BONES’ THOUGHTS ON SOCIETY AND ITS WILLINGNESS TO COMPLIE WITH THE EVERENDING CHANGE OF TIME
EXPIDITION (NOV.4-NOV.17)
November 04 2004,
Well we are 10 miles from the Maryland border and stuck on the side of the freaking highway. The battery has been drained from our excessive laptop usage. Thankfully I have 45 percentages on one of the Macs so I can write a few words. Today we visited The United States Navy League College. I am conflicted within between the ideals of my life and the reality of the world. I realize that people die everyday however should I contribute to that, fight against it or leave it alone. However a contrasting view to that is death is inevitable and necessary to make room for another to experience life. “Too many questions to life.” Yesterday we all stayed at Vivian’s (Dave’s mothers) I found it amusing seeing little Dave in his pictures and his room decked out in Harvard memorabilia.
Shackleton School a school of leadership; a quality talked about all too often. They tell me that the journey is everything and that I should strive to oblige by the commitments I have “adopted” huh. I hate to be controlled, believing that one chooses that right to choose. Choices are made to be difficult so that you can learn how to make better and more accurate choices. Often I hear that in the days of yore the difficulties of living were much different. We are bombarded constantly by media and asked to buy this and that. I have gotten all to used to being bombarded. As I ramble on and on about irrelevant topics to me at the time I am truly distracted by what is asked of me at Shackleton. Is it truly worth what I have committed or should I strive to rebel and change the very exclusive relationship policy that was adopted to make life easier at this school of modern leaders
10%
As I write my last words for the night I am listening to Chop Up- Da Band. Dave rattles on about some “inaccurate” description of a head injury as Zake looses his train of thought Dave cuts him off. Money greed passion lust love things I think off all to often bones out.
November 5, 2004
Well yesterday was quite interesting we all visited a plantation called Shirley. At first I couldn’t stop thinking of how slaves were beaten right were I was. However when I listened to our tour guide she told me a lot about how the whole thing started. In 1630 Edward Hill acquired land with this land he immediately found that tobacco was a very profitable market. Originally people from London worked on the plantations, later Africans were brought to the colonies, and at first they were treated like most indentured servants. As time progressed the plantation was passed on from person to person. There have been many differences in witch Shirley was operated. At one point in 1860 under the control of Hill Carter a man that did not agree with the use of Slaves, Tobacco, and Alcohol planted crops like Cotton, Corn, Wheat, Pumpkin, and livestock. He started to see that many farms were not usable do to malpractice. Hill Carter started to rotate his crops and use fertilizers. He bought goods from his slaves, which was almost unheard of. Over all yesterday was a very informative day. We got back and read about the Native Americans pages 16-27 in our readers. The reading basically broke down the relationships between the natives and the Europeans. I also learned more about Dave, his college experience seems full of adventure. It enables me to look forward to having fun also in college.
November 6, 2004 “Leader of the day”
Today we visited the Virginia Historical Society Museum. It was very amazing seeing so many contrasting views all together in one room. I learned about the progression of technology within weapons and how it has affected how battles are waged. I saw a 48 shot rifle. Imagine going into battle with one of those babies. I also learned a lot about the native Americans and what they did in response to the Europeans threat. Some natives would just get out of the way and move further west. Others stayed and fought. Looking at a map of the powattan tribe, that looks more like a collective mass army; different tribes uniting against the threat of being “civilized”. This is a scenario that some historians have put together. I also observed the whole confederate issue united states is split in two; those whose ambition is money, and the ones who look for a common cause and use that to there advantage. The south seems to be heavily concentrated with the common goal of money through environmental abuse while most of the northern states aren’t settable for massive agricultural prosperity,
After the tour we went to a cemetery was we saw a few graves of former presidents John Tyler, James Monroe and the confederate president Jefferson Davis. The Hollywood Cemetery was extremely large. I can imagine seeing the vast land and the strategical placement of the capital of the confederacy. I can obtain an understanding how the place was guarded. They could see both ways down the James River, And ship could not access them do to the shallowness of the river one end.
We visited the town of Ashlen were we meet a group of teenagers that he tough back in middle school. I mostly kept to myself. The train outside the ice cream parlor had the persistence of an athlete going by every now and then; with the hiss of a snake as it disappeared once again. The students were interesting but I didn’t feel comfortable having a conversation with them. I wanted to talk to the girls especially but being at me I didn’t strive to develop conversation. At the same time I am tired of being the one to start a conversation I always do this. However, one girl by the name of forest strikes me as an interesting person.
November 7, 2004
This morning I woke up and took a shower, although I told myself that I wouldn’t, my underarms smelled of rotting death. I also twisted my locks with coconut oil and burts bees hand salve. I am mesmerized by al the conflicts in American society have been ignored for so many years. The founding fathers should have taken another step in demolishing slavery and racism. I believe that we would have had two separate United States instead of one but we might as well since we are basically split in two. I was astonished that during my adventure up the barn; United States was split in two, most of the northern states for Kerry and all the southern states for Bush. Looking at all the problems he has put us through I thought he would never win however the folks in he south and mid west have a total different view point. Hopefully I can find out why they voted for bush.
We visited Colonial Williamsburg a tourist attraction that had much to offer. Our Guide Adam Wright recited the following information. A college (William and Mary), and 88/500 original homes from the late 1800’s. 1,880 lived in Williamsburg fifty-two percent of them were slave. Williamsburg was the second capital of Virginia; the first being James Town. The reason for the move of the capital was that they felt vulnerable near the river were mosquitoes, poor sewage handling, and plan stupidity was the number one cause for death. It was so bad that the mortality rate for kids four and under was fifty percent. Other issues included the ever-advancing threat of the Spaniards. When the capital was moved official buildings erected, officials moved in so there wasn’t much crime. However people often committed the crime of not showing up for church one out of four Sundays. The most common punishment for that was a fine. The other popular crimes included theft and manslaughter which were punishable by a minimal branding of T for thief or a M for manslaughter in different states the brand was put in different places on the body; in Virginia it was the hand in Mass. it was the cheek. Most of the non-slave population was made up government officials. One such person was George With the first law professor of his time unfortunately poisoned by his nephew at the age of 83. His nephew got off because a black woman slave was not allowed to testify. However, earlier on in his life he made a name for himself married a daughter of a contractor that gave them a house in Williamsburg as a wedding gift. They owned twenty-seven slaves between the two of them. The tour guide explained to me that the slaves in the city had more freedom to socialize they raised chicken to earn money for luxuries. It turns out that black beard was killed here. His 1st mate testified and got a less sever of a punishment, A fourteen year old boy pleaded that he didn’t know they were pirates and was out for a good time. Every one else was hung; Black beard head was posted on a pike as a warning until it rotted away. According to the newspapers when the skull was left without flesh it was turned into a mug and for a fee you could drink out of black beards skull. Government officials would have carried out his sentence. In order to get on this highly esteemed council you had to be twenty-one, be a white protestant male, and own fifty acres land, I order to get a court date you had to be free. Before Independence in order to set your slave free you had to prove that they saved your life A few last minute thoughts
• 1/5 of the first presidents were Virginian
• Squab was a popular dish. (Baby pigeon)
• Shells were used as gravel
• Both men and woman learned to weave baskets at a young age
• To committee treason to the king meant all your land was taken away
• Road island and North Carolina were the first to declare independence
November 8, 2004
• Learning’s
Today we visited Monticello (little Hill), the home of Thomas Jefferson. Thomas was born in 1743 to a land surveyor Peter Jefferson who mapped most of Virginia and North Carolin. He had one brother and six sisters. Thomas was educated in Marysville and in 1760 was admitted to William and Mary College in Colonial Williamsburg. Later he practiced law with Mr. With. Thomas continued to make a mark and soon became an important person. In 1767 he passed the bar and served under the House of Burgesses, he later went on to become the first secretary of state the second vice president and the third president. Jefferson also served as (some foreign thingy), after his wife died.
Thomas viewed the country as an agrarian society. He also believed in equality of all. Several attempts to publicly comprehend that all races were to be treated equally was denied.
The house itself took forty years to complete. Complete with 28 rooms an all weather walkway; waiting room, collections of books to antlers represent the man Jefferson. He wanted every visitor to learn something new while they were within his home. Thomas was dedicated to education he had his three daughters educated in his home. He inherited 10,000 acres total but sold lots of it. Thomas was obsessed with records. He recorded the wind direction, temperature, weather, and etc daily. During retirement he wrote some 18,000 letters. He read in seven languages and spoke three. His massive collection was reduced when he sold some of them to the government in 1815 after the library was burned down in 1814. He believed that the books he owned ought to be the most important. He wrote only one book “Notes on Virginia”. However he did publish his version of the bible providing you with the meat of the bible. He also designed a spherical sundial, and a plow designed to plow on surfaces that were not flat. I loved to see all of Jefferson’s clocks hung up in just about every room. He had a clock with two sides for his front entrance and a sundial on top of the roof that had a metal rode coming through to a compass that would tell him which way the wind blew.
• Daily Overview
Overall today was a good one. After the tour of his home we had lunch and watched a movie on his life. Then we went to University of Virginia for a self-guided tour were Tom and I jumped in a pile of leaves after receiving a no form Jill Farnam. I remember the distinct stern look on Jill’s face after she heard the rustling of leaves. She immediately turned on her heals and walked the other way. Telling us that the tour was canceled. Lucky thing the tour was not being looked forward to by most students. We then rode to her aunt and uncles house 15 min away from Donny (Daves college friend).
November 9, 2004
Woken up this morning by non other than yieanajye she walked down the stairs. My ears wake up far before my body there for I could hear he mumbling something about a light. I went up stairs and was greeted with fresh coffee being made. I made a trip to the van to forage for some food.
I felt like a the eternal wiping of a tornado in my head, the forcing and whistling of wind through shed, the pounding of a drum, steadily loosing…
We took off to Donnie’s house for service day. Moved his lawn, washed dishes, got our food, vacuumed the rug, washed the windows, wiped down the bathroom, and cleaned our van. After the short time at Donnie’s we drove over to the mall for recreation day. I had an awesome time at the mall. At first it was kind of boring walking from store to store without money, then we went over to circuit city.
Circuit city was by far the best time I have had on this trip. I had no money but this proved that without money you can still have fun. I checked my e-mail, watched Television on computers, checked out all the new technology, played video games on state of the art televisions with wireless game pads, called my brother back home in Renton, Washington. I loved it, whenever I am around technology, great housing designs, or art I get this feeling of inspiration. If only I could find a way to harness this inspiration and produce a product of it. Technology truly is my favorite, with the dawn of a new day come a new technological product that makes life even simpler. Its not that I am lazy, I just love the idea of having all advancement. I do see the side effect in this.
Since technology has been more accessible to the average household we have created lazy independent citizens. We need to blend the two world of technologies and reality together to create the knowledge of understanding that time does not stop for anyone. As you lie on the couch and watch you favorite show, someone is suffering an unjust death, rape, or violation. Shit has happened in this world. There will never be world peace but the closer we get to it the lazier we will get. Technology I believe is a perfect seg-way to peace. It makes our lives easier to control. Or does it?
Following our arrival to Jim and carols house, we enjoyed a dinner of spaghetti, and a movie by the name of snitch. I also got to talk to my family and catch up a little. Abreahet isn’t doing all that well in math, mom isn’t doing all that well with finances, Grandma isn’t doing all that well she has cancer, dad is done with eye surgery. I am realizing that life is too short not to enjoy. Therefore I have committed myself to enjoy myself as myself not any one else. With the realization that reality does not permit me to enjoy every moment I also will learn and ingrain info into my head. Since I have a horrible memory remembering facts should help me out.
November 10, 2004
Well its 12:25 and I’m still up with my fellow crewmates.
Today we visited Richmond university. We talked with a man by the name of Scott Erwin. He is a survivor of an attack in Iraq by a group of anti-democratic. He was educating the college students in Baghdad on the principles of democracy.( see hand journal for rest I’m too tired)
November 11, 2004
Today we left Jill’s aunt and uncles house to head for Mount Vernon home of George Washington. The ride was short and we stopped twice at gas stations. As we walked toward the entrance niya grabbed my sprite, I wanted it back so I kept asking her about it. Soon Latoya added her two cents talking about how I wasn’t being a man, the way I see it is that she holds me to past standards of men. What does it mean to be a man? Why does she keep saying that . I have tried to have a “I don’t give a fuck attitude” remembering how I strived to be excepted. She has no clue how difficult life is. It pisses me off to here her try and judge me. As I try to be no judgmental I cannot help but thinking of her negatively. She reminds me off those stupid bitches that threw rocks at me when I was a child, the ones that pulled my hair and fucked with my head by flirting with me. So many suppressed memories I have in my head I wonder if I should even begin to try and unlock them?
Washington realized the importance of sanitation. He developed a method of fertilizing human waste by using a necessary which is basically a out house with wooden drawers. His garden is complete with plots were different herbs, spices, and vegetables are planted. Every plot is surrounded with trees that are no higher than my waist. These trees look as though they have been tormented. They are held up by wooden posts that seem to control them to shape into t shape with branches sprouting from the top.
Hogs
Pork was a vital source of food for virtually ever member of the community. Bacon, Ham, and lard were most often consumed, and haslets like the heart, liver, and intestines were given to the slaves as a treat. They were hard to keep penned and usually ran loose into the woods. In late fall they were caught fattened on corn and potatoes, and then slaughtered. Ossabaw island hogs, rare 18th century breed are used as representatives for the modern estate.
Cattle
Here is a pen complete with two cows that are a maroon color brown. With long horns sprouting from there foreheads. The end of their tails seems to be died. They continue to lick each other. Cattle were an important part of that time. It provided them with meat, cheese, cream, and fertilizer. Washington experimented with different breeds, and feeds. He believed that cattle were a very important part of society his favorite breed being Milking Devon. Washington’s 1799 inventory list 171 heads of cattle.
Environment
“the idea of getting rails out of the dead, and decaying timber, I much approve, for the waste which has committed on timber and wood hitherto, has really been shameful.”
During his time the oak, hickory, and chestnut trees were prominent. The chestnut tree has disappeared from east coast.
Natives Washington family acquired 8,000 acres of land in 1674, but before they lived here the natives used this land for seasonal hunting camp. Archeologist have found stone tools and cracked rocks from fires. In the Potomac Valley.
The American bison, timber wolf, black bear and passenger pigeon have all disappeared from this forest. Bison were over hunted, the timber wolfs prefer a isolated forest away from cities and towns, the black prefer woodland in northern states, and the passenger pigeons were wiped out. The last passenger pigeon died in a New York zoo in 1914. Animal that Washington did not see the house finch, rock dove, house sparrow, European starling, and the red-eared slider turtle.
After observing George Washington’s estate we moved on to the hotel that we would be spending the next 6 days in. Turns out that there is no pool, but there is an exercise room. Luck thing I still have my soda bottle… We found that Knoxville isn’t such an innocent city and there is a whole new game created at school. I really don’t know how to respond to this. Should I use this info to my favor or leave it alone. Many documents have been retrieved proving the facts. What should I do?
November 12, 2004
Last night my rest wasn’t all that, with the combination of Evans excessive nasal in congestion my mind wonders on the topic of showdowns.
Philadelphia was the capital from 1790-1800. Home of the liberty bell, and events that truly caused the marriage between colonies. The courtroom was home to both the city hall and the Supreme Court; Andrew Hamilton a Supreme Court judge designed the building. Rooms would be loaned out to many causes. One very important cause was the 2nd confederation, which was responsible for the writings of both the declaration of independence, and the articles of confession. (see journal for more facts)
After the tour we walked in the freezing rain to a food market on 12th St. to eat. I convinced Dave to let me buy a Philly Cheese Steak and a soda. To be honest the Philly cheese steak was not all that bomb, I’ve had better in Seattle. The meat was in square 5” by 5” slabs and toped with some cheese on a hoagie bun and served. In Seattle’s “Philly’s best” they chop up the meat and add seasonings then add cheese served on a hoagie bun. We made our way back to the hotel to research for a while before we took of back into Philly for a neighborhood conference on violence.
We watched three movie the first being the jungle, it was directed by the 12th and oxford gang back in the 1970’s. Basically it described why gangs are created and what they will do to keep and earn respect. Next was a two part exclusive on the victims of burglary, and violence of Philadelphia. This movie looked into the justice system. I obtained an understanding that cops make so many arrest that the courts have redefined justice to the practice of getting a criminal through the system as fast as possible so they can deal with another. In this process you get cases that someone committed a homicide and is of on parole and bail. After the movies there was a short break and then a forum. Two successful black men commented on the movies and answered questions. One was actually in the 12th and oxford gang, the other a successful doctor who has written two well-known books on the topic of poverty. There input was very interesting they said that the reason gangs are reappearing is because one of three support beams has been taken away. Low age Low income jobs, Hustling etc, and welfare. When one is taken away stress is added to the other two. Its even harder to survive with compaction to access the other sources, and since the government and upper class citizens control welfare and jobs selling drugs, and robbing people become the best way to get fast money especially if you do not have an education. I stayed for one question, in response the answer described the fact that being black has changed from being Afro-American to an ethnic group with one thing in common; struggle.
November 13, 2004
Today we visited the science museum in Philadelphia, and watched the Imax movie of Lewis and Clark. Before we embarked on our movie experience we were allotted 45 minutes to roam the museum. In which time I spent most within the aviation expo. They had different activities that gave you an understanding of the science behind aviation. The movie itself was interesting although I knew most of what they were presenting. I wonder what would have happened if the natives did not allow passage to the white men. Would North America as a whole be split up into many countries.
November 14, 2004
Today we visited an art museum I walked through the African, European, and modern art galleries. The African gallery was nice, however I haven’t yet been able to truly appreciate the African arts. I cant help but wonder what white folk must think when they see naked black woman walking with there babies or masked men with colorful clothes. Are they able to appreciate the society of African tribes? The western world has a need for advancement. The African tribes want to stay the way they are since it provides a sense of community and security. They society that has developed in the western world is a society of self-sustainability that’s not the case for many African tribes.
The European exhibit contained lots of sculptures and nude woman. It described a culture with a passion of beauty. They like things defined to a particular shape using colors that correspond to reality instead of abstract.
The Modern Arts tripped me out; a particular piece was a cellar door in the back of the room. You walked to it and looked through two wholes in the door and saw a naked woman lying down as though she is dead. Other pieces included a dysfunctional metal fold up chair, a video of a parking garage in three different angles put onto one screen.
The second thing we did was visit the Delaware River visitors center for a brief lecture on the Delaware crossing that took place December 25, 1776. In which George Washington won the Trenton battle. Moral was low due to the recent losses of New York, the third largest city of that time. The British could not fight the Americans when George retreated from New Jersey; do to lack of boats. Moral for the Americans was low and the British were too confident. The British thinking that the Americans could n
ever pull of a successful attacks so they spread out there forts. George took advantage of this and gained the respect of the loyal American people.
During the revolution the natives joined with the British. They realized that the British had the upper hand. If it went to France America would have lost the war. Even woman and slaves fought during war. A particular woman by the name of Debra Samson joined the army dressed as a man, although it took multiple tries until she finally accepted a few towns away. She served for nine months until she was wounded and naturally the doctor realized that she was a she. Debra was kicked out the army and eventually received a pension.
On the night of the attack George Washington lead his men on a nine-hour crossing of the 900 foot Delaware, and a nine mile march to Trenton.
Later, I manage to rip Jill’s favorite down vest.
November 15, 2004
Today we visited the university of Philadelphia. The campus is a city setting; unlike university of Richmond. Seems interesting. Has a great engineering program. Right know I’m in the admissions office in the college building. Sitting next to tom as he read news weekly.
November 16, 2004
Today was an interesting day. We started our day with a trip to Valley Forge. This is where George Washington camped during one winter to recuperate from the lost battles. His men suffered badly. He started out with 12,000 and ended up with 6,000 by the end of the summer. The men built their own wooden lodge houses in one month. The hospitals were kept away from the camp but camp was not sanitary by any means.
After the short movie of Valley Forge we went up to the actual encampment, I decided to stay in the van and play Tetris. We then moved on back to the hotel (Candle Wood Sweets). We got ready to go to dinner at a five star restaurant called city tavern in Philadelphia. I ordered a Martha Washington Pot-Pie, and a shrub drink that ended up costing $7.50. The total bill ended up being $301.00 I guess that happens when you don’t ask the price of the drinks. We walked around the city for the last time and bid our farewells with pictures. I look forward to returning to Philli and discovering more that the liberty bell, hall, museums, science center, and stores. I can’t help but wonder what the culture of Philli is.
