The Accidental Idealist

Doing Our Small Part in Sacramento to Fight Climate Change

2009-06-23T15:43:00.000-07:00

I attended the "Global Climate Change Forum: Adapting to the Uncertain Future" at the SMUD Auditorium in Sacramento last night.

It was hosted by the Sacramento Chapter of the League of Women Voters. I missed the film, but caught all the speakers. Roger Dickinson spoke about Sac County's programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency. John Andrews from DWR shared DWRs challenge of reducing energy use by water end-users. Genevieve Shiroma made a strong case for why SMUD is a great public utility. She noted SMUD's high scores in customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and boasted about SMUD reaching its 20% emission reduction goal by 2010, a full 10 years ahead of the mandated 2020 deadline.

It was a great panel, but could have been much better marketed. I ran into the president of the League of Women Voters afterwards and she let me know they didn't do much outreach at all. I found the event in the Sac Bee. The average age of the audience was 70.
_____________

http://www.lwvsacramento.org/

From 6:15-6:45 you will have the opportunity to view the video: â€œCalifornia Water and the Climate Change Strategiesâ€ which will be introduced by Elissa Lynn, Department of Water Resources Senior Meterologist.

The panel will include Professor Deb Niemeier, Ph.D., P.E., UC Davis (factors causing climate change, status and adaptations in U.S. and the world); Roger Dickinson, Supervisor, District 1, Sacramento County Board of Supervisors (local communities response to climate change); John Andrews, CA. Department of Water Resources (climate change impact on water resources), Director Genevieve Shiroma, SMUD (renewables and new energy sources); Christopher J. Flores, Office of Doris O. Matsui, (status of national climate change legislation).

The Inauguration of Barack Obama

2009-01-20T07:36:00.000-08:00

Watching the inauguration from home this morning. I've been offline for too long. I was in Beijing for much of 2008, but now it's a new year, with a new president, so I hope to be inspired post this year. The presidential limos are just now leaving the White House, on their way to the mall. Folks have been out in the cold since before sunrise. One woman had a heart attack, many more are freezing and in need of medical attention. I have ABC on the TV and NPR on the radio. Heard commentary this morning about the state of the nation when Barack Obama was born in 1961. It was still illegal for a white to marry a black at that time, schools around the country were resisting moves to desegregate, it was a different time. This is a moment we've all prepared for, but the reality of the moment is still overwhelming. The images are overpowering. We're all hopeful about what's to come. He'll inherit a world of trouble. Two wars and an economic crisis. It's not an envious position, but we hope he's the best man for the job. (One aside question, why is Dick Cheney in a wheelchair? Is he hoping to look feeble to tug at our heart strings?) Welcome to 2009, and an new administration. Let's hope Obama ushers in a new era of leadership that serves the good of the country, more than it serves a tight circle of money and influence.

China Olympic Diving Preview

2008-02-21T20:59:00.001-08:00

Pour your Home Equity Down the Drain!

2007-12-04T11:18:00.000-08:00

Check out this very literal depiction of what too many Americans have been doing over the past few years. They're "tapping" their home equity and pouring it right down the drain! What brilliant mortgage company thought to paint this on their window? This is a real window, snapped on Thanksgiving weekend, in downtown Sacramento.

Do you trust your dentist?

2007-11-08T15:08:00.000-08:00

David Leonhardt of the New York Times wrote an interesting article in yesterday's paper: When Trust in an Expert Is Unwise. He reported on a study by economics grad student Henry Schneider. Schneider came to some disturbing findings about the trustworthiness of auto mechanics. He made some simple tweaks to his car, ones that if left unchecked could do major damage, and found that many of the mechanics either didn't catch the problems and/or prescribed costly repairs that were unnecessary. This is evidence that a healthy dose of skepticism is very good when faced with auto repairs. But what's most alarming, and this is addressed in the article, is when you're talking to a doctor or dentist instead of a mechanic. It's a classic case of the selling party having more information and more expertise than the buyer. That's why independent third party analysis (think Consumer Reports) is so important in a market economy. And today, with the rise of online vendor reviews (eBay, Amazon, Yelp) it appears there's hope that the playing field will be evened out. But even so, there will still be the problem of those peer-review sites being polluted by false positive reviews or false negative reviews (coming from an ex-husband with an axe to grind). Last year the economist declared the “Rise of the Consumer.” Maybe the internet is getting us closer to that ideal of leveling the playing field between the seller and the buyer. But the real key will be finding ways to prevent people from gaming the online review system.

A side note. I, for one, find it difficult to trust dentists. I was once told I needed a root canal. When I changed dentists for other reasons, my new dentist told me I needed a new filling. Now, I have trouble trusting experts (like dentists) who are also trying to sell me something.

Award-Winning Skystream 3.7 Backyard Wind Turbine Now Eligible for State of California's Renewable Energy Rebate

2007-09-20T08:17:00.000-07:00

Award-Winning Skystream 3.7 Backyard Wind Turbine Now Eligible for State of California's Renewable Energy Rebate

The First Wind Power SIMBY - Mike Mercurio and his Skystream 3.7

2007-08-22T09:16:00.001-07:00

Mike Mercurio, of Long Beach Township NJ, is the first SIMBY "start in my backyard" wind advocate. He wants to use the Skytream wind turbine to power his home, but his neighbors don't agree.

Cape Wind Comedy Daily

2007-08-16T12:17:00.001-07:00

Here's the Daily Show's take on Cape Wind. I couldn't help but chuckle. As always, everyone's in favor of the environment until it's in their backyard. Except for Mike Mercurio!

Living Green, Within My Means

2007-07-24T08:13:00.000-07:00

I've discovered a new frontier in simple ways to green my lifestyle. Craigslist. Why throw all your old stuff away everytime you move, and then run to Ikea to buy another round of disposable furniture? We recycle everything else, why not furniture? One man's trash is another man's treasure.

When it came time for me to move cities and apartments, ONCE AGAIN, in my adult life, I, as always, threw out many things that simply didn't fit into my new place. For whatever reason, the dimensions didn't quite fit, or I was simply tired of certain things.

After throwing away those things I once paid full price for, I couldn't bring myself to drive to Ikea yet again and buy a whole new set of affordable, disposable crap for my new place.

So I embarked on a Craigslist adventure to furnish my new place within my means, but also keeping the world more green. Here's how...

It's truly amazing how much two people can accumulate over just two years, living in a one bedroom apartment. We tossed away clothes, old stereo speakers, old towels, random old electronic devices, an old computer desk. And by tossed away, I mean we left the goodies in a box out on the curb with a "FREE" sign attached. People came by slowly. After 24 hours our computer desk and my old boots had been taken. An older man decided he could make good use of my husband's old, but gently worn, hiking boots. Someone even took my old economics textbook.

Even though I have no idea what fate all my old things met, it felt good knowing they didn't go to (at least they didn't go straight to) the dump.

And of course, there were some things we then needed for our new, smaller place. We needed a kitchen table. I couldn't bring myself to run to Ikea, like I had so many times before, to buy a table we'd likely only keep while in this particular apartment. The idea of buying more disposable furniture didn't appeal to me.

So where did I turn? But of couse, to Craigslist! I'll admit, it wasn't instant gratification. I couldn't walk into a store and take something home that day. It took a bit of patience. I kept an eye on furniture postings in my neighborhood for 5 days until I saw the perfect table. Solid wood, small and round to fit our space, 4 sturdy chairs, the perfect color finish. And well below our budget for a new table. I also needed an office chair and found it the same way.

We all talk about recycling our food packaging and old electronics, but Craigslist takes it to another level. One man's trash is another man's treasure.

Rather than run out and buy something disposable, why don't we all make better use of the things we have, and be smarter about using what's already out there. Rather than run out and buy the latest "eco-chic" consumables, why not use what's already been produced? This especially makes sense, for people like me, who move every two years and are always throwing things away and buying them anew.

A Not So Lonely Planet

2007-05-17T04:55:00.000-07:00

I write this entry from Dali, China (Yunnan province). Nestled in China's beautiful southwest countryside, Dali is an historic "backpackers paradise" according to the Lonely Planet travel guide, every China backpackers bible. My first visit to Dali was 10 years ago, when I was an exchange student in Beijing. I traveled to Dali during my winter break from Beijing University. Ten years later, I'm back in the small town that is drastically different than I remembered. There are several reasons behind this change. Namely, they are 1) the new railroad and highway connecting Dali to the Yunnan's provincial capital, Kunming and 2) the increased Chinese standard of living that allows greater numbers of China's middle class to be tourists in their own country.

This change is truly dramatic. When I was here 10 years ago, the only way in was by cramped, dusty, overnight bus from Kunming. Dali was overtaken by foreign backpackers in search of a sunny, relaxing place to spend a few weeks eating banana pancakes and drinking local beer. This time, I arrived by luxurious, high-speed overnight sleeper train. The backpacker cafes and hostels are still here, but even more have sprung up. The streets are still filled with foreign backpackers, but also with foreign tour groups. From the US, Australia, France, and elsewhere. And most notably, the streets are predominantly filled with domestic Chinese tourists. They come by the bus load, snapping photos with their digital cameras, buying local Dali crafts, and eating in the cafes.

Dali is no longer the "off the beaten path" destination it once was. China is a Lonely Planet no longer. This is just one of many indications of China's rising middle class.

An Evening with the Undercover Economist

2007-02-02T23:26:00.000-08:00

This past week in Seattle I went to a book tour event for the author of the Undercover Economist. It was sponsored by the Seattle Chamber of Commerce's Young Professional group. What a smart move of his publicist to make that venue the very first stop of this young author's book tour. It was a relatively benign crowd. No WTO protesters in the audience that night. I haven't read his book, so don't know what arguments he makes in the book for the 'free' market or against government intervention. However, he did seem to jump on the bandwagon of making economics sexy and mainstream, much like the authors of Freakonomics. And while his book might be much more nuanced than his lecture the other night, I walked away thinking he didn't take the time to make his case for 'markets' very compelling. He argued that 'in the long run, all boats rise with the tide.' However, didn't bother to address the reality that 'in the long run, we're all dead.' He spoke only of the merits of free trade and free markets, while speaking nothing of inequality, 'free' markets that are actually not as free as we might think-- as they are controlled by those with the most resources. Nor did he address the environment at all. For example, he said he was in favor of sweatshops if they provide opportunity for Chinese peasants. He cited the example of one young woman who moved to the coast to work in a sweatshop, saved money and then returned to her inland village to open a manicure shop. He said he's in favor of sweatshops when the alternative is poverty. What if, however, the sweatshop pollutes the local lake that villagers would have otherwise fished in, had the sweatshop not polluted that lake. What if the economic development that benefits all in theory in the long-long-long run, benefits a few rich men today at the expense of many villagers. What would the undercover economist have to say about market failures that benefit a few at the expense of many?

I'm sure his book is more nuanced. At least, I hope it is. But I wish he had taken his oral arguments a bit more seriously, and not just skim the surface just because he's speaking to a group of so-called 'young' professionals.

My Avatar

2006-12-28T16:14:00.000-08:00

Loans that Changes Lives

2006-12-22T16:03:00.000-08:00

I'm in love with this concept. It gives people something constructive to do with the hrs they'd otherwise be spending cruising around on MySpace. Talk about letting people put their money directly to work to help another! This is AMAZING. I can't believe I've only now discovered. I wonder if I'll see any of my friends from Kazakhstan here seeking small business loans.

December 10, 2006
Web-Based Microfinancing
By SONIA NARANG

The idea of microfinancing — small-scale loans to the entrepreneurial-minded poor — reached the front page this fall when the Bangladeshi economist Muhammad Yunus and his Grameen Bank won the Nobel Peace Prize. But now the San Francisco-based nonprofit Kiva.org may have taken the idea a step further: with just a few clicks of the mouse, most everyone can become a microfinancier. At Kiva.org, a schoolteacher in Kansas can partner with an expert seamstress in countries like Kenya, Mexico and Ecuador to jump-start a tailor shop.

The founders Matthew Flannery, a Stanford graduate, and his wife, Jessica Flannery, a Stanford M.B.A. candidate, came up with the idea for Kiva, which means “unity” in Swahili, after spending time in East Africa. They noticed that many people there had no access to affordable credit. By contrast, Kiva.org offers loans to handpicked microfinance institutions at zero percent interest. These microfinance institutions, in turn, screen local applicants and lend money to individuals at an average interest rate of about 19 percent, lower than the 35 percent worldwide average for microfinance loans.

On Kiva.org, a Web site that includes photos of loan recipients and stories about them, lenders can choose aspiring small-business owners and make their own loans. (The current average is about $70.) Since it went online last year, Kiva.org has worked with more than 20 microfinance institutions around the world and enabled more than $1 million in loans for more than 2,000 businesses. (Across the entire microfinance industry, recipients of loans meet their repayment obligations more than 95 percent of the time.)

Jessica Flannery says that one of the earliest small loans helped a Ugandan fish seller take a bus to the Nile River and buy fish for a fraction of the price she previously paid a distributor. “A $10 bus ticket,” Flannery notes, “separated her from vastly expanding her profit.”

Positive Proof of Global Warming

2006-12-11T11:52:00.000-08:00

My husband tells me my blog is getting stale. I agree. Sorry for not being inspired to write over the past few weeks. Maybe the holiday season has made me lazy.

I saw Al Gore on Oprah last week. I wonder if he's prepping for a bid? Either way, here's some proof to support his message.

None of Borat's Friends Are Actually from Kazakhstan

2006-11-05T11:08:00.000-08:00

Borat's home village in the film Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan didn't look much like Kazakhstan. The filming actually took place in Romania. The villagers looked Eastern European, not much like ethnic Kazakhs (or even Russians) from Kazakhstan. Throughout the movie I was actually thinking they looked more like Georgians or people from the Caucasus. (A side note: Kazakhstan actually has many ethnicities, including Russian, Chinese, Korean, and, yes, ethnic Kazakhs). The folks in his movie didn't look like ethnic Kazakhs (check out the picture here for a look at boys from a village outside Kazakhstan's capital Almaty). These boys are Kazakhstani (like saying "American" as opposed to "European American"). Some of these boys are ethnic Kazakh, some are a mix of Kazakh and Russian. You'll see they actually look either Asian or a mix between European and Asian.

Borat's sidekick in the movie is not Kazakh or even or Kazakhstani, he's ethnic Armenian. As I suspected when I saw the name "Ken Davitian" in the film credits (and because the Armenian diaspora in LA is active in the film/production industry), Ken Davitian is indeed Armenian. Check out Katy Pearce's blog: http://armenia.neweurasia.net/?p=75, Azamat is actually speaking speaking in Armenian to Borat throughout the movie! She said, "This took place throughout the film, probably for 10 or 15 minutes total. Most of what was said matched the subtitles, with one exception where some conversation was just placed over a shot of a house." She said, "Often Borat would reply back in gibberish (as I understand a mix of Hebrew and some other languages), but would occasionally pick up on one key Armenian word and use it in his reply."

Also, check out Eric Weiner's "The Real Kazakhstan:What does Borat get right and wrong about his native land?" on Slate.com. http://www.slate.com/id/2152789/

Kazakhstan vs. Borat: How Not to Handle Borat

2006-10-27T16:13:00.000-07:00

Here's something I can't help but share. As someone with a soft spot for the country of Kazakhstan, and someone who is on the KZ embassy's mailing list, I couldn't help but share this note from the embassy--sent by the embassy's Roman Vassilenko. Roman is the communications director for the embassy and has himself been named in one of the many ramblings by the notorious "Borat" character (as Borat stood outside the KZ embassy last month).

I share this bulletin with you (below) because I find it a case study in "how a target government should not handle Ali G and publicity stunts to launch a film" like this one. The KZ embassy would have best handled the PR crisis that is Ali G by steering clear of the controversy rather than feeding the fire.

Here's the excerpt from the a bulletin from the embassy of Kazkhstan, emailed by the Kazahkhstani embassy's Roman Vassilenko, KAZAKHSTAN News Bulletin October 27, 2006:

"Our Take on “Borat” The upcoming movie “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan”, and the Borat character, of course, have nothing to do with the real Kazakhstan. The only actual fact about Kazakhstan in the movie is the country’s geographic location. At the same time, we hope the movie will spur increased interest in the real Kazakhstan among those who see it.

Here are some reasons:

Kazakhstan is the world’s ninth largest country located in Central Asia between Russia and China. Being at the heart of the Great Silk Road for centuries, Kazakhstan has been and continues to be a link between the East and the West.
Independent since 1991, Kazakhstan, under President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s prudent leadership, has turned into an economically strong and dynamically developing democratic nation.
Kazakhstan, a Muslim majority country, is home to 130 ethnic groups and 40 religious faiths. Pope John Paul II, who visited Kazakhstan in 2001, called our country “an example of harmony between men and women of different origins and beliefs.”
Kazakhstan shut down the world’s largest nuclear test site at Semipalatinsk and voluntarily rid itself of the world’s fourth largest nuclear arsenal, eliminating its infrastructure in partnership with the United States. Today, Kazakhstan is a recognized global leader in the fight to stop proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Kazakhstan is a strategic partner of the United States and supports the U.S. in the war on terrorism since the first days after the 9/11 tragedy. Kazakhstan is the only Central Asian country with troops in Iraq who have already destroyed more than 4 million pieces of deadly ordnance and continue their mission.
With oil reserves estimated at 100 billion barrels, Kazakhstan expects to be one of the world’s top ten oil producers within a decade.
More than 400 U.S. companies work in Kazakhstan and have already invested more than $15 billion in our economy.
Everyone who wants to know Kazakhstan better will discover a diverse, fascinating and hospitable nation. Welcome to the true Kazakhstan yet to be discovered!"

Evangelicals of Globalization

2006-10-16T22:08:00.000-07:00

I heard Joseph Stiglitz speak for the World Affairs Council here in Seattle this evening, down at the town hall. Some notable quotes from the evening:
"One famous economist once said, 'In the long run, we're all dead'," "The IMF is poorly managed, it's not one country one vote, not even one $ one vote. It's more like one $ back in 1944, one vote." He raised some interesting points. Notably, the market failures that make government critical (at the national level), are only more pronounced at the global level. He painted a picture of MNCs with big interests, smart lawyers and well-funded lobbyists at in the driver's seat of globalizatoin. He pointed out that voting at the IMF is based on old, out-dated centers of power. And why is the head of the World Bank is always appointed by the US president w/o even congressional approval?

His critique of the global system hinges on equity, in the context of 'developed' and 'developing' nations. He noted how the pharma-lobby has kept generic drugs out of Africa, how NAFTA is 1000+ pages long (it's drafted to protect US special interests and has made life even harder for many Mexican small business owners, environmentalists, regulators), how 'globalization' increasingly makes it more difficult for state governments to correct market failures.

He made the case for why the 'global system' is even more corruptible than domestics systems, or domestic politics. It all comes down to who has money, who makes policy and who cares to spend that money to influence policymakers. Where are the checks and balances to the global system? Why are trade negotiations dominated by the rich countries, who are intern controlled by big money? The global system is a classic case of haves and have-nots. It's about a smaller number of the politically-motivated and organized dominating policy. MNCs and special interests are are clearly behind the wheel of the global system. How, otherwise, would agricultural subsidies be so built into the system? The sad reality is, just like in domestic politics, money is king. And again, just as in domestic policy, it's a question of who has the most to gain and who has the money. As in domestic politics, this tends to result in a small group of folks who speak louder and sit in the driver's seat... heading towards the non-optimal outcome.

How could we ever get the money out of policy-making? That's so fundamental to everything.

White and Nerdy

2006-10-15T20:57:00.000-07:00

It's pledge time at our local NPR station, KUOW. I finally, finally made my first pledge to public radio, just this weekend. I consider this a big event in my life. It's recognition that public radio is a true public good, that I indeed value, but have taken advantage of over the years w/o stepping up to contribute (just as I take advantage of clean air, public education, the police). You know you're a public radio junkee when you actually consider planning vacations around future fall pledge drives. Well, yes, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but I must say I've been pretty annoyed all week. Yet, it took me until just this Saturday to pledge... a full 6 days into the pledge drive! I hope you all contributed too, so we can get back to Morning Edition as always.

Ps. I can't help myself. But this is one of the funniest things I've seen in a while... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xEzGIuY7kw

Green Drinks

2006-10-10T19:34:00.000-07:00

So I attended Seattle's Green Drinks tonight. Green Drinks is an "organic self-organizing network" of people who work in the environmental field. The self-stated purpose of the organization is: "Every month people who work in the environmental field meet up for a beer at informal sessions known as Green Drinks." Festivities are held at a new location each month and are typically hosted by "green-minded" companies, non-profits or organizations. This was my first Green Drinks. Apparently last month's Green Drinks in Seattle was the largest ever, for this city. Organizers attribute this to a listing in the local Seattle daily newspaper and increased buzz... just as more companies/organizations/individuals are drawn to the 'green' space.

I love the premise of the gatherings. They serve as a simple forum for like-minded Seattleites to meet and share ideas. And I love the idea that thinking 'green' has risen to such prominence on the national stage. Maybe I'm just prey to the trend, as this was indeed my first Green Drinks, maybe I'm just one of the many caught up in a fleeting trend. But I love that Al Gore has taken a stand on global warming in such a prominent way (he'll be in Seattle this month), I love that "Who Killed the Electric Car" gave a glimpse behind the scenes of why the best technologies and the best overall outcome (for society) may fall prey to parties protecting their wealth, I love that national magazines featured 'green' topics on their covers even in months other than April (Earth Day), I love that (yes, I know it may be election year politics) politicians near and far are endorsing renewable energy policy, I love that the BPs, Chevrons and GEs of the world are investing in renewable technologies, I love that solar is today's dot.com boom story... I like it all. I like that Green Drinks has grown. I like that Jay Inslee (representative from WA) mentioned Green Drinks in a speech he gave last week. It's all awesome.

So I was sitting at Green Drinks, and this is where the pragmatist, or realist, or whatever you'd call it, in me comes out for a chat.

I was looking around me (this week's Green Drinks was hosted by the Sustainable Style Foundation) at all this cool sustainable-yet-stylish furniture and I couldn't help but think about some of the fundamental contradictions in the environmental movement. Just to use this one example, environmentally-friendly home decor... on the one hand, we'd like to promote consumption of environmentally-friendly goods. But at the same time, that's still consumption, and consumption is counter to what we want. The best result would actually be no new consumption at all. So, the best option would be for Joe Schmo to continue using his old lamp, but replace the light-bulb to one that is more efficient, as opposed to buying a new lamp made of recycled cork. Because... it took energy, likely coal-fired electricity, and resources to create that new yet sustainable cork lamp.

While I commend all organizations/companies that help us take small steps towards reducing our impact on the environment, it's such a paradox because for them to "succeed" and "grow" as organizations, they'll have to... well, grow, which means more resource use, energy use, etc. OK, so that said, I suppose the goal of that Foundation is to affect change by changing consumption patterns such that all home decor products are produced in a green fashion with green inputs and a green afterlife. I can dig that. OK, here's another example. So the whole purpose of Green Drinks is to bring together people who will have a positive, collective, effect on the environment. Yet, we all drank our organic beer out of plastic cups. I hope those were recycled. Here's another one. What about green-living magazines that measure their success on circulation numbers? So in order to spread their message (for those that actually print as well as being online), they have to kill trees. But, you'd argue, that paper is recycled. OK. And you'd argue that message has an exponential effect on the environment because people who read that will affect greater positive change than the negative effect of printing the magazine.

Yes, I see your point. I guess my whole conflict here is there is so much inconsistency, irony in the 'environmental movement' and it runs so counter to what we'd typically call 'market principles.' In terms of the market, more is better, bigger is better, growth is good. Paper manufacturers want us to use more paper cups, print more documents, read more magazines. Green paper manufacturers want the same thing, yet they're green. It's not as if green paper companies want us to use less green paper. They want us to use more. So... whereas conservation might be key, any sort of green product, though green, fights against this key goal.

Sorry for the long, long, stream of thoughts.

But, in summary, I loved Green Drinks. And the plastic cups were clearly worth it. I drank from that plastic cup, maybe you'll go change the light bulbs in your house (not likely that this blog will affect any change anywhere, as I'm pretty sure no one reads it). And if you do, then the net effect on the environment will be a positive one.

So, yes, that plastic cup was a worthy sacrifice for getting you to change your light bulbs. Thanks for your help. (I still don't know about the green furniture-unless part of their message is just buy one lamp and hang onto it forever).

Living History

2006-10-08T21:19:00.000-07:00

A fact of modern life is we're all so mobile. We don't think twice about moving across the country, or the world, for school or work. In the decade since I graduated university, I've lived in three cities in two countries. Of course, there are pros and cons to this mobile lifestyle. My circle of friends (at least those I actually see with any regularity) changes with each move. I've met some great friends, and I've left some great ones behind.

This mobility also affects family. Just as we adopt new friends in each city, some of us also adopt new family as we go. A friend of mine has a husband from Nebraska. Her husband's parents have essentially adopted a young couple and that couple's son. They babysit and occasionally spend holidays with that young family.

Just this past summer, I came across the organization ElderFriends. ElderFriends introduced me to Yan nai nai, or grandma Yan. Yan nai nai has no children and was an only child. I visit nai nai each Tuesday after work. Nai nai is 100 years old. It's not an exaggeration to say she's living history. Born in mainland China, she witnesses the war with Japan, the rise of the PRC, and so much else. She was born at a time when the Chinese bound the feet of their young girls. Nai nai has so many stories to tell, but just no granddaughter to listen. I'm honored to serve as her granddaughter here in Seattle.

Inconvenient Truth

2006-10-02T21:34:00.000-07:00

Again, late to the party, I just now finally saw Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth. This might come as a surprise to many, as I'm clearly passionate about the environment in both work and life. I'm 'that guy' in the office who feeds discarded paper back into the printer to make use of the second side. I can't say I drive the best car, but I'm privileged enough to have the luxury of riding the bus to work. My line of work is also in the realm of environmental education. And here it is in October and I've finally gone to see Inconvenient Truth. I must say, I disagree with friends who have told me they walked out of the movie feeling Gore "never told them the solution to the seemingly insurmountable problem." Gore was very clear in telling us how to get involved, how to change our habits, how to push our policymakers. He made a compelling case of the problem and explained why public recognition of the problem is the first step to 1) changes in habits and 2) effective public policy. He told us why public policy is critical to fuel efficiency standards (China), forest protection (the DR), drilling in the Arctic, carbon emissions reductions on a wider scale, and more. The take away message was not how to change the world after eating your popcorn and walking out of the theatre. The take away was to be more informed of the issues, act accordingly, and write letters to your representative. Hats off to Gore for putting his notoriety and passion to good use following 2000. I thought it before seeing the movie, when I first saw Gore's face on the cover of Wired, and the movie only confirmed it, but I really think Al could be a strong force in '08. I just wonder if he could ever compete in the fundraising arena or if the dems would ever give him a shot. The inconvenient truth is that politics is about so much more than passion and ideas, it's about locking in the right donors at the right time.

Flat Daddies

2006-10-01T21:25:00.000-07:00

A.k.a. "flat daddies," some military families are purchasing these life-size replicas (from the torso up) of soldiers who have missed birthday parties and soccer games while deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan. According to the NY Times, some families prop up "flat daddy" at the dinner table and the playground. This photo struck me as just so ridiculous, so sad. Such a sign of the times.

Late to the Party

2006-10-01T21:00:00.000-07:00

I feel a bit late to the party. The blogging party that is. Here it is, already October 2006, and I am only now jumping into the world of sharing my thoughts with whomever will listen. It's not that I've been against blogging, it's just that I've never thought myself a pundit on any one subject. But I was actually inspired to start a blog two nights ago, Friday, when I attended an opening party for the Bodies exhibit here in Seattle. It is a traveling exhibit intended to educate people about the human body. The display was actually quite well-done. But the whole 'launch party' experience was so surreal. It was surreal mostly because I knew the bodies were poor Chinese peasants whose bodies were never claimed at death. The stark contrast was so apparent to me, I was surrounded by wine-drinking, appetizer-eating members of the first-world who were preparing to head upstairs to see the skinless bodies of deceased, skinless Chinese peasants whose bodies were posed in various athletic positions. It was all just too surreal, and I had to put my thoughts down 'on paper' so to speak. I actually put my thoughts down at 2 a.m. that evening (I've included the original text in all its glory below).

As for the title of the blog, I started my life and education as very much a pragmatist. Trained as an economist, I graduated college with a firm belief in market principles and capitalism. It wasn't until I went back for more schooling that I realized everything I had learned in economics 101, so to speak, was footnoted with such comments as "assuming social equality, environmental degradation, third-world exploitation are not factors in measuring well-being." So today, I characterize myself as an idealist with strong pragmatic roots, if that jargon makes any sense.

Thanks for listening. I'm glad to be here at the party.

--------------

I was just at the launch "party" of the Bodies exhibit that will run here in Seattle tomorrow night through December 31st. It was so surreal. The whole time at the exhibit I kept thinking to myself, I should really, finally start a blog. I was standing in this lobby, among young, hip, Seattleites who were drinking wine and eating sirloin slivers off silver platters, preparing to go upstairs to view dead Chinese people who'd had the misfortune of dying with no one to claim their bodies. These formerly living humans were on display, skinless, for all to see. We visitors, invited to the launch, were participating in a wine-drinking "party" of sorts to celebrate dead Chinese people. It was so surreal to be drinking wine and eating spring rolls.