Thoughts, clippings, reflections, links, and other items to keep my brain active and my mind learning.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Kazakhstan
As you may have noticed from the post below, I have interests in Central Asia. This is not new. Since living in Russia I have been fascinated with the people and cultures of both the Caucuses and Central Asia. Without being the home to any of the greatest empires of world history they are regions constantly in the crossroads of historical movements and change: silk road trade, Ghengis Khan, Alexander the Great, Tamerlane, Scythians, Russia and Britain's "Great Game," and now a center of focus in the war on terror. Among all of that is a collection of countries whose diversity of culture and geography is a mystery to much of the world. As Robbins describes in his book, he once heard a person give credit to "Borat" for creating Kazakhstan so as not to offend any real country with his satire.
Upon first glance "Apples Are From Kazakhstan" appears to be a simple travelogue but it is so much more. Robbins delves deep into the stories and legends of the country, including many that have impact around the world today. The title is based on the claim that apples are from Kazakhstan, a fact yet to be proven entirely but I was certainly hungry for some of the varieties described. I was also happy to get more information on a tidbit I had once heard about central Asian origins of the Arthurian legends. There is also great detail on many of the tragedies of Russian (especially Soviet) influence in the region which served as the home for numerous exiles.
What makes this book especially interesting is that the information is all provided through the lense of those who the author interviews. From tour guides and taxi drivers to the president and his pastoral peasants, Robbins allows each story to remain "Kazakh" in both its origin and telling. Most importantly, it only increased my desire to someday travel to central Asia and discover the place for myself. As for Borat, I am sure he intended to be viewed in good fun. I never got around to seeing the movie but now I think I'll make a point to refuse it.
Fun with email
So I got an interesting email from a student last night. It was sent to all students and teachers at the school from a senior who was obviously trying to have a little fun. I couldn't resist responding and the rest went from there as we wrote emails back and forth through the evening. Having a bit of creative fun like this is one of the many joys of teaching.
Hi Everyone,
I lost my tooth somewhere on the quad today when it came out of my mouth; its skinny and white and probably about one centimeter long. So if anyone sees a tooth laying in the middle of the quad and it looks like there's a chance it could be mine please give it to me or Mr. Regan; even though I have a replacement now that tooth still has a lot of sentimental value and it won't last long in this harsh climate. Also, I will be leading a search and rescue party onto the quad during A block if anyone would like to join.
Thanks,
Peter
Peter,
I noticed a scraping sound as I walked on the floor after arriving home today. Upon further inspection I found that there was a tooth stuck on the bottom of my shoe. While trying to pry it out with a butter knife the tooth popped out and made a direct trajectory for me eye. Luckily, I closed my eye just in time and it deflected off my eyelid into the sink where it tumbled down the drain. I removed the drain pipe, recovered the tooth, bathed it in mouthwash, and listed it on ebay as a "the cursed voodoo tooth of Gideon Frost." After 17 bids it is now up to 35.72 (2.99 for shipping which includes insurance and tracking). Feel free to bid! If you win I will just bring it to you in class and not charge you the shipping cost (but you won't get insurance or tracking for delivery). Sorry I didn't see your email earlier,
-Mr. Smith
That's quite a tale, I hope my tooth wasn't damaged in the process. I will bid, and I will put up two of my molars and my right canine tooth as collateral in case I am unable to pay. As long as you and your people are able to ensure the tooth will be delivered straight to me with a direct signature guarantee your terms are acceptable (you should know my tooth inspection specialist will be on hand to inspect said tooth, he's ex-KGB and knows my teeth well and will not take kindly to anyone attempting to make a quick profit on my "quad-tooth". just a heads up).
Ex-KGB tooth inspector? Must be Yuri. Yuri and I go way back and I would just love to see him show his face in my classroom. Back in '93 he stole a sack of teeth that I had been collecting from one of the ancient burial sites, known as kurgans, on the Kazakh steppe. The teeth were used by animistic shaman to predict the direction of water for the nomadic herders who had once wondered in that territory. Yuri swapped the teeth for fakes made from a chemical compound sensitive to radiation. I hadn't noticed the switch until I went through the metal detector at the airport and the teeth crumbled to dust. Yuri even had the gall to show up at the airport and smiled with his own golden chompers from the other side of the security area; I couldn't go back without loosing my ticket. He used the teeth to find an enormous undiscovered well and opened the first water park in Kazakhstan. He spent his fortune to come to the United States and put his KGB training to work in the Dental Protection Agency. The DPA now considers him a "rogue agent" and I wouldn't trust him with your precious "quad-tooth" or even a measly little baby tooth. Don't give him the combination to your tooth safe!
Happy bidding.
Obviously you have not yet perused the most recent edition of the Times of Central Asia, where Yuri's death in a parachuting accident was front-page news. Seems somebody switched his normal parachute with a paper mache one, perhaps in an ironic form of revenge for a previous switch? You didn't happen to take a trip to Central Asia over the long weekend, did you?
I was well aware of Yuri's suspicious background when I first hired him, but as long as I continued to chip and break teeth I knew I would keep him loyal. However, with his death, I have been forced to bring in his brother Leonid. His friends call him "the tooth phantom of Moscow" for his exceptional tooth thieving skills, his foes call him "the tooth fairy" for his love of wearing short, frilly dresses as he steals teeth, perhaps you have heard him called by this name. With the death of Yuri, Leonid is now number two on the DPA's most wanted list, right behind Ludvig the Many-Toothed (who once stole j. edgar hoover's right lateral incisor and bottom left first molar while he was flossing them!!).
Trust me, nobody but me has the combination, or even knows the location, of my tooth safe, and that is knowledge I will take with me to the grave!
P.S- I am trusting you with this information with the understanding that you will never report my toothing activities to the DPA. I don't care how many root canals they threaten to perform on you, never reveal what I have told you!!! With your semi "retirement" from the toothing industry after the unfortunate incident at the burial ground, I am now the last great hope of toothophiles. It would be a shame if the DPA were to uncover my toothing activities.
As a responsible teacher (and with great fear that our correspondence may be monitored by the DPA) I hope you are also completing your homework with the same zeal with which you protect your dental heritage.
I refuse to report on any recent travels to Central Asia so as to protect my identity. However, I did once create a small hot air balloon out of crepe paper and glue iin sixth grade science class.
I do recommend the services of Leonid but advise that you do not dare offer him any teeth with even the slightest doubt in origin or trace of decay.
Wait! I just noticed something. The current high bidder on your tooth has the username.....”YAlive.” His location is listed as Uzbekistan.
Hi Everyone,
I lost my tooth somewhere on the quad today when it came out of my mouth; its skinny and white and probably about one centimeter long. So if anyone sees a tooth laying in the middle of the quad and it looks like there's a chance it could be mine please give it to me or Mr. Regan; even though I have a replacement now that tooth still has a lot of sentimental value and it won't last long in this harsh climate. Also, I will be leading a search and rescue party onto the quad during A block if anyone would like to join.
Thanks,
Peter
Peter,
I noticed a scraping sound as I walked on the floor after arriving home today. Upon further inspection I found that there was a tooth stuck on the bottom of my shoe. While trying to pry it out with a butter knife the tooth popped out and made a direct trajectory for me eye. Luckily, I closed my eye just in time and it deflected off my eyelid into the sink where it tumbled down the drain. I removed the drain pipe, recovered the tooth, bathed it in mouthwash, and listed it on ebay as a "the cursed voodoo tooth of Gideon Frost." After 17 bids it is now up to 35.72 (2.99 for shipping which includes insurance and tracking). Feel free to bid! If you win I will just bring it to you in class and not charge you the shipping cost (but you won't get insurance or tracking for delivery). Sorry I didn't see your email earlier,
-Mr. Smith
That's quite a tale, I hope my tooth wasn't damaged in the process. I will bid, and I will put up two of my molars and my right canine tooth as collateral in case I am unable to pay. As long as you and your people are able to ensure the tooth will be delivered straight to me with a direct signature guarantee your terms are acceptable (you should know my tooth inspection specialist will be on hand to inspect said tooth, he's ex-KGB and knows my teeth well and will not take kindly to anyone attempting to make a quick profit on my "quad-tooth". just a heads up).
Ex-KGB tooth inspector? Must be Yuri. Yuri and I go way back and I would just love to see him show his face in my classroom. Back in '93 he stole a sack of teeth that I had been collecting from one of the ancient burial sites, known as kurgans, on the Kazakh steppe. The teeth were used by animistic shaman to predict the direction of water for the nomadic herders who had once wondered in that territory. Yuri swapped the teeth for fakes made from a chemical compound sensitive to radiation. I hadn't noticed the switch until I went through the metal detector at the airport and the teeth crumbled to dust. Yuri even had the gall to show up at the airport and smiled with his own golden chompers from the other side of the security area; I couldn't go back without loosing my ticket. He used the teeth to find an enormous undiscovered well and opened the first water park in Kazakhstan. He spent his fortune to come to the United States and put his KGB training to work in the Dental Protection Agency. The DPA now considers him a "rogue agent" and I wouldn't trust him with your precious "quad-tooth" or even a measly little baby tooth. Don't give him the combination to your tooth safe!
Happy bidding.
Obviously you have not yet perused the most recent edition of the Times of Central Asia, where Yuri's death in a parachuting accident was front-page news. Seems somebody switched his normal parachute with a paper mache one, perhaps in an ironic form of revenge for a previous switch? You didn't happen to take a trip to Central Asia over the long weekend, did you?
I was well aware of Yuri's suspicious background when I first hired him, but as long as I continued to chip and break teeth I knew I would keep him loyal. However, with his death, I have been forced to bring in his brother Leonid. His friends call him "the tooth phantom of Moscow" for his exceptional tooth thieving skills, his foes call him "the tooth fairy" for his love of wearing short, frilly dresses as he steals teeth, perhaps you have heard him called by this name. With the death of Yuri, Leonid is now number two on the DPA's most wanted list, right behind Ludvig the Many-Toothed (who once stole j. edgar hoover's right lateral incisor and bottom left first molar while he was flossing them!!).
Trust me, nobody but me has the combination, or even knows the location, of my tooth safe, and that is knowledge I will take with me to the grave!
P.S- I am trusting you with this information with the understanding that you will never report my toothing activities to the DPA. I don't care how many root canals they threaten to perform on you, never reveal what I have told you!!! With your semi "retirement" from the toothing industry after the unfortunate incident at the burial ground, I am now the last great hope of toothophiles. It would be a shame if the DPA were to uncover my toothing activities.
As a responsible teacher (and with great fear that our correspondence may be monitored by the DPA) I hope you are also completing your homework with the same zeal with which you protect your dental heritage.
I refuse to report on any recent travels to Central Asia so as to protect my identity. However, I did once create a small hot air balloon out of crepe paper and glue iin sixth grade science class.
I do recommend the services of Leonid but advise that you do not dare offer him any teeth with even the slightest doubt in origin or trace of decay.
Wait! I just noticed something. The current high bidder on your tooth has the username.....”YAlive.” His location is listed as Uzbekistan.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Cylon attack!
So last summer in the midst of commuting to the city every day for 8 hours of graduate school and the accompanying reading, writing, and studying I got caught up in Battlestar Galactica. Fortunately, much of my work was done on the rails to and from the city. But even so, Nadia and Ellie (who stayed with us over the summer) would watch hawkishly as I finished my work each night so we could immediately put in the DVD for the next episode...and then just one more...and sometimes even a third. We worked through the first 4 and 1/2 seasons over the summer and have been waiting with great enthusiasm for the series final episodes to start.
The first of the final episodes aired last Friday and was not a dissapointment. A number of surprises. My biggest questions is how they are going to wrap everything up in 9 more episodes.
The real reason I am writing though is to share my pain with Battlestar's humans who were betrayed by the cylon technology they created. I've never had major computer problems but yesterday my computer got some sort of "infection" and now I can't even get back to my desktop. I backed up many of my files a few weeks ago and by chance printed a bunch of my completed Model U.N. registration documents last week. I will lose some work that I hadn't saved elsewhere but from a Battlestar Galactica perspective I guess I'm lucky: no attack on earth, no need to flee to a mythological planet of safety, no questioning the true identity of the people around me. Although, Maren was the last to use the computer before it crashed.
Is my daughter a cylon?
Sunday, January 18, 2009
The Great Gatsby
This is one of the many classics that I'm sure slipped through my net during high school. Somehow I never had to read it. I picked it up over the winter break and thoroughly enjoyed it. I think I would have liked the book regardless, but living in the exact area of Long Island that is the focus of Fitzgerald's book certainly made it more poignant.
Of course the story is really about Gatsby and his desperate love for Daisy but for me it was all about the narrator, Nick Carraway. Nothing new there; Fitzgerald's social conscious and commentary of the time is supposed to come through that character and he does it well. As much as Nick comes to be understand the shallow and dark side of the glamorous community in which he finds himself, he also wades deeper into it then he should. However, Nick does maintain his integrity by sticking to insisting on honesty whenever he was concerned.
While nothing so dramatic as this novel has occur ed in my own experiences here on "East Egg" I certainly see the same duality. It is mind boggling to think of some of the events and behavior that goes on among the elite of the Gold Coast. I'm not talking about murder and intrigue so much as the big parities, big spending, and big personalities that are clear echos of Gatsby's world. I must also add that among this I have found some of the most humble and generous people I know. In my own work I have to balance being a part of this world to enough to communicate and understand those around me but also maintain enough distance to make sure that I provide a true representation of my own experience and reality.
One of the greatest shocks about my time on Long Island is to see how quickly these two worlds diverge. The differerence between one small town and the next that nearly overlaps it couldn't be more stark. There is "another side of the tracks" more visible than any place I've seen. Crossing the LIE or going from "Old ____" to just plain"____" may as well be crossing an ocean as people only minutes away are living in worlds apart.
Nick Carraway was excited and enchanted by the life he suddenly saw before him. He always knew it wasn't really his but played along anyway. I think he was a bit relieved to have reason to leave it behind. It makes me wonder about Fitzgerald too. Apparently, the book has always had problems with proper editing because he was off gallivanting in France when it was published. He was knee deep (if not even deeper) in the very life he was criticizing. Some may say this is nothing more than hypocrisy but I also see it as offering a bit of hope. Even those people leading dramatically different lives can quickly find themselves understanding or even in place of the other. In fact, Gatsby's journey took him to both sides of the track. He had a hard time finding happiness in either place. Nick, who knew himself, seemed to be fine in both.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Funke
I'm still not exactly sure how to pronounce Cornelia Funke's surname. The "e" seems to imply that I can't simply rhyme with "punk." But I do. We have enough of her books in our home that I don't think she'll mind.
I am nearly finished reading "Igraine the Brave" to Maren (and Harry when he has enough patience to listen). The book seems to follow the theme of one of Maren's favorite picture books, "The Princess Knight." I love pausing at the end of a chapter to see Maren's eagerness for me to read just one more before bedtime (Harry has the same hope but mostly because he wants to stay up a little later).
I am nearly finished reading "Igraine the Brave" to Maren (and Harry when he has enough patience to listen). The book seems to follow the theme of one of Maren's favorite picture books, "The Princess Knight." I love pausing at the end of a chapter to see Maren's eagerness for me to read just one more before bedtime (Harry has the same hope but mostly because he wants to stay up a little later).
I have also read "Dragon Rider," "The Thief Lord," and "Inkheart." The recent previews for the movie of the latter inspired me read the second book in the trilogy, "Inkspell."
It takes a lot of gumption to write a book that depends on a premise relying so heavily on the importance of good writing and fine story telling. She glorifies the world created by her characters when in fact the characters are only fictional and she created the world herself. I don't get caught up in this too much though because she has indeed created a beautiful story. The story seems to be growing up a bit for the younger readers targeted in the first book which unfortunatley means more and more emphasis is placed on adult characters rather than on the wonderful Meggie of the first book. Reviews of the third book indicate that Funke does these even more. Regardless, we will certainly track it down sometime and complete the trilogy.
It takes a lot of gumption to write a book that depends on a premise relying so heavily on the importance of good writing and fine story telling. She glorifies the world created by her characters when in fact the characters are only fictional and she created the world herself. I don't get caught up in this too much though because she has indeed created a beautiful story. The story seems to be growing up a bit for the younger readers targeted in the first book which unfortunatley means more and more emphasis is placed on adult characters rather than on the wonderful Meggie of the first book. Reviews of the third book indicate that Funke does these even more. Regardless, we will certainly track it down sometime and complete the trilogy.
Unfinished Business
Our bookshelves are one of our most prized possessions. Unfortunately, it also becomes an easy place to put something that has no place of its own. Right now our bookshelf is stuffed with a few extra including board games, a yellow roll of felt containing our Christmas puzzle, a super-glue-repaired glass light fixture waiting for replacement, and a hand me down fish and his (or her?) container of food.
It all spoils the view of our lovely books but the puzzle is particularly irksome. Rolled up in the felt puzzle holder is probably 100 connected pieces out of the 1000 piece puzzle. We completed most of the edges and a had a good start on various parts of the castle. We also sorted pieces into forest, sky, and mountains. We are by no means puzzle experts so our progress wasn't quick and always faced the threat of our one-year-old who loved to get her fingers on those little pieces and the run away as fast as possible. Since the end of the holidays we haven't unrolled it once. It just sits and the shelf and taunts us, unfinished. We'll soon have to make the important decision: pack it back into the box (probably never to be seen again) or wait until the kids are asleep and start hammering away at the puzzle again.
It gets me thinking about other bits of unfinished business. I know I am getting too deep when I start writing emails to myself with "to do" lists or decide to take on a major house cleaning project in order to avoid what I really need to get to (I think I was a lot more helpful around the house while in graduate school). It seems so easy to leave those loose ends dangling when there is nothing compelling me to tie them up. Yet, it's so satisfying to really wrap something up or even, if need be, to just let it go. So what other unfinished business do I need to get to?
Perhaps I'll start with the puzzle.
It all spoils the view of our lovely books but the puzzle is particularly irksome. Rolled up in the felt puzzle holder is probably 100 connected pieces out of the 1000 piece puzzle. We completed most of the edges and a had a good start on various parts of the castle. We also sorted pieces into forest, sky, and mountains. We are by no means puzzle experts so our progress wasn't quick and always faced the threat of our one-year-old who loved to get her fingers on those little pieces and the run away as fast as possible. Since the end of the holidays we haven't unrolled it once. It just sits and the shelf and taunts us, unfinished. We'll soon have to make the important decision: pack it back into the box (probably never to be seen again) or wait until the kids are asleep and start hammering away at the puzzle again.
It gets me thinking about other bits of unfinished business. I know I am getting too deep when I start writing emails to myself with "to do" lists or decide to take on a major house cleaning project in order to avoid what I really need to get to (I think I was a lot more helpful around the house while in graduate school). It seems so easy to leave those loose ends dangling when there is nothing compelling me to tie them up. Yet, it's so satisfying to really wrap something up or even, if need be, to just let it go. So what other unfinished business do I need to get to?
Perhaps I'll start with the puzzle.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
No passport
I have a gadget at the bottom of my blog that shows random pictures of places around the world. A great picture of Lake Bled in Slovenia just popped up. I visited there about 3 years ago and found quiet little Slovenia to be one of my favorite places. It was part of a 2-3 week vacation where we leased a car and drove around Europe.
Thinking about this sure gives me the travel bug. It's tough too because there are so many places I would love to go back to: Sochi, Slovenia, Castle on the Rhine.... and so many new places I would love to visit: Carpathians, Istanbul, Central Asia, the Great Wall...and the list could go on.
Unfortunatley I have no money, no time, and not even a valid passport.
Sigh......
Thinking about this sure gives me the travel bug. It's tough too because there are so many places I would love to go back to: Sochi, Slovenia, Castle on the Rhine.... and so many new places I would love to visit: Carpathians, Istanbul, Central Asia, the Great Wall...and the list could go on.
Unfortunatley I have no money, no time, and not even a valid passport.
Sigh......
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Pandemic!!!
I spent the last few nights playing "Pandemic" by myself. Sounds sad but it's been very fun!
Pandemic is a cooperative board game. You work with other players to treat, cure, and hopefully annihilate diseases centered in four regions of the world. The game mechanic works such that cities that become infected are likely to outbreak into infections in surrounding cities which can end the game very quickly and lead to lots of suspense.
Not having other willing players around I simply lay out the cards for three players and work the game like a puzzle. Each game plays out differently. I have enjoyed finding different ways to work with the special roles of the various players and have unfortunately been defeated by the game in almost every scenario. Don't put me in charge when the bird flu arrives!
Pandemic is a cooperative board game. You work with other players to treat, cure, and hopefully annihilate diseases centered in four regions of the world. The game mechanic works such that cities that become infected are likely to outbreak into infections in surrounding cities which can end the game very quickly and lead to lots of suspense.
Not having other willing players around I simply lay out the cards for three players and work the game like a puzzle. Each game plays out differently. I have enjoyed finding different ways to work with the special roles of the various players and have unfortunately been defeated by the game in almost every scenario. Don't put me in charge when the bird flu arrives!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
What's Your Mindset?
In my first summer of graduate school we looked at some of Carol Dweck's research about views on intelligence. She doesn't try to argue one way or another about whether our intelligence is fixed or malleable but does insist that whichever way we choose to percieve it can have profound influences. Since then I have thought a lot about how I percieve my own goals, how I speak to my children about their accomplishments (and failures), and how I work with students. I also find myself wondering if I see my talents and potential with a "fixed" or "growth" perspective.
So, I was thrilled when my friend Rekha told be that Dweck has written a "popular" version of her many years of research called "Mindset." I was already familiar with much of her research but it was interesting to see how she has combined it with the various areas of success in our modern life: relationships, sports, teaching, parenting, setting personal goals, learning, and others. It has urged me to think even more about my perceptions and encouraged me to be "purposefully engaged" in my goals and interests.
The book also led me to map out my own history in terms of fixed and/or growth attitudes. The times of my life that were most fulfilling were certainly filled with more experiences led by a growth oreinted mindset. I spent a lot of time playing basketball with friends and I alsways loved being on the "underdog" team. It meant I was more likely to lose but the game was always much more fun and a victory, when achieved, much sweeter. This also translated into some of the other decisions I made at that time such as switching schools and trying to be proactive about the social and academic opportunities that came along with that. I wouldn't want to relive my teenage years but also think that much of my fulfillment came from an attitude of growth and learning that can be achieved at any stage in life.
So, I was thrilled when my friend Rekha told be that Dweck has written a "popular" version of her many years of research called "Mindset." I was already familiar with much of her research but it was interesting to see how she has combined it with the various areas of success in our modern life: relationships, sports, teaching, parenting, setting personal goals, learning, and others. It has urged me to think even more about my perceptions and encouraged me to be "purposefully engaged" in my goals and interests.
The book also led me to map out my own history in terms of fixed and/or growth attitudes. The times of my life that were most fulfilling were certainly filled with more experiences led by a growth oreinted mindset. I spent a lot of time playing basketball with friends and I alsways loved being on the "underdog" team. It meant I was more likely to lose but the game was always much more fun and a victory, when achieved, much sweeter. This also translated into some of the other decisions I made at that time such as switching schools and trying to be proactive about the social and academic opportunities that came along with that. I wouldn't want to relive my teenage years but also think that much of my fulfillment came from an attitude of growth and learning that can be achieved at any stage in life.
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