http://www.thomashibbs.org/4872/to-kill-a-mockingbird

A Quote...

"The right to the city is not merely a right of access to what already exists, but a right to change it after our heart's desire. We need to be sure we can live with our own creations (a problem for every planner, architect and utopian thinker). But the right to remake ourselves by creating a qualitatively different kind of urban sociality is one of the most precious of all human rights. The sheer pace and chaotic forms of urbanization throughout the world have made it hard to reflect on the nature of this task. We have been made and re-made without knowing exactly why, how, wherefore and to what end. How then, can we better exercise this right to the city?" -- Harvey, D. (2003). The Right to the City. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 27(4), 939 - 941.

If only he went all the way and connected this to our Biblical role and requirement to rebuild the city of God.  We are supposed to be Utopian thinkers and schemers, devising ways to love the city, people and community around us. 

If Only I Were Rich...

...I would buy one of these for all the babies I love.

this is cool.... but is it art?

I hope she didn't have to pay for all that thread.

One More Thing

to do on vacation...

Paper Airplane in New York

This is so cool!

Do you think I'd be allowed to do this from any building?

Should I Know All This?

As a Gen Y-er, I guess I'm supposed to know all of this already...


Bacn: impersonal e-mails (as annoying as spam) that you have chosen to receive, such as alerts and newsletters.

Bershon: that angry/bored/too-cool-to-care look that 12- to 18-year-olds sport in every family photo.

Compunicate: to chat with a co-worker when you are in the same room using Instant Messenger instead of speaking to them in person.

Cougar: Term that a younger man might use to describe an older female companion or attractive older woman.

Defriend: to remove somebody from your established list of contacts, considered the ultimate snub on a social network.

Googleganger: A person who shares your name. You find your googleganger by self-googling.

Lifestreaming: posting an online record of a person's daily activities, such as blogs.

Meatspace: referring to real life or the physical world and conceived as the opposite of cyberspace or virtual reality.

Moofer: derived from the acronym for "mobile out of office." Someone who abandons their workplace between meetings, taking laptop and Blackberry to the local Starbucks or anyplace else where they can escape the interruption of talkative co-workers.

Mouse potato: Someone who spends all their time on the computer surfing the net or playing games. Similar to couch potato.

Passion bucket: a metaphor for a job or endeavor that can fulfill one's sense of mission and ambition.

Peachfuzz billionaires: when someone launches their first startup in middle school and ends up a budding teeny mogul on the cover of a magazine.

Porntastic: something great, but slightly edgy and racy.

Palm Beach niece: Term that an older man might use to introduce or describe a much younger female companion.

(HT: http://www.limelightgenerations.com/blog/)

One of the Many Fun Things to do with Books

Some animator somewhere had too much time on their hands. Well, it's pretty well done, I hope someone got paid for this: book video.

I like the first minute or so of this clever little video. There's nothing wrong with the rest of it, it's just a little too long. Plus they didn't use very many books that I've read so that makes it less interesting.

Narrative Medicine

I'm not sure what that is, but Columbia University is offering a Master's Degree in it. It kind of sounds cool; except from the description, it almost sounds like it's not about anything.

Check it out here.

Mar 27, 1920

Letter to Gertrude from Chauncey on brown stationery with French, American and British flags

Dated Mar 27, 1920 PM

Dear Gert:

This is really the first chance I have had to answer your letter as I have been quite busy stocking up the store for summer.

The weather has been great out here for about a week. The ice has all gone out of the river; and a few of the launches are already running. I have been thinking of getting my little old boat fixed up for the summer. I wonder if I shall take you out boatriding this season? I sure hope so.

It would never do to go riding in Maynard’s Ford. The roads are a fright. By the way, Maynard would like to have Gerry write to him. He says he wrote the last two letters and will not write first again.

I did get a letter from, “Buddy. I am glad you let her read that letter.

Well, girlie, I will be expecting a letter from you soon.

As Ever,

A Friend,

Chauncey

Mar 5, 1920

Letter to Gertrude from Chauncey on brown stationery with French, American and British flags

Dated Mar 5, 1920 8AM

Dear Gert

Was agreeably surprized to receive your card, as I sure thought you had forgotten your friends at Pearl Beach. I did not know about your hand. A sore hand is a bad thing, isn’t it? I am glad it is better.

Maynard stopped writing to Jerry for the same reason that I stopped writing to you. Because he did not get an answer to his letters. I hope Gerry’s had is better by this time.

The “Beach” has been awfully dead all winter. Will sure be glad when summer comes again. Do you expect to be up this way at all this summer? Would like to take you for another boat ride.

Will look for an answer if your hand permits.

Chauncey

Dec 25, 1919

Postcard to Gertrude from Chauncey on “A Merry Xmas to You” postcard

Dated Dec 25, 1919 8AM

Top left corner: “please write.”

Bottom corner: “Chauncey”

Sept 29, 1919

Letter to Gertrude from Chauncey on Aspenleiter letterhead note paper
Dated Sept 29, 1919 PM

Dear Gert:

Was sure surprized and delighted and delighted this morning when I opened the mail bag and the first letter I saw was yours, addressed to me.

It was raining like the deuce when I came down to work this morning, but has cleared up this afternoon. I hate Monday mornings when it rains, don’t you?

Maynard is work at the store now, and wants to go to Detroit next Sunday. So him and I are going down, and I think Jack is going with us. I have not had a chance to ask him so far, but I think he will go along.

We’re going to leave here at twelve o’clock, so that will get us down there at two o’clock. Will we be able to see Gerry, Leona, and you? Can’t we meet you some place? Could you be at the interurban station at two o’clock? Or can we see you at some other place? I think Jack still writes to Leona. Of course boys don’t tell everything to one another like girls do. Remember the argument we had in the Ford, that night we went for a ride.

You said that you wished you were in Pearl Beach, as you needed a rest. I wish you were here too. I am not as sure about the rest.

Well, think I had better close hoping to hear from you before Sunday.

Sincerely you friend: Chauncey

Sept 26, 1919

Letter to Gertrude from Chauncey on “N. G. Aspenleiter, dealer in General Merchandise” letterhead note paper

Dated Sept 26, 1919 PM

Dear Gert:

Will answer your welcome letter which I received a few days ago. This is the first chance I have had to answer it as Mr. Asperleiter is going to build onto the store, and I have been busy moving things out of the way. He is going to put in a soda fountain. I suppose he will get some girl to run it. You’re not looking for a job for next summer, are you?

It is sure dead around here now. Think I will have to get Maynard and go to Detroit some Sunday. As you recommend the “Avenue” so highly think I will go there next time. I am glad you told me where it is.

You said in your letter that you had been reading a book and that someone had locked it in the bookcase. I’ll bet if you could have got hold of that book, I would have been out of luck for a letter. You only write to me when you can’t find anything else to do, don’t you?

Gert, you never told me how those snapshots turned out. I am beginning to think you would not send me one, if they were alright. Remember I am always looking for one.

Listen, Gert, if Maynard and I should come to Detroit some Sunday, wouldn’t there be any way in which we could see Jerry and you, if only to say “hello.” If I can’t do any better I will call you up, anyway.

I do not know if it is too cold to go boat riding, or not as I have not been out in a boat for about a month.

I had better not write too long a letter or you will never answer it.

Your friend

Chauncey

P.S. Please excuse this paper for it is the only thing I could find.

Sept 13, 1919

Letter to Gertrude from Chauncey on faded, wide-rule, note paper

Dated Sept 13, 1919 6PM

Dear Gert:

Was sure glad to receive your letter but had almost given up hopes of hearing from you. Listen! Gert, won’t you try and answer this letter within two weeks, even if you are so awful busy. It is sure quiet around here now and the only time I see anybody is at five o’clock when the mail comes in. Today is Saturday so I suppose everybody will go up to Algonac to the movies. Some exciting life, isn’t it?

Jack, Maynard and I were in Detroit last week. Went out to the fair, but as there were not much doing out there, did not stay very long, but came back to town, and saw a good show at the Cadillac. At least Jack and Maynard said it was good. I thought it was shocking, but of course I don’t know much about shows. You believe I was shocked, don’t you?

The boathouse looks deserted now, as there is nobody staying there. Wish you and Gerry were back there, so that Maynard and I could go down and take you out for a boat-ride tonight. You would go, wouldn’t you?

So you and Jerry did drop out of the club? Does that mean that you won’t be out next summer?

I saw Leona at Tashmoo Park last Sunday. I see her nearly every place I go.

Won’t you please send me one of your pictures when you answer this letter? I am sure that a girl like you must have all kinds of pictures. Well, think I had better close as there is a customer in the store.

I remain, Your Friend,

Chauncey

Aug 26, 1919

Letter to Gertrude from Chauncey on blank faded white linen (?) note paper


Dear Gert:

Received your card this morning after I had given up all hope of hearing from you. I was going to write a letter before but thought I would send a card first to see if you would answer that or not.
Saw Leona and some of the other girls at the dance hall in Algonac Saturday night. Nearly twisted my neck off trying to see if you were there or not, but no such luck. I expect the Beach will be good and dead after Labor Day.

If it gets too dead this winter I think I will to Detroit to work if I can land a job.

Of course I want one of your pictures, no matter how they turn out. I don’t see why you would not let me keep that picture you had taken on the breakwater, instead of tearing it up. That was a peach.

Jack and Maynard are talking of going to the Fair and want me to go along if I can get off for a day. I wonder if I would stand a chance in the world of seeing you, if I did go? They seem to think they will see Leona and Gerry.

I must have acted like a stick of wood that last night I walked to the boathouse with you. But when one gets a douse of cold water through an upstairs window it’s time to be moving, don’t you think so?

Why didn’t you come in and say good-bye, before you went home, Sunday? Were you mad at something or had the girls been kidding you?

Well, will ring off for this time hoping to receive a letter from you soon, so

I remain, as ever,

A Friend,

Chanucey

P.S. Don’t forget to send that picture.

Aug 19, 1919

Postcard to Gertrude from Chauncey

black and white picture of a speed boat on water labeled “The same river but a different boat.”

Hello Gertrude:

How did you get home? The “Beach” seems dead since the Nous Beta Club has left. Why didn’t you say good-bye?

Craig's List

I don't normally read Craig's List, but I was killing time on my lunch break today and came across this personal: (I'm guessing Madlibs...?)

i'm four years old. i enjoy jetpack racing, human boxing, and early titte brothers. my ideal date would be with a female human who is at least four feet shorter than me and light enough for me to carry above my head and sprint for one hundred yards. we could go to a nice appliance store and grab the spinning fans. or maybe go stare at an eclipse while screaming at it. then we could retire back to my place and play one hundred games of video pong. or simply get to know one another by dragging each other around my living room with a large magnet.

A New Hymn (well, new to me anyway...)

I've not heard this before and we sang it this morning as Mrs. Marston's choice at the staff meeting. I also went to the wrong staff meeting, but whatever. It's nice to pray for the kids and know what's going on and such.

O Thou, in Whose Presence

O Thou in whose presence my soul takes delight,
On whom in affliction I call,
My comfort by day, and my song in the night,
My hope, my salvation, my all.

Where dost Thou at noontide resort with Thy sheep,
To feed on the pastures of love?
Say, why in the valley of death should I weep,
Or alone in the wilderness rove?

O, why should I wander an alien from Thee,
And cry in the desert for bread?
Thy foes will rejoice when my sorrows they see,
And smile at the tears I have shed.

The roses of Sharon, the lilies that grow
In vales, on the banks of the streams:
On His cheeks, all the beauties of excellence glow,
And His eyes are as quivers of beams.

His voice, as the sound of the dulcimer sweet,
Is heard through the shadows of death;
The cedars of Lebanon bow at His feet,
The air is perfumed with His breath.

His lips as a fountain of righteousness flow,
That waters the garden of grace,
From which their salvation the Gentiles shall know,
And bask in the smiles of His face.

Love sits on His eye-lids, and scatters delight
Through all the bright mansions on high;
Their faces the cherubim veil in His sight,
And tremble with fullness of joy.

He looks, and ten thousands of angels rejoice,
And myriads wait for His word;
He speaks, and eternity, filled with His voice,
Re-echoes the praise of her Lord.

Dear Shepherd, I hear and will follow Thy call;
I know the sweet sound of Thy voice.
Restore and defend me, for Thou art my All,
And in Thee I will ever rejoice.

Once You Start Thinking...

...it's really hard to stop.

Well the University of Idaho officially turned me down yesterday. But it was the nicest letdown I've ever heard of. The director of the program spent about half an hour on the phone with me saying all kinds of nice things, including that they would love to have me as an alum of their program.

But not this year.

Well, I got all angry for most of yesterday and most of this morning. Happily, I managed not to say anything to the admissions lady while I was angry/disappointed on the phone. So no bridges have been burned.

Now I think I am calmed down enough now that I can think a little more clearly. Firstly, I hope they have scholarship money available next year. And lots of it.

Secondly, since I'm re-thinking things, I have begun trying to re-decide what I want to do. My options are a) to cool it and get more qualified before I begin my Executive education at the University of Idaho or b) find something else to do somewhere else.

Yvonne, the Executive Education Director, offered and strongly encouraged me to "let" myself learn more of the right kids of skills by volunteering to coach ("executive mentor" is what she called it) a team of undergrads who are competing in some kind of entrepreneur contest thingy; I don't know what it is really. She also wants to help me along for the next year or so while I become better peers with the rest of the group I would be studying with (who are all 45 and have been management for 7-15 years). She offered to meet with me personally on a recurring basis to discuss my current management and business planning. I am going to have to learn so much "business speak."

It's a sort of weird version of flattered (because she's offering so much and is clearly impressed with me) and annoyed (because she's not offering what I want and I have to re-plan).

Now I finally have a great time to say: "Missed it by that much."

My second option is Wayne State University. Many members of my family have attended this venerable institution (one of whom being my great-grandmother, whose diploma I proudly store in my parent's closet waiting till I have a "real" house.). The campus is right downtown near a huge Barnes & Noble and the Detroit Public Library and it's only about 15 blocks from where the Tigers play ball and where traveling Broadway artists sing their songs. Wayne has a reasonably priced "Online MBA" that is completely online with twice yearly testing on-site. The tuition -- even now that I'm no longer in-state -- is actually cheaper than at the UI, but it doesn't include books (or airfare now). I'm fairly certain I could find a place to stay while I'm there, maybe even something to drive to get downtown. This program starts in September and it's fully online. I'll be applying tomorrow and making some calls on Monday to see if my financial aid will transfer.

There is always the proverbial tertium quid and more than just these two options. I could do neither and just crawl into a hole and not ever think about my job or my life again. I'm kind of ruling that option out. Besides, I also sent my "above average" GMAT scores to Harvard...

I found $5!!!

It's Canadian, but well, that's worth a whole lot more than it used to be. I wish I could use my Canadian money to get some corn on the cob and go skiing on Lake Erie.

I know, twice in one day after so long with nothing.

I'm off to go start pricing out heart rate monitors...

Also, today I carried a Venti Frappuccino in the water bottle cage of my bicycle.