me to take my sister to see a movie in the theaters, Spirited Away (image below).

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This movie changed everything. Hiyao Miyazaki is a master craftsman of animation and showed me more than I ever expected from the medium. Investigating his prior and subsequent works led me to use him by which all other animes are judged. Since then I have explored a greater variety (and it helped that anime has become more available) of shows (the subject of which is another post) including Yu-Yu Hakusho, Haibane Renmei, Full Metal Alchemist, Welcome to the NHK, FLCL, Last Exile, Bamboo Blade, Oh! Edo Rocket, B Gata Echi K, and others.

I must also give proper credit to my daughter who has an obsessive devotion to all things Japan, mostly centered on manga and anime and who helped me transition from the simple mecha stories and preconceptions about the influence of hentai, into other anime, and even allowed me to enjoy ecchi (erotic innuendo in Japanese) without feeling ashamed.

This post is simply a primer for my background as it deals with anime so that when I begin to review them, you'll understand where I am coming from.

-Brent

"The rise of anime had to happen. If the Japanese could tell better American stories, it would go through the roof. They still tell stories which are very much oriental. I take my hat off to them." - Ralph Bakshi

Thanksgiving (or Genocide?)

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"The way to kill a man or a nation is to cut off his dreams, the way the whites are taking care of the Indians: killing their dreams, their magic, their familiar spirits." - William S. Burroughs

 Before I begin this, let me state my 'credentials'. I am not an American Indian, nor do I carry (as far as I am aware) any blood of such. I am a white male though I don't necessarily look it (a strong expression of my Roma (ie gypsy) blood - but that is a story for another time). Point is, my opinion will be considered a bias on this topic as someone who grew up 'white', though I will do my best to be objective.

Let us also dispense with the myth of the noble savage. American Indians are human, given to the same faults as any other human. They made war on each other, were just as brutal to each other, and once introduced to scalping (a European invention) they added it to their manner of war as well. So let us not pretend that American Indians were just sitting around in peaceful harmony with nature as some form of proto-hippy.

Now, for the meat of it - I can sympathize with the pain Native Peoples feel over the topic of Thanksgiving (and Columbus Day for that matter) and the resulting near extinction that resulted from warfare, treachery, and disease of their ancestors at the hands of European settlers. It was in no uncertain terms a terror and a tragedy for individuals, for a culture, and for the descendants of both. The element that does get lost in that conversation is this: It was inevitable. 

Consider three basic facts:

• The Indian tribes of North America were stone-age (talking technology here, not society or culture which was quite advanced) tribes, occasionally organized into confederations. Indians fought each other, but had never engaged in warfare like that of Europe.
• Europe was a technologically advanced society who had been making war on each other for hundreds of years, invading Africa and Asia, and being invaded in return by the same. They were explorers, looking for more wealth to keep fighting wars.
• The peoples of North America had no immunological defenses against the diseases of the Old World, and it is a fluke of nature that North America had nothing to offer in return. 

Once the first Europeans arrived, the American Indian was doomed. They could not fight the disease that ran ahead of the settlers, and they could not match the technology nor the unified organization of Europeans. Let me say it again, it was inevitable.

One cannot blame Europeans for the diseases that were factors nature and out of every one's control. Later, specifically using disease in warfare, yes, an abomination, but initially it was no one's fault. One might as well blame the sun for being hot.

The Europeans conquered as they always did, and the Native Peoples were unaccustomed to such organized warfare. They might win an occasional battle, but they were going to lose the war. For that matter, not even the great civilizations of Aztecs or Incas could stand against the Europeans. Although it is worth noting and exploring purely for historical sake why Europeans could never conquer Africa. There may be some lessons to be learned there.

All of which is not an excuse. Canadians (primarily French Canadians) have historically done a better job than Americans in dealing with Indians. It could have turned out much, much better for everyone had American European settlers been far less Christian arrogant, far less racist, and far more understanding. All a function of European culture. These were not anthropologists settling the New World.

Side Note: I recommend a book called The Years of Rice and Salt by Kim Stanley Robinson. It portrays a 'what if' scenario where Europeans were wiped out by the plague and it was the Chinese and Muslims instead who attempted to conquer North America, with different, but no less terrible results.

Personally, I am enthralled with native cultures, especially the Pueblo Peoples of the American Southwest (who I interacted with while visiting New Mexico), and as a student of history, as a compassionate human, it pains me to see what has become of such wonderful cultures.

And now we come to my point and this directed to my Native brothers: Never forget, perhaps never forgive in your heart, but ultimately get over it. Yes, Native Peoples were victimized, robbed, families torn apart, murdered, and forced onto the worst patches of ground in North America but so long as you allow your people to continue to be victims, they can never rise to the prominence they deserve. I realize it's an economic opportunity, but casinos are a poor substitute for actual economic. cultural, and historical significance. Your culture is worth far more than roadside attractions and jewelry. We've come a long way as a society, but we still have more to go, but now is not the time to sit back and accept apologies. Now is the time to change things for the better.

I dream of an America where the Indian is prominent and valued member of society. I hope to see it come true in my lifetime. Get out there. Kick ass!

-Brent

"White guys cannot box! Black guys fight better. Puerto Ricans fight even better. I guess the lower you go on the social ladder, the better you fight. For every good Puerto Rican fighter, there's an American Indian waiting to kick his ass!" - Chris Rock

William S. BurroughsThe way to kill a man or a nation is to cut off his dreams, the way the whites are taking care of the Indians: killing their dreams, their magic, their familiar spirits.
William S. Burroughs

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/indians.html#suGB87yvyW2j1vub.99

Thanksgiving (or The Harvest Festival?)

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"Pride slays thanksgiving, but a humble mind is the soil out of which thanks naturally grow. A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves." - Henry Ward Beecher

Happy Thanksgiving!

Halloween started as a pagan celebration and became the secular spooky-fun holiday we now know, with almost no connection to how it started...and where there are connections, 99% of people don't know of it.

Christmas also started as a pagan celebration incorporated by the Christian Church as sectarian holiday, which has since become a secular celebration for most (though some practice both).

So it is true of nearly every holiday we have...Valentine's Day? Easter?

I mention this because many people have a problem with the original purpose of Thanksgiving, which like everything else, is lost in myth and probably reflects little if anything of reality.

Image found on the Internet

Popular culture wants us to believe the picture above was how it played out, that this is the origin of the holiday. And because of that, as a culture we have become apoplectic over the defense of tradition and the beginnings of this great country, or the assault on a holiday that essentially celebrates the start of the American Indian's suffering.

Normal Rockwell's idea of Thanksgiving (Image found on the Internet)

When in fact, like Halloween, or Christmas, whatever the origins, it now means something entirely different from the celebration of the first pilgrims. Which in itself is just a bogus fiction since it is actually another appropriated holiday from pagan traditions: The Harvest Festival. As the picture above shows, it is has become a celebration of family and friends instead. 

Personally, I don't go for the whole pilgrim/Indian motif, not since grade school. Around my home, it's about the harvest, about friends, about family, about being thankful for the things we have in our life. 

I suggest you do the same and enjoy the day free of history.

-Brent

"The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest." - William Blake