8:20 am - I feel good. Today's going to be a good day. Got up early enough to get in some yoga and 30 minute walk, got laundry out of the dryer, moved the load from the washer to the dryer that had run overnight, started a new load, gave the cats their medication and food, still got here early enough to get in a short walk before work. Heard Glass Tiger and Dire Straights on the way in and my inbox is still clean from yesterday. I have 11 things on my calendar for today, but one of them is lunch with my family and another is just some blocked time to work.
1:05 pm - Lori, Rachel and Ben brought me lunch today. I think it was some of the best Panda Express I've ever had. Too bad they only gave us one cookie and no napkins.
3:05 pm - Ok, just left a meeting for another meeting and that was so quick I'm now going to head back to the previous meeting.
3:40 pm - Woo hoo. Done with all of my meetings for the day. Ok, so one of them I completely missed but so did 2 of the other 3 attendees, so I don't feel too bad.
5:30 pm - Cool. A good day. Time to go home.
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Colts or Saints? Either Way, Winning Outcome for Children in Need
Press Release from World Vision
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 4, 2010
Colts or Saints? Either Way, Winning Outcome for Children in Need
Super Bowl apparel bound for Haiti through aid agency World Vision
SEATTLE, Wash. — Regardless of which Super Bowl team is victorious in Miami on February 7th, one thing is certain – either outcome will benefit the children and families left with few possessions after Haiti’s catastrophic earthquake. World Vision, the humanitarian organization which annually receives all donated, post-season apparel from the NFL and its partners, will this year send Super Bowl game-day clothing to Haiti, followed by larger quantities in the coming months.
Haitian children and families not only need life’s basics and the ongoing generosity of Americans through established relief organizations, they need some semblance of joy restored in their lives – and the dignity that new clothes bring. In the coming months, when clothing can be appropriately integrated into its relief response, product donations from the NFL and its partners will be distributed by World Vision.
“For years, World Vision has helped us to ensure that no NFL apparel goes to waste,” said David Krichavsky, NFL Director of Community Relations. “With the enormous needs in Haiti and World Vision’s long-term presence there, we know that these goods will go to very good use.”
Prior to championship games, Reebok produces shirts and caps and McArthur Towel & Sports produces Trophy Towels, announcing each team as the winner. These items are kept on hand for the winning team’s players to wear immediately following the game. Since 1992, World Vision has accepted thousands of unusable shirts and caps following football’s biggest event.
Additionally, major sporting good retailers and manufacturers donate large quantities of official apparel that they have stocked in anticipation of either team winning the Super Bowl. On average, this equates to about 100 pallets annually – or $2 million worth. Instead of being destroyed, the losing team’s items are shipped from the host city to World Vision’s International Distribution Center in Pittsburgh, PA.
World Vision also receives counterfeit NFL team apparel through its work with United States Customs. The program began in 1991 at the Storehouse of World Vision through a donation of confiscated goods from Los Angeles Customs. World Vision disburses confiscated goods and official, licensed apparel only in pre-approved, developing nations.
About World Vision
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. We serve all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, visit www.worldvision.org.
Available resources:
·B-roll and photos of past three years’ distributions, including: Arizona Cardinals in El Salvador, New England Patriots in Nicaragua, and Chicago Bears in Zambia
For more information, contact:
Karen Kartes, kkartes@worldvision.org, (253) 815-2163 or mobile (206) 351-4315
Anne Duffy, aduffy@worldvision.org, (202) 572-6340 or mobile (360) 513-4273
Clare Graff, clare.graff@nfl.com, (212) 450-2435 (office)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 4, 2010
Colts or Saints? Either Way, Winning Outcome for Children in Need
Super Bowl apparel bound for Haiti through aid agency World Vision
SEATTLE, Wash. — Regardless of which Super Bowl team is victorious in Miami on February 7th, one thing is certain – either outcome will benefit the children and families left with few possessions after Haiti’s catastrophic earthquake. World Vision, the humanitarian organization which annually receives all donated, post-season apparel from the NFL and its partners, will this year send Super Bowl game-day clothing to Haiti, followed by larger quantities in the coming months.
Haitian children and families not only need life’s basics and the ongoing generosity of Americans through established relief organizations, they need some semblance of joy restored in their lives – and the dignity that new clothes bring. In the coming months, when clothing can be appropriately integrated into its relief response, product donations from the NFL and its partners will be distributed by World Vision.
“For years, World Vision has helped us to ensure that no NFL apparel goes to waste,” said David Krichavsky, NFL Director of Community Relations. “With the enormous needs in Haiti and World Vision’s long-term presence there, we know that these goods will go to very good use.”
Prior to championship games, Reebok produces shirts and caps and McArthur Towel & Sports produces Trophy Towels, announcing each team as the winner. These items are kept on hand for the winning team’s players to wear immediately following the game. Since 1992, World Vision has accepted thousands of unusable shirts and caps following football’s biggest event.
Additionally, major sporting good retailers and manufacturers donate large quantities of official apparel that they have stocked in anticipation of either team winning the Super Bowl. On average, this equates to about 100 pallets annually – or $2 million worth. Instead of being destroyed, the losing team’s items are shipped from the host city to World Vision’s International Distribution Center in Pittsburgh, PA.
World Vision also receives counterfeit NFL team apparel through its work with United States Customs. The program began in 1991 at the Storehouse of World Vision through a donation of confiscated goods from Los Angeles Customs. World Vision disburses confiscated goods and official, licensed apparel only in pre-approved, developing nations.
About World Vision
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. We serve all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, visit www.worldvision.org.
Available resources:
·B-roll and photos of past three years’ distributions, including: Arizona Cardinals in El Salvador, New England Patriots in Nicaragua, and Chicago Bears in Zambia
For more information, contact:
Karen Kartes, kkartes@worldvision.org, (253) 815-2163 or mobile (206) 351-4315
Anne Duffy, aduffy@worldvision.org, (202) 572-6340 or mobile (360) 513-4273
Clare Graff, clare.graff@nfl.com, (212) 450-2435 (office)
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
The Genie
A guy was walking along the beach and saw a brass lamp in the shallow water, being nudged by each incoming wave. It looked like at any moment, the next wave might dislodge the lamp and it would float out to sea. He looked carefully at the lamp, it looked like one you'd find a genie in, if this were a fairy tale.
He looked around quickly and not seeing anyone else - and nothing that looked like a hidden camera, quickly scooped it up and hid it under his jacket and kept walking.
When he got back to his car, he pulled out the lamp to look more closely at it. As he brushed off the sand, smoke began to pour from the spout and suddenly a guy who looked just like you'd expect a genie to look was sitting in his passenger seat.
"Greetings," he spoke, "I am the genie of the lamp and if you'll allow me to grant you three wishes -- anything you want -- I'll be free of this lamp for a thousand years."
the guy thought it over and decided to play along. "Ok, I'd like to see the Mariners win the World Series this year."
The genie snapped his fingers "Done," pulling four tckets from his vest and placing them on the dash. "It's gonna be tough, but I can make it happen. Alrighty," he said looking around the car, "what's next? Maybe a new car?" he said picking upa fast food wrapped from the floor.
The man thought and then said "I've got it! I'd like to see the Seahawks in the Superbowl year after next."
The genie looked at him, stunned. "Really? Not a nice BMW? Or maybe an Rolls Royce? Mind's made up, huh?" the genie sighed and said "Ok, well this will be a rebuilding year and they are due." and pulled four tickets from his vest and placed them on the dash.
"And for my third wish..."
"Yes?" asked the genie hesitantly.
"I'd like the Cougars to win the Rose Bowl in three years!"
Without a word, the genie reach out, took the Mariners and Seahawks tickets from the dashboard, tore them up and said "well, I guess another thousand years in the lamp isn't *that* bad" and prompty vanished.
---
Painstakingly pecked entirely with the onscreen keyboard of an iPod Touch. Any typos (c) Steve Jobs. This would definitely be easier with an actual keyboard. Just saying.
He looked around quickly and not seeing anyone else - and nothing that looked like a hidden camera, quickly scooped it up and hid it under his jacket and kept walking.
When he got back to his car, he pulled out the lamp to look more closely at it. As he brushed off the sand, smoke began to pour from the spout and suddenly a guy who looked just like you'd expect a genie to look was sitting in his passenger seat.
"Greetings," he spoke, "I am the genie of the lamp and if you'll allow me to grant you three wishes -- anything you want -- I'll be free of this lamp for a thousand years."
the guy thought it over and decided to play along. "Ok, I'd like to see the Mariners win the World Series this year."
The genie snapped his fingers "Done," pulling four tckets from his vest and placing them on the dash. "It's gonna be tough, but I can make it happen. Alrighty," he said looking around the car, "what's next? Maybe a new car?" he said picking upa fast food wrapped from the floor.
The man thought and then said "I've got it! I'd like to see the Seahawks in the Superbowl year after next."
The genie looked at him, stunned. "Really? Not a nice BMW? Or maybe an Rolls Royce? Mind's made up, huh?" the genie sighed and said "Ok, well this will be a rebuilding year and they are due." and pulled four tickets from his vest and placed them on the dash.
"And for my third wish..."
"Yes?" asked the genie hesitantly.
"I'd like the Cougars to win the Rose Bowl in three years!"
Without a word, the genie reach out, took the Mariners and Seahawks tickets from the dashboard, tore them up and said "well, I guess another thousand years in the lamp isn't *that* bad" and prompty vanished.
---
Painstakingly pecked entirely with the onscreen keyboard of an iPod Touch. Any typos (c) Steve Jobs. This would definitely be easier with an actual keyboard. Just saying.
Stream
I really want to post, but I'm feeling uninspired to post. At the moment, I'm doing some freestep. I didn't want to do that, either, but I didn't get any yoga in and I only got 20 minutes in this morning instead of the usual 30. 15 minutes left. Just watched a TV show, but there wasn't time to watch an hour-long show or two 30-minute shows, so now I have 15 minute to fill. Lori's riding the exercise bike and playing on the iPod Touch and has tuned it into House Hunters International, but I've turned away from the TV to face the computer. I could move things so that I could see both, but I don't want to. As it is, I'll be done right at 10:30 which is the time we now try to get upstairs by. Rachel's still up. I can hear her talking. I'm worried we're going to go up there and find that she's turned her light on again. I've toyed with the idea of getting some parts from Radio Shack to build a little device that buzzes when it gets too much light. It would be a good deterrent to her having her light on when she's supposed to be sleeping. Today was a pretty good day. I think I was able to keep up with everything. There's a few more things I want to do on the computer for work, but I'll probably wait until I'm done walking, it's much harder to mouse around while walking, compared to typing which is pretty easy when you can just rest your hands on the part of the laptop below the keys. But it's also making my neck sore. I'd like to listen to music, which is why I need to get down sooner, so that I can do that and walk and swing my arms and get more exercise in before Lori comes down. Not exactly sure why, but got down here way too late tonight. Disappointing. I feel like this is a completely pointless post and so I'm going to stop now because I'm feeling cross at myself for writing such drivel.
Odds and Ends 4
-1-
SLASHDOT.COM -- Oct. 23, 2001 - Apple releases a new product called an iPod. What does Slashdot think?
-2-
SCOBLEIZER.COM -- Can Adobe Flash be saved? Scoble's prognosis is pretty dire.
-3-
ENGADGET.COM -- Tesla's roadster will go off the market in 2011, leaving the automaker without a product until 2012 sedan. Replacement for roadster planned for 2013.
-4-
UNCLUTTERER.COM -- Great post on how to tame mail. Of course, I'd add "get a post office box"
-5-
SETHGODIN.COM -- Who will save us? People who ask that are already too far gone.
-6-
SETHGODIN.COM -- Random rules for ideas worth spreading - some accuse Seth of just putting common ideas into easily digestible nuggets. And God love him for that, it's great to hear this stuff.
-7-
Avatar Review, Part 1. (Not safe for work, not recommended for viewing by my church friends.)
-8-
Avatar Review, Part 2. (Not safe for work, not recommended for viewing by my church friends.)
-9-
TED: Bjarke Ingels: 3 warp-speed architecture tales
-10-
TED: Joshua Prince-Ramus: Building a theater that remakes itself
SLASHDOT.COM -- Oct. 23, 2001 - Apple releases a new product called an iPod. What does Slashdot think?
-2-
SCOBLEIZER.COM -- Can Adobe Flash be saved? Scoble's prognosis is pretty dire.
-3-
ENGADGET.COM -- Tesla's roadster will go off the market in 2011, leaving the automaker without a product until 2012 sedan. Replacement for roadster planned for 2013.
-4-
UNCLUTTERER.COM -- Great post on how to tame mail. Of course, I'd add "get a post office box"
-5-
SETHGODIN.COM -- Who will save us? People who ask that are already too far gone.
-6-
SETHGODIN.COM -- Random rules for ideas worth spreading - some accuse Seth of just putting common ideas into easily digestible nuggets. And God love him for that, it's great to hear this stuff.
-7-
Avatar Review, Part 1. (Not safe for work, not recommended for viewing by my church friends.)
-8-
Avatar Review, Part 2. (Not safe for work, not recommended for viewing by my church friends.)
-9-
TED: Bjarke Ingels: 3 warp-speed architecture tales
-10-
TED: Joshua Prince-Ramus: Building a theater that remakes itself
Monday, February 01, 2010
But Have Not Love
So in early May 1997, I bought a cat from a pet store. I had been living in Los Angeles on my own for a year and I guess I wanted something alive in my apartment. I felt uninspired in naming choices and eventually named her Carol after the Youth Director of our church when I was in high school. Over the years, she's been a constant companion. She's lived in four apartments and two houses, she's gone on several round-trip Seattle to L.A. trips and even went camping once. She's met Morticia when Lori and I got married, welcomed in Tinsel when we found her as a stray (at Christmas time. The Tinsel/Christmas Carol thing is more of a side-thought.) The endured the tiny puppy Barkley and then the monster kitten Cash who now has her beat by 10 pounds. She saw Tinsel and Morticia pass away and Barkley go to live on a farm (for real). And now, she's on thyroid medicine and a special diet because she's got severe kidney failure, probably next in line. Her weight has dropped to 6, but it's been improving slightly.
I feel bad because I feel like in some ways, I'm already mourning her, but also thinking that when she does pass, that there will be some relief. She has some bad habits and/or medical problems that means we can't let her wander around the house unsupervised and therefore, she and Cash end up spending a lot of time in our laundry room. And even then, it takes more work to keep that room clean because she gets sick and throws up quite a bit.
So for a few hours each night, we do spend some time with them while we watch TV and exercise, but I feel bad.
But I wonder if I'm going to properly mourn and miss my friend of so many years when she goes. Which could be several years with this new diet, which is good, but it's still something that's weighed upon my mind.
I feel bad because I feel like in some ways, I'm already mourning her, but also thinking that when she does pass, that there will be some relief. She has some bad habits and/or medical problems that means we can't let her wander around the house unsupervised and therefore, she and Cash end up spending a lot of time in our laundry room. And even then, it takes more work to keep that room clean because she gets sick and throws up quite a bit.
So for a few hours each night, we do spend some time with them while we watch TV and exercise, but I feel bad.
But I wonder if I'm going to properly mourn and miss my friend of so many years when she goes. Which could be several years with this new diet, which is good, but it's still something that's weighed upon my mind.
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