Lagumbay.com Reflections on Love, Rage, and Fear
Archive for December, 2003
Give a man a fish…
Posted by Allan in Prose on December 20, 2003 2:04 pm
Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day
But teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime
At the core of the trite proverb lies a very deceptive generalization. Though the statement has a clear logical distinction between action and consequence, it fails to define the broad knowledge required to become a successful fisherman. The adage also fails to state the amount of patience, trust, and selflessness necessary for the fulfillment of the goal. After all, the art of teaching is rarely simple.
If simply offering a few basic instructions can pass on all knowledge of an art, the art’s true essence is lost. Imagine having an expert fisherman teaching a novice only the absolute basics — how to use a reel, tie a knot, and set a hook. By definition, the novice would know how to fish. However, with basic knowledge, a novice would not be able to properly analyze the many other factors that go into fishing. From variables such as weather and temperature to water clarity and lure choice, there is a vast amount of information left untaught. Thus the proverb takes on a heavier weight and poses a deeper question: what is required of a teacher and how much information must he or she share to properly achieve the goal?
The teacher is required to have patience. Even an eager student, quick to learn, will make mistakes. Backlashes will happen, knots will slip and come undone, and countless lures will be lost before a novice even begins to learn the basics. The teacher must be willing to patiently endure through the learning period. Also, the teacher cannot possibly cover all of the many situations in fishing, but by patiently teaching enough general scenarios, he or she may succeed in shaping the novice’s analytical mind.
Another requirement for a teacher is trust. The teacher must trust that his student has the capacity and willingness to learn. If the teacher cannot trust in the student’s capabilities, the flow of knowledge would be greatly hindered. For example, the physical mechanics of casting, an essential part of fishing, requires trust for it involves a sharp hook flung around at high speeds within close proximity of the teacher. Mistakes made by a careless apprentice will hurt, but the teacher must continually trust that the student is capable of accomplishing the task properly.
Lastly, the teacher is asked to be selfless. Selflessness is the culmination of patience and trust. Though the instructor’s trust may occasionally be broken, he or she must endure. A mentor must constantly devote his resources for the good of the student, fending off personal frustrations and feelings of apathy. It would be much easier for one to give fish to a person than it would be for one to teach a person how to fish. It is selflessness that makes a true teacher choose the more difficult path.
The old adage presents a very vague but promising picture of self-sustenance. From such an obscured view, the grave requirements of providing knowledge are completely unstated. After reflecting deeper into the details involved in the handing down of knowledge, one is presented with the conclusion that only through patience, trust, and selflessness can one truly teach another how to fish.
Various Displays at the Pomona Public Library
Posted by Allan in Flipbook on December 10, 2003 11:20 pm
Duck-Around
Posted by Allan in Parody on December 8, 2003 7:36 pm
Once upon the days of Neely
I woke with something in my head
I couldn’t escape the memory
Of the sports show and of what was said
When the sports show announcer made his parting remarks
I could not believe my eyes
When I saw through the image on the TV screen
‘Cause I was hoping that they were lies
Yeah, humorous but simply lies
And I lied too and said I don’t mind –
Ducks are sick and Disney’s blind
And when the Pond is opened, no fans will cheer
But Eisner lets us know when the Ducks are here
As you can see, they’re not for me
I think they’re bad for humanity
But you
Why you really want those Ducks around
Is it a surefire way to screw things up
‘Cause all it does is slow hockey down.
Shaken in their confidence
About a great many things
But I’ve seen them, they can see it coming
Like the nervous Selanne waiting on a wing
For a bad play during hockey night
But nobody thinks nor expects too much
Still, Hollywood’s calling for the D4 rights
Singing hey babe, let’s keep in touch
Hey baby, let’s keep in touch
But I want more than a touch, I want you to nail D
And knock them to the boards until they can’t see
So what they feel is just simply hell
And soon if we’re lucky all the Duck fans will yell
Your ass is mine, KILL NUMBER NINE
And it doesn’t have to rhyme so send your checking line
But you
Why you really want those Ducks around
Is it a surefire way to screw things up
‘Cause all it does is slow hockey down.
Tra la la bamba dear this is your pilot speaking
And I’ve got bad news for you
You see that Disney spews and you Duckies suck
And there ain’t a whole lot that you can do
Oh sure, the Panthers were swept and the Kings getting colder
Perhaps I’ve grown a little cynical
But I know no matter what the waitress brings
I shall drink it and always be full
Yeah I’ll drink it and always be full
Oh I like Coffey
But I hate Guy
But to be able to enter a final plea
I know they’ve got the playoffs that they cannot make
And Lord Stanley’s silverware that they cannot take
Well alright, okay
You think they can play
I hope and pray
You may be right someday
But you
Why you really want those Ducks around
Is it a surefire way to screw things up
‘Cause all it does is slow hockey down.
But you
Why you really want those Ducks around
Is it a surefire way to screw things up
‘Cause all it does is slow hockey down.
An-heim Mighty Ducks
Posted by Allan in Parody on December 5, 2003 6:45 pm
It’s time for An-heim Mighty Ducks
And we’re zany to the max
So just sit back and relax
You’ll laugh ’til you collapse –
We’re An-heim Mighty Ducks.
Come join the Sacco brothers
And their goalie Guy Hebert.
Just for fun they run around
In women’s underwear.
Coach slaps them in their hinies
If ever they would swear.
I’m so confused –
Why did they lose?
Well, really — like I care.
We’re the An-heim Mighty Ducks
Logo’s cute, our hockey sucks
We give outnumbered attacks
Just when duck fans start their quacks
We’re An-heim’s Mighty Ducks.
There’s Ewen and there’s Stu
Who think they rule the universe.
Good players suck together
Tink the Pixie is a curse.
They worship Paul Kariya
Who badly needs a nurse.
Kariya slipped
Buy him a crypt
Somebody call a hearse.
We’re the An-heim Mighty Ducks
We have play or pay contracts.
We’re stupid to the max
‘Cause we always turn our backs.
We’re not so mighty,
Totally Crappy,
An-heim Mighty Ducks
Those are the facts!