tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8819126854900793189.comments2012-04-04T14:08:34.472-05:00NovabaseChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12256607085558454970noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8819126854900793189.post-32755485059494688982012-04-04T14:08:34.472-05:002012-04-04T14:08:34.472-05:00My dad was sent to the Thomas Indian School for 6 ...My dad was sent to the Thomas Indian School for 6 years, captured, kidnapped and forced to attend this Saalem! He's gone now, but he did not have good memories of this place and would rarely even talk about it. Myself and my sister and brothers were taught as he was, with a belt, whip or hand-spanked. It just makes me so sad to think if they would have just stayed out of his life, our lives may have been so different. We would know our language, he was fluent in Mohawk before he was kidnapped, when he returned he wouldn't speak it, now we don't know it. He may not have disciplined us as harshly as he did had he not been taught that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8819126854900793189.post-29022013068614725692009-08-10T15:33:56.131-05:002009-08-10T15:33:56.131-05:00A fabulous journey! Sounds like you have enough fo...A fabulous journey! Sounds like you have enough food for thought to last a lifetime. Good luck on your project :).Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06732873731055171425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8819126854900793189.post-32221832049589859522009-07-05T20:10:01.128-05:002009-07-05T20:10:01.128-05:00I wasn't trying to imply that alcohol provides...I wasn't trying to imply that alcohol provides the only social connection this world offers, nor provides a building block for the strongest possible human relationships. I was just frustrated by the ease with which it provides a starting point.<br /><br />Surfacing, too, is my own frustration with finding appropriate starting points. "Hi! I play board games!" leads mostly to an uncomfortable silence, as does, "Hi! The side of a galaxy spinning towards our own is easily identifiable as it will be representing by a slight blue tinge against the overall redshift that colors our universe!"<br /><br />Basically, I'm bad at parties. That frustrates me.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12256607085558454970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8819126854900793189.post-16690101675479836612009-07-05T20:01:10.841-05:002009-07-05T20:01:10.841-05:00Thank you for this thoughtful response.
Over a mo...Thank you for this thoughtful response.<br /><br />Over a month has gone by, and I'm not sure I have a terribly solid grasp on this issue, yet. I suppose it's probably meant to take more than four weeks...<br /><br />One thing you said that I like a lot is the reminder that the Church is not a hierarchy (nor is it a building), but a community. One of the ways that the higher-ups have been able to get away with some of these things is by keeping them hidden from the people they lead and represent. I have to believe that the church -- the community -- would have rebelled over the actions of the church -- the hierarchy -- had they been fully informed.<br /><br />I believe that partially because I need to believe that, just to get up in the morning.<br /><br />And, certainly, experience seems to back me up. No one I've spoken to has stood up for mistreatment or genocide, and most people are shocked to learn about the truth behind the boarding schools.<br /><br />The same is true on the national level: the government is not America, you and I are (along with some other people of lesser importance). The government certainly keeps its secrets when it knows it is not acting in accord with the people.<br /><br />But, yes, this is conversation that would be well worth continuing in person. -- Let's make Brian get married, that'd be a great excuse.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12256607085558454970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8819126854900793189.post-51430044997238494542009-07-05T18:27:53.871-05:002009-07-05T18:27:53.871-05:00Please collect your well-earned reward at the foll...Please collect your well-earned reward at the following location:<br /><br />http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3652/3691398583_1b7b874e59.jpg?v=0Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12256607085558454970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8819126854900793189.post-49082720972811547192009-07-05T18:18:56.319-05:002009-07-05T18:18:56.319-05:00Thanks! I mulled this post over for a long, long ...Thanks! I mulled this post over for a long, long time before writing anything. In fact, this post probably took the longest of any of them. There's a lot of tricky footing when you're trying to explain your perspective in a field that's so loaded with pre-existing emotion and hair-trigger "offended" reactions.<br /><br />I really appreciated the response! It helped me breathe a little easier -- maybe I succeeded in explaining myself without ticking everyone off. There's the dream, anyways.<br /><br />---<br /><br />It's strange being back home, now, and not seeing Tigger around. That's going to take a long time to get used to.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12256607085558454970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8819126854900793189.post-58161577401585139902009-07-05T18:12:49.681-05:002009-07-05T18:12:49.681-05:00I've had a few other people say similar things...I've had a few other people say similar things, and perhaps I should take a moment to clarify.<br /><br />The Journey was certainly chock-full of absurd problems, and they made the best stories. The solutions and the daily minor successes don't pack the same kind of emotional heft, and often were left out.<br /><br />There was a debate once upon a time about what kinds of photographic evidence should be admissible in court. I don't remember the context -- this might have been in front of the supreme court or maybe on an episode of CSI. I think it might have been a no-authority letter to the editor. Anyways, one side argued that photographs were great evidence because they were objective. The other side argued that merely by the process of the photographer taking a picture of one thing -- and, thus, not another -- subjectivity was added.<br /><br />Writing is like that, too. I am unable to tell any story without a slant, just because of the fact that I am telling that story and not another.<br /><br />I remained upbeat because - despite whatever hardships arose - this was still the right thing for me to be doing, and there was still an undercurrent of hope. Sure, there are problems, but someone's <i>doing something</i> about it, and a few people are really, truly listening. That's hope for you. That's where change starts.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12256607085558454970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8819126854900793189.post-36145478329425773182009-07-05T18:05:46.832-05:002009-07-05T18:05:46.832-05:00Unfortunately, I'm back to normal life now. S...Unfortunately, I'm back to normal life now. Strangely, it keeps me continually amused; yet it makes for terminally boring stories.<br /><br />New post: EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN<br /><br />Today found myself hardly able to keep up. As soon as the laundry was done, it was already time for lunch. I dug through the fridge, discarding some strange slivers of green peppers that no one will ever eat, eventually finding some ham. The bread was low, so instead of eating the last of the loaf, I put the ham on an english muffin.<br /><br />I wonder why they're called "English." If they're a regional delicacy, what are they called in England? Just "muffins?"<br /><br />Then I was unable to find a clean sock to match the one I'd put on that morning, so I sorted my socks into pairs for three or four hours.<br /><br />More to follow as the situation develops.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12256607085558454970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8819126854900793189.post-6900680995207305002009-07-05T18:00:41.926-05:002009-07-05T18:00:41.926-05:00As someone commented later, it was basically a wor...As someone commented later, it was basically a worse-case scenario: me and four (former) alcoholics trying to share a single malfunctioning GPS on top of a mountain.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12256607085558454970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8819126854900793189.post-64042316177748949942009-07-05T17:57:27.812-05:002009-07-05T17:57:27.812-05:00And, for those who keep track of dates and noticed...And, for those who keep track of dates and noticed the jump:<br /><br />I really didn't have the time to keep up with responding to comments while on-the-road; but I felt bad about seemingly ignoring them. Now that it's all over 'cept the shouting, I'm going back and adding in my own comments -- just to let you know I really appreciated your thoughts.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12256607085558454970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8819126854900793189.post-11728246177120040642009-07-05T17:55:45.166-05:002009-07-05T17:55:45.166-05:00Sorry about the cliffhanger, everyone. I had lots...Sorry about the cliffhanger, everyone. I had lots to say, I was just trying to outlast William's attention span.<br /><br />Also, Internet access was scarce.<br /><br />Jim and Pam get together, eventually.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12256607085558454970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8819126854900793189.post-72643082741849577002009-07-04T13:23:59.990-05:002009-07-04T13:23:59.990-05:00I know you said the blog is over, but you should k...I know you said the blog is over, but you should keep it up. It's good times. Better for keeping in touch than FacePlace, or Tweeter, or whatever the young'uns are doing now.barbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05854922216556928537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8819126854900793189.post-7659198741258727662009-06-23T23:21:30.765-05:002009-06-23T23:21:30.765-05:00Yep--still reading! And OLD to boot... hopefully n...Yep--still reading! And OLD to boot... hopefully not without words of wisdom! :) Very thorough description of the "typical" day--thanks! Sorry about the size of the van, but it does add a chuckle to the story. I will be thinking of you (tomorrow?) as you approach D.C. The journey of a thousand miles also ends with one step. Love you! A.O. and crewcamassquadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15950145675613321379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8819126854900793189.post-17846071744207471232009-06-22T11:17:23.134-05:002009-06-22T11:17:23.134-05:00I am impressed that you sound as upbeat as you do....I am impressed that you sound as upbeat as you do. It seems like this journey is nothing but absurd problems and hardship for you. I hope that you can manage to endure all of the garbage and end up with a quality film at the end. That seems unlikely, given the environment you must work in, but hopefully it will all work out and forgiveness will come to everyone.Marchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14596483025500448525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8819126854900793189.post-27451489535064398802009-06-16T14:51:06.278-05:002009-06-16T14:51:06.278-05:00Hey again.... I am working on the title of "M...Hey again.... I am working on the title of "Most Frequent Commentor" which is really saying something because I have never read a blog before. I have no Facebook page and am hard pressed to keep up with all those emails that pop into the box. However, I am keeping up with your journey, keeping you in my prayers, and wearing my red Forgiveness bracelet daily. :) Hang in there and don't let what is black color everything. You are doing a wonderful job at the task and making a real difference. <br />Love, A.O. and crewcamassquadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15950145675613321379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8819126854900793189.post-19830674864017295362009-06-12T14:52:09.336-05:002009-06-12T14:52:09.336-05:00Chris--
I loved this entry--way to go! You are an...Chris--<br /><br />I loved this entry--way to go! You are an awesome thinker and writer and I hope you will continue to use those gifts to make a difference in this world. When you get ready to write a book, I will check for typos. :) Love you, bud!<br /><br />A.O. and crew<br /><br />p.s. Sorry to hear about Tigger.:( I have been there, done that and it is not fun.camassquadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15950145675613321379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8819126854900793189.post-23566361822108218822009-06-02T12:15:58.679-05:002009-06-02T12:15:58.679-05:00Hmmmm, this is a tough one, isn't it? Chris, I ha...Hmmmm, this is a tough one, isn't it? Chris, I had fallen a bit behind on your blog,and printed it out yesterday so I could read it in a comfy chair. Do you know it is already 52 pages long? Your writing is amazing, your experiences life changing, and your insights keen.<br /><br />I'm putting my post on this page since it is also hitting close to home for me. I was unaware of this situation, and I think of myself as being fairly aware of justice issues in the church. Being Catholic is also important to me, even after all the problems the church has endured over the past years - all of which sicken me. I have struggled mightily with the situation, and the realization I have come to at this point is that the hierarchical church is not the church, the community of the people of faith is. My Catholic faith is not tied to a very fallible male hierarchy. Having said that, my Catholic faith does call me to stand up for, and with, those who suffer as a result of any injustice that society imposes, whether it be governments, churches, industries, etc. They all have a hand in causing suffering, and it is my duty as a Catholic Christian to do what I can to change the structures that cause the suffering. This includes speaking up in my own church about injustices the hierarchy perpetrates by condoning and covering up. <br /><br />That said, I also want to point out that while our government will go in and prosecute someone who commits murder, as you mentioned, it is behind unspeakable atrocities on the international level, that it not only has condoned, but continues to cover up. <br /><br />None of us is perfect, as you so eloquently said, Chris. I believe our job, as Jesus showed us, is to continue to make a difference, as He most definitely did. You and your colleagues are doing that, and you are calling the rest of us to do that also. Bless you all for what you are doing. And....let's continue this conversation in person. It's a worthy one.Candyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15974649033139329121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8819126854900793189.post-7163405060655521372009-06-01T11:58:37.968-05:002009-06-01T11:58:37.968-05:00So at the risk of sounding preachy, it seems to me...So at the risk of sounding preachy, it seems to me that drinking is only one possible connection between people. I recently (and non-productively) tried to chase down a very fast walker in D.C. because I noticed my college emblem on his shirt as he flew past my subway exit. A complete stranger, but I would have hobnobbed with him had my legs been longer! Shared experiences of every type can connect people both at home and away from home. It seems that once you begin to visit with a stanger (airplanes, anyone?) you can almost always find something in common. Of course, fleeting moments visiting with strangers (even at AA meetings) are not really true relationships in my experience. The depth of a relationship is based on how much of life you "do" together--shared experiences, shared honesty, shared compassion. None of which requires alcohol.camassquadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15950145675613321379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8819126854900793189.post-31779823615920639532009-05-30T11:39:22.429-05:002009-05-30T11:39:22.429-05:00I would say that you can stop in any time and shar...I would say that you can stop in any time and share non-drinking experiences with me, but, since we already know each other, it probably would not have the same effect. Regardless of the impact in ones life, I feel that those of us who don't drink have similar experiences that we can share the same way people in AA can share experiences. The only difference is that our experiences involve being the only sober one at a party or a bar as everyone becomes more and more incoherent and the alcoholic's experiences involve being involved with something that completely destroys their life. Regardless, not drinking in our society is an odd thing and is often frowned upon.Marchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14596483025500448525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8819126854900793189.post-45580219232478316872009-05-29T14:04:16.801-05:002009-05-29T14:04:16.801-05:00Not technically speaking; however, due to the van'...Not technically speaking; however, due to the van's terrible, terrible turning radius, I'm fast approaching the honored "driving over a curb in every US state" award.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12256607085558454970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8819126854900793189.post-72887063644829915942009-05-28T23:07:39.920-05:002009-05-28T23:07:39.920-05:00Did you have to ford any rivers?Did you have to ford any rivers?barbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05854922216556928537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8819126854900793189.post-7360177668790766772009-05-27T13:56:57.487-05:002009-05-27T13:56:57.487-05:00Well.... that was a little more adventure than any...Well.... that was a little more adventure than anyone figured on... Too bad I didn't insist you take a case of water in the Bumblebox, but then again I didn't have more than a gallon of gas to foist apon you. I think you all should definitely add a cartographer to your party--Uncle Rich comes to mind!! We are staying tuned for the rest of the story. :)camassquadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15950145675613321379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8819126854900793189.post-55273726212009075982009-05-23T11:32:25.575-05:002009-05-23T11:32:25.575-05:00It looks like a really interesting project and I w...It looks like a really interesting project and I wish you luck upon your journey. I hope that things go well and I look forward to seeing your posts in the future. <br /><br />-MarcMarchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14596483025500448525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8819126854900793189.post-65174249691266346362009-05-22T21:48:04.079-05:002009-05-22T21:48:04.079-05:00Hi again, Chris--
Just finished reading through a...Hi again, Chris--<br /><br />Just finished reading through all your writings and discovered much that I did not know.... Wow. We are definitely praying for this journey, and for you--for physical and emotional strength. May God strengthen you all. <br /><br />Our love, O, R, J & J<br /><br />p.s. In addition to caffeine, I recommend dark chocolate! :)camassquadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15950145675613321379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8819126854900793189.post-7234377536257216882009-05-21T13:02:49.858-05:002009-05-21T13:02:49.858-05:00Hiya Cuz,
This is some amazing stuff. My mother...Hiya Cuz, <br /><br />This is some amazing stuff. My mother has dutifully kept me informed about your new project, but I'm glad you've got this blog going so I can follow along without playing Telephone anymore.<br /><br />No matter how many times you hear stories like these, it still turns your stomach. Shameful.<br /><br />On a happier note, I'm very excited for you. This is a really amazing opportunity! And I hope I get to see the finished product.<br /><br />Keep truckin'! Or vannin', I guess. I'll be reading...<br /><br />--Barbybarbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05854922216556928537noreply@blogger.com