200 Posts

On By scottpetersenIn 200 Posts, www.renaissancehombre.com2 Comments

This is my 200th post. I never thought I would have so much to say.  It is actually kind’ve fun trying to ponder new and quirky topics which may be of interest (“renaissance-esque”). And then trying to write something which is cohesive and coherent.  And keeping it under my self-imposed limit of 300 words. 

I have some “subscribers’ plus another 30 to 50 receive copies of each post.  And each day I get between 5 and 300 “hits” on my website.  Average is maybe 20.  The most hits came on the recent post “The Wedding Ring.”   American Airlines picked up the post and referenced it on their Facebook and Twitter pages.  AA wrote me that they’d had over 640,000 “views” on the article!  And 300 souls logged onto my blog. I’ve had hits from Canada and South Korea. Go figure.  Early on, I posted every day. Then every other day. Now Thursdays and Sundays. Surprisingly, I’ve not run out of things to say.  I actually have five posts in the hopper — ready to go. Not sure how long this will go on but I expect for awhile.  Fasten your seat belts. . . . .

Shampoo

On By scottpetersenIn Just Turn it Off, Justturnitoff, Shampoo conservation

In my post of July 23, 2011 (“Just Turn it Off“), I spoke of things we can all do (that cost nothing) — to save water, energy and clean air and to cut down on pollution.  Little things like when taking a shower, turn on the water, get wet – then turn off the water and soap down.  Then rinse.   You’ll actually get cleaner and you’ll save gallons of water that otherwise simply pour down the drain.   Just think if everyone did this. . . .

Speaking of showers, here’s another thought that saves money and helps the environment.  Shampoo.   A few years ago, I was in the shower and there was no shampoo.  I had an empty container from which I could squeeze nada.  Grrrrrrrrr . . . . . So I unscrewed the top, held the container under the water swirled the liquid in the bottle and – voila – shampoo.  It was a little watery but it worked every bit as good as the thick gloppy stuff.  It actually lasted for a few more days.  Today, when the shampoo bottle is making that distinctive “Pfffftttttt” sound when I squeeze it, I unscrew the top, let water drain in, screw the top back on, give it a shake and I have shampoo for another week or two.  Try it.  You’ll like it.  So will your wallet.  And the sewer system . . . .  

Collecting Meteorites

On By scottpetersenIn Boy's Life Magazine, Collecting meteoritesLeave a comment

When I was a Boy Scout, I subscribed to Boy’s Life magazine. I read it cover to cover.  Sometimes twice.   Great tips on everything (if a dog attacks someone, pick up the dog’s hind legs or wrap your belt around him; drowning people rarely splash – watch their head; Polaris – the North star – never moves, is true North and determines your precise North latitude; etc.).    Great articles.   Good stuff.   Even a page of humor. 

One article that I remember to this day is how to collect meteorites.  Yes, meteorites.  Every day, the earth is bombarded with cosmic debris — including an avalanche of tiny meteorites.  Not the big splashy ones that whoooosh through the air leaving trails of brilliant light and make the news when they smack into a house.  I’m talking about dust.  Meteorite dust — and particles.  So how do you collect this cosmic detritus?  Boy’s Life spoke of getting a large tin pan, a piece of cloth in the bottom and setting it outside – perhaps in the garden.  And leave it there for a week.  Then go out with a magnet and run it through the particles that have collected.  Those that stick — especially the pencil-dot sized nuggets — are likely small meteorites.  There may also be remnants of “fly ash” (from coal-burning stoves or fireplaces). 

Good articles and videos about this subject today on line.  The best (probably quicker) way suggested to collect meteorites is to put a bucket under a gutter downspout — and then hose down the roof.  The roof is a good collector of such material.  The water from the downspout pours into the bucket.  The heavy stuff (like when you pan for gold) settles to the bottom.  Pour out the water and use your magnet to pick up these visitors from outer space.     

Hugo Chavez

On By scottpetersenIn Hugo Chavez, Venezuela1 Comment

The day after Hugo Chavez died, I walked to the train station after work.  Outside the station there were about 25 people standing around.  Some were waving the Venezuelan flag.  Some held pictures of Hugo Chavez.  And a few had signs like “We love you Hugo.”   One woman appeared to be crying.  I walked by this group thinking to myself are you people out of your minds?

Venezuela was an oil rich – driving economy before Hurricane Hugo hit the country.   Since 1999, Venezuela has been on a steep and slippery slope.  Picking up speed as it slid into the abyss.   Today, the country is in a literal shambles.  It has one of the highest inflation rates in South America, the highest murder rate on the continent, mountains of debt and food shortages.  The infrastructure of the country is crumbling.  Businesses are confiscated (then often self-destruct).   Land and assets are “redistributed.”  Human liberties and freedoms are squelched.  Newspapers print what they are told.   Political repression is the norm and freedom takes a back seat to ideology.  With this track record, I have to wonder how anyone can lament the passing of this era.       

 

Gum Behind the Ear. . . .

On By scottpetersenIn Gum behind the earLeave a comment

When I was a kid, I would chew gum on the way to school.  Upon entering class, I would stick the gum behind my right ear.   Just behind the lobe.  At recess, I’d pull out the gum and start chewing.  I was reasonably efficient in this task as I could probably nurse a one penny piece of Double Bubble Chewing Gum for the entire day.   Ear.  Mouth.  Ear.  Mouth.  And so on.  I do recall that by the end of the day, the gum was always a little grittier – and saltier – than in the morning.  But hey — it was good chewing gum. 

Fast forward to last year.  I’m sitting on the train.  Reading.  And a couple gets on the train and plops down in front of me.  Probably in their late 50’s.   My gaze sharpens.  At first, it looks like the guy has a large and ugly mole on the back of his ear.   Just behind the lobe.   But then it comes to me . . . . oh my socks and shoes – this guy has a piece of gum behind his ear!   Now mind you I haven’t put a piece of gum behind my ear since last October (YES I’M KIDDING) and I haven’t thought about the subject for about fifty years.  But wow!  It all came roaring back.  And I couldn’t resist. . . . click on the pic below and enlarge. . . . .  By the way, when the guy heard the distinctive “click” he turned slightly, took the gum and put it in his mouth.  Scout’s Honor. . . .

Gum behind the ear

“Zulu”

On By scottpetersenIn Isandlwana, Lifesaving Merit Badge, Rorke's Drift, Zulu1 Comment

In 1964 I was in my first year of college. Two afternoons a week, I worked as a lifeguard at a local YMCA (thanks to my Lifesaving Merit Badge). One day after work, I noticed that a new movie was playing at the theater across the street. “Zulu.”  I had time. I had interest. So I went in.  Alone. To watch “Zulu.”  WOW! 

The movie “Zulu” came out in 1964 and it was Michael Caine’s first starring role. He played Lt. Gonville Bromhead – one of two commanding officers (with Lt. John Chard) of the small garrison that defended Rorke’s Drift.   None other than Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the former Prime Minister of Zululand and noted South African politician, played King Cetshwayo — the leader of the Zulu nation in 1879.  The scene opens with Zulus walking through the battlefield of Isandlwana.  And then the scene shifts to Rorke’s Drift. 

Names and characters are based on actual participants in the battle.  While the movie is historically accurate, there are some Hollywoodizations — limited pretty much to personalities and not events.  There was no “singing” and some of the characters are incorrectly portrayed (like “Hook” who was actually a model soldier).    Nonetheless, “Zulu” is probably the best action movie I have ever seen.   In 2008, while in South Africa, I couldn’t resist.  I chartered a 4-seater and flew to Isandlwana and walked the battlefield.   Barren, remote and silent — except for lonely white stone cairns scattered over the landscape where the 1,500 lay buried.  I then went to Rorke’s Drift.  The interesting thing?  There was hardly a soul at either place.  A Zulu guide spoke eloquently of the British defense at Rorke’s Drift.  But he spoke more eloquently of the Zulu courage — and military savvy — that nearly drove the British from South Africa.      

Rorke’s Drift

On By scottpetersenIn Isandlwana, Rorke's Drift, Zulu2 Comments

Following the dreadful defeat of British troops at Isandlwana on January 22, 1879, a small British outpost/hospital called “Rorke’s Drift” – a bare dozen miles from the site of the massacre – quickly mobilized.  They hastily built walls and fortifications with mealie bags between a series of buildings and a cattle kraal.   The 150 defenders settled down to wait.   They didn’t wait long.  By late afternoon, about 4,000 Zulus fresh from The Washing of the Spears (from the title of the magnificent book by Donald R. Morris on the history of the Zulu campaign) descended on the small outpost.  And attacked.  

As at the Battle of Isandlwana, the Zulus configured their attack like the head of a water buffalo — the horns surrounding the enemy and the head and chest crushing forward.  The battle raged through the night and into the morning.  The defenders fell back into smaller and smaller redoubts.  The 150 defenders poured a withering fire at the Zulus a bare foot or two beneath the mealie bag walls. 

 By morning, the small garrison still held – suffering a few score of casualties.  Zulu casualties ran into the hundreds.  And the Zulus fell back as reinforcements were detected in the distance.  The defenders – the 24th Foot Regiment – succeeded in winning more Victoria Crosses (11) than any other regiment in British military history.  And 85 years later, a Hollywood offering captured with historic accuracy this pivotal battle.  The movie “Zulu.”      

  

Isandlwana

On By scottpetersenIn Isandlwana, Rorke's Drift, Zulu1 Comment

January 22, 1879, was the first major encounter in the Anglo-Zulu War between the British and the Zulu kingdom in South Africa.  The battle took place in a remote area of the Natal province called “Isandlwana.”  Isandlwana is remembered as the worst single defeat in British military history in terms of percentage.  Surrounded and attacked by nearly 20,000 Zulu warriors, nearly all of the 1,800 British defenders were massacred.   Armed mainly with assegais (the Zulu short stabbing spear), the Zulus literally overwhelmed the Britsh.   The reasons for defeat?  The British – led by the inept Lord Chelmsford – upon arrival at Isandlwana with about 10,000 troops – refused to “laager” (circle the wagons) or entrench (as was normally required).  Why?  Chelmsford severely underestimated Zulu capabilities. 

Shortly after arrival at Isandlwana, Chelmsford marched off with nearly all of his troop “looking for Zulus.”    Meanwhile, the entire Zulu nation was just over a hill.  Waiting.   Watching.  Chelmsford left the similarly inept Col Anthony Durnford in charge of the remaining soliders.  Durnford – with a bare 1,800 men – set a sparsley-defended perimeter nearly a mile out from the camp.  And when the 20,000 Zulus attacked, they quickly knifed through the perimeter and set upon the camp.  Durnford never gave the order to “strike the tents” (in other words, pull down the center pole of the hundreds of tents so that clear vision of the terrain could be had).  Thus the battle raged around canvas tents.  And there is rumor that a curmudgeonly quartermaster refused to pass out ammunition (“I have no orders to give out ammunition“) even though the Zulus were pouring through the lines and the encampment. 

It is clear that the British underestimated the Zulu capabilities.   And this gave rise to the major military disaster where only a hundred or so British soldiers barely escaped with their lives.   The few who escaped raced in all directions.  Many raced in the direction of Rorke’s Drift. . . . . 

Streetwise

On By scottpetersenIn Judd Lofchie, Streetwise1 Comment

Every day when I walk to work, there is a gentleman standing on the street in front of the Corner Bakery across from my building.  He sells Streetwise — a weekly publication.  Manuel uses crutches to walk but he stands guard outside the CB from early morning until about noon.    Rain or shine.  I often stop and exchange a few words with him and ask him how he’s doing.  And I normally buy a copy of Streetwise once a week.    Streetwise sells for two dollars.

Streetwise was started in Chicago in 1992 by Chicago lawyer Judd Lofchie   The mission of Streetwise is to assist Chicago area men and women, who are facing homelessness, achieve personal stability by providing them with a combination of supportive social services and immediate access to gainful employment.  Streetwise vendors are usually trying to make a go of it.  They are not to be confused with panhandlers. 

In my post of July 11, 2012, I wrote about Henry Nouwen – the great religious/spiritual writer.  Henry Nouwen in his treatise Out of Solitude wrote “The temptation is that we use our expertise to keep a safe distance from that which really matters and forget that, in the long run, cure without care is more harmful than helpful.”   Streetwise seems to be on the right track — offering cure . . . . and the all-important care — and compassion.   

Our Neighbor’s Faith

On By scottpetersenIn Our Neighbor's FaithLeave a comment

When Donna and I joined a Lutheran Church in Northfield in 1977, the Pastor asked if I would help coordinate and present the adult forum for the coming year (which up to that point had been a Bible study – averaging a few people each Sunday).  I reluctantly agreed — on the condition that I decide on the program.  The Pastor reluctantly agreed on the condition that he know what kind of program I contemplated . . . . .

For the ensuing September – May, the adult forum series of our Church was titled “Our Neighbor’s Faith.”  Each week (or two) we would focus on a different religious faith (Donna spoke on being an Episcopalian).  I had two Mormon couples, a Jewish rabbi, a Jesuit priest, two Jehovah’s Witnesses couples, a Salvation Army officer and so on.  By the time the year ended, average weekly attendance was 30 to 40 people.  Talk about interesting!  An abbondonza of questions, comments and and pointed observations.   For some of the visitors, I had to draw the line between proselytizing and informing.  I declined to take on the following year and the Church got a professor from the Lutheran School of Theology to present for the year.   “Our Neighbor’s Faith” was a tough show to top.  🙂    I continue to be interested (“fascinated” is a better word) in religion since it continues to unite — and divide — so many of us.