Mid-Week Update

So- I'm going to be away this week.  AND, Marni, Aaron, and I thought it was important that Christina have THIS information, stat, so she can can some talk time in while it is still current.

First this.

Then this.

Now this.

By the way, I am feeling impressed with this guy, who is also the boyfriend of a friend of my friend's.  2 degrees.  Nice.

In other news-- let's keep talking-- to continue the race dialogue, as MG says "not current but thought provoking."

And I haven't decided my thoughts on this piece, but think it is worth sharing, as food for thought.  Although he is clearly profiting off of sensationalizing and offending, so perhaps I shouldn't be passing it on?  Thoughts?

While we are discussing things (because that's what we are doing, clearly)-- grieving on social media?  Therapeutic?  Too much sharing?

And while we're at it-- the impact of gender.  In behavior in school aged children?   And on occupation?  (Is the pay gap just because women choose girly jobs?)

Go on, now, discuss! 

Double Duty Update

Sorry for the off week- what on earth have you had to talk about?

Hope you weren't just waiting for this update!

In a follow up to the drones story, I feel badly about this, considering how heavily I make use of my Amazon Prime account!

Afghanistan politics, just to keep you informed.  

And have we talked much here about the dysfunction of Congress?  I secretly a little bit want to go into politics, but I recognize that in reality it would drive me nuts.

There are a lot of home owners reading this blog.  Discuss.    (As a perpetual renter, it made me feel a little better)

In general- I'm feeling a bit behind in newsy-ness-- so, here you go, if you'd like to see some of the past seven day's highlights.  

Giving some love to NYC.  For poetry month, here.  And in case you missed this-- if I ever leave the city, I'll by the book as a consolation prize.

 

April 12th

I was accused of being imbalanced this past week, maybe because I'm only reading opinions that are similar to my own!  So, in the interest of presenting two sides-- here you go.  Let me tell you, however, that I just tried google searching for 10 minutes to find more of the balanced opinions on testing and couldn't find any-- reader challenge, submit your own "pro-testing" articles if you can.

I do want to clarify that I am pro-testing, just not pro-absurd time limits and a refusal to release the material used.

Do I need to present two sides when posting things like adorable baby elephants learning to use their trunks?

And to continue the animal theme- have you seen the troubling reports that animals such as dolphins are still sick and dying from the oil spill 4 years ago?

I'd never heard about the stressful life and habits of EMT workers before-- and then I read this magazine article and saw this story the next day.  Thoughts? 

In news everybody's talking about- Have you heard about Colbert?  I think I'll miss his character- curious what his new persona will be like...

And how about the Clinton shoe-thrower?  What a cooky lady!  (Scroll down for the video of Hillary- I think she handled it well!)

 For hard news this week-- I even sent Christina a mid-week update when I heard about the school stabbing in Pennsylvania- then heard surprisingly little else without actually seeking it out.  Thankful that nobody died- but it left me wondering about our desensitized nature here.

In news I'm hearing nobody talking about-- literally walking by a peace protest today made me realize I know very little about the situation in Iran right now.  (Do you need a quick summary of just the most recent news instead?  I'm not going to lie- I didn't read the whole NY Times site either.)

Ok, C, here you go-- a personality profile this time.   I'm a Laid-Back Doer.  What are you guys?

April Showers

Happy April!  So ready for some sunshine.

This week's quiz, for Christina from Christina, is one that Tracy can be exempt from if she wants.  I got a 90%.  Wanted 100.  So absurd to think that we make people memorize this information to mean something.

Have you seen what George W has been up to lately?  Check out his world leader paintings.  I can't quite explain why I love this so much, but I really, really do.  Please, oh please, someone get me one of his paintings for my birthday some day. 

Some math for Marni- I'm guessing she'd agree with this post.  And speaking of math, I missed this ridiculous misleading Obamacare graph last week!  I would actually really enjoy Fox news if it weren't for the fact that people (like my grandmother) this it is based on fact.

I have a few "hard news" updates:

There was yet another shooting at Fort Hood on Wed, did you hear about this?   (Christina, since this blog didn't exist in 2009, this is here for you just in case).  Have you heard about studies that find that PTSD is more likely, specifically, with US Soldiers? 

We haven't mentioned Afghanistan in a while-- a photographer was killed and a reporter shot there just yesterday.

And as requested-- updated Ukrainian news-- the country is in a gas crisis right now due to relations with Russia,  and Russian forces are still on the Ukraine border.

Finally-- some news through photography this week.  A friend of mine knows this photographer, who does portraits of addiction via photography and essay.  And this NYT Magazine piece is truly amazing-- photographs of survivors of the Rwandan genocide and the actual perpetrators of crimes against them or their families.  So amazing to see and read about the capacity that some people have for forgiveness.