Point taken ! and "The Cloud" explained

By telephone I was told that my blog was too philosophical and plodding. Supposedly, the blog is not like me at all. So I actively solicit your response to my writing.

In my defense, I write this blog after work hours. I must be tired after hearing of real trauma from real war heroes every day. Writing it all down seems to help. I cannot help but think in metaphor. Seeing the hidden meaning in things is my profession. For example, the cloud refers to the Internet, this mysterious, amorphous world in which this weB LOG is written. If you are reading this, you are in the cloud!

In the future I will strive for more balance. Actually, life can be fun in Samoa. I have found a restaurant owned by a Korean couple. Mr. Kim is a diminuitive man who sailed on tuna boats for 14 years. He seems to know everything about tuna. He is teaching me: Course #101 The Anatomy of the Tuna in Korean. He shows me all the parts of the tuna, names them in Korean and we then eat it raw, sashimi style! I am not sure how this education will ever be applied in the real world.

Mr. Kim has employed a gourmet chef from China who speaks no English, and Mr. Kim does not speak Chinese. All communication is by gesture. I am eating my way through the Orient. OK...You tell me how you would tell the chef that you want a soup appetizer accompanied by fried cuttlefish using only your hands.

But, try as I might, I cannot break free from finding a life lesson here...Enjoy what the Chef* sends to your table, but, work on improving your gestures for tomorrow's meal.

*(This is your last hint__Think the Big Chef in the sky, and praying with the hands.)

PagoDoc

Death of a colleague

Last week a vibrant, young, female colleague died suddenly from a cerebral aneurysm. I do not have any answers to the question of why such a beautiful and joyous young lady had to die so soon. But, my decision to capricious fate is, every day that I am vertical is a good day.

Speaking to the cloud

Tonight I am entering my thoughts on the Internet in hopes of informing someone about Pago Pago, American Samoa. The people treat me well. Although many of the men are huge, they are not intimidating. The men are almost universally respectful, perhaps even formal, in their manner of address. There is a sense of place here, as distinct as Low Country South Carolina, or small town South Louisiana. The pace of transactions is slower than some places in the US, but, polite and courteous. No clerk or sales person has been rude to me in the last 6 months. Everyone just takes the time to chat, almost always in Samoan. The language is everywhere, alive and effective in communication. This is unlike the Hawaiian language which has a limited vocabulary. Yet, almost everyone can readily switch to American English in an instant.

Signing off to the cloud.

Pago Doc

Back in Pago

When you leave the sights and sounds of the jets at the Airport you are greeted by the fragrant and moist atmosphere of Pago. I love the luscious plant growth, while others may find the air too humid. After a day of rest, I was assigned the task of representing the VA at the annual Flag Day ceremony. This is an important national event in American Samoa with Pacific Island nation dignitaries, including one of the Princesses of Tonga. In Tonga there is still a ruling monarchy. This was an opportunity to meet many people who would be otherwise outside of my immediate circle of friends. There were no surprises at the stadium. What was a surprise was the next day many people commented on my appearance...(I was wearing a tie.) These people were not present at the Flag Day ceremony. How did they know what I was wearing?

In Pago there's not much news to report, so the people make their own news. One of the local TV stations broadcast the ceremony. The cameraman periodically panned the crowd as is done in sports events in the US. In Pago the TV audience enjoys the challenge of recognizing the people in the stadium seats! Everyone seems to know everyone, or at least they strive to recognize their neighbors.

American Samoa may not be perfect, but, the people are gracious and friendly.

Sonoma/Napa

This day was spent on the golf course, and in a fine French restaurant for supper. This is casual elegance.

Pago Doc

EEG Biofeedback

John S. Anderson, M.A. finished his course on EEG biofeedback today. The information he presented was well received. This is a new area of science with much promise to help people.

I have a lot to learn.

Pago Doc

MIGRAINE TREATMENT

There has been much progress in the treatment of Migraine Headaches by Neurofeedback. The protocol for treatment was explained ot me today. We also addressed methods of helpping veterans with PTSD and with TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury).

Theory of Consciousness

Today, I received a plausible explanation of the electrophysiological explanation of consciousness by an experienced electrophysiologist. Heady stuff...

Pago Doc

Thank you, Beth

This is a public thank you to Beth for serving as my personal assistant in supporting me in my adventure in American Samoa.

Heart Rate Variability

This has been a progressive conference in Oakland.

I now have access to some information which is relatively new to me concerning treatment by Biofeedback for circulatory problems. The veterans on Samoa are subject to circulatory diseases and to various other stressors. The population I treat seems to suffer from a particularly high level of cardiovascular and kidney disease in addition to PTSD, anger and alcohol problems. I hope to be able to make a difference by introducing new techniques to the island which can treat the whole person.

Oakland, CA 6:00 PM 2 April 2008