On my way home from the gym, early this Saturday morning, I witnessed a spectacular sight. A large adult eagle swooped down on a squirrel. For two blocks I had a front-row seat to the bird drama. Flying along the road, the same height as my car, angry crows chased the eagle out of their territory. The crows cawing complaints, the eagle attempting to gain elevation and escape the tongue-lashing with prize in hand. I slowed down to watch and noticed the car coming in the opposite direction did the same. A partner eagle came by to help in a daring “wing-man” formation. The mob scene flew up, over towards a tall row of Cottonwood trees, and out of sight. The ending to the story is still unknown to me.
Eagles will lay eggs in the Northern United States around February and hatch after a 35-day incubation. Eaglets are nestlings for 10 to 12 weeks. I assumed this eagle couple was from the Sehome Hill Arboretum. The Arboretum is a 175.5-acre oasis located on the south side of Bellingham adjacent to the Western Washington University Campus. I imagine that in the claws of the large raptor was a delicious breakfast for some gray fluffy nestlings.
NETFLIX
What else is going on? Well after watching the third season of Bridgerton on Netflix I decided to watch seasons 1 and 2 again. Now that a big secret was revealed in Season 3, I wanted to see if I had missed any clues.
“Bridgerton is an American historical romance television series created by Chris Van Dusen for Netflix. Based on the book series by Julia Quinn, it is Shondaland‘s first scripted show for Netflix.” -Wikipedia
I am all in when it comes to historic costume productions in any genre. I mean I am here for the dresses and wigs. Bridgerton does not disappoint. Their costume designs are colorful renditions of historical clothing and seem to paint the very definition of each character on the fabric. The Regency era (1795 and 1837) of high society London is reimagined. The show’s colorful costumes are also an embellishment of the colorful cast. I get the sense that it is attempting to normalize a multicultural existence by rewriting the past. High society London has always been 99% white. Rishi Sunak became the U.K.’s first prime minister of color in 2022; 227 years after the setting of Bridgerton. But what if the global abolishment of slavery was eliminated 300 years ago? All men were created equal, and walked in true equality on a global scale centuries before our time? It causes the viewer to wonder about a utopian world starting in our past and perhaps reimagining, reforming the possibilities of a new present. The show is refreshing. Romantic. Innovated.
Within all the color, and flair there are two underlying messages regarding inequality. Despite a woman’s color or income level, she is still a piece of property, held captive by society to do two things only, run the house and have babies. It is a message repeated in every episode. It is the one historical truth the show holds on to. The second is the unseen and seldom unheard servants. This is not Downton Abbey or Upstairs, Downstairs with a character focus on both sides of the economic poverty line. No. That’s alright with me. The program picks its grounds for its own fight. A show does not need to engage in the impossible task of pleasing everyone.
ASIAN TWIN
Monday morning a summer cold manifested all up in my sinuses, with an added twist of body aches for fun. I wasn’t too disgusting so I went to work and did the same on Tuesday. As you know Wednesday, June 19th is the new (2021) federal holiday, Juneteenth. My cold will keep me home from any activities that may be happening in Bellingham. However, I am happy to have a day off when I don’t need to use my sick time.
Juneteenth, officially Juneteenth National Independence Day, is a federal holiday in the United States. It is celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States
In the midst of a Nightquil fever dream, I dreamt while visiting South Asia, I found my Asian Twin. She was publishing my poetry books in her language and making a killing. I was shocked! The marketing was better, it was translated, and (my gosh!) they were making money off my poetry and likeness! I was big in Asia!
Generally, the copyright of any creation belongs to the creator. As you know, moral rights are perpetual. Economic rights tend to last for the lifetime of the author plus a certain number of years – typically fifty (50) years – in each South-East Asia country after the end of the year in which the author died. Copyright may be available to protect against exact reproduction by third parties should they try to manufacture counterfeits. However, especially in some parts of South Asia, a little change in the product can produce a “unique” product ready for resale without much repercussion.
My dream experience can happen to anyone who publishes anything, whether it is books, clothing, film, or music. An acquaintance of mine shared with me a story about a time she received a photo from her friend traveling overseas. Bootlegged CDs of a concert she performed 5 years prior were selling at an Asian market. Wild.
Upon waking I lay there thinking about people in other countries reading my poetry, buying my poetry. Maybe the interpretation was not exactly correct, it would still be pretty cool. If it happens/happening now I welcome it. The farthest I am aware of my book traveling is to a home in Olympia Wa., which is about a 3-4 hour drive on a good day. My friend Denise had copies of my book with her when she moved to Minnesota. Does that count? I am unaware of any international sales besides Vancouver, B.C..
I am rambling a bit. Going on, all over the place. Well, honestly, I just wanted the world to know that I woke up early last Saturday, and went to the gym.
Take care of yourself, and be kind to others. Listen to my old radio show about Robert Johnson and chill.
shannon p. laws 