Jun 24, 2010
Chesapeak Canal Day
Going into it I expected a fun day out on the water with fellow boaters including a tan and some drinks. Silly me Canal Day on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland turned out to exceed my expectations and a fairly epic adventure.
We loaded the car with packed coolers, flotation devised, cameras and of course cowboy hats then embarked on the 2 hour drive south. It was a beautiful morning with the sun already hot. Since we were told that glass bottles were not permitted on deck of the boat LM and I improvised by drinking much of a case and pouring the rest into large plastic bottles. The 6 of us climbed on board 'Captain Bob's' boat and headed headed out to the inlet with our bikinis, beverages and cow girl hats.
You could not miss the hundreds of boats tied together joining in the fun. As fellow young boaters waved we waved back trying to find the perfect spot to tie in on the fun. We saw all types of boats, big small sail boats, and even a pirate ship! That's when the water balloons came in. They started flying at us from every angle, splashing on the boat and our bodies. Everyone was giggling and some were even squirting water guns. We were drenched! Our electronics barely survives the massacre.
The coast guard boats hung close, entire bottles of alcohol were spilled, bruises occurred and laughing was plentiful. The whole canal was a great big mardi gra type bash. We enjoyed hours of fun before the sun was coming down and 'Captain Bob' needed to take the boat out of the canal.
LM and I decided we were not ready to call it a day and decided to adventure and stay at the Chesapeake Inn where there were many more friends and the party was a whole different tropical scene. We befriended police officers, and greeted friends that were bearing pink water winds with swim trunks. We danced the night away drinking and laughing. I dumped water on one young boy who was complementing my breast.
Many items found their fate at the bottom of that inlet including sunglasses, phones, and cameras. The rest is history, however I will let you know that I set a fire alarm off in a apartment complex ... in Delaware. Defiantly one of those weekends you need to experience for yourself! So if you can get there this weekend because I want to hear your story!
Jun 22, 2010
A Lesson From the Amish
Recently after watching the movie "Amish Grace" I was instructed to write a paper on Capital Punishment. Here is some of the thoughts the true story and some Buddhist cultural influences helped me put together.
In October 2006 a Man named Charles walked into a small Amish school house and shot about 11 girls, before taking his own life. 5 of the young girls died. Charles who committed the murders was distraught over the death of his own young daughter and reacted out of anger similar to the way many in our culture see fit.
Only hours after Amish fathers learned of the deaths of their children they reacted by going to visit the shooters family and offered fresh baked goods. The fathers did not have revenge, justice or anger on there minds but compassion and mourning and forgiveness, for they understood the shooters family was also in grief of the loss of a husband, father and son. The local communities learning of the crime were confused about the reactions of the Amish fathers towards the family of the man that took their daughter's lives. However these fathers set a great example for not only local neighbors and communities but also for state and government officials whom mandate laws for crimes. The Amish were able to see past Charles' actions , recognize humanity sympathize with his family for their loss and see past revengeful hate.
The united states has been increasingly exacting punishment for crimes and punishing violence with more violence. This is extremely evident with capital punishment. Society has come to believe that an "eye for and eye" is a natural human reaction. The Amish did not automatically translate their grief for revenge. Rather the Amish believe about redemption. I believe that punishment and revenge are fundamentally at odds with the deeper common value of humanity. As The Buddha was quoted "An action even if it brings benefit to oneself, cannot be considered a good action if it causes physical and mental pain to another being."
If inhumane treatment of an offender does not solve their misdeeds or those of humanity in general the best approach to an offender is reformatory rather than punitive. With the acceptance of grief, anger and revenge should not follow. Each and every one of us is more then the worst thing we have ever done punishing crimes with excessive cruelty, like a death sentence, will not only likewise kill another human but injure the mind of the person harboring the anger. Most societies have much to learn about anger and forgiveness. When humans hold onto anger it will destroy themselves, to act with concern and compassion creates forgiveness that is ultimately for the victims own good. Actions of anger for consequences of regret and it is impossible to administer server punishment with composure and compassion.
Punishment should only be to the extent to which the offender needs to make amends, and his rehabilitation into society should be of paramount importance. There is many broken windows in our legal system and justice is one of them. There are deeper sociological and socioeconomic barriers that criminals challenge and our legal system should be working with mental health professionals to solve the injustice of killing. I believe the fundamentals around fairness should be be questioned beyond moral injustice and cultural differences.
Punishment from revenge is not fitting to the benefit of the overall culture and the soul of the humans involved including the, criminal. Gandhi said, “an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind,” the Amish are providing the rest of us with an eye-opening lesson.
Boonin, David and Oddie, Graham - "What's Wrong Applied Ethicist and Their Critics", Second Edition 2005
In October 2006 a Man named Charles walked into a small Amish school house and shot about 11 girls, before taking his own life. 5 of the young girls died. Charles who committed the murders was distraught over the death of his own young daughter and reacted out of anger similar to the way many in our culture see fit.
Only hours after Amish fathers learned of the deaths of their children they reacted by going to visit the shooters family and offered fresh baked goods. The fathers did not have revenge, justice or anger on there minds but compassion and mourning and forgiveness, for they understood the shooters family was also in grief of the loss of a husband, father and son. The local communities learning of the crime were confused about the reactions of the Amish fathers towards the family of the man that took their daughter's lives. However these fathers set a great example for not only local neighbors and communities but also for state and government officials whom mandate laws for crimes. The Amish were able to see past Charles' actions , recognize humanity sympathize with his family for their loss and see past revengeful hate.
If inhumane treatment of an offender does not solve their misdeeds or those of humanity in general the best approach to an offender is reformatory rather than punitive. With the acceptance of grief, anger and revenge should not follow. Each and every one of us is more then the worst thing we have ever done punishing crimes with excessive cruelty, like a death sentence, will not only likewise kill another human but injure the mind of the person harboring the anger. Most societies have much to learn about anger and forgiveness. When humans hold onto anger it will destroy themselves, to act with concern and compassion creates forgiveness that is ultimately for the victims own good. Actions of anger for consequences of regret and it is impossible to administer server punishment with composure and compassion.
Punishment should only be to the extent to which the offender needs to make amends, and his rehabilitation into society should be of paramount importance. There is many broken windows in our legal system and justice is one of them. There are deeper sociological and socioeconomic barriers that criminals challenge and our legal system should be working with mental health professionals to solve the injustice of killing. I believe the fundamentals around fairness should be be questioned beyond moral injustice and cultural differences.
Punishment from revenge is not fitting to the benefit of the overall culture and the soul of the humans involved including the, criminal. Gandhi said, “an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind,” the Amish are providing the rest of us with an eye-opening lesson.
Boonin, David and Oddie, Graham - "What's Wrong Applied Ethicist and Their Critics", Second Edition 2005
Jun 19, 2010
Miami Adventure
May 19- We woke up and decided today was the day we were going to start our adventure. After quickly packing our bags and booking tickets we headed down the Atlantic City Expressway. After a delayed flight and mimosas at a airport bar we are off to Boston where we have a layover.
We exit the plan in Boston for a humorous 4 Minutes and re-board to our Destination, Fort Lauderdale. 11PM we touchdown in the land of palm trees and check into our hotel to catch some sleep.
My 20 -We wake up with much to accomplish. After snagging a free breakfast and making phone calls we catch a taxi to Enterprise Rent a Car to pick a vehicle. The kind employee behind the enterprise counter informs me that I may not drive. Ha, Right. We have an insanely busy day and in our process of trying to concour the town we realize how laid back life is here, at first it was annoying to me to watch the pace of life around me. We grabbed seats at a Irish Pub, just past Miami Ink in South Beach to watch the Flyers play in the playoffs. Our fellow drinkers cheer on the Canadians while we stand out as Philadelphians, especially to a guy with a back pack that grabbed a seat next to us at the bar. We engage conversation and learn that he is a camera guy for the Jersey Shore show currently taping n Miami for MTV. He just got done working a shift and tells us a bit about the cast. When the games over and our new friend leaves we go for a walk on the beach in the dark. As I step into the warm Atlantic waters and realize my dreams are coming true. Behind me is the city lights of South Beach. I sit in the sand and give BL a call, Its very bittersweet and I miss him.
We need to head back to our hotel and cancel the party planed for us because we realize we will not be home in time.
May21- Day two arrives quickly. At our free hotel breakfast, I realize I do not have my debit card. I have no idea what happened to it. We take off to the bank to get my 3rd replacement card of the year and begin our day of responsibilities. The traffic and heat are intense here in South Florida and during a Starbuck's run I drove the wrong direction on a highway accidentally and almost killed myself. kennedy's interview was awesome and it turns out to be the Job she starts and loves. I head to my college campus for a tour and to sign up for classes. The Campus is beautiful and my adviser is very helpful. I grab my student ID and cant believe its all coming together so quickly.
We grab lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe and I apply for a job. After some a exhaustion day and some good food we go to check out about our 30th apt, this one is on a Marina in a cute residential area. We Love it right away. We decide to check into a hotel, it will be my first time ever staying at one and I had my reservations at first. My reservations disappeared after we met absolutely great people from all over the world. We head to check out another apartment that gets rulled out due to a huge dead cockroach on the floor. We grab some drinks and head back to the hostel to watch a hockey game with our new friends. After the game we head to a bar close by, with our drinks in our hand. We grab some food and drinks and watch the people enjoy dancing on tables inside the marina bar. I'm happy to see that dancing on tables is accepted since i have a reputation for dancing on them myself. After a quiet bite on the canal we hail a $35 taxi ride to Fort Lauderdale. We have been told Fort Lauderdale is better then South Beach and our cab driver agrees. We dance the night away and check out the scene. 1 bartender was so obviously drunk he could not open his eyes or pour drinks and opened a can or red bull by jabbing a pen into it, then continued to pour it into my drink. Another bar had nearly naked girls dancing on the bar and we almost walked into a gay bar. We leave at 2pm, 2 hours before the bars close and go for a walk on the beach. By 4am I'm out cold.
May 22- I head out early hunting for a beach towel because I need a tan. I grab some essentials including my favorite book and head to the white sand just beyond the palm trees where there is the bluest warmest water. As I lay in the sun I reflect on life in my new town I will soon call home.
May 23- Morning starts with a Starbucks run and we revive notice that we got the apartment on the marina we loved! I spend the day on the beach with Julie and reflect on some of the friends and family back home I will soon be leaving, its very bittersweet and parts of me feel guilty. I think of BL and have many questions that only time can answer. We have a low key evening that includes checking out our new place and neighbors who seem nice. We relax at the hostel and take it all in.
May 24-We start early, Kennedy starts her first day at work and I head to sign the lease with our new landlords. My aunt calls to tell me that my grandmother has been sent to the hospital with a possible heart attack and I breakdown crying.I want to be there and it hits me that Im not going to be blocks away from my family and friends any longer. I feel a scene of guilt that I guess anyone would feel when leaving the people they love to follow their dreams. By noon i head to the beach to read alone and do some shopping at Ron Jon before heading to pick Kennedy up and dropping off our rental car. We head to the airport and wait longer then expected to fly home. After a 2hr flight home we begin the 2 hour drive from Atlantic City and I'm excited to see BL.
My Last week in my home town - After eating breakfast in bed I head to the hospital to see my grandmother. It brings tears to my eyes to see her sick and have to say goodbye. I only have a a few days left, I visit friends and BL and i head to the beach for a few days. BBQ's.
May 30th we head back from the beach early and load the Uhaul full of my life after an exhausting day we have dinner with my family and watch a movie with his parents. Memorial Day BL and I spend the day having a nice BBQ at his place and when Kennedy is done loading the Uhaul we say our goodbyes and begin our journey driving south to or new hope. I think to myself, 'If I can do this anyone can.'
My 20 -We wake up with much to accomplish. After snagging a free breakfast and making phone calls we catch a taxi to Enterprise Rent a Car to pick a vehicle. The kind employee behind the enterprise counter informs me that I may not drive. Ha, Right. We have an insanely busy day and in our process of trying to concour the town we realize how laid back life is here, at first it was annoying to me to watch the pace of life around me. We grabbed seats at a Irish Pub, just past Miami Ink in South Beach to watch the Flyers play in the playoffs. Our fellow drinkers cheer on the Canadians while we stand out as Philadelphians, especially to a guy with a back pack that grabbed a seat next to us at the bar. We engage conversation and learn that he is a camera guy for the Jersey Shore show currently taping n Miami for MTV. He just got done working a shift and tells us a bit about the cast. When the games over and our new friend leaves we go for a walk on the beach in the dark. As I step into the warm Atlantic waters and realize my dreams are coming true. Behind me is the city lights of South Beach. I sit in the sand and give BL a call, Its very bittersweet and I miss him.
We need to head back to our hotel and cancel the party planed for us because we realize we will not be home in time.
May21- Day two arrives quickly. At our free hotel breakfast, I realize I do not have my debit card. I have no idea what happened to it. We take off to the bank to get my 3rd replacement card of the year and begin our day of responsibilities. The traffic and heat are intense here in South Florida and during a Starbuck's run I drove the wrong direction on a highway accidentally and almost killed myself. kennedy's interview was awesome and it turns out to be the Job she starts and loves. I head to my college campus for a tour and to sign up for classes. The Campus is beautiful and my adviser is very helpful. I grab my student ID and cant believe its all coming together so quickly.
We grab lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe and I apply for a job. After some a exhaustion day and some good food we go to check out about our 30th apt, this one is on a Marina in a cute residential area. We Love it right away. We decide to check into a hotel, it will be my first time ever staying at one and I had my reservations at first. My reservations disappeared after we met absolutely great people from all over the world. We head to check out another apartment that gets rulled out due to a huge dead cockroach on the floor. We grab some drinks and head back to the hostel to watch a hockey game with our new friends. After the game we head to a bar close by, with our drinks in our hand. We grab some food and drinks and watch the people enjoy dancing on tables inside the marina bar. I'm happy to see that dancing on tables is accepted since i have a reputation for dancing on them myself. After a quiet bite on the canal we hail a $35 taxi ride to Fort Lauderdale. We have been told Fort Lauderdale is better then South Beach and our cab driver agrees. We dance the night away and check out the scene. 1 bartender was so obviously drunk he could not open his eyes or pour drinks and opened a can or red bull by jabbing a pen into it, then continued to pour it into my drink. Another bar had nearly naked girls dancing on the bar and we almost walked into a gay bar. We leave at 2pm, 2 hours before the bars close and go for a walk on the beach. By 4am I'm out cold.
May 22- I head out early hunting for a beach towel because I need a tan. I grab some essentials including my favorite book and head to the white sand just beyond the palm trees where there is the bluest warmest water. As I lay in the sun I reflect on life in my new town I will soon call home.
Status is everything
Luxury cars are everywhere.
There is a laid back diverse culture.
Beautiful people are everywhere.
Fashion, Flash, and Glam.
A great Belgium girl attending college in New York checks in the hostel and she joins us for a fun dinner and drinks at the Cheesecake Factory, in the Aventura Mall. I make a note to make it back to this huge mall. We grab bottles and plastic cups and head to South Beach for some fun. We start by finishing our drinks with butts in the sand and red plastic cups in our hands. We continue onto the check our some bars and walk past Johnny Varsaces Mansion (the home of club Mansion) We choose the Clevelander, a huge 4 floor club with each floor offering great DJ's, Drinks and entertainment. The whole 'U' shaped club over looks an outdoor poll bar and massive DJ stage. Not to mention the beach. We found ourselves dancing in the 4th floor VIP lounge and I'm in awe of the general feel and energy of the place. We crash around 3am.Luxury cars are everywhere.
There is a laid back diverse culture.
Beautiful people are everywhere.
Fashion, Flash, and Glam.
May 23- Morning starts with a Starbucks run and we revive notice that we got the apartment on the marina we loved! I spend the day on the beach with Julie and reflect on some of the friends and family back home I will soon be leaving, its very bittersweet and parts of me feel guilty. I think of BL and have many questions that only time can answer. We have a low key evening that includes checking out our new place and neighbors who seem nice. We relax at the hostel and take it all in.
May 24-We start early, Kennedy starts her first day at work and I head to sign the lease with our new landlords. My aunt calls to tell me that my grandmother has been sent to the hospital with a possible heart attack and I breakdown crying.I want to be there and it hits me that Im not going to be blocks away from my family and friends any longer. I feel a scene of guilt that I guess anyone would feel when leaving the people they love to follow their dreams. By noon i head to the beach to read alone and do some shopping at Ron Jon before heading to pick Kennedy up and dropping off our rental car. We head to the airport and wait longer then expected to fly home. After a 2hr flight home we begin the 2 hour drive from Atlantic City and I'm excited to see BL.
My Last week in my home town - After eating breakfast in bed I head to the hospital to see my grandmother. It brings tears to my eyes to see her sick and have to say goodbye. I only have a a few days left, I visit friends and BL and i head to the beach for a few days. BBQ's.
May 30th we head back from the beach early and load the Uhaul full of my life after an exhausting day we have dinner with my family and watch a movie with his parents. Memorial Day BL and I spend the day having a nice BBQ at his place and when Kennedy is done loading the Uhaul we say our goodbyes and begin our journey driving south to or new hope. I think to myself, 'If I can do this anyone can.'
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