Summer Tips to Remember
Windows open at the top and bottom equally for a reason, one the Victorians knew, and that we’ve apparently lost track of with the advent of electric fans and air conditioning. Because CFCs and global warming and drought conditions that last three years are a significant source of environmentalist concern, it seems reasonable to use low-tech solutions to the situations brought about or exacerbated by technological innovation. But window screens are essential.

Athletics
This weekend is the City-to-Surf, a 15K foot race through Sydney. I won’t be participating this year – I’ve been pretty slack getting into shape for even 5K – but I’m ready for the next one, at least insofar as the gear’s concerned. This past Monday, an official Keith Richards Athletic Club singlet arrived in the mail. I probably need to promote some participation among other, similarly minded athletes here, but this establishes the Sydney chapter. Now to hit the streets. . . .

Green Pastures
A couple of years ago, a sewage treatment plant up in Harlem was roofed over with a pretty, grassy playground. I haven’t heard much lately, but at the time it was a pretty dismal affair, as it apparently smelled very bad indeed, angering the neighbors, as they felt slighted that the city expected they wouldn’t mind using a smelly playground. Maybe things have improved. Meanwhile, another greenway effort is underway in Milwaukee, where the sewer district’s headquarters has installed a rooftop garden. O.k., it’s not a garden; it’s a stormwater management system. At 11,000 square feet (about 1021 square meters), it’s a fairly large building, and the effect is expected to be significant. There’s a big call here by the government for homeowners to install rainwater tanks, but I wonder if a similar hydroponics approach might be another way to go? Perhaps strata and company title buildings could pursue an organic co-op effort on their roofs? But would the natural rainfall be enough? It’s starting to look like another year of drought, after all. Well, there’s always cactus. (Thanks to Nick Aster, at Beyond Brilliance, Beyond Stupidity for the Journal-Sentinel link.)

Render Unto Caesar
Bush II’s radical fundamentalist outlook explains a lot of his opposition to gay marriage. He is also a typically short-sighted politician in this respect and a rampant homophobe. John Howard has decided to weigh in with his support for Bush II’s position, but he’s taken the take that government should support male-female-only marriage because it is required for the “survival of the species.” Marriage is a civil contract between two persons to engage in mutual support, and traditionally that has entailed support of any offspring. Religions have sought to endorse this contractual obligation by adding quasi-mystical elements. People make these commitments outside of marriage, too (which is one of the factors that imperil institutional religions). Acknowledging that homosexuals can and often do commit themselves to monogamous relationships by allowing them to register their pledge with the state imperils nothing, at least no further than it is already affected. Governments, despite Howard’s statement, are not often engaged in ensuring the survival of the species, but rather the maximization of an on-going tax base: they ensure their own survival. Because of the significance of the Religious Right in politics, particularly during the Reagan administration, there is a perception that political survival depends on catering to the requirements of fundamentalists, at least in part, a practice that has two effects: first, a “Catch-22,” wherein the influence of the Religious Right increases even while politicians strive to distance themselves from it, because they also seek to placate it (like a stray dog, the more you feed it, the more likely it is to follow you home, the very situation that has put Bush II in office); second, a rise in violent activism – the same conditions faced by the Saudis, among others – and there were enough anti-abortion-related bombings and shootings in the U.S. to give anyone concern. Governments should build and maintain roads and bridges, fund courts and schools, provide for a reasonable level of national defense, and seek to generally improve the quality of life among their constituent populations. Instead, we see them seeking to qualify what life is. Clinton may have had the education to engage in philosophical debate, but I don’t see any evidence that Bush II or Howard can manage it.

Mobs & Collective Activity
O.k., so everybody’s heard about the Flash Mob phenomenon, and if you’ve been following it in the major newspapers et al., then you’ll also have encountered references to Smart Mobs, which are a political version, not yet a phenomenon, but expected at some point, as a result of the same technology and connectedness that has given us it’s precursor. There is a smaller version, however, and it’s been around a while now, called an Art Collective. Evidently, Art Collectives are experiencing a resurgence (although it’s not entirely clear from the article what they actually do). Flash Mobs seem to exist between these two. They have an artistic element and appear to be trending toward a political content. They are absurdist and activist. (You could also say they’re Happenings for the Attention Deficit Disorder generation.) Can we expect Flash to morph into Smart? It seems more likely that they’ll fade away like any other fad, perhaps to have moments of recurrence over the years, like the Art Collectives. But have a look over at Flock Smart, and you might change your mind about that.

Dentistry
What with the familial connection I have with the dental arts – Mom was a professional hygienist and performed or instigated our tooth care – I take a certain interest beyond the usual, so last night’s trip for a check-up and cleaning was notable. I have not ever had someone else do all the work for me: even rinse-and-spit. The equipment was the cleanest and most modern I’ve run across and the professionalism was top-notch. We’ve all seen the Simpsons joke about the “Big Book of British Smiles,” used to terrorize small children into brushing regularly, but clearly Australia has gone to some lengths, at least lately, to ensure there’s no corresponding Australian edition. Good news, too, since tooth decay equals heart disease.

Remarkable Story from Woking
Last night looking at the night sky to the east, M and I could see an unmoving, reddish object in the sky. Is it a satellite? Yes, probably; certainly not a plane. Hmm. Maybe it was Mars. Or maybe it was one of those cylinders launched back in the ‘30s by Orson Wells and in 1898 by H. G. Wells. There are definite advantages to living in a place with lower levels of waste light than you get in Europe and North America

Events of the Day
In the words of 50 Cent (who picked that name?): “It’s your birthday, we’re going to party like it’s your birthday. . . .” Yes, it’s M.’s birthday today, although we had the party on Saturday. We had a good crowd, quite a mix, and everybody had a good time. It started early and ran late, always a good sign. We didn’t do presents, but some turned up anyway, and they were all very thoughtful. (I think Spirited Away was supposed to be for my birthday instead, though.)

Papers? Show Me Your Papers
I’m one of those people who believe that my right to travel within the U.S. does not require the use of identification, but the potential for internal security documentation requirements will soon reach the point where we all throw up our hands and give in. The Transportation Security Administration is about to impose new restrictions on persons seeking to travel on any commercial flight in the country. I especially like that they’re targeting “violent felons” so we don’t have to fly next to an “ax murderer.” Do they believe their own lies? This is very obviously another one of the civil liberty infringements the Bush Administration is attempting under the banner of keeping us safe from terrorists, but the killers who flew the planes in the terror attacks of September 11 wouldn’t have been picked up this way, would they? It’s of particular interest that they mention locating members of the Animal Liberation Front, an extreme activist group (who haven’t killed anyone, by the way). Read the Department of Homeland Security’s press release, but keep your blood pressure medication handy.

Return to Bali
Although the Kuta Club, the primary target in last year’s terror attack on Australians, has not been rebuilt (and it won’t be, not until after twelve months have passed, so as to ensure no evil spirits remain), the other bombing site in Bali, Paddy’s Irish Pub, reopened its doors on Saturday, full of the sound of ‘Strine, once again. It’s a very nice thing for Bali, and for those of us feeling the effects of September 11 and October 12 it’s a very heartening event, especially when so many of the survivors were able and willing to return to Bali for the celebration.

Bad Ideas
John M. Poindexter has been fired by the Pentagon. As a leader in the production of bad ideas – beginning with the Iran/Contra arms for hostages scam, and proceeding to proposing that the Pentagon maintain electronic surveillance (internet, telephone, television, etc.) of all Americans to weed out the terrorists – the convicted felon and Admiral lost all credibility by proposing the almost immediately discredited idea of a “futures market” in terror attack intelligence. A brilliant idea, isn’t it, as anybody who managed to do well in such a scheme would have to be a terrorist themselves, and therefore prosecutable for insider trading. As much trouble as I have understanding how he got a job in the first place, I’m still amazed it took this long to fire him. Good riddance. (Who’s next?)

There’s Still Nothing Better
Sliced bread is 75 years old. And if it’s Wonder™, it’s probably still fresh. (via Manic, at Bloggerheads.)

Nothing Better to Do
What, exactly, is wrong with George II? I understand why his cowardice would exhibit itself by perpetuating the terror threat and perpetrating illegal warfare (he is a failed oilman, after all, whose self-worth is based at least in part on legitimizing his father’s term in office and portraying himself as a capable businessman), but why is he so afraid of homosexuals? On the other hand, because this is being proposed as a Constitutional amendment, it’s unlikely to pass.

Update: Making abstinence the primary focus of AIDS prevention further demonstrates our idiot president's homophobia, as it suggests that gays wouldn't contract HIV if they weren't gay, a result that could be achieved by not having sex.

SPF 30+
I have my doubts about going out in the summer without a hat and “sunnies” this year, but NASA’s telling me the ozone hole’s getting smaller. Well, it’s not getting bigger at the same rate, anyway. While the reduction in the use of CFCs is being credited, scientists are also indicating that the rise of greenhouse gases may also be acting to restore the ozone layer. So it’s getting hotter and less breathable, but we’re better protected from UV rays? That’s not a viable trade-off to me. Maybe if more people signed up with Skyfish and signed the recognition of responsibility, we’d get some action around here. Maybe a few more First World nations could sign the Kyoto Accords, too.

Lobbying to Prevent Change
It is simply a part of doing business that corporations will form or ally themselves with lobbying groups to push forward their agenda by influencing legislators to protect entrenched practices even in the face of public opposition. As we witness giant mergers taking place year after year, we also see these business giants becoming increasingly dominant in society, to the point where they wield a measure of influence comparable to small countries. They ensure their position by campaign finance programs so that short-sighted politicians act on their behalf. Even before the events of September 11, legislation was sought in the Senate – sponsored by Jesse Helms – to enshrine animal experimentation in law. That effort pretty much died in committee, but a new effort is underway by the American Legislative Exchange Council: the Animal and Ecological Terrorism Act, a measure by all indications even more draconian than the USA Patriot Act. This time the campaign appears to be more insidious, not only because ALEC has a pretty good lobbying record at getting bills voted on, but also in that their efforts are being directed toward the States, effectively bypassing the national news sources (as well as providing the federal government with the appearance of a national public-based groundswell). Texas and New York have already introduced bills modelled on ALEC’s proposal, and there are indications other States legislators are interested in seeing a positive outcome. It appears patently unconstitutional to me, as – using language from the Texas bill – defining an animal rights group as “two or more persons organized for the purpose of supporting any politically motivated activity intended to obstruct or deter any person from participating in an activity involving animals or... natural resources” would seem to violate the Bill of Rights’ protection of free association. And making out such a group to be terrorists is exploitive of the climate of fear the Bush Administration has sought to impose on the country. Organizations such as Earth First! and the Animal Liberation Front have been reported as having acted in a manner classifiable as criminal under existing statutes, but laws as broadly written as this could put you in jeopardy for signing a World Wildlife Fund petition. While the political focus is on Washington for the most part, State legislation like this can make progress. I usually feel I can rely on the courts to ensure such acts do not last on the books, but while they are there, they can do more damage to our freedoms and to our progress as thoughtful, caring beings with a commitment to the environment and to ethical behavior than is often realized. Keep an eye on these people: they’re dangerous.

Flash Animation
I use the term “Flash” both in the Registered Trademark sense and the Britishism denoting something as particularly notable in a stylish fashion. Samorost is an animated on-line game, in which you attempt to save the character’s planet (or whatever) from destruction by a blithe group of tea-pickers (whose foreman is a Fred Schneider look-alike stoned caterpillar). You’ve got to mouse around to find the click-points, sort of like Myst, and then figure out how to make things work the way you want them to. Hours of fun for those with broadband.

Reforestation
Plant a tree on Kangaroo Island. You’ll need 99 friends to join you (NEC plants one tree for every 100 “leaves” posted). Ecological, but.

If Man Was Meant to Fly . . .
He’d have a flying suit. Add this to the list of superhero clothes: imagine swooping down like Daredevil from a rooftop you ascended like Spiderman, but with more control, and zapping your opponent at a touch, and he or she never even saw you coming. Yea!

Update: Did I say Daredevil? I meant Crossfire.

The View from Here
I’ve only worked in 6 different buildings in NYC and most were more often characterized by the lack of a view than an inspiring or panoramic vista as the movies would have you believe. That had as much to do with being located on lower floors than were available as it did with the close proximity of other, larger buildings blocking the windows from across the street. When I worked at 140 Broadway, the view was of apartments across Liberty Street – entertaining in its way, especially early in the morning, when residents were still at home. At Scholastic, in Soho, we had a dance studio across the way, the one used in Center Stage during an especially egregious scene involving what looks more like aerobics than modern dance, but also there was a rooftop garden, which later figured in providing the single most indelible witnessing of my tenure in that city. The World Trade Center offered extensive views of the Jersey shoreline swamps and petroleum processing stations, but also the Tappen Zee bridge on especially clear days and clouds at your feet some rainy mornings. It was also the most unobstructed view I ever had, although that sometimes made it somehow less interesting than those with some art deco monolith in the way, such as when I worked at Chase Plaza, just off Wall Street. One view I never had was the kind I get now: trees. And birds. (The birds are a bit of a worry sometimes, as they’ll get pretty noisy, and it can sound like you’re in a Tarzan movie as a result – except for the kookaburras, which sound like nothing else.) Now that I live in a country where deciduous trees are the exception, I get lush verdure all year ‘round, admittedly as a result of being out in the suburbs in a landscaped industrial park (not the prettiest one I’ve ever seen, which was about an hour north of Atlanta, Georgia, where office blocks towered up from the edges of heavily wooded State Park land). My preference is for the dynamism of the city, and even more for a view of the water. Unlike NYC’s harbor, Sydney’s is dominated by the Bridge, and pictures don’t do it justice. Yesterday morning, running down the last stretch of Macquarie Street onto the Opera House plaza, the Harbour Bridge’s arc ended in a bit of obscuring cloud tinged pink with the sunrise. As massive as the structure is, it’s like a frame to the Harbour (always capitalized), one of those heavy, ornate frames you’ll see appearing to swallow up an impressionist painting, except that, as with the painting, the frame removes itself from conscious perception without actually disappearing, thereby setting the painting off from all else around it. For such a simple seeming structure, the Harbour Bridge is a visionary piece of architecture, imposing without being an imposition. Perhaps it is a function of life in Sydney that I should find myself mediating on a job change just to get closer to the Harbour; something to explore later.

Etymology & Anthropology
People have been asking me for years what my last name means in the original German, and I have never had a clue. Well, we always thought the first syllable means “old” or “other,” but since I don’t speak German and never met anyone who does – funny, isn’t it? – there was no way to be sure. Vitalog is a compendium of names that allows you to search for the meaning of your surname. Mine, of course, remains obscure, but there are at least hints toward a meaning, the first syllable potentially being a prefix used to designate the younger of two persons otherwise similar, and the last two being German for “plowman.” I admit to hoping for better.