I was introduced to Station Eleven in the "staff recommends" section of the University Bookstore, my very favorite bookstore. The story takes place after a pandemic flu sweeps the globe killing 99.9% of the population. A group of actors aged 15 - 50 travel the midwest and perform Shakespeare for the few survivors in world that is just beginning to heal from the human destruction. The theme of the book is 'survival is insufficient.' It's tattooed on the heroine's arm and is also painted on the horse-drawn caravan that holds their few costumes and props.
This world is a savage place where people of all ages have to kill each other. Somehow, people go on and find happiness in small places in their daily lives. If I were a character in this novel, I would hope to be killed by the flu.
In an odd side note, at the end of the book, I learned the theme 'survival is insufficient' came from an episode of Star Trek Voyager that was written by Ronald D. Moore. He is the executive producer of my current favorite TV show and book series: Outlander. It's a funny coincidence because the theme of the third season of Outlander (not due out until SEPTEMBER?!) is probably 'survival is insufficient'.
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Hood River
We went to Hood River over the winter break to visit friends of mine from my college years. I love Hood River. It's a small town with an abundance of outdoor activities for all seasons. Most people seem to have moved there for the sports: kite surfing, wind surfing, skiing, mountain biking, & road biking.
The kids and I skied at Mt Hood Meadows. The weather was amazing -- clear blue skies so we could see the very top. The kids, however, were not into it. We got there at 10, then they were hungry, then they didn't want to ski, then I got frustrated. Finally once they started to ski they were ok but then they wanted lunch. After lunch, Sonia refused to ski so I left her at the bottom of the lift to play in the snow. Jack and I skied. I enjoyed what I could.
I had not seen my HR friends for many years. They look the same! However, their small children were replaced by much larger people. I had not seen their oldest child since he was 4 or so. Now he is 15 and almost as tall as his dad. He is very independent -- he makes his own food, goes out for solo bike rides, has a girlfriend. Many worlds away from 4. In fact, a few worlds away from where I am with my kids.
My friends got a sitter and we went to a bar to hear more friends sing and play music. Every business establishment seems like a story from Portlandia. We visited a bar opened by three athletic semi-retired men in their 50's. The bar serves cider that these guys make and is only open 3 days a week. We ate dinner at a pizza place on the Columbia River owned by a family that used crowdfunding to open their restaurant. They offer a family night every month where you bring your kid and they provide the sitter while you eat on the other side of the restaurant.
I took one picture in Hood River. This was the cheesecake one of my friends made. It was topped with lemon curd and was unbelievably delicious.
On the way to HR, we stopped at Powell's bookstore. We spent several hours there and I had to have Jack paged because he completely disappeared into the books. On our way home, we visited OMSI, which is now Jack's favorite museum. I had to have him paged there as well. He took the submarine tour and wanted to move in. There is a crazy exhibit with real embryos and fetuses up to 20 weeks or so as part of a human reproduction exhibit. Definitely a Portland thing.. can't imagine that in Trump country.
The kids and I skied at Mt Hood Meadows. The weather was amazing -- clear blue skies so we could see the very top. The kids, however, were not into it. We got there at 10, then they were hungry, then they didn't want to ski, then I got frustrated. Finally once they started to ski they were ok but then they wanted lunch. After lunch, Sonia refused to ski so I left her at the bottom of the lift to play in the snow. Jack and I skied. I enjoyed what I could.
I had not seen my HR friends for many years. They look the same! However, their small children were replaced by much larger people. I had not seen their oldest child since he was 4 or so. Now he is 15 and almost as tall as his dad. He is very independent -- he makes his own food, goes out for solo bike rides, has a girlfriend. Many worlds away from 4. In fact, a few worlds away from where I am with my kids.
My friends got a sitter and we went to a bar to hear more friends sing and play music. Every business establishment seems like a story from Portlandia. We visited a bar opened by three athletic semi-retired men in their 50's. The bar serves cider that these guys make and is only open 3 days a week. We ate dinner at a pizza place on the Columbia River owned by a family that used crowdfunding to open their restaurant. They offer a family night every month where you bring your kid and they provide the sitter while you eat on the other side of the restaurant.
I took one picture in Hood River. This was the cheesecake one of my friends made. It was topped with lemon curd and was unbelievably delicious.
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| I ate the part that fell off. |
Vancouver, BC
Even though it's only three hours away, Vancouver seems like it's in a different country. It is, of course, but it seems like 200 miles wouldn't make that big of a cultural difference. Imaginary lines matter I suppose. It's much more cosmopolitan than Seattle. People walk quickly on crowded streets speaking many different languages. The buildings are taller and the city is more dense. It makes Seattle seem like a backwater in comparison.
We visited to interview for our Nexus pass in case we have to flee quickly. Just kidding.*
We stayed downtown, visited Stanley park and the aquarium. We ate Japanese food for dinner. We swam in the hotel pool on the 8th floor with views of the water and mountains seen through floor to ceiling windows. All fun.
We just received our passes so we'll be able to have more Canadian cultural experiences but now, without long border waits. Also, if you live in Washington or another state that borders Canada, the nexus pass is a great deal. For $50, you get the pass + TSA pre-check + global entry. Global entry alone costs $100.
*If I really needed to flee, I doubt my nexus pass would help me.
We visited to interview for our Nexus pass in case we have to flee quickly. Just kidding.*
We stayed downtown, visited Stanley park and the aquarium. We ate Japanese food for dinner. We swam in the hotel pool on the 8th floor with views of the water and mountains seen through floor to ceiling windows. All fun.
We just received our passes so we'll be able to have more Canadian cultural experiences but now, without long border waits. Also, if you live in Washington or another state that borders Canada, the nexus pass is a great deal. For $50, you get the pass + TSA pre-check + global entry. Global entry alone costs $100.
*If I really needed to flee, I doubt my nexus pass would help me.
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Book: David and Goliath
I loved this book but I have a really hard time explaining what it's about.
From someone paid to write
In DAVID AND GOLIATH, Malcolm Gladwell challenges how we think about obstacles and disadvantages, offering a new interpretation of what it means to be discriminated against, suffer from a disability, lose a parent, attend a mediocre school, or endure any number of other apparent setbacks.
His stories range from the conflict in Northern Ireland, parents who lost children, brilliant students who drop out of chosen studies because they chose elite universities instead of lower-ranked schools, the civil rights movement, class size, and the war in Vietnam. Each time he makes the point that the situation did not conform to our preconceptions of how power, money and influence shape outcomes. Applying force backfires, forgiveness offers freedom, status creates anxiety which causes failure instead of success. Each time, what appears to be true is not.
Reading the book is like looking at a Salvador Dali painting where the view changes radically once someone points it out to you.. then you can't see the painting as you originally saw it.
From someone paid to write
In DAVID AND GOLIATH, Malcolm Gladwell challenges how we think about obstacles and disadvantages, offering a new interpretation of what it means to be discriminated against, suffer from a disability, lose a parent, attend a mediocre school, or endure any number of other apparent setbacks.
His stories range from the conflict in Northern Ireland, parents who lost children, brilliant students who drop out of chosen studies because they chose elite universities instead of lower-ranked schools, the civil rights movement, class size, and the war in Vietnam. Each time he makes the point that the situation did not conform to our preconceptions of how power, money and influence shape outcomes. Applying force backfires, forgiveness offers freedom, status creates anxiety which causes failure instead of success. Each time, what appears to be true is not.
Reading the book is like looking at a Salvador Dali painting where the view changes radically once someone points it out to you.. then you can't see the painting as you originally saw it.
Book: Empty Mansions
A few weeks ago, I visited some small towns in northern Arizona that were created by the mining industry in the 1800's. One of my high school friends recommended the book Empty Mansions as it starts with the story of WA Clark, a mine owner and (as a result) billionaire who owned a mine in the area.
The story is mainly about Clark's youngest child. He married a woman his own age and had 5 children. His first wife died when they were in their early 50's and about ten years later, he married a woman 40 years younger. They had two children: the oldest died at 17 and the youngest was named Huguette. By the time Huguette was born, the family was one of the wealthiest in the country. Since WA passed on all of his wealth to his children, who then basically squandered it, his name is not known today.
Huguette was an odd bird and her life story is simply strange. She inherited $300 million in her early twenties. She lived her life in self imposed seclusion and spent lots of time playing with dolls. It is a case study in why the US needs an estate tax. It is also proof of one of Malcolm Gladwell's theories in David and Goliath. Money can be a positive influence but it's influence can be drawn as a U-shaped curve. At some point, the money is no longer a positive influence and it becomes negative even harmful.
The story is mainly about Clark's youngest child. He married a woman his own age and had 5 children. His first wife died when they were in their early 50's and about ten years later, he married a woman 40 years younger. They had two children: the oldest died at 17 and the youngest was named Huguette. By the time Huguette was born, the family was one of the wealthiest in the country. Since WA passed on all of his wealth to his children, who then basically squandered it, his name is not known today.
Huguette was an odd bird and her life story is simply strange. She inherited $300 million in her early twenties. She lived her life in self imposed seclusion and spent lots of time playing with dolls. It is a case study in why the US needs an estate tax. It is also proof of one of Malcolm Gladwell's theories in David and Goliath. Money can be a positive influence but it's influence can be drawn as a U-shaped curve. At some point, the money is no longer a positive influence and it becomes negative even harmful.
Friday, February 10, 2017
White Pass
White Pass is a ski resort in southeast Washington.. not far from Yakima. We visited last weekend with family friends who have kids the same age as ours (although their oldest is a girl).
When we arrived at our rental, it was filled with taxidermy. I never would have thought I needed to screen rentals for such a thing but now I know better. Jack was uncomfortable and interrogated everyone about whether they thought the animals were real (they were). The adults convinced everyone to say they were definitely fake. This helped Jack cope although I think he suspected the truth. It's weird to feel like dead animals are watching you.
Other than that, our time in White Pass was very fun. Great snow and a small, uncrowded resort. If I lived in Yakima, I would go all the time. The kids played in and around the giant rental home while the adults hung out. Fun for the whole family.
The next day, I went snow shoeing for the first time -- more fun that it sounds. Effortless walking on snow is an enjoyable activity. We decided to leave for home around 3 because the Super Bowl started then and we thought we'd have an easy drive as a result.
We were wrong.
Unknown to anyone, a snow storm had hit Washington, and our small rural roads were in bad shape. Lots of cars (even one emergency vehicle) were stranded. I was grateful for our snow tires. We made it home in 4.5 hours instead of 3.
When we arrived at our rental, it was filled with taxidermy. I never would have thought I needed to screen rentals for such a thing but now I know better. Jack was uncomfortable and interrogated everyone about whether they thought the animals were real (they were). The adults convinced everyone to say they were definitely fake. This helped Jack cope although I think he suspected the truth. It's weird to feel like dead animals are watching you.
Other than that, our time in White Pass was very fun. Great snow and a small, uncrowded resort. If I lived in Yakima, I would go all the time. The kids played in and around the giant rental home while the adults hung out. Fun for the whole family.
The next day, I went snow shoeing for the first time -- more fun that it sounds. Effortless walking on snow is an enjoyable activity. We decided to leave for home around 3 because the Super Bowl started then and we thought we'd have an easy drive as a result.
We were wrong.
Unknown to anyone, a snow storm had hit Washington, and our small rural roads were in bad shape. Lots of cars (even one emergency vehicle) were stranded. I was grateful for our snow tires. We made it home in 4.5 hours instead of 3.
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Book: Strangers in their own land
A sociologist from UC Berkeley decided she wanted to understand the people who watch Fox news, reject climate change, hate the government, teach creationism, pray for the end of legal abortion, idealize the wealthy, & embrace industry in spite of how much industry abuses them and their homeland. She spent 5 years in Louisiana which I learned is the Honduras of the USA. The people are unusually unhealthy, they die younger than other Americans, their state is incredibly polluted, and their public systems a shambles.
Turns out these are nice, well-meaning people even if almost everything they believe was invented by Rush Limbaugh and Fox News. They don't care about facts. They have a deep story that dates back to the civil war. In fact, one memorable passage features a man who says he doesn't think the US should allow Syrian refugees in because during the civil war, the southerners who were pummeled by the north didn't flee. They died. That's what the Syrians should do. They shouldn't abandon their country, they should die fighting.
What can I say to these people? They sincerely wish to turn the US into a third-world theocracy. It's frightening. I wish they could go to Honduras. They'd love it. We could take the Hondurans who are literally dying to get here and all of these conservatives can go to Honduras, pay no taxes and enjoy no infrastructure or government. Everybody wins!
Turns out these are nice, well-meaning people even if almost everything they believe was invented by Rush Limbaugh and Fox News. They don't care about facts. They have a deep story that dates back to the civil war. In fact, one memorable passage features a man who says he doesn't think the US should allow Syrian refugees in because during the civil war, the southerners who were pummeled by the north didn't flee. They died. That's what the Syrians should do. They shouldn't abandon their country, they should die fighting.
What can I say to these people? They sincerely wish to turn the US into a third-world theocracy. It's frightening. I wish they could go to Honduras. They'd love it. We could take the Hondurans who are literally dying to get here and all of these conservatives can go to Honduras, pay no taxes and enjoy no infrastructure or government. Everybody wins!
Book: The Sparrow
I chose this book for our book club because one of my oldest, dearest friends told me it was one of her favorite books. I read the first 50 pages, decided the book was far too sinister .. or rather, it produced so much anxiety that I didn't want to continue reading.
Another member of the club was already 200 pages in so I agreed to move forward.
The book was published in 1996. I suppose it's science fiction. The author did a great job predicting the effect the internet would have on our lives and the ubiquity of video and social media. She also predicted artificial intelligence would be taking more cerebral jobs.
The hero of the story is a Jesuit. He is a linguist from Puerto Rico... a wonderful, grounded service-oriented man who, in spite of 20 years as a priest, is still skeptical about God. A friend of his, an astronomer, finds life on another planet and they bring a group of friends who possess a variety of skills with them to the new planet. Some cool things happen, the Jesuit believes he finds God, then some very terrible shit happens, and the Jesuit feels that God is a monster.
It's a book about faith, suffering, and the ignorance of thinking you understand God's plan. I am glad I forced myself to read it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sparrow_(novel)
Another member of the club was already 200 pages in so I agreed to move forward.
The book was published in 1996. I suppose it's science fiction. The author did a great job predicting the effect the internet would have on our lives and the ubiquity of video and social media. She also predicted artificial intelligence would be taking more cerebral jobs.
The hero of the story is a Jesuit. He is a linguist from Puerto Rico... a wonderful, grounded service-oriented man who, in spite of 20 years as a priest, is still skeptical about God. A friend of his, an astronomer, finds life on another planet and they bring a group of friends who possess a variety of skills with them to the new planet. Some cool things happen, the Jesuit believes he finds God, then some very terrible shit happens, and the Jesuit feels that God is a monster.
It's a book about faith, suffering, and the ignorance of thinking you understand God's plan. I am glad I forced myself to read it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sparrow_(novel)
high school reunion -- Arizona in January
I graduated from high school 27 years ago. I have known the people I meet with every year for 30 or 31 years. That is surreal. They all seem exactly the same. They even look the same to me. How does this happen?
We headed north to Sedona, Jerome and Cottonwood. We tasted wine in Page Springs. We walked around Cottonwood -- and enjoyed the weather and the old town. We ate breakfast in Sedona. Beautiful! But waaaay more crowded than I remember.
We headed north to Sedona, Jerome and Cottonwood. We tasted wine in Page Springs. We walked around Cottonwood -- and enjoyed the weather and the old town. We ate breakfast in Sedona. Beautiful! But waaaay more crowded than I remember.
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| old prison in Cottonwood. now a tea shop |
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| taking a walk around a big rock |
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| big cactus in Botanical Garden in Scottsdale |
Sun River
Skiing is something I force our family to do. Everyone complains. It's expensive. Why do we do it? Because it's an opportunity to be outside in the winter in the Northwest. It's always beautiful even if the weather is terrible. It's a little bit of adventure.
Every year, we go with family friends over the MLK holiday. They suggested Sun River Oregon. We skied at Mt. Bachelor. I've never been to central Oregon. It was beautiful. I quizzed all the people from Bend wondering how they live in such a remote but incredible place. Turns out there are some good jobs in Bend but I decided it was too far from a major airport to be of long-term interest to me.
Every year, we go with family friends over the MLK holiday. They suggested Sun River Oregon. We skied at Mt. Bachelor. I've never been to central Oregon. It was beautiful. I quizzed all the people from Bend wondering how they live in such a remote but incredible place. Turns out there are some good jobs in Bend but I decided it was too far from a major airport to be of long-term interest to me.
Annual new year's visit to the Olympic peninsula
Every year for the last 4 years, we have gone to the Olympic peninsula to celebrate the new year with friends. We spend a day in Pt Townsend. We go to the local pool. We eat and generally go to bed before midnight. Then I wake up, run three miles, and jump into the Puget Sound.
It's great.
It's great.
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| That's me with my hands up. The other person is Mark, the dad of the other family. |
Arizona Christmas
Before leaving, I expected to have to endure our 5 day trip. Since my dad died, I have not enjoyed going back. Just after he died, I remember going to his house and feeling like there was less oxygen there. Life had left. And that is how Arizona felt to me. I also spent lots of time in my head berating the conservative, bigoted politics of the place. And that is nothing new. Arizona refused to recognize Martin Luther King Jr. day in the '80s. The governor was a car salesman. I can't say anything has changed.
So I was pleasantly surprised when our trip surpassed my extremely low expectations.
We had a great time, in fact. We stayed in my aunt's condo (near my mom's house). We enjoyed the sun! We ate lasagne for Christmas Eve (our one and only family tradition). We opened gifts. We enjoyed the country club. We saw good friends. I even had a civil conversation with a Republican.
What changed? I decided to ignore the political cha-cha and enjoy what I could. During the Christmas season I spend a lot of time yelling at my maniacally acquisitive (but oh-so-typical-american) children to be grateful for what they have, stop freaking out about the presents and enjoy whatever it is we have right now. I followed my own good advice.
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