Honshu and Okinawa

-
Image
I am back. I spent 10 days in Japan, 5 days for work on the main island of Honshu and 5 days of solo adventure in Okinawa. Travel is so invigorating dispite the uncomfortableness. Jetlag, anxiety, crowds, and other discomforts aside, it is mind-expanding and rewarding. Work went well. I flew a new airline (Skymark) from Tokyo to Naha. I am always wary of strange discount airlines and all the traps they set. However, I had a great expereince with "Sky". I was actually shocked. Super easy checkin at the airport, no extra fees even with extra luggage. The primary mission in Okinawa was to visit the Peace Park and the suicide cliffs of Okinawa. From what I understand, at the end of WW2 the inhabitants were encouraged to commit suicide rather than surrender to the Americans and get tortured and eaten. Besides other types of suicide, they jumped off the cliffs at the Southern end of the main island. If you have seen the original color footage taken at the time, I am sure you ...
Post a Comment

Helen Elizabeth Raymond Dowdell

-

My Mom died today.

It happens. It is the way it is supposed to happen. I am her son, always. Our human lives are physical/emotional, everything else is an abstraction (unless you are from some sort of lizard species).

Looking through some photos today, I decided I liked this one for my blog (originally posted in Sept 28, 2009). The subtlety in this pic (looking very closely) is that in my Mom's gaze is an aviation NAVAID "the white thing" usually invisible when flying.

I have faith. The same faith you feel when your foot hits the floor getting out of bed or when you make a turn in traffic. I will grow my faith. I will drive and pull as I did as they all did as they prayed for my survival when I was born. God bless us all.

Throughout my life I was reminded from strangers that MY Mom was a genuine caring healthcare provider. She sincerely touched thousands of lives in Western, NY. They may not remember her name. They will somehow remember her care. Today, it seems these days are very far gone. My Mom brought her tough days at work home with her. Sometimes she brought the traces of blood and vomit on her uniform. If your Mom or loved one died that day, my family felt it. I never met you. I feel for you and your suffering. It is something we carry with our everyday dishes and silverware. I still use those plates and silverware. Her obituary is short and forthcoming. I love you all.

Comments

John McKinney said…
Sorry for your loss Charlie!
7:24 AM
Anonymous said…
Here is a great example from upstate NY of Nursing gone right. Let us all remember while all the technology of health care is being promoted there is an aspect that few champion in todays thinking. Love and Caring. (I hope the link works, but the should help in text)


http://www.syracuse.com/state/index.ssf/2015/09/upstate_ny_woman_severely_burned_as_baby_finds_nurse_who_cared_for_her_through_f.html
5:59 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Honshu and Okinawa

-
Image
I am back. I spent 10 days in Japan, 5 days for work on the main island of Honshu and 5 days of solo adventure in Okinawa. Travel is so invigorating dispite the uncomfortableness. Jetlag, anxiety, crowds, and other discomforts aside, it is mind-expanding and rewarding. Work went well. I flew a new airline (Skymark) from Tokyo to Naha. I am always wary of strange discount airlines and all the traps they set. However, I had a great expereince with "Sky". I was actually shocked. Super easy checkin at the airport, no extra fees even with extra luggage. The primary mission in Okinawa was to visit the Peace Park and the suicide cliffs of Okinawa. From what I understand, at the end of WW2 the inhabitants were encouraged to commit suicide rather than surrender to the Americans and get tortured and eaten. Besides other types of suicide, they jumped off the cliffs at the Southern end of the main island. If you have seen the original color footage taken at the time, I am sure you ...
Read more

Priorities

-
Image
One of the strangest processes I go through is setting priorities of what I need to work on. I can't say I finish one project and start on another. I often take a project to "a stable place" and then start on another "comprehensive" project that ends up as many smaller projects with their own lifecycle. The good news (and what allows me to be proud) is that I finish projects. Finishing is a big deal to me. I enjoy that part. A lot of folks get joy out of starting projects, but then get beaten down by setbacks and reality. Real progress (and growth) comes in steps. The stair rise is seeing and knowing progress. The stair step is when you dont see progress. You have to have faith you will get to the next rise. It will happen. In my latest "comprehensive" project "zoom room improvements" includes deep cleaning (inside and out), new electric, ethernet, and flooring. In addition, some foundation repairs. The original posts were set poorly and th...
Read more
-
Image
I had a flying lesson tonight. I felt like I did better on some stuff, but there is something always to add. Pile it on. It takes time and effort. Reading really helps maximize a lesson. One of the fundementals I really have to work on is a good checklist mentality. I am the first to recognize that a pure checklist mentality may not be optimal for finding new things, but there is considerable merit in checklists. In fact, I have a list everyday, every week, and throughout the year for work. Staying on the list is a required discipline. I need to be able to be in checklist mode and, when I need to, be out of checklist mode. When I came in for a landing tonight there were some folks watching. I went up to them after we landed and they asked "Was that a student landing?", "Why yes it was", was the reply. "It looked really smooth" he said and he showed me the camcorder in which he had it recorded. "It didn't feel very smooth to me.", I replied....
Read more
-
Image
I have been particularly busy lately. I bought a sports car. I never thought I would, but I did. I purchased a Honda S2000. It is part investment and part fun car. It looks good in my garage. My awesome sister drove it up to Atlanta from Florida while I was in Phoenix. A few weeks back I found myself following a "Federal Police Car", really. I am not sure who these folks are. (actually Google "FPS police") Look at the license plates. The sides of the SUV are lettered up with "Federal Police". I will also add that the driver had little or no regard for motor vehicle laws. They were speeding, driving quite aggressively, not using turn signals, etc. I do give them credit for stopping at least 1 traffic light. I matched their aggressive driving to take the picture. What would they do turn around and pull me over for doing the same stuff they were doing? The antenna length is unique, looks like it is just above the commercial FM band. Welcome to the future. ...
Read more