Several friends have commented in emails that they've meant to check out my updates in my blog but haven't. . . oh well, they haven't missed a thing.
I DO want to update this thing. . . and work on the new blog that I've created but haven't written in yet. It's about life as a PhD attending community college. When I finally start it, I'll post the URL.
More to come.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
I've never laughed so hard
On MSNBC, Joe Watkins, a GOP strategist, explained the perils of letting "one of the most gifted speakers that the world has ever seen" speak to impressionable children.
What if next time, he asked, the president made a strong argument to kids [on a controversial topic]. . .
(from Maureen Dowd's editorial, "Less Spocky, more Rocky")
Good grief. Who comes up with this crap? Why is it the Dems and the GOP are so violently opposed to each other that they can't even pretend to get along? Why would anyone in their right mind oppose the President giving a back-to-school speech to schoolkids?
Would a president really be DUMB enough to think he could get away with injecting political malarkey in the middle of such a speech? Okay, maybe g-dub would've allowed such a thing, but most presidents have been smarter than that.
Of course, another outrageous Republican faux pas happened during the President's talk on health care reform the other night. "You lie!" Sen. Joe Wilson (R-SC) yelled. It's not fair to lump all Republicans into Wilson's category of idiotic, disrespectful people who ought to know better, but he definitely gave Republicans a black eye.
What we say among friends is one thing. . . Heaven knows I've bad-mouthed g-dub enough. But he was the President, and I do believe the office (and therefore the officeholder) deserves respect, at least in public arenas whether I like them or not.
What if next time, he asked, the president made a strong argument to kids [on a controversial topic]. . .
(from Maureen Dowd's editorial, "Less Spocky, more Rocky")
Good grief. Who comes up with this crap? Why is it the Dems and the GOP are so violently opposed to each other that they can't even pretend to get along? Why would anyone in their right mind oppose the President giving a back-to-school speech to schoolkids?
Would a president really be DUMB enough to think he could get away with injecting political malarkey in the middle of such a speech? Okay, maybe g-dub would've allowed such a thing, but most presidents have been smarter than that.
Of course, another outrageous Republican faux pas happened during the President's talk on health care reform the other night. "You lie!" Sen. Joe Wilson (R-SC) yelled. It's not fair to lump all Republicans into Wilson's category of idiotic, disrespectful people who ought to know better, but he definitely gave Republicans a black eye.
What we say among friends is one thing. . . Heaven knows I've bad-mouthed g-dub enough. But he was the President, and I do believe the office (and therefore the officeholder) deserves respect, at least in public arenas whether I like them or not.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Alive and well
I'm alive and well, back from the road trip to New Mexico, and I think I'm going to start writing again soon.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Visited states
And here are the US states I've visited. . . or at least driven through.
visited 43 states (86%)
Create your own visited map of The United States.
visited 43 states (86%)
Create your own visited map of The United States.
Visited countries
The number of countries I've visited has gone up very little in my two years in Europe. I can only add Iraq and Ireland, the latter being the favored location, of course!
visited 33 states (14.6%)
Create your own visited map of The World.
visited 33 states (14.6%)
Create your own visited map of The World.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Spoils of war again
I walked into work Tuesday morning and saw a soldier walking down the hall in his "Class B" uniform, a more formal uniform than we see around here. Like the only time we see anyone in this uniform is when a soldier has died, because the casualty assistance officer is required to wear it. I immediately thought, "Uh oh. Class B's. I hope no one died."
I went to the base staff meeting a couple of hours later, and the garrison (base) commander said at the very beginning that in case people weren't aware, we'd had a casualty downrange about 24 hours before. "And we need to do everything we can to help Nickayla through this very sad time," he said.
"Nickayla!" I thought. Oh no. Nickayla Myers-Garner is the company commander's wife, probably in her late 20s, smart, funny, energetic. I know her from a number of activities on post -- book club, spouses' club, family readiness group. I don't run in her circles, but from what I know, she is widely known and loved.
It's a tragedy when any soldier dies downrange, but it hits harder when you know a family member. I just met Captain Mark Garner once -- the day I went over to brief his unit before they deployed around January or February. But I've come into contact with Nickayla numerous times over the last two years. I can't begin to imagine what she's going through now that she has lost Mark.
I went to the base staff meeting a couple of hours later, and the garrison (base) commander said at the very beginning that in case people weren't aware, we'd had a casualty downrange about 24 hours before. "And we need to do everything we can to help Nickayla through this very sad time," he said.
"Nickayla!" I thought. Oh no. Nickayla Myers-Garner is the company commander's wife, probably in her late 20s, smart, funny, energetic. I know her from a number of activities on post -- book club, spouses' club, family readiness group. I don't run in her circles, but from what I know, she is widely known and loved.
It's a tragedy when any soldier dies downrange, but it hits harder when you know a family member. I just met Captain Mark Garner once -- the day I went over to brief his unit before they deployed around January or February. But I've come into contact with Nickayla numerous times over the last two years. I can't begin to imagine what she's going through now that she has lost Mark.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Irish flicks
I watched The Field and The Wind That Shakes the Barley this week. Both are heavy but incredibly moving films.
The Field is about an Irish farmer, Bull McCabe, who goes to great lengths to keep the rented field that his family brought up from stone and has farmed for generations. You'll experience McCabe's pain, pride and passion for the land. It's gut-wrenching at times.
The New York Times review of this 1990 movie is not completely complimentary, but the movie is definitely worth watching. Many rate it as a top Irish film.
If you don't know much or anything about the Black and Tan (English soldiers in Ireland), The Wind That Shakes the Barley will firmly place them in a negative light. It will also show you just how complex Ireland's fight for independence was, and how, like our own civil war, it eventually pitted friend against friend and brother against brother.
This was a painful film to watch. I'd originally intended to watch half late last night and the rest tonight. However, I clung to every last word until the credits rolled. Gripping.
This 2006 movie won the Palme d'Or at Cannes and set a record for highest-grossing Irish indie film ever (per Wikipedia).
Side note about Black and Tan: There's a drink in the UK called a Black and Tan. It's half dark beer and half light beer. If you try to order this in Ireland, you may be refused or you may be told it's called a "half and half" there. It goes back to the history of the Black and Tan soldiers in Ireland. When you see The Wind That Shakes the Barley, you'll understand.
The Field is about an Irish farmer, Bull McCabe, who goes to great lengths to keep the rented field that his family brought up from stone and has farmed for generations. You'll experience McCabe's pain, pride and passion for the land. It's gut-wrenching at times.
The New York Times review of this 1990 movie is not completely complimentary, but the movie is definitely worth watching. Many rate it as a top Irish film.
If you don't know much or anything about the Black and Tan (English soldiers in Ireland), The Wind That Shakes the Barley will firmly place them in a negative light. It will also show you just how complex Ireland's fight for independence was, and how, like our own civil war, it eventually pitted friend against friend and brother against brother.
This was a painful film to watch. I'd originally intended to watch half late last night and the rest tonight. However, I clung to every last word until the credits rolled. Gripping.
This 2006 movie won the Palme d'Or at Cannes and set a record for highest-grossing Irish indie film ever (per Wikipedia).
Side note about Black and Tan: There's a drink in the UK called a Black and Tan. It's half dark beer and half light beer. If you try to order this in Ireland, you may be refused or you may be told it's called a "half and half" there. It goes back to the history of the Black and Tan soldiers in Ireland. When you see The Wind That Shakes the Barley, you'll understand.
Friday, June 12, 2009
The Gallarus Oratory
A little copy of a painting of Gallarus Oratory that I bought in a gallery in Dingle. See the real thang a few posts down under Spiritual Ireland.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Ireland again
Photo: I'm shooting into a glass window of a tomb to the glass window on the other side of it. The crosses, grass and I are part of the reflection.
Finally, a better summary of the trip:
I flew into Shannon on 3 May. The last time I was there was the 4th or 5th of July, 2008, for a stopover on the way to Iraq. This time around was much more fun.
On the way to Bunratty Heights B&B in the taxi, we passed my friend Reba and her friends who were walking back to their B&B (Ashgrove House, which was two doors down from mine). All 21 of us on the tour were staying at three B&B's right in a row, and we all arrived on May 3 or 4.
I ran back to say hello to Reba and meet the others. This group included two of Reba's friends from Scotland who were ending their honeymoon here. We agreed to meet in the morning to walk to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park.
Now, I'm not going to give you a play-by-play of every single minute of the trip. How boring. But I wanted you to see that from the beginning, I was in the company of friends.
The next morning I had breakfast in my B&B with Katie, another tour member, and we had a great chat while enjoying our first "full Irish," the traditional Irish breakfast with sausage, bacon, fried eggs, and soda bread. Uh oh! I thought I was going to lose weight on this trip due to unappealing food, but I was wrong.
Anyway, Katie and I met about 10 others that morning for the Bunratty Castle walk, then we all had a very late lunch at Durty Nellie's pub. That's the place where I saw the American Red Cross patch hanging on the wall! We shopped then met for dinner a couple of hours later at JP Clarke's, and we ended up with 17 of the 21 tour members. We had all emailed and sent photos to the group, so some were just recognized as they walked in the door to the restaurant. What a perfect first day, and the tour hadn't even started yet.
The tour bus picked us all up the next morning about 9:30, and we were off toward Skibbereen, down south in County Cork. We were advised to switch to Murphy's beer down there as one shouldn't drink Murphy's anywhere except County Cork. We gladly complied.
On the way to Skib, we stopped in Adare for a quick walk to a nearby park for an introductory session. We told each other a bit about ourselves and how we ended up on the trip. Reba, who had been on a johnsmith tour before, knew 8 others of us. Three of us (including me) were on the trip specifically because of Reba.
John Smith (American singer-songwriter leading the tour), Tom Pigott (Irish tour guide) and Paddy Downes (bus driver) also introduced themselves. It was sheer magic the way the three of them ended up together doing these tours, and each of them added an integral part -- not just by job function but personality as well. I can't say enough about these guys.
So we headed on down to Skibbereen and spent three nights there in the West Cork Hotel. Then we went on to Ballyferriter, near Dingle on the Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry, for another three nights. Our final three nights were spent in Doolin, County Clare.
I said in a previous post that we had live music every night. It was part of the tour package. And we didn't leave the hotel each morning until 10 a.m., so we had time to relax, enjoy the music, stay up late, sleep in, whatever we wanted. The tour was run rather democratically, so that if we really wanted more time in one place or less time in another, we could ask for it.
John's an outdoorsy kind of guy, so we spent a lot of time outdoors -- minor hiking, walking along the beach or a trail on a cliff's edge. I think we only went into two indoor museums -- the Blasket Island Heritage Centre and the Skibbereen Heritage Centre, which focused mostly on the famine.
We had talks by several local experts -- Padrig at Charles Fort, Danny on the beach walk in Ballyferriter, PJ Curtis at an ancient church near the Burren, and Terri at Skibbereen Cultural Centre, who talked to us about the famine. We certainly got more out of those talks than we would've just looking around at the sites and reading something.
We also went to the Drombeg Stone Circle, the Gallarus Oratory (see photos in previous post), by boat to Inis Oirr (one of the Aran Islands by Doolin) and the Cliffs of Moher, and a boat ride around the Blasket Islands and Cathedral Rock. We also went to Mizen Head, the southwesternmost point of Ireland and other places, too.
The hotels were wonderful, and I was able to take long, hot baths after coming in from a cold day when I wanted. (This is significant because I don't have a tub in Germany and miss having one.)
The food was excellent -- the pubs had some of the best -- from the full Irish each morning to your basic grilled sandwich special (which was always cheese, tomato, and sometimes onion), fish and chips and smoked salmon. And at lunch and dinner there was typically Guinness, Murphy's, Bulmer's hard cider (apple) or Bulmer's Pear.
The music was excellent, too. John played sparingly -- but he played at the stone circle, at a beach, and then he'd play a few songs here and there when we were at pubs and he was invited to join in. We heard a lot of mostly Irish musicians at places like McDermott's Pub, McGann's Pub, deBarra's Folk Club, John Benny's Pub, and the list goes on.
I've gone on quite enough about the tour. One of the most important elements that I haven't said much about was the people in the group!
I was worried about it before I went -- worried because I don't like traveling in groups and was worried that some of the people would be obnoxious or that I simply couldn't stand being with that many people for that long.
But it was an amazing group of people from MD, IA, WI, TX and FL. Everyone got along and was there for the music as well as the sights. Everyone had fun. Everyone was friendly. I had plenty of time to socialize but also the space to have the alone-time I always crave.
On the last night, we had a dinner in a private room in a restaurant. Then we all sat in a large circle in another private room. John played a few songs. Katie played a song. Tom sang a song. Several of us sang or spoke our made-up verses to Good Night, Irene. Then we went around the room and one-by-one, we talked about our favorite part of the trip, what we liked about it, whatever we wanted to share. I never imagined that I'd actually get teary eyed.
When I travel, I'm certainly not used to having my day planned or to having someone take me everywhere. . . it was kind of nice to be so spoiled with such a great group of people. I don't think I'll ever have another tour experience like this one. And Ireland calls me back even as I write this.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
The Journey
One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice --
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do --
determined to save
the only life you could save.
~ Mary Oliver ~
I found this poem via something I read by Tom Prasada-Rao, a singer-songwriter I know and like. The poem is on a Web site of modern poetry that I plan to explore soon.
Spiritual Ireland
Drombeg Stone Circle.
Dating back to pre-Christian times, possibly built by Druids (ancient priests).
In pathway leading to altar at St. Brigid's Well, County Clare.
The water from St. Brigid's well is supposed to be healing. People have populated this interior pathway with momentos of loved ones.
The Gallarus Oratory.
Built around 7th or 8th century, possibly by monks. It was built with local stones, and no mortar was used. This was a place of worship and celebration.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Some of the music
John Smith, the host of our tour, singing at the Drombeg Stone Circle. John had come down with a cold the day before and didn't go out with us that day. He'd gone to the doctor and rested all day. On the next day, he couldn't resist playing at the stone circle, even though his voice was still scratchy and it was colllldddd!
We had live music every single night. Most of it was Irish traditional music, but occasionally there'd be some contemporary stuff thrown in. On most nights, the musicians would ask if anyone in the audience wanted to join in -- or they would know John and Tom and ask them if they wanted to do a song or two. Things were pretty relaxed, more like song circles than shows. On this night we were at John Benny's Pub in Dingle, and the musicians rotated around all night.
At John Benny's -- John Smith there in the middle.
Katie Gosnell was a singer-songwriter who was on the tour with us. She's just starting her music career and still has a day job in Austin, but everyone agreed that she has a lot of potential.
Tom Pigott, our Irish tour guide, had a gorgeous voice and sang a cappella -- mostly traditional Irish songs. Everyone loved his version of "Goodnight, Irene."
John again playing with Eilis Kennedy.
More views of Ireland
Me at Ladies' View, an overlook on the road between Counties Cork and Kerry.
Ladies' View again.
Tumultuous ocean. It had only been somewhat windy when we got there, then a storm blew in in what seemed like minutes. We had to high-tail it back to the bus. This was probably the worst weather we encountered.
Scene on the Dingle Peninsula near Ballyferriter, where we stayed for three nights.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Mizen Head - Southernmost point of Ireland
When in Cork, one must drink Murphy's.
From the start of the walk looking down to the signal station. One must cross a bridge over a deep gorge to get there.
The bridge over the gorge.
Looking down from the bridge.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Ireland
Just a quick note to say that I got back from Ireland about 9:30 Thursday night. It was an amazing, wonderful, nearly religious experience.
johnsmith (the American singer-songwriter who leads the tours), Tom (Irish tour guide) and Paddy (Irish bus driver) were so great to be with. And the other 20 folks on the tour were fun, easy-going, low maintenance. . . It just could NOT have been a better combination of people and circumstances.
We had good weather for Ireland. It was cold and windy much of the time, but it only sprinkled a few times. We could've had pouring rain the entire time, so we felt very lucky.
We saw beautiful sights, stayed in nice locally owned hotels, ate very well (I thought I'd lose weight on this trip!), drank some (Guinness and Bulmer's Pear, which is a hard cider). . . no complaints.
More soon, with photos. I'm house- and cat-sitting in Regensburg again while friend Leslie is in the US for a week. Time to chill!
johnsmith (the American singer-songwriter who leads the tours), Tom (Irish tour guide) and Paddy (Irish bus driver) were so great to be with. And the other 20 folks on the tour were fun, easy-going, low maintenance. . . It just could NOT have been a better combination of people and circumstances.
We had good weather for Ireland. It was cold and windy much of the time, but it only sprinkled a few times. We could've had pouring rain the entire time, so we felt very lucky.
We saw beautiful sights, stayed in nice locally owned hotels, ate very well (I thought I'd lose weight on this trip!), drank some (Guinness and Bulmer's Pear, which is a hard cider). . . no complaints.
More soon, with photos. I'm house- and cat-sitting in Regensburg again while friend Leslie is in the US for a week. Time to chill!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Stand by Me
A friend sent this link for a short music video to me a couple of days back and mentioned the power of music.
Be sure to give it a watch; you'll be glad you did.
And speaking of music, I leave for Ireland on Sunday and am looking forward to the good music I'm going to hear, as well as the friends to hang with, sights to see, people to meet, and office to be away from!
Be sure to give it a watch; you'll be glad you did.
And speaking of music, I leave for Ireland on Sunday and am looking forward to the good music I'm going to hear, as well as the friends to hang with, sights to see, people to meet, and office to be away from!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Achmed the Dead Terrorist
Have you seen Achmed the Dead Terrorist? A friend introduced me to him the other night, and I had to share.
I don't remember how to put the little YouTube link here, the one with the thumbnail, so I just put the actual link.
I don't remember how to put the little YouTube link here, the one with the thumbnail, so I just put the actual link.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
I house- and cat-sat in Regensburg last Monday through Sunday while friend Leslie was in Greece. I took Friday off of work so I could enjoy a long weekend there.
Looking at the Altstadt (old city) and the 850-year-old Dom (St. Peter's cathedral) from across the Danube.
The long weekend:
Thursday evening -- dinner with Brandi at the Thai place. (Brandi's one of the women in my Stammtisch, Thursday dinner group, and she's the one who is expecting in May.)
Friday - hung out inside all day -- slept late, enjoyed coffee, answered emails, watched a movie, read. Left at 5 p.m. and walked around the city for two hours.
Saturday - coffee, shopping, and late sushi lunch with Debi, another Stammtisch friend.
Saturday evening - tasty trout dinner at Fontana with Charlie, Phyllis and Dan, then to Mass at the Dom with them. No, I'm not Catholic. But the Easter Mass is special, officiated by the bishop and accented by the Sparrows, the boys choir. More on Mass soon. Dan and I only lasted two of the three hours -- it was too cold in there.
Sunday morning - A long walk through the Altstadt on Good Friday and Easter morning with my camera yielded a bunch of photos, including these. . .
The windows of stores in downtown Regensburg, as with many cities, are miniature works of art.
Interesting buildings abound.
Morning coffee. . . and afternoon coffee. . . and evening coffee. . . are a way of life in Europe.
Looking at the Altstadt (old city) and the 850-year-old Dom (St. Peter's cathedral) from across the Danube.The long weekend:
Thursday evening -- dinner with Brandi at the Thai place. (Brandi's one of the women in my Stammtisch, Thursday dinner group, and she's the one who is expecting in May.)
Friday - hung out inside all day -- slept late, enjoyed coffee, answered emails, watched a movie, read. Left at 5 p.m. and walked around the city for two hours.
Saturday - coffee, shopping, and late sushi lunch with Debi, another Stammtisch friend.
Saturday evening - tasty trout dinner at Fontana with Charlie, Phyllis and Dan, then to Mass at the Dom with them. No, I'm not Catholic. But the Easter Mass is special, officiated by the bishop and accented by the Sparrows, the boys choir. More on Mass soon. Dan and I only lasted two of the three hours -- it was too cold in there.
Sunday morning - A long walk through the Altstadt on Good Friday and Easter morning with my camera yielded a bunch of photos, including these. . .
The windows of stores in downtown Regensburg, as with many cities, are miniature works of art.
Interesting buildings abound.
Morning coffee. . . and afternoon coffee. . . and evening coffee. . . are a way of life in Europe.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Easter in Germany
Here's one Easter tradition -- a well decorated with pine boughs and eggs -- at least in Bavaria. The well has water, traditionally the life-giving force.
I'll write about my Easter experiences soon.
Gifts for baby
These are the baby gifts I bought at the Easter market last weekend, plus soap for the mom-to-be. Nothing fancy, but hand made. The baby's due mid-May.
About the soap: sheep's milk, cinnamon & apple, and lemongrass.
About the soap: sheep's milk, cinnamon & apple, and lemongrass.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Monday night and all is well
Friend Leslie went to Greece for the week. She's a teacher, and this is her spring break, lucky thing! I'm house- and cat-sitting again in her lovely apartment in Regensburg.
I was supposed to come over tonight as my first night. However, I got a frantic call last night about 10 p.m. saying she'd locked herself out of her apartment and could I come over to let her in? I had the only other spare key.
She lives next to an assisted living facility that is managed by the same landlord as her place, and the facility has a spare key. However, she rang the bell repeatedly, and no one ever responded. Poor thing. Luckily she has a friend who lives nearby, and she was able to go to his place to call me.
I know she felt guilty calling so late, but she had no choice. She was due to get the train to Munich at 6:30 a.m. and still had packing to do so she couldn't just stay at the friend's and get into the apt this morning.
I got here about 11 p.m., very cranky because I knew I wouldn't get enough sleep. I was in bed by 11:20 and up by 5:30 to drive back to Hohenfels to shower and get ready for my 7:30 work time. UGH.
Despite my crankiness, I was glad I could help. And so what if I lost a little sleep? I'm staying in a beautiful place. I cooked a nice dinner. I'm about to go take a bath now -- one of the luxuries of staying here -- then on to bed. Life is good.
I was supposed to come over tonight as my first night. However, I got a frantic call last night about 10 p.m. saying she'd locked herself out of her apartment and could I come over to let her in? I had the only other spare key.
She lives next to an assisted living facility that is managed by the same landlord as her place, and the facility has a spare key. However, she rang the bell repeatedly, and no one ever responded. Poor thing. Luckily she has a friend who lives nearby, and she was able to go to his place to call me.
I know she felt guilty calling so late, but she had no choice. She was due to get the train to Munich at 6:30 a.m. and still had packing to do so she couldn't just stay at the friend's and get into the apt this morning.
I got here about 11 p.m., very cranky because I knew I wouldn't get enough sleep. I was in bed by 11:20 and up by 5:30 to drive back to Hohenfels to shower and get ready for my 7:30 work time. UGH.
Despite my crankiness, I was glad I could help. And so what if I lost a little sleep? I'm staying in a beautiful place. I cooked a nice dinner. I'm about to go take a bath now -- one of the luxuries of staying here -- then on to bed. Life is good.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Trip to the Easter Market
Just as it has Christmas markets, Germany has Easter markets. I wasn't aware of them when I lived in Germany before, so I don't know if they existed then or not.
Today I drove over to Neumarkt, a town about 30 minutes away, that was having an Easter market.
Part of the market was outdoors, where the town usually hosts flea markets (Flohmarkts). That part of the market was completely unimpressive -- cheap clothes, jewelry, kitchen stuff, plus some food and plant stalls.
Inside was better -- this was a crafts market, which probably had 50-60 booths. These featured things ranging from cheesy and somewhat amateurish to pretty nice stuff, just as you'd find in a crafts market Stateside.
The booths featured decorated Easter eggs (see photo), hand-cut wooden ornaments with spring motifs, jewelry, hand-knit items such as socks and gloves, some ceramics, and other decor.
I bought some eggs for friends, plus a couple of things that will go into a baby gift.
I then drove to downtown Neumarkt to do a little shopping. German stores aren't normally open on Sundays, but they had a special shopping day to go along with the Easter market. The streets were packed with people out for a stroll, sitting in the many outdoor cafes, and shopping. It was a relaxing day out.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Museum attendance is up
After reading my recent post from Boston Legal, friend Jonathan sent a link for an article in the Silicon Valley Mercury News, which says that more Americans than ever are going to museums. Here's an excerpt:
The museum industry, driven by art museums seeking better venues, experienced a national building boom in the late 1990s and the first half of this decade, said Bell, the museum association president.
He said new destination attractions, such as the popular new California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, often include more and better shopping and dining facilities than museums of the past, enhancements that Bell said are helping to boost museum bottom lines.
"People love museums, and if you enhance that experience a little bit and make it fun and make it affordable, they will come," Bell said. That hasn't changed with the recession. "Right now in the down economy, we're hearing about uniformly record attendance rates," he said.
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The museum industry, driven by art museums seeking better venues, experienced a national building boom in the late 1990s and the first half of this decade, said Bell, the museum association president.
He said new destination attractions, such as the popular new California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, often include more and better shopping and dining facilities than museums of the past, enhancements that Bell said are helping to boost museum bottom lines.
"People love museums, and if you enhance that experience a little bit and make it fun and make it affordable, they will come," Bell said. That hasn't changed with the recession. "Right now in the down economy, we're hearing about uniformly record attendance rates," he said.
I do think it's funny that it may have taken "better shopping and dining facilities" to get us in there, but what the heck. If it's inducing more people to go, then I'm all for it.
Windows Live™ Groups: Create an online spot for your favorite groups to meet. Check it out.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
The Gods Must Be Crazy
Allen Shore (James Spader) to Denny Crane (William Shatner) in the "Gods Must Be Crazy" episode of Boston Legal. Allen is a 40-something lawyer whose best friend is a 70-something lawyer.
You know what I really think of America right now, Denny? I don't mean simply its politics, but our culture. We've become such a dumb, fat, bubblegum nation. Schlocky and superficial.
Music, books, television. One of the heads of NBC recently said that the plan was to get people to tune in and mentally tune out. This wasn't an admission, by the way. It was a boast. Is it any wonder that we have a television show called "Are You Smarter than a Second Grader?" and a president who isn't. I so miss a little dignity in America.
No offense, but I think your generation made American into what it is today. It's time for it to be inherited by your children. I think you need to hand over the keys to the car to your children. It's time.
You know what I really think of America right now, Denny? I don't mean simply its politics, but our culture. We've become such a dumb, fat, bubblegum nation. Schlocky and superficial.
Music, books, television. One of the heads of NBC recently said that the plan was to get people to tune in and mentally tune out. This wasn't an admission, by the way. It was a boast. Is it any wonder that we have a television show called "Are You Smarter than a Second Grader?" and a president who isn't. I so miss a little dignity in America.
No offense, but I think your generation made American into what it is today. It's time for it to be inherited by your children. I think you need to hand over the keys to the car to your children. It's time.
Weekend in Regensburg
The weekend was as lovely as I'd imagined. I hung out with Coisette the cat, ate well (sushi, Thai, fruits, bagels), wandered around the altstadt, and took three baths. Sigh. I may house- & cat-sit when Leslie goes to Greece for spring break.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Weekend!
A friend called last night. She's going out-of-town for the weekend and wanted to know if I want to stay at her place in Regensburg.
Background: I live in a tiny one-BR apartment with just a kitchenette (two burners, a foot of counter space, and a sink) and no bathtub (shower only). She has a huge and beautiful apartment right in the old downtown area, complete with a large kitchen, bathtub and a cuddly cat named Cousette.
Baths in winter are a daily ritual for me, so can you imagine the withdrawals I've gone through for the past two winters?
How could I turn down such an offer?
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Background: I live in a tiny one-BR apartment with just a kitchenette (two burners, a foot of counter space, and a sink) and no bathtub (shower only). She has a huge and beautiful apartment right in the old downtown area, complete with a large kitchen, bathtub and a cuddly cat named Cousette.
Baths in winter are a daily ritual for me, so can you imagine the withdrawals I've gone through for the past two winters?
How could I turn down such an offer?
Windows Live™ Groups: Create an online spot for your favorite groups to meet. Check it out.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Hmmmmm
"I think we live our lives so afraid to be seen as weak that we die, perhaps, without ever having been seen at all."
-- Alan Shore to Denny Crain in Boston Legal
-- Alan Shore to Denny Crain in Boston Legal
Monday, February 23, 2009
Just marry 'em off!
Today's quote of the day in the New York Times:
"If we give the money to the widows, they will spend it unwisely because they are uneducated and they don't know about budgeting. But if we find her a husband, there will be a person in charge of her and her children for the rest of their lives." -- Mazin al-Shihan, director of a city agency in Baghdad, on his plan to pay men to marry Iraqi war widows.
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"If we give the money to the widows, they will spend it unwisely because they are uneducated and they don't know about budgeting. But if we find her a husband, there will be a person in charge of her and her children for the rest of their lives." -- Mazin al-Shihan, director of a city agency in Baghdad, on his plan to pay men to marry Iraqi war widows.
Access your email online and on the go with Windows Live Hotmail. Sign up today.
Friday, February 20, 2009
My latest read
". . . In the light that soaked this room a girl could read the spines of the books on the very top shelf. The Double Helix, she said aloud. A Separate Peace. She stretched her arms down the comforter and admired them. She spread her fingers wide apart and took her fingernails under consideration. Every bit of her was straight and strong and beautiful in this light. She glowed. She felt it pouring into her and yet she could tell by her skin, which looked ashy most mornings where she lived, that it was pouring out of her as well. It was just like the leaves they had studied in science class. She was caught in an act of photosynthesis. The light was processed through her and she was improved by it. She wondered if there wasn't some way that light was divided and somehow, even though it didn't seem logical, more of it wound up in better neighborhoods." from Run by Ann Patchett
Thus is the path of Kenya's wandering mind. She's an 11-year-old African-American girl who has awakened in a sun-filled home in a good neighborhood for the first time. She's used to waking up in the dark apartment she shares with her mother in a project called Cathedral.
I'm about halfway through this sweet book that my retired-English-teacher aunt sent to me as a late Christmas gift.
In it, an African-American infant and toddler, brothers, were adopted by a white couple that already had a son. It's now 20 or so years later. Kenya and her mother have skidded into the lives of the young men and their father quite unintentionally.
So far it's worth the read.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Brrrrrrrr!
It snowed most of the day. Then the sun came out mid-afternoon, and the snow on the roads was melting.
By the time I left work at 5:15 p.m., it was frigid outside. I don't mind the snow that much, but I don't like it when it's obviously below freezing when it's still light outside.
By the time I left work at 5:15 p.m., it was frigid outside. I don't mind the snow that much, but I don't like it when it's obviously below freezing when it's still light outside.
Snowy days
I stayed home Saturday and Sunday. I could blame it on the snow. The truth is that while we've gotten maybe 10-12 inches over the last seven days, much has melted and the roads have been fine. I stayed home in my little coccoon just to relax.
I read a lightweight book for this Valentine's weekend, Same Sweet Girls. And watched Pride and Prejudice. And didn't do much else.
Yesterday I decided enough was enough. I went to Regensburg on the back roads to enjoy the snowy countryside. Interestingly, the closer I got to the city, the less snow I saw. Hardly any was on the ground there.
I had lunch at my favorite Thai restaurant. Then I wandered the streets a bit. My intention was to take photos, but that's when I thought there'd be a lot of snow around. Nope, none. I bought a pair of black boots on sale instead.
I drove on the back roads coming home, but this time I took a couple of roads I'd never been on. One took me through a village on a hilltop. Quite lovely. But I didn't really see a good place to stop and take photos.
It's now Tuesday morning. I looked outside, and about 2-4 more inches of snow have fallen in the last six hours.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
More snow predicted
I've just heard from one of the German fraus at the chow hall that we're supposed to get more snow tonight. And it's supposed to get colder, which means the roads could be dicey for a while. The Germans, by the way, seem to be better tuned in to (or have better sources for) weather conditions and forecasts.
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Windows Live™: E-mail. Chat. Share. Get more ways to connect. Check it out.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Tidbits
Okay, I've come down off the soapbox. I've since learned that I may not have all the details on the single mom just right -- 3 kids on disability due to their own issues. That money, I think, is federal rather than state money. (not that that matters to me) She's also admitting that she does need financial help. She'll have how many millions in hospital bills when the last preemie finally gets to go home? DUH.
What WAS she thinking?
Okay, done with that topic.
A nice article appeared in the Boston Globe recently about indie label Rounder's big win at the Grammy's with best album and best song (Alison Krauss and Robert Plant). Rounder's been around for many, many years, and the good folks there deserved this.
We've gotten approx. 5-7 inches of snow in the last 18 hours. We're supposed to get a couple more tonight. I had no problems driving to work, but then I only have to drive 2 blocks. A friend who drives about 10-12 km said the roads were horrendous, hence the two-hour delay allowed for those who have to drive in.
This weekend's a long weekend. I have no plans. I haven't been particularly inspired to make any. I'm thinking about actually going to Munich for a night, which could give me about two full days there since it's only a 1.5-hour drive. Hmmmm. . . maybe.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Quiverfull et al.
Maybe I'm just getting more close-minded in my old age, but I'm not sure what the purpose is for having EIGHTEEN kids. (See the Quiverfull link in the previous post.)
I'm also not sure why (or how) a single mom on disability can have FOURTEEN kids. And while we're at it, how can anyone be so disabled as to be declared such and yet be able to handle FOURTEEN kids? That doesn't compute. . . does it? I mean, if you're so disabled that you can't work for pay in a regular job, how can you handle FOURTEEN kids? My friends tell me that raising children is WORK. And I believe them, wholeheartedly. And my friends with "only" 2-3 kids talk about how much work it is. How can a disabled mom give them all they need?
** And please. . . I'm playing devil's advocate here. . . There are a lot of parents out there who are disabled in one form or another, and they're great parents. But this particular situation just astounds me.
Truly, it's none of my business. And who am I to judge? The first couple can presumably cover their expenses. But can they meet all of their children's other needs?
The single mom (and I have nothing against single moms), on the other hand, can not handle the expenses. . . She's living off the state, and her children will be, too. That I don't approve of.
I do believe that both the welfare and disability systems exist for good reasons. . . but they don't include helping a single mom continue to get artificially inseminated and have more and more kids. Do they?
Am I reaching here?
I'm also not sure why (or how) a single mom on disability can have FOURTEEN kids. And while we're at it, how can anyone be so disabled as to be declared such and yet be able to handle FOURTEEN kids? That doesn't compute. . . does it? I mean, if you're so disabled that you can't work for pay in a regular job, how can you handle FOURTEEN kids? My friends tell me that raising children is WORK. And I believe them, wholeheartedly. And my friends with "only" 2-3 kids talk about how much work it is. How can a disabled mom give them all they need?
** And please. . . I'm playing devil's advocate here. . . There are a lot of parents out there who are disabled in one form or another, and they're great parents. But this particular situation just astounds me.
Truly, it's none of my business. And who am I to judge? The first couple can presumably cover their expenses. But can they meet all of their children's other needs?
The single mom (and I have nothing against single moms), on the other hand, can not handle the expenses. . . She's living off the state, and her children will be, too. That I don't approve of.
I do believe that both the welfare and disability systems exist for good reasons. . . but they don't include helping a single mom continue to get artificially inseminated and have more and more kids. Do they?
Am I reaching here?
How much is a Quiverfull?
I meant to comment on this over the weekend.
Did you read about the couple that had its 18th child recently? They're saying its all part of Quiverfull?
Then there's the one about the lady who just had octuplets. . . she was already a SINGLE mother of six. All were had via artificial insemination. She lives with her mother. Is on disability. As a friend explains, when you're on disability and you have children, the children also get disability checks, so it's better than welfare.
I've got to get ready for work, so my comments come later.
Did you read about the couple that had its 18th child recently? They're saying its all part of Quiverfull?
Then there's the one about the lady who just had octuplets. . . she was already a SINGLE mother of six. All were had via artificial insemination. She lives with her mother. Is on disability. As a friend explains, when you're on disability and you have children, the children also get disability checks, so it's better than welfare.
I've got to get ready for work, so my comments come later.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Two weeks later
Forgive me, friend, for I have sinned. It's been two weeks since my last blog entry.
I've been to Ramstein for a class and returned. Got to hang out with friends. Saw Twilight. Ate some pretty good Indian food. Got away from the office!
These last couple of weeks, I've watched a lot of DVDs -- my latest addiction is Torchwood, but there's been Grey's Anatomy and Boston Legal.
While watching all of these, I've been making Valentine's cards and otherwise trying to be productive. The cards are pretty basic -- nothing very creative but pleasant to the eye, I guess.
By day when I'm driving in my car, I'm still (after probably 14-16 months) trying to get through the Outlander series on CD. I'm on the last book, thank heavens. It's a great series, but these books are lloooonnnngggg.
I'm reading Perfume just before bed every night. It's not a book I would've chosen for myself although it's well written and interesting reading. But this year is all about reading books that others have given to me, and a friend gave me this book.
My first reading this year came with the Twilight series, now Perfume. I'm also reading Wishcraft, which, okay, *I* gave to a friend, but now she's given it back to me.
I've been to Ramstein for a class and returned. Got to hang out with friends. Saw Twilight. Ate some pretty good Indian food. Got away from the office!
These last couple of weeks, I've watched a lot of DVDs -- my latest addiction is Torchwood, but there's been Grey's Anatomy and Boston Legal.
While watching all of these, I've been making Valentine's cards and otherwise trying to be productive. The cards are pretty basic -- nothing very creative but pleasant to the eye, I guess.
By day when I'm driving in my car, I'm still (after probably 14-16 months) trying to get through the Outlander series on CD. I'm on the last book, thank heavens. It's a great series, but these books are lloooonnnngggg.
I'm reading Perfume just before bed every night. It's not a book I would've chosen for myself although it's well written and interesting reading. But this year is all about reading books that others have given to me, and a friend gave me this book.
My first reading this year came with the Twilight series, now Perfume. I'm also reading Wishcraft, which, okay, *I* gave to a friend, but now she's given it back to me.
Friday, January 23, 2009
The hardest days
For me, the hardest days on a US military base are when we have memorial ceremonies for fallen soldiers. Today was one of those days.
Does my job require me to go? No. But I feel compelled to attend to honor those soldiers and their families. Regardless of my beliefs of the right or wrong of this war, or rather THESE wars, these soldiers deserve to be honored.
If you've never been to one of these ceremonies, here's what happened today and what generally happens.
There's a prayer. The battalion commander pays tribute (says a few words about the loss to the unit and the loss of each individual). The company commander pays tribute.
For each soldier who is being memorialized, a soldier who knew him pays personal tribute. Today, the ceremony was for a major (a mid-level officer who was probably in his early 30s), a sergeant (early to mid-20s) and a corporal (early 20s). The guys paying tribute were all in their 20s, and I think two of the three were probably no more than 20-22. They're young, they've written heartfelt words, they're trying to keep it together and you feel their pain (although it was the battalion commander's -- the lieutenant colonel's -- voice that broke and he had to pause to choke back the sobs).
Then the chaplain reads a scripture and gives a brief talk. Then comes the hardest part, for me and -- judging by the sniffles in the crowd -- many others. The unit does a roll call.
Today the sergeant major called the names of about five soldiers who were present. When each is called, such as "Sergeant Smith," that soldier stands up and bellows out "Here, sergeant major!" So after about five of those, the name of the first fallen soldier is called. "Major Mescall." Silence and pause. "Major Brian Mescall." Silence and pause again. Finally, more slowly, "Major Brian Michael Mescall." Dead silence and pause yet again. And then the same is repeated for the other two, Corporal Hernandez and Sergeant Parsons.
I can't explain it, but it sends chills up your spine and somehow accents the absence of the fallen like no other part of the ceremony. After that final silent pause, a rifle is fired just outside for each of the fallen, so today there were three shots fired. Then Taps is played.
Then the general and battalion commander and sergeant major go up to the front. Up there, where you'd find an altar in a church, there's a set-up for each fallen soldier side by side. There's a pair of combat boots. There's a rifle standing straight up (barrel facing down) with a pair of dogtags draped over the top. And a kevlar helmet sits on top of the butt of the rifle. There's a framed photo of each of the soldiers.
When the brass goes up front, they leave unit coins (a military memento with unit insignia on it usually given to soldiers to recognize them for something positive they've done). The sergeant major today reached up and put his hand on top of each helmet as if he were a chaplain baptizing a baby's head. They walk away.
Soldiers from the unit play sergeant-at-arms. I don't know if that's the right term, but they stand there row to row, nodding to people that it's their turn to get up and pay tribute to the fallen. After the first few VIPs, they send four people up at a time because there are hundreds of people waiting.
I'm in the second-to-last row, so it takes quite a while to get up there, and I'm in line with three soldiers. One of them makes a little noise so they may salute in unison. We stand there for a minute taking the sight in, then one of them makes another noise so that they do an about face in unison and walk away. I follow behind.
There's a receiving line at the back with the battalion commander, sergeant major, company commander, the chaplain and the three guys who gave the tributes to their friends.
You don't have to walk through the receiving line, but I think it's important to tell the young guys at the end of the line that they did a good job. I'm trying not to be teary eyed, but it's tough. The battalion commander thanks ME for all we do (meaning Red Cross). If not for the fact that I would've gotten choked up, I would've said, "No, it is I who should be thanking you." But I can't say it. I just nod my head and tell him they did a great job today.
I tell each soldier in line that they did a great job. But when I get to the three young guys, their eyes are red and they're putting on a brave front, obviously just wanting this all to be over. I shake each of their hands vigorously, look them in the eye and tell them they did a great job. If I hadn't been about to burst into tears, I would've said, "You really honored your buddy today, and you should be proud."
I really don't think that anyone who is 18 or 20 or even 25 years old should have to stand there and be an "adult" and pay tribute to someone who died. It's too much. There were young soldiers in the room who probably didn't know the fallen, just like I didn't, but they came there to honor them. Some of these young guys were pale faced, wide eyed, somber. The reality of war, for those who haven't deployed, may be really hitting them here for the first time.
I'm on a post with only a few thousand soldiers. This is a training post (they train people here to go to war), and we only have 150-250 soldiers deployed to (typically Afghanistan) at any given time. This means that we don't have many losses and therefore few ceremonies. The last one I attended was back in the late summer or early fall 2007. I'm sure some of the larger posts have ceremonies every week.
Still, even one ceremony is too many. And I look forward to the day when we don't have to have them any more.
Does my job require me to go? No. But I feel compelled to attend to honor those soldiers and their families. Regardless of my beliefs of the right or wrong of this war, or rather THESE wars, these soldiers deserve to be honored.
If you've never been to one of these ceremonies, here's what happened today and what generally happens.
There's a prayer. The battalion commander pays tribute (says a few words about the loss to the unit and the loss of each individual). The company commander pays tribute.
For each soldier who is being memorialized, a soldier who knew him pays personal tribute. Today, the ceremony was for a major (a mid-level officer who was probably in his early 30s), a sergeant (early to mid-20s) and a corporal (early 20s). The guys paying tribute were all in their 20s, and I think two of the three were probably no more than 20-22. They're young, they've written heartfelt words, they're trying to keep it together and you feel their pain (although it was the battalion commander's -- the lieutenant colonel's -- voice that broke and he had to pause to choke back the sobs).
Then the chaplain reads a scripture and gives a brief talk. Then comes the hardest part, for me and -- judging by the sniffles in the crowd -- many others. The unit does a roll call.
Today the sergeant major called the names of about five soldiers who were present. When each is called, such as "Sergeant Smith," that soldier stands up and bellows out "Here, sergeant major!" So after about five of those, the name of the first fallen soldier is called. "Major Mescall." Silence and pause. "Major Brian Mescall." Silence and pause again. Finally, more slowly, "Major Brian Michael Mescall." Dead silence and pause yet again. And then the same is repeated for the other two, Corporal Hernandez and Sergeant Parsons.
I can't explain it, but it sends chills up your spine and somehow accents the absence of the fallen like no other part of the ceremony. After that final silent pause, a rifle is fired just outside for each of the fallen, so today there were three shots fired. Then Taps is played.
Then the general and battalion commander and sergeant major go up to the front. Up there, where you'd find an altar in a church, there's a set-up for each fallen soldier side by side. There's a pair of combat boots. There's a rifle standing straight up (barrel facing down) with a pair of dogtags draped over the top. And a kevlar helmet sits on top of the butt of the rifle. There's a framed photo of each of the soldiers.
When the brass goes up front, they leave unit coins (a military memento with unit insignia on it usually given to soldiers to recognize them for something positive they've done). The sergeant major today reached up and put his hand on top of each helmet as if he were a chaplain baptizing a baby's head. They walk away.
Soldiers from the unit play sergeant-at-arms. I don't know if that's the right term, but they stand there row to row, nodding to people that it's their turn to get up and pay tribute to the fallen. After the first few VIPs, they send four people up at a time because there are hundreds of people waiting.
I'm in the second-to-last row, so it takes quite a while to get up there, and I'm in line with three soldiers. One of them makes a little noise so they may salute in unison. We stand there for a minute taking the sight in, then one of them makes another noise so that they do an about face in unison and walk away. I follow behind.
There's a receiving line at the back with the battalion commander, sergeant major, company commander, the chaplain and the three guys who gave the tributes to their friends.
You don't have to walk through the receiving line, but I think it's important to tell the young guys at the end of the line that they did a good job. I'm trying not to be teary eyed, but it's tough. The battalion commander thanks ME for all we do (meaning Red Cross). If not for the fact that I would've gotten choked up, I would've said, "No, it is I who should be thanking you." But I can't say it. I just nod my head and tell him they did a great job today.
I tell each soldier in line that they did a great job. But when I get to the three young guys, their eyes are red and they're putting on a brave front, obviously just wanting this all to be over. I shake each of their hands vigorously, look them in the eye and tell them they did a great job. If I hadn't been about to burst into tears, I would've said, "You really honored your buddy today, and you should be proud."
I really don't think that anyone who is 18 or 20 or even 25 years old should have to stand there and be an "adult" and pay tribute to someone who died. It's too much. There were young soldiers in the room who probably didn't know the fallen, just like I didn't, but they came there to honor them. Some of these young guys were pale faced, wide eyed, somber. The reality of war, for those who haven't deployed, may be really hitting them here for the first time.
I'm on a post with only a few thousand soldiers. This is a training post (they train people here to go to war), and we only have 150-250 soldiers deployed to (typically Afghanistan) at any given time. This means that we don't have many losses and therefore few ceremonies. The last one I attended was back in the late summer or early fall 2007. I'm sure some of the larger posts have ceremonies every week.
Still, even one ceremony is too many. And I look forward to the day when we don't have to have them any more.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
It's a new day
I'm sitting at my little desk in my little living room in Germany, the TV on at my side at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday. I just saw the Obamas dancing at the commander-in-chief's ball.
Here's what I wrote on a discussion board I belong to on Facebook (that focuses on personal growth, not politics) when asked to comment on hopes for the country on inauguration day:
What I wish for our country and its citizens. . .
That we will allow Obama the grace to be human -- that is, to succeed and to fail, because he will no doubt do both.
That we will allow his administration the time to do what they can and what they must. It took years for our country to get to where it is today, and it will take years to get back on the right track. The inauguration was "one giant step for mankind" in so, so many ways, but we always have more steps to take.
That we will all carry with us the spirit of hope that this new era embodies today more than ever, and that we will be reminded of this spirit if we begin to falter because we're not seeing success come fast enough and grand enough.
That we will all do our parts to make things right again. . . It all begins with taking one step and then another. We don't have to change the world, but we can work to make changes and improvements in our own little corners of the universe.
---------------
While I was still in Iraq, I asked a friend there what he thought about the election. He said he thought it was "interesting." Honestly. . . I pondered for a moment whether I could be friends with him! Interesting????? When I emailed him yesterday to ask more, he said he's politically neutral but recognizes the importance of this historic event. I emailed back that I didn't see how any thinking adult could not have an opinion after the last eight disastrous years. . . Needless to say, I didn't win any points there.
I try to practice tolerance. . . for people's religious, political, and personal views, whatever they may be. . . but "interesting" and politically neutral? How can one be this way at age 41? The older I get, the more challenging it is for me to be tolerant at times. I guess this is something I need to work on.
On a much lighter note, and in closing, yeah, I liked Michelle's wardrobe choices for the inauguration and the ball.
Here's what I wrote on a discussion board I belong to on Facebook (that focuses on personal growth, not politics) when asked to comment on hopes for the country on inauguration day:
What I wish for our country and its citizens. . .
That we will allow Obama the grace to be human -- that is, to succeed and to fail, because he will no doubt do both.
That we will allow his administration the time to do what they can and what they must. It took years for our country to get to where it is today, and it will take years to get back on the right track. The inauguration was "one giant step for mankind" in so, so many ways, but we always have more steps to take.
That we will all carry with us the spirit of hope that this new era embodies today more than ever, and that we will be reminded of this spirit if we begin to falter because we're not seeing success come fast enough and grand enough.
That we will all do our parts to make things right again. . . It all begins with taking one step and then another. We don't have to change the world, but we can work to make changes and improvements in our own little corners of the universe.
---------------
While I was still in Iraq, I asked a friend there what he thought about the election. He said he thought it was "interesting." Honestly. . . I pondered for a moment whether I could be friends with him! Interesting????? When I emailed him yesterday to ask more, he said he's politically neutral but recognizes the importance of this historic event. I emailed back that I didn't see how any thinking adult could not have an opinion after the last eight disastrous years. . . Needless to say, I didn't win any points there.
I try to practice tolerance. . . for people's religious, political, and personal views, whatever they may be. . . but "interesting" and politically neutral? How can one be this way at age 41? The older I get, the more challenging it is for me to be tolerant at times. I guess this is something I need to work on.
On a much lighter note, and in closing, yeah, I liked Michelle's wardrobe choices for the inauguration and the ball.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
The Long, Lame Goodbye
The NY Times has an Op-Ed piece worth reading about the changing of the guard.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Inauguration concert today
As I was purusing the channels, I happened across the big concert for Obama that was held on the mall today. From Beyonce' to Pete Seeger, Stevie Wonder to U2. . . what a show!
Happy birthday, MLK Jr.!
On Thursday I went to a luncheon in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. The guest speaker was the chief of operations for the new AFRICOM (Africa Command), Major General Anthony Jackson.
The program started with the elementary school choir singing a couple of songs. Then MG Jackson asked everyone to sing happy birthday to King. That seemed a little silly and more for the sake of the children than the adults. . . but he pointed out that it IS supposed to be a birthday celebration, and we never celebrate birthdays without the song. So true. It was kind of fun, especially when it's rare to see a two-star general getting into it as much as the kids.
Jackson talked about the impact of King on his own life. After all, he'd been born in the mid-'50s and grew up with talk of integration and segregation. He said he'd joined sit-ins at lunch counters and taken other actions in line with King's call for a nonviolent movement.
I really thought this was going to be just another high-ranking military officer recapping a man's life. Instead, Jackson's first-hand accounts of experiences in and issues of the civil rights movement as they were directly influenced by King were incredibly moving.
It's Monday evening here in Germany. I've seen some footage on TV of Obama and what he's doing today. . . MLK day and the day before his inauguration. What great timing. Positive foreshadowing, I hope.
The program started with the elementary school choir singing a couple of songs. Then MG Jackson asked everyone to sing happy birthday to King. That seemed a little silly and more for the sake of the children than the adults. . . but he pointed out that it IS supposed to be a birthday celebration, and we never celebrate birthdays without the song. So true. It was kind of fun, especially when it's rare to see a two-star general getting into it as much as the kids.
Jackson talked about the impact of King on his own life. After all, he'd been born in the mid-'50s and grew up with talk of integration and segregation. He said he'd joined sit-ins at lunch counters and taken other actions in line with King's call for a nonviolent movement.
I really thought this was going to be just another high-ranking military officer recapping a man's life. Instead, Jackson's first-hand accounts of experiences in and issues of the civil rights movement as they were directly influenced by King were incredibly moving.
It's Monday evening here in Germany. I've seen some footage on TV of Obama and what he's doing today. . . MLK day and the day before his inauguration. What great timing. Positive foreshadowing, I hope.
Friday, January 16, 2009
help! I've been sucked in and I can't get out!
Okay. . . I'm lagging on the blogging because I've gotten sucked in to Facebook the last couple of weeks. I've had an account there for a long time - over a year? But I never really used it.
Then several friends invited me to "be their friend" all around the same time. Now I'm finding more and more people I know. I've joined a group (GOYA Girls -- Get off your ass girls). The moderator, Cary Cooper, sends out a message every day on a different topic -- a quote from the "Skinny Bitchin': A Get Off Your Ass Journal," and she writes about it, then members comment on it. It's pretty good. I might get something out of it.
So now there's email (I have seven different accounts, but I only check three regularly, and two are under assumed names). And this blog. And Facebook. Feels like too many electronic social networking devices, but for now, I'm just going with the flow.
Tomorrow I'm driving over to Kaiserslautern for a night or two. My friend Donna who was on my team in Iraq is being stationed over in K-town and arrived there today. I'm going to welcome her and to hang out with her and a couple of her new co-workers in in the area, a couple of whom I know.
I need a small get-away. Hope you have a good weekend, too.
Then several friends invited me to "be their friend" all around the same time. Now I'm finding more and more people I know. I've joined a group (GOYA Girls -- Get off your ass girls). The moderator, Cary Cooper, sends out a message every day on a different topic -- a quote from the "Skinny Bitchin': A Get Off Your Ass Journal," and she writes about it, then members comment on it. It's pretty good. I might get something out of it.
So now there's email (I have seven different accounts, but I only check three regularly, and two are under assumed names). And this blog. And Facebook. Feels like too many electronic social networking devices, but for now, I'm just going with the flow.
Tomorrow I'm driving over to Kaiserslautern for a night or two. My friend Donna who was on my team in Iraq is being stationed over in K-town and arrived there today. I'm going to welcome her and to hang out with her and a couple of her new co-workers in in the area, a couple of whom I know.
I need a small get-away. Hope you have a good weekend, too.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Oh, the Sordid Lives we lead
I'm home sick this weekend with a cold that hit on Thursday. Yesterday was the worst of it -- I was all aches and pains and probably slept off and on for 18 hours. I'm actually feeling human today.
This morning I watched Sordid Lives and highly recommend it. Leslie Jordan is fabulous, as are the other stars including Beau Bridges and Delta Burke.
I also watched Mamma Mia last night. I didn't have much hope for it, but it was pretty cute. I usually despise musicals.
The first three seasons of Boston Legal have also played on my TV these past few weeks. Thanks for the recommendation, Ronda! The series stars James Spader, William Shatner and Candice Bergen. Talk about irreverent.
Next up: Rome, Season 2.
This morning I watched Sordid Lives and highly recommend it. Leslie Jordan is fabulous, as are the other stars including Beau Bridges and Delta Burke.
I also watched Mamma Mia last night. I didn't have much hope for it, but it was pretty cute. I usually despise musicals.
The first three seasons of Boston Legal have also played on my TV these past few weeks. Thanks for the recommendation, Ronda! The series stars James Spader, William Shatner and Candice Bergen. Talk about irreverent.
Next up: Rome, Season 2.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Travel Well
Listen to this gorgeous song, Travel Well, written for Vic by Cary Cooper, Tom Prasada-Rao, Amy Speace and Jagoda. It's well worth the listen, even if you didn't know Vic.
A nice tribute to Vic
E-mails are flying all over about Vic's passing, and Facebook users are posting notes, writing on each other's walls, and "lighting candles" left and right. I found a nice note about Vic online on the Concerts in Your Home web site.
And here is Vic's obituary in the Washington Post.
And here is Vic's obituary in the Washington Post.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
A dear friend is gone
I heard today from Vic's son that Vic passed away last night at 9:15 p.m. EST.
R.I.P. Vic. You will be remembered and missed by so many.
R.I.P. Vic. You will be remembered and missed by so many.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Update on Vic
Friend Vic was taken off the ventilator on Dec. 26. The latest word from the family is that he's still hanging in there but that it probably won't be long now.
As I told his wife Reba in an email, Vic always did do things his own way.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Another reason to exercise
An article in today's New York Times online edition reports the results of a study at the Columbia University Medical Center on the effects of increased blood sugar levels on our memory.
The article Blood Sugar Control Linked to Memory Decline, Study Says reports that researchers recommend exercise since our blood sugar level is improved with physical activity.
The article Blood Sugar Control Linked to Memory Decline, Study Says reports that researchers recommend exercise since our blood sugar level is improved with physical activity.
Revolution
You say you want a revolution. . .
And revolution we will have. Or at least change. . .
I googled "define revolution," and this is the first definition that came up: a drastic and far-reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving.
Yes, we can.
A couple of weeks before the election, I called my Dad from Iraq. He brought up the election.
I try not to talk politics with him. He's pretty much a staunch Republican who voted for Bush both times. I respect his choice in that I know he has given it much thought over the years, and he votes for what he believes in. Being a Republican is not a choice he has made lightly -- I just don't happen to agree with it. In our last conversation about El Presidente Bush a year or two back, he was still defending GW and the war.
So when he brought up the election -- "Well, I guess the election's coming up" -- I drew in a breath and sat there quietly. Here goes. He's going to tell me how McCain HAS to win or this country's going to pot. I've heard it before.
His next words surprised me.
"Whoever wins, at least we will have a new administration."
I know my Dad. I can read into his words without his having to voice every single thought. This is the closest he's ever come to suggesting that perhaps Gee-Dub was NOT the best thing for our country, that it's time for a change.
Yes, we can. . . change, that is. Even old dad.
And revolution we will have. Or at least change. . .
I googled "define revolution," and this is the first definition that came up: a drastic and far-reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving.
Yes, we can.
A couple of weeks before the election, I called my Dad from Iraq. He brought up the election.
I try not to talk politics with him. He's pretty much a staunch Republican who voted for Bush both times. I respect his choice in that I know he has given it much thought over the years, and he votes for what he believes in. Being a Republican is not a choice he has made lightly -- I just don't happen to agree with it. In our last conversation about El Presidente Bush a year or two back, he was still defending GW and the war.
So when he brought up the election -- "Well, I guess the election's coming up" -- I drew in a breath and sat there quietly. Here goes. He's going to tell me how McCain HAS to win or this country's going to pot. I've heard it before.
His next words surprised me.
"Whoever wins, at least we will have a new administration."
I know my Dad. I can read into his words without his having to voice every single thought. This is the closest he's ever come to suggesting that perhaps Gee-Dub was NOT the best thing for our country, that it's time for a change.
Yes, we can. . . change, that is. Even old dad.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Looking back on 2008
I've been meaning to upload this video from Iraq. Now seems to be a good time as I'm looking back on the year that's just passed.
The best part of 2008 for me was getting to volunteer at the PAD (Patient Administration Flight) at the hospital in Balad, Iraq. There I helped to offload wounded and ill patients from helicopters and ambulances and take them into the ER.
It was a simple thing really. . . It just took a few minutes. It couldn't be done alone. It didn't even require a college degree -- just took a little training and practice. But for a few of those patients we offloaded, they were being medevac'd to save their lives, and we were a tiny part of that process. Simply put: It felt good. And it was an incredible adrenaline rush.
On this particular offload, friends Phil, Morgan and Hisey were part of the team. I spent a lot of time with them just sitting around waiting for the next helo -- we watched TV (including much of the Olympics, presidential debates, and bad movies), played foosball, did crosswords, BS'd, anything we could to pass the time.
We couldn't wish for a helo, because that would mean wishing for someone to be sick or ill. I finally came up with the right response though. If it's going to happen, I want it to happen on my watch so that I can help.
As a volunteer, I was allowed to stay in the ER and watch the medical staff work. Typically so many people surrounded the patient that I didn't get to see much. Still, I was inspired.
The more time I spent in the hospital, the more I came to see it as a living, breathing organism. With a father who is a retired surgeon and a mother who was trained as a nurse, I was exposed to medicine my entire childhood and, frankly, never had much interest in it. Some would say I avoided it at all costs.
So being a part of this organism was something of an epiphany to me; I started to get why people find medicine so invigorating. Wow, that's a first.
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