Even in bleak times, onward

[gurdonark]

Although I never thought I'd be one of those people who writes many polls, I find that I learn things, both real and silly, from running these polls. In this time in which my next fabric purchase will undoubtedly be yellow ribbon, I intend to try to keep from dwelling on the dire, and keep my spirits as high as I can.

I have some critical decisions to make, and some genuine fun I wish to have. Accordingly, I respectfully request your help with a silly Friday poll:

[Poll #115185]

Thanks, as ever, for joining in the poll.

Comments

[arcanum-dogma.livejournal.com]

Cash entry fees , but the winners of the tournament choose which charity gets the prize fund may be a bit more likely but the paperback version would be much more fun (and useful)

survfey replies

[seraphimsigrist.livejournal.com]

I do not like surveys but this seems thought out
and not just playing with ourselves as it were
(as opposed to among ourselves or something or
whatever, 'anyway onward' in dictum of m sahl)
will reply more or less here
zugswang blitz. the union of the opposites is pleasing.

many countries I would like to visit but am not accepting
implication that my own is not a good place for me or that
perhaps it is worse than another so will pass on virtual trip.
(if you have tickets give me russia I can always use, though
much less peaceful than here, or ireland maybe, or maybe
Israel where I have never been)

I guess my house is worth a little more than my car, as to
immaterial value I dont know. dont have much.

at what age? question is too general(at birth) or too
specific and analytic and also legally as it were
'leading', for useful discussion maybe just
now?

the football basketball pool I particpate in in principle
has any use but lately people have been giving to the
mission in Moscow, although in our case it should remain open
to quietly using it on dinners and wine etc... if charity is
written in as goal can there be some way to make it winners
freedom but have a sort of group interest in one particular
charity without compulsion? this perhaps unlike some of
my others can be useful?

will think about it.(to one on where to publicize)

to the next all of the above would occur to me as they do
to you. mail response is as you know not normally above
a percent or two.

paul.

we have a little group called "Transfiguration" which meets every
month regularly and also in homes so a couple times a month and
a couple of retreats a year. we regard it as a kind of community.
we pray share ideas and eat and drink together too. we do not
at present because of difficulty of gathering and focusing time
and effort have any service project but perhaps the creation of
community is itself a creative thing, consider the group called
"third hour" in paris and new york after world war II and their
hidden influence (auden, berdyayev , maritain, were three well known
participants most much less known) etc...
this to perhaps broaden the thought possiblity to include that
which creates community itself.
I do not entirely like the leading aspect of the question in 'neglectful'
etc if it leads to a fixed idea that our society is worse than another,
the question is larger than that and as humans ,not as americans, we have
met the enemy and he is us...and yet as the zen master said to the man
who said I have a problem 'show me your problem' and he couldnt.
even neglect is an abstraction and nonexistent in the moment of exchanged
love.

if you ask, go to church and receive communion if possible and
then do what blesses and makes happy or seems wise and good.

Re: survfey replies

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

Thanks for commenting. I think it's fair to point out that I did editorialize in the questions, although they were frankly not as well thought out as your answers. I could not imagine really wanting to "be" in a more peaceful country, because I have to think that this one is or can be peaceful enough.

Sound advice you give, thanks!

most interesting

[seraphimsigrist.livejournal.com]

about the most interesting survey I can
remember and one with real questions
in which it really was/is possible to
share some thought...darn good job!

"hole in the whole day"(a further sunday thought)

[seraphimsigrist.livejournal.com]

just one further half playful thought.
yours on sunday reminds me of fr john breck
on vacation on cape cod saying in an obiter dictum
as it were as they set out in the morning
and contempalted what time they would make it
to the beach "Liturgy can put a hole in your whole
day cant it?"
perhaps my suggestion could be served by going
to an early communion at an episcopal church
or something, say 8-830 am and then off to the
races! cheers :)
+Seraphim

Re: "hole in the whole day"(a further sunday thought)

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

I have often thought that if I ever founded a local Unitarian church, we'd have to have services at 6 a.m., so that Sunday could be spent in real worship.

More than you asked for

[kelquestor.livejournal.com]

A welcome poll, to redirect my thoughts to places where they can be of use. Thank you.

As per usual, I didn't manage to get as carried away as I wanted to within the response area limit, so here's a bit more. I thoroughly enjoyed seraphimsigrist's response in the comments btw, but that is not to devalue the response of all those people who did manage to 'fit the box'. : ) I merely indulged myself, and was not succinct.

I didn't choose a country to visit now, because I think (and I pray I am not wrong) we're as safe here in Australia as in any of the countries you mention, with the possible exception of NZ, and NZ would be quite chilly this time of year. : ) I'm a little ashamed that fear is what's made my decision there, in the main. But if it wasn't wartime, I think Uruguay followed by Canada.

I was rather disappointed in my ability to come up with an individual response to the ten dollar question. I am hoping this reflects more that the things I hold precious are intangible (or unsaleable), than that I have no unique yet monetarily worthless possessions.

Regarding self esteem, knowing my family background as I do, I would suspect I began to have problems quite early, but I can be sure they were there by eight years old, peer related. Earlier than that, I remember at about 6 or 7 faking a wrist injury for some time at school, so I could get out of writing, but I don't recall why anymore. Perhaps it was fear of failure (I am quite a clumsy writer still, blessed am I with this keyboard to spare my wrist the pain).

The last poetry competition I was involved in the running of, I contacted a lot of people via ICQ, who had poetry listed in their user details as an interest, and who lived in the appropriate area. Actually made a couple of interesting contacts this way too. You can avoid the bulk of sordid spam by remaining in 'invisible' mode, but I know some people still feel ICQ is insecure.

As to promotion via non-electronic means, you have to bear in mind costs, and that many people receive things in the mail that never go further than their desk or the recycling pile. I think snail mailouts are worthwhile, but you do have to factor in the failure rate. If you are going to do some paper mailouts, consider public libraries.

You know those hidden details about sex life and other secrets that you don't need? You can forward those to me. I don't need 'em either, but I reckon they'd make for interesting reading.

What I want to do in my community this year to heal: It begins with the community of family, of which I really have two, my man's family (mostly here and in the UK) and my own (mostly on the other side of the continent). With family first, and radiating out from there I suppose, I want to be more involved and more available, less selfish and less bitter (unfortunately this is a feeling I have with my man's family at the mo. I'm not proud of it). I want to look after my man better too. Beyond that, I want to do what I can to help my neighbour cope with virtual single parenthood for the next two years (most practically, this will probably translate to looking after her daughter on a weekend now and then), write to her husband if he would like that, also write to a number of other people I know would appreciate it, give practical support to my daughter's preschool, freely and honestly share what I know, keep on picking up litter at favourite places of natural beauty, rescue birds, work at being a social conduit for positive energy!, actively listen whenever I can, keep on donating to charities when I don't feel too guilty about spending Mike's money, visit the regional art gallery regularly, continue to contribute to the nurturing of the poet in all of us and particularly locally, and hopefully make more of an effort to get myself out there poetically speaking.

You will tell us what you end up doing Sunday?

Re: More than you asked for

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

Thanks for such a detailed comment. I, too, always enjoy seraphimsigrist's posts and comments. He's a worthy addition to a friend's list, if he's not on yours already.

I'd have to think that the major threat to world peace in New Zealand is ennui. It's probably the best "on the beach" democracy, while the rest of the world goes astray. But Australia was the original</> "on the beach" locale, so it has its own charm. I see that a few Australians are in the "shots in anger" business, but I'm going to skip over talk about that thing over there.

I must admit I'm as fascinated as anyone by details of almost anything. I had a moral quandary lately. A post was filtered, and the text of the post made it clear that the writer's intention was to filter all to friends not of my gender. The post was not particularly revelatory, and had nothing to do with me, but it was a fascinating dilemma. Do I send an e mail, pointing out that I received it, and don't mind receiving it, but the poster may have minded posting it where I could see it? Do I say nothing, feeling it's more embarrassing to speak, and preserving my window to this little world. I opted the former course, but I had to think on it a bit.

I love your "helping list"! I am sorry that you are not on good terms with Mike's people. These relationship/family things can be so hard sometimes. I got off lucky, as my wife's family is grand to me.

Do you post your poetry on line? I don't recall having seen it. I'm a paid user, so if you ever need a code to start your "inmost poetry journal", please feel free to drop me an e mail and claim it.

thanks, as always, for your comments. they are always anticipated, and appreciated.

[serendipoz.livejournal.com]

Did I miss your mail poetry announcement? I don't remember reading it.

Could you refer me back?

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

I posted the Mail Poetry call on Tuesday, March 18, so it's fairly recent!