Parallel Approach Understanding

(Cont'd) Chapter 19
Sam and Simmy entered the Old Winery Inn Barn. Sam yawned a satisfying roar of contentment.
"What do you think happened on the set today, Sam?"
"That's the part of this evening that I'm really looking forward to. With this group you never know what kind of excitement is being stirred up. They're a blast!"
As Sam and Simmy approached the movie crew table, the conversation was heated.
"Richard," J.P. clipped, "have you ever asked a girl out?" J.P. raised his eyebrows to a cathedral ceiling point.
He looked up and spotting Sam and Simmy, just wave-motioned them to sit down. They hurried to sit down so that they wouldn't interrupt the conversation.
The 'Richard' in question, was a young man who had a movie perfect sculpted chin and Sam and Simmy knew instinctively that he was a cast member.
"Well?" J.P. was pushing for an answer. "Have you?"
Poor Richard looked like a rabbit trapped by a fox. This personal inquisition was hardly what he'd signed up for. He was supposed to play the part of J.P.'s father in the movie but he hadn't expected things to get so intimate. As the quiet around the table reached a deafening decibel with only the sound of ice cubes knocking against each other as drinks were studiously sipped, Calvin held his water glass up to the light to draw attention away from the tension at the table. "Wow! You should see what I see!" he gave his voice just the right amount of awe to capture and reroute the conversation at the table.
"What are you seeing, Calvin?" Sam was all for relieving the tension. He had come for some fun. Whatever was brewing needed some lightening.
"A prism," he angled his glass and held it up to the artificial light beam."
Everyone else at the table lifted their water glasses and held them up to the artificial light as well.
Lucy challenged, "I don't see anything!"
"Me neither," sided Ethel.
Calvin put down his glass and grinned at the spectacle of all his friends holding up their glasses and looking for the phenomenon.
Slowly, the attention focused on him and ice jangled as glasses were dropped onto the table in jaded suspicion.
Before the barrage started, he quickly explained, "When we were having our break this afternoon, in between scenes, I leaned back to relax and when I did, my water glass 'prism twinkled' and caught my eye. So, I sat back up and held it up to the sun and rotated it to find the best prism effect! You should know that the glass had a ridged grid inside it and that seemed to create the prism effect because I tried it with a smooth glass and it didn't work."
"So Einstein, what are your conclusions?" Don was mocking.
"Well, I tried turning the glass in every possible direction but I got the best prism effect when I turned my glass toward the cherry tree that has burst into a bright green leafy vision this week. The other trees are budding but this one is covered in leaves. For some reason, the prism effect was strongest with the tree in the background. With my lighting background it interested me," Calvin smiled.
J.P. was exasperated that he'd been duped into changing the subject so he was sulking.
Simmy joined the conversation. "Maybe it was the green leaf photons that worked together with your glass grid."
Calvin nodded, "That does seem to be the way it was working."
Simmy nodded, "All design proportion is built upon a mathematical sequence that is found in nature called the Fibonacci series. The first three numbers are 3, 5, and 8. Apparently, all leaves and natural creation have a veining that will follow that pattern. The series is infinitely expandable. You keep adding the last two numbers to get the next one."
"Sounds complicated!" Calvin expressed.
"Well, it's a little jewel of physics we can leave to the science buffs. So, how did things go on set today?"

Line Drawn Draughtsmanship

Chapter 18 (cont'd)
"So Simmy, what kind of parenting did you have?" J.P. had a forward frankness that just drew out the most candid responses from unsuspecting new acquaintances.
Simmy realized this was his backbone of success. You make the movie from the 'real.'
"What made you want to write, go to design school...?"
"When I was about ten years old, I was sitting at the kitchen table after dinner one night. My Dad was drawing a house plan with a pencil and a ruler and, I'm not even sure he was using drafting paper. He had no formal training at all. I was quietly watching him and he suddenly looked up and said, 'Would you like to draw like this?'
"I immediately responded with, 'No, that looks like something too perfect,' in my childlike diction. What I really meant was that it looked too finicky. He just chuckled and I remember asking him another question. He responded with, 'You think too much!' So," Simmy paused, " my father was difficult to understand because he seemed to encourage, occasionally, but then, just as quickly, stop what he started, cutting a conversation off with sharpness. Both my parents are oldest children, so they were quite driven by a perfectionism. Well, my Mom is actually the second child but the oldest is a son so, according to Lehman, they would both display tendencies of oldest children. I don't think I felt as much severity as some of my older siblings, growing up, because I'm the seventh child. But, having said that, I don't want you to get the impression that I was not affected by this perfectionist drive, because I very much was. 'I was asked to clean and vacuum the family car around the same age, I think. We lived in the country and our driveway was gravel, as well as all the roads that led to the city. As a family of ten, there were a lot of dusty feet that used the car. I vacuumed and cleaned for over two hours. I just couldn't get the gravel to stop jumping out of that da...ed carpeting. Finally, in desperation, I smoothed the carpet lightly with the hose and made it appear perfect. My Dad came along to inspect my work. He pushed his finger down hard on the carpet, " the men at the table groaned knowingly, 'crooked that finger and with a swift index condemnation, he revealed the sand buried in the bottom of that luxury car carpet. Then he said in a unapologetic clipped voice," Simmy adjusted her tone accordingly, 'That's not clean. Do it again!'"
No one spoke around the table. The respect could be felt but this group was driven by a artistic surgical compulsion that was needed to lance wounds of experience so as to slip into these shredded coats of pain, joy, triumph and transform those shreds into a completed work for the camera.
J.P. nodded. Is that your best story?
Simmy and Sam and everyone at the table relaxed into a 'the Kahuna's got kahunas' chuckle.
"That's my best known-ya-for-three-hours-already story," Simmy mildly mocked. "Does anyone draw the line for you J.P.?"

New Branch Method

Chapter 18 (cont'd)
Sam and Simmy went in search of the old, somewhat rusty, bicycles they had spotted propped against a shed earlier in the week.
"Do you think J.P. had a 'transformational' experience today, even a small one?" Simmy wasn't quite sure of the results of the whole kitchen method.
Sam was quiet for a moment, "I think J.P. will have a couple of experiences this week, yet, to help him determine, more definitively, if he has gained valuable insight from this experience. It'll likely come from those two actresses that have played a large part in providing some new thoughts on the subject of respect."
"Well, maybe he'll consider branching out a bit in his ideas of 'time-line.' He probably struggles with the re-writes versus staying on budget. That can't be an easy balancing act."
Sam replied, "We'll see what kind of action he experienced on set today. Dinner should be interesting if he tries to put any of his newly realized wisdom into practise." Sam chuckled. "It's a good thing his cast and crew like him so much. He's in a great learning environment. They all are, really! When everyone wants to learn, you're halfway there. All it takes then is a lot of practise to get it right, so to speak."
"Attitude! Attitude! Attitude! Such a great word when you're trying a new method!" Simmy punched the air in a self-encouraging cheer.
"Let's choose a relaxed attitude today, Sam. With these rickety old bikes, our new method better be a forgiving and patient one." Sam and Simmy laughed as they rode their bikes, feeling the wobble of bent rims coaxing a bit of humor into their day."

Unconventional Means of Learning- "Bowls of Knowledge"

Chapter 18 (still in the kitchen)


Holding the salt shaker up to the light, J.P. examined the glass for finger prints. "I think I'm getting the lesson here," J.P.'s tone sounded weak. "Does it bother either of you if the salt shaker is covered in greasy finger prints when you sit down at a restaurant?"
It appeared J.P. was struggling, momentarily, to apply his filming knowledge to the work at hand. Simmy, undaunted, asked, "... probably as much as a finger print on a camera lens would bother you."
That comment catapulted J.P. back into the conversation with a flash of connective understanding.
"Where did you say you were educated, Simmy?" Again, a small chuckle emitted from the petite blonde, followed by, "Educated? Well, I wasn't educated, per se. I paid for the privilege of learning in a higher education programme that was written, originally, by an interior designer who resided in England."
"If you studied in England, then when did you come to Canada?" J.P. looked confused.
"Oh dear, this is getting confusing. Let me try again! I applied to a distance education (unconventional means of learning) diploma course that was written in England, but I had the option of sending my tests to either the U.K. or the U.S.of A. Those two super powers had a hand-holding relationship in this little experimental endeavor."
J.P. looked a little nonplussed. "So, which country do you consider yourself educated in?"
"Ha,ha, ha, I have never had that question posed to me! I don't think I can answer that! I can tell you that, as Canadians we're still connected to the Crown. I did find most of the study material in the public library."
"So... your classroom was???" J.P. queried with raised eyebrows.
Sam spoke up suddenly as the dishwasher burst a steam cloud into the air, "I would say that her classroom was, first, the 'hands-on' construction projects that Simmy and I did together for fifteen years before she even applied for any formal education. Then, when she did proceed to get some accreditation, she already had a solid foundation of experiential knowledge."
"Which," Simmy jumped in, "is the learning map that Thomas diagrams in his book. Because learning is individual, influenced by other people, a response to stimuli, lifelong, irreversible (you can't 'unknow' something),... it takes t...i...m...e," Simmy groaned out the word. "You also cannot coerce learning, J.P. Take this little kitchen scene we're all in today. Were you forced to make breakfast for everyone?"
"Oh no, I volunteered, believe me." J.P.'s face expressed a getting-myself-out-of-a-pinch misery. "One little offhand comment to my actresses got me quick retribution so I wanted to prove to them that I wasn't a high brow snob who couldn't do anything except rap out orders." Suddenly, J.P. had another insightful flash and he spoke with a grunt of chagrin, "I really want to thank you two for rescuing me. It appears that my wanting to teach them a lesson, provided me with the opportunity to be the student, again. I wanted to earn their respect so the film would have the best opportunity for success. I really want to make my parents proud, even at my age," J.P. confessed, somewhat surprised by his own words.
"This kitchen has served up an unconventional means of learning today. Hasn't it, Sam? J.P., here's one more tidbit of wooden spoon knowledge for you. You can use it in your film, if you wish. My mother had a grade school education and I've learned one of my biggest lessons from her," Simmy offered.
J.P. paused and waited, knowing this cypher was about to enter his script.
Simmy continued, "Every Christmas all the women would get a beautiful bowl or serving spoon. Oh, how we oohed and ahhed as we admired the beauty of our gifts. One day I suddenly realized... bowls, spoons, ohhh... serving tools. My Mother had been preaching with her gifts for years. We just didn't figure it out, she had such good taste in her delivery."
"What did the men receive?" J.P. suddenly wondered.
"Construction tools," Simmy grinned.
"Would the two of you like to join our cast/crew dinner tonight? I insist that you accept my dinner invitation," he spoke with his more normal authority.
"We'd be delighted! Right, Sam?"

Learning from Unexpected Places

Chapter 18
The odd trio of Sam, Simmy, and the Jewish Producer entered the 'Old Winery Inn' kitchen.
The Jewish Producer halted as he entered the room.
Sam chuckled, "What's the matter, my friend, is this room a little intimidating? Have you been in a kitchen before?"
J.P. scoffed, "Of course I have! My mother used to serve dinner at a kitchen table in my youth,... every evening."
Simmy speculated at the historical reference.
"Wasn't it good of the innkeeper to clear all the tables and put the dishes in the kitchen for us?" Simmy watched J.P.'s face to see if he even realized that some of the work had already been done for him.
By the furrowed eyebrows, she guessed, mmm, no.
"Well, J.P., this is our social domain of learning today- the kitchen." Simmy was formulating her metropolitan experiment. "The author of 'Beyond Education' says that he witnessed the emergence of learning in unexpected places." Simmy chuckled, "I'd say this is a great example of an 'unexpected place' of learning." Simmy continued, "He also states that the learning was brought about by unconventional means, and produced unconventional results!"
J.P. was fumbling about, trying to decide what to organize first. Sam was already loading a tray of dishes and was about to put them into the dishwasher. "Hey Sam, have you found the bar cloths? Simmy queried. Sam paused and reached up onto the wire rack shelving and tossed a clean cloth to Simmy, who dampened it, wrung it out, and handed it to J.P. "Would you like to wipe down all the salt and pepper shakers? We'll call this the unconventional means of learning."
J.P. looked relieved to be given some direction. He quipped lightly, "I guess my leading lady and her sidekick really knew what they were doing when they set this little scene."
Simmy offered, "I don't think they planned for you to have any help. It' s a good thing you're so adept at adapting."
"So, what will be the unexpected results from this little experiment?" J.P. queried.
Simmy chuckled, "That's the unexpected part. We never know until the ripples start moving, like a pebble dropped into a lake. Thomas states that one of the characteristics of learning that seems most important in social happenings is action. J.P., that is a word you are most familiar with. What do you think about that?"
J.P. snorted derision and responded quickly, "Do you have any idea how much work has gone into a scene before I can yell, "Action!?"
Sam and Simmy gently smiled and continued cleaning, "Yes, J.P., as a writer and much more importantly, a mother, I think I do know a thing or two about the amount of work that goes into the development of a scene before it is ready to be recorded, chronicled, filmed... pick your art."

Metropolitan Experiment

Chapter 17 (cont'd)
Simmy was humming a tune as she washed the pancake syrup off her hands in the..."very chic bathroom," she mused. "And aren't these little flowers just the perfect voile for their granite foundation. Mmm, appears good things grow on a solid foundation."
"Hmm Hmm, La la la, la la la la, hmmm...
As she left the bathroom, Simmy was feeling sunshiny happy. She noticed that the Barn had really emptied out and Sam was,...Oh,... Sam was talking to the Jewish Producer!" Simmy took a moment to digest this, then she walked to the table to join them.
Sam looked up as she neared the table and held out his hand to mime an introduction. "J.P., this is my wife, Simmy. Simmy, meet J.P. With a swift movement, J.P. got up in old-fashioned form, creating a sensation of stepping back in time to a more genteel age.
Simmy reached for the hand proffered by J.P. and a 'measure of the man' imprint followed.
"Wonderful to meet you, Simmy. Sam and I are discussing the differences between education and learning. He says you wrote about this in an essay for London Metropolitan University?"
"Well, I don't remember if I wrote some of the concepts into an essay or if I just journaled all the information."
J.P., Simmy and Sam all sit down.
J.P. continued, "We're discussing a book called 'Beyond Education.' Sam said you've read the book and found it to be a good depiction of the course you took through London Metropolitan. Can you give me a synopsis?"
Sam and Simmy both burst into laughter. J.P. looks confused,"Did I say something funny?"
Sam quickly responds, "A synopsis may take a couple of hours for Simmy. Do you have the time?" There was a warning twinkle in Sam's eyes.
J.P. was quick to catch the single raised eyebrow inference. "Would you two be willing to help me with the kitchen clean-up? I think I've been abandoned!" There was a hopeful and unabashed tactic of ambush in J.P.'s swift reply.
This time Simmy laughed, "Is this how you meet your budget and deadlines? You see the opportunity to get two things accomplished in one time frame!"
J.P. tried to blush but the shrug of his shoulders and a lifetime of getting what he wanted made the attempt clownish at best. "Well, I am Jewish!"
"Sam, do we help this poor man clean up the kitchen?" Simmy queried.
"That's the sideline," J.P. tossed his hook. "We get to have a conversation, a sharing of ideas that we all get to use in our spheres of influence to develop a better plot leading to a better scene leading to..."
"Hey, hold that thought, J.P. That is exactly what this book is about. The kitchen will be the environment of learning for all of us today. Ooh, this is exciting! I've usually been the one who's been abandoned in there. Finally, I have two students and a classroom," Simmy started toward the kitchen as Sam and J.P. trailed along. Suddenly she stopped and swept her hand out in royal fashion, "After you, teachers!"
"Teachers? Sam and J.P. looked confused. I thought you were the teacher and we the students."
"Oh ho, we shall all be switching roles in a natural rhythm of teacher to student, student to teacher. You two are just unaware of how it is always happening in life, in every sphere of social learning leading to educated possibilities," Simmy trilled.
"I think she knows too much," suggested J.P.
"Try living with her," grumbled Sam.