The Long Road

I had some random things to talk over today on soaring crime, Bukowski, Wilhelm Reich, CA lockdowns, education, technology, and my visit later today to a downtown LA bookstore. *Photo Credit: Wikipedia

In 1967, A Golden Magazine Special publication was issued entitled, "Physical Fitness for Girls: Enhance Your Appearance, Gain Extra Energy, Feel Better, Look Better." Let's spend a few minutes just going over the booklet introductions to get behind their philosophy of movement in 1967 because it's far better than our philosophy of movement for American girls today in 2021.

In the last week, we've had two "breakthrough" drugs announced for approvals by the FDA--one for obesity (Semaglutide) and the other for Alzheimer's (aducanumab)...yet "more studies are needed of course." I started thinking rationally about "more studies." We do NOT need more studies to show that mild to moderate exercise is extremely healthy and safe for humans. What we do need is action to start...

Today is the anniversary of the D-Day invasion during WWII on June 6, 1944. Rather than go over facts and figures better stated by others, I examine the patriotism and physical fitness training behind this legendary victory through the pages of the FM 35-20 W.A.C. Field Training Manual on Physical Training. This is an amazing historical document filled with patriotic spirit. A major contributor to...

American writer, lecturer, and professor of psychology and sociology H.A. Overstreet wrote an important book in 1964 with his wife Bonaro Overstreet entitled, "The Strange Tactics fo Extremism." Overstreet spent decades researching and writing on the dangers of communism, but in this book, he critically examined the extreme right. Both extremes are fanatical, and both extremes at times have a lot...

The Los Angeles author and poet Charles Bukowski wrote an interesting poem about aging entitled, "Let It Enfold You." It's worth sharing his view which has been called "low-life" at times, crude, and quite blunt. He wrote about real people and personal observations on the streets of Los Angeles and through his travels. As he cites, even weathered old poets like him can soften with age and see beau...

We have a real 911 emergency in America--for physical education! Child obesity has tripled in the last 50 years. Nearly half of our youth before leaving high school have one chronic health condition, and 25% have two or more. 80% of obese adolescents will become obese adults, and yet despite this 911 emergency for health and PE--we are cutting PE classes in schools and minimizing proper health edu...

In 1955, John F. Kennedy wrote, "Profiles in Courage." This was a book about American men who largely failed in the short term but who succeeded for their country because of their courage to do the right things for the right reasons--to preserve American democracy. I share some important passages about what these men thought and what they went through so that we may be here today, yes bruised and...

My book review of "The Real Work: Interviews & Talks 1964-1979" by American poet Gary Snyder. Snyder's quote reflects the purpose of my podcast show: "The poet needs a long view...Poetry is a life's work."

We had yet another mass murder at an American worksite this week by a "disgruntled" employee. What does it actually mean to be disgruntled? What is the definition of this word? How does "disgruntled" relate to history in the context of elevating culture and improving education? Here are some thoughts, some root cause solutions, and some important questions for us all. *Graphic Credit: "Anger" by D...

In 1931, Oxford philosophy professor L.P. Jacks wrote a very important book entitled, "The Education of the Whole Man." This book changed my life and is one of my top three book recommendations. Jacks was classically educated so knew the importance of "a sound mind in a sound body" and brilliantly wrote about bringing the physical training (classical physical education) of the body together with i...

The madness of Los Angeles freeways this past two weeks has been outrageous! Here are my thoughts on the psychology of driving and how we should really stop to think about what we are doing and how to better treat each other. *Freeway Mad" by Saxon *Graphic Credit: "Anger" by DARKVINE

We have a lot of "problems" in Los Angeles and in America today. There are so many problems that we can all become quite overwhelmed. Sometimes we need to resort to a simple reset--like gathering for street tacos. Join me as I discuss a recent trip to the legendary Avenue 26 Street Taco area of Los Angeles where all races of people gather in peaceful enthusiasm without politics...for street tacos!...

In just the last 48 hours, it seems like America has a 911 emergency just over our lack of discipline and self-control. I examine the definition of "discipline" and some historic quotations on discipline and self-control in relation to three recent events over the weekend that exemplified a lack of discipline in current American culture. Remember..."If you cannot handle your freedom, someone will...

I was watching a TV news piece on Nancy Pelosi this week and was absolutely shocked at the anger in her walking gait! I got a visceral feeling of discomfort watching her terse movements using excessive force, staccato moves, short stiff stride length, and so much more. "Gait" (how you walk) is one of THE most important instructional areas of classical PE and movement yet virtually ignored today......

I was watching President Biden droning through yet another teleprompter speech and started thinking about real speeches with formalized outlines--as in paper documents that you quickly scan while you look up and deliver the words to your audience. A formalized speech outline and delivery are VASTLY different than reading verbatim from a teleprompter as in far better. Teleprompter speeches will nev...

Dictionary.com defines 5150 as: "...the California law code for the temporary, involuntary psychiatric commitment of individuals who present a danger to themselves or others due to signs of mental illness." Considering the actions of Americans the last few months, I would position we need a national 72-hour 5150 evaluation! #thelongroad *Graphic Credit: "Anger" by DARKVINE

It's great to have and share knowledge; however, many times people get territorial and their egos get in the way of them knowing more--or even sharing what they know properly. Here are some thoughts about knowing, not knowing what you think you know, and the importance of "life-long" learning for mental and community health. #thelongroad

There is a "muscular" condition called "Tendon Guard Reflex" that can create a lot of pain, discomfort, and even injury along the backside of your body in areas of the low back, hamstrings, and calf muscles. This condition results not from a physical issue but from a psychological or mental stress situation. Here's some interesting history on the history of back pain and Tendon Guard Reflex and ho...

When I was 17 years old, I attended the USMC's "Devil Pups" Youth Development Camp at Camp Pendleton, CA. This program was created in 1953 to teach young American boys what it takes to train like a Marine and to learn these physical and mental disciplines themselves as well as the spiritual strength behind the USMC. This program has graduated 51,563 young men and women Devil Pups since 1953, and I...

This is show #8 on "Lotus Light" by modern dance icon and author Ruth St. Denis. "Lotus Light" was a book of poetry and illustrations published in 1932 and beautifully illustrated by her friend Ruth Harwood. Ruth St. Denis was one of the biggest names in the world of modern dance during the early 1900s, and her work still influences dancers and movement artists even today. She's one of my favorite...

In The North American Review published in 1890, Theodore Roosevelt wrote an amazing article on Americans and sports. He advocated for not only "manly" sports and outdoor pursuits but also for active participation instead of sedentary spectators watching others play. It was through this proper active participation that the best citizens were created. This idea of active participation was quite a pr...

"We should not sell our children short. They are not math and science illiterate. They are bright and capable. They just need to be challenged more by their parents and by their teachers." -Pocahontas Greadington, Tulsa Math Educator & Curriculum Writer In 1997, Tulsa historian and retired African-American educator Eddie Faye Gates published a historic book on the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre entitled...

"My father said that he sent us to school to learn knowledge, not behavior. He said it was his job to teach us manners and good behavior." -Jeanne Goodwin In 1997, Tulsa historian and retired African-American educator Eddie Faye Gates published a historic book on the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre entitled, "They Came Searching: How Blacks Sought the Promised Land in Tulsa." This important book contains...

In 1997, Tulsa historian and retired African-American educator Eddie Faye Gates published a historic book on the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre entitled, "They Came Searching: How Blacks Sought the Promised Land in Tulsa." This important book contains many interviews with the 1921 survivors. This was one of the interviews that I wanted to share in its entirety because I found it to be quite moving and f...