November - Autumn 2008

Wisdom of the Sages
November 2008
Episode XI

Hello People of the World;

When it rains it frickin’ pours, you know? I just got the Ultimate Kicked When I’m Down thing happen to me. Way to go Ernest. You’re the Best! That’s all I’m saying about that. Anyways, who needs to hear about all that? You’re here for your regular fix of all things Wisdom-y. (Is that a word?)

Sorry again for the lateness of this month’s edition. In addition to everything that has been going on, I had a film festival to run as well. So sit right back and let me tell you the truths of the whole wide World; Let’s begin:

:[ New Job: I am now working with Chicago Public Schools as a Cultural Resource Specialist. I hope to plan, fund and implement a film/video making program for Native American students by fall of next year. Wish me luck. I’m going to need it....

:[ Oh, by the way, did you hear about this? Apparently Barrack Obama wins this last Presidential Election. Yeah, I guess it was a big deal or something because I had press letter to get me into that rally downtown. Tons of people should up. But they refused to let me in. I guess I should not have worn my "No-bama" T-shirt. Hm?

:[ A moment of silence for Paul Newman.
















:[ Just when the NFL might lure me back to watching again: FOX Sports’ coverage of two Minnesota Vikings players whom might get suspended for failing drug tests, the commentators’ only concern was how this affected the rest of the Vikings’ schedule, even breaking it down game by game and how the players’ absence would affect each game. You know Pro Sports is almost like reverse slavery, pay a ton to African-American players and let them brutally hurt and injure each other or face humiliation with scandal. All so our home teams can win the most games. How does that make sense? Explain this to me please....

:[ I recently went to Denver, Colorado for the film festival. The FNFVF had a screening at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. The best thing was being able to see my friend Isabel again. She is one of the coolest, sweetest people I have ever met. Gracious and kind to a lug like me. We had some good times and good talks. Plus, the festival killed there. We had a great crowd show up and many people stayed for the movie we screened. So, all that was pretty cool. Plus, being that close to the Rockies again is always good....

:[ While I was in Colorado I took the opportunity to travel up to the Wind River Reservation to see my little sister. Here are my Wyoming Trip Observations part 1: Reservation life stays the same. When I returned, geez, NINE years later, the same Business Council is in place and the same attitudes and conditions are still in place. The same types of things always seemed to happen and my Little Sister works to try and survive it all with her husband and children. That is when I realized the importance of having a family. To be a "real man" one must take the responsibility of their lives in your own hands, to provide and care for them and see that they make it in this world. But alas, I am way behind in my life’s plan. We’ll see. Nothing new. Except the new casino. Other than that, life remains the same there.

Also, the babies and nieces and nephews have gotten bigger, but there are new babies to see and old relatives to visit. I wish I had more time. But things are so bad there my little sister once told me to never return, only to visit her. So, I obey....

:[ Red Cliff Review - Finally available: CLICK HERE.

:[ Wyoming Observations part 2 - The other thing I noticed was more subtle. The High School Caste system is still set among the Citizens of my old hometown. The popular kids are still trying to hang on to their glory days. Trying to dress and act like the coolest kids on the block. Sad really. Another thing I also noticed was that, that those 80's Hair styles, of poofy hair with long bangs was still in style there. Also, the Wal-mart aisles are still wide and uncrowded....

:[ When the film festival opened at the Illinois State Museum’s Chicago Gallery, a little, elderly lady, whom sat for only one or two short films and only ten minutes of the feature film, gets up to leave. On her way out she stops, looks at me, walks up to me and then she slowly reaches up and pats me on the head. Then, she walks out without a look back. Um, why?

:[ I guess I am old; while I was cleaning up the classroom I covered at IIT, (I operate a camera for remote and internet students to watch class) an AFROTC student coming into the room says me as I walk out "Thanks, Professor". Man, I am old. And losery....

:[ The Exiles: my buddies Mike and Dave and myself went out and saw this at the Siskel Center. It’s also Native American Heritage Month so places have their annual Native American programming going. The movie was pretty good and the only other movie I have seen since "The Dark Knight" way back in October, I think. It follows Native Americans who have relocated to Los Angeles. Shot in the cinema veritas style, a group of Native make their way through the streets and bramble of LA for 24 hours. Very interesting look at the late 1950's. Neat little film....

:[ Thanksgiving - Yeah, kind of sad. I had no plans what so ever until my buddy Mike invited me over to his place for dinner. Mike is cool and a very sweet guy despite his gruff and tough exterior. Anyways. Thanksgiving was tough this year. It was the very first time I faced it without any family or relatives. Mike is in my Cool Book now. I did get to see my Charlotte the next day for her birthday. That was cool.

That will do it for this month. Apologies for the shortness of this month's edition as well. Too much stuff going on at once. Oh well, whatever, nevermind. I’ll do my best to keep up with the monthly schedule. Which should be easier now that I dropped the film festival. So, keep an eye here for more news and commentary from your favorite author. Stick around, hey?


Until Next time; "I’m whatever Gotham needs me to be."