I am closing down my practice and will focus on writing. I accept invites to book clubs, events and will sign and sell my books at your venues.
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Friday, 20 July 2018
Theology notes continue (my bad)
It has been quite a while since I wrote about anything in theology and so I will try to get back to that as well. I am returning to my notes:
During 1917 - Jews received equality in Russia. From the middle ages to enlightenment, Jews lived in the Ghetto. They learned to survive. For 2000 years they have been pounded upon. 7% of Jews are Orthodox. Three percent of Philippines are Muslim. The Muslim suffers because of Christian tradition. When my professor was living in the Philippines, Muslims were living in the “sticks”. No one could get work at the university with a Muslim name. My professor (during 1980’s) started something which would work for both Muslims and Christians.
Theological Issues: Shama - prayer every day (cannot be three persons in one God). Teaching of divinity of God. Jews ask, “Would God have suffered his own son to be killed?” Monotheism If Jesus is God, did we kill God? Claims that is hard to describe to anyone. My prof would not like to describe the trinity. Constantine was doing a political act. 38% of Christians in Canada don’t believe in the divinity of Christ. Jewish conception of Man - Christians and Jews agree there is distance between God and human beings and think this is bridged by body of Christ. This distance must be bridged by human beings. Buddha - First person’s eating does not fill some other person’s body. “I must take the wrap for all my misdeeds.” In Jewish anthropology emphasis is that humans are created in image of God. Humans have two tendencies- to good and to evil (yetsara). There is a belief that the tendency to do good is strong. Judaism - no doctrine of original sin contrast to Roman Catholics or depraved if Protestant. If there is no original sin, you don’t need Christ to come for our sins. To be human (Jewish) is to be imperfect - having many men/women good and very wise but can never be a person perfectly good/wise. Jews believe in free will. If we are helpless is it true to say that we are free? Human dignity remains that humans be free - if you keep trying you can do it. Not to be saved - but call to overcome. It is through sin we come to maturity. We learn from our mistakes. I am a work in progress, therefore if no original sin we can be reconnected with God; amend ways and return to God. This is not only Jewish. This is the rule for everyone. There are no Roman Catholic missions to Jews. Jews are saved through their own covenant (Vatican II). Torah - blue print for Jewish life. There is no authority to say this is the only way that is right. Jewish way (as Ignatius) of finding God in all things. The law is a gift. Jewish view of revelation comes through history. For Jews, Jesus is not the final revolution of God - is continuance. It is for this reason Christianity and Islam is part of the plan.
Continued in several weeks with the 18th century - age of reason (I hope you understand my notes). I am typing all notes and then posting them for you as well if you are interested. My objective is to transfer all notes and be rid of the notebooks. I write all notes which is better at retention than typing notes in class or lectures). Next week I want to continue with my Deerhurst seminar. I attended quite a few workshops and I was so lucky that they were all interesting. Have a nice weekend.
Monday, 16 July 2018
End of First Chapter, The Internet Murders
George had thought the coffee shop was open 24 hours. Now what? Looks like he wasn’t the only one wanting a coffee. The tall dark stranger was walking away from the coffee shop and looking up at a woman on the second floor. She’s pretty, he thought. Probably wanted to get her a coffee, before interrupting her work on the computer. I would get her more than coffee, he thought, smirking at the possibility. He would go and see Sandra later and bring her a bottle of wine. But, he needed his coffee. He tried the front door of the coffee shop again before heading back to his car. “Why did I park it several blocks away?” he asked aloud. He looked up again and noticed that the woman was gone and the place looked dark. He wasted no time, thought George. He began walking east “on Davenport. He loved this city. George wasn’t originally from Toronto, but he called it home after living here for ten years. He stopped walking, to look up at Casa Loma for a few minutes, and knew why he had parked away from the coffee shop. He enjoyed looking up at the castle. Poor bugger, he thought. The city took the castle from the poor bloke for not being able to pay his taxes. Nothing’s changed; a man’s home is always his castle. With prices the way they are and banks all merging and ganging up on the little guy, it was only a matter of time … Sandra. He looked back up the street and noticed the dark figure exit the building. That’s odd, he thought. Guess she didn’t like it that he didn’t bring her coffee. Good thing that he had wine stocked up in his wine cellar. Moving towards his Pontiac, as he fumbled with his keys, he slipped on a patch of oil on the rain-slicked sidewalk. He tried to catch his balance, but fell, hitting his head hard. He hadn’t seen the figure who had been watching him approach and begin to follow him[…]”
Excerpt From: Silva Redigonda. “The Internet Murders.” iBooks.
Order at www.silvaredigonda.com
Friday, 13 July 2018
The Internet Murders
No pain; she could not breathe, she thought, as she heard rasping sounds and fell unconscious.
The dark figure looked out at the street, then smiling, turned back to Ruby, who lay still. She had suffered a small cut as a result of the struggle. A faint trace of blood was visible. The stranger broke the silence, “You wanted me babe, and now you are mine, all mine.”
The shadow dragged her to the bedroom and placed her carefully in a fetal position on the bed, her face to the wall. Long minutes of staring at the whore, then a jaunty walk to the fridge to hunt for some cat food. The terrified feline was cowering under the bed. Another time, hot babe, the shadow sneered before leaving her and returning to the outside night.
***
George had thought the coffee shop was open 24 hours. Now what? Looks like he wasn’t the only one wanting a coffee. The tall dark stranger was walking away from the coffee shop and looking up at a woman on the second floor. She’s pretty, he thought. Probably wanted to get her a coffee, before interrupting her work on the computer. I would get[…]”
Excerpt From: Silva Redigonda. “The Internet Murders." You may order from: www.silvaredigonda.com
Case Study by Dr Fornazzari et als. Neurology 2006:66-611. Preservation of episodic musical memory in a pianist with Alzheimer. Continuation of attended lecture at Deerhurst conference.
When I went to Deerhurst to attend the conference, my main reason for going was to hear this lecture which I have spaced out for you in separate blogs. I found the lecture fascinating. I feel we are just now learning the basics. There is so much to learn about so many things. It is easy to be a life time student with a desire for more. I attended quite a few workshops and I enjoyed them all. I also have handouts from this particular lecture which I so gratiously received. St Michael's hospital has a Memory Disorder Clinic where people can be referred to. For information or to book an appointment you may call 416-864-6060 ext. 7838.
Dr Luis Fornazzari’s lecture. Dr Fornazzari is a medical doctor and a Behavioural Neurologist. continuing from notes taken at lecture.
Case Study by Dr Fornazzari et als. Neurology 2006:66-611. Preservation of episodic musical memory in a pianist with Alzheimer. Continuation of attended lecture at Deerhurst conference.
The patient could not function day to day but could compose music. Mary Hecht’s walls had beautiful paintings.
Mary Bhudhar was shown extended art and did draw it beautifully. She could not draw a clock but could paint. She knew a musician who had died 30 years earlier and she drew him, though she could not function daily. Mary had Alzheimer’s. Another international patient had problems and could not walk or talk. The patient had suffered four mini strokes effecting the areas to have visual perception. Showed pictures of before and after - incredible with no colour perception and able to do this.
Writers are protected. The comparison of the diary and the last novel. Creativity was not hindered as day to day language. Why does art protect the brain? Bilingual is protective to the brain. The disease is manifested until the next seven years as unilingual. Clearly statistic significance equals a better function. The artist (all kinds - musicians, painters etc….) all are able when the disease occurs, many other networks, when reach the maximum. They have more atrophy than other. So artistic ability can be researched. Influence factors - genes, early social environment etc….
I wish you a safe and pleasant weekend.
www.redigondapsychotherapy.com
Friday, 6 July 2018
The Internet Murders 1st pages
“This book is dedicated to Fr. Bill German, S.J. Father Bill died before the book’s publication. I talked to him a few days before his unexpected death.
I know he would forgive the swear words thrown here and there – and the murders, of course. I know he had a love for mysteries and I do hope he would have enjoyed mine. I would like to express my thanks for his years of service and for being my friend. I am most fortunate”
Excerpt From: Silva Redigonda. “The Internet Murders.” iBooks.
“Chapter 1
Ruby sat quietly, waiting for the computer screen to come alive. She could hear the rain tapping on the window by her desk. Leaning forward and looking out, she saw the dark figure leaning against the coffee shop building across the street. She was being watched again, but she felt secure in her warm apartment, though the soft glow of her desk lamp revealed her features to the outside world and the computer screen lit her face. She signed on with her pseudo name, “Hot Babe.” No message tonight. She looked outside again: the ominous figure was gone. There was a rustling sound somewhere in the apartment. It must be the cat, she thought. The outside night seemed distant to her. It was quiet now. She didn’t hear or see anyone approach and then something tightened around her neck, choking her. She gagged. In the struggle she knocked over her computer and lamp, but not before she saw the shadow strangling her, in the reflection of the window. Her eyes widened as she realized that she was dying. She was amazed that it was not painful. No pain; she could not breathe, she thought, as she heard[…]”
Excerpt From: Silva Redigonda. “The Internet Murders.” iBooks.
You may order the book or get the ebook right away at www.silvaredigonda.com
Dr Luis Fornazzari’s lecture at Deerhurst. Continued
Dr Fornazzari is a medical doctor and a Behavioural Neurologist. continuing from notes taken at lecture. (Previously dated 21 Jun 18)
Art and music is universal and unique. In all cultures there is art and music and without it, there is no culture. 500,000 years ago there was art. Before we were able to talk, we played music. Artists who suffer disorders are able to compose and write complex music though suffering dementia. We were shown photos of Ravel’s brain. When listening to music, the right and left hemispheres of the brain was activated. Passive listening - When musicians listen to music, the frontal lobe is activated as well. In Dr Fornazzari’s opinion we should be listening to music day and night. (I recommend music and art as homework for therapeutic reasons as well as journaling in my practice).
Musical Pleasure and rewards - Reward system is central to the pleasure of experiencing. Activates serotonin. It activates the area of planning and judgement (frontal cortex). We are activating many functions of the brain just by passive listening. Music improves sleep, decreasing wandering, reduces agitation, decreases inappropriate behaviors etc. Improves community, social affiliation, stress and arousal. Music helps in patients going to surgery, cognitive intervention etc… Also autism, brain surgery, transplants…There is enough studies that music help patients exposed to music. There is less stress and anxiety. Music is an aid to post operation recovery in adults. There is less pain. With live harp playing there was a marked decrease in pain and anxiety in vascular and thoracic surgery. Even in general anesthetic when there was music the patient did much better. It is unknown why.
To be continued with a Case Study by Dr Fornazzari next week (Preservation of expisodic musical memory in a pianist with Alzheimer.
Have a great weekend.
www.redigondapsychotherapy.com
Wednesday, 4 July 2018
Happy July 4th to my American neighbours
I just want to wish you a safe and happy day. I know I am late with my blog, but please forgive me, my laziness. By the end of the week, you will receive a continuation. In the meantime, have lots of fun today. I am taping a few of your festivities to watch at leisure.
Silva
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