darfur

Today we had a presentation from a man who has been to Dafur in Sudan on a couple of occasions and his talk and pictures were certainly moving and disturbing. The facts, most of which are readily available are appalling. I just wish the awareness movement would offer more in the way of practical ways individuals can get involved. Well here are some links I thought were useful when I was researching the topic to inform my students.

Wikipedia
Save Darfur
Darfur: A genocide we can stop
Darfur Information Center
BBC Q&A Story

ode.to.the.canceled

Humor on so many levels
and a chance to laugh each time.
Awkward yet confident you lived.
Belly laughs you inspired.
Looks of confusion and disgust too.
Entertainment!
Brainchild of Michael Hurwitz
And blessed by Opie.
Star studded and filled with fresh blood.
How we waited for you to return
Each time you teased us.
Twenty minutes a week,
Scarcely sufficient.
Brilliant!
Inspired!
If only rupert and neilsen were so enlightened.
You will live on in DVD form:
So static.
Unchanging.
Missed.

weekend.in.connecticut

I spent Friday night and Saturday in the postage stamp size state of Connecticut visiting my girlfriend's Mom and both Grandmothers. Her mom has an amazing new house on a lake that is so full of random crap that it is almost painful to spend time there. Mind you this is not the normal accumulation of 50 some odd years but a true sentimentalist/packrat if I have ever met one. There is enough furniture to make the 5 bedroom, 9 room house she moved out of feel on the verge of cramped and downright overwhelms the 3 bedroom 5 room open floor plan lakeside cottage she now calls home. Despite comments from her kids that range from encouragement to pair down the collection to outright threats to never visit until something is done about the mess things persist. Fortunately for me, the house has a state of the art kitchen that was clean and usable (after I sorted through the 40+ knives and dozens of miss-matched pans and lids) with a great dual-fuel range and pristine granite countertops that could bring a tear to your eye.

Oddly cluttered lodging aside the weekend was a great time to relax and just enjoy some time off together (have I mentioned that I don't have to be back at work until the 27th!?!). The views of snow flurries and sunshine over the lake out of the large windows certainly has the power to refresh and renew the spirit.

On our trip back to Boston we stopped in to visit both grandmothers. One in a retirement apartment complex and the other in assisted living surroundings. Both remarkable women and well into their 90s. I don't know about you but that is impressive no matter where you are from. Then a nice drive back listening to a little of this and especially some of that to cap off the night re-watching the final episodes of the most brilliant TV comedy in recent memory. I think that qualifies as a brilliant start to a week of vacation.

couting.down

We are talking minutes now, about 15 according to the clock on the wall. Unfortunately that is about 5 minutes slow compared to the actual time but that is how the school likes it.

matter.of.hours

It is 8:16 am on Friday February 17 2006 and I only have a matter of hours left until I am released into the wild for a full week of "whatever I want, gosh!" That's correct Midwinter Recess as it is so lovingly named is about to begin. I have no firm plans and I am thrilled by that. 5 hours and 51 minutes to go!

fun.with.light

I was just reading an post on one of my favorite tech news sites and saw this link to a page describing the building of a small device known only as the "throwie". I may have to embark on a manufacturing binge this week.

the.day.after

I know the title makes it sound so ominous. As if I were about to discuss the aftermath of a horrible big budget Hollywood movie or perhaps the outcome of an event to important as to require a wrap up show or constant network news coverage that bumps the Olympics. That last statement is a reference to the recent snow storm we had here in New England. As is turns out the local CBS affiliate here in Boston chose to run coverage of the storm from 5 am to 1 pm. Yes that's right 8 solid hours of coverage! All of this for people who spent the day inside their homes watching the snow fall outside through their windows. What is it exactly that prompted NBC's affiliate to bump Olympic coverage for storm coverage. Just imagine yourself as someone who actually only has the major networks over the air. You are trapped inside all day because a few feet of snow are accumulating.

Here is the scenario: You turn on the TV to entertain yourself since you have some extra time and what is offered to you? Nothing but storm coverage. You can hear how the storm is affecting your town and the town next door. You can hear what happened to the idiots who decided they needed to drive around during the peak of the storm. There are stimulating pictures and audio of reporters out in the storm (the self-same storm that the Mayor's office announced previously and warned against travel unless absolutely required) being pelted by winds and snow. OK so you get the point that it seems completely absurd to bump the most anticipated sporting events in years off the air only to show footage of the snow. It wasn't just NBC, CBS and ABC either! The local WB affiliate, the FOX affiliate, and the UPN affiliate also spent the whole day dedicated to the snow. One of the stations even kept their entire meteorology team on the whole day. Really! I know it makes no sense.

The real reason that I titled this entry as I did was in reference to V-Day. I am so blessed to be surrounded by the love of friends and family that the day has taken on new meaning as each year passes. I also want to point out that I enjoyed a delicious meal of duck breast, oven roasted potatoes, and green beans with toasted pecans and shallots. Thanks go out to my special someone for that and the delightful evening we had.

So in the end the title that loomed ominous initially turns out to be a petty rant followed by a fond memory from a holiday with heart.