Matsu’s World: The One Less Traveled

It is interesting how much one learns of themselves by interacting with others. Yes, by interacting with people around you it helps you see yourself better and therefore you end up knowing yourself.

In the past several years I’ve worked with a person who has brought into focus the amount of influence my upbringing has affected my personality and character. I grew up in Japan. In fact, I spent most of the first 18 years of my life there, with the exception of three times when we lived in America for a year each time while on furlough. Well, the oriental influence on me is inescapable. And, this co-worker has been like a highly reflective mirror and given me a better view of myself and how I’ve been shaped by the oriental influences of my childhood.

One of the characteristics of oriental society is subtle communication. So, when I saw this photo posted on the Kyoto Daily Photo blog, I laughed out loud. It typifies how subtle the Japanese people can be, and by extension, how I am at times. The theme for the July 1st daily photo blog photos is “no.” The assignment is to take photos of signs that say “no” or “not permitted.” So, the photo of a walking path of large stepping stones with a single smaller stone sitting atop the first step means, “do not enter,” in the social language of Japan. That is a wonderful example of how small and subtle communication is in Japan — and while it’s subtle, I find it also to be crystal clear and almost obvious. But, that’s just because I think in those same terms.

So, thank you Bert for giving me a better view of myself and through that awareness, making this photograph that much more meaningful and amusing.

Disclaimer: The photo used in this post has nothing to do with the Kyoto Daily Photo blog. I wanted to use the stone path photo, but I didn’t have permission. Therefore, I found a good friend’s photo on the Wilmore Daily Photo blog site and used it without his permission. Hey, what is a friend going to do, sue me? Oh, oh! He seems to be tight with the local police. Maybe I should reconsider my attititude!

Like A River

It runs deep, the calm surface concealing what lies beneath.
Big and broad and visible to all but no one is able see.

There is no escape, caught in its grip, fighting the effect of retreat.
A child, impatient and persistent, intractably invading my sleep.

Ignore it I cannot, confront it I dare not, for fear it will consume me.
Pain is that river, a pain endlessly fed by all that I cannot speak.

_______________________________________________________

The business trip to Florida was by far the most sucessful business trip of my entire life. Yes, it by far exceeded all expectations and took us in directions we had not planned. It was truly amazing how everything came together so well. In the days and weeks ahead the details of that trip will become known where I work, so if you work for me or with me, be patient. You will eventually know all.

On the afternoon of the second day I began to really feel yucky. My body ached and I started to develop a cough. Then, on the late night plane flight back home I could tell I was running a fever. By the time I was home (arriving after midnight) I felt like I was fighting a full blown case of the flu. I slept for much of the next day, but had to make an appearace at work in the afternoon for an emergency meeting. After that, I went home and back to bed. I’ve pretty much been there ever since.

Now that it’s the start of the weekend, I can continue to get lots of rest. January was a very stressful and difficult month both at work and at home. So, the chance to shut down and rest is welcome… and very much needed.

Hey, it’s time for my next dose of Zicam. Later!

This time of year I like to take a 3 or 4 day retreat in total solitude and away from everyone. I do that to both look back at the previous year to consider what I’ve done or not done that I should have and then look ahead and consider the things that I would like to do in the year before me. Unfortunately, circumstances make it impossible to take my usual retreat. So, I must ponder the year past and the year future while in my usual surroundings.

First, let me say this past year has not been a normal one. Far from it, in fact. It has been especially difficult with a great amount of personal pain and suffering. And, as it relates to this blog, I have written much less than I would have liked.

Part of the problem of keeping up with postings on this blog site was the lack of time, especially this past fall as I was busy not only with my usual work responsibilities but I also taught an undergraduate class which took up much of my ‘free’ time. This is the first year I’ve taught this particular class so I ended up spending much of my evening and weekend time preparing lectures, creating tests, and grading homework. I’m glad I was able to take on this additional work as it was very satisfying and a great distraction to my usual responsibilities and the stresses of the job. I look forward to teaching that class again, if given the opportunity.

One thing that I am especially satisfied with this past year is the group of people who make up the I.T. department where I work. This past summer I finished my 7th year in my current job. In that time there has been turnover in almost every position. And, I’ve had the opportunity to hire many qualified individuals to fill the open positions. I must say that we have created what is probably the best group of I.T. people that my institution has ever had.

It’s quite the luxury to have a strong and highly motivated I.T. staff and management team, but that’s what I’ve got. To make matters even better, there hasn’t been any turnover this past year by my managers so the team has been able to learn to work (and fight) with each other. They truly love and respect each other and hold each of us (for I am also a member of the management team) to do our very best. I hold the bar high and expect the best and they give it. I can’t help but think of them as the “dream team” of I.T. managers. It is because of them that we have had the successes we experienced this past year.

As I look to the year ahead I see many challenges and know of many problems that we must yet solve, but I also feel great comfort in the team that will make the impossible possible through their dedication, ingenuity, and shear determination.

Speaking of the year ahead, it wouldn’t be a new year if I didn’t consider a few new year’s resolutions. I found a list of top ten new year’s resolutions, but I won’t be borrowing any of them for my own resolutions this year. Instead, I’ve selected three new year’s resolutions. One of them is directly related to this blog site. I resolve to write 52 blog posts this new year. That’s an average of one each week. I think that with a specific goal I will stand a good chance of accomplishing it. And, applying the advice found on this website, I am writing down this goal (in this post) and will work on it all year long. Anyone who follows my blog will know how well I’m doing on this resolution.

The other two resolutions I’ll keep to myself for now, but they are very specific and I’ll be working on them starting January 2nd. Both will be difficult, but not impossible. And, neither of them have anything to do with dieting or money or anything like that.

What have you decided to start doing or stop doing in the new year? Did you make any new year’s resolutions? What are they? If not, why not?

One week ago from right now I was tired and my body was sore.

Just as I had done in past years, I once again volunteered to be an Ichthus photographer at this year’s Ichthus music festival in Wilmore, Kentucky (USA).

This year I wasn’t able to take photos of the entire three-day event because I was out of town the first two days attending a technology conference in Pennsylvania. But, I did spend the third day out at the festival grounds taking photos for about 10 hours.

It was more difficult to get into it this year since I missed the beginning. But, by the end I was back in the groove and ended up taking over 4,000 photographs.

You can always count on Toby Mac jumping off stage and leaping into the audience. He does that every year.

After Toby Mac played then Switchfoot hit the stage. They did a great job.

And that is just a sample of seven pictures of the 4,200 pics I got. But, you get the idea.