Tuesday report

[electricland]

My field trip yesterday was awesome! (gurudata, you'd probably be interested.) I even made it to Mississauga all by myself. By GO bus. Go team me.

Parents took me, crankygrrl and J home from book club sitting in the back of the van on my bookcases. We felt about 6 years old. Dropped J off and then hauled my bookcases upstairs (they weigh 40 kg each according to the label -- that's 88 lb, people! raithen will not be all that impressed, but we were). Then had some Laphroaig, because we deserved it.

Now, breaking once again my no-American politics rule, go ye and read this (via gristmill_rss):

The right has capitalized on our squeamishness by creating and maintaining the myth that the left, especially the far left, "hates America." That claim, when it is used to discredit honest criticism, is craven and despicable. It is both failure and foolishness on the part of conservatives to love their country blindly, to maintain that criticism is equivalent to treachery, to bluster about the superiority of the United States with the boorish chauvinism of schoolyard bullies. But we on the left have failed, too--not only to express convincingly that we love our country, but also why we love our country.

It's good. Enjoy.

Comments

[gurudata.livejournal.com]

Hiho,

You were in the neighbourhood and you didn't pop by and say "howdy"? Hrmph! ;)

My field trip yesterday was awesome! (gurudata, you'd probably be interested.)

It's interesting because the title automatically hits two of my "buttons", one positive one negative. Transportation - definite positive interest. But the term "child-friendly cities" gave me an automatic knee-jerk negative reaction. The description was kind of vague - What exactly did they mean by that? I'm a firm believer in the concept of world-proofing our children rather than child-proofing our world, so terms like that one tend to get me paranoid that what I consider to be a backwards message is getting out there.

Cu,
Andrew

[electricland.livejournal.com]

I'm a firm believer in the concept of world-proofing our children rather than child-proofing our world

Spoken like an engineer! No, j/k. In this context "child-friendly cities" seems to mean:
- sustainability (therefore not leaving messes for kids to clean up in the future)
- sensible land use planning: sidewalks, sidewalks that go somewhere, bike paths ditto, residential areas not too far away from playgrounds, shops, schools, movie theatres etc.
- transit that goes places kids want to go and doesn't cost a fortune
- safety to walk places, including light traffic going slowly on residential streets (incidentally this is friendly to everyone, since it was mentioned somewhere that kids are actually slightly more likely than adults to survive being hit by a car -- they bounce better)

There is probably more to it, but those are the basics. In general child-friendly cities are people-friendly cities, but the reverse is not necessarily the case -- hence this project, which is trying to raise awareness of children's specific issues re: transportation.

It was, as I say, very cool.

Sorry I didn't say Hi -- I was in the wilds of Mississauga, I don't think so well under those conditions. ;)

[raithen.livejournal.com]

88lbs is enough, believe me. I am suitably impressed. And how was the Laphroaig? Dad and I were trying to figure out whether it is single or double malt -- could you settle the debate?

We tried the Khalua and twas very yummy mixed with the Buffalo Vodka Dad brought from Sweden (Which is where he was when I got home from Mexico -- DId I mention that?). BUt I got quite tipsy again. I have turned into a little temperance unioner!

[electricland.livejournal.com]

Single malt. (What's double malt?)

Kahlua sounds lovely. Have I mentioned I've been using my mug lots? Although no-one has commented on the logo. But it makes me happy.

[raithen.livejournal.com]

I KNEW it. I KNEW it was single malt. Dad claimed otherwise, so rather than be a knowitall, i went to an unbiased and knowledgeable third party!!

I am SOOO SOOOO SOOOO happy about the cup. It is nice when moments of insanity turn into good things.

And also, I am HOME! As there was little or no work for me.

I am meeting bossman on Monday, though possibly before that meeting with bossman AND new guy. Hoping I meet with bossman alone first (we are going for lunch -- my idea -- so that I can get his undivided attention AND discuss some things without an audience) as I would like to clarify a few things before we meet with new guy. But I will try to go with the flow.

But I am HOME!! wheee!!

now onto MA project. (and possibly a shower, as my hair is icky....)

[raithen.livejournal.com]

*WHEE* meeting at 3PM. AFTER bossman and I do lunch. I love it when a plan comes together!! Now I have to strategize for both meetings, to get the best deal for myself!!

[pixel12.livejournal.com]

Happy thoughts of you all sitting around the living room with the Book Club....

Anything I should keep my eyes open for? I've maxed out my authors at all the second hand shops in the area... Thanks!