The Origin of Species is a SCIENTIFIC theory, not just a theory. And there's a big difference in the two uses of this word:
In everyday language, a theory is a hunch or speculation. Not so in science! The SCIENTIFIC METHOD is a body of rigorous techniques for investigating phenomena. That means gathering observable, empirical and measurable evidence subject to specific principles of reasoning. A scientific theory is not an assumption, opinion, view, belief or contention. It is, rather, a system of scientifically proven principles. A scientific theory is an explanation of a set of related observations or events based upon proven hypotheses. A scientific theory has been verified many, many times by different researchers. One scientist cannot create a theory; he or she can only create a hypothesis.
Evolution is NOT "just a theory." It is a fact. Even if you believe the Earth is only around 6000 years old, the science that species have evolved in that time according to the principals outlined by Darwin and others is irrefutable -- so irrefutable that theologians who teach the young-Earth creationist myth acknowledge that life on Earth has evolved in the last 6000 years .
Companies base their business decisions about where to find oil, where to mine for certain minerals, etc., based on the science that the Earth is about 4.5 billion years old and a whole buncha geophysical activities have happened in that time (yes, I believe scientists do use the term "buncha").
Here's a testimonial of a man who realized young-Earth creationism was not science when he became a geophysicist working for a seismic company. In addition to be a fascinating testimonial, it also is a reminder of one of the dangers of repudiating of science. Other consequences of repudiating science are uneducated students and unfunded science programs that are vital to our country’s prosperity and health, and communities and individuals that live based on fear and superstition rather than reason. It's thinking that is a danger to my country as well as to myself as an individual.
And, yes, you can be a Christian and believe in science (including the scientific theory of Evolution).
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
More photos from Australia
More photos from Australia, from what is now one of my favorite cities on Earth: Melbourne.
And don't forget the travelogue for the Australia trip!
No, I'm not moving there; I would never subject my dog to six months quarantine. Not for any job in the world.
And don't forget the travelogue for the Australia trip!
No, I'm not moving there; I would never subject my dog to six months quarantine. Not for any job in the world.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
This American Life - NUMMI
When I was in Australia, I met a woman who is a big fan of This American Life, the hour-long radio program that plays on most public radio stations around the USA, and is available for free streaming online from the web site. I'm a HUGE fan myself, and was really happy to hear she loved the show; too often, I hear from foreigners, "So, the USA is just like the TV show Friends or Sex in the City, right?"
(for the record, she's also a huge fan of Buffy: The Vampire Slayer. We're best friends now)
This American Life is sometimes hilarious, sometimes sad, always insightful and always entertaining. It's a great thing to listen to while you are cleaning your house.
Most This American Life shows have multiple stories around a theme. But sometimes, the show is focused on just one story. And one recent single-story episode was absolutely fantastic: if you haven't listened to the episode Nummi, stop what you are doing and listen to it now. It details the story of a GM subsidiary, NUMMI, based in Fremont, California, that successfully used Japanese-style management for its manufacture of cars. The dream was that the successful NUMMI plant would change all of GM from the ground-up, for the better. But, sadly, GM didn't get it, and they killed the successful NUMMI plant. This episode shows exactly what is wrong with American management and the manufacturing sector -- and not just the car industry. If you consider yourself a good manager, or want to be one, if you are getting an MBA, or if you want to understand why the USA is in trouble economically, you have to listen to this episode.
(and if you want to understand the global economic crisis and aren't an economist nor a mathematician, don't miss the episode The Giant Pool of Money)
(for the record, she's also a huge fan of Buffy: The Vampire Slayer. We're best friends now)
This American Life is sometimes hilarious, sometimes sad, always insightful and always entertaining. It's a great thing to listen to while you are cleaning your house.
Most This American Life shows have multiple stories around a theme. But sometimes, the show is focused on just one story. And one recent single-story episode was absolutely fantastic: if you haven't listened to the episode Nummi, stop what you are doing and listen to it now. It details the story of a GM subsidiary, NUMMI, based in Fremont, California, that successfully used Japanese-style management for its manufacture of cars. The dream was that the successful NUMMI plant would change all of GM from the ground-up, for the better. But, sadly, GM didn't get it, and they killed the successful NUMMI plant. This episode shows exactly what is wrong with American management and the manufacturing sector -- and not just the car industry. If you consider yourself a good manager, or want to be one, if you are getting an MBA, or if you want to understand why the USA is in trouble economically, you have to listen to this episode.
(and if you want to understand the global economic crisis and aren't an economist nor a mathematician, don't miss the episode The Giant Pool of Money)
Friday, April 2, 2010
Australia travelogue
I'm back from Australia, still severely jet-lagged. Since this was for work, I was online regularly (unlike when I travel for fun), so it's the first trip where the Internet played such a huge role in sharing the experience as it was happening with my friends (that's you!). It was so much fun interacting with you all while I was in Australia -- thanks for your posts to Facebook and emails!
Because of that, I was keen to get the Australia travelogue done ASAP. There's a link to photos there as well. As always, feel free to email me directly with comments or questions (or share your comments with the world, that's fine too).
This will be my last international trip for a very long time, and has been my only work in 2010, both of which have made me more down than usual following a trip.
Because of that, I was keen to get the Australia travelogue done ASAP. There's a link to photos there as well. As always, feel free to email me directly with comments or questions (or share your comments with the world, that's fine too).
This will be my last international trip for a very long time, and has been my only work in 2010, both of which have made me more down than usual following a trip.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Marzo, März, Mars, Marts, martie, Maart
I thought the closing ceremony of the Winter Olympics was HILARIOUS. Leave it to the Canadians to make fun of themselves better than anyone. Imagine if other countries did something similar at their closing ceremonies... I'm re-envisioning the closing ceremonies for Torino, Italy...
I'm sad the Winter games are over. I prefer the Winter Olympics because most events are the result of drunken bets long ago during snowy, icy winters. Canada should be *very* proud of great games - congrats on your incredible Hockey Win. My favorite Olympic moment? That's tough... probably the woman German speed skater who "swam" over the finish line, thought she'd lost her team the gold medal, then realized they had still won. Awesome. And, in a way, the moment when that Dutch guy lost his gold medal because of his coach's foul-up -- losing when everyone thinks you will win is part of sport. Sports isn't just winning, and we forget that sometimes.
* * *
Remember when I asked if you knew anyone who ran a cleaning company? I volunteer with a nonprofit that helps entrepreneurs in Afghanistan, and I was trying to find someone to answer questions for an Afghan wanting to start a cleaning company in Kabul. Have you ever wondered what happened? Now you can know (and maybe you will want to get involved as well?).
* * *
And speaking of volunteering, I recently blogged on my professional blog about why I volunteer with the Girl Scouts. I wanted to show why Girl Scouts, as an organization, is not what you probably think it is -- and that's a good thing! And on a related note, I found some of my patches from my own Girl Scout days, which is amazing, given how many times I've moved since those days (more than 10 times just in the USA). One is for day camp -- my favorite Girl Scouts experience -- two are for cookie sales, and one is a mystery patch -- I have no idea what it's for. Sadly, my Girl Scout badges are long gone -- I guess I threw away my Girl Scout sash in a moment of pre-teen I'm-too-cool-for-this-stuff phase. Stupid me. The patches never got sewn on the sash, which is why I still have them.
I also found my patch from my days as a teenage hospital volunteer. In those days, we were called candy stripers, because of our adorable red-and-white-striped uniforms; now, that term is passé. I guess Mom never got around to sewing it on my uniform (and who knows where that ended up). I worked primarily for the radiology department, wheeling patients to and from x-rays. It was a great experience in that I learned that I absolutely, positively did not want to work in a hosptial or provide health care, and that nurses are amazing and doctors could learn a lot from them. Funny that I'm now so interested in health-related communications and health education.
* * *
Stefan got Friday and Monday off as comp days, so we spent Sunday and Monday riding. I put 100 miles on the motorcycle on Sunday and 200 on Wednesday.
Saturday, we went to Silver Falls State Park, then pushed on to Mill City. We took Lyons Mill City Drive back, then across 22 to Old Mehama Road (sadly, Gene's Meat Market, featuring "German sausages", was closed on Sunday). We need a better map -- the GPS isn't great for picking roads, and the map we have doesn't show if a road is gravel, dirt or paved (something Stefan doesn't have to worry about, but I do (I don't have a bike for off-roading).
Sunday, we road to various back roads to Newberg, passing a lot of signs for B & Bs and wineries -- it reminded me of Poland or Hungary for that reason (as well as the landscape). From there, we took 240 through Carlton (cute little town) and then all the way through the mountains and Siuslaw National Forest to Beaver. Attention motorcyclists: Siuslaw NF has a lot of very simple tent camping sites along the way. The road is a biker's dream except for 2.7 miles of well-packed dirt. Yes, I've now had an off-pavement experience. It's all I want for now... It's my first winding road experience as well, which was fun but scary. I go the suggested speed limits in turns, and that's not something driver's behind me like.
In Beaver, Stefan got to experience his first every general store/restaurant/fish & tackle/movie rental/post office. Yes, Beaver is a small town. Stefan had a pulled pork sandwich, and wondered allowed why, amid the myriad of types of pork dishes offered in Germany, pulled pork is not one of them. I decided we should move back to Germany and open a barbecue hut.
We drove 101 North a bit (and finally saw some other bikers), then took SandLake road, with massive amounts of sand on either side of us, to the cliffs over-looking the coast. It was my favorite weather for an ocean view -- overcast and just a little chilly. We had a nice view of Three Arch Rocks, and I think we saw a bald eagle, maybe two. We drove to Oceanside and then head back to Beaver, then took 22 to 18 and then various roads home. And by the end, my brain and hands were mush. I was mentally and physically exhausted. I am so out of shape. I had no idea traveling by motorcycle is so mentally and physically taxing! I am even more in awe of my motorcycle traveling husband.
My goal is to travel at least 1500 miles on my own bike by the end of 2010. I've put around 600 miles on the bike already!
For now, we're just looking at day trips and weekend trips by bike amid all our travel for work, but we have got to have a long, real trip this year, before summer ends, visiting somewhere interesting, or we'll pull our hair out. Destination suggestions welcomed (we love beautiful, remote places with good roads and plenty of places to camp).
We also need a camping trip for Albi. She misses camping.
A side note: we sure have met a lot of people who are taking months or a year off to ride from Canada to Mexico, or even all the way to South America, and coming through Oregon. I knew a lot of people did that, but I'm stunned at just how many do it! Hurrah for people who understand the joys of travel and make it a priority! We love being a part of this "club"!
* * *
No, Stefan is still not a volunteer firefighter in the USA. Oregon, if you don't have enough volunteer firefighters, it is your OWN fault!
But Stefan is a booth babe & trucker now.
* * *
I've said it before, I'll say it again: I want to be able to see CNN International on my TV. I do not want to have to watch it on my computer. I want to know what is happening in the world, and to hear world news from journalists who actually know what they are talking about. CNN USA is a joke. The latest case in point: during the Chilé coverage, when a scientist said something was five meters, the CNN guy said, "Now, what is that in English?" ARGH!!! Sigh.
I'm sad the Winter games are over. I prefer the Winter Olympics because most events are the result of drunken bets long ago during snowy, icy winters. Canada should be *very* proud of great games - congrats on your incredible Hockey Win. My favorite Olympic moment? That's tough... probably the woman German speed skater who "swam" over the finish line, thought she'd lost her team the gold medal, then realized they had still won. Awesome. And, in a way, the moment when that Dutch guy lost his gold medal because of his coach's foul-up -- losing when everyone thinks you will win is part of sport. Sports isn't just winning, and we forget that sometimes.
* * *
Remember when I asked if you knew anyone who ran a cleaning company? I volunteer with a nonprofit that helps entrepreneurs in Afghanistan, and I was trying to find someone to answer questions for an Afghan wanting to start a cleaning company in Kabul. Have you ever wondered what happened? Now you can know (and maybe you will want to get involved as well?).
* * *
And speaking of volunteering, I recently blogged on my professional blog about why I volunteer with the Girl Scouts. I wanted to show why Girl Scouts, as an organization, is not what you probably think it is -- and that's a good thing! And on a related note, I found some of my patches from my own Girl Scout days, which is amazing, given how many times I've moved since those days (more than 10 times just in the USA). One is for day camp -- my favorite Girl Scouts experience -- two are for cookie sales, and one is a mystery patch -- I have no idea what it's for. Sadly, my Girl Scout badges are long gone -- I guess I threw away my Girl Scout sash in a moment of pre-teen I'm-too-cool-for-this-stuff phase. Stupid me. The patches never got sewn on the sash, which is why I still have them.
I also found my patch from my days as a teenage hospital volunteer. In those days, we were called candy stripers, because of our adorable red-and-white-striped uniforms; now, that term is passé. I guess Mom never got around to sewing it on my uniform (and who knows where that ended up). I worked primarily for the radiology department, wheeling patients to and from x-rays. It was a great experience in that I learned that I absolutely, positively did not want to work in a hosptial or provide health care, and that nurses are amazing and doctors could learn a lot from them. Funny that I'm now so interested in health-related communications and health education.* * *
Stefan got Friday and Monday off as comp days, so we spent Sunday and Monday riding. I put 100 miles on the motorcycle on Sunday and 200 on Wednesday.
Saturday, we went to Silver Falls State Park, then pushed on to Mill City. We took Lyons Mill City Drive back, then across 22 to Old Mehama Road (sadly, Gene's Meat Market, featuring "German sausages", was closed on Sunday). We need a better map -- the GPS isn't great for picking roads, and the map we have doesn't show if a road is gravel, dirt or paved (something Stefan doesn't have to worry about, but I do (I don't have a bike for off-roading).
Sunday, we road to various back roads to Newberg, passing a lot of signs for B & Bs and wineries -- it reminded me of Poland or Hungary for that reason (as well as the landscape). From there, we took 240 through Carlton (cute little town) and then all the way through the mountains and Siuslaw National Forest to Beaver. Attention motorcyclists: Siuslaw NF has a lot of very simple tent camping sites along the way. The road is a biker's dream except for 2.7 miles of well-packed dirt. Yes, I've now had an off-pavement experience. It's all I want for now... It's my first winding road experience as well, which was fun but scary. I go the suggested speed limits in turns, and that's not something driver's behind me like.
In Beaver, Stefan got to experience his first every general store/restaurant/fish & tackle/movie rental/post office. Yes, Beaver is a small town. Stefan had a pulled pork sandwich, and wondered allowed why, amid the myriad of types of pork dishes offered in Germany, pulled pork is not one of them. I decided we should move back to Germany and open a barbecue hut.
We drove 101 North a bit (and finally saw some other bikers), then took SandLake road, with massive amounts of sand on either side of us, to the cliffs over-looking the coast. It was my favorite weather for an ocean view -- overcast and just a little chilly. We had a nice view of Three Arch Rocks, and I think we saw a bald eagle, maybe two. We drove to Oceanside and then head back to Beaver, then took 22 to 18 and then various roads home. And by the end, my brain and hands were mush. I was mentally and physically exhausted. I am so out of shape. I had no idea traveling by motorcycle is so mentally and physically taxing! I am even more in awe of my motorcycle traveling husband.
My goal is to travel at least 1500 miles on my own bike by the end of 2010. I've put around 600 miles on the bike already!
For now, we're just looking at day trips and weekend trips by bike amid all our travel for work, but we have got to have a long, real trip this year, before summer ends, visiting somewhere interesting, or we'll pull our hair out. Destination suggestions welcomed (we love beautiful, remote places with good roads and plenty of places to camp).
We also need a camping trip for Albi. She misses camping.
A side note: we sure have met a lot of people who are taking months or a year off to ride from Canada to Mexico, or even all the way to South America, and coming through Oregon. I knew a lot of people did that, but I'm stunned at just how many do it! Hurrah for people who understand the joys of travel and make it a priority! We love being a part of this "club"!
* * *
No, Stefan is still not a volunteer firefighter in the USA. Oregon, if you don't have enough volunteer firefighters, it is your OWN fault!
But Stefan is a booth babe & trucker now.
* * *
I've said it before, I'll say it again: I want to be able to see CNN International on my TV. I do not want to have to watch it on my computer. I want to know what is happening in the world, and to hear world news from journalists who actually know what they are talking about. CNN USA is a joke. The latest case in point: during the Chilé coverage, when a scientist said something was five meters, the CNN guy said, "Now, what is that in English?" ARGH!!! Sigh.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Am I there yet?
Yes, I'm watching the Olympics. It's awesome, as always. No figure skating though -- yuck. Give me hockey, bob sled, speed skating, curling, skiing, anything else!
* * *
Mamaw, my paternal grandmother is in her 90s, and last year, my siblings and their spouses convinced her she would be much happier in an apartment complex "in town" (Henderson) especially for seniors, rather than in her house in Spottsville, where she was becoming increasingly isolated. It's been a fantastic decision -- Mamaw is back in her element, with lots and lots of interaction with other people all day. Her apartment is filled with all of her own furniture and other favorite things. And she gets to see her family even more, since she's so much closer to them all.
I was on the phone with her recently and she was going on and on about how busy she is, how much she's enjoying her days. But when I asked her if she was singing loud at the church services, she whispered into the phone, "Oh, no, I don't want anyone to know that I sing. Then I'll have to lead the singing. I keep that secret." Mamaw was a preacher's wife, and lead the singing for years and years at various churches and Vacation Bible Schools. She wants to stay retired. So, whatever you do, don't tell anyone at Pleasant Pointe in Henderson, Kentucky that Mamaw can sing!
* * *
My friend Erica fosters cats for a nonprofit organization. She posts videos of the cats she's fostering, usually interacting with her own cat, an orange Tom cat named Sparky. Here's one of my favorites. My theory: Sparky thinks he's running a kitten Bed & Breakfast. I've never had a cat that would be so generous with guest cats.
* * *
This is how I feel about both versions of "We are the world."
* * *
The inventor of
the Easy Bake Oven died. I wanted an Easy Bake Oven so badly when I was a little girl. I thought it brought complete happiness and fulfillment. Because, you know, I was 7 or so. That's how kids think.
When I finally got one, I beside myself. For probably a full day. I probably only got to use it twice -- it requires adult supervision, and it wasn't always easy to schedule that.
Ofcourse, all I really needed was to have an adult help me use our regular stove to bake cakes and cookies -- it would have had the same effect. In fact, it would have lasted a lot longer.
* * *
I took my first truly solo motorcycle ride! (no Stefan escort - he was in L.A.). It was an entirely sunny day and very warm for February, so I felt like it was time. So, I rode more than 70 miles, from Canby to Silver Falls State Park and back, and met these biker dudes at the halfway mark. It was a gorgeous ride. My hands were exhausted, because I had gripped the handle bars so tightly. I was terrified! An Africa Twin rider nearby was my emergency number, in case anything went wrong. At last, I feel like I can ride my motorcycle to run errands, maybe even to go to Portland. But I have a lot to work on...
Once again, I longed to live in Silverton. It's the only place in Oregon that feels like it could be "home." It's a charming city with beautiful houses and landscape that isn't flat and brown. It feels like a real community (unlike Canby). Sadly, it's too far from Stefan's job (and that job in Portland that I'll be getting any day now, right?) to be a feasible choice.
* * *
Stefan is enjoying his first ever Girl Scout cookies.
* * *
Albi is doing great. Fully recovered from surgery, it seems to me. I recently found out her name means "my heart" in Arabic. I believe that's where her name comes from, not the village in France.
* * *
I'm on a discussion group for agencies that work to create education and job opportunities for people with disabilities. A lot of people on the group are people with disabilities themselves. Back in 2005, when The Ringer starring Johnny Knoxville came out, I was surprised to find that most people on the group said the movie wasn't offensive, that it treated people with mental disabilities as, well, people, not super heros or teddy bears. They all pretty much said the same thing: we thought this movie was going to be offensive until we saw it.
Five years later, I finally got around to seeing it myself. I was delighted! People with mental disabilities as people?!?!? Fantastic! And the ongoing commentary on how people without disabilities treat people in Special Olympics -- awesome. The actors with Down's Syndrome were awesome in particularly -- they got "the moments" better than anyone. And how cool are "The Kids of Widney High"?!?
* * *
Since moving back to the USA almost a year ago, I'm taken aback at what percentage of TV commercials here are fear-based.
Buy this home alarm system because scary men are always looking for ways to break into your house.
Buy Life Alert because you might fall down in your house and die alone.
The IRS is going to take everything you own, so hire us to keep the evil government away from you.
If you worked before 1970 you are going to die of asbestos poisoning, so sue before you die.
And on and on. It's so depressing. I had no idea the USA was so terrified of absolutely everything. No wonder our neighbors don't talk to us.
* * *
Please cross your fingers or pray to the deity of your choice that the Census Bureau hires me. Or that my interview at a nonprofit-that-shall-remain-nameless goes well. In more than 12 months of looking, I've had five interviews. I really need a break!
* * *
The receptionist at the organization where I worked in Afghanistan was diligently trying to learn English when I was there, and would come to me almost every day to grade her English homework. She told me once in very broken English that she loved to travel outside of Afghanistan because then she didn't have to cover her head. She was so FIESTY. I adored her. She's my friend on FaceBook, though she rarely posts in English. Yesterday, she posted a video from YouTube on her status update, of people signing the song "Imagine", with the lyrics in her status as well. And I wept... If that song can strike a chord in Afghanistan, then there's hope for the country.
* * *
Keep up with those efforts to debunk those silly email and Facebook myths! Before you forward an email or repost a status message that is warning about some awful thing or that sounds too good to be true, be a good Netizen and do the neighborly thing - make sure it isn't a myth. No excuses not to!
* * *
Yes, I still miss Europe. Hugely. But I try not to think about it.
* * *
Mamaw, my paternal grandmother is in her 90s, and last year, my siblings and their spouses convinced her she would be much happier in an apartment complex "in town" (Henderson) especially for seniors, rather than in her house in Spottsville, where she was becoming increasingly isolated. It's been a fantastic decision -- Mamaw is back in her element, with lots and lots of interaction with other people all day. Her apartment is filled with all of her own furniture and other favorite things. And she gets to see her family even more, since she's so much closer to them all.
I was on the phone with her recently and she was going on and on about how busy she is, how much she's enjoying her days. But when I asked her if she was singing loud at the church services, she whispered into the phone, "Oh, no, I don't want anyone to know that I sing. Then I'll have to lead the singing. I keep that secret." Mamaw was a preacher's wife, and lead the singing for years and years at various churches and Vacation Bible Schools. She wants to stay retired. So, whatever you do, don't tell anyone at Pleasant Pointe in Henderson, Kentucky that Mamaw can sing!
* * *
My friend Erica fosters cats for a nonprofit organization. She posts videos of the cats she's fostering, usually interacting with her own cat, an orange Tom cat named Sparky. Here's one of my favorites. My theory: Sparky thinks he's running a kitten Bed & Breakfast. I've never had a cat that would be so generous with guest cats.
* * *
This is how I feel about both versions of "We are the world."
* * *
The inventor of
the Easy Bake Oven died. I wanted an Easy Bake Oven so badly when I was a little girl. I thought it brought complete happiness and fulfillment. Because, you know, I was 7 or so. That's how kids think.When I finally got one, I beside myself. For probably a full day. I probably only got to use it twice -- it requires adult supervision, and it wasn't always easy to schedule that.
Ofcourse, all I really needed was to have an adult help me use our regular stove to bake cakes and cookies -- it would have had the same effect. In fact, it would have lasted a lot longer.
* * *
I took my first truly solo motorcycle ride! (no Stefan escort - he was in L.A.). It was an entirely sunny day and very warm for February, so I felt like it was time. So, I rode more than 70 miles, from Canby to Silver Falls State Park and back, and met these biker dudes at the halfway mark. It was a gorgeous ride. My hands were exhausted, because I had gripped the handle bars so tightly. I was terrified! An Africa Twin rider nearby was my emergency number, in case anything went wrong. At last, I feel like I can ride my motorcycle to run errands, maybe even to go to Portland. But I have a lot to work on...
Once again, I longed to live in Silverton. It's the only place in Oregon that feels like it could be "home." It's a charming city with beautiful houses and landscape that isn't flat and brown. It feels like a real community (unlike Canby). Sadly, it's too far from Stefan's job (and that job in Portland that I'll be getting any day now, right?) to be a feasible choice.
* * *
Stefan is enjoying his first ever Girl Scout cookies.
* * *
Albi is doing great. Fully recovered from surgery, it seems to me. I recently found out her name means "my heart" in Arabic. I believe that's where her name comes from, not the village in France.
* * *
I'm on a discussion group for agencies that work to create education and job opportunities for people with disabilities. A lot of people on the group are people with disabilities themselves. Back in 2005, when The Ringer starring Johnny Knoxville came out, I was surprised to find that most people on the group said the movie wasn't offensive, that it treated people with mental disabilities as, well, people, not super heros or teddy bears. They all pretty much said the same thing: we thought this movie was going to be offensive until we saw it.
Five years later, I finally got around to seeing it myself. I was delighted! People with mental disabilities as people?!?!? Fantastic! And the ongoing commentary on how people without disabilities treat people in Special Olympics -- awesome. The actors with Down's Syndrome were awesome in particularly -- they got "the moments" better than anyone. And how cool are "The Kids of Widney High"?!?
* * *
Since moving back to the USA almost a year ago, I'm taken aback at what percentage of TV commercials here are fear-based.
Buy this home alarm system because scary men are always looking for ways to break into your house.
Buy Life Alert because you might fall down in your house and die alone.
The IRS is going to take everything you own, so hire us to keep the evil government away from you.
If you worked before 1970 you are going to die of asbestos poisoning, so sue before you die.
And on and on. It's so depressing. I had no idea the USA was so terrified of absolutely everything. No wonder our neighbors don't talk to us.
* * *
Please cross your fingers or pray to the deity of your choice that the Census Bureau hires me. Or that my interview at a nonprofit-that-shall-remain-nameless goes well. In more than 12 months of looking, I've had five interviews. I really need a break!
* * *
The receptionist at the organization where I worked in Afghanistan was diligently trying to learn English when I was there, and would come to me almost every day to grade her English homework. She told me once in very broken English that she loved to travel outside of Afghanistan because then she didn't have to cover her head. She was so FIESTY. I adored her. She's my friend on FaceBook, though she rarely posts in English. Yesterday, she posted a video from YouTube on her status update, of people signing the song "Imagine", with the lyrics in her status as well. And I wept... If that song can strike a chord in Afghanistan, then there's hope for the country.
* * *
Keep up with those efforts to debunk those silly email and Facebook myths! Before you forward an email or repost a status message that is warning about some awful thing or that sounds too good to be true, be a good Netizen and do the neighborly thing - make sure it isn't a myth. No excuses not to!
* * *
Yes, I still miss Europe. Hugely. But I try not to think about it.
Monday, February 1, 2010
So, how was YOUR January?
I recently got an email with this in the subject line:
Kyle Macy confirmed you as a friend on Facebook
Life, for me, is now complete.
You don't have to be my friend on Facebook. But won't you at least be my fan?
* * *
I voted YES on measures 66 & 67. In Oregon, all voting is done by mailed ballot, which you can then return by mail or at certain drop off points.
* * *
The big news is that the Africa Twin has a temporary title, with the real title to set arrive in two weeks. Stefan's life has improved in the USA by 50% as a result, no kidding. I cried with joy -- literally. Tears flowed. This is SUCH a game changer for us. I won't publish the story here of how it finally happened, but if you want it via email, write me. I will say here that, in the end, we got it because of LUCK. Total dumb luck we could never have planned for.
My advice if you ever want to get a foreign motorcycle or gray market bike titled in the USA: state laws have changed A LOT in the last few years, so advice you get from most people who live here and have a properly titled foreign bike -- say, an Africa Twin -- is probably no longer accurate, because it was much easier when they did it, and it is MUCH harder now (and in some states absolutely impossible), as we've learned all too well in the last eight months. Your only absolutely guaranteed way to get a new title for such a motorcycle is to move to a state that does bonded titles, to get your driver's license and residency in that state, and to live in that state for the period it will take to get a free and clear title. For instance, in Colorado, that's three years.
Further advice: don't even try to get such a bike titled for the first time in Oregon, California or Kentucky -- it's not going to happen. Also, most states don't issue bonded titles, and most states will not accept bonded titles from other states without a great deal of further documentation that you probably won't have for your foreign bike or gray market bike. To find out what states require to issue a title for a motorcycle, you will have to visit the individual DMV web sites for each state.
* * *
Recently discovered that Billboard's number one song on the day I was born was "We Can Work It Out" by The Beatles. A surprisingly diplomatic song to mark the birth of an oh-so-undiplomatic person... I think it was the first song I ever figured out on my own on the guitar! The number one song on my first birthday was "I'm a Believer", sung by The Monkees -- and it is, indeed, one of my favorite songs ever (was almost my wedding dance song).
* * *
Logo is showing Buffy: The Vampire Slayer and The Sarah Silverman Show?! Wow, I had no idea being gay was sooooo cool!
* * *
It took a while, but we finally got to celebrate my birthday (two weeks late), with a tasty Mediterranean meal in Oregon City, followed by a visit to an Irish pub that is, unfortunately, not within walking distance, and my first game of darts ever (I won my first game! Woot!). Actually, we made the whole weekend a celebration: the night before, we mixed the Glühwein Stefan's parents sent us from Europe with the Glühwein I found on sale at Thriftway (which was made in Koblenz) and embarked on our gifth watching of Long Way 'Round.
On the following Sunday, we would have loved to have celebrated our civil marriage ceremony two-year anniversary with a motorcycle ride, but decided to take Albi on a celebratory outing instead. She deserved it, after all she's been through. We went to the Hazelia Field Dog Parks in the oh-so-swank town of Lake Oswego. Albi was quite standoffish with the other dogs, and tentative all day. I think she is still scared we're going to put her through something painful again. Two days before, she went on her first regular, long walk since attempting to become a transgender dog and having surgery -- and had a LOT of p-mail to read and respond to, so the walk took a very long time. The doctor's comment at her followup appointment: "She is so YOUNG." Yes, she knows full well Albi is 13.
* * *
I recently discovered, while two herding dogs were barking fiercely at Albi through a fence, that yelling Enough in Arabic or Off in German sends most dogs scurrying.
* * *
Until just after the start of 2010, Stefan was pleased with some of the beer he tried here in the USA. Not our fraking-close-to-water stuff, ofcourse. And not most of the micro-brewed beers offered on tap in most brewery restaurants (really strong aftertaste). He liked Pyramid Haywire Hefeweizen (definitely my favorite in the states as well) and Henry Weinhard Private Reserve best. And then... and then he went back to Europe for business and a short vacation, his first visit since moving from there in May 2009. And had lots and lots of German beer. And when he got back to Portland, he no longer liked American beer. Sigh.
The key is that he drink a lot of bad American beer right after he's been to Europe, and after a few days, then you give him the Pyramid Haywire Hefeweizen and Henry Weinhard Private Reserve, so that he thinks both are really great.
* * *
I love old movies - anything made before 1960. I love them even when they aren't that good. At the very least, they always have something to say about how the artists -- the author, the actors, the director -- or the general public saw a particular group of people, a place or a time. And that's always fascinating, even when it's painful.
All this came to mind when I watched Saratoga Trunk for the first time recently. If you read the discussion associated with the film, you will read a lot of outrage about English actress Flora Robson's portrayal of a mixed race servant in the film. And... I think the outrage is actually misplaced. Is her makeup ridiculous, leaving you thinking, "Gee, what ethnic group is it she's supposed to be portraying?!" Oh yeah. Were there plenty of talented black actors who could have played this role instead of Flora Robson? Oh yeah, totally. Are both of these facts weird and or uncomfortable to watch in our day and age? Oh yeah. But I don't think Flora Robson's portrayal was over-the-top or offensive at all. I didn't find it nearly as stereotypical as Gary Cooper's cowboy role -- some of his lines, and his delivery of such ("Look, ya got me roped, tied and branded!"), are ridiculous (and I say this as someone who adores the man usually) -- cowboys should be offended!
Flora Robson was a great actress, and set the standard for portrayals of Queen Elizabeth in Fire Over England and The Sea Hawk. I saw no broad statements about any racial group in Robson's portrayal of Angelique in Saratoga Trunk or the script, for that matter -- just one woman's portrayal of one woman. I found her portrayal quite layered, actually. What a shame that the makeup was so ridiculous and distracting.
What erupted on the discussion boards is the usual assertions that only-actors-of-this-group-should-play-roles-about-that-group. I find this dogma disturbing. So only Muslims of African descent should play Othello? Was it wrong for Daniel Day Lewis to play the lead in My Left Foot? Does the portrayal of a character by any actor who is not of the racial and ethnic group the character is supposed to represent automatically racist? I don't get that. The theater has always been about people taking on roles far different from who they really are -- it's called "acting."
Consider this: Most movies -- MOST MOVIES -- made in this period are sexist in their portrayal of women, with every female character presenting cringe-worthy characteristics. CRINGE-WORTHY. Yet, I still watch these movies, I still delight in them, even as I cringe, because I know the movies represent a particular time and place, and I can usually look past the stereotypes of the time for the deeper, more universal or just-fun story. Plus, it's fascinating to see just how limited most men and women thought about women in that era.
I find it interesting that so many people lose their minds over Flora Robson as Angelique, but few bring up Jerry Austin as Cupidon, a role offered only as comic relief. Think about the roles "Little People" have been limited to, not just in the movies, but in reality. THAT should give you pause as you watch the movie a heck of a lot more than Flora Robson.
* * *
I'm also a history nut. I don't care what region, I don't care what time period, I love to know the history of something or somewhere. I'm equally entranced in a huge history museum and a tiny village's history museum. Combine this with my love of movies, and I'm in heaven.
I watched The Battle of Britain for the first time recently, and I loved it! What it lacks as a great movie (very little character development and silly side stories) it makes up for in being an accurate portrayal of both the British and the German forces leading up to and during the Battle of Britain, the air campaign waged by the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) against the UK during the summer and autumn of 1940. You can have all the CGI you want -- there's just no substitute for having real planes flying and real explosions in a film; only the German attack on London doesn't look real by today's standards.
As I understand it, the British public loved the film, and had no problem with both the British soldiers and the German soldiers being portrayed as made up of sometimes very heroic, and, at times, very flawed, men. Just men.
By contrast, as I understand it, the American public hated Tora Tora Tora when it was released and stayed away in droves. I tried to talk to my grandfather about the film once -- he served in the Aleutian islands -- and he almost trembled in his anger about the film, saying it was inaccurate and made the Japanese look like "good guys" and that the film "twisted the facts just to make the (Japanese) happy." But everything I've read online says the film is quite accurate. I've seen the film -- as a movie, I found it really boring. But I would really like to know why it flopped in the USA on release if my grandfather's feelings were widely held in the day, by the public or by veterans, and how the film is perceived today by historians and the military.
* * *
So.... anyone have any freelance writing or editing jobs?
Kyle Macy confirmed you as a friend on Facebook
Life, for me, is now complete.
You don't have to be my friend on Facebook. But won't you at least be my fan?
* * *
I voted YES on measures 66 & 67. In Oregon, all voting is done by mailed ballot, which you can then return by mail or at certain drop off points.
* * *
The big news is that the Africa Twin has a temporary title, with the real title to set arrive in two weeks. Stefan's life has improved in the USA by 50% as a result, no kidding. I cried with joy -- literally. Tears flowed. This is SUCH a game changer for us. I won't publish the story here of how it finally happened, but if you want it via email, write me. I will say here that, in the end, we got it because of LUCK. Total dumb luck we could never have planned for.
My advice if you ever want to get a foreign motorcycle or gray market bike titled in the USA: state laws have changed A LOT in the last few years, so advice you get from most people who live here and have a properly titled foreign bike -- say, an Africa Twin -- is probably no longer accurate, because it was much easier when they did it, and it is MUCH harder now (and in some states absolutely impossible), as we've learned all too well in the last eight months. Your only absolutely guaranteed way to get a new title for such a motorcycle is to move to a state that does bonded titles, to get your driver's license and residency in that state, and to live in that state for the period it will take to get a free and clear title. For instance, in Colorado, that's three years.
Further advice: don't even try to get such a bike titled for the first time in Oregon, California or Kentucky -- it's not going to happen. Also, most states don't issue bonded titles, and most states will not accept bonded titles from other states without a great deal of further documentation that you probably won't have for your foreign bike or gray market bike. To find out what states require to issue a title for a motorcycle, you will have to visit the individual DMV web sites for each state.
* * *
Recently discovered that Billboard's number one song on the day I was born was "We Can Work It Out" by The Beatles. A surprisingly diplomatic song to mark the birth of an oh-so-undiplomatic person... I think it was the first song I ever figured out on my own on the guitar! The number one song on my first birthday was "I'm a Believer", sung by The Monkees -- and it is, indeed, one of my favorite songs ever (was almost my wedding dance song).
* * *
Logo is showing Buffy: The Vampire Slayer and The Sarah Silverman Show?! Wow, I had no idea being gay was sooooo cool!
* * *
It took a while, but we finally got to celebrate my birthday (two weeks late), with a tasty Mediterranean meal in Oregon City, followed by a visit to an Irish pub that is, unfortunately, not within walking distance, and my first game of darts ever (I won my first game! Woot!). Actually, we made the whole weekend a celebration: the night before, we mixed the Glühwein Stefan's parents sent us from Europe with the Glühwein I found on sale at Thriftway (which was made in Koblenz) and embarked on our gifth watching of Long Way 'Round.
On the following Sunday, we would have loved to have celebrated our civil marriage ceremony two-year anniversary with a motorcycle ride, but decided to take Albi on a celebratory outing instead. She deserved it, after all she's been through. We went to the Hazelia Field Dog Parks in the oh-so-swank town of Lake Oswego. Albi was quite standoffish with the other dogs, and tentative all day. I think she is still scared we're going to put her through something painful again. Two days before, she went on her first regular, long walk since attempting to become a transgender dog and having surgery -- and had a LOT of p-mail to read and respond to, so the walk took a very long time. The doctor's comment at her followup appointment: "She is so YOUNG." Yes, she knows full well Albi is 13.
* * *
I recently discovered, while two herding dogs were barking fiercely at Albi through a fence, that yelling Enough in Arabic or Off in German sends most dogs scurrying.
* * *
Until just after the start of 2010, Stefan was pleased with some of the beer he tried here in the USA. Not our fraking-close-to-water stuff, ofcourse. And not most of the micro-brewed beers offered on tap in most brewery restaurants (really strong aftertaste). He liked Pyramid Haywire Hefeweizen (definitely my favorite in the states as well) and Henry Weinhard Private Reserve best. And then... and then he went back to Europe for business and a short vacation, his first visit since moving from there in May 2009. And had lots and lots of German beer. And when he got back to Portland, he no longer liked American beer. Sigh.
The key is that he drink a lot of bad American beer right after he's been to Europe, and after a few days, then you give him the Pyramid Haywire Hefeweizen and Henry Weinhard Private Reserve, so that he thinks both are really great.
* * *
I love old movies - anything made before 1960. I love them even when they aren't that good. At the very least, they always have something to say about how the artists -- the author, the actors, the director -- or the general public saw a particular group of people, a place or a time. And that's always fascinating, even when it's painful.
All this came to mind when I watched Saratoga Trunk for the first time recently. If you read the discussion associated with the film, you will read a lot of outrage about English actress Flora Robson's portrayal of a mixed race servant in the film. And... I think the outrage is actually misplaced. Is her makeup ridiculous, leaving you thinking, "Gee, what ethnic group is it she's supposed to be portraying?!" Oh yeah. Were there plenty of talented black actors who could have played this role instead of Flora Robson? Oh yeah, totally. Are both of these facts weird and or uncomfortable to watch in our day and age? Oh yeah. But I don't think Flora Robson's portrayal was over-the-top or offensive at all. I didn't find it nearly as stereotypical as Gary Cooper's cowboy role -- some of his lines, and his delivery of such ("Look, ya got me roped, tied and branded!"), are ridiculous (and I say this as someone who adores the man usually) -- cowboys should be offended!
Flora Robson was a great actress, and set the standard for portrayals of Queen Elizabeth in Fire Over England and The Sea Hawk. I saw no broad statements about any racial group in Robson's portrayal of Angelique in Saratoga Trunk or the script, for that matter -- just one woman's portrayal of one woman. I found her portrayal quite layered, actually. What a shame that the makeup was so ridiculous and distracting.
What erupted on the discussion boards is the usual assertions that only-actors-of-this-group-should-play-roles-about-that-group. I find this dogma disturbing. So only Muslims of African descent should play Othello? Was it wrong for Daniel Day Lewis to play the lead in My Left Foot? Does the portrayal of a character by any actor who is not of the racial and ethnic group the character is supposed to represent automatically racist? I don't get that. The theater has always been about people taking on roles far different from who they really are -- it's called "acting."
Consider this: Most movies -- MOST MOVIES -- made in this period are sexist in their portrayal of women, with every female character presenting cringe-worthy characteristics. CRINGE-WORTHY. Yet, I still watch these movies, I still delight in them, even as I cringe, because I know the movies represent a particular time and place, and I can usually look past the stereotypes of the time for the deeper, more universal or just-fun story. Plus, it's fascinating to see just how limited most men and women thought about women in that era.
I find it interesting that so many people lose their minds over Flora Robson as Angelique, but few bring up Jerry Austin as Cupidon, a role offered only as comic relief. Think about the roles "Little People" have been limited to, not just in the movies, but in reality. THAT should give you pause as you watch the movie a heck of a lot more than Flora Robson.
* * *
I'm also a history nut. I don't care what region, I don't care what time period, I love to know the history of something or somewhere. I'm equally entranced in a huge history museum and a tiny village's history museum. Combine this with my love of movies, and I'm in heaven.
I watched The Battle of Britain for the first time recently, and I loved it! What it lacks as a great movie (very little character development and silly side stories) it makes up for in being an accurate portrayal of both the British and the German forces leading up to and during the Battle of Britain, the air campaign waged by the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) against the UK during the summer and autumn of 1940. You can have all the CGI you want -- there's just no substitute for having real planes flying and real explosions in a film; only the German attack on London doesn't look real by today's standards.
As I understand it, the British public loved the film, and had no problem with both the British soldiers and the German soldiers being portrayed as made up of sometimes very heroic, and, at times, very flawed, men. Just men.
By contrast, as I understand it, the American public hated Tora Tora Tora when it was released and stayed away in droves. I tried to talk to my grandfather about the film once -- he served in the Aleutian islands -- and he almost trembled in his anger about the film, saying it was inaccurate and made the Japanese look like "good guys" and that the film "twisted the facts just to make the (Japanese) happy." But everything I've read online says the film is quite accurate. I've seen the film -- as a movie, I found it really boring. But I would really like to know why it flopped in the USA on release if my grandfather's feelings were widely held in the day, by the public or by veterans, and how the film is perceived today by historians and the military.
* * *
So.... anyone have any freelance writing or editing jobs?
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