Whole Body Shot

Alien Attack!

The backgrond to this picture is indeed our stucco siding. This little monster was scaling the castle wall, so to speak. If he was any larger it would really give me the willies.

Nov. 6th First Day of Heat 2008

We beat our record of two years ago (or was it three?) by 5 days and with less discomfort. It is still 67 degrees inside. 

Everyone was starting to complain though, so I started a fire with some very dry alder that Bopop and I harvested in the spring.

White Spaces

This feels to me like some kind of karmic election day present to the people: the FCC has released white spaces, which opens the door to better, cheaper wireless broadband. 

This has the potential to move this country a huge step forward towards universal broadband access (appeals to rural folks in particular) and also bring down the costs of broadband for everyone.

I'll let the pros explain it:

... the FCC Tuesday voted in favor of White Spaces, delighting the tech industry and those in favor of ubiquitous Internet and irritating broadcasters, wireless mic makers and Dolly Parton

http://government.zdnet.com/?p=4162

While I generally make it a rule not to oppose Dolly Parton in anything, in this case, I think she may have been overly concerned about the impact on her business. And, anyway, to stand in the way of all good that universal broadband could do is not going to be the right side of history.

If you believe, as I do, that the internet is a terrific machine of democracy, this is a boon of momentous proportions.

Great Hopes, Great Man, Great Nation

I've purposely held back from posting politically oriented topics, because I don't want to provide cause for friction amongst my family and friends. 

For posterity however, I feel compelled to remark on the events of this night.

I am awed by the capacity of this nation to select a President based on the content of his character, looking past his racial profile, when just 46 years ago that was just a dream of another great man.

I am awed by the near flawlessness of the campaign run by Barack Obama, his team and volunteers. Not the least of which has been the uplifting themes of hope and unity and the important insistance by Obama that there is but one America, the United States of America. 

I am inspired in a way I wouldn't have thought possible just a few years ago. 

When I see the pictures of African Americans in particular, I am filled with a swirl of emotions. I can see the profound joy, relief, amazement and more in their faces and postures. To see that causes me to well up with empathy and feel what I imagine must be a lot like seeing one's child get married; great joy and pride mingled with a faint notion of something resembling sadness. 

As one who truly believes that none of us are free if one of us is chained, I am incredibly optimistic that I can see the chains shed from our collective psyche, allowing all Americans to lift their sights and dare to dream of success at the highest levels.

I believe this is the beginning of a great era in America, one that will uplift us all in ways much more profound than just being able to buy a bigger house or own a bigger car. 

My apologies to those who still may be feeling let down by their candidates defeat. My intention is not at all to gloat or rub salt in wounds, but only to record my feelings for posterity. If Obama proves to be a flop as President, you can hold this over my head forever.  In the meantime however, I remain immeasureably hopeful.