Blooming Idiot

Harmattan Winds

2009-03-02T16:20:00.002-05:00

This post brought to you by Soccer Mom in Denial - posting every Monday on a different musical memory.

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I woke up yesterday morning in Abuja and looked out my window to see...nothing. Well, more like a fog. or was it smog? A haze.

I went outside and rather than the usual toxic pain that smog causes I felt nothing. Still able to breathe, albeit a little more difficult.

The Harmattan winds come off the Sahara and blanket West Africa (and parts as far away as North America) with a sandy haze. This haze is so thin you almost don't realize what's happening until you notice that your white car is rust-colored, your books all have a gritty texture, and your computer is suddenly clogged.

Long layover in London, enough time for shopping and ...

2009-02-28T00:10:00.001-05:00

crumpets

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

The Wire

2009-02-23T00:10:00.003-05:00

This post brought to you by Soccer Mom in Denial - posting every Monday on a different musical memory.

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I love this show - before you say anything I haven't seen Seasons 4 & 5 yet. So far 1-3 have been amazing.

Aside from the characters and story lines, I particularly like the theme song. There are the rare occasions when you like the TV theme song - or it triggers such an instant connection to the show that you can hardly distinguish whether you like the show or the song more. And sometimes, there are no words just a catchy tune.

Each season has the same song but sung differently by different artists - and all amazing artists. From Wikipedia:

The opening theme is "Way Down in the Hole", a gospel- and blues-inspired song originally written by Tom Waits for his 1987 album Franks Wild Years. Each season uses a different recording of it against a different opening sequence, with the theme being performed, in order, by The Blind Boys of Alabama, Waits himself, The Neville Brothers, "DoMaJe" and Steve Earle. Season four's version of "Way Down in the Hole" was arranged and recorded specifically for the show, and is performed by five Baltimore teenagers: Ivan Ashford, Markel Steele, Cameron Brown, Tariq Al-Sabir, and Avery Bargasse. Earle, who performed the fifth season's version, is also a member of the cast, playing the recovering drug addict Walon.

How cool is that?

Going on a business trip with a coworker who loves...

2009-02-21T00:10:00.001-05:00

cosmos

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

It's an honor just to have been nominated...

2009-02-17T21:30:00.003-05:00

I found out today that I got nominated for an award at work.

It's for mentoring -

This award is intended to inspire a spirit of mentorship in the Bureau for XXXXX XXXXX, and to encourage XXXX staff to prioritize mentorship in their everyday work environment. Instituted in 2005, the award recognizes one seasoned professional who provides guidance, advice, and the voice of experience to a protégé(s), by sharing his/her experience of working effectively at XXXXX or in his/her technical field.

I'm one of 6 nominees among a lot of eligible people - maybe 200? And the collection of fellow nominees is really quite a lovely group. I was so excited. Award ceremony is next week - alas, I'll be in Ghana.

Now if they only had awards for shoes...

Don't Divorce Us

2009-02-16T21:19:00.002-05:00

This post brought to you by Soccer Mom in Denial - posting every Monday on a different musical memory.

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Lately I seem to be finding lots of great songs and videos put together to support great causes - reproductive rights, gay rights. I know the 60's were really the peak period for this sort of thing - Buffalo Springfield, Bob Dylan, et al - but things aren't all too bad in 2009.

Hours of music that don't necessarily rile you up and get you angry (ready to depose The Man) but also music that is somehow soothing and reflective. All good stuff.

The latest in my collection: okay, so I stole it from someone else's Facebook posting. Doesn't mean the song isn't lovely and worth listening to.

Amazing how much wonderful cause-related music there is out there!

"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.

We Are Friends

2009-01-26T00:01:00.003-05:00

This post brought to you by Soccer Mom in Denial - posting every Monday on a different musical memory.

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It's a New Day! And how do I know?

Because on January 23rd President Obama (still get giddy when I say that) lifted the Global Gag Rule, aka the Mexico City Policy.

What is the Global Gag Rule? Here's the Wikipedia version.

Bottom line - with the swipe of a pen, the United States now supports a woman's right to choose, no matter where she lives on the planet. (for the most part, still have to work on the Hyde Amendment and individual US state issues...but still!).

Groups that perform abortions - NOT with taxpayer dollars - and that advocate for abortion rights - again, NOT with taxpayer dollars - were prohibited from receiving ANY funding from the US government.

While in the wilderness for 8 years, 2 American women formed an organization to replace the $34 million that the US government withheld from UNFPA - based on incorrect information that even the Secretary of State, Colin Powell, said was incorrect.

Oh, to see the light of day again...

Day 5 of President

2009-01-24T00:38:00.000-05:00

Obama

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

Peace

2009-01-20T00:06:00.000-05:00

I found this over at A2EATWRITE

How appropriate for this day...

Your Word is "Peace"

You see life as precious, and you wish everyone was safe, happy, and taken care of.

Social justice, human rights, and peace for all nations are all important to you.

While you can't stop war, you try to be as calm and compassionate as possible in your everyday life.

You promote harmony and cooperation. You're always willing to meet someone a little more than halfway.

What's Your Word?

This Land

2009-01-19T10:43:00.003-05:00

This post brought to you by Soccer Mom in Denial - posting every Monday on a different musical memory.

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Like SMID, we were on the Mall yesterday facing the Lincoln Memorial. Tomorrow we'll be facing the other direction.

Despite some occasional hiccups - Josh Groban following a clip about Marian Anderson? - and some cold (all good practice for tomorrow) it was a fantastic concert. Granted we saw and heard much of it via the jumbotron - but to be in a giant crowd (400,000!) all so thrilled to be there and silent as a church mouse as we strained to hear Gene Robinson's prayer - was spectacular!

My favorite part. The one where we all sang the refrain together...

Divine Grace

2009-01-12T00:25:00.003-05:00

This post brought to you by Soccer Mom in Denial - posting every Monday on a different musical memory.

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A couple of weeks ago, Christmas Day to be exact, I attended church services at the American Cathedral in Paris with my dad and sister. When I arrived, my sister was waiting outside for me, having arrived a little bit earlier with dad. She said she was very excited as they had been listening to the soloists rehearse and the female was really good. Great! I love me a good church service and particularly one with good music.

As we went through the multi-page program (it was one of those ones where they include all the readings and songs word for word), about a half hour into it, I'm reading along responding to the minister and sort of looking ahead.

"Holy Crap!" I whisper loudly to my family. Next up is the offertory music - sung by Denyce Graves (and some tenor...). Who is she? Only one of the greatest mezzo-sopranos in the world. An American treasure, born and raised in Washington, DC. The woman who sang the most stirring rendition of America, the Beautiful and the Lord's Prayer at the church service at the National Cathedral after 9-11 (W. of course totally not getting it). The woman whose signature role of Carmen I saw her perform - as a first anniversary gift from my husband. Sigh.

I cried.

After the service, my dad and I ran over to say hello - I was shaking. I told her Santa left an extra present under the tree for me this year. I'm such a dork.

Bollywood High

2009-01-05T13:53:00.002-05:00

This post brought to you by Soccer Mom in Denial - posting every Monday on a different musical memory.

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During December/January there are a slew of movies out just in time for Oscar nominations. Makes for entertaining movie choices - even if some are hard to watch - and also entertaining soundtracks.

Go see Slumdog Millionaire. And fall in love with the movie as well as its music.

Resolutions

2009-01-02T21:28:00.002-05:00

Every year I earnestly try to come up with a good New Year's resolution. Knowing that the odds of failure are pretty high with these things I try and come up with ones that are do-able (no, dieting and exercise don't count!) and that will have a meaningful impact on my life, and which are to a very large degree under my control (no, meeting Mr. Right is not under my control - or at least it wasn't).

The only resolution I can remember from past years was to iron my clothes more. I suppose the reason I remember it is because I actually did it. I looked neater and I had more clothing options. Then I discovered non-iron shirts and a wonderful cleaning woman and well... keeping that resolution hasn't been so tough.

I'm mulling over this year's options and have had a few suggestions from other people:

1. write more thank you's on paper - and mail them. how wonderful to get an email but even more wonderful to get a surprise in the mailbox on something pretty

2. read more, print less. isn't the point of email to reduce our paper consumption? a bit against resolution #1 but not so much

3. read more. would love to do this and have generally succeeded in the past - at least for the first few months. then I lose track. I couldn't tell you how much I read this past year and if it was more than the year before. quality is uneven too :)

I think I'm settling on a resolution - eat more superfoods. or eat them several times a week. In answer to a friend's question - that also means eating less of not-so-superfoods. Dieting that involves eating. Yep, that's my resolution this year.

Elf's Lament

2008-12-22T14:46:00.002-05:00

This post brought to you by Soccer Mom in Denial - posting every Monday on a different musical memory.

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Despite my best intentions, I did not watch all the claymation I could - in fact, I saw none! Somehow I missed out this year. So frustrating. It's not that I love Christmas specials (believe me, I don't) - but there's just something about those felt puppets and the jerky way they walk. I used to watch Davy & Goliath every Sunday just for that reason - who knew what the lesson was - I loved that dog and the fake grass in their backyard.

The other night I came home, yet again disappointed to miss my favorites - but lucky enough to catch a movie with a real live elf - Elf in fact. Despite being a hokey Christmas movie it's got some pretty hilarious scenes.

Poor Buddy.

In the spirit of poor big Buddy and also the anti-labor union sentiment in the White House and among Republican members of Congress (grrrr...) I bring you Elf's Lament.

Happy Holidays!

Home Alone...

2008-12-15T11:04:00.003-05:00

This post brought to you by Soccer Mom in Denial - posting every Monday on a different musical memory.

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My husband will be taking off this week for a bit of early vacation - I'll be joining him next week. Yesterday someone asked me what I'd do with all this time alone. When I'm gone he plays all the Mahler and Wagner he can. I tend in another direction. Leave my shoes lying around, purses and handbags throughout the apartment... and watching bad television. And since it's that time of year, I see a lot of claymation in my future!

I'm over

2008-12-13T20:53:00.000-05:00

baked

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

Rockin' Holiday Tunes

2008-12-08T00:06:00.012-05:00

This post brought to you by Soccer Mom in Denial - posting every Monday on a different musical memory.

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On Saturday I wrote that I was working on a holiday music mix. We're having a party next weekend and I wanted some good tunes. Nothing too slow or we'd all fall asleep. Stuff that would get people moving - and some funny lyrics are always nice. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my Charlie Brown Christmas CD, but it just isn't peppy enough for this occasion.

Here's a portion of the list - ones you don't hear too often (or often enough):

The Chanukah Song (1&2) - Adam Sandler
Back Door Santa - B.B. King and John Popper
Elf's Lament - Barenaked Ladies (with Michael Buble)
Swingin' Dreidel - Kenny Ellis
Christmas in America - Melissa Etheridge
It's Christmas Time - Melissa Etheridge
Christmas All Over Again - Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Christmas Is - Run DMC
Santa Baby - Joseph Simmons, Keith Murray, Mase, Onyx, P. Diddy, Salt-N-Pepa, Snoop Dogg & The Christmas All Stars
This Christmas (Hang all the mistletoe) - Macy Gray
Little Drummer/Hot Hot Hot - Wyclef Jean
Merry Christmas Baby - Stevie Wonder and Wyclef Jean
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Barenaked Ladies (with Sarah McLachlan)

and Christmas in Hollis - Run DMC

<

Putting together a holiday music...

2008-12-06T11:24:00.002-05:00

mix

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

Oh, the shoes

2008-12-03T22:06:00.002-05:00

My sister wrote a really great post about breaking free from consumerism - the kind that leads to the needless death of a Wal-Mart worker.

You should read the whole posting - it's all very good info and thought.

Let me just highlight her ideas for detoxing:

Read this excellent, non-preachy guide (with cartoons!) to reducing your consumerism: Affluenza
Join (or at least explore) the simplicity movement. Read more here: Voluntary simplicity movement re-emerges and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_living
Get a fresh perspective: spend a night volunteering at a homeless shelter instead of lining up for deals. This will give you a whole new appreciation for the word need.
Make a list of the things you really want and then put off buying them for 3, 6 or 12 months (or ever), and I'm talking about a flat screen TV or that third pair of black heels, not health insurance. It may seem painful at first, but you may see over time that you don't miss the items.
Don't fill your leisure time with consumerism. Pick something you love to do - cycling, writing, photography - and do that instead. Yes, you may have to make some initial investments (don't use it as an excuse to gear up), but in the long run you'll have a much healthier and less expensive hobby than going to the mall.

Oooh, putting off the shoe shopping is going to be tough...

I heart Connie Schultz

2008-12-02T21:53:00.006-05:00

On a recent trip I managed to polish off Connie Schultz's book "Life Happens and Other Unavoidable Truths" and was so sad to put it down.

A couple of years ago I read "And His Lovely Wife..." which I guess was out of order. No matter. Absolutely worth reading.

As the lovely wife - and truly lovely, no matter what writers say about her hair - of the esteemed Sherrod Brown, Senator for Ohio - she is all that and more.

Her take on everyday life and the struggles and triumphs of the working class make you want to move to Ohio and do whatever you can to improve people's lives.

Did I mention that through a Pulitzer-prize winning series she wrote on a wrongly - VERY wrongly - convicted man that he was set free! The column on how he forgave the real criminal just made me cry.

At the same time she had me bawling about the released man I was bawling about her cat.

and Sherrod is just my hero. Cute to boot. Loves girl scout cookies.

I'm hoping to meet them some day. Hoping that when I do I don't make a total fool of myself blubbering about how much I would love to be their best friend. Probably think I was a psycho.

I heart Connie. and Sherrod.

Living with HIV

2008-12-01T16:08:00.003-05:00

This post brought to you by Soccer Mom in Denial - posting every Monday on a different musical memory.

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I am embarrassed to say that I had totally forgotten it was World AIDS Day. Truth be told, I didn't TOTALLY forget - it just took me a few hours. Considering what I do for a living you'd think I would have had it foremost in my brain. Cut me some slack, every day is world AIDS day for me!

The US Government's theme this year (because for whatever reason we can't seem to agree with UNAIDS...) is "Celebrate Life". I'm not a big fan of the motto (too close to pro-life for me) - but the underlying theme is living positively. I can get behind that.

It was not too long ago that we didn't talk about people living with HIV. And now we can.

Congratulations, Andy Bell - you are LIVING.

Back to baking in my own...

2008-11-29T20:54:00.000-05:00

kitchen

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

All I Want for Christmas

2008-11-26T00:01:00.000-05:00

I got an email from my ne'er do well sister today - in lieu of gifts for herself for Christmas (and her birthday which falls mid-December) she wants cash.

For a family in Uganda. For the school fees for their children. 12 adopted orphans.

"How crass!", I say with a big dose of sarcasm.

On the front page of the metro section of the paper there's an article about how food banks are struggling. Next to that is an article about how a popular mall Santa was fired and has since been re-hired. Everyone is thrilled because their beloved Santa is back - and all I can think is, "glad to hear the guy still has a job".

In the spirit of all this misery - or tightening of belts, going without - I offer you my Christmas list:

- an update from last year - we have the bookshelves! Thank you Jesus (aka Ken!)

1) get those annoying people in my office off my back. let me focus on trying to stop HIV instead of agreeing to disagree on what petty issue has you in a tizzy... I have no idea... you get my drift

2) some qualified cabinet members in the new Obama administration. No former directors of the Arabian Horse Association, please.

3) an organized closet. yes, a bit selfish, I know. but the daily ritual of trying to find shoes (and re-discovering ones I'd long forgotten) really slows down my day. not to mention I'm sure my downstairs neighbor just loves the sound of a dump truck dropping a load of rocks every morning.

4) the ability to cook fish. okay, starting to get into the mundane here - but I really would like to feel a bit more at ease with this cuisine as it's healthier, I think. provided I don't buy the wrong kind and contribute to destroying the environment.

5) patience. don't kill the remote control when the channel won't change and I'm forced to watch the Real Housewives of Atlanta until something finally works in this damn little piece of plastic. don't curse the metro when it takes 8 minutes instead of 4 for a train to come during rush hour even though that means twice as many smelly, disgruntled people will be crowding on when it finally does arrive. don't yell at the TSA agent because I have to take off my belt so that stupid machine doesn't beep when I knew all along that I shouldn't have worn pants that required a belt in the first place. or shoes. or a coat. or lip gloss instead of lipstick.

Come to think of it Santa, just please leave me a big fat barrel of patience under the tree. That ought to take care of items 1 through 4 above.

I Love Turkey

2008-11-24T00:01:00.001-05:00

This post brought to you by Soccer Mom in Denial - posting every Monday on a different musical memory.

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Finally, a Thanksgiving song!

There's a Hole in My ...

2008-11-22T08:58:00.002-05:00

heart

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

That Little Pink Nose

2008-11-19T15:35:00.006-05:00

Lucy Rose Ginsberg
1988-2008

Ghana loves Obama

2008-11-19T00:05:00.002-05:00

On my recent travels I've noticed a lot of support for candidate Obama - billboards proclaiming "Africa loves Obama", t-shirts saying "Haitians for Obama".

Well now that he's the President-elect there's a whole new wardrobe out there. Shirts, buttons, and hats... and a few campaign buttons I left behind.

It's kind of amazing to see a U.S. President embraced overseas. Rather refreshing.

I'm off to see Ghanaian...

2008-11-15T02:08:00.001-05:00

castles

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

Obama soundtrack

2008-11-10T17:32:00.002-05:00

This post brought to you by Soccer Mom in Denial - posting every Monday on a different musical memory.

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I just can't get enough... best music ever associated with a political campaign!

Expired? Annoying. To see this video - definitely worth viewing - go to http://dipdive.com/ and look for will.i.am's It's a New Day. Also available on iTunes - just not sure if you get the video.

In Yet Another Time...

2008-11-08T05:28:00.000-05:00

zone

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

My Ears Are Still Ringing...

2008-11-05T09:21:00.004-05:00

From Monday night's rally in Manassas - 100,000 strong. Standing for 5 hours to hear a 30 minute speech. Worth every minute.

My eyes are red from crying for joy last night. There's something very exciting about crying tears of JOY. You have to be so happy that laughter isn't enough of a physical release.

My head is spinning from running around the country - Denver in August, Virginia in November. When you live in a place that gives the victor a 93% return, it's nice to know you can have an impact somewhere!

My heart is singing. The schadenfreude is in check - instead of wanting to stomp all over the loser, I feel an urgent need to get working on getting my country back.

Why Wilma and Lucy Would Vote Obama

2008-11-02T00:05:00.000-05:00

Wilma, my beloved dog who has since passed away, would love Barack Obama. As would Lucy, our beloved 20-year old cat. And here's why:

1. He's black and white. As was Wilma, and is Lucy. Bi-color.

2. He believes in easing the tax burden on everyone (except for the very rich) - more biscuits!

3. He is open to hearing different ideas and coming to consensus (yes, you can sleep on the bed...)

4. He is well-traveled. As was Wilma, as is Lucy.

5. He is non-discriminating. Wilma loved everyone - even potential ax-murderers. Lucy could care less about anyone - equally.

Unfortunately this month...

2008-11-01T08:29:00.001-05:00

NoGoSloMo

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

Lazy Day, Hanging by the ...

2008-10-25T00:02:00.000-05:00

pool

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

Bitterballen Bonanza

2008-10-22T00:05:00.000-05:00

Having read about the glory that is bitterballen - and subsequently trying the Haitian version...I had to try them in the motherland. I was not disappointed.

As my friends pointed out to me, there is a trick to eating the glorious bits of heaven. Always break them open first so that the steam escapes or else you'll get bitterballen burned. And that's no fun.

How do they compare to Haiti's version? The outside is crisper and inside is chunkier. Better but not so much that I won't pass them up next time I'm in Port au Prince.

And what's even more fun? When the waiter that delivers them is named "Jip P" - as in Yippee! How perfect!

Charming Dutch

2008-10-21T15:46:00.008-05:00

What are charming Dutch things?

Wooden shoes

Bicycles

Old churches

and racy lingerie stores in residential neighborhoods

I Be Illin'

2008-10-21T14:38:00.007-05:00

Invariably it happens, you're traveling and come down with something akin to the flu. Well, maybe it doesn't happen to everyone, but lately I've spent more time away from home so the odds were against me.

I went to visit my dear friends in The Hague for a few days before going on to Nigeria (for work) and came down with what seemed to be a nasty cold. Only it got worse and worse. And then my dear friends said to me "you are too sick to fly". At first I took this as a compliment - they wanted me to stay longer - but then upon hearing my own reply "nob I'b obay" I realized that I really couldn't breathe. Or at least talk and breathe, eat and breathe... so here I am.

Lucky for me said friends also have a doctor here in the Netherlands. Let me clarify - they have a doctor who prescribes drugs. Apparently, drugs are not commonly given out here - "tough it out the Dutch way". Seriously, we know women who were denied drugs during childbirth! Don't they know, better living through chemistry.

I got up early, changed my flights (I love my travel agent) and off we went to the doctor. Did I mention he's the same guy who took care of Milosevic (this being The Hague, the prison is just down the road.) Despite other less than charming patients, he treated me well. Joked around in incomprehensible English with a Dutch accent and I was on my way, prescriptions in hand.

I'm so happy now. I'm breathing.

Hey Sarah

2008-10-20T12:09:00.001-05:00

This post brought to you by Soccer Mom in Denial - posting every Monday on a different musical memory.

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I haven't been feeling very musical for awhile. Maybe it's too much travel, maybe it's the stress of this election. Maybe it's because the only music I listen to lately is Haitian and I've done just about enough posting on that topic...

Then someone sent me this. I love music.

War Is Hell

2008-10-19T15:33:00.002-05:00

We went to visit a bunker - at one point Dutch, and later Nazi - in Hoek van Holland. It's now turned into a museum and provides an interesting look at military history.

The bunker is quite extensive - miles of tunnels - that includes a bakery, a prison (that's two I've visited in one month!), and officer quarters.

There are also lots of big guns.

And a medical center. What is this Nazi suffering from that requires the doctors to hover over him with his pants down? Crabs. Really.

Hungry?

2008-10-19T15:13:00.001-05:00

The Dutch are an interesting bunch. Their language is something between English and German - I'm not sure which parts of either. Naming restaurants sometimes produces interesting results...

And if you're not in the mood for a restaurant you can always try the automat at the train station.

Yum, appetizing, isn't it?

Surprisingly Warm for ...

2008-10-11T08:51:00.000-05:00

Fall

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

I Spent the Day Canvassing for...

2008-10-04T18:15:00.000-05:00

OBAMA

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

We Had a Hot Date Last Night Watching the ...

2008-09-27T07:51:00.001-05:00

debate

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

5 Minute University

2008-09-23T16:06:00.002-05:00

I was reading about Sarah Palin's visit to the UN today (or somewhere in the vicinity - with her you never if she actually went to a place or just flew over it) and it got me thinking - how many countries have I "visited" in an attempt to expand my foreign policy knowledge.

"Visited" in this case meaning that I stopped there to refuel or perhaps make a connection but didn't get farther than the terminal - as evidenced by a lack of passport stamp (assuming you have a passport to begin with...). I'd count the number I actually visited (complete with aforementioned stamp) but then comparing my visits with Sarah Palin's would be like comparing apples and oranges - basically, I'd pummel her with fruit.

In terms of "visited" I would include:
Senegal
Guinea
Togo
South Korea

hmmm... not too many. So I guess that makes me a lightweight when it comes to foreign policy creds. But still more than World Traveler Palin.

Then I saw that she was "meeting" with world leaders in NY - again, not exactly thorough get to know you over several days of negotiations meetings - more like layovers. How many world leaders have I "met"? Hmmm.... Won't go there because there's some I can't tell you about. But let me throw one down just so I don't look like a total novice. The King of Pobe. Small kingdom, nice guy. About a 15 minute chit chat. Guess Sarah beat me today!

If Sarah Palin thinks that her brief tete-a-tetes (hey Sarah, that's French for head to head or more like face to face meetings) with world leaders this week is going to meaningfully enhance an otherwise anemic resume then I've got a university I'd like to send you to - if you go twice, you might just get a PhD!

MaWon and Hurricane Relief

2008-09-22T15:24:00.005-05:00

This post brought to you by Soccer Mom in Denial - posting every Monday on a different musical memory.

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Back to my favorite topic, Haiti. I have to say this place really does get under your skin. And now into my ears.

Last week we went to a shop that was originally opened through US government support - it was called Aid to Artisans - and has since been run by someone else but still features some WONDERFUL Haitian crafts.

In our conversation with the shop owner she told us about how proud she is of her daughter-in-law who is involved in a music video now on You Tube (said as if we'd never heard of the place - it was very cute).

The music is by the artist MaWon and benefits hurricane relief. Listen, love it, buy it!

Food for the Poor (wikipedia)

Hurricane Relief Project (FFP's website)

I want more ...

2008-09-20T17:25:00.002-05:00

bitterballen

go here to learn more...

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

Haiti Relief

2008-09-15T21:40:00.005-05:00

This post brought to you by Soccer Mom in Denial - posting every Monday on a different musical memory.

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I'm in Haiti, which as you know, unless you live under a rock, has suffered horribly with Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

One of the largest cities, Gonaives is essentially inaccessible. Not only does this disrupt Gonaives, it disrupts at least a dozen other places which are now, one might say, "overseas".

US relief efforts are underway but in such a disturbing way - and I don't think I can go into detail on this - we haven't exactly been successful at getting people on the ground to help. The Canadians are sending help and seem to have their act together. And just yesterday Matt Damon and Wyclef Jean brought relief.

So in honor of two people who figured it out - I offer you a tribute to Wyclef Jean (sorry, don't think Matt Damon sings - except for that song with Sarah Silverman).

It's Hurricane Season, Why Am I Headed Off to...

2008-09-13T06:00:00.002-05:00

Haiti?

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

Doe a Deer

2008-09-08T08:35:00.003-05:00

This post brought to you by Soccer Mom in Denial - posting every Monday on a different musical memory.

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Call me a fashion moron. Passe, tacky, out of touch. The NY Times did a piece on the fall fashion shows. And all I have to say is, "seriously? The Sound of Music come to mind?"

Jesus was a community organizer, Pontius Pilate was a governor

2008-09-05T00:05:00.002-05:00

As with many other millions of Americans, I was horribly offended by former Mayor (bleepity bleep bleep bleep) Giuliani and Governor (bleepity bleep bleep bleep) Palin's denigrating comments about community organizing.

In my work, community organizing is a critical part of what we do. Community organizing or community mobilization is about raising awareness, garnering support, and changing social norms so that:

it's no longer okay to beat women who are suspected of bringing HIV into the family

it's no longer okay to ostracize children who are in any way connected with HIV

it's no longer okay for governments to fill their private bank accounts while their citizens go without treatment

it's no longer okay to keep pregnant girls out of school

it's no longer okay to discriminate in the workplace based on HIV-status, known or presumed

I'm sorry that former Mayor (bleepity bleep bleep bleep) Giuliani and Governor (bleepity bleep bleep bleep) Palin have no problem saying to millions of people trying to improve their communities (in the words of Jon Stewart) - "F**K Y*U! You Stupid As*es!"

* it's towards the end, but worth the wait

Democratic Soundtrack

2008-09-01T11:21:00.005-05:00

A few weeks ago, I asked for help in putting together a soundtrack for the weeks to come. I had the incredible fortune to attend the Democratic National Convention last week - and as luck would have it, I found my soundtrack. Along with the incredible speeches I heard last week, I also heard some amazing music.

Here it is - a week of exhilaration in a playlist:

God Bless America - Melissa Etheridge
The Times They Are A Changing - Melissa Etheridge
Give Peace A Chance - Melissa Etheridge
Born in the USA - Melissa Etheridge
The National Anthem - Jennifer Hudson
Yes We Can - will.i.am and John Legend
A Change Would Do You Good - Sheryl Crow
Out of Our Heads - Sheryl Crow
Signed, Sealed, Delivered - Stevie Wonder
America, the Beautiful - Michael McDonald

After a week at the Democratic National Convention, I am FIRED...

2008-08-30T12:27:00.001-05:00

UP!

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

My Bling

2008-08-29T12:54:00.001-05:00

There were tons of t-shirts and buttons to be had. I picked up quite a few of both and will proudly wear them (while not at work) over the coming months.

A couple of my favorite items, however were of a different variety...

A lovely gift from my stepmother from www.obamawatches.com

and my favorite item of all..

a tote bag you too can own from www.flashbagsonline.com

I Had a Dream...

2008-08-28T12:29:00.002-05:00

I suppose every young girl dreams of spending a day at the ballpark with her dad. Or maybe having him walk her down the aisle.

I had a dream about going to the Democratic National Convention with my dad.

For months preceding the big event my husband and I scrambled for tickets. We contacted everyone we knew, and heading off to Denver, it was unclear that we would be able to attend any event.

Every morning was a scramble to find entrance into anything.

Wednesday night, our moment finally came. We had managed to secure floor passes for Joe Biden's acceptance speech. As the senior Senator from Delaware spoke, the senior citizen son of Delaware screamed and cheered and waved his poster on the floor of the convention.

It was a dream come true.

I'm Ready for My Close Up

2008-08-27T08:11:00.009-05:00

As at any big, national, history-making extravaganza you're likely to run into a few celebrities.

In Washington, our celebrities tend to be of the political type - politicians and pundits anyone would be very hard pressed to pick out of a line up (but sometimes seen in a perp walk.)

On this trip I managed to run into/sight the following inside-the-beltway types:

TV: Wolf Blitzer, Katie Couric, Bob Schieffer, Luke Russert
Pundits: Paul Begala, James Carville
Politicians: Jack Reed, Chris Dodd, the governor of Iowa (who is incredibly nice and who I kept meeting and shaking his hand - and no I wasn't stalking him), Howard Dean, Sheldon Whitehouse (how's that for an auspicious name)...and others too numerous to count

But for the rest of you out there in the real world, I have a few others on my list who are probably a bit more exciting.

The guys from the Daily Show - Aasif Mandvi, Rob Riggles, and Larry Wilmore, the Black Correspondent.

Melissa Etheridge on stage singing the best American medley I have ever heard

And my favorite candidate for Senator for Minnesota, Al Franken.

Wow!

I Cried, I Cried

2008-08-26T17:51:00.002-05:00

The most amazing night so far has been Monday night when we witnessed one of the most powerful moments in a Democratic Convention.

Any politics aside, Ted Kennedy's speech was nothing short of extraordinary. Here is a man who is fighting for his life and he gave every ounce of energy to not only be there - but to speak. As we waited for him to come out we noticed some crew putting a stool next to the podium. Would he need to sit? Would he even be able to walk?

A few moments later we had our answer - he hobbled out in that same way he has been doing for years. No assistance required on the loving arm of his wife. I was crying before he even walked out and by the end of it I was cheering louder than I ever have.

His wish is to see inauguration day. I could wish for nothing more.

Go Teddy Go!

Democratic Fashion

2008-08-25T17:43:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the lag in posting -- we have been running around like crazy people. 8am to 12 midnight every day.

Today's post is about the fashions one finds here. Hundreds of Obama t-shirts to be sure. All a little bit different.

The thing that has been most impressive is the hats and hair-dos. Great to see so many people so inspired. Just brilliant!

p.s. these photos were all taken on the floor of the convention - so exciting!

Blogging from the Democratic National Convention

2008-08-24T07:42:00.000-05:00

Hi Friends - you are in for a treat this week! I am (sort of) attending the Democratic National Convention in Denver. We arrived on Saturday afternoon and will stay until Friday afternoon - plenty of time to take in all the excitement!

And we are EXCITED! As I walked out of the airport terminal I encountered a number of airport pickup signs for Obama supporters and it was all so thrilling I just had to cheer! Even though I already had a ride.

Rather than post about the political goings-on around town I'll stick to the more touristy aspects of it all. I can't really blog about politics for a few reasons - and why add to the coverage from 50 million other bloggers and news websites.

Hope to see you all this week... it's gonna be FUN!

Akwaaba

2008-08-17T06:39:00.004-05:00

It's that time of the week - injecting a little geographic exploration into an otherwise sedentary life.

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I haven't done one of these posts in a long time (and it's not Wednesday - so sue me) but since I'm on the road I thought I would post a travel story.

I'm currently in Ghana for a few days. 6 days to be exact. Hardly enough time to see anything and considering I'll be in meetings the whole time I don't know that I'll have much to report on besides the inside of conference rooms.

I arrived here this morning and walked off the plane to the lovely smell of West Africa. It's not so much a bad smell as a very distinctive one. Something like burning peat. Not too different from rural Ireland.

The most shocking things to me so far have been the safety issues - or really lack thereof. Given my recent trip to Haiti and my future trip to Nigeria (returning to both places again later this fall) I am so used to being on guard walking through the airport. I plain forgot that I could even wander outside the hotel without an escort while I'm here.

Weather is hot and humid - not unlike DC. The upside is that we get ocean breezes. Helps keep the mosquitoes at bay.

Looking forward to a fun week!

Oh, how I wish I could sleep...

2008-08-16T06:52:00.000-05:00

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

I'm Lost

2008-08-11T15:41:00.004-05:00

This post brought to you by Soccer Mom in Denial - posting every Monday on a different musical memory.

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I have been completely out of it. After a brutal week a couple of weeks ago, I spent last week vegetating. My husband was away and I had all these little projects I was going to work on. hmmmm...best laid plans.

I did manage to feed the cat and water the plants - although managed to mess up each of those on separate days. But at the end of the week, everyone was alive! Victory!

I flew up to VT on Friday afternoon to join my husband for a music festival he attends every year. An incredibly relaxing weekend to end a blissfully confused week and to kick off another round of back to back flights.

Alas, I have no soundtrack. Other than the explosively loud music I played to drown out a particularly turbulent flight last night, I have no musical memory to share this week.

Will you help me? I'm going to Ghana, Denver, Haiti, and Nigeria (and some twice) in the next 3 months. What music do I need to add to my iPod? What tunes will I associate with these trips? Something to bring me back to that 11 hour flight over the Atlantic? The interminable layover in Miami? The roar of the crowd at Mile High Stadium?

All recommendations appreciated!

Some Positive Affirmation

2008-08-04T00:04:00.002-05:00

This post brought to you by Soccer Mom in Denial - posting every Monday on a different musical memory.

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I had one of those weeks at work where I thought I was going to get fired several times. Not having actually done anything wrong, but feeling under attack.

A book I'm reading right now about how to deal with difficult co-workers recommends releasing physical stress through exercise - walk your dog, take deep breaths, go for a run. As a matter of fact, they recommend running a lot. To the point where you wonder where people who are under such stress find the time. But I digress.

On Friday I was walking to a meeting I really dreaded. Just had a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach. I pored through my iPod looking for something to calm me down. Tried slow stuff. Listened to tracks for my fear of flying (nice guy talking in a sweet voice). Hmmmm, somehow listening to someone talk about plane crashes wasn't really helping.

I finally gave up on the soothing stuff and decided on something to get my positive energy up.

Gotta love these women.

The meeting went well. Stood my ground and was surprisingly polite and composed. I'm very happy with my performance.

Support All Faiths

2008-07-28T20:49:00.004-05:00

I'm writing this at the request of SMID - who is sadly mourning an attack on her church because "they support liberals and gays".

Well, come on over because I can't recall a time when my Presbyterian home didn't open its doors wide open to people of all faiths, persuasions, colors, addictions, and convictions.

There were the usual summer services where we swapped houses with the Episcopalians down the street - believe me, we all may be Protestant but those ~~JV Catholics~~ lovely neighbors always had me confused. Nevermind, I finally caught on to the Book of Common Prayer... by late August. Today, I attend a local Episcopalian church because the reverend is a woman (love the gender neutral text!) and the congregation is predominantly gay.

The other thing I grew up with in my Presbyterian home were the presence of gay people. Let me rephrase that, the tolerance, abundance, and love of gay people. When the leadership of the church (not our local house but the big people in some capital place or somesuch) wanted to exclude gays from the clergy, all of our ushers wore pink triangles during services. Every single one. Imagine getting a glimpse of that when they passed the plate around.

Finally, our church preached against hate, nuclear weapons, and Ronald Reagan. Against poverty, discrimination, and well, Ronald Reagan. These were my Sunday stories. Couldn't tell you what the proverb or reading was. But I surely understood the lesson.

The Plucky Stuff

2008-07-28T00:09:00.002-05:00

This post brought to you by Soccer Mom in Denial - posting every Monday on a different musical memory.

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Several years ago I went to a concert with my (yet to be) husband. On the program was the Ravel String Quartet in F Major. I was completely entranced by this piece. After the concert I said to my (yet to be) husband - "that sounded like something from a movie" which is to say I liked it, I REALLY liked it. The second movement had this wonderful vitality and eeriness.

Recently I went to a concert in a small (tiny tiny) French village with my sister. On the program were a Dvorak piece and a Brahms piece. Afterwards I asked my sister what she thought and she said "I like the plucky stuff". Exactly! That's what I like too - exactly what I heard in that Ravel piece years ago.

So here it is - pizzicato - aka "the plucky stuff"

Ravel String Quartet in F Major - 2nd movement "Assez Vif; Tres Rythme"
performed by the Hagen String Quartet

My uninfected, rehabbed, cleansed computer is like...

2008-07-26T06:43:00.002-05:00

NEW

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

By The Sea By The Sea

2008-07-21T00:10:00.001-05:00

This post brought to you by Soccer Mom in Denial - posting every Monday on a different musical memory.

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We took a drive out to Arcachon yesterday - one of those lovely (if sometimes a bit tacky) European seaside towns. A moonbounce, ice cream, sunbathers, and ticket kiosks.... they had it all.

Reminded me very much of that song from Sweeney Todd - our day had quite a bit less gore and psychosis. It was lovely.

and check out Looking Into for some interesting hood ornaments

Well Looky There!

2008-07-20T02:24:00.001-05:00

My photos made the cut again!

Looking Into

My Sister Is...

2008-07-19T00:03:00.000-05:00

HILARIOUS

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

Been Around the World

2008-07-14T16:13:00.003-05:00

This post brought to you by Soccer Mom in Denial - posting every Monday on a different musical memory.

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Due to various craziness going on right now I'm going to steal from SMID's post this week.

I love Lisa Stansfield too and fondly remember her heyday back in the 80's. As with much music from that era, I heard about it from my sister.

I'm currently on a last minute trip to France because I got a call last week saying that she was hospitalized and would undergo surgery. Thankfully everything went well and I am now here to take care of her for the next week. A pretty easy job when the recovery room is Bordeaux.

So now I'm thinking about how I traveled around the world to be with my [sister] baby.

Will have to play that song for her when she comes home from the hospital tomorrow. She will love it!

p.s. French keyboards are totally different - this posting took forever to type!

Nothing Like a Last Minute Trip to...

2008-07-12T00:03:00.001-05:00

France

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

Oh Goodness

2008-07-07T00:03:00.001-05:00

This post brought to you by Soccer Mom in Denial - posting every Monday on a different musical memory.

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This weekend my husband and I bought the Star Wars trilogy. The ORIGINAL trilogy - the one that has now been renamed Epsisodes IV, V and VI even though they are really 1, 2, and 3.

Flipping through the channels we occasionally stumble upon the airing of one of these three episodes and watch it until the end. The opportunity came up this weekend to patronize our local music and video store so we jumped at the chance to finally own the movies we so often re-watch.

Tonight we threw in Episode I or IV - AKA Star Wars. After years of knowing my husband, I did not know that he could quote the movie VERBATIM. What a shock.

So now when I hear this theme song, I'm reminded that I married one of the truly geekiest - and LOVABLE - men on the planet...

A Tartish Tart

2008-07-06T00:03:00.001-05:00

We visited our friends in their new home for a BBQ this weekend. They are big Red Sox fans and we are Yankees fans - so our get-togethers are always pretty lively.

The wife recently helped coordinate a wedding of another friend of mine - and as bribery (in addition to her fee) to take the gig I offered to throw in a tart.

It was all perfect - new grill, fresh tart - and to top it off, a Yankees-Red Sox game.

I think they had mixed feelings about the tart...

Finally home, I'm baking a ...

2008-07-05T00:03:00.001-05:00

tart

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

tart photos tomorrow!

Happy Fourth of July!

2008-07-04T19:53:00.000-05:00

Former Senator Jesse Helms Dies at 86

Leaving on a Jet Plane

2008-06-30T00:03:00.001-05:00

This post brought to you by Soccer Mom in Denial - posting every Monday on a different musical memory.

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I'm sure I've written about this song - as I know I have written about John Denver. I'm off today for another trip. That will be 8 flights in 14 days. Just super for someone who's afraid of flying!

They say John Denver wrote this song while on a layover in Washington (must have been Dulles - no one connects through National).

All the more fitting since that is my city of departure and return.

The worst part about circling the airport in a rainstorm, steep...

2008-06-28T07:17:00.002-05:00

banking

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

The Hospital

2008-06-25T17:53:00.004-05:00

It's that time of the week - injecting a little geographic exploration into an otherwise sedentary life.

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It's Wednesday so I thought I would make this entry about travel - and as I'm currently in Haiti, this is the topic. Rather than give you my impressions after having been here only a few days, and also having had a rather confined existence, instead I will take you on a tour of the University Hospital that I visited today. Small patch of earth, but a big tour in other ways.

We went to learn more about their monitoring and evaluation systems - in layman's terms, we were interested in data. Collection, storage, use.

Our visit was focused on HIV and thus, the tour I describe takes place almost entirely in that area of the hospital - with the exceptions noted below.

We began by walking through the waiting area for HIV services. Packed to gills but thankfully chairs and a TV provided by the US! The TV was supposed to have a loop of health education videos but I think someone had changed it to soccer (futbol). Forget about privacy or confidentiality here. You are here for one reason and one reason only - you suspect you have HIV or you know you do.

Next we visited the counseling & testing area. A room full of chairs for those receiving pre-test counseling - a group exercise. A small room for testing, a small room for post-test counseling. You could smell the fresh paint in the Haitian heat.

Next we went to the service areas down the hall - a room for internal medicine, one for pediatrics, one for M&E folks like myself. Some additional rooms for similar activities. They are expanding - doubling the number of rooms to accommodate the increased patient load.

After a tour of the HIV ward we went over to the maternal and child health area - where mothers and children, regardless of HIV status (known or unknown) came in for services. Lots of moms waiting on chairs with sleepy sloth-like infants on their laps. The sweetest faces you'll ever see.

And after that it was the pediatric ward - children in rooms with paint peeling off the walls. Mothers attending to them. A few nurses to adminster medicines. In another room, babies in bassinets, tubes coming out of their tiny little bodies. None above 3lbs. This was the special section for infants whose mothers are HIV-positive. Their status is unknown.

I have to stop writing now. I need a drink.

Officer and a Bride

2008-06-23T00:01:00.002-05:00

This post brought to you by Soccer Mom in Denial - posting every Monday on a different musical memory.

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We went to a BEAUTIFUL wedding this weekend in Vermont. The ceremony had a number of guests in dress navy uniforms, and one very impressive looking marine, also in dress uniform. And most notably, the groom in his dress uniform - bright white - even his shoes!

The reception was held on a private "farm" - really just several acres of grassy hills overlooking the lake. Stunning.

We drank and ate and drank some more and danced till our feet killed us (I'm going to need knee replacement surgery after this one). Plenty of 80's tunes, a smattering of Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen (both of whom have come out in support of a certain candidate associated with the wedding party), lots of Madonna, etc.

As the night wound down I kept waiting for a certain song to play. Surely it had to be the last song. I kept waiting.... nope. Guess not. Though it would have been so perfect, and perfectly hokey.

I'm spending my anniversary weekend at a wedding in...

2008-06-21T00:34:00.000-05:00

Vermont

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

Ayiti

2008-06-18T00:40:00.009-05:00

It's that time of the week - injecting a little geographic exploration into an otherwise sedentary life.

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From one extreme to the other. A couple of weeks ago I was in a lush, chilly climate with abundant natural beauty and a bit too much food. Next week it's off to the polar opposite - a deforested, hot climate with not such pretty scenery and a severe food crisis. Off to Haiti. But not before a brief weekend in Vermont for a friend's wedding.

For my job I'm supporting the work of our team (and a few other countries, but info on those will come at a later date). I'll be honest, I had to sort of be coerced into taking on this country. I was the only person on our team who spoke French - and I'm far far far from fluent. But there it is, my asset turns out to be a fatal flaw.

I've spent the past few months reading up on the place and am now pretty excited about my adventure. In addition to the expediter who will get me through the airport upon my arrival, I'll be driven around in a LAM (lightly armored vehicle) and prohibited from going anywhere on my own. It's a weird sort of existence.

As much as I love the airport expediter (would love that here in the US!) the rest of it is a bit unsettling - a fancy new hotel, plentiful and tasty food, frigid air-conditioning. Strange situation to be in when food riots make the evening news at home.

Despite all the dire news, there are some real things to get excited about. For instance:

* the HIV prevalence rate has fallen in the past few years from 3.6% to 2.2% - all in the face of increasing poverty and social unrest. And even as high as that rate is (Europe is .3 and the US .6) that's a lot lower than other countries who are much more prosperous (Botswana, South Africa...)

Should be an interesting trip - I'll post more when I return

à bientôt!

McCain Gets Crabs

2008-06-16T00:12:00.003-05:00

This post brought to you by Soccer Mom in Denial - posting every Monday on a different musical memory.

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I had another one of those classic Washington weekends. On Saturday morning I went to the farmers' market and in the afternoon watched the Gay Pride parade in our neighborhood. Sunday, we drove out to Annapolis for a summer day in the sun.

Our destination yesterday was a famous seafood place - the kind of place that really smells like fish. The tablecloths are brown paper and instead of a knife and fork you get a hammer with your food.

As we sat waiting for a table (because you know a place like this doesn't take reservations) we noticed a couple of big Suburbans idling in the parking lot. At $4/gallon on a hot June day that was quite the investment in oil. We then noticed a common sighting in DC - men with earpieces.

Must be someone BIG in there. Yep, John McCain walks out and hops into one of the cars and it drives away. It's like they always say, so much different looking in person...

and don't forget to check out: http://www.thingsyoungerthanmccain.com/

Fruits of My Labor

2008-06-15T00:34:00.002-05:00

Went to the farmers' market yesterday and got fresh strawberries.

And look what I made...

Happy Father's Day!

I'm going to the farmers' market for...

2008-06-14T08:06:00.000-05:00

strawberries

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

Alaska

2008-06-11T21:33:00.003-05:00

It's that time of the week - injecting a little geographic exploration into an otherwise sedentary life.

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I've been a bit slow to recap on Alaska - it was a great trip and I have hundreds of photos to post so it's tough choosing among them.

Luckily, due in part to SMID's haranguing, I have become much better about actually taking photos. I used to go places and just not bother. Not so much not bother, but rather, not know what to do. So many of the places I go to don't really lend themselves to tourist photos. I specialize in proof-that-I've-been-there photos. Like crime scenes.

So after many years of not taking photos of marketplaces (how do you capture the smells?) and villages (how do you capture the dust?) I have made a concerted effort to take any photos. Digital cameras help too. I love being able to see if I got the right shot and retaking it several (several) times.

I can't post all the postcard pictures here so let me just focus on a few things:

1. Alaska is prehistoric. I don't mean there are dinosaurs roaming the streets. But looking at the HUGE snow-capped mountains and glaciers you definitely get a sense that this place was formed by continents splitting and crashing thousands of years ago.

2. Alaska is isolated. For much of the state, and some of the "bigger" towns there is no way in or out but by plane or boat. Or as one of our biking guides said "I s'pose you could hike".

3. Alaska is warm. 50-60 degree temps and all I needed were a couple of t-shirts and a light jacket. We had our cold days, but nothing worse than a summer in San Francisco (as Mark Twain would say). Oh, and the people are warm too.

We're Having a Heatwave...

2008-06-09T06:00:00.003-05:00

This post brought to you by Soccer Mom in Denial - posting every Monday on a different musical memory.

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A tropical heatwave.

Is this your weather forecast?

Tomorrow: Hazy sun, very hot and humid with the temperature approaching the record of 102 set in 1874

DC Weather Report...

2008-06-07T22:37:00.002-05:00

stifling

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

and I'm on Looking Into again! It's Flower Week!

Dateline Klondike

2008-06-04T07:30:00.002-05:00

It's that time of the week - injecting a little geographic exploration into an otherwise sedentary life.

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Okay - just back from Alaska. Lots of travel tales in there but for right now I'm tired and have to go to bed.

Here's something to occupy you until I get the chance to post.

When It's Warm, You Can Get Baked in ...

2008-05-31T00:04:00.000-05:00

Alaska

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

Traveling Companion

2008-05-28T00:10:00.002-05:00

It's that time of the week - injecting a little geographic exploration into an otherwise sedentary life.

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In my myriad of travels over the years I've had the pleasure and displeasure of traveling with others. There is something about traveling with another person which can make you hate them or love them - let's hope it's the latter. Traveling alone can also have its plusses and minuses too.

I've traveled a bit on my own at various times - either for plesaure or work - and have found it to be both freeing and confining. After a stint on a kibbutz one summer I took off and backpacked around Israel by myself. No pesky companion to keep me from rising early to hike up Masada and see the sunrise. Alas, no companion either to accompany me out at night to walk around Jerusalem's Old City or to accompany me around the wall of the city. Both situations place a single person at risk of mugging or worse. I also ran into a similar problem while traveling for work in Morocco - a single woman out alone at night is thought to be a prostitute. Not sure what I would have been subjected to had I tested this theory.

On the flip side, traveling alone often afforded me the opportunity to meet new people, as I was not bound to any particular companion. In Benin for work, I spent most evenings at the hotel tiki bar by the pool chatting with the bartenders (in French!). Joining me were several other work travelers - an American selling a plane to the head of state and an Australian commodities trader loading a ship with cottonseed. I learned a lot about international commerce! In Savannah, I sat at the communal tables at Mrs. Wilkes' Boarding House and met conventioneers and couples touring the town.

My travels with my sister are legendary and in some ways I found a new friend - we got to know each other in ways that staying at home don't reveal. How fast are you willing to run for a train? Would you eat something you couldn't pronounce or recognize? In how many languages can you say "ooh, that jacket is so cute, I wonder what it costs?". Two friends of mine and I backpacked around Europe on a tiny amount of money but we survived with each other's help. When one friend accidentally put contact lens cleaning solution in her eye, we other two navigated the Greek bus and medical system - in German! To this day, I don't doubt any one of us would travel miles to help the others.

Nowadays I'm traveling with my husband and it's been a learning experience. We complement each other well - something we had to learn over time. He's a planner and I'm more laid-back. There was some friction at first but then we realized how well we work together - one made the reservations, the other agreed not to criticize the choices. Hasn't steered me wrong yet.

Rhymes with Hoover...

2008-05-24T14:50:00.002-05:00

Vancouver

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

Cruisin'

2008-05-21T06:00:00.001-05:00

It's that time of the week - injecting a little geographic exploration into an otherwise sedentary life.

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Yours truly is going to be out of town for a little while - about 10 days - for an Alaska cruise. No doubt future posts will be filled with stories about icebergs and polar bears or whatever else is there. Black bears? Moose? Maybe I need to do some research before I go.

Leading up to this trip, people have been asking me "are you EXCITED?" - maybe less of a question and more of a statement. Well yes and no. I'm sure the natural beauty of Alaska is something else - or so I'm told. And I do like nature. Love Switzerland's Alps and Glacier National Park's winding roads and Ireland's cliffs.

But what is ~~fascinating~~ obsessing me more these days is the cruise itself. I've never been on a cruise ship before - unless you count the overnight ferry from Italy to Greece where I slept on the floor with my backpacking buddies. I've been on river "cruises" - a three-hour tour. A three-hour tour. But never a floating hotel.

I'm not really a cruise person. That I know of. While people I know have been on many cruises - mostly Caribbean and warm weather - it's not necessarily a vacation I would choose for myself. I'm used to hauling my bag from hotel to hotel. Struggling to lift it onto a train (sometimes as it pulls out of the station). Packing and unpacking at each destination. Relearning my surroundings every few days. Finding decent restaurants. Walking miles between monuments.

Hmmm....might be a nice change of pace.

Schoolhouse Rock

2008-05-19T06:40:00.003-05:00

This post brought to you by Soccer Mom in Denial - posting every Monday on a different musical memory.

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I was reading a Washington Post series on childhood obesity in America. The series is going on all week and is looking at a number of aspects that encourage obesity in children - cuts in federal funding for physical education, lack of grocery stores in poor neighborhoods, etc.

How children (and parents) learn about basic science, math, and civics concepts reminded me of Schoolhouse Rock. I don't know if it's on anymore but every family should have a copy of the entire series. Everything from planets to adverbs is covered (I know you're all singing "Lolly, lolly, lolly" right now)

Oftentimes in my job I find myself discussing a piece of legislation because it affects what we do. People are impressed with my thorough knowledge of the legislative process. They think I have inside information because of my husband. Really, I'm just singing the tune, "I'm just a bill sitting here on Capitol Hill". And don't I look smart!

Too Much Rain, My Plants Are

2008-05-17T00:10:00.000-05:00

drowning

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

If Women Ran the World

2008-05-16T14:22:00.006-05:00

I came across this interesting piece in the Washington Post about economic revival after the Rwandan genocide.

There are at least 3 take home messages here:
1) women are highly reliable at paying back loans
2) women devote a great portion of their income towards their families
3) women are innovative in developing and furthering businesses

Just goes to show you...women are awesome

You Gotta See This!

2008-05-15T00:10:00.002-05:00

If you regularly read this blog you'll note that I stay away from political commentary, despite deeply held views (which I won't reveal here or here or here).

But my husband came home with this one today and I just couldn't resist.

Frickin hilarious!

Things That Are Younger Than John McCain

call me ageist.

at least you can't call me a racist.

Jenn in France

2008-05-14T00:10:00.000-05:00

It's that time of the week - injecting a little geographic exploration into an otherwise sedentary life.

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My sister Jenn made it to France! She just moved from Indonesia - quite the series of flights. With a cat, no less. She'll be staying with Mom and stepdad for awhile until she figures out her next move - in France somewhere doing something.

I have fond memories of hanging out in France and Europe with Jenn. Way back when, oh about 15 years ago, we went on a trip there - just before I went to grad school.

On our flight over there we were crammed into our seats waiting for dinner. The steward comes by and says "chicken or beef". Jenn's reply "the chicken, how is that prepared?". His response "it's airline food, it's microwaved". Gotta love her gift for conversation.

During the flight over I come to find out that shen had not really ever traveled alone in Europe, without our parents. By this time I had backpacked around Europe with little money and had done quite well (I survived!). I would show her how to read the Eurail schedule and she would duly chase after departing trains - demonstrated by the time when such a thing occurred as we ran around the Bern bahnhof and leapt onto a moving train. Like something out of a movie. Only nothing romantic about it.

We learned that we could both communicate in French. Both. As in together. She would ask the questions and I would listen for the answers. This worked quite well, except one short bus trip where the driver didn't cooperate with our little 2-person act. So we ended up seeing the town twice. No big loss, it was very pretty.

Her gift for languages was also evident on a trip to Italy. Her love of food, sense of style, and appreciation of art were in abundance. As well as her ability to mix up words. While she had nailed down "please!" she couldn't quite recall the difference between "door" and "check". My follow up was "we'd like the check first please. And then we'll go out your door."

And since our first travels together she has been to more places, and lived in more countries than I ever will. I like to think I was her teacher. And now I'm her student.

Dance Moves

2008-05-12T00:10:00.002-05:00

This post brought to you by Soccer Mom in Denial - posting every Monday on a different musical memory.

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My calves hurt.

Friday night some friends came over and, after much wine, we put on 80's music. Both I and our friend (the husband in this couple) live in households where our music isn't always played so much. We suffer in silence...

But not Friday night. Somehow we won out and the tunes started playing. And then we started dancing. Mostly bouncing. Because if you remember the following songs, you remember that the main dance move is just bouncing up and down. Mostly with your arms at your side and your head bopping back and forth. Sometimes you gesture with your arms along with the music.

Bizarre Love Triangle - New Order
I Melt With You - Modern English
Our House - Madness
Mirror in the Bathroom - English Beat
Friday I'm in Love - The Cure

Lots of bouncing up and down. Just like the high school dance.

Lots of Wine and 80's Music, My Head is...

2008-05-10T00:10:00.001-05:00

bopping

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

Fear of Flying

2008-05-07T00:10:00.000-05:00

It's that time of the week - injecting a little geographic exploration into an otherwise sedentary life.

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This week's post isn't about places I've been - it's about the journey. As they say, sometimes that's the more important part of the experience.

Not when you're afraid to fly.

As a child I can remember loving air travel. Airports were amazing - those boards that went clickety clack with different destinations could keep me captivated for hours. days. Trips to Kennedy airport to pick up visitors were magical.

Once on the plane I easily passed out. More often than not, I would miss dinner and breakfast on our trips to Europe. Mom always made sure that the chocolate from my breakfast tray was saved (loved KLM!). On the flight to England for my semester abroad in college I fell asleep before takeoff and woke after landing. All night long, boisterous college students laughed and talked around me. Who knew?

I remember when it all changed. Shortly after the crash of Swissair Flight 111 I started to get panicked on flights. It was mild fear at first and continued as such for several years. Sometime in the last 4 years it escalated.

I now understood what a full on panic attack felt like. It wasn't nausea that gripped me, it was sheer terror. Any little bump or noise would increase my already rapid heartbeat. My face burned, my palms and the bottom of my feet were sweaty. I didn't want to get off the plane, I just wanted it to land. Now.

As you can imagine, this hasn't made my travel-heavy life any easier. On our honeymoon in Tanzania we took small planes everywhere - very small. Somehow I felt okay. I felt closer to the ground and that was comforting.

Other flights have not gone as well. I've tried different psychological techniques and medication - both work at times. Sheer exhaustion seems to work the best. I can fall asleep. I don't need to know what's going on. I just don't need to know.

Alas, this fear doesn't exactly work with my career - but then the career chose me long before I feared flying. I won't stay home for something like this. I want to see the world.

And so it goes... just keep breathing.

Just Can't Get Enough

2008-05-05T00:01:00.001-05:00

This post brought to you by Soccer Mom in Denial - posting every Monday on a different musical memory.

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We just got a new Harris Teeter in our neighborhood. For where we live this is a very BIG deal. Our choices up until now have been some pretty lousy Safeways - all the no-carb cake you can eat. And a Whole Foods - for when I want to empty the bank account. I don't totally hate these other stores - it's just that when you live in a good neighborhood in a major city, having healthy food choices that don't bankrupt you is nice. Don't get me started on how ill served poorer areas of the city are.

On Saturday, I was in HT in the produce section amazed at my choices. And then I heard it, like a voice from Heaven...

Depeche Mode. Seriously. On their music system.

I don't need to shop anywhere else.

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And check me out on Looking Into. Photos from sunny Miami.

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