Other Thoughts

Taking a Moment

2011-08-30T20:34:00.008-04:00

The joy of blogging, I had discovered, was in taking the time to take in life. Whether taking in the visual or aural texture of one’s surroundings, or the intellectual implications of a thought, the process always required me to take time, take in all in, think about it, and put it in words.

I’ve missed that experience over the last year. Being a time of transition, I found the changes themselves occupied my time and kept away the quiet moments, the moments of reflection on even just one thought.

So, this evening, as I left the Cambridge Library, I took a moment. In the quiet warmth of a late afternoon sun in the waning days of summer, I sat on a bench outside. I just let the gentle warmth touch me. I let the relative quiet settle me. My cell phone battery almost dead, I was freed from the usual distractions, and just took in the view: the architecture of the library extension, the light brown of a wood porch on a triple-decker on Ellery Street.

So wonderful, taking a moment.

Walden Pond and Henry David Thoreau

2010-11-08T22:06:00.017-05:00

31 October 2010: Early on this cold, gray Sunday morning, I drive out to Walden Pond, to visit the woods when it is quiet. I walk the paths around the pond, where some 165 years ago Henry David Thoreau also came to spend 2 years in the quiet of the woods.

Much has been written about Thoreau. But what touches me most is the idea of living simply and going to the woods for the quiet and peace of nature.

A Brief History of Walden Pond

The glacier: The story begins 15,000 years ago with the retreating Laurentide Glacier sculpting a deep fresh-water pond. Over much of the New England landscape, the glacial retreat carved out ponds and left mounds we now call hills or drumlins.

The transcendentalist: In 1845 this little kettle pond had a visitor. A 28-year old philosopher and graduate of Harvard College arrived in Concord, where his friend Ralph Waldo Emerson owned land on the north and east shores of Walden. Only 1 years earlier in Concord, the Fitchburg Railroad was built from Boston. This line provided transportation that allowed Thoreau to venture from Boston to the woods at Walden.

Life in the Woods: Thoreau proceeded to build a simple cabin near the pond, “squatting” on his friend’s land. His purpose is summarized on a sign near his cabin site. “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life. And see if I could not learn what it had to teach and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”

Below: The site of the cabin is marked by the granite stones
Below: Replica of the cabin (near the parking lot)

Below: Walden Pond as Thoreau would have seen it from his cabin.

Thoreau, a Kindred Spirit

In high school, Henry David Thoreau was one of my favorites. I really loved the idea of living simply, without a lot of clutter and distraction. I enjoyed reading about his days living near Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts. But, I lived over 200 miles (350 km) away in New York State, so I had no idea of what the pond or woods at Walden looked like.

But I came to know a secluded pond near where I lived. Pine Meadow Lake was deep in the woods away from paved roads, and about a 1/2 hour hike. It was like my little Walden Pond. As a teenager, I was shy, socially awkward. I didn’t not quite fit in, and felt my family did not understand this yearning within. So, like Thoreau, I too went to the woods was where I could think and clear my head. With sunlight glistening off the clear waters and filled with the starry idealism of the late ‘60s/early ‘70s, it was my little oasis.

Living in Massachusetts

I came to Boston for college, in part to get some distance from my family and become my own person. Though I was nearer to Walden, it was years before I visited. (I think the first time might have been skinny dipping in the moonlight while in college – not exactly a spiritual pilgrimage to the sacred ground where my kindred spirit lived.

A bit older now, I’ve been to Walden a number of times to walk around the pond and spend a few moments at the site of the cabin. The reservation at Walden is well-used by swimmers and hikers and fishers. It’s probably, too well used.

So, I came to visit early on this chilly Sunday morning, when the woods are quiet and peaceful. It is the last day of October. The foliage is long past its peak of brilliant hues. The sadness and melancholy of fall becoming winter is setting in. Yet, I came, to spend a few moments, to contemplate living simply, and to share this with my on-line friends.

Feline Thermal Units

2010-10-30T14:07:00.005-04:00

Fall is here and the days are shorter and colder. Being staunch New Englanders, we resist turning on the heat until at least Thanksgiving. (New Englanders joke that this gives us something to be thankful for!) Without heat, how to keep warm? Warm sock, sweaters, staying active (e.g., I never feel cold when I’m vacuuming). That’s a few ways.

But our favorite: feline thermal units (or FTUs)! To you, they may look like ordinary house cats. But as warm blooded mammals, they give off a good bit of heat. While heat and air conditioning are often measured in BTUs (British thermal units), we’ve converted from BTUs to FTUs.

Our FTUs come with other nice features: soft fur, a pleasant meow, and deep purrs (they have a 4-stroke motor – after 4 strokes on the head or back, they start a gentle yet strong purr). They also come with 4-on-the-floor, pointed ears, and a sandpaper tongue – all standard equipment.

So, whether watching TV sitting on the couch or sleeping in bed, before we turn on the heat, we take advantage of our FTUs!

Climbing a smaller mountain

2010-08-21T20:15:00.004-04:00

Last year we took on the 2,000 foot (650 m) climb of Mt. Monadnack in New Hampshire, the 2nd most climbed mountain in the world, with a summit at 3,165 feet (965 meters). It took some time, but the view from the mountaintop and the sense of accomplishment was worth the effort.

This year, we took on a smaller mountain, known as Pack Monadnack, located in Miller State Park. I think of it as the little baby sister of Monadnack. It is about a more modest 800 foot (250 m) climb from the base parking area to its summit at 2,290 feet (750 m). At right is the view of the big mountain taken from the climb of "little sister."

Still it was an enjoyabe climb. And from a tower on the top of the mountain, one can get a good view all around.

Left: the vista towards Mt. Monadnack, from the climb up Pack Monadnack.

Below: along the trail on the climb

Below: The flora along the path: white birch, oaks, ferns

Below: Vista from the tower at the summit

Fireflies

2010-07-06T23:41:00.005-04:00

My idyllic version of a summer evening: warm (but not too humid), a clear sky, and a big field or meadow to roam barefoot, just at dusk as the fireflies come out.

This is just such a vivid image from the few times in my childhood when I was away from the city, often on vacation or visiting family. There were a few early teen years when we lived outside the city, but by then, fireflies were not the first thing on my mind.

I just love watching them fly. If it is just after dusk, you can often see them between blinks. But as night approaches, it is only their occasional blinks of yellow light that hints at the pattern of their gently looping flight above the lawn or into the bushes and trees. It is just such a peaceful scene.

I love to catch one just momentarily and peak as it blinks in the darkness of my cusped hand. Then, I let it just fly away. So, gently.

But, their blinking has romantic overtones as the males are in search of their mates. What a wonderful courting ritual!

While I love living in the city, I truly miss the spectacle of fireflies in the meadow on a warm July night!

My Little Garden, the 2010 Edition

2010-06-19T23:52:00.006-04:00

Living in the city, there's not much space for anything. But, we have a tiny little patio behind our home and I can do some gardening around the patio. I love getting my hands in the soil and planting my flowers and vegetables. And I enjoy watching everthing grow and make this little patio in the city as my little pretty oasis. For comparison, see my 2009 garden and my 2008 garden.

Of the Fear and Joy of Flying

2010-06-17T18:48:00.009-04:00

For me, I have two thoughts about flying. First, the views from flight can be spectacular, being up with the clouds and looking down on fields and farms and cities and mountains. And then there’s the anxiety and sweaty palms that comes during turbulence and rough landings.

Last week life, I took to the airways for the first time in a year for a family wedding. It was a week that can be summed up by saying life sometimes passes faster than we can appreciate it. One day, I’m in tears as my youngest is graduating from high school (my baby boy is grown up!) and the next day we’re up before the dawn to fly west. And we left our graduate with his brother, hoping they would eat something nutritious, wash a few dishes, feed the cats, and keep the house in some condition that we might recognize when we returned.

Flying is something I’m a little reluctant about. As an engineer, I usually know how things work. In fact, in many cases, I know the equations and have run the calculations. I can figure out how much to bank a curve for 60 mph. I had to figure out the forces in each member of a truss bridge. I can figure out how big to make a drain pipe.

But I never learned the equations for flight, so I always worry: How does it stay up in the air? I know all about the velocity vectors and how to calculate the arc of a baseball traveling 90 mph and leaving the bat at an angle of 90 degrees. But the baseball soon falls to the ground, while a place stays up there for hours.

I’ve heard about “lift” and somehow the forward velocity of the plane combined with the wing angle actually causes it to go up despite the relentless pull of gravity that brings all things down to earth, eventually.

So, on takeoff, particularly, I’m imaging all these velocity vectors and force diagrams and I'm rooting with all my strength that the “lift” term in the equation wins out of the force of gravity. (Otherwise it would be a very short flight!)

But this is why I prefer to drive or take the train: I know the equations and I know how it works!

Despite my uneasiness, I must say that flight is one of the great marvels of human accomplishment. To be able to soar above the clouds and gaze down at the earth 30,000 or 40,000 feet (0.9 to 1.3 km) below! To see towering, fluffy clouds from above! To see amazing sunsets or sunrises appearing in elongated landscape format! How inspirational it must be for artists.

No sooner than a day later, I was at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe. And there on exhibit was her Sky Above Clouds III/Above the Clouds III (1963). There is that unique view of the dusky horizon. And what a creative presentation of cloud tops, appearing like white lily pads clustered on a broad pond. The view is almost other-worldly. More about Georgia O’Keeffe in another post!

One Mom's Alternative to the Minivan!

2010-05-22T13:09:00.003-04:00

This mom and her customized bicycle caught my eye during the spring city bike ride. Every year here in Cambridge we have a city bike ride in May as part of Bike Week. It's a great chance for riders of all abilities to enjoy a ride around the city.

"One less minivan" was the rear plate on this mom's bike. It featured two seats suitable for young children (although it appeared only one child was riding today) The bike also have attachments for bags, water bottles, and other items. Plus headlights and rear lights.

She's saving on the cost of gas, has less problems finding parking spaces, and is not polluting with car fumes. Now, not every mom can ditch her minivan or SUV and take to the road with a multi-passenger bicycle. But, still, I had to admire this mom and her alternative to the minivan!

Other Spring Thoughts

2010-04-16T17:50:00.005-04:00

Spring is here at last, and first love is the budding and flowering that signals rebirth. Recently, I was feeling a little sad that things were progressing so fast at times I could not take it all in. But then I realized another aspect of spring: the rebirth is unbounded.

Listen to Stravinsky's Rite of Spring - the music approaches a frenzy at time, almost out of control. Spring is a primative season and cannot be tamed!

Spring is the season of love, especially young love. I remember a spring walk through the Riverway park, talking and enjoying each other's company.... Even as I'm many years older now, it's a season that re-energizes me to get outside and walk and ride my bicycle and feel the warmth of the sun.

Speaking of love, I will also have a special place in my heart for my hometown of New York City. There's no place like it. I was there last weekend for the briefest of stays (about 5 hours) for a family gathering, but on a hotel rooftop, I could watch the sun set over the Hudson River and dusk arrive as the skyline lit up.

But I still haven't seen my favorite New York City park, the High Line Park built on the old railroad trestle down the west side of Manhattan. (Check out my blog post from last spring on this wonderful reuse of an industrial structucture.) Well, next year will be the first with an "empty nest" so a weekend in Manhattan (with a visit to the High Line) may be possible!

Photo below is from http://www.thehighline.org/.

Gratitude

2010-04-02T23:23:00.006-04:00

Good Friday was warm and sunny, a sure sign that spring has come. I had taken time off from work to focus on these days, which are central to the Christian faith. Especially for those who were brought up as Christians from birth (such as I), Good Friday can come and go without much reflection. We know what it’s all about: we know the story of betrayal, arrest, questioning, torturing, and death of Jesus.

This year I spend part of the day walking and reflecting. I wanted to have some time set aside from the daily routines so I could maybe gain a new understanding of what this day means to me.

I had thought of going to a church to reflect, but something about the warm day and sunshine seemed to be drawing me outside – perhaps in the warmth of the day, I could find a quiet place where I might be lead to an understanding.

My question was how should recall this day. Do I focus on the suffering and death of Jesus? How would Jesus want us to recall this day?

Gratitude. That is the understanding that came out of my reflections. That is simply what Jesus would want me to feel about his suffering and death. Profound gratitude.

The deed is done; never again need Jesus suffer and die. As some would say “His pain is our gain.” We are freed from sin and Jesus taught us how to live our lives.

Since the deed is done, once and for all time, it is not necessary to focus on the brutal treatment Jesus received. This suffering is described in the Gospels and portrayed in detail in Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ. The suffering is fact, but the fact or details of the suffering should not the focus point of our understanding of what it means for our lives.

I don’t believe Jesus wants us to suffer unnecessarily. We don’t need to invite suffering, because life will present each of us with our own share of suffering. Or friends or family around us will have their share of suffering. But we know Jesus understands our suffering and is with us. And I believe Jesus wants us to be with each other in the suffering and needs that we experience in life. I believe that being with each other in their time of suffering or need is the good way to demonstrate our gratitude for what Jesus did.

Gratitude. Gratitude for profound love for us that Jesus demonstrated. Gratitude for showing us a way to live and be with others. Gratitude. That is how I would sum up the meaning of this Good Friday.

“…the music for the ceremony, I know you said you’re not very traditional….”

2010-03-27T22:04:00.005-04:00

Lunchtime, I'm taking a walk through the park and overhear somehting:

“…the music for the ceremony, I know you said you’re not very traditional….”

That’s all I heard. A mere snippet of a conversation. Not even a complete sentence. A woman, maybe 30-ish sitting on a bench in the park at noon, talking on her cell phone as I walked by.

So many half conversations we hear with people on cell phones, walking near us or on the bus or train; many annoying half conversations. But this was different. This one truly intrigued me!

My mind was racing to fill in all the other details.

Clearly, this was a wedding, no? Ceremony and music and not traditional – what else could it be?

But who was this woman on the bench? Was she the wedding planner? Or a curious friend? Or the music director at the church where the wedding would take place? Clearly, she was not just interested but had a real need to know about the music. I could tell this from the tone of her voice.

And whom was she talking to? Probably, the bride-to-be, I would guess. Or maybe both of them were on the call. But, again from the tone of the woman on the park bench, it sounded to me like there was only one person on the other end of the call. It sounded very person-to-person.

So, here we have wedding planner or someone involved in the ceremony talking to the bride-to-be. It’s March, so probably the wedding is a couple of months away, maybe May or June. But the bride is not “very traditional” so what must she be like? Is she a “free spirit” who wants a very different style of ceremony, maybe very simple, maybe more intimate in the setting. Maybe on a few dozen guests? Anyway, it’s probably not in a big church with hundreds in attendance. Maybe it’s in a small chapel, or in a small room off the reception hall, or outside in a garden.

An what about the dress? Not too traditional, hmmmm. No long trains. Maybe something simple yet elegant. Maybe not pure white, but an off white. Probably no large bridal party either, maybe only the Maid of Honor and Best Man. Maybe they walk in together and skip the traditional giving away of the bride.

And the music. Definitely not a big pipe organ with "Here Comes the Bridge" or other traditional wedding marches. Maybe sometime simple, yet romantic. A couple of tunes played on a violin.

So what do have hear?

I think a wedding in June.
Simple, but elegant gown.
Small wedding, maybe 40 or 50 guests, tops. Just the couple and their witnesses.
A brief ceremony with simple entrance and recessional music, a couple of romantic melodies played on violin.
And then to the reception.

I do wish them well. I almost feel I know something about them, even though all I heard was a snippet of a conversation, walking through the park at lunchtime in March.

Almost Spring!

2010-03-16T19:37:00.005-04:00

After a weekend of drenching rain, the sun came out and so the signs of spring. Only 5 days to go to my favorite season.

For me, spring is the season of hope: little buds daring to pop up above the ground litter and add color to the gray and brown bleakness. Life reborn.

Below: It's only March, but the trees look like they're almost ready to leaf out.

Below: A couple of views of the crocuses in the garden next door, now in full bloom!

Below: Look at how much my little jonquils have grown since my last post!

A Beautiful Day in March

2010-03-06T19:40:00.012-05:00

Finally, a beautiful weekend in March! And the signs of spring are multiplying, even if spring is officially still 2 weeks away.

This morning, the birds were singing. I found a few crocuses shyly blooming in the yard next door. Buds are appearing on trees, and my little baby buds are turning into juvenile jonquils and daffodils. Before the month is over, a bed of sunny yellow flowers will brighten the garden in front of my home.

It got over 50 degrees today, so I got out my flip flops and walked around in them all day. So nice to feel the warmth of the sun on my feet for the first time in 5 months!

Below, buds are appearing in the trees.

It's two weeks since my Signs of Spring post. Below you can see how much they've grown.

Beautiful day on the Charles River. Even a couple of rowers in shells were spotted.

Here's a blowup of the rowers.

Signs of Spring!

2010-02-20T13:10:00.007-05:00

My little garden is budding! It may be the middle of February and our groundhog friend says we have another 4 weeks of winter, the first signs of spring are popping the little green heads up out of the browness of dead leaves and the remains of last year's annuals.

Finally, a day that feels a little bit warm! For weeks (months) I have to bundle up with a wool hat, scarf, warm coat and gloves just to go outside. But today, with no wind and a sun that's feeling "almost springlike" I could throw off the hat, scarf and gloves and do a little work in the garden. After I removed some of the leaf litter, there were the little green buds.

Sometime in the middle to end of March, todays' little buds will become a sunny yellow bed of jonquils (March's birth flower - see their happy faces in the photo on the right and my post from last year) and daffodils are popping up. I can't wait, as I love spring!

Alien Abductions, Sleep Paralysis and Other Scary Night Things

2010-02-15T23:11:00.009-05:00

So, what about those reports of alien abduc-tions? Many people around the world have claimed to be abducted by aliens. Usually, they are lying in bed, often on their back. They feel like they are awake, but paralyzed, and shadowy creatures come and take them to a strange place where they are probed and studied.

I’ve always suspected there’s a simple explanation for these experiences. Now I know it’s called sleep paralysis. (Kristof, Nicholas D., "Alien Abduction? Science Calls It Sleep Paralysis," New York Times, July 6, 1999.)

Sleep paralysis is a natural phenomenon. While we sleep our body paralyzes our limbs so we don’t react violently to our dreams.

But sometimes the mind can awake before the body does. In these states, we seem to be seeing as though we were awake, but we just can’t move our body. This is a fringe state between sleep and awake.

In this state, many have reported seeing shadowy figures around them. I recall this once happening to me, with the lights on in the hall and figures passing by in the hall, but I couldn’t identify them.

A blogger, Steven Aitchison,in his blog Change Your Thoughts – Change Your Life, reported that these figures tend to congregate at the foot or side of his bed. He theorizes (and I agree) that these shadowy figures are dreamlike projections of the brain that is partially awake and partially asleep. In his post “Sleep Paralysis,” he wrote:

“The shadow figures, as I called them, usually congregated around the bottom or at the side of my bed. I was terrified of them as I hadn’t a clue what they were and why I would be getting them. I presumed, rightly or wrongly, that they were dreamlike figures manifested from a partially sleeping brain. There is no other way to describe it. My mind was awake, my body was sleeping, and another part of my mind was partially asleep.

"What I couldn’t figure out was why the figures only appeared during sleep paralysis episodes.”

What I found especially interesting are the many comments from others who have experienced sleep paralysis. Some have visions; some just have auditory hallucination; some dream about creatures moving their bodies around. Some see monsters, some see “the old hag,” some a devil, one saw spiders, or others are held paralyzed by an unknown creature or force.

Here’s what I like about this explanation. When people have studied manifestations of night visions over the centuries, the nature of these shadowy figures reflects the culture of the day. Back in the middle ages, this phenomenon was characterized by figures identified as devils. Today, they may be monsters, devils, the old hag, or space aliens. But in each case, what they see is very reflective of what they know about - their times, their culture, images in the popular media. For example, there were no cases of seeing space aliens in the middle ages.

But, while I find this a fascinating topic, I also know that it can be intensely frightening for those afflicted by hallucinations during sleep paralysis. This is evident by reading comments on the blog post. But, also interesting, are a few writers who enjoy the visions during sleep paralysis. And some who are able to take control of the dream, what is called lucid dreaming.

Now, this rational explanation of alien abductions has not convinced many who still claim an encounter of the forth kind. But it makes sense to me. With all our instruments and satellites, how could all these alien ships approach earth and hang around long enough to carry out these abductions, probing, and then return their captives?

Still, thinking about this does unnerve me a bit, especially now that it’s bed time!

My Computer is Keeping Me Up at Night!

2010-01-23T18:15:00.010-05:00

Ever do this? Finally cleaned up the kitchen, kids in bed, just about to go yourself, but, hmmmmmmm, maybe I'll check my e-mail. Next thing, it's way past midnight and it'll be another night of 6 hours or less sleep. Yikes, how did that happen???

At first, I'm ok the next morning. But, maybe about 2:30 pm, while digesting lunch, you find your eyes getting heavy. you stay awake for a bit, but as you start thinking about that memo you need to write, you kinda doze off for a bit and look up to see this on your screen: jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj.

Well, I just took this as my own fault. But now I know of the hypnotic spell cast by that pleasing blue light of the screen.

Michelle Slatalla, last Thursday in the New York Times Style Section ("As Different As Night and Day," NY Times, Jan. 19, 2010) spilled the beans on my computer's spell over me. She quotes Dr. Nancy Collop, medical director of the Johns Hopkins Sleep Disorders Center. “It emits a blue light, which is one of the most stimulating lights to the little receptors we all have in the back of our eyeballs, which send messages to the brain to say whether it’s day or night and whether we should be awake or go to sleep.”

So, even though I'm tired, the screen is stimulating my brain with its subliminal message: "It's really daytime, and you want to be awake. Just keep watching me. You don't need sleep!"

My rectangular master has duped me into spending the hours bathed in the enticing light it casts upon my face.

Now that you know this, beware! Don't look at the screen before bed or when you really have other things to do. Don't let your computer screen condition your brain to spend all your free time in its spell!

Since When is 12 a "Plus Size"??

2010-01-15T22:51:00.010-05:00

The New York Times Styles Section yesterday (Jan. 14, 2010) featured Crystal Renn, who, at size 12 is considered a "plus model." Plus model indeed! She looks rather "normal size" to me!!

When did size 12 become a plus size? When I hear "plus size" I think "fat!" But, consider that the average American women is a size 14. Is size 12 really "fat?"

Crystal was reported to be 5'-9" measuring 38C-30-42 and size 12. Apparently, in modeling -- dominated by like size 2 starving young women (some with bearly discernable busts) -- the cutoff is size 10. So, if your size 12 or bigger (fatter), your a "plus."

Now, this is personal because I'm also a size 12 (well, most of the time. sometimes I can fit into a 10, all depends on the cut). And I don't think I'm "fat." Well, maybe "big" but being 6' long and not anemic, I'm far from petite!

But I like "tall" or "long" better than "big" (or "fat").

My dimensions (40c-32-38) are kinda in the same ballpark as Crystal, but being taller, I have a few more pounds on my frame. And I'm more than twice her age, too! She is far more attractive, that I can admit.

But here's my question: at size 12, do I look like a "plus" or just "not bad for over 50!" -- what do you think?

An Earthquake in the Land of the Poorest of the Poor

2010-01-13T23:28:00.006-05:00

Haiti, the small nation next to the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean, is the poorest in the Western Hemisphere. Chronic unemployment mixed with political corruption and limited international investment mark the decades of poverty.

An now an earthquake has crumpled homes and other buildings. More are now homeless, hungry, without water. The woman on the right seems to embody the sadness of the lastest misfortune and its cumulitive effect on the people of Haiti.

While on one hand, I cry out "Why, oh why??", I also ask, as an engineer, why can't the buildings be constructed to better withstand earthquakes. It's not rocket science. It is easy enough to develop a standard design for these types of concrete reinforced buildings, as I have seen done in Peru. Yes, poverty and the ineffective hand of government have resulted in people doing the what they can with what they have. But this often means using poor or weak concrete, or only baked bricks and no reinforcing.

Besides the necessary relief to help feed the new homeless, there is also a need for groups such as Engineers without Borders to find a way to educate the people on better construction methods, to prevent results like below.

I urge all my readers to support the relief and rebuilding efforts in Haiti.

Some Random Thoughts about Christmas

2009-12-28T18:25:00.009-05:00

“So this is Christmas
And what have you done?”

So signs John Lennon is his song Happy Christmas (War Is Over). This song always getting me thinking about what Christmas really is about. And what we, as a nation and a culture, have done with this holiday. Long time ago (2002 to 2015 yrs. ago), a little Jewish boy was born to a young mother far from home.

What have we done? We have a big commercial frenzy that excludes his own people from the celebration! What have we done, indeed!!

So, here’s some random thoughts of mine on the holiday we call Christmas

The Fuss and Whoopla
We have all this whoopla before Christmas: the frenzy to buy presents and the bubble in retail sales; decorations in stores, homes, and public places; the music on the radio; and a few voices trying to remember the reason for the season (oh, this Jesus Christ, known to Christians as “Our Savior” is born!).

And Who’s Missing Out on it All?
But wait a minute, who’s missing out on the celebration? Well, one group is our Jewish friends. Hummmm, but wasn’t Jesus born to a young Jewish mother? So, I wonder what this nice boy Jesus is thinking about our present day fuss about his birthday. And who misses out on it all.....his own people! Oy vey!!!!

And When Was Jesus really born?

My little research of internet sites provided a great variety of results:

Jesus was probably born on Sept. 29th or March 1st or June 2nd or maybe Dec. 25th.
Jesus was probably born sometime in the 13 year period between 6 BC (6 BCE) and 7 AD (7 CE).

The date and year all depend on which “star” marked his birth, and there are a number of significant planetary conjunctions which may have caught the eye of the astrologers from the east.

But, there is a little contradiction with the biblical text, as Jesus was said to be born during Herod’s rule (and he did in 4 BC [4 BCE]). Yet, the census that required Joseph and Mary to travel in Bethlehem didn’t happen until 7 AD (7 CE). And, for the first couple of centuries, followers of Christ didn’t celebrate his birth, so there wasn’t any real effort to come up with an exact day and year. And some believe Dec. 25th was convenient as it coincided with the Roman solstice celebrations.

Personally, I like the September or June date, as it would give some separate space to think about what Jesus did and said and what it means personally and for the world. I have even considered petitioning the major Christian denominations to move the religious celebration to this date and leave the Consumer Holiday in December.

Why Doesn’t the New Year Start on Christmas Day?
If the birth of Jesus marks the years in the current calendar, why does the year start a week later? Well, January 1st represents the day Jesus was named, the day of his circumcision. Most people don’t think of New Year’s Day as the Feast of the Circumcision…..might through a different perspective on the celebrations.

Fall in My Favorite Park

2009-11-20T23:08:00.006-05:00

Boston's Public Garden is near my office, so I stroll there often. Sometimes at lunch, sometimes walking to the subway at the end of the day. The park is beautiful in all seasons, but the fall foliage paints the park with a particularly stricking palate of colors.

Here's a sampling of my photos of fall in the Public Garden. For more photos, check out my blog Urban Vistas.

Do You Need a Perfect Vagina?

2009-11-19T20:13:00.003-05:00

Do You Need a Perfect Vagina? How’s that for a questions? But can you believe this is a trend in cosmetic surgery for women?

Maybe I’m getting old, but I still remember when it was the thing to get a face lift or a tummy tuck. Before that, there was always the nose job. Well, at least these alterations related to the part of your body that everyone sees on a regular basis.

But the vagina? I keep thinking to myself, why? Who’s going to notice? It’s not something you’ll notice every time you look in a mirror. And it’s not something someone near you on the elevator will see. So, why spend $5,000 to have a perfect vagina?

A report by the BBC (New warning on “perfect vaginas”) says some women are embarrassed in front of a sexual partner.

Maybe. Depending on the nature of the encounter. But in intimate encounters of, shall we say, the “first kind”, it’s not exactly what’s he’s looking at. It’s usually dark….all he’s looking for is the entry portal. As he’s finding his way in, his mind is not on the aesthetics of the entryway, that’s for sure! For guys, it’s simple: he finds his way into the “happy place,” the big event happens (hopefully, not too soon), and then he’s happy and maybe you are, too. In my perspective, it’s the presence of the vagina, not the perfection of its appearance, that is the main attraction for the guy.

But, that's only one perspective. There may be other reasons…..some women complain of being uncomfortable in tight clothes or riding a bike. Maybe there are other personal reasons to spend $5,000 for perfection in this private region. Leave a comment about what you think.

Saving My Garden

2009-11-08T13:16:00.008-05:00

This year, the killing frost is late. Last year it arrived for El Día de los Muertos (Nov. 2). This year, it was unseasonably warm. But as the week progressed, the temperatures plummeted and some frost was visible yesterday morning. So, even though today is sunny and warm, it was time to save what I can from the garden.

I repotted the geraniums which I keep inside over the winter. I also brought in the parsley, one of the few plants that did well during our short, wet and cool summer.

On the right, that’s most of the cherry tomato harvest below: 9 green tomatoes. There was one ripe tomato we had around Labor Day, and one rotted on the vine before ripening. Oh, well, everyone tells me it was a bad year for tomatoes, and there’s always next year.

Below: my ferocious beast stalking in the wilds of the garden.

El Día de los Muertos

2009-11-01T14:30:00.008-05:00

El Día de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) is tomorrow, November 2nd. It is no surprise that the late autumn is a time to remember the departed. In the northern hemisphere, we witness the temperatures dropping, the sun lower in the sky as the days get shorter, and the death of annual vegetation. Here in New England, this takes the form of a vivid display of bright foliage.

Today (El Día de los Santos, or All Saints Day) was extremely beautiful, unusually warm and even sunny. I took a bike ride to the Mount Auburn Cemetery, one of the most beautifully landscaped cemeteries in the area. It was an appropriate day to take in the beauty of fall while contemplating our mortality.

One of my favorite reflections is found in Psalm 90 where one translation reads: “teach us to number our days that we may learn your wisdom.” Yes our days on earth are numbered, they are finite. But we must embrace our transitory existence and not be afraid of or obsessed with our eventual death. That is the wisdom we must learn, so that we can make the most of our lives.

The Psalm also says “for a thousand years to you……is like the passing of a single day.” This contrasts the eternal nature of God to our brief existence, with an understanding that time can be experienced differently, something that would be embraced in Einstein’s special relativity centauries later. Our lives pass in snippets of time, maybe a century at most. God spans the centuries (“por los siglos de los siglos”).

So, what becomes of us? Do we wither and fade and our life is extinguished, like the annual flowers in my garden with the killing frost? Christianity, Judism, Islam, and other faiths embrace an afterlife in heaven with God. Hinduism professes reincarnation. Others think death is the end. We don’t know the answer.

But while I was there in the cemetery, one thought came to me. I do know what will happen come April. Those same trees now displaying their brilliant foliage, after 4 months where their branches lay bear through winter winds and snowfalls, those very branches will bud forth in a glorious display of spring colors. Hope and life springs eternal.

The "Man Rules" and My Reply

2009-10-24T18:37:00.013-04:00

Do men and women have different persepectives on those little rules of life....those little rules that govern relationships and living together, from how to leave the toilet seat (up or down) to What does the other person really mean by what he/she just said?

Recently, a friend from another web site passed on these "Man Rules" to me. Granted they were offered just for laughs. And a lot of them are funny. But, still, they don't tell the whole story. I think a little reply is due. After all, it is my blog about my thoughts, so here they are!

I'd like to encourage readers to add their comments, too.

So, I've copied the man rules in manly blue Arial font and my thoughts in a contrasting italics and purple Georgia font. And one thing.....while the guy who wrote this numbered all the rules as "number 1" on purpose, I've added letters, to make it easier for my readers to comment on them.

The Man Rules

This is JUST for laughs!!
WOMEN: Continue to do what you want after reading this.
MEN: We ONLY labeled it as such to make you happy!!

At last a guy has taken the time to write this all down. Finally, the guys' side of the story (I must admit, it's pretty good). We always hear 'the rules' from the female side. Now here are the rules from the male side. These are our rules!

Please note.. these are all numbered "1" ON PURPOSE!

1a. Men are NOT mind readers.
Nor are women! If you're quiet and don't say what's on your mind, we don't know whether you're happy or sad or angry or whatever.

1b. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.
It's not the seat so much....it's when guys piddle on the seat (instead of lifting it up!) or when they leave their piddle on the rim. You won't loose your manhood by taking some toilet paper and wiping piddle off the rim!

1c. Sunday is for Sports! It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.

Maybe for some men, but a lot of guys are available on Sundays for social activities other than watching sports!

1d. Crying is blackmail.

So are controling emotional outbursts, like getting angry.

1e. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one: Subtle hints do not work! Strong hints do not work! Obvious hints do not work! Just say it!

Like 1a, this can go both ways, too!!

1f. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.
Perhaps, but not if I still haven't made up my mind!

1g. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do.
Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

Well, I have to disagree. I want my friends, regardless of gender, to be able to be sympathetic and be able to listen to what's on my mind, particularly if I'm feeling hurt or sad or scared. It's not difficult....all you have to do is listen, you don't have to say much. Maybe a hug or embrase would be nice, too.

1h. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument.
In fact, all comments become Null and Void after 7 Days.

Whatever, but some things I won't forget! I may not tell you, but I can remember hurtful words years later.

1i. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us.

But, I don't think I am fat, but sometimes I think I look fat. How hard is it to say "you don't look fat to me" or "you look sexy" or something nice like that!

1j. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one.

Well, that's easy for you to say! But you mean it one way or the other, so how do I know which way you mean it? And maybe how do I know you don't mean it the way that makes me sad or angry? I'm not a mind reader, you know!

1k. You can either ask us to do something OR tell us how you want it done.
Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.
But if you're doing it in my place, I want it done MY way! And, if you're nice, you'll be glad to help me and do it my way!!

1l. Whenever possible, PLEASE say whatever you have to say during commercials.

Well, who do you like more: me or that stupid TV show you're watching?

1m. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.

And he thought he had reached India!

1n. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not A color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.

Tough! Women's fashion and house decorating requires a full palate of colors. Maybe you don't get it, but we do.

1o. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that.
But, if you have to scratch your crotch, as least do it in private!

1p. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing", we will act like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

Well, guys are known for not sharing they emotions, but it's not worth the hassle to get them to share them.

1q. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.

Yeah, but you should know that and tell us what we want to hear!

1r. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine... REALLY!

That's fine for guys....but you don't understand..it's more complicated for women! I don't want to find I'm overdressed or underdressed, or wearing something that looks out of place.

1s. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as football or motor sports.

Sure, but you can say you're thinking about me (even if it's a lie).

1t. You have enough clothes.
You think? But fashion is always changing. And a woman can't wear the same thing to the office each week like a guy can. A guy just needs a few pairs of pants, some shirts and just change the tie! You don't understand, it's just more complicated for a woman!

1u. You have too many shoes.
Again, a guy can get by with some sneakers and a nice pair of black shoes. A women needs different shoes for summer and winter. Different shoes for formal, the office, nice casual, casual casual, and informal. Heals and flats. And different colors to go with different outfits. And fashion is always changing! A woman simply can't avoid having a lot of shoes!

1v. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!

LOL. You wish

Thank you for reading this. Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight; but did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping.

Why do guys always think they did something wrong? Guilty conscience? Afraid of women? Most of the time, a women will get over it, just give her some time.

Pass this to as many men as you can - to give them a laugh!

Pass this to as many women as you can - to give them an even bigger laugh!

Men and women: please leave your comments!

Does Warm Weather Encourage Smoking?

2009-10-23T20:34:00.002-04:00

We have a few nice days this week, with the temperature nearly 70 degrees (about 18 deg. C). So, I was walking around outside. But, in front of every office building were the ubiquitous smokers. With indoors smoking banned, they line up outside doorways, spewing second hand smoke in the midst of passers-by.

So, while I thought it should be an great day to enjoy the fall air, but instead, there was a heavy dose of second hand smoke along every sidewalk.

Now, I grew up during the “tobacco age” where smoking was normative. Adults might choose to “take up” smoking. I recall women declaring “I like a man who smokes!” as though nicotine addiction made a man more macho or handsome. Yuk!! Who wants to live with a man whose breath smells like an ashtray!

In my family, most adults smoked when I was a kid and every family gathering was blanketed in a blue haze of smoke. Amazingly I survived! But instead of “taking up the habit” I was strongly against the idea of smoking. Well, I’m glad the tobacco age is over, the health risks are well-known, and we now know smoking is one of the strongest drug addictions out there.

I’m always amazed at those addicts who persist. There are a couple of “professional smokers” in the building I work in. It seems they are always outside one door or another attending to their addiction, sometimes socializing with fellow addicts. I wonder if they actually do work in their office!

But this week got me wondering: does the good weather encourage smoking? Do the smokers come take additional breaks because it’s pleasant to stand outside? In that case, maybe cold and inclement weather is actually healthier – smokers lighting up less and non-smokers exposed to less second-hand smoke.

A Snow Globe in October?

2009-10-19T22:11:00.007-04:00

October in New England. Fall foliage. Brilliant colors. Hillsides and mountains draped in reds, yellows, oranges, and browns. Leaves falling on tree-lined streets.

That's what you normally expect. But whether it's a sign of climate change or just a fluke of the weather, but the scene was quite different yesteday in Massachusetts. It was snowing! And sticking!

The New England Patriots were playing in Foxboro, Massachusetts while the snow was accumulating on the field. It was like the stadium was in a snow globe!

Was I asleep for 2 months and woke up in December? What's with the weather? First we had rain and cool weather in June and the beginning of July. Then we had maybe 6 weeks of summer when we should have had 3 months. Now snow in October? ¿Qué pasa aquí?

Going to the Fair

2009-09-13T23:33:00.009-04:00

Every once in a while, I get out of the city and experience life in more rural environs. While I’ve lived most of my life in the city, my second favorite place to be in out in the country, be it a rural town or out in the countryside. It always seems peaceful to drive past farms and fields, especially where you see cows and horses.

So, on Labor Day I was out in Northampton, Massachusetts, and visited the Three County Fair. The fair included a variety of features, such as kiddy rides, “fair” fast food, farm machinery, monster trucks, a youth talent show, and my favorites, live animals. Now these animals were not of the urban variety (such as pigeons, squirrels, and cockroaches) but of the farm variety, such as cows, pigs, chickens, roosters, and rabbits.

A crowd favorite (and mine, too) was the pig race. The race involves four little piglets running around a small track motivated by a bowl of Oreos, which they much on after the race is over. It takes all of about 20 seconds, but it’s so cute watching the little piglets run. (To protect the health of the piglets, they only do this a couple of times a day, and let them rest in the shade the rest of the day.)

My sentimental favorite are the bunnies – always so cute! But second were the roosters – or, as I think of them, the analog alarm clocks. They are quite handsome and studly and speak with great projection!

Here’s a few photos from the fair.

Above and below: Little piglets after and during the race.

Below: my favorite of the cute little bunnies.

Below: I was tempted to purchase one of the analog alarm clocks!

Below: Something you don't see in the city - a watermelon grows in a driveway.

Is it a Dad’s Duty to Clean the House?

2009-08-16T22:49:00.008-04:00

Which is more believable:

Is it a dad’s duty to clean the house?
Is it a mom’s duty to clean the house?

What is your first reaction?

If you’re a mom, do you laugh out loud at the thought of it being a dad's duty to clean? Do you think “I only wish?” Or is it true in your family that dad and mom share the house cleaning?

If you’re the dad, do you do most of the cleaning? Or does your wife do all/most of it? Split 50/50?

A couple of weeks ago I was reading a post titled “Is it a mom's duty to clean house?” by a blogger friend Jenny (of Suburban Jungle http://www.suburbanjungle.net/). And it got me thinking about gender roles in housework.

You see, I’m old enough to recall the ‘50s and ‘60s when TV families all had a husband working a full time job and the wife at home cooking, cleaning and caring for the children. But then came the woman’s liberation movement and a move towards equality both in the workplace and a home.

But today is there equality in the workplace and at home?

Today, women have achieved much in the workplace compared to the ‘60s. Back then, my mother was the rare example of a woman in a major corporation with a professional position (i.e., not a secretary or administrative assistant) and, without a husband, got a mortgage, bought a house and was the sole provider of our extended family household of six! I mention this so you understand I grew up with a mother who was a true pioneer, though she would never admit that herself.

Some 40 years later, my mother’s situation is commonplace. Women can be found in virtually all jobs and professions. And there’s been an evolution in the workplace. Back in the ‘60s and ‘70s there was resistance from some men to having women in some jobs and professions. But, my observation is that now it’s more “just the way it is” to have both men and women in the workplace. There is still an income gap and the issue of a “glass ceiling” in some fields, but, still, much progress has been made.

But, while change has come in the workplace, it seems to me that equality in the home seems to be still an elusive goal. When my mother re-married in the ‘70s and they both commuted to the city and worked 8-hour days, it still fell upon her to handle the domestic work. Even today, my observation from some of the comments on Jenny’s blog posts and other sources is that some women still do much of the house cleaning chores, even if some husbands do help out. Although, some comments from women indicated that they don’t trust their husbands to do the cleaning.

For those well off financially (particularly with couples of 2 high earning professionals), “equality” can be obtained by outsourcing the domestic chores to cleaning services or a domestic. In fact, Jenny's blog mentions that now she has someone to do her cleaning for her.

Yet, most families can’t afford that. So why does it seem the cleaning still falls to the woman?

There really is no anatomical reason that men can’t clean a house as well as a woman. In fact, I’ve known men who are quite skilled at the domestic. Now, a good number may be gay, but regardless, I believe any man can do as good a job as a woman.

So, what is the domestic “glass wall” that keeps women “manning” the oven and vacuum and washer/dryer? How does it work in your family?

Cycling Along the Cape Cod Canal

2009-07-21T19:59:00.014-04:00

Cape Cod is widely known as a famous vacation destination in eastern Massachusetts. Known for ocean beaches, sand dunes, and cranberry bogs, the Cape is an arm-shaped sand bar left behind by the glacial recession about 12,000 years ago. The Cape became a popular vacation spot in the late 1800s, when the industrial revolution filled the cities with smoke and coal soot. Urbanites yearning to breathe free flocked to places like Cape Cod, arriving by rail.

In the 20th century, the Cape became synonymous with summer vacation. Perhaps, this fame is best illustrated in the lyrics of "Old Cape Cod," a 1957 hit by Pattie Page. The song (written by Claire Rothrock, Milton Yakus, and Allan Jeffrey) could have been sponsored by the tourist bureau, praising the Cape for its “sand dunes and salty air, quaint little villages here and there.”

Today, the Cape remains popular with tourists seeking beaches and boating. The gateways to the Cape are two bridges that span 135 feet above the Cape Cod Canal. The Sagamore and Bourne Bridges, opened on June 22, 1935, are also known as the pinch points that back up traffic for miles on summer weekends.

Despite the traffic, the bridges afford picturesque views of the canal. But to see more than a fleeting view of the canal, one needs to spend some times on the banks of the waterway. Perhaps the best way to do that is to bike the pathways that parallel the canal.

Last weekend, as part of our summer hike-and-bike “stay-cation,” we took the bikes to the mainline side of the canal and biked the 7 miles (each way) along the canal. The warm sun was mixed with cool breezes along the canal, at times providing a stiff headwind for the westbound ride.

But overall it was a nice day and a pleasant ride. And an opportunity to mix this with a little photography of engineering structures captured in the scenic backdrop of the cape.

Below: Looking up at the Sagamore Bridge towering above the canal and bike path.

Above: a power plant on the "cape" side of the canal.

Below: the canal meets Cape Cod Bay.

Above: typical view along the canal. With all the trees, you feel far away from the traffic and development.

Below: looking up on the massive tower of the railroad bridge.

Below: the quait railroad station at Buzzards Bay. It was a busy station before the auto surpassed the train as the popular way of traveling to the Cape. Now, only one train a week leaves from Buzzards Bay to Hyannis.

View from the Mountaintop

2009-07-11T19:28:00.010-04:00

With a height of 3,165 feet (965 meters), Mount Monadnock is said to be the second most frequently climbed mountain in the world, after Mount Fuji in Japan. Located in southwestern New Hampshire (USA), on a clear day, one can see 100 miles (160 km) from the mountaintop. What makes the views so spectacular is the bare rock summit above the treeline and in the midst of unique alpine vegetation.

It’s been years since we climbed, so we returned to Mt. Monadnock on July 5th. It was a perfect summer day, sunny and not too hot. But the climb (1,000 feet or 305 meters) and descent were a little tougher than we remembered. Come to think of it, it was probably about 20 years since our last climb! That could be why.

Well, the views and pictures were worth the wear and tear on our leg muscles!

The path to the peak starts out as an easy walk through the woods:

Hikers climing with the summit in sight. This was about 1.5 hours after we started hiking.

Near the summit, a view of miles around:

A disc markes the top of Mount Monadnock:

Hikers rest from their climb at the mountaintop. A nice breeze kept the temperature perfect.

View of vegitation near mountaintop:

Views from the mountaintop:

O for a Sunny Day

2009-07-09T21:17:00.001-04:00

o, for a sunny day in a month lost,
obscured in clouds,
with nearly perpetual precipitation
washing away the joy of solar radiance.

o great orb that rules the day:
can i remember how you feel?
your warmth upon my face,
my body bathed in summer heat
as I stroll the city streets
enjoying the leisure of the unhurried pace
that your warmness imposes.

how can we endure the grayness of another day
where the subtlety of colors is diluted
in such dull diffused daylight?
where an autumnal chill in my bones and
a film of mist coat over our flesh
left my soul in a joyless limbo.

o new month of Julius,
will you restore what we lost last month?
the simple joy of a warm summer day
bathed in sunlight.

At last, a summer's day! Part 1: Walk in the Garden

2009-06-25T23:09:00.007-04:00

Then suddenly, the month of rain ended! Just like in the movie, Forest Gump, when the monsoons stopped in Vietnam: the rain stopped and the sun came out. Suddenly, it was summer!

With the warmth of the sun beaming down, the city came to life. At lunchtime, I walked through the Public Garden. Like a tourist in a new city, I documented the planting beds, the logoon and the famous swan boats.

At last, a summer day! Part 2: Evening at Revere Beach

2009-06-25T22:09:00.011-04:00

Revere Beach, a 3-mile long, crescent-shaped barrier beach located about 8 miles north of Boston is America's first public beach. Designed by the renound landscape architect, Charles Eliot, it was part of a Metropolitan Parks System that was born around the dawn of the 20th century.

The parks were accessible by streetcar and provided fresh air and escape from city life in the midst of the industrial revolution. Coal was burned everywhere coating a fresh layer of soot on windowsills and lungs alike. The cobblestone streets were an adventure to navacate, avoiding the droppings of the everpresent horse-drawn transport while not twisting an ankle!

Revere Beach was immensely popular, especially with the working class. Early on there were all sorts of amusements and places to eat. These features fell into bad times in the 1960s and eventually they were demolished and replaced with high-rise apartments.

In the 1990s and recently the state has put money into refurbishing Revere Beach: bringing in sand to restore the beach itself, restoring the shade structures and restoring the beachside promendade on the north end of the beach.

Over the years, Revere Beach has remained a popular place to cool off on a summer's day or evening. On this summer evening, we ate at Kelly's (famous food stand) and walked the beach at sunset. Here's our postcards from today.

High above the Streets of New York: It’s a .... Park!?

2009-06-09T21:50:00.015-04:00

One of the most creative and interesting parks just opened in New York City. But if you walk and walk and walk all over Manhattan, you may never find it!

Why? Because it’s 30 feet above the street!

High Line Park is build on the trestle of the abandoned West Side Line built by the New York Central Railroad in the 1930s. What I find most interesting is the design – an amazing blending of two forms I love, yet are contrary: industrial and naturalist design.

What I love most about it is that they kept the historically defining features: portions of the tracks, the railings, and the great steel structure holding it all up. Then, perhaps inspired by the wildflowers that grew unaided between the abandoned rails, the landscape design brings back intense plantings of a beautiful palate of wildflowers.

A Brief History

By the 1900s, New York was a great port with piers lining the Hudson River. Long before highways and interstates, all that cargo arriving was loaded on trains. And like streetcars, the trains rumbled along rails in the cobblestones, mixing with horses and carts.

The New York Central Railroad had its own “cowboys.” These cowboys didn’t herd cattle; they herded freight trains! Riding horseback, they guided the trains through the west side streets of Manhattan.

Certainly, this was dangerous and inefficient. A plan was drawn up to lift the tracks 30 feet above the streets. The High Line was born. The miles of viaduct meandered above 10th Avenue and even went through right through buildings.

Times changed. As the ‘30s transitioned into the ‘70s, transportation modes changed. Highways got better. The ‘50s brought the interstate system, and with government-provided infrastructure trucks became a faster and more flexible for transporting goods. The High Line slowly died.

Like other relics of a past industrial age, the High Line was scheduled for demolition. But, others had a vision to convert this relic into a linear park above the streets. The advocacy of the Friends of the High Line and others saved the structure. And now a most unique park is born.

Witness the evolution of the High Line: active rail line to abandoned viaduct to park.

Credits:

The idea for this post come from my friend and fellow blogger, Nando. Check out his video interview about the High Line Park. And his blog post on the High Line at http://www.nandoism.com/

Most of the photos come from the Friends of the High Line’s web site: http://www.thehighline.org/. You’ll find many photos and videos, and much of the history of the Line and how it was saved.

My Little Garden: 2009 Edition

2009-05-30T18:05:00.005-04:00

Well, I have finally got the little shady garden planted, just in time for the rhododendrons to bloom. Compare this 2009 edition to my 2008 garden in September of last year.

Sunset at Fenway Park

2009-05-27T00:31:00.003-04:00

I'm in love with spring!

2009-05-21T21:52:00.017-04:00

This Memorial Day weekend is often thought of the beginning of summer, and the end of spring. I'm a little sad that spring is over.

From the late days of winter where the discovery of a crocus daring to bloom on a warm day, I've been in love with the hope that spring brings. From the barren earth, new life sprouts up. And flowers! (The first flower I saw was on Valentines Day, walking with my honey, so that may explain my feelings.)

I find the contrast of the bluebells and forsythia blooming against a brown background as wonderful. Unlike the summer, where the entire landscape is verdant, here the beauty stands in contrast to a dull background.

Then the trees leaf out into their yellow-green. And they flower.

At this point, I'll let my photos do the talking!

Here's my favorite photo from a day in May in Concord, near the Old North Bridge over the Concord River (site of the "shot heard 'round the world, April 19, 1775):

A few of my lastest photos of the Public Garden:

Breasts, What Are They Good For?

2009-05-01T18:37:00.008-04:00

Breasts: sex objects or the natural way to feed your baby? After reading a friend's blog post about post-nursing breasts, I thought of the contrast between what breasts were designed to do (i.e., nursing babies) and breasts as exhibited in celebratory fashion.

At this point, I'll let guys, looking for something more salacious, to click the back button and return to their search page.

Ok, back to my post.

Now, not only have necklines plunged to mere inches above the nipple, but we see some celebrity dresses feature a mere two vertical sashes leaving ample side cleavage, and little to the imagination.

With so much revealed, you can almost guarantee every celebrity needs medical enhancing to get that perfect shape and size.

Clearly, in American culture the breast has become a sex object, maybe even the first thing a guy looks at. (But I won't say anything disparaging about men; they're intoxicated with testosterone and can’t help it if society has defined breasts as something to become aroused at mere sight of one.)

But let's contrast this with Muslim culture where women are covered head to toe. No wonder the culture war between Islam and the West!

Also contrast that with a more conservative time in the US (‘50s, early 60’s) when breasts were out of sight, out of mind, and served no function. The modern woman of that time chose the “modern” way to feed her baby with delicious, “nutritious” formula!

Hmmm, do you think that once breasts stopped serving their biological function, they became sexual?

Finally, consider some societies in the warmer climates of Africa and southeast Asia where women may go around topless. In these societies, this is simply natural, and breast do not take on a sexual nature. No customers for enhancement there!

Now I don't mean to be prudish about breasts, but I do think our celebrity culture has taken breasts to an extreme!

View of the Charles River

2009-04-26T12:51:00.012-04:00

Yesterday it was 80 degrees F. in April, and for Boston, that's like heaven!

So, in part encouraged by a reader of this blog, and in part because I just had the urge to get out there, we went for a bike ride along the Charles River. We're fortunate in the Boston area to have a long series of bike and walking paths that follow the river from Boston all the way out to Waltham, about 7 miles.

The river has many faces, in some places a placid pool with bordering marshes, in others passing old factories (like many an old New England mill town), and others with more formal development next to the river. Here's a few of the faces of the Charles on a warm spring day.

Below: Two Canada geese swim in the river near the Moody Street bridge in Waltham

Above: Rapids in the river below the falls. Though the banks are wooded, urban development lurks nearby, hidden by the buffer of trees.

Below: A towering stack rises above an old factory in Waltham. Note the silhouette of an abandoned railroad trestle crossing the river.

Above: A restful scene reminiscent of a lazy summer afternoon as a mother and small child (too small to see in photo) relax on the river bank under willow trees. In the background is a footbridge and another abandoned railroad trestle (part of the same rail line). [What can I say, I'm an engineer and I love bridges!]

Below: My all time favorite footbridge - the Blue Heron Bridge. It's a beautiful example of a slender graceful arch with cables supporting the walkway. And the greatest thing: if you're not walking or riding on the trail, you'd never know this little gem existed!

Above: The path in Newton snakes through woods next to the river. The trees just have a touch of their early spring light green foliage.

Below: The falls at Watertown, looking upstream at the early spring foliage along the banks. And, yes, another footbridge.

Above: One of the many arch bridges that cross the Charles.

Below: The dead tree and bording marshes present a natural foreground (pay no mind to the high-rise apartments in the background).

What is Beauty?

2009-04-25T13:39:00.015-04:00

The phenomenon of Susan Boyle singing on Britain's Got Talent brings back to focus a question close to my heart: What really is beauty?

In a previous blog, I asked What is Ugly? A New York Times article on Oct. 29, 2009 ("Move Over, My Pretty, Ugly Is Here ") examined how "beauty" and "ugliness" is defined with societies. Maybe folks have overdosed on the skinny, young, and pretty which left room for unlikely heroines like Ugly Betty.

But despite a few exceptions like Ugly Betty, the media gives us a constant stream of what is supposed to be "beauty." Be it on TV, in ads on web sites (particularly dating services), or pop music stars.

Freelance web writter Julie Neumann has a recent blog post "Flaws & Fame: Susan Boyle vs. French Elle Magazine" which is a wonderful examination on the issues of beauty and body image, especially for women.

Interestingly, she notes that because Susan Boyle sang so beautifully, people take away the lesson "you can't just a book by the cover." But Julie also asks, what is Susan did not sing so well? What is her singing was ordinary or even bad? Would everyone just laugh at Susan and consider her of no particular value?

That is the saddest reflection I've heard.

Why do we have this societal idea that the beautiful are admired and have value, and that the ugly are avoided and have little value? This is what is closest to me. Having never had great looks, in the past I've tended to "stay in the shadows" and be less social, assume a lower social standing, and generally view myself as less interesting than the beautiful and popular. However, the joy of middle age is becoming unencumbered by these value systems and gaining confidence in your professional and other abilities. And just not really giving a shit about what people think about you.

But my point is not to focus on me. My concern is that so many will devalue others who do not possess what society defines as beauty. How many people are there that may not be the most attractive on the outside, yet have great talent, intelligence, and/or inner beauty.

And, are we not so much poorer for never knowing these people?

Do You Want Cheese on That?

2009-04-22T21:51:00.005-04:00

So, what’s the deal with pushing cheese, cheese, cheese, anywhere you go?

Remember when the server at McDonalds always asked “Do you want fries with that?” Well, every time I order a sandwich, the order clerk asks “Do you want cheese on that?”

“No thanks,” I say.

But I can’t simply just say “no” once. At Subway, if I say no thanks to the first order person, the next two workers in the sandwich production line ask again! (Do they get a bonus per slice?)

They’re like drug pushers: “Pssst, hey, want to do some good Gorgonzola?” “You really need some Cheddar on that.” Or Scientologists: “You really do want to have this cheese on that sandwich.”

Oy vey! Has no one heard of kosher? You know, not serving meat and dairy at the same meal? I can’t be the only person out that who eats cheese-less sandwiches?

Not that I keep kosher -- actually, I’m not even Jewish – but my New York roots have given me the occasional craving for a tasty sandwich from a great Jewish deli! Where they never ask me if I want cheese on that!!!

My cynical self suspects that the Cheese Institute, not unlike organized crime, has made a “deal they can’t refuse” with all the sandwich and fast food chains. “Sell cheese, if you know what’s good for you!” Why else would I get asked “do you want cheese on that” about 2.7 times per each sandwich order!

What do you think? Do you long for a good Jewish deli where they never ask you “Do you want cheese on that?”

Walking on a Rainy Day

2009-04-21T19:25:00.009-04:00

Usually a rainy day is a depressing: stuck inside, getting your clothes wet if you go outside, the sun isn't shining, so why bother? It's weather only a duck can enjoy!

But walking home from work in the rain this evening was actually pleasant. It was quite warm and the rain was gently falling on my head. It was more a mist than a rain, gently refreshing, and not getting me all soaked by any means.

I was thinking of last summer. I was a big downpour, but I went out to the store in shorts and flip flops with an umbrella. I didn't mind getting wet walking through the puddles. It was all quite refreshing.......

Open Toe Season Is Here!

2009-04-16T20:39:00.016-04:00

Another sure sign of spring in the northern climes is the start of Open Toe Season! It's April and women are beginning to expose their toes on the way to work.

Now in places like LA where it's always warm, Open Toe Season lasts all year long. But up here where we have a thing called winter with snow and slush and ice and really cold temperatures, the sensible woman invests in a fashionable pair of boots. Along with a long, warm coat, gloves and a hat, a reasonable woman can avoid freezing for the sake of fashion.

On the other hand, if you have someplace really nice to go, or you have a big date, and you have that perfect pair of open toe heels, many a northern girl has been spotted braving winter snows and freezing temperatures forgoing sensible boots to look great.

When is Open Toe Season in Boston?
I've noticed that Open Toe Season is now running from about April (first warm days) to October (first frosty morning). This is not counting college students who can be seen with flipflops and shorts even in the middle of winter. I'm counting only women obviously going to work. For me, I prefer truely warm weather from June through August.

So why do women enjoy Open Toe Season? One younger woman coworker says she enjoys "sockless summers" or one less item of clothing to wash. Others may enjoy showing off their pedicures.

And there's the simplist reason: it's just easier to get to get dressed and out in the morning. No stockings to slip into. Getting dressed can simply be finding a nice top and skirt or a dress. Then slip into sandles, flipflops or other open toe shoes and you're good to go.

Are Flip Flops Appropriate in the Office?
Where there are "business casual" guidelines, they often say flip flops are not appropriate. But with a nice skirt or dress, I think a simple pair of flip flops works -- they don't distract from the overall look. Besides, who's looking at your feet instead of making eye contact?

So, what do you think about flip flops in the office? And how long is Open Toe Season where you live?

More Signs of Spring!

2009-04-04T18:31:00.006-04:00

It was almost feeling like spring this morning, especially when I saw most of the jonquils (or daffodils as some call them) were out.

My favorite is the “non-conformist” in the photo below – some out-of-the-flower-box thinking, perhaps?

Dusk on the River

2009-03-25T19:44:00.006-04:00

I was riding home from work along Boston's Charles River around sunset this evening. I couldn't resist taking a few photos.

It's Spring -- Time to Get Out and Ride

2009-03-20T19:23:00.008-04:00

Today spring arrived and it was time to start riding my bike to work again. The snow banks are finally gone and the bike lanes are available again.

But, yikes, am I out of shape!! Too much sitting around all winter. As I plodded along, other cyclists were passing me by. Then there's a modestly steep incline to get over the Longfellow Bridge in Boston. By the time I got there, I was out of steam and seemed to just be crawling up.

But despite the wind and chill, it was still good to get out and ride. And with daylight savings time, I could enjoy the longer scenic ride home along the Charles River (see photo at right).

Spring – I Can Feel It Coming!

2009-03-14T18:21:00.022-04:00

When I went out this morning, I could feel it. Spring is coming! The sun was stronger, even if the air was cool. Even in the city, you can smell spring in the earth. Yep, it's only a week until the 1st day of spring!

And the crocuses are starting to shyly bloom. They stay close to the ground – never know when we’ll have another snow.

The yellow flower is in front our our home; the purples ones are next door.

The daffodils are coming up, too. It’s very sunny in the front, so spring comes a few week earlier to this front planter.

The daffidols in the planter are a couple of weeks from blooming (maybe less) .

Red buds on the maple tree in front of our place.

Besides the weather, the other sign of spring is the flipping of earth's axis. When it's winter in the northern hemisphere, the South Pole points to the sun. After the spring equinox, the North Pole points to the sun.

Some believe this flip of the poles, also shifts the gravitational field of the earth. As proof, it is said you can stand an egg on end on the spring equinox.

A quick search of the internet reveals this is true. See the various photos of eggs standing on end, not only accomplished by scientist in the lab, but also at home!

Leave a comment if you can get an egg to stand on end!

Tattoo of Mythological Bird

2009-03-13T23:31:00.003-04:00

Sometimes the art of tattooing can produce something of exceptional beauty. This young woman’s tattoo is on display at Boston’s Museum of Science. I found it most striking and beautiful.

First Flower of Spring!

2009-02-15T20:59:00.007-05:00

Wow! Can you believe it? A flower blooms in February in Cambridge!

It was Feb. 14th, Valentine's Day, and there it was along a side street: a crocus grows in Cambridge.

What a harbinger of spring!

It’s still cold, but the end of winter is coming (some day)!

.....

My Least Favorite Thing!

2009-02-13T19:51:00.002-05:00

This is an easy one: it’s those telemarketing calls!!

Why do they think they can sell you something by harassing you?

You get home after a late day and sit down to relax with your favorite beverage and maybe a little snack: Ring Ring! Won’t you contribute to our fund?

Later, you sit down to a tasty diner: Ring, Ring! So what if your potatoes get cold, don’t you want a new credit card?

It's the climax of your favorite TV show: Ring, Ring! You miss the most important line of dialog.

I HATE it!

Fortunately, we have caller ID!

“Unknown caller” – no response from us!
Calls from strange area codes: let it ring, let it ring, let it ring.
Strange caller ID: hey, we don’t talk to strangers.

While we still have the ring, ring, ring, but at least we know when not to answer the phone.

This post is Inspired by Bingkee’s post titled How to Get to Talk to a Human.

Yeah, We Have an Intellegent President!

2009-02-11T20:22:00.004-05:00

The President's press conference the other night proved at least one thing: we now have an intellegent, thoughtful leader. Maybe it's being a nerd myself, but I just feel better with an A student as Pres. instead of the frat boy C student who has recently moved out of DC.

Some may find him boring. No sound bites. Long-winded. No fodder for Stewart, Colbert, Leno, Letterman and SNL.

While even intellegence alone does not guarantee a quick solution to the economic downturn or our foreign policy messes, I still feel better with an intellegent guy who actually understands policy.

I Don’t Believe in New Year’s Eve

2009-01-14T21:23:00.010-05:00

Yep, I don’t believe in New Year’s Eve. Or New Year’s Day, for that matter.

Why?

I know the inconvenient truth in the science of astronomy: One year is 365.2424 days. One trip around the sun just doesn't add up to an even number of days.

But the time between the ball dropping in Times Square from year to year is exactly 365 days (or 366 days in leap year).

So when the ball drops, it’s NEVER exactly 1 year since the last time it dropped.

New Year’s Eve is a fraud! It's not 1 year since the last New Year's. It's either a bit more or less than a full year!

That’s the inconvenient truth of astronomy!

So, where did this fraud come from? It’s a product of government and religion that for over 2,000 years sought to impose their sense of order on something that’s not that nice and neat. Early cultures had a better sense of time. First of all, rather than start a year freezing yourself on a winter’s night, many cultures started the year in spring, fresh with the hope for the rebirth of nature. These cultures often used events in nature or astronomical observations such as the spring equinox as the start of a year.

Perhaps the most accurate early calendar was developed by the Persians who used the date of the spring equinox to start each year. This was self-correcting calendar, and did not depend on numerical rules like the Julian and Gregorian calendars developed in Europe.

The Gregorian calendar was based on 365.2425 days which created creeping error over the centuries as the difference between 365.2425 and 365.2424 eventually catches up. The current Julian calendar is based on 365.25 days and included a leap year every 4th year, with some other exceptions every 100 and 400 years. This was the beginning of the bureaucratic control of the calendar.

Thanks to the bureaucrats, the New Year has no relationship to astronomical events such as the equinoxes and solstices.

Religion’s contribution to all this is that the years are supposed to be measured from the birth of Jesus Christ. But New Year’s Day isn’t on Christmas. Instead, we have New Year’s Day on the 8th day after Jesus’ birth, the day that Jesus was named and circumcised. Add to this, the fact that Jesus was not born in December (this remembrance of his birth was moved near the winter solstice to blend in with the pagan Roman celebrations) nor was he born in the year 0 (more likely 2 BC) [see http://www.bethlehemstar.net/ to find out when Jesus was really born, based on science applied to scriptural references).

So, New Year’s Day on January 1st really relates to absolutely nothing. It’s just an arbitrary date based on the current calendar. It doesn’t relate to any reoccurring annual astronomical event. And each New Year’s at midnight is never exactly one year since the previous New Year’s.

Once again, the inconvenient truth of science tells us that New Year’s is all just a fraud!

Yikes, so many Rachys!

2008-12-13T00:21:00.009-05:00

Google'll make you humble, yes, it will. I started using Rachy when I started blogging -- thought it was a little more unique, when compared to Rachel, which is fairly common. A little googling and there are dozens of Rachy's all over the place.

Yikes! Guess I'm not so unique after all.

Beauty in Urban Industrial Photography

2008-12-05T20:02:00.026-05:00

Decaying cities, abandoned factories, glass-covered empty lots -- what could be uglier?

But, being an engineer and urban creature, I've actually been fascinated by the industrial zones of cities. Here in New England, many of the river cities had an extensive network of canals. In the 1900s, the factories were powered by canal water passing through turbines.

I just returned from a trip to Lowell where I took some pictures of the canals and factories in the fading light of late afternoon with the oncoming of winter.

As with people, with the right lighting, even the ugly can take on a striking beauty.

Above: Dam building over the Hamilton Canal, bathed in the warm light of a setting sun.

Below: Another canal in Lowell

Below: Old factory, reflecting the setting sun. Even the grass in the abandoned lot takes on the look of "amber waves" when bathed in such warm light.

Above: water rushes out of a conduit below the dam.

Below: waiting platform for a trolley shuttle service that uses historic cars from the same era as the factories.

Friendly Felines, Carnivorous & Cohabitating

2008-12-04T20:53:00.013-05:00

The world is more or less divided into those who love cats and those who hate them. Well, I fall into the first category, and cohabitate with 2 carniveorous friendly felines. They are part Maine coon cats, and come with lots of fluff. (And my clothes pick up lots of fluff, too!)

But, as the weather turns cold, there's nothing like a fluffy, purring lap cat (cuts down on heating bills, too!).

"Fluff #1" on the left is the affectionate, but skittish one we call Scout. "Fluff #2" on the right is the smarter and more self-reliant Maggie. They were litter mates, but have grown apart and each has its own territory. About once a day they pounce on each other.

The funniest thing is when we actually get a mouse in the house, and they try to take care of things. One will catch the mouse, walk around with just the tail sticking out of her mouth, and then let it go. Then they paw at it, and maybe catch it again or just loose interest. Good thing they are fed cat food, as they might not survive on their hunting sills.

Here are 2 cats who know how to keep warm in the mountains of Peru. Comecuye is sitting on top of the wood stove while kitten #2 sits under the stove with just his head sticking out. They keep their welcome by staying out of the way and catching any unwelcomed rodents. (But not the guinea pigs, which share the kitchen and courtyard – they are a delicacy in Peru.)

Later Comecuye curls up to keep warm in the kitchen.

A Day Lily Blooms in November

2008-11-20T22:08:00.005-05:00

Our little city garden supprised us this week: the day lily bloomed in November!

We've been having this crazy weather this fall. Sometimes cool, but then it warms up. The killing frost that should accompany El Día de los Muertos (Nov. 2) never came.

The last 2 weekends it was in the 60s (15-18 deg. C) and it got one of the day lily plants a bit confused. There was a yellow flower coming out in November!

It should only be blooming during the summer. But this summer was very wet and it only bloomed when we were away in Peru. But this one little bloom in November makes up for it.

The killing frost finally came this week, but the yellow flower remains.

Here's the little flower, hiding in our front planter:

The Joy of Spam

2008-11-09T02:45:00.050-05:00

Ah, the joy of spam!

If your spam filter isn't working, it just keeps coming and coming and coming and coming.

To quote Monty Python: "Spam spam spam spam spam spam spam spam, wonderful spam...."

Do I need a cheap car? An early payday? Satellite TV? Money for school? Maybe even a job? Or maybe I need to control my appetite. Spam reveals the way! Here's some of my favorite topics.

Breast Implants

Sounds great!? Not only can I get these larger, perkier breasts, but I can afford better breasts!Wow! Well why not, if I can afford it!

So why does one need these better and perkier breasts? That's when you have to read the message:

"Are you tired of men paying more attention to women with larger, perkier breasts?"

Hmm, can't say I am! And what exactly makes a breast perkier? Is it just size or a more conical shape?

Even if guys are watching, is it such a good thing? A close friend who is naturally "very well endowed" feels very self-conscious in public when guys stare. In fact, she often says she'd like to get them reduced. (I kid that she should be a doner for the less endowed who desire a perkier endowment!)

What if you think you're reasonably proportioned as is? (They look ok in the pic, at least to me.) Who needs to be top heavy!

"Do you want to feel better about yourself and have all those eyes on you at the next party?"

Don't know I really want that... I'm shy, so I don't mind a few eyes, maybe, but not necessarily all those eyes (particularly those guys who gauk at your breasts and don't look you in the eye when talking to you) .

Funny thing -- these spam ads came to a guy's e-mail. Wonder how many guys want perkier breasts to they can get more guys looking at them!!!

Dating

So Jenn wants to chat with me! Two new signles want to talk with me! But who's this "Hey Babe..." character who also wants to chat with me? Am I the "Babe" or is she/he? Never realized so many people want to chat with me.

And now I have a neighbor who is looking for me! (Hope he or she is not peeping into my bedroom window trying to find me!) And why is this neighbor assuming I'm still single?

Now I must find out who are these sexxxy singles!! Do all those x's make them extra sexxxy?

So, why do I want to see Britney's pics? What if looking at a young women's pics isn't my thing?

Why does spam always assume everyone is single? Or is this an opportunity for those in a relationship to "chat" with someone else -- maybe one of those extra sexxxy singles! This is a consumer society, so why just have one relationship when you can have as many as you can stand!

Now, you shouldn't think I spend my days reading spam. But every once in a while, it's entertaining to see what they're trying to sell and how they pitch it. Ah, spam -- it you can't avoid it, at least you can make fun of it!

Visitor in my garden

2008-11-09T02:44:00.003-05:00

I hate spiders -- them and their yucky webs! They give me the creeps. I like to avoid them and just let them be, hopefully somewhere far from my comings and goings.

Now it's been unusually warm again, in the 60s (15 to 18 deg. C), and I was thinking of taking in my 4-ft. high geranium before the killing frost (if it ever comes). As I was about to reach for the geranium pot, I felt something funny. There was this web connected to my plant and the biggest spider I ever saw in the garden sitting in the middle of her web. Well, I just left her alone.

Later I showed it to Rosie who said “Hmm, not going to catch much at this time of year.” Unless some insects decided to check out the unusually warm weather in November, she’ll go hungry.

Her she is, squatting in my garden!

Today, the web remains, but no garden spider.

My Garden is Dying

2008-11-02T14:08:00.011-05:00

Today is known as the Day of the Dead (El día de los muertos in Latin America). Since I started gardening, I have always associated Halloween and the Day of the Dead with the first killing frost here in the northeast.

Being in the city, it comes a few weeks later. But it's now or never to rescue whatever I want to keep indoors over the winter. Soon my inpatients will be withered, the tomato plants brown, and leaves will cover it all until next spring.

Here are some photos of my garden last’s days before the frost and the rescuing of the geraniums and parsley.

For pictures of this garden in bloom, see my post titled "My little garden."

What is Ugly?

2008-10-31T21:24:00.056-04:00

How do we define beauty or ugliness? Is it a universal standard or does it vary from culture to culture? Is it a point of view? Is it in the eye of the beholder? Or is it related to specific body features? Does "ugly" involve a disfigurement? How is beauty/ugliness related to one's weight or body shape?

Reading the lead article of the New York Times Style section on Thursday (10/30/08) "Move Over, My Pretty, Ugly Is Here," got me thinking.

You see, not only am I tall, and apparently a nerd, but for looks, let's say it's quite not a winning hand. Not that I'd be considered hideous, just a bit homely.

But luckily I can make up in brains what I may lack in looks. And now that I’m living in the neighborhood of middle age, I'm finally over the low self-esteem born in adolescence, when you know exactly where you stand in the pecking order of attractiveness.

Still, I must say I chose MyBlogLog over, say Facebook, because I wanted to be known for my words and thoughts, and not for what I may look like. That's also why I chose a cute avatar to represent my inner self-confidence and put a better face foward.

As I think back to adolescence it was like a domino effect of social segregation. From an early age, the more attractive tend to become the more popular, gaining more friends and social skills. The less attractive, especially if they're shy (like me), tend to fade to the background in social settings, less likely to reach out and make friends. Isolation can lead to depression and doubts about self-worth. Lack of confidence keeps you from putting your best face forward.

This effects both girls and boys. And it can take years to overcome it.

For me, having success in my profession helped a lot. In engineering, appearance and personality are generally less important; what matters to the boss is if you what you're doing and get the job done efficiently. In fact, as I think of all the competent engineers I know, there are both men and women who span the range of body shapes and appearances -- and they generally get along with each other.

The TV show "Ugly Betty" has brought the issue of appearance to prime time. The title character is also a bit homely, yet it doesn't hold her back. She too finds success at work which raises her self-esteem. And there is a related campaign to improve the self image and self confidence particularly of adolescent girls by de-emphasizing appearance.

Amazingly, even people we might find attractive have been through tough times when they were teased about their looks. Sometimes it was cultural. Someone who might have been considered unattractive in her native country, may be consider quite attractive in another culture.

On the other hand, love can overcome other aspects of appearance. The beloved is always seen as attractive. To a mother, her child is alway precious, even is she/he is a bit homely. And as couples grow old together, their appearance change with the addition of wrinkles and weight, or the loss of hair, but, through the eyes of love, they may still see each other as attractive and desirable.

It really seems that appearance is really a matter of viewpoint. Beauty and ugliness are really in the eyes of the beholder.

Now can you find a somewhat homely, aging blogger in the lineup below?

Appreciating Life Better Through Blogging

2008-10-27T23:56:00.012-04:00

Blogging on whatever strikes me has intensified my observations and appreciations of the life and events that passes on around me. Life presents opportunities to find beauty and interest in the near-at-hand. (Take this view of a little pond in a new park here in Cambridge.)

Much of the time life becomes a repeated pattern of events: go to work, come home, eat, watch a little TV, pay some bills, keep in touch with friends, etc. Weeks pass as a series of low intensity events while life lives me and not the other way around. We become numb to life -- the intensity can be lost.

When I was younger, there were more spontaneous things I did with friends or places visited, and life had a greater intensity. But now that I'm living in the neighborhood of middle age, this repeated pattern of weekly events lived while trying to keep one's head above water (especially when work is busy) results in a life can become a bit of a rut at times.

But, I've found that blogging is a blessing that gives me an outlet where I can reflect on my feelings of moments and events as they enter my life. Momentary scenes are often filled with an intensity of feelings, thoughts, and connections.

Consider this photo I took: "August Sunset at Longfellow Bridge." This is taken from the train platform of Charles Street station looking west from Boston in to Cambridge. The Red Line subway and roadway cross the Charles River. First thing that moved me was the striking lighting effect created by eclipsing the setting sun with a lightpole, bathing the view in a warm yellow light. And the back-lit cloud over the steam power plant across the river. And the peaceful and empty view with only one young woman standing on the platform, no traffic on the bridge --- all in stark contrast to an otherwise bustling Saturday in Boston. It was Aug. 18th, and I was on my way to see the movie Vicky Christina Barcelona in its first week of release.

(As a transportation engineer, this one photo covers many interests including a unique view of the bridge, the train tracks, the Charles River, and the power plant across the river, one of the few surviving industrial landmarks of a once major manufacturing district built filled tidelands. The platform extension where the photo was taken was built in 1982, as part of a project I worked on).

Here's another favorite "Sunny Lane in Autumn" taken in the midst of Cambridge. On a rare warm October Sunday, with the delicious rays of the sun on my skin (as I yearned for the summer that is now past), I could sabor the respite from cooler days as I strolled comfortably in short sleeves and flip flops all the while taking in the colors of the autumnal arboreal transformation. I had always thought one really needed to get out of the city to see fall in New England. Drive up to New Hampshire and Vermont, take winding country lanes, find an apple stand, and hope it's not raining and cold. But, instead, the beauty of fall comes right to my fair city, if I just go out and appreciate it.

Fall Colors with Uplighting

2008-10-25T21:15:00.018-04:00

I always love a garden with up-lighting at night. There's something almost other-worldly and ethereal, yet peaceful about it. And it’s just kinda cool. It’s that white light washing, but not completely obliterating the colors.

So, I came upon this plaza with uplighting on some trees. In any other season, it would be interesting, but at the peak of the fall foliage change, it really caught my eye.

So, I captured them the best I could. These photos almost gets the feel of seeing it with your own eyes.

Then I had some fun altering the lighting and color (it would be cool in a slow disolve video clip).

Well, Guess I Am a Nerd, After All!

2008-10-15T20:10:00.007-04:00

In my profile I describe myself as shy and a nerd. You see, in social settings I tend to be shy and, being an engineer, I guess I’m a nerd because I’m pretty good at math and science. But I never never knew for sure if I really would be classified a nerd.

Until today.

In a blog I follow, a recent entry titled “My world has been shattered.” by bcschjenk (http://bcschjenk.blogspot.com/2008/10/my-world-has-been-shattered.html), included a definition of “nerd” and, gee, it kinda fits.

The author quotes http://www.urbandictionary.com/ for the comparison of “geek,” “nerd,” and “dork” as follows:

.......................“Technical ................Social

...Title ............... Skills ................ Skills
Normie .............. No ..................... Yes

Geek ................. Yes ..................... Yes

Nerd ................ Yes ...................... No

Dork ................. No ..................... No”

It goes on to define “nerd” as:

“Nerd: A socially awkward person who has learned technical skills due to the spare time they enjoy from being generally neglected. Their technical knowledge then leads normies to neglect them even further, leading to more development of their technical skills, more neglection, etc. This vicious cycle drives them even more into social oblivion.”

Well, maybe the definition is a little harsh. It’s not like I don’t spend time with others, and some of them may actually be “normies.” And these technical skills I learned in school.

But, to be honest, I am shy and somewhat socially awkward, especially meeting new people. Sometimes I just don’t have much to say. And I don’t mind being silent, even with friends.

(But, you might ask, how can someone so shy write so much in a blog? But, you see, when I have time think, ideas come to me……then I have a lot to say.)

So, I guess I’m sorta a nerd (but not too nerdy, I hope!).

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Reference: La Tristesse Durera Toujours (http://bcschjenk.blogspot.com/)

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Autumn Color on a Warm Weekend

2008-10-12T21:21:00.044-04:00

Fall colors on a warm day in New England -- that's a combination you can't beat!

Many tourists come here to see the display of fall colors, particularly in the mountains and hills of northern New England.

But I found that even here in the urban environs, I can find the beauty of the autumnal arboreal palate.

This weekend was particularly sunny and warm -- almost a little return of summer! Nice days for walking around and taking it all in. These are some images of color in the city near home.

A sunny lane - not in the country, but in the city!

Color near the hospital:

Tall Girl Story

2008-10-09T22:36:00.018-04:00

Author's Note: I have updated this entry to include a comment by Rita Rose who was a friend of Sandy, and knew her better than the author of the article I had read.

Now I have someone I could really look up to! Sandy Allen, at 7 feet, 7-1/4 inches tall, was the world's tallest woman until she passed away last August. Arianne Cohen described an interview with Sandy in an op. ed. article in the New York Times on August 22nd.

Wow, Sandy was over a foot and a half taller than me! At a little over 6 feet, I've always thought I was rather tall, at least compared to other women and girls. Since I'm not getting any shorter (well, at least not until my bones start to compress in old age), I've tried to have fun with my abundance of altitude. Like the picture on the right -- you see, being so tall, you can't get both my head and feet into one picture!

According to Arianne, Sandy greeted her with the joke "If you ever want the ceiling painted, put a hat on my head and tell me which way to walk." (Wow, I'm not the only one to joke about my height.)

A reader of the original post, Rita Rose, a friend of Sandy, replied with much more detail. The quote below (in a different color to distinguish Rita's words from mine) is from the e-mail I received from her:

"Sandy was my friend for 31 years and I knew her better than most people did. While some of what Cohen wrote was true, most of it was not. Here's the original post I made after her misleading article ran in the New York Times:

"Wow, I hate to burst your bubbles about this very touching story, but it's not even close to the truth! Sandy did NOT die alone or live her last years without family and friends. Yes, her school years were tough, but after she got her world's record as an adult her life became much more tolerable. She made good money working at the Guinness Museum of Records and later returned to Indiana to be a secretary.

"Sandy had many, many good friends who surrounded her. At the nursing home, she was well taken care of for the most part (it was, after all, a nursing home). There were 2 local women, her friends, who constantly watched out for her welfare and raised hell if things weren't right. I visited her at least once a month, and would have gone more often but I don't live in her town. She had many visitors -- maybe not every day, but who does? And the 2 wonderful women who watched over her promised Sandy that if she were dying, one of them would be with her so she wouldn't die alone -- and she was.

"Most of her family and friends visited her the day before she died. Her funeral and calling saw many notable visitors -- the mayors of Indianapolis and Shelbyville, some retired Pacers basketball players, Cincinnati Tall Club members and many more -- and more than 400 people signed the guest book.

"If Sandy was alone the day the writer [ed. note: Arlianne Cohen] of this article visited, that was just one day out of many where she had plenty of attention. She shouldn't have judged Sandy's situation based on one day, and without talking to some of Sandy's friends and caretakers. I certainly hope her book was much better researched because this truly is sloppy, exploitative journalism.

"My book, "World's Tallest Woman: The Giantess of Shelbyville High," will be out in November, if anyone is interested. (www.hawthornepub.com for preorder at a discount.) I was Sandy's friend for 31 years and knew her well. The portrayal of her in this story is sad all right -- and not because of Sandy's situation. Please know that she was well-loved and cared for!"

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If you find Sandy's story interesting, you can read more:

Rita Rose's upcoming book, "World's Tallest Woman: The Giantess of Shelbyville High," Hawtorn Publications, is described at: http://www.hawthornepub.com/books_history.html

Arianne Cohen, "Giant Problems," New York Times, August 22, 2008.

Arianne Cohen, The Tall Book: A Celebration of Life From on High, Bloomsbury, to be released April 2009. (http://ariannecohen.com/)

My little garden

2008-09-01T16:16:00.014-04:00

Living in the city, there's not much room for a garden, but we've managed to find room for some color in a sea of buildings and pavement.

Here's a little tour of my little garden!

Life in this vertically-gifted body called me

2008-08-05T21:02:00.011-04:00

Well, you see, I've always been tall and self-conscious about it. I tend to stoop a bit to take a little bit off the vertical difference between me and the ground. We'll a 6-foot girl can only do so much. There's just a lot of me! Some girls top off at 5'-2" or maybe even 5'-6". But my real estate continues upward for another full 6" for a total of 6 feet!

Perhaps the worst thing was going to one of those websites that creates a virtual you, to see how clothes will look on you. So, I put in my dimensions and my shape, and there it was -- "virtual Rachy"!!!! (See picture at right.)

So when I saw this virtual me, I said: am I really that fat??? Really? Must be something wrong with the software!

Well, I could be depressed, or I could use a little sense of humor. Choosing humor, I thought: They say the sum of the parts can be greater than the whole. So, I decided maybe I'm better subdivided, say into more manageable parts. So I established the three major geographic regions of Rachy:

---Upper Rachy

---Middle Rachy

---Lower Rachy

Well, each of the regions don't look so bad! I guess I can live with that! (Actually, I'm not so fond of photos of the whole of me, but sometimes one part or another looks ok. So I have a bunch of edited pictures where I've cropped off the top or the bottom or both.)

So, I guess if you're not pleased with whole body, maybe you can finds some "regions" that are ok. So, for now I'll remain, Rachy, the girl in three parts.