Sunday, August 31, 2008

Profound "Noise"


Earlier, I cited the NYTimes call for citizen journalism as Gustav comes bearing down onto the Gulf Coast. And no doubt, the editors in New York are hoping for "money shots" of wild winds, flooded streets, stray cats, that sort of thing. Right now, what they are getting are full-on real accounts of life in fear. Read below as Sloane Gillam LaCasse sifts through her own set of noise (Fema? National Weather Service? Local news? neighbors?) and wonders how to "pack as though you are never coming back."
Touching. Scary. Real.
Brace for more.
Blessings to you, Sloane, and all your neighbors.


August 31st,
2008
1:46 pm
I am paralyzed by Gustav. Just like Gustav over Haiti, I have stalled. I don’t normally spook easily but I can’t deny that I feel skittish and frustrated. News articles about evacuation recommend clearing the fridge in order to avoid sticky, rotting messes later. One piece of advice from a reader on the local news website reads: “Pack as though you are never coming back.” Another person posts a piece of advice recommending taking all family vehicles instead of just one. I’m confused and unsure how to proceed, so instead I compulsively check my email and look for new tracks on the storm prediction map. It is too far away to begin packing but it is coming up too quickly for me to put it out of my mind. As a result, I am wandering around the apartment in circles, working on tasks much less pressing than packing insurance paperwork and memorabilia.
Pack as though you are never coming back. Easier said than done. I have twice in my life packed a year’s worth of belongings into two suitcases and one carry-on, so it seems like I should be better at this. Maybe since I was underage during both of those instances, they don’t count. I didn’t have wedding photos then, or couches, or dishes, or bookshelves. And I wasn’t distracted by images of mold creeping over all items left behind, or water trickling through wind-damaged walls or windows. People who have done this before post advice about leaving family photos permanently in the plastic travel tubs normally reserved for evacuation only. I think that this is no way to live, but I see their point, as more than two months of hurricane season remain. I am reminded of those dinner party questions where you have to pick the three things you would take if you were headed to a deserted island. I think that I will never enjoy that game again.
For about twelve hours, I thought that we would not evacuate. I understood those folks who stayed last time. I have a liquor cabinet full of yummy leftovers and plenty of things to do; this is no time for a forced exodus. With wine in the cupboard and lots of interesting bits in the pantry with which to craft new meals, it would be fun! I would pull out my sewing machine! I would write letters! I would finish my wedding album! No I wouldn’t, said my wise, younger-but-smarter-than-me across the street neighbor-friend. She reminded me of my fondness for air conditioning and running water. She also gently reminded me that the neighbors who stay are the ones with guns and generators, and that Chip and I were not those folks. Plus, we do whatever she tells us to do in this strange land, and she told us to evacuate, so that is the plan, barring any good weather news in the next 24 hours.
Pack as though we will never come back. How? We have already done this. We reduced the size of our living space by sixty percent when we moved down here. We are a lean operating machine, at least by American family standards. I keep thinking of random, completely unrelated tasks and items (I need more cat litter! I should wash my handwashables! I will bring my drycleaning with me and do it in evacuation land…maybe I will even have my shoes repaired…hmmm) and then an hour has gone by and Gustav has crept a bit closer on the National Weather Service back-of-the-airplane-seat progress map.
A couple of weeks ago my manager told us a tale at lunch about the ghost who lived with her family in their last home. No one in the office was disconcerted (or unconvinced) by the story, or by the possibility of its truth. One employee called out “No way!” which at first I took as disbelief, but really it turned out that he was thinking more along the lines of, “Oh I didn’t know that happened to you, because something like that has happened to me, too.”
The ghost and Gustav are just two examples of how life here is like life nowhere else. Spirits and raging storms are accepted by folks here as a part of the daily rhythms, and in a manner so calm so as to not permit any disbelief. I avoided going to bed until late last night, because when I am awake, the storm moves more slowly. Eventually, though, I had to go to sleep, and now that I am up again it is time for me to suspend my disbelief and get moving.
Sloane Gillam LaCasse
August 28, 2008
— Posted by Sloane Gillam LaCasse

Puppies!


On another note, these puppies need a home. Too cute!
Dog-rescuer, Sheila Dixon works hard to find homes for any dogs that come her way. She currently has three left of these nine-week-old, Aussie/Border Collie blue-eyed babes.
Just saying.

Citizen Journalism


Many people followed the Democratic National Convention through their usual trusted sources of news, but increasingly important are the other eyes and ears. Technology now offers devices for the everyman and woman to create content and upload, on their own. And forward-thinking media now embraces that.
Witness C-Span's Convention Hub, hosting blogs, like mine and countless others, Twitter highlights, relevant YouTube footage, Qik video streams from one's phone, all created by the people, for the people. (Sound familiar?)
News consumers have shown that they want facts, fast, often, and image (and other) quality might not be a top priority. People check their bookmarked blogs, news sites as often as they check their email.
Even the biggies are getting in the act.
Today's New York Times asks for footage, images, commentary from New Orleans as the city prepares for yet another hurricane. Traditional media, perhaps feeling pinched financially simply can't put reporters at every site of breaking news. Airfare, hotels, meals, it ain't cheap to send a seasoned journalist across the globe to capture the story.
By recognizing the ability of witnesses to share their experiences, we, the news consumers, get a lot more noise, but we get more information as well.
Early. Often.

Friday, August 29, 2008

Invesco Messco


We were ready!
We had our credentials. We had a ride down to Invesco. What we didn't have was sufficient patience to endure the line. Lines. Many lines, spirals, serpentine, converging. As far as the eye could see.
I actually felt fear, large cranky groups of people, grumbling. "Where's the end of the line?"
"I've been here an hour and a half, no way are you cutting!"
"See those guys there, they just jumped right in line."
What we failed to have done was the research, the entrance at Federal Boulevard was, naturally, the most crowded, given it was the main access from inflowing highways. On the other hand, shuttles from downtown were letting people off on the South East side, later reports were of smoother flows.
But the complete lack of information was frustrating. Cel phones weren't working, ditto texts, Twitters, any form of contact with friends inside the stadium were blocked.
And who was in charge? No volunteers, no cops, complete self governance which was telling in itself. One man barked orders to docile followers, others whined, shared their personal tales of hardship without provocation. The rumor was three hours of wait time.
My companions had nice shoes and many years of dignified lifestyles, we weren't having fun. We made the call, let's go eat and try again later. It was only 4:45, Obama didn't come on until 8. Seemed like a good plan.
Our driver, Tim, was game. He calmly maneuvered through byzantine alternate routes, randomly blocked passages, many U turns as were directed, redirected.
Reminded me of the theme of confusion that I had encountered all week.
"All I know is that no one knows."
So we had a lovely Pizza in LoDo, a trendy area outside Denver, watched TV, Al Gore, Stevie Wonder, then headed back to try again. No lines. But no way to get close to the entrances either. At 7:30, we had at least a mile of hightailing it if we wanted to catch Obama live.
Well, we ended up listening to Obama's galvanizing acceptance speech on the car radio as we headed home. Disappointed? yes. This was history, within earshot, eyeshot (I know, that's not a word) and despite our highly coveted passes ( a kidney?!) we got to hear it like many Americans, on a scratchy AM radio station. And that is just fine because what we heard was what everyone else heard. We are in for one exciting election!

Thursday, August 28, 2008

No Way To Treat A Lady

I just got sent this from a friend, seems like some Cops in Denver are feeling a little heat. I have only experienced sweet, concerned for the public's-safety kind of guys but I also don't get close to those confrontational nests. Easy, everyone. Remember what we learned in kindergarten, no pushing, no name calling. We can all be here together.

In The Air, Change!


Joe Biden: "We don't have to accept a situation we cannot bear. We have the power to change it."
The collective sense in Denver these days is mounting hope, and the usual media ploys of distracting readership with "glossy" issues is fading.
We see people getting their news now from each other, Twitter, Blogs, proven sites that adhere to integrity. Gone are the days of shuffling out one's driveway in a bathrobe to grab the local morning paper, blindly, obediently reading it over coffee. People now sit in their cubicles following the world (sorry boss, you need to know that), they balance laptops in bed at night and read a multitude of voices, and reactions. People now process the information on their own time, from who they come to trust, and even share their reactions, and develop conversations in Comments section, and this is why people are feeling hope. They finally feel like they are contributing to the dialog, the process, and certainly the outcome of the election.
So exciting.
Note the speeches, the "we" in all this. Not the "I promise" which, sometimes turns out to be a lie. Participatory citizenship. This is new, exciting, and it seems to engage everyone I have spoken to. Change for sure. Cindy McCain's half-sister is going for it. We all are.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Who Will Buy?


Ten bucks gets you a Hillary Laughing Pen, (mouth really moves) from this biker, huckster, aging hipster.
Do people travel to Denver in costume or am I just riding a different bus?

DNC, another war room


My journo friend, Amy Brouillette, is posting over at New West, and last night when we saw those Darth Vader-looking troops upping their pace from stroll to trot past us on Fifteenth Street, she took off. Me, I am not a "bullet chaser"....that heroic breed of journalist, writer or shooter, that needs to get as close as possible to the action. The best stuff always comes from that proximity, but when I see flashing lights and swarms of choppers overhead, as I did last night around 7 pm, I just said "meet me back in this alley."
I wasn't even sure if she heard me, she was racing fearlessly along, darting between cars, lens lifted to capture the moment which she certainly did. The whole protester thing ended within a half hour, evidently there was chanting/provoking, cops contained the group. There was some pepper spray, rubber bullets (Ow!), a little stampede action, nothing major. I heard that around a hundred people were detained at the "freedom cages" for a while. Bravo Amy.

DNC, the war room


Denver seems to be hosting more members of the Fourth Estate, than any other estate. Or State.
Everyone is running around on assignment, fulfilling promises to get the story. But as the mercury climbed today, people melted.
View the war room of some camera crew outside the hopping Starz Green Room.

DNC.....sanctuary


So Denver was hot today, more crowded, more confused, yet I did get my laminate act together. A little research on events, a little homework to RSVP helps. I guess it takes some effort to sift through the thousands of offerings of all kinds and make a plan. It probably also helps to leave Denver each evening to feed your cat and check your email at your own desk. Or maybe that's just me.
Today, I also connected with fellow blogger, Sara Avant Stover, who invited me into the paradise known as Arianna's Oasis. Oooooooooh.
Different vibe here, man. Welcome, would you like a massage? How bout a smoothie? Not the sugary, fakey fruity kind but little cups of real. Or home-made chocolates? Or a copy of Arianna's book, Fearless, which was on my list of must reads? Or go and stretch over there. We all know LuluMom loves her stretch. Or just a quiet place to sit and catch a wireless signal or not. And music is softly playing. And someone offers you a gorgeous, clean, veggie nibble. And you feel so good.
And the whole point is that we are running around crazy, getting our stuff done, focusing, being good at what we do, and we forget. There is a being inside that needs a little love and care.
And maybe after we get a bit, what happens? We pass it on. We excuse the crowds and fumes and mess because we have reconnected with the good place. Our own.
Thanks, Arianna.

DNC, update


So the orange lady sang, and everyone gets to go....get some rest or party hearty..... depending. There are tons of parties, live music, happenings. But some people actually worked today.
There are also a lot of gals in high heels who had to traipse around Denver, (overheard, "John, wait up, I have lady shoes on") maneuvering through stalled cars and randomly expanding secure perimeters. Those pesky demonstrators. Yes they are flexing their democratic muscles but do they have to delay all events?
Everyone looks tired. Even the rickshaw guys, who are pocketing hundreds of US bucks a day pedaling swells through the sweltering streets, need breaks.

Alert, Code Pink


In response to the Bush government's ridiculous, fear mongering color coding alert system, Code Pink creates awareness through its name, its game and gathering many like minded women and men. Through awareness and empowerment, this grass-roots group seeks change through education.
We wish them well.

Denver Art


What is that, lovely? Illegal? Both? Here we find in plain view, 15th Street actually, several taggers doing their thing alongside trucks pumping "Rock The Vote" and "Guitar Hero"...wait, is GH a platform or just a pastime?
Anyway, the message being presented is "we are young, arty, cool, and very well located."
Why can't I paint like that?

Denver, Oh So Funny


Like I said, major police presence, but still fun and somewhat relaxed. But what is that Blue Bear back there?

Monday, August 25, 2008

DNC, So Green

Earth-friendly and Ready

Denver is looking good! All clean, green, shiny and, despite some scuffles downtown tonight, very friendly. Key events have been scheduled throughout the day, many open to the public/media but previous arrangements seem essential. Then sometimes not. Policies seem to vary.
One refreshing oasis in the overwhelming heat/overload today was The Starz Green Room, over on the Auraria Campus, an enlightened film center at all times, and a hotbed of ideas during these convention-hosting times. Film screenings, open discussions by "informed, involved and involving panelists" makes this a must-get-in.

Getting Around
The best way to maneuver Denver's random, one-way this street, blocked for security that street system is to nab a free bike. The brilliant folks at Bikes Belong Coalition have set up a free bike plan throughout downtown for the week. Did I say free? Forget walking, taxi or rickshaw. Just go in to one of the seven eager stations with your ID and credit card, and within minutes you are rolling out on a brand new cruiser, with a helmet and bike lock in the cute pouch on your (ask for a bell) handlebars. So fun. So green (idling SUV's guys!) So easy. Done playing? Drop the bike at any station. Need to roll? Go grab another. I like it!

DNC....It's a Circus!


So patience, my friends.....I got frozen out of "The Big Tent" today.....credential nightmare there, as it is around town. Hundreds of bloggers, along with major media personnel were allotted access to the plush, air-conditioned, free beer, rub shoulders with others tent, sponsored by Digg, Goggle, and lots of other household words. But, not LuluMom. No laminate, no in.
But I'm not bitter, at least not now that I've found the MySpace Cafe, with outlets, and wireless, to upload images from around town.
So all the world seems to have descended upon this funny cow town to see, be seen, and of course get this groovy Obama guy into office as our 44th President.
And through words, costume, banner, truck, bike, people have a lot to say. That's democracy for ya. Anyway, the cops seem pretty chill, people are polite and wonderful, all well.
More later as I upload todays images, and tell you about a wonderful film.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Off To Denver


Ready, steady, off I go to tackle timely, real news, real time, real tech..... I will be posting from Denver this week. My first political convention.
So much, so much going on! What to see? Follow? Attend?
Let me know what you want covered.
Meantime:
I will follow my nose for news and blog what's fun, important, or merely shiny.
Look for bits and bites, as I send y'all a Rocky Mountain Hi.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

On Kindness.......


"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." -- Maya Angelou

Who do we touch in our lives? How do others feel having passed through our space, for a moment or more? Do we even realize the power simple acts of kindness can have on the world around us? The shared smile with a stranger. That gesture of grace towards the harried mom, the confused traveler, the bored deli slave or toll taker. It all matters.

We might speak of compassion, but what does that actually mean?

I recently heard the Dalai Lama speak in Aspen, as part of a Tibetian Cultural Festival. I am not religious, nor even a follower of Buddhist teachings, yet this funny little man put it so right as he spoke.
First, with great reverence, he was greeted into a spacious tent, large, airy, festooned with flags that children had created for the occasion. He then unlaced his shoes and settled, cross-legged into an oversized cozy chair. A translator sat at his side but was rarely needed for the next several hours as His Holiness spoke at random of things great and small.
Questions had been collected from audience members and a few were posed. One woman asked, "Why do I feel compassion for my dog, yet I can't stand my family?"

So, yet again, one reviews semantics. What is this compassion thing we speak of? Is it pity? Sympathy? Condolence? The whole concept can veer into a negative realm. We might see ourselves responding in less than healthy ways. Do we give our dollars and time to ease our guilt of having "more" than someone else? Do we exhaust ourselves in a selfless mode, only to feel dried up and spent? Giving, giving. All in the name of "compassion"?
The Dalai Lama drew our attention to the key concept of respect, because that is really what it all boils down to. Respect in the sense of caring, of regarding others as living, feeling beings with similar thoughts and concerns. Respect in the sense of sharing the grace that one feels, knowing we all are here together.

And, most importantly..... this all sprouts from one's self. Look after yourself. Not the cute puppy, not that raspy neighbor lady that always needs a favor, not that troubled cousin or friend or meter maid, but the self. This is the origin of all the care and share in the first place. Feed it.

Susan Smalley
, founder of the Mindful Awareness Research Center, reminds us of the need to nourish ourselves, first and foremost.
"Becoming aware of how you treat yourself is key to seeing how you relate to others."

His Holiness also reminded us of the appropriate hierarchy of care. It starts with the self, always. It has to.
Get good with that, then our next level of tending goes towards our family. Common proverb: "Blood is thicker than water."
Then from there, the care flows outward to the community. Schools, neighbors, friends....that's where you go next.
And from there, the world.
Like that.
Occasionally situations arise, beyond our control.....you are committed to volunteer at the local shelter and your child comes down with a fever. You must drive an elderly parent to an appointment yet you feel lousy. This happens. And of course one does what one must. But in a perfect world, it is not selfish to regard the self as the first in line.
Only from there can the love spread. And without love, we perish.

More Please
The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation

Monday, August 11, 2008

Time To Reset Family Sleep Schedule


I know, it has been fun. Summertime and the schedules get easy. Without the morning school bell to wake up for, our bedtimes have become somewhat relaxed. Our wake times too. I hate to be the one to break it to you, but it's now time to start back onto a sensible bedtime plan. And don't shoot the messenger, the National Sleep Foundation urges parents to start resetting our children's sleep clocks a few weeks before school starts. Like around now.

“Although it's tempting to sleep as late as possible during the remaining days of summer, it's not necessarily the best strategy for starting the school year off right,” says Richard L. Gelula, NSF’s chief executive officer. “In fact, a lack of sleep seriously affects academic performance, mood and a teenager’s ability to drive safely."

Here are several tips to adjust gradually to the fall schedule:
  • Start pushing bedtime/wake time 15 minutes earlier each day. Start a few weeks before school starts.
  • Enjoy the last days of summer in the mornings, with activities outdoors in the sun. Don't emphasize TV as a summer perk.
  • Be consistent, even on weekends. This will ease the transition to morning alertness.
  • Push dinnertime to an earlier hour. Avoid caffeine/ sugars close to bedtime.
  • Remember, an ideal sleep environment: cool, dark, quiet, comfy.
  • No electronics bleeping, buzzing, whirring.
  • Set a good example as a parent.
Believe it or not, children and teens actually need more sleep than adults. Let's help them form good bedtime habits.

Other resources:
Sleep For Kids
National Sleep Foundation

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Exercise....Stretching



Stretching…Longer is Stronger


Cats do it, dancers too. We all stretch out our bodies, and by doing so, we tune up our muscles and relax our brain. Even as babies, we instinctively know what muscle groups are asking for a gentle tug. But we might not know how important stretching is for our body.
According to wellness expert, Scott Cole, stretching is a key element of body maintenance.
“As we age, we lose elasticity in the joints,” says Cole. “The cartilage tends to diminish rather than replenish and our muscle mass tends to decrease and will definitely become tighter if we don't stretch. “
Whether we are elite athletes, ditch diggers, office dwellers or housewives, we all need to keep our flexibility and range of motion to avoid future problems.
Posture is maintained, injuries are prevented, one can participate in movement activities well into the golden years by keeping a fluid body.

“I have witnessed many healthy people over sixty exhibit a quite youthful appearance through the gentle practices of yoga and TaiChi,” says Cole. Indeed, many fitness programs, and certainly yoga, incorporate stretching into the plan, but even on our own, we should stretch. Often.

Upon rising in the morning, we should ease open our backs and hips, loosening any areas of tension before we fly through the day.
If we sit at a computer, we should take a once-an-hour break, relaxing shoulders, neck, hands (and eyes.) Every sport uses specific muscle groups, gently ease those guys into action. It is best to stretch when the body is warm, pliant.


Stretching Basics


Stretching Should Feel Good
Always. The “no pain, no gain” school of fitness went out with pink spandex. If done correctly, stretching feels yummy. Slow, fluid, conscious.

Don’t Bounce
The muscles protect themselves, when the fibers overstretch or bounce into discomfort, the nerve says, “contract to protect.” This is involuntary, like when you touch something hot, but a contracted muscle is tighter than in its relaxed state, and will not stretch with ease.

Breathe Into Your Stretch
Deep, relaxed, rhythmic breathing oxygenates the body. Never hold your breath during a stretch. According to Cole, “blocked breath=blocked energy” so relax and let it flow.


Focus on the Muscles
Feel the muscle or muscles being stretched. Go to the point where you feel mild tension, relax and gently hold the position for 10-15 seconds. According to stretching-guru, Bob Anderson, author of Stretching, “be in control.” With time, you will simply stretch because it feels good, not to achieve flexibility. “Learn to find and control the right amount of tension in each stretch,” says Anderson.

Mind Your Position
Relax all the muscles when stretching, not just the areas of focus.
“Make sure you're not creating blockages in other areas,” says Cole. “For example, many people lift their shoulders and hunch their necks when they try to stretch their hamstrings.”
Check in with your face, are you grimacing? Relax everything, jaws, hands, mind.


Don’t Compare Yourself With Others
Pay no mind to Gumby girl over there. Even if you are tight or inflexible, you still should stretch, be patient. With time, your range improves if you stretch regularly. Even so, some people will never touch their toes, everyone is different.


Every Day Is Different
Some days we are tighter, some days we are looser, based on a range of variables. Regardless, try to stretch every day, just adjust accordingly. Anderson reminds us to find a stretch tension that feels good.

Stretch Your Tight Side First
Anderson writes that people tend to spend more time on their first arm, or leg or area that they stretch. And guess which side people stretch first? The easier side, of course. To remedy that, he suggests starting with the less flexible side. “This will help out even your overall flexibility,” he says.

Another Reason to Drink Water
Your muscles stretch more easily when they are well hydrated. Keep that in mind on those tighter days.

Find Your Place
Ideally, you want to stretch on a firm, but not hard surface, like a rug or mat. Don’t stretch jammed against furniture, trash bins, piles of books, twisting to accommodate. If the body is not comfortable, you won’t fully relax. Avoid drafty spots, cats like shafts of sunlight for warmth.

Good Stretches For Everyone, Any Time

“The best lower back move I know is from Chinese QiGong,” says Cole. “It is called Bending Bear, and it involves rounding forward, letting go of all tension, then slowly rolling up to vertical one vertebrae at a time.” This is also done with one’s back against a wall for stability. Always bend your knees to lessen strain.
Muscles often compensate for others. “Usually when someone has a tight lower back, it also means that their hamstrings are tight, “says Cole.

When sitting in the car at a red light, lift both shoulders with a nice, slow inhale, lower before the light turns green.
Push your chair back from the computer, interlace fingers, turn palms away from body, straighten elbows and push palms forward for 10-20 seconds. Do this with hands overhead too. Delightful.
As Anderson says,
“Don’t stretch to be flexible, stretch to feel good.”





Wellness expert, Scott Cole, is the creator of the Discover Tai Chi, Get Fit America for Kids and Millennium Stretch DVD series'. He has presented stretching lectures and workshops in over thirty countries and has appeared on The View, Live with Regis and Kelly, CNN, The Early Show, and has been in over 500 publications worldwide. For more on Scott, visit www.scottcole.com.

Stretching, available at http://www.shelterpub.com/

Monday, August 4, 2008

Beat The Heat-Boulder, Colorado


Here in the Rockies, the intense heat makes life veer towards simplicity, and fun.
What are they wearing on the avenues of Boulder, Colorado.....actually, the bike paths? Tubes! Bigger is better. The gas station on Broadway and Canyon sells them for ten bucks, you go out back to fill them with the air machine....be forewarned, there's a wait on weekends. But chill, cause you will. Just wait.
Trek upstream a few blocks, not far and jump into bracing cold snow melt, water that was just ice not long ago. Shoot down one of the only urban creeks known in the country, floating past parks and grassy glades, amongst frisky Labs and splashing toddlers. But carry little, wear less. Our lass on the left must have lost her flip flops, shoes are necessary to maneuver through boulders and chutes.
Yah!

Sunday, August 3, 2008

"One World, One Dream"


A lovely, vague motto for the Olympic Summer Games starting this week in Beijing. "One world, one dream" but for the outside world, many questions remain.
Will there be sufficient security for the athletes and spectators in this tinderbox of contentious issues. Will the air be clean enough for the athletes to safely breathe? The US team has quietly distributed Nasa-developed anti-pollution masks to its athletes. The British hockey squad also plans to wear red contact lenses to see through the haze.
Will Beijing remain true to previous promises of unrestricted Internet for foreign reporters and guests? Will NBC have access to Tianamen Square for live feeds? At all hours? Will Internet hungry visitors to China need to download the free bypass software offered by partners of The Global Internet Freedom Consortium?
Will doping dominate the headlines, yet again? Or violent protests? Or biological threats?
Will visitors find the lack of personal privacy annoying? A disconcerting tidbit from the US State Department's Fact Sheet on Beijing during the Olympics, "All hotel rooms and offices are considered to be subject to on-site or remote technical monitoring at all times. Hotel rooms, residences and offices may be accessed at any time without the occupant’s consent or knowledge."
But one of the most perplexing questions for me is, what are we looking at in this hauntingly gorgeous shot by Victor Fraile in today's NYTimes?
Is this an exotic Butoh dancer? A preview of the opening ceremony costuming theme? Or is this, as I suspect, the new smart accessory in Beijing, a smog scarf?

Friday, August 1, 2008

Bollywood Dancing!


My latest fun thing, Bollywood Dance class, every Tuesday night. So wacky, great music. I am saving up enough money to fly to Bombay to audition. I want to dance like these gals!