Around the world just down the street

It was possible this summer, to go around the world without leaving the neighborhood. Bountiful's Summerfest International allowed us to enjoy a bit of Hungary (below), Spain (below that), South Korea (you get the drift) and beyond.

(OK, so these girls aren't dancing right at this particular minute -- they are enjoying my photographs -- also a trip around the world -- so here it is.)

Music from South Korea (above -- OK and now I've confused you) and Salt Lake, art from Africa and Arizona and food from Equador and Hawaii, enriched those who attended, without requiring so much as a passport or a hotel reservation or a wait in a security line.

Kudos to those organizers who brought so many talented performers from so many far-away places to Utah for our entertainment and education. And kudos to them for -- probably an even harder job -- getting so many of us to the park to enjoy this taste of culture and art.

An aside:

A few of these pictures and many, many more of many and varied places by many, many other photographers, have been submitted to a fun enterprise sponsored by Media One. Media One, the company that coordinates Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News circulation and printing and such, is putting together a book of Utah pictures by local photographers. You can submit your own or vote on those that have already been submitted for inclusion. It's a fun site to wander through -- many exceptional pictures of beautiful places, people and events in Utah. If you want to take a look and vote -- now's the time -- through September. Kinda fun to see what's happening in the state, and kinda fun to think your vote might impact the outcome of a book (that you can also buy!). Check it out: www.capturemyutah.com. Another chance to travel!

Passions

Is it the end of civility?

First we have citizens heckling Congressmen. Then we have a Congressman heckling the president. Then we have a musician embarrassing a musician at the same time as we have a tennis player verbally attacking a linesmen.

And I didn't forget the football player who punched out the other football player. That I consider a natural extension of his "game." When you are taught to wipe out the opponent for the entertainment of others and the aggrandizement of the group you represent, it is understandable that you might forget that you can only do it at certain times when wearing certain gear.

But when the challenges come from a Congressman, a musician and a professional athlete, things are getting out of hand.

Is this something else we can blame on global warming? Or eating non-organic food? Or our attention deficits and depressions? Or the vitriol virtual medias now spew out and then feast on?

It brings to mind a telling moment at a family reunion a year or so ago.

A group of adults were sitting around visiting when a little spat unfolded between two toddlers. One had a built-to-size lawn chair and the other decided he wanted it more. The original owner begged to differ. As the argument heated up, an adult stepped in and suggested a sharing arrangement. When that didn't go over, another adult stepped in and suggested taking turns. Neither child liked that idea so yet another adult rounded up a second chair and considered the issue solved.

But it wasn't.

Because now they both wanted the second chair.

Continued efforts by many and varied adults didn't solve the problem. We were helpless, all of us, as we watched the passions of toddlers supercede any logical solution. We knew only distraction and ultimately the wisdom of years would bring the problem to resolution.

Kind of like I feel today. An observer who doesn't quite get why there's a problem and has no idea what to do about it.

What is going on out there?

When is everybody going to grow up?

Being impressed, being disgusted

Things that impress me about the actions of the new president of the United States, Barack Obama:

1. He took his wife to a play in New York City.
2. He met up with his family in Paris during a business trip.
3. He looks at his wife with affection when they dance.
4. He took his family to national parks for a summer trip.
5. He took his family to a quiet retreat and had his staff ask the media to leave them alone together for a while.
6. He told fathers they have a responsibility to the children they father.
7. He walks his dog.
8. He apologized and tried to make amends after saying something stupid -- or should I say "stupidly."
9. He doesn't give up on a goal just because the opposition intensifies.
10. He lets Congress write the laws, just like the Constitution says Congress is supposed to do.
11. He cares enough about school children that he took the time (and hassle) to challenge America's youth in one of the most inspiring talks with some of the greatest insights and best encouragement ever, showing understanding and sensitivity and confidence in their abilities and a faith in their future.

Things that disgust me about some citizens in the United States of America.

1. They get riled over the President of the United States taking his wife to the theater in New York.
2. They get perturbed over some expense issue regarding the first family's trip to Europe.
3. They talk cynically about the president's attempt to clear the air with individuals in a racially-charged dispute.
4. They exaggerate to the point of absurdity the issues being debated before Congress.
5. They bring up nonissues beyond belief like place of birth.
6. They take exception to an address to school children in America by the President of the United States.

I think it's all these talking heads on all these cable channels, making mountains out of molehills. I think it's wild Internet postings. I think it's crazy radio talk-show hosts. I think its racism. I think its close-mindedness.

I think it's time for everyone to hold on to their hats and put on their brakes and open up their eyes and get a dose of what matters and what doesn't and when something wise is being said and when someone duly elected is providing leadership.

And in the meantime, everyone can get a shot of good old fashioned wisdom that is just as likely to bring a tear as it is to bring renewed hope and dedication from:
www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-in-a-National-Address-to-Americas-Schoolchildren