yet another quiz

Which CSI Character Are You?

You're Warrick Brown.
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birthday update pending. for know, just know that it was a ball, all weekend long.

follow up

Future Boy's article on San Francisco planned walking neighborhoods tells an account that is both interesting and possibly very lucrative, all while being better on the environment. Walking neighborhood development is quite the industry, and one I would rate as a Very Good Investment. Of course, i haev to disclose that i already feel that way, and bought a house in a walking neighborhood for that very reason. The only real thing that will work against such neighborhoods is the inherent laziness that we have come to evince as a group. When one lives in a walking neighborhood, it doesn't make good sense to drive to the mall to shop: not only does such activity go against The Plan, it also leaves neighborhood businesses without the business they require to stay in business. While it's a nice feeling to have participated in the local economy, it is also very good sense. Communities that thrive have lower crime rate, and property values continue to rise. All that and hand-dipped ice cream, too. What could be better?

lonley americans?

Robert Putnam, author of the notable Bowling Alone, is at it again, only this time he might actually get it right. Instead of tackling lack of membership in a bowling league though, this time he is talking about those with whom we talk [free registration required, or use mine. user: whatsit4 pass: nytimes]

One hopes that Putnam's latest analysis will point out that before the 50's, families didn't move around, who was picking up the kids from daycare was never even a topic, let alone a worry, and healthcare issues weren't really issues. Frankly, Generation X and beyond has found itself the inheritor of a society that has dashed its old ways without really thinking about how it will create new ones. We know what we want (friends and family, not coworkers and commutes; community not coporate suites; homes, not mass-marketed houses; and leisure, not paid time off) but we aren't certain how to go about getting it.

The good news is that as more of us join forces, even if only as two spouses, or the small-but-true family of a single parent and a child or two, we are making our preferences known. It's not a movement; it's a reality. the pressures of rising gas prices and daycare prices (especially when combined with diminishing quality and increasing fear of abuse in centers) has combined to generate a picture wherein it borders on pushing us out of the traditional workplace altogether. We aren't "ganging up on the system" as Hippies did in Woodstock Nation. but Gen X'ers have had to live together in uncoventional ways since they graduated from college. Steve Jackson's wonderfully hysterical and all-too-true Chez Geek is built on that weird nineties reality where we all crammed two-to-a-bedroom in the apartment and had a job or three. Now that the first of them are graduating to their forties, they come with a different perspective, and the way they choose to solve their problems will be different historically, but won't really seem that way to each other or to the generations which immediately follow.

Housing realities have hit the bizzare realm. In larger cities, sometimes it doesn't seem to matter if you do everything you are 'supposed to do,' you still find yourself on the outs.

The neat thing is that there are places and devlopers that are taking these preferences into account, and deliberate walking communities are being planned. In other places, young people are moving into older traditional neighborhoods, buying homes at lower-than-average market prices, and turning the whole thing into a revitalized neighborhood center. I don't see many lonely Americans in my neighborhood, even though i might not know or celebrate the birthdays of everyone on the block.

I work 20 hours a week. Is it enough to support my family? Heck no, but i'm not going to change it, either. in a world where health benefits are a pipe dream and public schools an emotional and educational wasteland, I really don't see how I could feasibly work more than that regularly. I would like to qualify to work at my skill level, which would more than double what I make without requiring an hour more of my time at the office. I like homeschooling the boys. I like being part of my neighborhood. I like seeing my home during the daylight hours. I like not being so wiped out when i get back from the office that i can't cook or play games with family and friends.

Call me crazy.

duh.

What Farscape Character are you?

Independence Day

On July 15, world leaders have the opportunity to honor their committments to make poverty history, all with a stroke of the pen. Every three minutes a person dies from poverty-related illness. This isn't just a statistic, but a person. How many people do you know? If we had been born in a poverty-stricken area, how long would it take before everyone you knew were gone? Sign the petition to let the leaders of the world know that everyone deserves independence from poverty. Your voice matters.

contractually speaking

The boys and i like to game, quite a bit. In respect for that, and out of respect for wanting to be able to keep gaming at home, without destroying the house through the common-enough game-driven entropy that is so often the side effect of gaming, i have created the contract below. The way i figure it, if we can't manage our electives, they will manage us, and that's not a very fun place to be when we come back to the real world. [Wouldn't it be nice to be able to point and click at the laundry and dishes? I mean, I just know i'm high enough level!]

Before gaming, I will:

• Do my homework
• Put away my toys
• Put away my books, clothes, notebooks, etc.
• Check the trash and take it out if need be
• Complete my chore of the day
• Check the dishes
• Set out anything I need fo rthe next day

Gaming, like living in a house, is not free. Because I have the luxury of doing both, I will contribute $X to the household account (not to be used for gaming, as that comes out of one's allowance). I also understand that living in a house means interacting with the people in it. I will not game more than two hours a day, with the understanding that two hours of gaming is unlikely to happen on any weekday, given the above list of responsibilities.

This Contract is a representation of my willingness to remain a responsible person in our household. I do not expect anyone else to enforce it, and i promise to keep my word. I do expect that if i do not prove myself responible in these matters, I will no longer enjoy the privilege of gaming.

Yes, i do plan on printing it, letting them fill in the amount elected to the household maintenance fund, and having them sign it. Mine will be posted just above my laptop, since I sometimes need the not-so-gentle reminder.

restorative night

kn0w1 came over and brought the files i was downloading, saving me several hours and no small amount of yawning -- his company is far more intereting than watching the little download manager. Then, instead of playing games, we invited tree over for an impromtu dinner of salad, corn and stir fry. gracious it was good to hang out and talk. instead of doing dishes after, tree and i sat on the swing and chatted. honestly, she has come to be family. then we pulled kn0w1 back off the computer and i introduced them to Chez Geek, and a raucous good time was had by all.

let's do it again, and soon.