A Little in the Way of an Introduction to Seeds of The Utopia

Seeds of The Utopia will be out next month in one form or another. 

This is just a draft. See what you think.

I’m just a scribe writing as different characters tell me their story over time, a long time. Some of these people began telling me their story over twenty years ago. At first, their stories were separate, and independent. They seemed worlds, and ages apart. But in this universe al things are connected, ages, places, facts, myths and whys. The universe is full of holes, doors and pathways. Separation is only an illusion of our minds. We are the stuff of stars. All life is. And all stars had their start in the big bang (as best as we can tell). What was here before that? Who knows? It is a little hard to get my head around where “here” and “now” even is. “Here” is on a spinning planet, which orbits a sun, which in turn, orbits a galactic center.  “Now” is even more nebulous. Damn, gone already. So where do people come from in all of this? What were the steps from elements in stars to spinning around on our little rock telling each other stories? I think the old biblical and mythological stories leave much to be desired. Snakes and apples? Gods getting their groove on? I don’t know. The real story is probably much more complex, and fascinating. The people in this little book gave me their own version to share with you. Don’t worry. It’s an easy read. It does not have to be hard to ponder the really big questions. Let’s take a crack at some as the story unfolds. There are no wrong answers. Not for our purposes, anyway.     

Are we alone in the universe? No. We like to think of ourselves as the select, unique or dare I say, God’s chosen. If the Big Bang (the current scientific creation story) was God thinking creation into being, he is far beyond the power accredited to him in the great texts of old. God (that’s with a capital “G”) does not play a direct role in this story. But one guy, Ankius, dares to ask why there is so much suffering. He does not want to find out on a spiritual level but directly. Ankius wants to have coffee with God (or gods) if you will, a man on man conversation. He is fearless, having seen many violent deaths (many of which he was the cause). He’s also not the kind of guy to take “No” for an answer. There must be a way for this conversation to happen. His magic teacher, Tallshadow, opens the door of possibility just a crack. Ankius wants to kick the door in. You got it; He’s on a quest. He and the others you will meet don’t stay too long in any one place. Ankius finds a new kind of fear all mixed up in love for people he meets along the way. It is one thing to lose your own life, but what about the lives of others who come to love and trust you completely? Still, Ankius presses on in the hope of talking directly to the creator.  Little do he and his friends know they starting a quest that will take them further away in both space and time than they could have ever imagined. Others are coming from a reality far removed from swards, magic, kings and queens known to Ankius. He’s not the only one looking for answers.

Sometimes, people ask questions. Asking questions can lead to trouble as Xerces find out. He too finds himself on a quest, but not of his own making. He leaves behind a world (worlds really) of empire, thought police and illusion. His world is a little closer to the one we are all familiar with. The names may change but the story is much the same.  We have taken the same lesson over and over again but not yet taken it to heart. The lesson of empire is forgotten faster than it is learned. Xerces too, is not alone on his quest. Dzann, the beautiful world-renowned doctor who dared to say “NO” to the powerful finds herself with nothing but an old untrustworthy spy, and a spaceship full of mysteries all her own. It is a one-way ticket. She has to spend the rest of her life with these two. There is no going home… ever.  Xerces and Dr. Dzann are sent out only to gather knowledge for an empire that has forsaken them for defying authority. It does not take too long for a higher purpose to give real meaning to the mission.

Powers beyond them all conspire to bring the two groups together as the fate of millions, if not billions, of lives hang in the balance. But hey, let’s not get too far ahead. Kick back and relax as they share the story with you. In them you may see yourself. They too like good food, living to the fullest eating well, getting laid, and most importantly, never ever giving up.                 

Readings 1.29.2014

For Veterans. We need to do more than yellow ribbons.

DAV (Resource)

A Proposed Conservative Alternative to Disability Compensation for Vets

Photographer Interviews Vets on the Homefront

Kayaking Group Helps Veterans Ease into Civilian Life

Veterans Explain Why it's Hard to Accept Thanks

post-normal?

Thinking about the language of disability. All the words to describe people who are physically different from the "norm" are negative. Disabled, handicapped, cripple are all viewed in a negative light as words. I'm sure I'm leaving out many others. The only one I know that's not all negative is differently-abled. I find this one cheesy. I'm not even sure why. I kind of like post-normal. Anybody else got anything different or better?

    

Feelings of Invisibility

Not so long ago I read Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. Interesting... No, it is not about some superhero. It is about a guy who is invisible to the larger society. He's a ghost of a man. We never learn the main character's  name through the whole book, just a few aliases he uses from time to time. This guy turns this invisibility to his advantage, but not in such a way that makes him happy. I, as a handicapped person, also find myself invisible sometimes.

We have rules and guidelines for how to treat the disabled, and I cannot help but wonder f they do more harm than good. For example, does the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) actually make it harder for people with disabilities to get jobs? The ADA was passed in 1990. Unemployment for the disabled is still abysmal by any standard. It is almost double the rate of the non-disabled. I'm asking the question in all honesty. I could see where potential employers would shy away from hiring someone with disabilities BECAUSE of this law. Read it will cost more money. Just being able to get around is another barrier. In my limited experience the USA is the best place I've been as far as accessibility is concerned. But it varies from state to state. Too many places take a minimalist approach. For example, a strip shopping center with a ramp at one end (along with a lone handicapped parking space). This kinda sucks for someone with limited mobility. This represents being further disabled by society. We are talking about a large chunk of the US population, 23% according to this article. That's like one out of every five people! Where are they? I think a part of the problem is the expectations are set so low for too many. I was taught I could do anything I want. I took the lesson seriously, and now I work full time, blog sometimes and write books in my free time. I should be the rule and not the exception. What I mean is every so called disabled person should have every opportunity to live life to it's fullest potential free from physical and social barriers. I'm thankful for those who have struggled for me so I was not institutionalized at a young age. We still have a very long way to go.

I'm hopeful the invisibility spell is slowly fading away. Technology helps. I don't have to look for a job that involves hard physical labor. I can do plenty of stuff via computer (like blogging). But technology alone will not change much. People with disabilities need to self-advocate. Society at large needs to recognize and encourage everyone to live to their full potential. This cannot be done via legislation alone. We collectively need to build more avenues of inclusion, involvement, and equality. I'll do my part through writing and speaking up. What about you?          

Paul's PSA # 1

When going to a government office (or any office for that matter) go sober! This will result in better outcomes for you. Save the "special orange juice" for AFTER your visit. 

This message brought to you by the trickle of drunks we get each week. 

A Thank You!!

This story reflects what usually happens when I ask for a hand. People are good. Just gotta give them a chance. That said, still exercise common sense. I would not be asking around for help in a tough neighborhood at 3AM. At least not unless I had to. Contrary to popular culture, we're not islands of independence. We are all interdependent on each other on this trip. Consider this and have a good weekend!       

Yup, I was screwed. That's how I felt when I rounded the curve to the looming parking deck and saw the ticket machine that I could not reach. I was screwed, cars behind me. I pulled a little past the infernal machine reaching out feebly realizing it was not even close. If I get out of my car to get the damn ticket, the gate will close again before I can get my ass (and car) in gear. Hope!! There's a dude walking by! "Hey, sir! Can ya give me a hand?" He looks at me a little odd and starts in my direction, and turns away... The woman behind me got out and took the ticket for me "Here ya go." "Thanks!" That's why the dude left, he saw her coming to help me out. So after going up to level three, I find a handicapped spot near the parking deck elevator. It's 25 degrees outside (-3 degrees for my international friends). Not a good day for a long walk. I park and reach for my handicapped placard. It picked this time to go explore the floorboard behind the passenger seat. "Awwww, shit...." I get out and open the back door on the passenger side. Nope. Can't reach it. No other parking anywhere close by. Well, perhaps I can find a spot on level five and at least walk in the bright frigid sunshine. This sucks too. Hope again! I ask a woman walking by for a hand. Fortunately, she does not think I'm an ax murderer, and comes right over. I show her my problem. She grabs the placard, and places it on the dash. "Thanks!" I'm 2-0 today!We then take the elevator down together enjoying a casual morning chat. She shows me the location I'm looking for and we part ways wishing each other a good day. It was cool.  

This was yesterday.

             

Welcome to 2014 No thanks. I'm fine

I've been working on a new book the last month or so. There's a chapter below this entry.

My buddy Abdul recommended I look into disability theory for more ideas. It was a very good idea indeed! Disability Studies Quarterly  is a good place to start. The knowledge and scholarship within is very important, but how do we go from theory and study to action? For me, it's writing. Also, I'm rethinking the whole "overcome" narrative all too often associated with people diving with so-called disabilities AKA physical limitations. Perhaps that works for someone recently paralyzed after a life of no physical limitations. They have a lot to re-learn. I was born the way I am. I don't consider myself broken or damaged in some way. I live independently with my wife, work hard, and enjoy a beer every now and then like other dudes and blokes. It pisses me off when some well intending asshole says something like "...Can't doctors do anything for you?" or "Maybe you should contact so and so medical school or so and so hospital." Thanks but... no thanks. I'm fine. Sorry I don't conform to your narrow, and ill conceived definition of "normal." Get over it. We all suffer. We all face barriers of one form or another. We all age. If we live long enough, we all face more limitations.Life is anything but normal. So what's the big deal?

In our western narrative, we value individualism above all else. There's individual freedom, autonomy, independence and so on and so on. It sounds great until we take a closer look by examining actual lived experiences. We all rely on others. I don't know about you, but I'd be shit outta luck without a well stocked grocery store, power company or hospital. There are those brave souls that run away to live in the wilderness, but none go utterly alone. Being alone with no other human contact, leads to madness. I think inter-dependent is closer to the truth. But that does not fit the story of "The Self-Made Man" or woman. So much of consumerism is a drive to normalcy. Normal, like porn, is something we all just "know" when we see it. We all really have a different definition based on our makeup, and lived experiences. Me?? Using a dress stick is normal. It is a part of how I roll. Others, it's putting on a coat and tie everyday. Our culture assumes we are all the same, shinny happy middle class straight white people.Those not "in" are "out." No one wants to be "out." Better buy some shit, and the right shit to be "in."

More soon.