I encountered this Guardian article on the Wikileaks Iraq Video, after Eug had mentioned it to me. The story is of unarmed civilians, including two Reuters reporters, being gunned down by U.S. soldiers in Iraq. The story was subsequently covered up.
I can't bring myself to watch the video, but I was overwhelmed by the story: of a disregard for innocent life in a warzone. There's a system in place that creates a space for soldiers to commit heinous crimes, a system that seems directly opposed to enlivening human conscience. It's as though things are so upside down that morality is somehow subjective. But we're talking about murder! This definitely demands questions about any kind of violent engagement, but I'll leave that discussion alone for now.
There's a steep gradient before you arrive at a military culture of shooting anyone who *may* be armed. I'm not one for the slippery slope argument, but I could relate in some small way to the power of the collective: I think a lot of workplaces take a few steps down that path. For example, professionalism sometimes encourages people to separate who they are at work and who they are at home. It can be pretty hard to remember that who you are is who you are, institutional culture or no.
Showing posts with label News Fast. Show all posts
Showing posts with label News Fast. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
After News Fast, the End of Winter, and Train Seats
Jo Hunter Adams
The news fast seemed to end naturally at about 22 work days (a little over 30 days), when I found my self-control waning and my sense of disconnectedness increasing. What I found was that the benefit I received during the first days of the fast couldn't be sustained indefinitely. That said, when yesterday I found myself in a work situation where I wanted to retreat rather than respond, I was able to step back and identify what I was doing. It's funny how what feels good in the moment (google reader and the NYT) is not really good in the long term.
Moving into the season of Lent, I'm going to be trying out a modified News Fast. Although Ash Wednesday was yesterday, I'm going to give some thought as to what will be most useful before I begin. Stay posted.
And as February draws to a close, I think it's time to start thinking about seedlings! Our Seeds of Change order (ordered Last spring) only arrived mid winter (!!) so we're ready to use them for the 2010 season. I relinquished my community garden (I'll be on maternity leave) so this will be a year of indoor and fire escape gardening. The worms have given us a lot of amazing compost. Expect photos...
Lessons from last year:
The UV light doesn't work for us unless it's in combination with natural light.
Egg cartons dry out very quickly.
Don't be greedy: Don't try to overcrowd the seedlings, thinking you'll get more plants and more fruit. The plants you get will be weak, Jo, weak.
On a totally unrelated note, someone gave up their seat on the train for me today! It's never happened before. To the lady who gets off at Kendall, Thank You!! My dear friend Caroline has been suggesting I use belts to try and accentuate the little blob's presence, but I never quite got around to it. Now, at a respectable 29weeks, it seems the little blob is fully visible to the world.
The news fast seemed to end naturally at about 22 work days (a little over 30 days), when I found my self-control waning and my sense of disconnectedness increasing. What I found was that the benefit I received during the first days of the fast couldn't be sustained indefinitely. That said, when yesterday I found myself in a work situation where I wanted to retreat rather than respond, I was able to step back and identify what I was doing. It's funny how what feels good in the moment (google reader and the NYT) is not really good in the long term.
Moving into the season of Lent, I'm going to be trying out a modified News Fast. Although Ash Wednesday was yesterday, I'm going to give some thought as to what will be most useful before I begin. Stay posted.
And as February draws to a close, I think it's time to start thinking about seedlings! Our Seeds of Change order (ordered Last spring) only arrived mid winter (!!) so we're ready to use them for the 2010 season. I relinquished my community garden (I'll be on maternity leave) so this will be a year of indoor and fire escape gardening. The worms have given us a lot of amazing compost. Expect photos...
Lessons from last year:
The UV light doesn't work for us unless it's in combination with natural light.
Egg cartons dry out very quickly.
Don't be greedy: Don't try to overcrowd the seedlings, thinking you'll get more plants and more fruit. The plants you get will be weak, Jo, weak.
On a totally unrelated note, someone gave up their seat on the train for me today! It's never happened before. To the lady who gets off at Kendall, Thank You!! My dear friend Caroline has been suggesting I use belts to try and accentuate the little blob's presence, but I never quite got around to it. Now, at a respectable 29weeks, it seems the little blob is fully visible to the world.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Day 17
Jo Hunter Adams
I'm more than half-way through my news fast, and although I ended up on Facebook this weekend, I'm pressing on. I've noticed the temptation to look at non-banned websites increasing.
Key things in week 4:
1) I'm not hugely out of touch or under-stimulated.
2) I'm enjoying new levels of productivity.
3) I'm consistently able to have meaningful breaks during my day.
Here's another person's Internet Fast story!
I'm more than half-way through my news fast, and although I ended up on Facebook this weekend, I'm pressing on. I've noticed the temptation to look at non-banned websites increasing.
Key things in week 4:
1) I'm not hugely out of touch or under-stimulated.
2) I'm enjoying new levels of productivity.
3) I'm consistently able to have meaningful breaks during my day.
Here's another person's Internet Fast story!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Butternut Squash seeds
Jo Hunter Adams
I wanted to share with you the awesomeness of butternut squash (sorry that I never appreciated it before, mom and dad...). I tried this Butternut Squash Soup Recipe, with the only modification of roasting the butternut squash rather than boiling it with the other ingredients.
I also roasted the seeds (for about 15 minutes) with a tiny brushing of olive oil and a little salt. The seeds are crunchy and nutty and feel like a treat. The soup was also great.
So, for those of you suffering through the Northern Hemisphere winter, take heart! Root vegetables and gourds have potential!
I wanted to share with you the awesomeness of butternut squash (sorry that I never appreciated it before, mom and dad...). I tried this Butternut Squash Soup Recipe, with the only modification of roasting the butternut squash rather than boiling it with the other ingredients.
I also roasted the seeds (for about 15 minutes) with a tiny brushing of olive oil and a little salt. The seeds are crunchy and nutty and feel like a treat. The soup was also great. So, for those of you suffering through the Northern Hemisphere winter, take heart! Root vegetables and gourds have potential!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Meal Plans: Day 10
Jo Hunter Adams
Inspired by my brilliant sister-in-law on our visit to South Africa, Eug and I have been trying out meal plans as a way of avoiding eating out and keeping our grocery bill down. Our CSA has ended, which means the glorious unpredictability of our food supply has given way to a genius, foolproof plan for eating well and saving money!
What's been useful about the process so far is that it's helped us try out a couple of new meals every two weeks (and see what we like and what we don't). Don't you find that you have a psychological need to full an empty fridge? Our genius plan reassures me that we have enough food for the full two weeks, even if the fridge looks like it's emptying out. On evenings where we're not to excited about cooking, we have good simple fast options. As a bonus, it makes it easy to eat very little meat.
Wow, I used the word "easy" a lot in that paragraph! Going back to the public health ideas about behaviour change and self-efficacy, it's most likely that we will make changes that we feel are manageable. Gradual change and simple options tend to be more manageable than deciding to make gourmet meals every night. So here's to good, simple, cheap food!
One unexpectedly good recipe from the last two weeks:
Adapted from Lentil Loaf
Prep Time:
45 MinCook Time:
50 MinReady In:
1 Hr 35 Min
Ingredients
1 1/8 cups green lentils
2 1/4 cups water
6 slices white bread, torn into small pieces
2 or 3 eggs
1 cup vegetable broth water
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs/marjoram/basil
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/3 cup grated cheese
Directions
Combine lentils and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer until tender, about 40 minutes.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
In a large bowl, mix together 2 cups cooked lentils, bread, eggs, broth or water, tomato paste, basil, garlic powder, black pepper, parsley, olive oil. Spread into prepared pan. Add some cheese or nuts for extra taste.
Bake for 40 minutes. Sprinkle top with grated cheese or bread crumbs, and continue baking another 10 minutes. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.
Inspired by my brilliant sister-in-law on our visit to South Africa, Eug and I have been trying out meal plans as a way of avoiding eating out and keeping our grocery bill down. Our CSA has ended, which means the glorious unpredictability of our food supply has given way to a genius, foolproof plan for eating well and saving money! What's been useful about the process so far is that it's helped us try out a couple of new meals every two weeks (and see what we like and what we don't). Don't you find that you have a psychological need to full an empty fridge? Our genius plan reassures me that we have enough food for the full two weeks, even if the fridge looks like it's emptying out. On evenings where we're not to excited about cooking, we have good simple fast options. As a bonus, it makes it easy to eat very little meat.
Wow, I used the word "easy" a lot in that paragraph! Going back to the public health ideas about behaviour change and self-efficacy, it's most likely that we will make changes that we feel are manageable. Gradual change and simple options tend to be more manageable than deciding to make gourmet meals every night. So here's to good, simple, cheap food!
One unexpectedly good recipe from the last two weeks:
Adapted from Lentil Loaf
Prep Time:
45 MinCook Time:
50 MinReady In:
1 Hr 35 Min
Ingredients
1 1/8 cups green lentils
2 1/4 cups water
6 slices white bread, torn into small pieces
2 or 3 eggs
1 cup vegetable broth water
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs/marjoram/basil
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/3 cup grated cheese
Directions
Combine lentils and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer until tender, about 40 minutes.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
In a large bowl, mix together 2 cups cooked lentils, bread, eggs, broth or water, tomato paste, basil, garlic powder, black pepper, parsley, olive oil. Spread into prepared pan. Add some cheese or nuts for extra taste.
Bake for 40 minutes. Sprinkle top with grated cheese or bread crumbs, and continue baking another 10 minutes. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Should we try to make sense of terrible events?: Day 9 of News Fast
Jo Hunter Adams
I noticed that my usual sense of mild indignation at the "state of the world" is much diminished during these two weeks of fasting. It makes me think of the bumper sticker that reads "If you're not outraged then you haven't been paying attention". My sense is that there's a space for that outrage in short, action-filled bursts, but it's not helpful when it's a low-ebbing sense of frustration.
My perspective on the earthquake(s) in Haiti is also altered by the fact that I haven't seen pictures or read, as I would otherwise have done.
I wanted to share some thoughts I heard on the questions that one sometimes asks when such a huge, inherently unexplainable, tragedy occurs.
1. Asking "why?" is sometimes an attempt to insulate ourselves from recognizing our own vulnerability-- if we can suggest why something happened to someone else, maybe it'll feel less likely that tragedy hit us. But the reality is that hard times will hit all of us, albeit in different ways.
2. Asking "why?" cannot lead to anything good (a sense of peace, a sense of how to prevent future tragedy, etc). It'll lead to anything between paralysis and devastating pain.
As such, evil and tragedy are not to be understood, they're to be actively combatted.
Action, in this case, seems to mean prayer, money, and time.
I noticed that my usual sense of mild indignation at the "state of the world" is much diminished during these two weeks of fasting. It makes me think of the bumper sticker that reads "If you're not outraged then you haven't been paying attention". My sense is that there's a space for that outrage in short, action-filled bursts, but it's not helpful when it's a low-ebbing sense of frustration.
My perspective on the earthquake(s) in Haiti is also altered by the fact that I haven't seen pictures or read, as I would otherwise have done.
I wanted to share some thoughts I heard on the questions that one sometimes asks when such a huge, inherently unexplainable, tragedy occurs.
1. Asking "why?" is sometimes an attempt to insulate ourselves from recognizing our own vulnerability-- if we can suggest why something happened to someone else, maybe it'll feel less likely that tragedy hit us. But the reality is that hard times will hit all of us, albeit in different ways.
2. Asking "why?" cannot lead to anything good (a sense of peace, a sense of how to prevent future tragedy, etc). It'll lead to anything between paralysis and devastating pain.
As such, evil and tragedy are not to be understood, they're to be actively combatted.
Action, in this case, seems to mean prayer, money, and time.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Day 7
Hi everyone,
Just a quick post today. I made it through Day 6 (or 8, depending on how you count the weekend), mainly because I had to be accountable to you guys.
In week 2, my hope is that I'll be able to build some moments of pause into my day. Here's to a good week!
Jo
Just a quick post today. I made it through Day 6 (or 8, depending on how you count the weekend), mainly because I had to be accountable to you guys.
In week 2, my hope is that I'll be able to build some moments of pause into my day. Here's to a good week!
Jo
Monday, January 18, 2010
Your Planner and Bank Statement as Moral Documents: News Fast Day 6
Jo Hunter Adams
About a year ago I wrote about jubilee and economic justice. 2009 seemed to be a year of consolidation: paying off debt, learning to eat a bit differently; it was also year of awesome family gatherings. 2010 begins a new season-- our finances look different (and we no longer own stocks), we are both in different jobs, and becoming parents in May also signifies a major change in our lives. It's a good time to think about living intentionally.
Perhaps that's why Jim Wallis's description of our planners and our budget as "moral documents" seemed particularly pertinent. The question that this brings is "Does the way I spend my time and money reflect my core values?" It's very helpful for me to ask what it means to spend much of the week at work-- both for the time spent there, and for the time that remains. I like these questions, particularly when I (or Eug and I) reflect on choices that may be counter-cultural. Radical decisions seem much less extreme. If I believe in jubilee and in economic justice, how does that play out?
About a year ago I wrote about jubilee and economic justice. 2009 seemed to be a year of consolidation: paying off debt, learning to eat a bit differently; it was also year of awesome family gatherings. 2010 begins a new season-- our finances look different (and we no longer own stocks), we are both in different jobs, and becoming parents in May also signifies a major change in our lives. It's a good time to think about living intentionally.Perhaps that's why Jim Wallis's description of our planners and our budget as "moral documents" seemed particularly pertinent. The question that this brings is "Does the way I spend my time and money reflect my core values?" It's very helpful for me to ask what it means to spend much of the week at work-- both for the time spent there, and for the time that remains. I like these questions, particularly when I (or Eug and I) reflect on choices that may be counter-cultural. Radical decisions seem much less extreme. If I believe in jubilee and in economic justice, how does that play out?
Friday, January 15, 2010
Day 5, Fun and Drudgery
We've all heard it takes 30 days to break a habit. I'm on day 5 of the news fast, and I've decided it makes sense to fast for 30 work days (rather than calendar days), mainly to break the habit of seeking something relational from the internet "community". This week I've been discovering that some of my desire for community is satiated by facebook, blogs and news sites (aaah, the comments section of the NYTimes...) but that that's really not where I want to see those desires fulfilled. After the thirty days, I'll see what I can start reading again.
Which brings me to this story of how we experience much of our lives and relationships at work every day: A couple of weeks ago I heard a story on NPR about the relationship (or non-relationship) between pay and productivity.
When people get paid to do something that they used to do for enjoyment, scientists found a lot of people totally stopped doing that thing. In the context of work, I interpreted the question as: does getting paid actually amplify a sense of drudgery? One answer seems to be that one should not work long-term only for money; it's not enough of a motivation to bring satisfaction.
This seemed applicable to my work, so my goal is to reserve a couple of hours in my work week to catch up on the "big picture" of why I'm doing the work I'm doing. I've decided to use that time to keep up to date with the literature in the field and affirm my work in that way. What could it mean for you?
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Haiti and News Fast Day 4
I'm on to day 4 of the news fast. I heard about the earthquake in Haiti and am praying for people there. I considered breaking the fast to find out more, but I decided instead to try to focus my prayers on Haitians I know. 
How do you react to tragedy that is distant? What is your role?
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
News Fast Day 3, and Growing
So, it's day 3 of the news fast and it's getting more difficult. I have plenty of time to think and write, which is great, but I also have a sense of being out of touch. I realized much of my knowing what's happening in friends' and family's lives depends on Facebook, rather than actual interaction.
I am also thinking a lot about being pregnant and becoming a parent in a city (and country) that's both expensive and very hardworking. The responsbility of doing things right-- planning right, eating right, exercising right, working right, sleeping right, avoiding stress-- can be overwhelming in a society that prides itself in having options (and perhaps any society). I've realized it's not a burden that's worth carrying, but it's also a burden that's hard to let go of!
In the midst of a lot of choices, my hope is that we can live below our means in the smallest place we can handle, continue to live without a car; and try to expose Little Blob to everything that's awesome about Boston- the beautiful gardens, great summer feel, the diversity, our church, friends, and being nearby Eug's family.
I am also thinking a lot about being pregnant and becoming a parent in a city (and country) that's both expensive and very hardworking. The responsbility of doing things right-- planning right, eating right, exercising right, working right, sleeping right, avoiding stress-- can be overwhelming in a society that prides itself in having options (and perhaps any society). I've realized it's not a burden that's worth carrying, but it's also a burden that's hard to let go of!
In the midst of a lot of choices, my hope is that we can live below our means in the smallest place we can handle, continue to live without a car; and try to expose Little Blob to everything that's awesome about Boston- the beautiful gardens, great summer feel, the diversity, our church, friends, and being nearby Eug's family.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Day 1 and 2 of News Fast
Jo Hunter Adams
I've been learning about different kinds of fasting recently, and given my pregnancy I didn't want to fast from food. At the same time, I've been thinking about my news addiction (is that too strong a word?) and it felt like it was the thing I could release myself from for the next thirty days.
The fast includes all news websites, my Google Reader, as well as Facebook.
Reading news tends to be a means for me to avoid something, particularly work. It takes a lot of my time and I tend to talk and think a lot about it. I'm excited to step back and figure out what is useful and helpful in my life and what isn't.
In "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" Barbara Kingsolver wrote about how we tend to live vicariously and be affected by news that actually need not affect us. I'm sympathetic to this view. It's tremendously hard to focus on the present, and be present to whatever is happening in the room that you're in at that moment.
I've tended to believe that being informed, understanding current events and reading good news sources are all very important for me to be able to live a socially responsible life. Yet when I take stock, many of my more deeply held views on socially responsibility and current events come from books written well after the fact, rather than daily news sources. I'm not exactly sure at what point observing life and actually living it come in conflict with one another. I certainly want to understand issues where I can add my voice or respond in some way (even if the response is just on this blog). But I also what to be fully engaged in the relationships and interactions I am in the midst of.
So here's to the next 29 days! I'll let you know how it goes.
I've been learning about different kinds of fasting recently, and given my pregnancy I didn't want to fast from food. At the same time, I've been thinking about my news addiction (is that too strong a word?) and it felt like it was the thing I could release myself from for the next thirty days.
The fast includes all news websites, my Google Reader, as well as Facebook.
Reading news tends to be a means for me to avoid something, particularly work. It takes a lot of my time and I tend to talk and think a lot about it. I'm excited to step back and figure out what is useful and helpful in my life and what isn't.
In "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" Barbara Kingsolver wrote about how we tend to live vicariously and be affected by news that actually need not affect us. I'm sympathetic to this view. It's tremendously hard to focus on the present, and be present to whatever is happening in the room that you're in at that moment.
I've tended to believe that being informed, understanding current events and reading good news sources are all very important for me to be able to live a socially responsible life. Yet when I take stock, many of my more deeply held views on socially responsibility and current events come from books written well after the fact, rather than daily news sources. I'm not exactly sure at what point observing life and actually living it come in conflict with one another. I certainly want to understand issues where I can add my voice or respond in some way (even if the response is just on this blog). But I also what to be fully engaged in the relationships and interactions I am in the midst of.
So here's to the next 29 days! I'll let you know how it goes.
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