Richard Norway

Thanks Des. I read Erich Fromm when I was in high school on my own (not a recommended reading at the time). One of my favorite quotes is, "There can be no real freedom without the freedom to fail." It's one that has kept me going, because, Lord knows, I've had my share. But that quote keeps coming back to me. I think that if you read his works, you'll find that you will agree with 95% of what he had to say, and not just agree, but believe it...intrinsically. The man was insightful, no disagreement there. And I go back to his debate between instinctivism of Konrad Lorenz and behaviorist B.F. Skinner. (Sorry, I started with a conjunction...get over it) He put the paradox (at that time) into perspective for me and how it is a mix. Thanks Des for bringing back the memory of a man that greatly contributed to who I am today.

As most of you know, the United States is in a lot of trouble and what we do affects a lot of people around the world. Our government has stepped in where it traditionally has no business being in, but trying times require nontraditional responses. I just hope that when our crises are over that our government steps down from it's 'take care of everybody' role.

I too am enjoying this story, and the six chapters in the hospital are not an issue. Characters have been introduced, anticipation of the future of these characters is building and the story is moving forward. The staccato of some of the text may not be the Queens English, but it heightens the scene being presented. It works. Thank goodness the author is posting chapters quickly.

I just ran across this article on BBC News and it made me cry. What an inspiring tale for all of us to hear. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8299780.stm

Cole...we need to read the rest of that story. What a great beginning!

Don't worry James. That cat will grow into a real tiger.

Thanks Cole,The web based service that I'm now using is called Carbonite. The backup with this service is instantaneous so that as I'm typing this, it's being backed up. And at $ 0.15 per day, it's worth it.

I usually post my experiences with having a foster son here, but tonight I'd like to say what happened to me over the last few days. As most of you know, I was in Philadelphia for a conference for the past week. When I returned, I tried to boot up my computer. NOTHING happened. I took it to my friendly computer geek and he ran a diagnostic and I found out that my hard drive was toast and also that the chip set was bad, New computer, right? New computer now, but all of my data was lost, like every drawing that I had produced for my engineering business over the past 6 years, plus accounting, plus my taxes, plus my writing, plus...plus...EVERYTHING!. Now that I'm retired, I hope that no one calls to get a copy of their drawings. If I don't write to anyone, it's because my contact list is gone and I have no idea how to contact you. But I learned something. Back up...back up...back up. My new computer is up and running and the first thing I did was to sign up for a web based backup service. I recommend it to everyone.

I guess you guys weren't alone at that time. I was there too. Okay...admission time. I was in a folk group back then. I played guitar (they didn't like my voice...idiots) back then and remember trying to figure out their picking from tapes. We succeeded in a few cases. Mary Travis was my musical idol, even more than the group, PP&M. Her alto voice with it's baritone undertone was a perfect match to the highs of Paul Stokey and the base of Peter Yarrow. But beyond their voices was their commitment to 'make a difference' in the world. After their breakup as a group, they went into education, teaching young people values and music. I so deeply admire them as human beings. There were a few people that said that Puff The Magic Dragon, one of their most notable songs, was about drugs. It wasn't, as they tried repeatedly to explain in press conferences, but rather just a song for kids about dragons and that we all have childhood wants, but life gets in the way. There are papers written about the symbolism of that song. One of the members of our group eventually went on to have a career playing music at Disney World in Florida. It's sad, because this talented man now owns a gas station in California. PP&M has inspired a whole generation, and we all know what an influence they had our lives. I'm who I am today because of their influence. We all are.

Thanks Camy. I downloaded it and was about to try it, but stopped. Does anyone know how large (file size) a typical full length movie will be in MPEG format?

As most of you know, David and I received out "Treatment Foster Care Parent" license from the State of New Mexico over a month ago. "Treatment" means that these kids have issues. Four weeks ago, an 11 year boy named Dustin was placed in our home. I wanted to record my experience as we raised Dustin in a journal somehow, so I created a blog on a different site, but I also wanted to keep my friends here at AD up to date with what I was going through. I was just going to link my blog from the other site to AD, but then I wouldn't be able to read your wonderful, encouraging or even caustic comments. I then decided to just create my own blog here at AD. I have never blogged before, so when (not if) I blunder, please tell me. I have made 4 entries so far and the below is a way of playing 'catch up.' One Sick Day Posted by Richard Norway, Aug 28 2009, 08:26 PM Okay, you experts tell me how this friggin thing works. :rant I've never used one of these blogs before, so put up with me. So, Dustin woke up and came into my home office (where I was drowning myself in caffeine) and complained of having a sore throat, coughing, diarrhea all night and feeling like poop. It was obvious to me that he didn't want to go to school today. I mean, I've done it. Haven't you all done it too? I look at him suspiciously. God, he was almost pleading now, so I KNEW it was because he didn't want to go to school. Kids can be so conniving. I remember well. And being the tough, uncaring, mean foster dad that I am, I relented and said, "Yeah, you can stay home, but we're going to the doctor's this morning." I got an appointment for 11:45 this morning and off we went. On the way there, he said, "I really feel better now." Now I was convinced!! The doctor looked him over, frowned while he listened to his stethoscope, and told me that he has a cold. He's congested and the draining is causing him to cough. Also he explained the diarrhea is from a change in diet. You see, we don't drink sodas anymore but lots of juices: orange, apple, pomegranate, etc. and so much juice gave him loose stools. Damn. I was wrong and the kid was right. He was kinda sick. I'm glad that I'm also cautious and took him to the doctor. On the way back home, he turns to me and says, "I told you so." Two Days Sick Posted by Richard Norway, Aug 31 2009, 10:52 PM This blog may be developing into a soap opera. Two things happened today: 1. I got a call from the school nurse. Okay, he's (Dustin) had a hand chopped off, I'm thinking. No, he's in there for pain in is rear end. Seems that the meds he's taking constipate him, so he's developed hemorrhoids. Geez, an 11 year old with hemorrhoids. Well, I pick him up at school and we head for Wallgreens drugstore (an apothecary or chemist for you Brits) to get some Prep H. When we got home I try to explain what's happening to him. It was, "Dad, I don't want to talk about it." Damn, I had to explain what hemorrhoids were and what you had to do to treat them. I explained that you have to spread this stuff on your butt, not just 'on,' but inside! He freaked just like I would have at that age. But he chose to do it himself rather than have me help him...thank God. He hated it, but he did it. This is a great kid, not because he didn't want me to help him , but because he's independent enough to try things on his own. 2: Tonight was also an open house at his school to meet his teachers and classes. I felt so out of place because education has changed so much since I went to school. He's in 'special ed' because of his challenges, but...and this is a big but...they are keeping him up with his peers so he is with them, but with individual treatment. Something happened tonight that sent tears to my eyes. It was in his math class. The teacher pointed everyone's eyes to a poster on the board that spoke of the values that she expected in the classroom. It was about respect to the other students, etc, But Dustin (damn I'm so proud, not for what I did, but because of who he is) raised his hand. The teacher asked him what he wanted. He said, "May I read that?" SHIT!! He got up and read that to all the parents and students there. Tears were in my eyes, but not just mine. I looked around and every parent was also crying. He got an applause from everyone. I may not have this kid forever as the agency wants to repatriate him with his mother, but if she can't be a proper mother (the reason he was taken away), this kid is mine!!! A New School Posted by Richard Norway, Sep 8 2009, 09:23 PM I can't believe how easy it is to manipulate a kid, or for them to manipulate their parents. Last week as Dustin and I were driving to school, he tells me, "I'm not in the right place." I ask him, "What do you mean, 'not in the right place?" His answer was that he felt that he should be with God and not here. Oh shit! This kid is thinking of killing himself, rambled through my brain. I asked him why he wants to be with God. And his answer was that no one wants him here. As soon as I got home, I called his case worker and we set up a time for him to see his therapist that afternoon. It turns out that he has been bullied at school. The next day, I went to the school and reported the bullying, but didn't feel comfortable with the school counselors response. He was going to take action, he told me, but I still felt uncomfortable. I had the feeling that he was all words. I discussed this with his case worker, and we agreed that he should change schools. I live in a district that is different than the one that he is currently attending, so we agreed that she would discuss this with his bio-mother, as she still has control. As you all know now, she's really not able to make rational decisions. But she agreed, and today I yanked Dustin out of his present school and enrolled him in the middle school in my district. I went to the school this morning and met with his future counselor and future special ed teacher and we worked out a plan for Dustin. I was relieved and actually very satisfied with his new school. The counselor actually said to me that he knew of the inner city school that he was going to and that he would be better off getting out of that environment. Dustin was elated that he would be going to a new school As soon as he was released from his old school, I took him to meet his new teacher and counselor. His counselor was busy with another parent (with a police officer in the room), so we left and talked with the head counselor to get him registered. I am really happy for him. Dustin may now be in an environment that will be able to help him. Of course when he got his final grades from his teachers (part of the sign out process), he got one B, one B+ and 4 A's. Not bad, huh? Well, he remembered a promise that we had made with him about if his grades were all B and above, we would do something special. And the special treat was a movie out tonight. He's still mad at me because tonight's a school night and the movie let out too late. We agreed on the weekend we woud do this. Football Posted by Richard Norway, Sep 17 2009, 12:18 AM I know most of you don't like football, but it was the best decision that we have made, to put Dustin on a team for his school. You wouldn't believe what we went through to find a uniform for him. Most of them wouldn't fit because of his stomach hanging over (yes he's quite over weight) , but we found one (after three buys) that worked. This is so great that he will get the exercise that he has never gotten. But Dustin is not a wall flower. I guess I should tell you what happened on Monday. It was his first football practice, a week after the rest of the team had started. That was due to his transferring to this school last week. Anyway, the rest of the kids had a week of practicing in shorts ( this is New Mexico, okay, it's hot). So Dustin shows up in full uniform and wants to do what the rest of the kids are doing. I left the practice to get dinner ready, but when I returned one hour later, the coach came running over to me to speak to me. He told me that Dustin had almost collapsed during the warm ups and that he was incoherent. He said that he was diabetic, which no one told me about. Shit! They called an ambulance and he was taken to Mountain View Medical Hospital. Well, I think I broke every traffic law getting there. When I got there, emergency admitting said they had no record him. SHIT! The receptionist finally (after me going ballistic) called back to the admitting area and found him and that the computer had not yet been updated with his admission. They then let me through the secured doors. I found Dustin on a gurney in front of the receptiomn counter. My first thought was to ask him how he felt, How frigging stupid. This was a kid that was probably scared out of his mind at where he was and didn't want reality...he wanted love, family. He saw me and told everyone around him that his dad was here. God, he looked so scared. Reality...Dustin suffered heat exhaustion or even heat stroke. The diabetes thing...his grandmother told him that if he didn''t lose weight, he would get diabetes. Dustin had no concept of what diabetes was and assumed that he had it, In reality, he DIDN'T have diabetes. Of course the coaches freaked and called the ambulance when he told them that. His blood sugar is normal as were the rest of the tests. He just wasn't ready for the exhaustion of football practice. But this kid is a doer. He tries so hard and wants to learn. I wish I had his drive at his age. So yeah, I'm a dad now, again. Do you know what a wonderful frigging feeling that is to have an impact on another human beings life?

I just read chapter 2, and this story is getting very interesting. Ron really knows how to get you to love his characters.

Well said James.

And you think you had it bad in Mississippi http://gayrights.change.org/blog/view/the_...exuals_on_earth

Wordy? I had to get the reader to understand the transformation in Elliot. Sorry if I used too many notes. Oops, sorry. That was from Amadeus.

Look guy's, I know it went over 1,000 words, but 1,070 words is better that the last one at 1,086 words. I'll take my chances that you'll accept this, even bow, beg that you'll forgive me for the extra wordage. Tomorrow by Richard Norway 'Tomorrow,' Elliot thought. "Shit, why me? What did I ever do to him? "Look El, you're the one that just HAD to piss him off by the way you treated him." "Yeah Colin, go ahead and take Jason's side." "I'm not taking anyone's side! I'm trying to tell you that he's going to fight you tomorrow because of the way you treated him. You treat him like shit and he never deserved that" "Yeah, like what did I ever do to him?" "Like what? Like WHAT? You've got to be kidding. When was the last time you ever just said 'hello' to him, just for no reason? "Well, why should I? Everyone makes fun of him." "Why? Because he's a nerd?" "Well, yeah." "I can't believe you man." Colin got off of Elliot's bed and started walking around the room, his hands on his hips, pissed. Finally he stopped and turned toward his friend. "Look El, do you remember what you did to him yesterday?" "Yeah, I told him that he needed to get a life. And he does. He never joins us in B Ball. All he ever does is read his books." "So?" "Well, that's just not normal Colin. Guys should hang together. He just never does." "El, how long have you known him?" "We grew up together since we were like three when I moved in next door to him." "Has he been a friend before?" "Well, yeah. We grew up together, and played together." "So what's changed between you and him?" "Ever since we got in high school, he's just been weird. He's just changed." "Like how?" "What do you mean, like how? You've seen him. He's just avoiding me." "Yeah, right. You're avoiding him." "I am not!" "Get off it you dipshit, Elliot. You are too. It seems like you're trying your damnest to put a space between you two." Silence. Elliot stayed on his bed, but turned his face from Colin. A moment passed between the two boys. Elliot finally turned his eyes back toward Colin. "You think so? Have I really been doing that?" "Yeah, man. You have." Elliot stopped and thought for a moment, not turning his gaze on his friend Colin, starring at him. "I've been a shit, haven't I?" "Yeah, big time." "Jason's going to kick my butt tomorrow, isn't he?" "Yeah, there's a good chance of that. He's got you by two inches and like twenty pounds, you know?" "Shit. Tomorrow's my birthday, you know? Why of all days does he have to do that." "Oh man, you know why. Just try to be his friend from now on. He's been trying to be yours, but you've been so wrapped up in 'image.' So what if he's a little bit different than you. So what if he likes to read more than the comic books that you read. He's still a friend, right?" "Yeah. He's been there for me," Elliot looking out the window. "He's always been there for you. Didn't you know that?" "Yeah, I guess I did. There was this one time. Just after my mom died, Jason came by to see me." Elliot got off the bed and walked to the window, looking at the oak tree wavering in the wind. He paused for a moment, not keeping his eyes from wavering from that tree. "Colin, he was the only one from school that ever came to see me, besides you." Colin moved to his friend and put his arm over his shoulder. "See what I mean El. He really wants to be your friend." Elliot turned abruptly, throwing Colin's arm off of him. "But he wants to fight me. He wants to kick my butt tomorrow." "Yeah, and you deserve it too." "I know, but shit. I don't want to fight him." "Then don't." "What? The whole school heard what he said. I don't know how to get out of this." "So, where are you supposed to meet?" "At his house, next door, an hour after school lets out. I guess his parents won't be home so he can annihilate me." "You want me there tomorrow with you?" "Yeah. And bring a wet rag to wipe up my blood." When Elliot's last class bell rang to send him home, he hung back. He knew what was coming. Jason deserved to pound him, and he knew it, and he knew that Jason could do it. Slowly he got up from his desk and started his long and lonely trek home. His eyes filled with relief as he saw Colin come up beside him. "Thanks man. Thanks for being here." Elliot said as he looked at his friend. "What are friends for, man?" Elliot turned and started the walk down death row. Slowly his house came into view and then Jason's home next to his own house came into view. Elliot's heart beat increased. He knew that it was time to face the music and that he was about to have the shit beaten out of him, but he also knew that his friend Colin was there with him. "Colin? I don't want to fight him." "I know. Well, I figured that you didn't. What are you going to do?" "I think I want to apologize to him." "For being a dick?" "Yeah. I have been. I hope that I get the black eye after I say what I have to say." "I hope you get two black eyes." "What?" "Don't you deserve both?" "Why don't you go home? You're not helping much." Colin put his arm around Elliot's shoulder and headed him toward his doom. "Come man. Let's just get this over with." The two boys walked up to Jason's front door, Elliot pulling back slightly before Colin rang the door bell. The door opened in an instant by Jason. He stood silently observing his 'guests' for a moment before he spoke. "Welcome," with an evil and foreboding grin. Stepping aside, Jason bowed his hand in a welcoming gesture for his friends to enter. Forthcoming dread filled Elliot. He couldn't move. Finally Colin grabbed Elliot's hand and pulled him into the house. The house erupted with the sounds of "Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday dear Elliot. Happy Birthday to you." from all of his friends. Elliot turned toward Jason. "You shit." "Yeah. Aren't I though." was all Jason said.

My condolences to you James and to your family. We all share in your loss. :(

You're right Kap. People seem to be attracted to the headlines, the drama, but the details give a much different picture. It is truly unfortunate that people want the "quick fix" and are unwilling to ferret out the "true' story about anything. Where has questioning gone?

Wow! I can't believe that he's only 12 years old (will be 13 on this Wednesday, 9/2/09). He only picked up the guitar 3 years ago.

I'm starting to use Open Office now. I find the spreadsheet loading a little slower than MS Excel though. I'd like to wait for our resident computer nerd's (Colin) reply.

Yes! I looked at the Firefox's plugins. They're not just user interfaces, but much more. I recommend anyone using Firefox to look at them. Good call Rick.

I am never 100% satisfied with anything that I have ever written. You're like me and every other writer. We're our worst critiques.

Wow! That was good Maddy. I showed it to David, and yes, I told him you wrote it.

I will agree with Pec. I have my own religious belief that I have formulated over the years. And it's mine, not associated with any particular organized church or dogma. I'm not a religious zealot that I have to present to the world what my beliefs are. They're mine and it's the way I conduct my life, and I'm happy and content with that.

Falwell tried this after 9/11 http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid106608.asp