Author Archives: paulefallon

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About paulefallon

Greetings reader. I am a writer, architect, cyclist and father from Cambridge, MA. My primary blog, theawkwardpose.com is an archive of all my published writing. The title refers to a sequence of three yoga positions that increase focus and build strength by shifting the body’s center of gravity. The objective is balance without stability. My writing addresses opposing tension in our world, and my attempt to find balance through understanding that opposition. During 2015-2106 I am cycling through all 48 mainland United States and asking the question "How will we live tomorrow?" That journey is chronicled in a dedicated blog, www.howwillwelivetomorrw.com, that includes personal writing related to my adventure as well as others' responses to my question. Thank you for visiting.

Nursing Our Children into Debt

Posted on 05/16/2012 by paulefallon

After two weeks of no TV or radio, my favorite pastime upon reentering the United States is to divine what ‘big story’ captivates the nation.  Will it be something inspiring like Occupy Wall Street or tedious, like Mitt Romney’s bully … Continue reading →

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Airplane Nightmare Averted

Posted on 05/12/2012 by paulefallon

One of the many arcane rules of American Airlines is that when you change your ticket in Haiti, they will not assign you a seat on your new flight.  Since I extended my recent stay by a week, I was … Continue reading →

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When I Grow Old I Want to be Like Pastor Beauvais

Posted on 05/07/2012 by paulefallon

Pastor Beauvais is a twig of a man.  Five feet tall and one hundred pounds, maybe; a 36’ belt would surely ring his waist twice.  In a country where the average life expectancy at birth is just over 62 (Index … Continue reading →

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Four Guys from La Gonave

Posted on 05/05/2012 by paulefallon

There’s a group of laborers that have taken to having English / Creole conversations with me.  We talk at lunch, but sometimes also at the end of the work day.  We use my Phrasebook as a starting point; pick a … Continue reading →

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Photo! Photo!

Posted on 05/03/2012 by paulefallon

As soon as I start down the hill after work a woman approaches in a bold black and white full length skirt, a patterned green blouse and a small tree with the root ball firm on her head.  She gives … Continue reading →

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Holding Hands

Posted on 05/01/2012 by paulefallon

As a politically correct American, the only place I ever touch someone in public is their right hand to my right hand.  There are rare exceptions. I might give my friends or my children a hug if we meet at … Continue reading →

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Bang It Out!

Posted on 04/30/2012 by paulefallon

The Haitian approach to work follows the dictum, “Work requires banging.” Most Haitians are remarkably strong, and much of the work site camaraderie is based on shared displays of physical prowess.  There is nothing praiseworthy in the carpenter who cuts … Continue reading →

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Twin Construction of Different Fathers

Posted on 04/28/2012 by paulefallon

I am spending more time at the Mission of Hope School site this trip to Haiti. The Be Like Brit orphanage is moving along very well; there is so much repetition now the crews need less supervision while some work … Continue reading →

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Rainy Season

Posted on 04/25/2012 by paulefallon

One aspect of spending time in Haiti every month for a year that particularly appealed to me was the opportunity to witness the country’s full cycle. The seasonal adjustments of a Caribbean nation are minor compared to those of New … Continue reading →

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Descent into Eerie Chaos

Posted on 04/24/2012 by paulefallon

The pilot of American Airlines Flight 1291 into Port au Prince made the craziest descent today.  He remained high in the air until the city came into view, then made two complete arcs, 720 degrees of centrifugal pull, to reach … Continue reading →

Posted in Haiti | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments