The Way This Works in Your America

You take your stand


however damaging


and make it work
somehow


I don't have this notion from left field,
right?


They got it in 17th century Holland


Rembrandt's "Nightwatch" holds all you need to know to be successful


chaos celebrated
with white men and
guns

Letter to Scott Walker-University of Wisconsin System RIP

Hi Scott,

I just wanted to make you aware that the image that you and your people have painted of average university workers like myself has resulted in the dividing of neighbors and friends over gross and irresponsible misinformation about how "great" we've all had it.  Here's what you didn't think about.  The vast majority of us aren't making the 90k salaries of engineering professors with all our benefits paid.  We're advisors, program assistants, custodians, maintenance personnel, secretaries, office managers, and so on.  We make very modest salaries-well below our friends in the private sector who have paid more into their health care because a.) they make more and b.) those were the terms of the employment they agreed to.  Our small salaries were cut by furlough days-I guess we all thought we'd made a real sacrifice and done our part. Now with what you propose, for me as a single mother this means no car, literally less food, certainly no newspaper or cable.  Ha, what luxuries!  Are your kids going to go without piano lessons and camp too, Scott?  Are you going to ride your bike to work because you can't afford your car payment?  Did you think about how this was going to be the very last nail in the coffin for scores of us who were literally just barely making it as it was, with our partners and spouses unemployed or underemployed, for years in some cases?  Do you know there are people working full time in higher ed in Wisconsin who will now fall below the national poverty line?

Watch the talent fall away like rain.  The brain drain from what was our state's crowning jewel, this once magificant state system of higher ed, now decimated by quick fixes and short sighted thinking.  You've made it clear that you don't value higher education or what countless Wisconsinites worked so hard to build over the years.  To have the governor turn his back on education and seek to destroy the backbone of what could ultimately refuel the economy-an educated populace-is an embarrasment.  I am ashmaned and sickened by your lack of vision and leadership and resent your toying with my life and family's security and that of my remarkable colleagues who have devoted thier careers to helping people in the state of Wisconsin acheieve their dreams, indeed their highest potential.  Higher education at its best is an incubator of hope.  A taste of what's possible for students and their lives.  Now that I can't participate in the economy other than to pay for watered down basics, I wonder what's really possible for the state under your direction?  Good for you and your balanced budget.  You can grow all the business in the state you want and I for one won't be able to buy a thing at your counter.  

YES to YOGA

Hi!

Come join me for a vigorous Vinyasa Flow Class, 11:30 am - 1 pm, Saturdays at Yama Yoga in the beautiful Third Ward.   My goal for students is to have you leave feeling relaxed and energized all at the same time.   Parking is free for up to 2 hours on Saturdays so please come and give it a try!  See the link below for pricing and other details.  See you Saturday...

Namaste.....

http://yamayogastudio.com/

Suggestion for Wisconsin State Workers in Light of the Looming Benefits Raid

On February 22nd, Scott Walker is going to slash the benefits of state workers without any hope of raising our salaries and without lifting the mandatory furlough days-perhaps adding even more, who knows how far the cuts will go.  So, without those benefits (which were great AND well deserved) it will be akin to taking a huge pay cut...that's what it really is.  So for those of us who are already struggling, it will mean contemplating dropping family coverage and if possible, opting out the the pension plan.  Now the state contributes 6% of our salaries yearly without a match.  Now, I don't know what our "portion" will be, but I've decided I don't care because I don't need a pension.  I won't be retiring thanks to Scott.  Nor will I be participating the state economy beyond buying food and other necessities ever again.  I already have nothing left over due to chronic unemployment in my family and I've basically given up.  Luckily, I like my job and I continue to stand up for education even though clearly the state no longer does.  Madison is contemplating leaving the state system altogether and Milwaukee may well join them.  Sadly, our state is too short sighted to see that the way to prosperity is through education and not around it.  But I digress,  I'd like to suggest a "20 year plan" for state employees who are a part of the lost generation of workers like me in our early 40s (plan length adjustable based on age).  Growing old sucks anyway.  I don't need any more time on this planet beyond my early 60s.  My kids will be raised and before I become any more of a burden to the State of Wisconsin, perhaps I can just permanently opt out.  I think the new state government will applaud this example old fashioned, taking care of business, personal responsibility solution to the budget problems.  Glad to be of help.

Trying to like football on Superbowl Sunday in Packerland

We've survived Snowmeggedon; we will survive Superbowl Sunday in Wisconsin? I'd like to point out that I wrote a paper in college about why football simply shouldn't exist. That seems so subversive in Packer Country. I try now instead of having contempt for the male only institution of sanctioned violent pounding of others called sport, to surrender to the fact people just need something to root for-especially now. If you strip the ugly parts away, it's like Star Wars. Or Beowulff. Or an afternoon at the feet of Joseph Campbell. Redemption and hope for all in the warrior's journey. You can turn this hype around and discuss the beautiful metaphor that's tucked in there. Of course, rooting for the freedom of Egypt, for example, is the the real life battle. But in general, people have always needed a safe, fantasy tale to work out the difficulties of real life and make sense of themselves and the world. Football represents the basest way of doing just that.

When Mama Leaves

It was interesting recently when I was gone with work for 2 weeks in Europe. The girls had a hard time at first, but it's really the adults around me that had the hardest time. I'm not faulting anyone or complaining really....it's just an observation that when a man or father needs to leave home for work, it's not much of an issue. Nobody gives so much as a shrug at the thought. His partner might complain a little, plans may need to be rearranged or cancelled, friends may need to be called upon for help. Yet these duties seems to go with the territory and it's mostly not the male partner who is making these arrangements even though he's the one creating the burden. When a woman leaves the vibe is different. I made the arrangements for my absence, which took months in the making to double cross all the t's to make sure everything was covered. Then the comments start to fly like, "what a great opportunity," and "aren't you lucky?" Some would seem to prefer to keep me in a state of continual gratitude for simply participating in my own life as it's unfolding. Due mainly to my gender it seems, this idea of leaving is somehow extra special. Without me at the helm, securely in place, what will happen to the home and hearth. I'm ruined by my perception that house holding is often closer to prison for women. The more you do (and the better you are at it) the more stuck to home and hearth you become. I love having and creating a home, but why does this mean I feel the need to apologize when I leave it. And to add insult to injury for many I have the audacity to gleefully admit that I love leaving it. There's this tinge of disappointment in the faces of those that just want me to be content with "what I have." Is that a wish really in my own best interests or in theirs-having settled long ago for lives that fell far short of not only expectations but true abilities and potential. If we, as women in particular, spent more time supporting and less time gossiping and judging, it occurs to me that we could all get what we want, whatever that looks like.

Ganapati Grows

It's been a long while since I've written at all about Ganapati. I've taken my one woman show to the LGBT Center at UWM to bring yoga to all who are inclined and frequent the center. It's been a great experience doing yoga in a public space, with folks passing in and out, our mats simply in the middle of the common room. It's a different kind of experience then the usual soothing, zen space. Not bad, just different and it fosters a kind of intense focus as your mind competes for your own attention with all the distractions. It's "fine focus" yoga.

Any suggestions for teaching in this environment are welcome.....

Namaste!