I want to go here.
via BoinbBoing. This Chinese snow and ice festival is visually amazing. How do people in the west find out about this stuff?
5.28.2004
5.26.2004
The Viewing Project
It was nice to show up before work this morning and work on a project with some visual impact. Thanks to Eugene PeaceWorks and Concerned Faculty for Peace and Justice for making this possible.
Bad aim in Eugene?
I knew I lived in a small town when shortly after moving here, the police came and, er, dispatched a sick racoon that was sitting by my front door.
I had called animal control, but apparently they don't work on Tuesdays. Their answering machine said to call 911. While I didn't feel that the racoon was exactly an emergency, I did make the call.
When the racoon failed to die after the first shot, I accused the officer of being a bad shot--which he vehemently denied. He stated that he shot it exactly where they were trained to shoot racoons (apparently, this is an important part of cop training in Eugene).
Now however, I'm not so sure. From yesterday's Register-Guard:
I had called animal control, but apparently they don't work on Tuesdays. Their answering machine said to call 911. While I didn't feel that the racoon was exactly an emergency, I did make the call.
When the racoon failed to die after the first shot, I accused the officer of being a bad shot--which he vehemently denied. He stated that he shot it exactly where they were trained to shoot racoons (apparently, this is an important part of cop training in Eugene).
Now however, I'm not so sure. From yesterday's Register-Guard:
Vicious dog recovering
from gunshot wound
An injured, vicious dog ran at large in a southwest Eugene neighborhood Monday after police shot it in the head but were unable to capture it.
5.25.2004
Warming / Pruning / Teaching
Today was the first day of sprig I came to work without a sweater or sweatshirt. And short sleeves too!
I neglected to mention, when talking about pruning rosebushes, that in my mind, trimming and pruning are two separate things. Getting some shape, eliminating hodgepodge growth, deadheading, and keeping things in control are all trimming. Cutting back for the winter, removing a significant number of vines at their base, and removing large amounts of material are pruning.
Just wanted to clear that up.
And finally...it's week 9 of our 10 week quarter, and I am almost finished teaching my first ever class. I had the extremely unpleasant experience of realizing that the last 3 weeks' readings have been a little mixed up. At the beginning of the term, we got the first 6 weeks' worth of outline complete, and then said, 'OK, now we can get started. Once things are settled down we can finalize the second half of the course.' Then I completely forgot about it. I knew something was missing in the Race Class and Gender week.
So I apologized to the students yesterday, and told them why, if things seemed a little illogical over the previous 3 weeks, it was completely my fault. They seemed extremely amused.
I've already started de-compressing from the experience. Mostly I want to write things down so that I don't repeat mistakes. Many things worked very well--like yesterday's live chat session. (In retrospect though, I should not have used the Eugene gay chat room--there's too high a probability of running into someone you know.) But it was remarkable: out of the 10 people in the room, 4 almost instantly opened private chat windows. (I could almost imagine the cries of 'fresh meat!') One almost immediately propositioned me. Another seemed to want a conversation. After a little bit of exchange, I admitted to being in a class and having his conversation projected on a screen. He didn't freak out, and chatted with the class (via me) a bit.
So OK, I know there might be ethical problems with doing what we did--but I think it was an overwhelmingly positive experience for the students. They seemed entranced. Moreso than any other demo I've done this year.
The VR demo worked pretty well last week (2 weeks ago?) as well. Getting them to try it was a bit more difficult, but that was a technical problem. Downloading clients before class and making sure they run should solve that problem.
If there is a next time, I think I would eliminate the 1 topic per week model. There were, perhaps, 3 broad themes that emerged from the class: What is information and how is it organized online? How is this different from how it's been done in the physical world? How do people interact with it online? Oddly, a spatial metaphor carries through all of the themes, so perhaps the class could be renamed 'Geographies of cyberspace' and offered through the geography department.
More debriefing to come. Or maybe it will happen offline. I'm not sure what's most appropriate anymore. There certainly is something to be said for online document management when one sits at 3 different computers everyday (and carries a 4th in one's pocket. When is Blogger going to offer a handheld interface?).
I neglected to mention, when talking about pruning rosebushes, that in my mind, trimming and pruning are two separate things. Getting some shape, eliminating hodgepodge growth, deadheading, and keeping things in control are all trimming. Cutting back for the winter, removing a significant number of vines at their base, and removing large amounts of material are pruning.
Just wanted to clear that up.
And finally...it's week 9 of our 10 week quarter, and I am almost finished teaching my first ever class. I had the extremely unpleasant experience of realizing that the last 3 weeks' readings have been a little mixed up. At the beginning of the term, we got the first 6 weeks' worth of outline complete, and then said, 'OK, now we can get started. Once things are settled down we can finalize the second half of the course.' Then I completely forgot about it. I knew something was missing in the Race Class and Gender week.
So I apologized to the students yesterday, and told them why, if things seemed a little illogical over the previous 3 weeks, it was completely my fault. They seemed extremely amused.
I've already started de-compressing from the experience. Mostly I want to write things down so that I don't repeat mistakes. Many things worked very well--like yesterday's live chat session. (In retrospect though, I should not have used the Eugene gay chat room--there's too high a probability of running into someone you know.) But it was remarkable: out of the 10 people in the room, 4 almost instantly opened private chat windows. (I could almost imagine the cries of 'fresh meat!') One almost immediately propositioned me. Another seemed to want a conversation. After a little bit of exchange, I admitted to being in a class and having his conversation projected on a screen. He didn't freak out, and chatted with the class (via me) a bit.
So OK, I know there might be ethical problems with doing what we did--but I think it was an overwhelmingly positive experience for the students. They seemed entranced. Moreso than any other demo I've done this year.
The VR demo worked pretty well last week (2 weeks ago?) as well. Getting them to try it was a bit more difficult, but that was a technical problem. Downloading clients before class and making sure they run should solve that problem.
If there is a next time, I think I would eliminate the 1 topic per week model. There were, perhaps, 3 broad themes that emerged from the class: What is information and how is it organized online? How is this different from how it's been done in the physical world? How do people interact with it online? Oddly, a spatial metaphor carries through all of the themes, so perhaps the class could be renamed 'Geographies of cyberspace' and offered through the geography department.
More debriefing to come. Or maybe it will happen offline. I'm not sure what's most appropriate anymore. There certainly is something to be said for online document management when one sits at 3 different computers everyday (and carries a 4th in one's pocket. When is Blogger going to offer a handheld interface?).
5.19.2004
Does Rummy not use email?
"According to Mr. Rumsfeld's own congressional testimony, he was "surprised" that lowly enlisted men could be "running around with digital cameras" e-mailing grotesque Kodak snapshots all over the world." (NYT via Common Dreams
That surprises me. We hear a lot about how the troops get to eat good meals in Halliburton run canteens, play video games in Saddam's palaces, and get to rest and relax in contractor-run cybercafes by sending emails to their stateside loved ones. Does he not think people would be sending pictures home? Has he been asleep for the last 10 years of the Internet?
Remember when President George the First went to a grocery store and was astounded by the UPC scanner? It wasn't too surprising that this extremely wealthy and sheltered man didn't buy his own groceries. But you would think the Secretary of Defense in 2004 would know that digital cameras are cheap and Americans can trade pictures using email.
I can't figure out what to say about prisoner abuse stuff. Today's news states that the Military Intelligence unit accused of the abuses in Iraq were using the same tactics ...shit, why not call a spade a spade... are being accused of similar human rights abuses in Afghanistan. I'll leave it with this:
"“Oh, this is obscene.” But then, you tell me one thing that happens during war that is not obscene. "
--Luis Guerrero, Marine Corps Iraq War veteran. From a Youth Radio report on NPR
That surprises me. We hear a lot about how the troops get to eat good meals in Halliburton run canteens, play video games in Saddam's palaces, and get to rest and relax in contractor-run cybercafes by sending emails to their stateside loved ones. Does he not think people would be sending pictures home? Has he been asleep for the last 10 years of the Internet?
Remember when President George the First went to a grocery store and was astounded by the UPC scanner? It wasn't too surprising that this extremely wealthy and sheltered man didn't buy his own groceries. But you would think the Secretary of Defense in 2004 would know that digital cameras are cheap and Americans can trade pictures using email.
I can't figure out what to say about prisoner abuse stuff. Today's news states that the Military Intelligence unit accused of the abuses in Iraq were using the same tactics ...shit, why not call a spade a spade... are being accused of similar human rights abuses in Afghanistan. I'll leave it with this:
"“Oh, this is obscene.” But then, you tell me one thing that happens during war that is not obscene. "
--Luis Guerrero, Marine Corps Iraq War veteran. From a Youth Radio report on NPR
5.18.2004
Archival newspapers move to Duke
Nicholson Baker's collection of print newspapers has moved Duke. I knew those folks had a heart. I'd now call Baker's efforts to save these important pieces of history a success.
5.17.2004
An infinite number of monkeys.
I'm poking non-randomly at Google this morning, trying to remember what privacy laws and search and seizure have to do with how far you can shoot an arrow. It's not working out, because of all the bow-hunting stuff, but here's a thought: In an infinite number of monkeys randomly typing will eventually produce a script of Hamlet, how long will it take before every conceivable topic is blogged about?
(And no, I'm not stoned.)
(And no, I'm not stoned.)
5.14.2004
Migrating and Pruning
So, migrate everything to Movable Type or stay here? This morning I had problems getting in to Blogger, which prompts me to think about switching over to the other, more hackable, blog software I've got running.
But then again: it's more hackable and therefore maybe more breakable?
Although I do like the jaunty new look for Blogger--I'm just not sure if there's any new features here.
Anyway, the inspiration this morning is that it's fun to watch Spags garden. It's also been a pleasure to see L take over many of the gardening chores at our own house. She's now obsessed, and has drawn out a bed all of her own for annuals. Just what we need: more flowers. I'm still loving our garden (and the many many different varieties of things that appear all on their own) but the one thing I wish for is a bit more room for food.
Anyway Spags: I know your reading--as you comment occasionally. I read that Slate too. One word: now is not the time to prune rose bushes. And when in doubt: wait a year to see what it does.
Except for laurels. You can do anything to a laurel.
But then again: it's more hackable and therefore maybe more breakable?
Although I do like the jaunty new look for Blogger--I'm just not sure if there's any new features here.
Anyway, the inspiration this morning is that it's fun to watch Spags garden. It's also been a pleasure to see L take over many of the gardening chores at our own house. She's now obsessed, and has drawn out a bed all of her own for annuals. Just what we need: more flowers. I'm still loving our garden (and the many many different varieties of things that appear all on their own) but the one thing I wish for is a bit more room for food.
Anyway Spags: I know your reading--as you comment occasionally. I read that Slate too. One word: now is not the time to prune rose bushes. And when in doubt: wait a year to see what it does.
Except for laurels. You can do anything to a laurel.
Migrating and Pruning
So, migrate everything to Movable Type or stay here? This morning I had problems getting in to Blogger, which prompts me to think about switching over to the other, more hackable, blog software I've got running.
But then again: it's more hackable and therefore maybe more breakable?
Although I do like the jaunty new look for Blogger--I'm just not sure if there's any new features here.
Anyway, the inspiration this morning is that it's fun to watch Spags garden. It's also been a pleasure to see L take over many of the gardening chores at our own house. She's now obsessed, and has drawn out a bed all of her own for annuals. Just what we need: more flowers. I'm still loving our garden (and the many many different varieties of things that appear all on their own) but the one thing I wish for is a bit more room for food.
Anyway Spags: I know your reading--as you comment occasionally. I read that Slate too. One word: now is not the time to prune rose bushes. And when in doubt: wait a year to see what it does.
Except for laurels. You can do anything to a laurel.
But then again: it's more hackable and therefore maybe more breakable?
Although I do like the jaunty new look for Blogger--I'm just not sure if there's any new features here.
Anyway, the inspiration this morning is that it's fun to watch Spags garden. It's also been a pleasure to see L take over many of the gardening chores at our own house. She's now obsessed, and has drawn out a bed all of her own for annuals. Just what we need: more flowers. I'm still loving our garden (and the many many different varieties of things that appear all on their own) but the one thing I wish for is a bit more room for food.
Anyway Spags: I know your reading--as you comment occasionally. I read that Slate too. One word: now is not the time to prune rose bushes. And when in doubt: wait a year to see what it does.
Except for laurels. You can do anything to a laurel.
5.13.2004
Basement update.
WE HAVE PLUMBING!!
But sadly, those pictures are not yet available. We do have 'night before the plumber came' shots though.
So here is where the sinks are going to be placed, along with freshly sealed concrete and finished greenboard walls:
Did I mention that we were up awfully late getting ready?
But sadly, those pictures are not yet available. We do have 'night before the plumber came' shots though.
So here is where the sinks are going to be placed, along with freshly sealed concrete and finished greenboard walls:
Did I mention that we were up awfully late getting ready?
5.05.2004
Public Catholics
Of all the things I could write about today, I find myself blogging about Kerry. Sigh.
Anyway, I've found myself reading this, which is mostly a quote of this.
Now I don't know if the Pointies at Boots'n'Sabres are Catholics or not, but if they are, they've forgotten a major part of going to mass. First off: at the beginning you make an examination of conscience, and you pray for forgiveness. Now, this is not a substitute for confession, but rather an opportunity to reflect upon whether or not you should go to communion. If you find you have serious sin on your soul, you don't go.
(For the record: I have refused myself communion once on these grounds.)
The only way I can conceive of someone else publicly making this decision for you is if your confessor tells you not to receive communion and then you happen to line up in front of him. (Incidentally folks, we don't receive the Eucharist 'at the rail' anymore. High Church Anglicans do, Roman Cs haven't done this for many moons.)
I think the real quotable from Buckley (dear God forgive me, I'm quoting William Buckley) is this:
John Kerry is not an abortion doctor, nor does he have a uterus. The only entity that can really straighten out whether or not advocating for abortion rights is a sin is God. Having an abortion? Well, a lot of people think it is. And if a woman feels it is, has one, and then confesses, I would hope that her priest would be very sympathetic and offer her heartfelt absolution. In a more enlightened church, the priest might offer then woman solace on her lost pregnancy, counsel her that difficult decisions are not necessarily sinful, and share a story about her own family.
Unfortunately, we don't yet have priests with uterusses, so that last bit is a moot point.
Anyway, I've found myself reading this, which is mostly a quote of this.
Now I don't know if the Pointies at Boots'n'Sabres are Catholics or not, but if they are, they've forgotten a major part of going to mass. First off: at the beginning you make an examination of conscience, and you pray for forgiveness. Now, this is not a substitute for confession, but rather an opportunity to reflect upon whether or not you should go to communion. If you find you have serious sin on your soul, you don't go.
(For the record: I have refused myself communion once on these grounds.)
The only way I can conceive of someone else publicly making this decision for you is if your confessor tells you not to receive communion and then you happen to line up in front of him. (Incidentally folks, we don't receive the Eucharist 'at the rail' anymore. High Church Anglicans do, Roman Cs haven't done this for many moons.)
I think the real quotable from Buckley (dear God forgive me, I'm quoting William Buckley) is this:
The difference between giving communion to John Kerry, presidential candidate, and giving communion to John Doe, who voted for a local abortion law, is that Kerry is a public figure, and therefore a transgressor whose transgression is a public act, inviting reprisal, like the protester who draws attention to himself by proclaiming his defiance. To upbraid a bishop for denying communion to a public figure who espouses permissive abortion laws is to upbraid him for upholding the doctrine of the separation of church and state.
John Kerry is not an abortion doctor, nor does he have a uterus. The only entity that can really straighten out whether or not advocating for abortion rights is a sin is God. Having an abortion? Well, a lot of people think it is. And if a woman feels it is, has one, and then confesses, I would hope that her priest would be very sympathetic and offer her heartfelt absolution. In a more enlightened church, the priest might offer then woman solace on her lost pregnancy, counsel her that difficult decisions are not necessarily sinful, and share a story about her own family.
Unfortunately, we don't yet have priests with uterusses, so that last bit is a moot point.
5.03.2004
Thanks 60 Minutes.
We know the military teaches people to be utterly inhuman: we shoot at 'targets' not 'people.' Sometimes when I talk about the heartlessness of modern warfare, people look at me like I don't know what I'm talking about, and insist that if anyone is going to police the world, it's gotta be us, because we're the only civilized ones.
Well, the latest military snapshots might put a little dent in that philosophy. If you look long and hard, this sort of thing has been floating around the Internet forever. It's not hard to find abuse in our system. Rarely, though, does it enter the mainstream to any extent. Perhaps it's just because our culture is so highly visual.
On another tack, I should never doubt myself. Last week, the Seargent Major of the Army was out talking about how reports of reserve and national guard troops being sent to Iraq without sufficient body armor, ammo, humvees, and other such supplies were greatly exagerrated. This morning on NPR, a national guard 1st Lt was highlighted after giving the Democrats weekly radio address. A general was trotted out who claimed the military itself has been complaining about a service wide lack of humvees--no comment on the other issues. No mention of the Seargent Major. Here's his congressional testimony from February:
So by reading between the lines, can I conclude that before January (ie: during the actual war) there were soldiers there without IBAs?
By the way: if someone can find where on the DNC website these addresses are kept--let me know. Even their dang search engine doesn't have them come up.
Well, the latest military snapshots might put a little dent in that philosophy. If you look long and hard, this sort of thing has been floating around the Internet forever. It's not hard to find abuse in our system. Rarely, though, does it enter the mainstream to any extent. Perhaps it's just because our culture is so highly visual.
On another tack, I should never doubt myself. Last week, the Seargent Major of the Army was out talking about how reports of reserve and national guard troops being sent to Iraq without sufficient body armor, ammo, humvees, and other such supplies were greatly exagerrated. This morning on NPR, a national guard 1st Lt was highlighted after giving the Democrats weekly radio address. A general was trotted out who claimed the military itself has been complaining about a service wide lack of humvees--no comment on the other issues. No mention of the Seargent Major. Here's his congressional testimony from February:
They must also be the best equipped and best protected. This past year, we have invested a great deal into ensuring that all Soldiers are equipped with the latest force protection equipment and high-quality gear. One specific area is the rapid fielding of Interceptor Body Armor (IBA). The IBA protects Soldiers against fragments and 9mm ball ammunition with Small Arms Protective Insert protection up to 7.62mm ball ammunition.
The bottom line is that no Soldier or civilian will deploy to the theater of operations without IBA. To accomplish that, we have stepped up production. As of January 2004, all soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan have IBA, and no Soldier will deploy into these countries without a set. The Army continues to purchase IBAs at 25,000 per month until we meet the Army requirement of 840,000 by fiscal year 2006.
So by reading between the lines, can I conclude that before January (ie: during the actual war) there were soldiers there without IBAs?
By the way: if someone can find where on the DNC website these addresses are kept--let me know. Even their dang search engine doesn't have them come up.
