Mar 25 2009
Last year one clever person with several equally clever and slightly more quip-ready persons set out to make a book called Six-word Memoirs. The video below documents some of the various results.
Six-Word Memoir book preview from SMITHmag on Vimeo.
Wax in six words if desired.
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Mar 20 2009
Image provided by Meditations from Carmel
“There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful, than that of a continual conversation with God. Those only can comprehend it who practice and experience it.” - Brother Lawrence
Yesterday as my wandering thoughts often have me do, I thought of something after hearing a brief sermon about making time with God. I thought of a small book I found for free a few months ago by a 15th Century French monk named Brother Lawrence entitled The Practice of the Presence of God. In the meager volume, Brother Lawrence details his journey with God in a collection of letters and conversations had with his friends and peers during his monastic life.
The brother like all those who claim a relationship with the Most High, attends worship services, prays zealously, and gives alms to the needy as per usual. But in a rare but illuminating twist, Brother Lawrence claims never to cease in his adoration. His every waking action he devotes to God - not by elaborate ritual or constant adoration with oils, wine or special vestments, but with a simple, pure acknowledgment of his creator in simple moments waking, sleeping, eating,laughing and mourning In all things and all parts of his being, he aims to selflessly submit fully to the love of God.
In this way I challenge all of the faithful and those still seeking to not only read the e-text below, but to attempt to do the practice in your lives: to make every breath and motion an homage to the greatest forces unseen and to live peacefully within its arms. May you be blessed!
Wax with joy!
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Feb 01 2009
Archived from May 12, 2008
Book cover from original 1958 issue
Exactly one week ago I finished reading The Ugly American, a now classic novel first published in 1958 at the crest the Cold War in America. I first came across the book at a community book sale at my college library. The title immediately drew me as worthy of at least a glance and the reviews stamped on the front, back and first few pages made me wonder if this book was as illicit as the atomic secret itself.
But at its heart, The Ugly American is not simply a scandal ridden, salacious rag of fantastic fiction but the brilliant fact-based creation of writers’ Eugene Burdick and William J. Lederer written to shed much needed light on what they see as America’s domineering, arrogant and ethnocentric approach to international diplomacy. Set in the fictional Southeast Asian nation of Sarkhan, the book depicts a plight similar to that of Cold War Vietnam, Burma (Myanmar), Laos and Thailand. Sarkhan is at brink of disaster as the Soviets, and Chinese aim to exploit its poverty for political gain.
Each chapter is a brief but very crisp snapshot of the seemingly blind diplomats of the time stumbling and bumbling though language gaps, cultural gaffs and an astonishing desire to isolate themselves by throwing lavish cocktail parties and hiring the locals as servants to provide all the comforts of home. None of the diplomats dare to venture out of their luxury suites and meet locals. Many of the American foreign ambassadors do not speak any foreign language and are thus deceived when gathering information. When Ambassador Lou Sears finds he has been defamed in a Sarkhanese political cartoon, he is unable to read it and is therefore able to be easily duped into thinking it’s not so bad by his Sarkhanese counterpart. And while hijacking a U.S. shipment of rice, the Soviets are able to stencil a “Gift from Russia” in Sarkhanese because, after all… Americans don’t speak Sarkhanese.
In the Chapter entitled “Lessons of War” two proud soldiers one American named , the other a French Major named Monet find that when confronted by newly promoted successor to Ambassador Sears, Gilbert MacWhite, they had ever read the writings of Mao and were fighting the wrong way the whole time.
MacWhite then becomes the voice of reason in Washington who relies on the native people and insiders to tell and show there way of life. These heroes come in the form of a milkman, who is able to infiltrate the Communists, a priest, who promotes democracy through simply learning the native tongue, a chicken farmer who knows how to help breed bigger, better chickens for food and lastly, the “Ugly American” of the book’s title, Homer Atkins a dirty-fingernailed engineer who invents a simple bicycle powered pump to pump water to the people in a local Sarkhanese village. All the while MacWhite’s listening to the common man gets him into boiling hot water throughout the entire novel with the overall premise being that common sense isn’t so common. Each story is based on a real life encounter had by foreign officer or an amalgam of several stories in one.
In short, this book reminded me of Iraq is so many ways. The news often talks about insurgencies infiltrating U.S. forces after we thought we could just show up and save the day. My friends tell me of a shortage of Arabic speakers and often soldiers describe themselves as fighting ghosts whom they never see, similar to the Chinese Communist fight of 50 years ago. As well, I still run into cocky, domineering Americans now and again who think they live on an island. Have we learned anything? Scary. Very Scary. Regardless, this book is well worth a read.
Note: There is a 1963 film adaptation of the same name starring Marlon Brando.
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Dec 26 2008
Archived from August 15, 2008
The paradox of free will and freedom to choose good versus evil is surely an age-old dilemma since the very beginning of existence from all angles, the question of why we do what we do, and why we make the decisions we make . It’s all very strange and disconcerting. The following argument was initially my attempt to solve this problem but in the end, it was all much more a comedy than a solution. It contrasts animal instinct against human ingenuity and makes the case that though we human beings do have the ability to make logical choices, that can never assure that we will decide to do so.
In the Biblical Garden of Eden when God told Adam and Eve not to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, the two were inevitably tempted toward it, with wide-eyed, childlike precociousness and when given a pass by the guile and tricks of the serpent, they felt it reason enough to throw all God’s rules aside even when God had told them verbatim they would surely die. Both Adam and Eve risked death to embrace the most base and immediate desires, rather than listen a logical argument which if followed though would guarantee eternal life with no further thoughts, questions, instructions or payment needed. Now that’s a deal that seemingly not even the most ravenous game show player could refuse (even if Howie Mandel were hosting).
Yet, somehow, someway, somewhere in the deepest, blackest recesses of our minds, we human beings will still reach for the forbidden fruit. We are often the ones to laugh at danger. While the the other creatures retire to the comfort of their caves, holes and nests, We wrestle alligators and hunt bears for the thrill. While the birds of the sky fly south to escape the harsh air of winter, we prodigious, fun-loving and earth-walking homosapiens who have not even the slightest natural ability to fly, volunteer to jump out of planes and “almost” die by allowing gravity to hurl and tumble our bodies to ground and at the proper time, pulling open our “death saving” parachute in order that we prevent our untimely (but quite likely under normal circumstances) deaths; and While the unwitting beasts of the wild instinctively scavenge for the proper food to best fit their nutritional daily recommended allowances, humans fumbling though their refrigerators will say a hardy, “f*** you” to the broccoli on their left and instead snatch up the “one third of a baby cow” angus burger to their right. Finally, lest we forget the paradox of human relationships. Unlike Johnny Bumble Bee and Felicia Fox who are likely in search of the strongest, smartest and healthiest mates in the hive or pack, the young men of our time often notice that the ladies love the bad boys, dropouts and beer swillers.
The examples are many and though this post is partly in jest, it is nevertheless based fully on real life observations. The anguish and absurdity of this shot essay is factual and shows freedom of choice might actually be a kind of cosmic joke. If so, God, or at the very least, nature is awesomely hilarious!
In closing Below is the parable “Good God, Evil God” by Khalil Gibran from his book The Madman to put all the points discussed together without making anyone’s brain short out. Read it carefully and with much thought. See what meaning you can take from it. What does it say to you about the nature of man? What does it say for man’s concept of God?
“The Good God and the Evil God”
The Good God and the Evil God met on the mountain top.
The Good God said, “Good day to you, brother.”
The Evil God made no answer.
And the Good God said, “You are in a bad humour today.”
“Yes,” said the Evil God, “for of late I have been often mistaken for you, called by your name, and treated as if I were you, and it ill-pleases me.”
And the Good God said, “But I too have been mistaken for you and called by your name.”
The Evil God walked away cursing the stupidity of man.
Keep waxin’ folks! I’ll be here.
Dec 18 2008
Also featured at Art from the Outskirts
Charlie Rose sits down with music production icon, TV producer, social activist and unofficial American ambassador of music, Quincy Jones on his life and legacy. The man whose friends affectionately call him “Q”’s list of collaborators include such noted folks as Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis, Count Bassie, Peggy Lee, Ray Charles, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Will Smith and Oprah Winfrey. His humanitarian efforts have lead him to areas like world aids relief, poverty relief, world literacy, arts education and he has been an honored guest in such hallowed arenas an the United Nation’s and the Vatican. At age 75, he has 60 years in the music industry, 27 Grammy awards, has traveled the world over and he has just released his second autobiography entitled The Complete Quincy Jones: My Journey and Passions.
Q from the Outskirts (waxfully)
Dec 10 2008
Every once in a shiny, blue moon, we humans beings are driven by matters of the heart - this is one of those times. My friend from college Tim Woods has made a promise to his late grandfather that if his e-novella M-DJ should receive a million free downloads by December 31 of this year, he will donate every penny of every book he will ever write to cancer research. Tim is that wildly idealistic about curing cancer after being inspired by the words of his late grandfather who died of lung cancer. I was touched by the gesture and thought I had nothing to lose in sharing this story with you.
A Message from Tim’s Facebook Group Page
1 Million Downloads for Cancer
NEW UPDATE:
If 1 million people join this group by December 31st, 2008. THEN I will
1) Donate 100% of the royalties of EVERY BOOK I EVER WRITE FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE to a different cancer research organization (the first will be Stand Up to Cancer)
2) Send only TWO Mass Messages (one announcing the book deal, one announcing the release date of the book)
3) Take this group down a month after my first book is published… (So you won’t have to deal with the “I’m reading here, the book’s available here, guess what guys, I got a mention the Marietta Daily Journal… Oh man… There’s a review here… I’m travelling here… write an amazon review… Do this… Do that…”
4) NEVER bug you to buy the book. The people that like it may buy it, or they may not. I believe that some people will eventually choose to buy it. This is how money will be raised.
5) Generally not make a big deal about the group.
MISSION:
- If 1 million people join this group and download my book (M-DJ,) I will donate 100% of the royalties I make from a book deal in 2009 to, “Stand Up To Cancer” on behalf of my grandfather.
Download the PDF of “M-DJ” for free at the bottom of the page:
***NEW UPDATE: Some people have questioned my motives. Saying that if I had 1 million readers for my first book, then I’d make a ton of money off of my second book. I hadn’t thought about that, but that’s a great point. So I HAVE CHANGED THE GROUP. If 1 million people join this group, I will donate 100% of the royalties from the sale of every book I EVER write for the REST OF MY LIFE to a different cancer research organization each time. If it’s five books over 20 years, or 20 books over 80 years, I will give away every check I receive with my name on it. WHEN cancer is cured, I will allocate those sales to a different charity.
I do this to prove the sincerity of my claim, and my story.
————————————————–
When my grandfather was first diagnosed with lung cancer, I told him that I’d write a book and dedicate it to him. He said, “Son, if you dedicate a book to me, then I bet one million people will read it.”
My grandfather made me believe that I could become an author, but cancer took his life before he ever got a chance to read what I wrote.
I don’t care if you read my novel for three seconds and delete it. I just want to know that my grandfather was right. It is so important to me, that I will donate all of the money from a future book deal to see it happen.
How much will this raise?
I HAVE NO IDEA! M-DJ could tank, or sell a ton of copies. Or a book I write in 2032, or 2056 could sell a ton. Either way, I will honor my promise of fighting this cause for the rest of my life.
No matter what, money will be raised for cancer, and you have nothing to lose by joining this group. The book is free, and you can read it for yourself to determine if it’s good or not.
Every person that takes their time to join this group, and invite their friends will be honoring the memory of my grandfather. If you would do that much for me, then I will return the favor by donating every dollar from a book deal and every royalty check that I ever receive from the first published book sold to the last. If cancer is cured, then I’ll allocate the checks to another charitable cause. Cancer is a cause that I take very personally. I would like to try to do something about it.
Thank you for joining this group,
PLEASE invite people to join.
(Join on Facebook here).
Excerpt from M-DJ by Tim Woods:
Track One - Disc One
I See the clip every time I close my eyes.
It was the last time anyone saw any of those men alive.
Max Entiz told me himself.
It happened last night.
Everyone was watching.
I played the wrong video.
Now they want to kill me.
But I lived my dream that Friday night.
The only time I ever felt at peace.
I owe Max that much.
Now I have to stop him.
(Download the full book here).
Thanks,
Mike
Wax for cancer research!
Dec 09 2008
John Wood was on vacation walking and hiking through Nepal when he stumbled upon a library with what seemed like no books. Heartbroken by the scene, he asked the person in charge why this was. He was told that books were so scarce that the books had to be locked in a secret room and then was told, “Sir, hopefully someday you will come back with books.” At that point, Wood decided to leave his lucrative executive position with Microsoft China to educate the world with his charitable organization called Room to Read.
Here is the story of his recent book Leaving Microsoft to Change the World fora.tv:
Wax with the best of intentions!
Nov 17 2008
John Wood was on vacation walking and hiking through Nepal when he stumbled upon a library with what seemed like no books. Heartbroken by the scene, he asked the person in charge why this was. He was told that books were so scarce that the books had to be locked in a secret room and then was told, “Sir, hopefully someday you will come back with books.” At that point, Wood decided to leave his lucrative executive position with Microsoft China to educate the world with his charitable organization called Room to Read.
Here is the story of his recent book Leaving Microsoft to Change the World fora.tv.
Wax with the best of intentions!
Nov 16 2008
One Million Downloads for Cancer
Every once in a shiny, blue moon, we humans beings are driven by matters of the heart - this is one of those times. My friend from college Tim Woods has made a promise to his late grandfather that if his e-novella M-DJ should receive a million free downloads by December 31 of this year, he will donate every penny of every book he will ever write to cancer research. Tim is that wildly idealistic about curing cancer after being inspired by the words of his late grandfather who died of lung cancer. I was touched by the gesture and thought I had nothing to lose in sharing this story with you.
A Message from Tim’s Facebook Group Page
1 Million Downloads for Cancer
NEW UPDATE:
If 1 million people join this group by December 31st, 2008. THEN I will
1) Donate 100% of the royalties of EVERY BOOK I EVER WRITE FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE to a different cancer research organization (the first will be Stand Up to Cancer)
2) Send only TWO Mass Messages (one announcing the book deal, one announcing the release date of the book)
3) Take this group down a month after my first book is published… (So you won’t have to deal with the “I’m reading here, the book’s available here, guess what guys, I got a mention the Marietta Daily Journal… Oh man… There’s a review here… I’m travelling here… write an amazon review… Do this… Do that…”
4) NEVER bug you to buy the book. The people that like it may buy it, or they may not. I believe that some people will eventually choose to buy it. This is how money will be raised.
5) Generally not make a big deal about the group.
MISSION:
- If 1 million people join this group and download my book (M-DJ,) I will donate 100% of the royalties I make from a book deal in 2009 to, “Stand Up To Cancer” on behalf of my grandfather.
Download the PDF of “M-DJ” for free here:
http://www.4shared.com/file/70628510/2dc2e054/M-DJ.html
***NEW UPDATE: Some people have questioned my motives. Saying that if I had 1 million readers for my first book, then I’d make a ton of money off of my second book. I hadn’t thought about that, but that’s a great point. So I HAVE CHANGED THE GROUP. If 1 million people join this group, I will donate 100% of the royalties from the sale of every book I EVER write for the REST OF MY LIFE to a different cancer research organization each time. If it’s five books over 20 years, or 20 books over 80 years, I will give away every check I receive with my name on it. WHEN cancer is cured, I will allocate those sales to a different charity.
I do this to prove the sincerity of my claim, and my story.
————————————————–
When my grandfather was first diagnosed with lung cancer, I told him that I’d write a book and dedicate it to him. He said, “Son, if you dedicate a book to me, then I bet one million people will read it.”
My grandfather made me believe that I could become an author, but cancer took his life before he ever got a chance to read what I wrote.
I don’t care if you read my novel for three seconds and delete it. I just want to know that my grandfather was right. It is so important to me, that I will donate all of the money from a future book deal to see it happen.
How much will this raise?
I HAVE NO IDEA! M-DJ could tank, or sell a ton of copies. Or a book I write in 2032, or 2056 could sell a ton. Either way, I will honor my promise of fighting this cause for the rest of my life.
No matter what, money will be raised for cancer, and you have nothing to lose by joining this group. The book is free, and you can read it for yourself to determine if it’s good or not.
Every person that takes their time to join this group, and invite their friends will be honoring the memory of my grandfather. If you would do that much for me, then I will return the favor by donating every dollar from a book deal and every royalty check that I ever receive from the first published book sold to the last. If cancer is cured, then I’ll allocate the checks to another charitable cause. Cancer is a cause that I take very personally. I would like to try to do something about it.
Thank you for joining this group,
PLEASE invite people to join.
Excerpt from M-DJ by Tim Woods:
Track One - Disc One
I See the clip every time I close my eyes.
It was the last time anyone saw any of those men alive.
Max Entiz told me himself.
It happened last night.
Everyone was watching.
I played the wrong video.
Now they want to kill me.
But I lived my dream that Friday night.
The only time I ever felt at peace.
I owe Max that much.
Now I have to stop him.
(Download the full book here).
Thanks,
Mike
Sep 14 2008
Well, Folks…. I’m speechless (more or less). Waxing Poetically’s unique visits have nearly reached a 70% increase from several weeks ago. Thanks for all the great support a few of you have shown in particular… you know who you are 
. I’ll be sure to return as many comments and links as I can. If you are new to the page please give feedback and if you like what you read, pass it on however you see fit, i.e., StumbleUpon, Digg, Facebook, MySpace etc. Please feel free to give constructive negative criticism as well. Also please visit the archives as some posts are without comments. I’m a full-time freelance writer right now and I put my all into everything I write so every little hit and comment means the world to me, really. Thanks again so, so much!
In addition my arts blog Art from the Outskirts has done phenomenally well for the fact that it’s only been up for a few weeks. Thank you for that as well!
Stumble It!