Dagbøker og memoarer

Welcome to our year of living compactly. My dog, Mister, and I took to the road pulling our A-frame trailer, the Rollin' Rancho. I'm a traveling horse trainer/clinician, who became a non-essential worker during the COVID-19 lockdown. Then, in 2022, we bounced back. We were nomads looking for horse training adventure and liver treats. Work paid for the trip; it was part clinic tour, part travelogue, part squirrel hunt. But mostly an unapologetic celebration of sunsets, horses, RV parks, roadkill, diverse landscapes, and undomesticated women.It's a book made of made of adjectives and nouns, blue skies and tornado watches, resorts and reservations, open roads to the horizon, and one-lane dead-ends. We emerge from the truck in a cloud of dog hair and sunflower shells, like disoriented and scruffy rock stars in a GPS haze, not entirely lost or found.This book isn't about training, although there are horses in it. It's a follow-up of Stable Relation, my first book, but my life changed in ways I would never have guessed, so don't expect the usual sequel. Undomesticated Women is a travel memoir, a peek behind the curtains of what my job is like. I wanted to see this beautiful country, do some time travel, and explore thoughts and memories now that I've become a gray mare.Mister would tell you it's his memoir about being tasked with the unreasonable job of guarding me against a wild range of dangers. Like eating dinner late. He's a dog unimpressed with my tiny fame.

Nm 1968, tác gi t ra k hoch ca Chúa cho ông theo tm nhìn ca riêng mình và 10 ct mc quan trng t c tm nhìn ca mình. Sau khi nhn bng Thc s K thut Máy tính và Bng Tin s Qun lý, ông thành lp và iu hành mt công ty có tên International Computers & Telecom, Inc. (ICT) trong quá trình t c Gic m M ca mình. ICT ã c trao Hp ng chính thit k và xây dng Sân bay Quc t Seoul (IIA) ti Hàn Quc trong 10 nm k t nm 1992. ICT ã góp phn a IIA nhn c gii thng là sân bay quc t tt nht trên toàn th gii. Là ct mc cui cùng và là nh cao trong tm nhìn ca tác gi, ông ã thành lp i hc IGlobal (IGU) ti Virginia, Hoa K vào nm 2008. IGU ã cung cp các chng trình c nhân và thc s v CNTT và qun tr kinh doanh làm chng trình ct lõi vi tt c các chng ch và chng nhn cn thit c chính ph tiu bang và liên bang trao tng. IGU ã giúp nhiu sinh viên n t hn 50 quc gia trong ó có Hàn Quc tt nghip thành công thông qua các lp hc trc tuyn và trong khuôn viên trng. Tác gi t hào v mình vì ã t c thành công tt c 10 ct mc quan trng ca mình tính n thi im ngh hu IGU vào nm 2020. Tuy nhiên, tác gi tuyên b rng Chúa ra lnh cho tác gi i n tn cùng trái t và nói vi th gii rng ông ã bin k hoch ca Chúa dành cho mình thành tm nhìn trn i ca chính mình và t c tm nhìn ca mình qua 10 ct mc quan trng." Tác gi mong mun làm chng cho th gii rng Chúa có k hoch cho toàn th nhân loi.

Refocus: A Story of Growth & Self-Discovery marks Amy's journey of recreating herself after shedding the version that the rest of her world knew. Perhaps you are at a point in your life where you need to do the same - whether due to weight loss, relocation, career change, divorce, new empty nester, gender acceptance, death in the family, or any other reason you are no longer the "you" everyone is used to. This book is for you. And for me. For anyone who has shed a version of themselves that the world once knew and is now working to fill that life you were meant to live. This book is part memoir, part workbook, all honest. Work through this book at your pace with your goals in mind. Let my story help you see the brightness in your own. Also included are planners and trackers to help you create new habits and set new goals into action. #defineyouradventure

"A literary, unabashedly wicked, revealing montage of Gary Indiana's life-from his early days growing up gay in rural New Hampshire to his escape to the Haight-Ashbury in the post-summer-of-love era, to the sweltering 1970s in Los Angeles, a stint living in Havana, Cuba, and ultimately his existence in New York in the 1980s as a bona fide downtown personality. Here is his fierce writing style, his merciless eye trained on himself this time, a mixture of humor, philosophy and gut-wrenching realism that defies easy categorization"--

The Myth Makers is a Greek tale inspired by the life story of Peter Charles Zaloumis. Its theme is based on the ancient Greek belief that everything in the universe is spiritually connected. The terms tale and Odyssey take on new meanings in this book. A tale is defined as a story based on reality, which eventually becomes crowned with grandeur by real experiences and on mythological interpretations of these experiences. Peter's Odyssey is a biography-the story of a long and dangerous journey with many stops and adventures in mythical settings. Poetry, as a mirror of life, is used throughout this book to reflect and illuminate the meaning of Peter's mystical encounters and adventures. While the story of Peter's life told herein is true, some of the characters he met on his journey, and the conversations with them, might best be considered mythology.

"Your baby has cystic fibrosis. There's no cure. She might live to thirty."What do you do when your world falls apart? When it's out of your control? When the future holds the threat of every parent's worst nightmare?Rhyl Venning wrestled with these questions soon after the birth of her "miracle" daughter Kari-Lee, born following years of infertility and medical intervention.Yet, rather than living a sad and sheltered existence, Kari-Lee bravely chose to live an amazing and vibrant life. With her happy heart, adventurous spirit and positive attitude, she spread joy wherever she went, visiting 38 countries after finishing high school.When her health suddenly plummeted, Kari fought courageously with everything she had, but tragically Rhyl's nightmare became reality.Why did this happen? How could Rhyl survive the loss of her precious daughter? Would life ever feel worth living again?"Rhyl describes with brutal honesty a journey through the depths of despair, jubilation, heartbreak, brilliant love, and the emergence of hope and light. This memoir is a gift for those seeking solace." Leigh Donovan, Former Head of Bereavement Services at Queensland Children's Hospital"Rhyl honestly addresses the struggles, intense emotions, and unanswerable questions ... Rhyl will be a warm and understanding companion on your own journey through suffering." Jill Sullivan, Executive Director of While We're Waiting"If you are looking for truth, encouragement and hope for this journey, read this book! I can't recommend it highly enough." Melanie De Simone, Author of the blog thelifeididntchoose.com

What ever happened to that fist love? How did their lives turn out? Do they ever think about the wonderful times we spent together? Those care-free days when the only thing that really mattered was walking hand in hand on long walks or hanging out with friends at the arcade. Do they remember the first date and the first kiss? Do they still remember us and what would happen if we were ever able to see each other again? Would the old feelings of the past be reignited, or would it be a simple hello, how have you been and we part paths again. I always wondered how her life had turned out. Through the years a business card would left in a mailbox with no return call, letter or email. I guess the memories would be just that, memories. But in December of 2008, it was worth one more shot. One more attempt to make contact with the one girl whose memory stay hidden. The one girl who no matter how far I traveled or how hard I tried to suppress the thoughts of the past, thoughts of her were always just under the surface waiting to reawaken. One more time, one more attempt, just one more time and if nothing happens, let her memories fade, never to surface again.It has been two weeks since the card was dropped off. Well, we gave it our best shot. We tried one more time and since their has been no contact, her memory is starting to fade. I take our prom picture out of my wallet and place it in a small box with all of the remaining reminders of our love from so long ago. The phone rings. Must be someone with more bad news about why they can't deliver the materials ordered. "This is Jeff"(what do you want!), "This is Debbie." My response was cold and quick, "And?" A very long pause, "Jeff.....this.....is.... Debbie." I slowly remove both feet from my mouth. It is her! The long lost connection has been made. Now what? Join us for the most intense seven month "true love" one could ever have dreamed. Travel back to high school when life was so easy, so care-free and the word worry didn't exist. The chance meetings at college that at times were better forgotten. To present day when we are both trying to figure out if the feelings from the past should remain in the past or is there still something there; unfinished business from the past. There is plenty of time(?) to figure it all out.

It was one of the most searing images of the twentieth century: two young boys, two princes, walking behind their mother's coffin as the world watched in sorrow and horror. As Diana, Princess of Wales, was laid to rest, billions wondered what the princes must be thinking and feeling, and how their lives would play out from that point on. For Harry, this is that story at last. With its raw, unflinching honesty, Prince Harry shares a landmark publication full of insight, revelation, self-examination, and hard-won wisdom about the eternal power of love over grief.-- From jacket flap.

Have you ever had something so tragic happen in your life that made you question everything? A relentless series of events that tested your faith?In Triumph Over Adversity, Anthony Mbuthia deep dives into the pain of being burned as a child, enduring the scars they left behind and fighting the stigma that came with those marks. He also takes us through his struggles of being separated from his family for over 5 years and the heartbreaking experience of almost losing his mother.Through these trials and tribulations, Anthony narrates his extraordinary path to overcoming adversity, offering a compelling testament of faith's unwavering strength. His story is more than just a narrative; it's a wellspring of inspiration, a beacon of hope, and a catalyst for bolstering your faith.Join him in "Triumph Over Adversity," and let his incredible journey serve as your source of inspiration and a faith rekindler, showing you that even in the darkest of times, triumph is possible.

This book chronicles an urban winter's excursion colored by memories of the restaurants and places frequented by a charismatic and eccentric lifelong inhabitant of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Follow this enchantingly notorious celebrity as she dabbles in social interactions with former business associates and rises to the occasion with each person she meets in social settings. This adventure is narrated by a "twenty something" companion who (sometimes reluctantly) accompanies her on a journey fraught with surprising ironies, assumptions, and moments of enlightenment.

"UNMUTED" is a powerful and inspiring book that delves into the journey of Recia Kabbah, a woman who overcame the chains of silence and reclaimed her voice. Born and raised in Liberia, Recia experienced poverty and the devastating loss of her siblings and parents to illness. Determined to create a better life for herself and her family, she refused to give up on her dreams.As a mother of three, Recia balanced her responsibilities while pursuing her passion for modeling and acting. Along the way, she faced numerous setbacks and disappointments, but she remained resilient. Recia's entrepreneurial spirit led her to found RekaBoutique, a clothing store empowering women to look and feel their best, breaking free from generational poverty.But "UNMUTED" goes beyond Recia's personal journey. It shines a light on the struggles faced by those who have felt silenced by their pain and trauma. Recia shares her own experiences of being muted, trapped behind emotional walls, and unable to fully express herself. She explores the weight of carrying family secrets and the importance of seeking support and healing.Through her story, Recia becomes a beacon of hope for young girls in Liberia and beyond, reminding them of their inherent power and the strength to break free from the chains of silence. She encourages readers to find their own voices, embrace their stories, and embark on a transformative journey toward healing and self-discovery."UNMUTED" is a raw, honest, and heartfelt exploration of resilience, determination, and the profound impact of finding one's voice. It serves as a reminder that no matter how deep the wounds may be, there is always hope for healing and growth. Through Recia's story, readers are inspired to embrace their own journeys, break free from silence, and live authentically.

This memoir is about being a young girl (in the early 1970s) with a profound need for independence, in a very male dominated environment.Looking around, the motorbike seemed to have it all,NOW...Just buy your bike, tax and insure it, get provisional licence and hey presto...hit the go button.

This is David Mobberley's sixth book of verse, offering an insight into man's tumultuous journey, from his birth, to his inevitable death - and what lies beyond. And covering such diverse themes - via a biblical antichrist, a vengeful god and man's own scientific legacy.

A vivid portrait of the Columbia River Bar that combines maritime history, adventure journalism, and memoir, bringing alive the history—and present—of one of the most notorious stretches of water in the worldOff the coast of Oregon, the Columbia River flows into the Pacific Ocean and forms the Columbia River Bar: a watery collision so turbulent and deadly that it’s nicknamed the Graveyard of the Pacific.Two thousand ships have been wrecked on the bar since the first European ship dared to try to cross it in the late 18thcentury. For decades ships continued to make the bar crossing with great peril, first with native guides and later with opportunistic newcomers, as Europeans settled in Washington and Oregon, displacing the natives and transforming the river into the hub of a booming region. Since then, the commercial importance of the Columbia River has only grown, and despite the construction of jetties on either side, the bar remains treacherous, even today a site of shipwrecks and dramatic rescues as well as power struggles between small fishermen, powerful shipowners, local communities in Washington and Oregon, the Coast Guard, and the Columbia River Bar Pilots – a small group of highly skilled navigators who help guide ships through the mouth of the Columbia.When Randall Sullivan and a friend set out to cross the bar in a two-man kayak, they’re met with skepticism and concern. But on a clear day in July 2021, when the tides and weather seem right, they embark. As they plunge through the currents that have taken so many lives, Randall commemorates the brave sailors that made the crossing before him – including his own abusive father, a sailor himself who also once dared to cross the bar – and reflects on toxic masculinity, fatherhood, and what drives men to extremes.Rich with exhaustive research and propulsive narrative, Graveyard of the Pacific follows historical shipwrecks through the moment-by-moment details that often determined whether sailors would live or die, exposing the ways in which boats, sailors, and navigation have changed over the decades. As he makes his way across the bar, floating above the wrecks and across the same currents that have taken so many lives, Randall Sullivan faces the past, both in his own life and on the Columbia River Bar.

Have you ever struggled with your mental health, your terrible relatives or a dysfunctional relationship? Or simply wondered what the hell is wrong with you? This story is for you.

French Letters is based on the letters and records of an Australian francophile who has spent most of his leisure time, and a good deal of his working life, in France and the French-speaking world. The reminiscences range over Paris, of course, Bordeaux and Lyon with their rich historic and gastronomic treasures; regional corners such as Grignan, in Provence, with its elegant literary connections, and the curiously-named Condom (in Gascony) with its links to the "Three Musketeers", and then Marseille with its maritime links to the French colonial world and to Outremer, to far-away French-influenced places such as Egypt, Indochina, Madagascar, New Caledonia, Quebec, Reunion Island and Tahiti. This is a light-hearted and yet thoughtful view of a wide and often little-known world, presented here in an easily accessible form for dreamers, adventurers, and armchair travellers.

This subject of this memoir is why and how history and communism combined to animate and shape the life of a New York-born, Jewish American whose father joined the Communist Party of the United States in 1939. It spans three continents and roughly half a century dominated by the ideologies at the heart of the Cold War. It recreates journeys of discovery and self-discovery, first as an undergraduate at Columbia University, then a graduate student at Oxford, and then in Soviet archives, the coalfields of eastern Ukraine, and newly independent Uzbekistan. The memoir reveals not only fascination with but also affection for the Soviet people as they contended with actually existing communism and its supersession.

While Bharadwaj is an unflinching observer of the harshness of prison life, this is not a bleak book. It is written with warmth, compassion and impish humour.

An extraordinary memoir of anticipatory grief, seventy-two minutes of life and a silent maternity leave, from artist and academic Tamarin Norwood.

Treading Ancient TrailsSeeking solace after the death of her husband, Kim Letson discovers a passion for long- distance walking. Through historical and cultural prisms, accompanied by memories, curiosity, and friends, Letson connects ancient and modern journeys. TheCoast to Coast, Cornish Coastal Path, and Ridgeway in England offer opportunities for adventure. As a pilgrim, she explores a Portuguese Camino from Porto to Santiago, the Pilgrims‿ Way from Winchester to Canterbury, and then the Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome. Readers share both the wonders and challenges of the journeys, from mountain passes to wind-swept beaches, from Gothic cathedrals to mysterious stone henges. Kim Letson has created a curative elixir with Canterbury and Other Tales, a sumptuous blend of adventure-memoir, escape, loss and healing shared in concise, engaging vignettes. Letson‿s prose shuttles us into each trek, as though granting exclusive peeks into the author‿s personal travel diary. A series of stories you won‿t want to end. Bill Arnott ‿ poet and bestselling author.  This book vividly brings back the joys of walking and riding many of the same pathways and facing some of the same challenges which Letson presents with unvarnished candour. While the journeys do not all carry the title of pilgrimage, they all share the pilgrim sense of an inner search ‿ a need to fill the void of the tragic loss of her husband and mother with both a rationale for her own existence and her relationship with the world.  Weary with toil, I haste me to my bed, The dear repose for limbs with travel tired; But then begins a journey in my head, To work my mind, when body‿s work‿s expired: William Shakespeare, “Sonnet 27,â€? 1609 Paul Chinn ‿ author of the Lightfoot Guidebooks. Kim Letson has done it again. In this latest collection of journeys, she shares intimate moments, challenges of the terrain, encounters with both fellow travellers and those who host pilgrims such as her. Walking alongside shadows of the past, she describes intriguing details and the broad sweep of historical context for her travels and surroundings. Her insights are often humorous and sometimes wry, but it is her accomplishments and tenacity which leave us in awe and just a little envious. Christine Dickinson ‿ historian and author. Like their namesake, these tales are much more than a guided tromp across some of Europe‿s best treks and pilgrimages. They are also reflections on love, friendship, loss and what it means to be human. Letson shares lyrical glimpses of the landscapes and history she encounters: the uphill grinds, the wet boots, the soaring cathedrals and sweeping views. In her deft hands we are changed. Jeanette Taylor ‿ historian and author.  Â

In the Footsteps of a Roman Legion  - Walking the Via Egnatia (2021)On a blistering September morning in 2016, intrepid friends in their sixties âEUR" Kim and Pat âEUR" set off on foot from DurrÃ's, Albania towards Istanbul, Turkey. Tracing the route of a Roman road, the Via Egnatia, they dedicate their endeavour to raising funds for refugee relief. Owing to a guidebook that overstates amenities, the trek becomes more challenging than expected. As they negotiate hurdles, test their endurance, and encounter human smugglers and feral dogs, an indomitable sense of humour, a personified GPS, and an imagined Roman legionnaire see them through daily adventures. The Via Egnatia holds over two thousand years of stories - of soldiers, merchants, farmers, refugees and travellers.  And this is a gripping one âEUR" two travellers (sometimes three?) meet both generous hospitality and surprising hostility with resilience, cold beer and hot coffee. Atlas in one hand and this book in the other - I was transported! Evelyn Gillespie, owner Laughing Oyster Bookshop, Comox Valley. Fun, funny, and endlessly thought-provoking, Kim Letson pulls no punches as she explores some of the bumpier corners of humanity, all while finding the time to celebrate lifeâEUR(TM)s small, simple pleasures. If you like the idea of lacing up your shoes to embark on a grand adventure from the comforts of your favourite reading chair, you couldnâEUR(TM)t pick a more capable guide than Letson. Brimming with passion for the road less travelled, Kim Letson has written a page-turner. Joshua Levy, CBC/QWF Writer in Residence 2018, winner of the CBC/QWF Fiction Prize, Prairie Fire Nonfiction Prize, CNFC/Carte Blanche Nonfiction Prize, Grain Fiction Prize, and SLS Nonfiction Prize, poet.  Kim Letson first presented her Via Egnatia journey in various draft forms to our writing group. Now, in this compelling book, we accompany her and Pat as they tramp through three Balkan states on their way to Turkey. Readers will learn about AlbaniaâEUR(TM)s concrete bunkers as the adventurers endure blisters, encounter poisonous vipers, vicious dogs, human traffickers and armed helicopters before finally relaxing in a steaming Istanbul hammam. Thank you, Kim, for including us on your intrepid walk. Janet Miller, past-president Comox Valley WriterâEUR(TM)s Society, author.

The Journey Continues ... Traversing Canada, rounding Cape Horn, riding the Patagonian Pampas and Mongolian wilds. From Greek Islands to North Cape, through Thailand or along the Silk Road, Letson's journeys reflect her curiosity and adventurous spirit. Readers meet characters imagined and real: ancestral ghosts, the author's intrepid parents, lighthouse keepers, an Auschwitz survivor, gauchos, Roma and nomads. Set within historic and literary contexts, Soul of a Nomad shares sixty-five years of journeys and revelations. Evocative descriptions nestle amongst hair-raising anecdotes, every page encouraging the reader to explore further. The English word nomad derives from the ancient Greek , referring to those who roam or wander in search of pasture for their livestock. Modern-day nomad, Kim Letson also searches - always seeking new vistas and fresh perspectives - on a lifelong journey that never fails to delight the reader. James Deutsch, George Washington University lecturer, folklorist, author. All lives are special, but some are more special than others. This delightful autobiography encompasses a life, a career and best of all, an exciting guide to those who are more interested in "otherness" than in exporting and expecting Canadian values when abroad. With boisterous good spirits and self-depreciating humour, Letson brings us with her to many of the world's "roads less travelled" and describes for us the good, the bad and the ugly. Rick Steeves, watch out! Chris Harker, safari guide, fellow adventurer, author. Soul of a Nomad takes us from the Yangykala Canyon of Turkmenistan to the Alaskan Coast and from Florence in Tuscany to Ushuaia in Patagonia. At every juncture, Letson reflects on the significance of place, time and those she encounters. She describes her diverse travels through the eyes of a child, a young soldier on a peace keeping mission and an intrepid retiree. Ever the cautious interloper as she considers her role as "Other" and "outsider," Letson is a keen observer of new ways, and new cultures. A highly recommended read for all observers of humanity and those with an interest in travel. Christine Dickinson, historian, author. Soul of a Nomad recounts a lifetime of exploration in remote corners of the world. Rich with sensory memories of the author's childhood in snowy Ontario and family sojourns in England, as well as glimpses of her close bond with her parents, this is the story of how one person grows into the habit and practice of adventure. Going out to meet the world requires courage, flexibility, and humility. Every encounter described by Letson reveals the dual nature of her learning: while other cultures always have much to teach her, the journey is also a mirror of her own self-discovery. This memoir is an interesting blend of many different genres, as Letson also weaves history into her accounts of different countries and regions. For the reader, the pleasure of following the author on her adventures is akin to watching a child grow up to be fearless and confident, full of delight in the mystery and varied beauty of the world. Margo McLoughlin, storyteller, teacher, author.

Journeying at Home and Away Pomegranates at 4800 Metres is a vibrant tapestry woven with themes of love, courage and generosity. Kim Letson‿s husband, Mike, surrounds her with his many gifts of love, including his courage in the face of death. At a freezing teahouse in the high Himalaya, Letson‿s porter presents her with a bowl of glowing red pomegranate seeds, as astonished silence spreads throughout the crowded room. At a beach house in Zanzibar, three little boys climb palm trees to bring her fresh coconuts, and their mother bakes a cake to be shared with them. In return for a handful of dates in the desert sands of Morocco, a gentle camel complies with her desires that he kneel. While kayaking in a storm off Vancouver Island, Letson‿s friend, Pat, demands she find the courage to “come in on a wave.â€? This becomes a metaphor as Letson learns acceptance from her Nepali guide, Tendi Sherpa, and navigates her way through loss, grief and transforms into an intrepid nomad. At times gut-wrenching, at times spellbinding, this heartfelt memoir is a powerful reminder of the heights to which curiosity, kindness and bravery can carry us. Bravo Kim! Bruce Kirkby, adventurer, author. Kim Letson‿s descriptions of the lands she journeys to and the people she encounters are vivid and evocative. She carries her readers with her, from the depths of her despair, through torrential West Coast rain, across the vast Serengeti, over Himalayan suspension bridges and into the Moroccan Sahara. Small of stature, she‿s tough enough to defy risk, endure pain and, most importantly, to grow in self-awareness and confidence.David Esson Young, ship‿s master, author.

Sometimes, one's most sincere thoughts and feelings can only be expressed in a letter to their mother. This is a moving story about a girl growing up in a Bulgarian orphanage told through intimate letters to her imaginary mother. The letters span years, recording a journey exploring friendship, loss, anorexia, and, most of all, dreams.

From the beloved author of 100 Boyfriends, a wrenching, sexy, and exhilaratingly energetic memoir in verse.

A short, powerful story from the Premio Strega-winning and internationally bestselling author of The Hummingbird

The story of the unorthodox and inspiring life and career of a pioneering biologist Scientist Rosemary Grant's journey in life has involved detours and sidesteps--not the shortest or the straightest of paths, but one that has led her to the top of evolutionary biology. In this engaging and moving book, Grant tells the story of her life and career--from her childhood love of nature in England's Lake District to an undergraduate education at the University of Edinburgh through a swerve to Canada and teaching, followed by marriage, children, a PhD at age forty-nine, and her life's work with Darwin's finches in the Galápagos islands. Grant's unorthodox career is one woman's solution to the problem of combining professional life as a field biologist with raising a family. Grant describes her youthful interest in fossils, which inspired her to imagine another world, distant yet connected in time--and which anticipated her later work in evolutionary biology. She and her husband, Peter Grant, visited the Galápagos archipelago annually for forty years, tracking the fates of the finches on the small, uninhabited island of Daphne Major. Their work has profoundly altered our understanding of how a group of eighteen species has diversified from a single ancestral species, demonstrating that evolution by natural selection can be observed and interpreted in an entirely natural environment. Grant's story shows the rewards of following a winding path and the joy of working closely with a partner, sharing ideas, disappointments, and successes.