Capture the Flag
“I almost cut my hair. It happened just the other day.
It was gettin’ kinda long.
I guess I coulda said it was in my way.
But I didn’t and I wonder why.
I feel like lettin’ my freak flag fly.
And I feel, like I owe it to someone…”
–Almost Cut My Hair
Song by David Crosby
Performed by: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Album: Deja Vu
Atlantic Records: 1970
Ivar & the Salmon Flag
Ivar Haglund was a Seattle “character” — one of many produced by the rollicking and free minded perspective prevalent in the Northwest. He opened a clam chowder restaurant at the Puget Sound Ferry Terminal in 1938, which over fifty years grew into a chain of popular restaurants. The proceeds allowed Ivar for years to anonymously finance the city’s 4th of July Fireworks, and ultimately to buy Seattle’s iconic Lloyd C. Smith Tower and refurbish it to current architectural standards. His pride in this accomplishment led Ivar to “let his flag fly” in the form of a Japanese kite in the shape of a Sockeye Salmon. The City Fathers instantly declared this a Code Violation and levied a fine. Which Ivar happily and stoically paid — year after year. Classy guy, Ivar.
Ivar Haglund’s salmon windsock flying on Smith Tower, hoisted September 1977.
Photo courtesy Paul Dorpat
www.historylink.org
Recreational Display
We think a big part of life is the enjoyment inherent in “doing as one pleases” with clothing, personal appearance, choices of career, selection of automobiles, finding, furnishing and occupying dwellings, etc. As it turns out; Freedom is Fun! (And of course, more people should have it — but this isn’t a political column…) Ivar gave us an example of a man following his unique muse in his own unique (and perhaps silly) way. If Rags to benevolent and profitable Riches can be considered silly… When you get beyond mere survival, the goal becomes “To Thrive!” And that’s where personality, style, and grand gestures come in.
Low? or Lofty? Games, Teams & Flags
For the majority of people, life is still about survival. But for some — it gets to be more than that — and the quality of life lived in that lofty region can inform the rest of us with a sense of how things can be, could be; might be — If…
We suggest that starting with a lofty dream might be part of the secret. Dreamers have always been at the center of great American success stories. Kids begin by putting their initials on trees — an environmental no-no; but a definite part of many childhood experiences. It’s a better thing to put initials on your shirt. But what about raising the bar somewhat; to putting your initials on the building — “LCS Tower”, the company — “Hilton”, the town — “Astoria,” the Nation — “Turkey”?
Take it higher — to creating a flag for the enterprise, the team, the nation, the army, the division or the religion. The point here, is that people revel in symbology. Putting a symbol on the thing gives us something to “rally round,” a location to “gravitate to” and a place to “meet up!” As we “support our team,” remain “true to our school” or “let our freak flag fly,” we enjoy being a part of something lofty and larger than self. “Good Play! Well Hit!”, is a historical game phrase which communicates the best of spirited competition, team play and respect for the winning side which shows that the loser is willing to abide today’s momentary loss; until the game begins again (in earnest) next week… A model, perhaps, of how civilized people ought to conduct games…and life.
Or take it low — losing sight of the game.
We’ve reached a point where people physically fight about any provocation — sports, politics, getting the right sneakers, referring to a deity in the accepted way… Have we perhaps forgotten that these things — all of them are merely representations — simply symbols? Isn’t the point to recognize that “tolerance” is about not raising your hand when your flag is threatened?
To our way of thinking, fighting and killing over symbols is an example of when we’ve confused the symbol for the thing. (“The finger for the moon…”) The current political invective, and our corporate ethics indicate that we may have allowed the lofty, exciting, playful, ongoing enjoyment of competition to be supplanted by the deadly, dishonest and unethical, permanent destruction of the opposition. Maybe it’s time to turn things around?
Go ahead, let you “freak flag” fly. And even if you capture the other guy’s, be sure and return it to him clean and respectfully folded. Let the games begin! Give the rest of the world an example.
Applications:
1. Individually
Maybe it’s the hair, the bag, the bike, the car or the music on your iPod. But it’s yours! And that alone makes it valuable and special — just like everyone else’s. Enjoy your own statement of individual recreational display. And remember to take time out to enjoy everyone else as well.
2. At Home:
The challenge: Teaching the kids to go lofty — to reach for altitude. It’s easy for kids to get lost in destruction — putting bleach in the koi pond, detergent in the fountain, stealing a traffic sign. Surely youth is about making statements — but often at the expense of someone else’s property. (Nations do this too of course; much to our dismay…) Encourage your tribe to have their own unique and loftier symbols, (a Family Flag perhaps?) and to appreciate those of the family next door — or across town.
3. At Work:
It’s not a bad thing to become the best at something — to reach for the top. A little “Rational Self Regard” is good for the digestion. So compete hard and give your team a chance to “erect a flag” to honor their achievements from time to time. But keep the ethics in the achievement. Strive for more, higher, better, cleaner, more sustainable, more inclusive and watch the play of the game improve with altitude.
Create your dream. Put a flag on it; let it fly! And remember, if someone kicks dirt on it, you can take it to the laundry.
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