Catastrophe #2 – Education vs Catastrophe

by | Mar 18, 2011 | Catastrophe - 2011, H. G. Wells, Japanese | 0 comments

Catastrophes, cataclysms, and calamities are the topic of the week here at the NDD.

When I witness from afar the past 2 earthquake/tsunami combination disasters, the recent one off Japan and the one in 2004 in the Indian Ocean, I am struck how education raced catastrophe in both cases. Both are immense disasters, both overwhelmed the affected area far beyond their ability to respond in time. But there seems to be a huge difference between the two.
 
In the 2004 Indian Ocean event there was no immediate warning to citizens close by in Indonesia and Thailand and no warning to citizens hundreds of miles away in Sri Lanka. Close to 230,000 people died in the land areas around the rim of the Indian Ocean.
 
In the 2011 Sendai event warnings were given immediately to the entire population of the region and the country.  The millions who lived in the affected area knew to get to higher ground almost as soon as the earthquake struck.  Those who were hundreds of miles away in Hawaii and even further on the west coast of North America knew well in advance about the Tsunami.  So far the death toll, in a much more populated area than the epicenter of the Indian Ocean event, is hovering around 1/10 of the other event.
 
Why is that? It’s because of education.  Education was crucial in knowing how to set up a warning system and how to evacuate. It wasn’t perfect, too many people died.  Yes, money has a lot to do with it, I know.  The blame game can be played out against capitalists, politicians, and many others.  But, no matter where the blame is laid, the more educated we are about any subject, especially those that can adversely affect millions, the better chance we have in the race against catastrophe.

Drawing © 2019 Marty Coleman | napkindad.com

Quote by H. G. Wells, 1866-1946, English author

Catastrophe #1 – Calamity is the Great Leveler

by | Mar 18, 2011 | Catastrophe - 2011, Edmund Burke, Japanese | 0 comments

In honor of and remembrance for those killed and injured by the Sendai earthquake and tsunami. This is my interpretation of ‘The Great Wave off Kanagawa’ a woodblock print by Katsushika Hokusai. Here is the original:

Calamity is the great leveler. It did not care if the person was good or bad, rich or poor, old or young.  It didn’t care if they were driving a fancy car or a beat up one.  It didn’t care if the person was an office worker with a smart phone or a farmer with an iron plow. Calamity only knew to level.  No morality, no ethics, no prayer, no wish, no hope dissuaded it from its mission. 

But calamity is no match for humanity.  Humanity builds.  It keeps what is good about being leveled, the lack of pretense and judgment, and builds from there. It does respond to hopes, wishes, prayers, ethics, morality.  It does care. Humanity always beat Calamity. Always.

Drawing and commentary © 2019 Marty Coleman | napkindad.com

Quote is an interpretation of ‘Public Calamity is a Great Leveler’ by Edmund Burke 

Zen #1 – There is no Path

by | Mar 7, 2011 | Robert Allen, Self, Zen | 0 comments

I am not a Zen master.  Me saying that proves, of course, that I am one.
 

This isn’t about Zen Buddhism, about which I know virtually nothing. It’s about perception and the precision of language.
 
Substitute any of a number of words for ‘Zen’ in the quote above.  Then what? Let’s use ‘self’ for an example. Are you trying to find yourself?  Are you trying to find your ‘self’, in other words?
 
Where is that ‘self’?
  • Does it reside in your career, if only you could get a promotion?
  • Does it reside in your hobbies, if only you could be finish a project?
  • Does it reside in your friendships, if only you could be worthy of them?
  • Does it reside in your makeup bag, if only you would not age?
  • Does it reside in your kids, if only they would not age?
  • Does it reside in your golf clubs, in only you could reach par?
  • Does it reside in your religion, if only you could be good enough?
  • Does it reside in the future, if only you can find it?
  • Does it reside in the past, if only you can recapture it?
Or does your ‘self’ reside right here, right now?  If it isn’t here right now, how are you reading this?  Is it someone else occupying your body doing the reading?  No, it’s you, it’s your ‘self’ doing it.
 
So, back to the ‘precision of language’ I mentioned.  What you pursue is not your ‘self’. Your pursuits are those things I listed and more. You may want those things better understood, better defined, better lived. And that is good, pursue them all with great passion.
 
But call them by their name and don’t be sloppy with your name calling. Their name isn’t ‘self’. You are named ‘self’ and you are here right now. Indeed that is the only place your ‘self’ will ever be.
…………………………………………………
 
Drawing and commentary © 2025 Marty Coleman | napkindad.com
 
Quote by Robert Allen, author of ‘Zen Questions’
 

Vintage Saturday – Gandhi's 7 Sins

by | Mar 5, 2011 | Gandhi | 0 comments

Vintage napkins put in my daughters’ lunches and taken to school.  These are undated but most likely from about 2000.  My daughters were in high school at the time so no, this is not over their heads.
Gandhi's 7 sins mug

© 2025 Marty Coleman | napkindad.com

Blindness

by | Mar 4, 2011 | Blaise Pascal | 0 comments

What walls have you put up in front of your gravest dangers today?  Are you now running headlong towards that danger because you have persuaded yourself it isn’t there anymore?
 
Drawing © 2025 by Marty Coleman | napkindad.com
 
Quote by Blaise Pascal, 1623-1662, French writer, inventor, mathematician, philosopher and scientist
A thankful shout out to the Napkin Kin who have visited this week from the cities and towns of the state of Texas, USA.  Waco (home of Baylor University and the awesome women of the Theta Mansion), Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Temple, The Colony, Stephenville, Universal City, Ft. Worth, Frisco, Little Elm, Bellaire and last but not least, Katy, home of my loyal reader, friend and Tulsa ex-patriot, Brett M.!

Charm is a Product of the Unexpected

by | Mar 2, 2011 | Jose Marti | 0 comments

I went to a post on ‘The Happiness Project’ blog today and unexpectedly found a wonderful story about finding the unexpected.

The author, Gretchen Rubin, wrote about her intense happiness in finding unexpected art in public places.  It got me thinking about both topics, happiness and art, and my response is exactly the same. I love art in museums, but I LOVE unexpectedly coming across art in non-art spaces.

This is what I wrote as a comment on her blog:

What makes me extremely happy is coming across an unexpected piece of art, in the middle of a non-art world. While on a long run in a park in Waco, Texas I came upon a giant art installation being made; a grouping of anthropomorphic, whimsical huts made out of branches, with doors and windows for all to go in and out of. It was just being finished, the artist was there, as was the city official in charge of the grand opening, which was taking place in just a few minutes. I stopped my run 4 miles short, chills up and down my spine, to stop and be happy in the presence of unexpected and beautiful art. I went to the artist, Patrick Daugherty, and made sure he knew at least one person was very, very happy to see his ‘River Vessels’ installation.

I went looking for quotes on ‘unexpected’ and came across this one.  It really does get to the heart of what makes something or someone charming.  I know I will see art in a museum, but I am delighted and charmed, often to the point of giddiness, by seeing art where I don’t expect it.

My illustration took a turn towards another example of charm, the type associated with romance.  It’s not the flowers that make it charming, it’s the unexpected charm of having a frog be the one who gives them.

So, be on the lookout for what makes you happy. I bet you’ll find in part it’s connected to having a joyfully unexpected event happen in your life.  Better yet, why don’t YOU help make that wonderfully unexpected event for someone else!  If you are a frog, not a prince, get flowers. If you are neither, be on the lookout for the charming frog as much as the charming prince!

Drawing and commentary © 2025 by Marty Coleman | napkindad.com
Quote by Jose Marti, 1853-1895, Cuban writer




Red – Beauty, Comfort and Kick-ass Red Lipstick

by | Mar 2, 2011 | Colors - 2011, Gwyneth Paltrow | 2 comments

Have you noticed yet that I am doing a series and I haven’t even told you?  It’s on color.  So far we have white, green, blue and today, red.

Do you like GREEN eyeshadow? THEN why aren’t you wearing it?
Do you like PURPLE bras? then why aren’t YOU wearing one?
Do you like PINK?  Then why isn’t your ROOM painted it?
Do you like RED lipstick? ThenWHY aren’t you wearing it?
 
Finally, are you a cyclops?  No, of course you aren’t.  BUT, you are unique somehow.  Why aren’t you admitting, allowing and celebrating that uniqueness?
 
You aren’t EVER going to be comfortable in someone else’s skin, only, if you are lucky, in your own.  So, why are you living your life to please those who don’t like green eyeshadow, purple bras, pink rooms and RED lipstick?
 
I mentioned yesterday that my cousin’s son, Gavin Powell, died in a terrible tragedy this week.  Reading about him in his friend’s memorial tributes online you get the picture of a very unique and fun young man. One who wanted to grow a beard at age 16 and did. Who liked Rastafarian style hats and wore them.  He was seen as a bit eccentric.  My response? Three cheers for it!  The world needs more uniqueness, more eccentricity, not less.
 
My grandfather, who spent many summers in Colorado, got into the habit of collecting and wearing western style bolo ties as he got older.  My father inherited some of those and would wear them as well.  I, in turn, have inherited them, and have some of my own.  I love bolo ties.  Not only do I think they look kick-ass cool, they connect me to my father and grandfather just the same as a ring might for a woman.  In the meanwhile, my wife isn’t so hot on them. But guess what?  I love my wife, and I don’t want to embarrass her (that’s why I shower once in a while) but I am going to wear bolo ties when I want to wear bolo ties.  And I hope she wears what she wants, even if I don’t think it’s the greatest thing.
 
Being comfortable in your own skin means be who you WANT to be, in style and substance.
Drawing and commentary/rant © 2025 by Marty Coleman | napkindad.com
 
Quote by Gwyneth Paltrow, 1972- not dead yet, American actress

Blue – RIP Gavin Powell

by | Feb 22, 2011 | Anonymous, Colors - 2011, Death - 2001-2011 | 0 comments

My family is blue today.  I have a cousin, Jim Powell.  His only son Gavin died along with his best friend Matt in a rafting accident this week in Walnut Creek, California.  He was 17, Matt was 16.  There had been heavy rains in the area and after Gavin found an old inflatable raft in his garage they made plans to raft down a local creek.  They wore helmets but no life vests and were unable to navigate in the fast rushing waters.  Both of them died during their trip.  Links to the story are below.
 
As any parent knows and will tell you, nothing in the complete realm of human existence can be more completely and utterly destructive to one’s soul than losing a child.  I have not had that happen and I am very grateful. But I know the fear, as do all parents I have ever known.  I may not be as controlling of my kids as my wives have been, I may say ‘you have to let them go do this or that’. I am that father who said that is how it has to be to my wives.  But make no mistake, for every time I have said that, and I bet for every other spouse who played the role of the one saying it’s ok to let them go, we knew we were gambling a bit.  All of life is a bit of a gamble, sometimes greater odds, sometimes lesser.  It’s a sad, sad moment when the odds go bad and something like this happens.  The essay below says it better than I can, I encourage parents to read it.
 
So, why did I illustrate a quote about a dog?  I didn’t draw this to say I hope he has a dog.  I drew it because ‘blue’ can’t always be explained, even when it is so obvious, as in this case.  The pain, the suffering, the what ifs, the if onlys, the guilt, the loss, the anger, the hopelessness, the fear, the emptiness.  They can’t be listed out like that in a broken heart. They can’t be categorized and compartmentalized and logically explained one by one. I can imagine that is what one feels they must do when asked ‘why do you feel blue’.
 
Maybe it’s best to be like a dog, not ask why, even if we know what we think the answer will be, but just comfort and be.
 

Drawing by Marty Coleman 


Quote author unknown

The Grass is Greener

by | Feb 21, 2011 | Anonymous, Colors - 2011 | 0 comments

Whose world do you water?  There is nothing wrong with watering someone else’s garden, but there is something wrong with neglecting your own.  Whether it’s a wife, husband, home, children, community, family, friends, profession, team or actual garden, if you only pay attention to other ones AT the expense of your own, you will end up with neither.
 
A shout out to the Napkin Kin from these countries in the Middle East; Syria, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Israel, who have been coming to visit the blog over the last month.  Thank you!
 
© 2025 Marty Coleman | napkindad.com
 
Quote author unknown
 
Green color jealousy  envy desire lust wishes  hopes neglect 2011 grass greener
 

Whiteness Attracts Blemishes

by | Feb 18, 2011 | Bert Hellinger, Colors - 2011, Winter - 2009, 2011 | 0 comments

In snow and in life, purity is fleeting.  It’s there and it’s good, but it doesn’t last.  Those who try to remain and appear pure to others in all things, in spite of the truth being different, will start to draw attention to their blemishes.
 
How do you be who you really are, admitting to yourself your impurities, admitting them to others when appropriate, and still work to attain the good in yourself and in others.  Maybe the act of confession is the freeing act that allows you to move towards the good.  What do you think?
 
A shout out to the Napkin Kin in the Massachusetts (USA) towns of Chatham, Brewster, Hyannis, Foxboro, Newton and Allton who visited the blog this week.  Thanks for the visit!
 
© 2025 Marty Coleman | napkindad.com
 
Quote by Bert Hellinger, 1925 – not dead yet, German Catholic priest (formerly) and psychotherapist.