Voices of Three Rivers

Voices of Three Rivers is a compilation of addresses, speeches, letters, and pronouncements from prominent historic figures and regionally known personalities who contributed to the history of our country through their public and private dialogue that represents a verbal history of northeast Indiana. These individuals left words of suppression, dissonance, rebellion, and vision as acts of disobedience, frustration, and insightfulness through the eyes and words of the activist themselves. The life and words are portrayed by actors who reenact the moment through readings left behind. The words are inspiring and insightful and project the same frustrations and anxieties of modern society. The readers are professionals, amateurs, and often just interested individuals' participating in a significant recreation of the verbal history of our past. The message seems to be the importance of what was being said as much as the importance of who was saying it. These were words that engaged people, changed views, and brought forth ideas and issues to the forefront. Many of these individuals were pioneers of dissanance, who took contrary positions to the public policy or thought, who brought forth non traditional thinking and spoke out with strong voices and conviction. These were the dissenters like Susan B Anthony who violated election laws by casting an illegal vote, or Delores Huerta who worked tirelessly for the rights of farm workers in California, or early civil rights activists like William Willis Elliot of Fort Wayne, or the abolitionist Sojourner Truth. These were individuals who left a legacy of activism and were at the forefront of constructive change.
The presentation I viewed of Voices of Three Rivers was a local production viewed on a CD. I thought the presentation was good, with some presenters better than others. I followed the readings with the text I had downloaded from an IPFW forum site, and curiously folowed the omissions, deletions, and enhancements that the readers produced that were not a part of the text or were left out of the presentation. In some cases the deletions were distracting while the additional verbiage that some presenters added actually gave greater meaning to the sentence bening read. Either way, it was a distraction. The presentation would have been greatly enhanced is the presenters could have been in period dress that actually would depict the time frame of the writings and that of the writer. The attire certainly would enhance the presentation and place the author in the appropriate time frame.
It is certainly commendable that a concerted effort has been made to retain the verbal history of Fort Wayne through Voices of Three Rivers. This becomes an interesting format for historic reflection.

YMCA "Third Place"

I renewed a friendship with an aquaintance of mine today at the YMCA. He was working-out diligently on a tread mill attempting to shed fifty pounds he acquired since his retirement this past year. He complained how bored he was since he retired. Just didn't have anything to do, or anyone to do it with. He said he never acquired any hobbies or outside interests during his working years, and now that he is retired, he had nothing to do. Dick is the kind of a guy that would benefit from a "third place." There is home and work, which are importannt activities in everyone's life, but we all need a "third place." A "third place" like a coffee shop, restaurant, or a tavern where "everyone knows your name." A place where regulars hang-out, people come and go, and everyone is welcome. It's really an informal association, but yet it's tight nit with friendships that are deep rooted and lasting. These associations become an important part of life and have a tendency to last a long time. Everyone needs a "third place." It's healthy to interact with others on a routine basis. It adds to a person's enjoyment of life and keeps one laughing and mentally active, essential for a full and complete life. Dick told me he accepted a part-time job as a driver for the senior citizen transportation agency in town. Said he was going to quit though, too many responsibilities and stress with wheelchairs, impaired and disabled seniors. More stress than he had working full time. I told Dick that maybe he should go to Florida in the winter where there are lots of ourdoor activities to get involved in. He said, "the only thing I like about Florida is the weather, nothing else." I said, "Yea, I feel the same way." We talked about the mayor's race, high taxes, and especially all the foreclosures in town. Dick Said, "where are all these people going"? I said, "Their doubling up, moving back home, or returning to an apartment they never should have left in the first place. You know, home ownership isn't for everyone. There's a lot of responsibility owning a home, and lots of additional expenses first time homeowners never think about. I think many of them just get overwhelmed and walk away." This current generation of young people aren't very responsible. They can't hold jobs very long, create immense credit card debt, and divorce their spouse with the first bump in the road. Maybe it's a function of the "throw-away society" they grew up in. Nothing is permament; just replace it with something new and better. Well, Dick said he had to get going. I said, "I'll see you down here later Dick, take care." Maybe he'll be at the Y next time I'm in. Perhaps we'll start our own "third place."

Blog On

I really never knew that a Blog was before I created on. I had heard the term, like so many other new terms that seem to be here today and gone tomorrow, especially in the field of electronics and computers, but I never really knew what it was and never really cared to find out. I think my attitude about new terms and technology stems from the Beta/VHS controversy from years ago when I bought into the Beta technology only to later find out that the VCR manufactures refused to pay Sony a royalty to manufacture a Beta machine. Even though Beta was superior to VHS the movie manufactures discontinued producing in that format, thus making my Beta machine obsolete. I've never been a technology "geek" and that's probably good since I have a tendency to buy consumer products for the long haul, when in fact most are made for the short trip. Technology is great, but it sure can be irritating when your new purchase becomes obsolete as your credit card bill arrives. I was probably the last guy in Indiana to buy a cell phone, and I probably wouldn't have done that without spousal pressure. I guess I'm just too traditional or too set in my ways, or too something! I don't know!
I do like the technology of the Blog. It's kind of a public electronic diary where I can experiment, discuss, disclose, argue, vent, and explore issues in a written format for others to read and comment on. I see my Blog as a "potential place" where I have freedom to express myself, or dissent, or find agreement with any and all issues that I find of interest. I guess it's a kind of "security blanket" that Winnicott spoke about in Getting Restless where I wrap myself in its confinement and confort as I speak out from the security it represents. The Blog enables me because the format allows dialogue in any direction without disabling restrictions that hinder or suppress the free flow of ideas and words. Perhap's it's the "equality of participation" that Winnicott spoke of, or the "zest of participation" he refers to that has an appeal to me. I like the Blog platform where I can dissent from popular positions by showing dissonance and non-conformity without concern for offending someone or being "politically correct." Blogging gives the participant an opportunity to explore new ideas and comment with views that may be in opposition with contempory thought. Probably the best attriibutes of the Blog is that it is free, unrestricted, and available to everyone. It appears to be a very popular tool, many individuals openly profess to be a blogger, and there doesn't appear to be a downside to its appeal or use. I guess I'll just "blog on."