President Whitmore's words were certainly ringing in my ears last weekend as I watched fireworks over the Hudson River up in NY with some good friends of mine. Happy Birthday America!
My good friend Ara was in town for the long weekend, on the way back from a business trip. Here is an abridged version of our itinerary to entice any other readers to visit:
Friday - met Ara near JFK and took the subway to his accommodations in Columbus Circle. Took a stroll round Lincoln Center and Central Park before returning to said accommodations to be harangued by a nice lady who remembered the awning used to say something about 'home for wayward christian girls' and couldn't believe how cheap the accommodation was. We set her straight on as many counts as we could. Boarded train to Amy Ruth's in Harlem for waffles. Ara had blueberries on his, I had a large piece of fried chicken. Walked waffles off down MLK Blvd, hiked up the hill to Columbia University and discussed life's intricacies, as we are wont to do. Then subway down to the Lower East Side to meet Polina, Claudia and Andreas. Found a nice place with a garden on Ludlow St called 'Tre' to pass the night away.
Saturday - Ara went for a run and got slightly lost in Central Park. After that decided it was an excellent day to head to the sea (as did half of NYC), so got on the Long Island Rail Road out to Long Beach. $10 each to get on to the beach! And this in the country of freedom? The sand was very nice though, if the ocean a tad cold. Soaked in rays for a while before returning to Manhattan. Wowed the crowds in our carriage with a soft-loud-soft version of Phoenix Foundation's 'Damn The River' and then some nice Beirut by Ara, taught to him by Andy (this was all with ukelele mind you). After dinner we headed to Manhattan and towards the Hudson and promised fireworks but for whatever reason (proximity to start time perhaps) were prevented from reaching water's edge by NYPD barriers and loudhailers. So watched the excellent display through a park grating, then headed to Claudia and Andreas' lovely apartment with a view of the UN for the rest of the evening. Ara stayed until 4am arbitrating a good-natured sparring match between some of Mexico's and Brazil's finest minds.
Sunday - got up 'early' to go queue for tickets to Shakespeare in the Park, arrived midday. Got through 3/4 of the 400-metre line but then were told tickets all gone, and the last tickets went to someone who queued up at 5:45am. Reconciled the wasted time with the fact our sardonic southern-hemisphere humour had entertained small segments of the crowd. Ran into Claudia and Andreas and drowned sorrows with excellent brunch on Upper West Side. Then headed to SoHo for shopping, including at least 90 minutes at UniQlo blowing Ara's hard-earned cash, before walking the Brooklyn Bridge. Couldn't be bothered waiting an hour in the line at Grimaldi's Pizza, so split for Fifth Avenue (Brooklyn) to meet Polina for dinner (excellent Mexican, including AVOCADO FRIES!) and then The Chocolate Room where Ara died of cocoa excellence, before we saw him on to the F train bound for Manhattan.
So all that being said, if you're heading to New York City any time soon, give me some notice and maybe I'll meet you there...
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Friday, 10 July 2009
Bad 'Models'
No, not clothes models. Models of social, economic and other processes that are really just glorified drawings that could be made by five-year-olds.
What can one actually learn from such a model? Often that 'everything is interconnected' (knew that already), or 'everything is dynamic' (yup got it) or that 'there is a clear sequence of events here' (either obvious or false).
Until I start a real blog to collect these up, I'm going to start here with a doosey from the UK-based 'Consortium for Service Innovation'.
Let me point out some of the key features of the Bad 'Model', expertly implemented in this example:
AH, I get it now, KCS captures the collective experience of the support organization! So you mean "our call centre operators type stuff into their computers which we don't delete but rather store for future use".
Source: http://www.serviceinnovation.org/our_work/
What can one actually learn from such a model? Often that 'everything is interconnected' (knew that already), or 'everything is dynamic' (yup got it) or that 'there is a clear sequence of events here' (either obvious or false).
Until I start a real blog to collect these up, I'm going to start here with a doosey from the UK-based 'Consortium for Service Innovation'.
Let me point out some of the key features of the Bad 'Model', expertly implemented in this example:
- absolutely key is the mid-late nineties Microsoft(tm) PowerPoint(tm)(c) cloud shapes - putting them at the top of the diagram really helps users orient the page
- awkward stick figures doing 'zany' things EVERYWHERE on the diagram
- random punctuation marks in a 'wacky' font that emphasizes just how fun this all is
- funnels and cones of causality, showing...uhhh...that things that start large can get smaller
- you got your arbitrary numbering of 'levels' in there, nice!
- arrows connecting almost everything to everything else (note to self: bi-directional arrows are WAY cooler than those boring uni-directional ones)
- the ability to form cool new buzzPHRASES by stringing together the buzzwords already in the diagram, for example "Level 1 Knowledge Base(d) Community Conversations" or how about "Assisted Self-Help Community" - sounds like a retirement village advertisement!
AH, I get it now, KCS captures the collective experience of the support organization! So you mean "our call centre operators type stuff into their computers which we don't delete but rather store for future use".
Source: http://www.serviceinnovation.org/our_work/
Thursday, 2 July 2009
We were on a boat!
These are my 2008-09 Ann Arbor roommates Tim and Alex.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1912316&l=a386f5b53e&id=703999762
And here is some context for all y'all dying to know what all the fuss is about.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QwM4vXex7c
Tuesday, 26 May 2009
Washington, D.C. / It's paradise to me / It's not because it is the grand old seat / Of precious freedom and democracy
By now you may have heard I'm in Washington DC for a few months. Why?
I'm going to be a Research Assistant for the Board on Science, Technology and Economic Policy at the National Academy of Science (NAS), starting tomorrow. A mouthful, yes!
Here's a little excerpt from something I already wrote about it:
"The National Academies are the 'advisors to the nation on science, engineering and medicine'. Though funded by Congress, they remain independent of the Executive and Legislative branches, and less than half of their work is commissioned by either branch; they have significant discretion in directing their investigatory resources. This allows the NAS to maintain both the credibility of independence and the kind of clout needed to make a real impact in policy debates. The Board on Science, Technology and Economic Policy (STEP) of the NAS is at the nexus of policy debates over patent systems, high-skilled immigration, government investment in renewable energy technology, and national innovation schemes more generally. These are exactly the types of policy, and the types of policy-making process that generate them, that I came to the US to study. From their website:
In 1991, as concern about international economic competition intensified, the Academies created a standing program on Science, Technology, and Economic Policy (STEP) to identify means of accelerating innovation, advancing competitiveness, and improving monitoring of the nation’s economic performance through the Academies’ process of convening expert committees, conferences, and workshops, and issuing thoroughly reviewed, authoritative reports. Under the guidance of a committee of industrialists, financial executives, former policymakers, and academic economists (including three Nobel Laureates) STEP has addressed questions of trade, tax, human resources, intellectual property, research and development, information, and statistical policy.
The STEP Board then, was created by a federally-funded organization (NAS) to ensure America's economic competitiveness in the 21st century. My research interests could be summarized as “how do governments use their resources and apparatus to encourage economic development and competitiveness through technological development”, and so the STEP Board is almost the best fit imaginable. While there I would be working as a research assistant to the Board's permanent Director, researching and writing reports on immigration, patent reform, and whatever other work commences in my time here."
So that's a little bit about what I'll be doing, it should be fun. Here's the website of my group: http://ping.fm/Y2ZQJ
I'm in a hotel for the next few nights (semi-affordable thanks to priceline.com's name-your-price feature), then some BnB/couch-surfing until I can move into my new place in Columbia Heights on June 7: http://tinyurl.com/2k74kr
Thanks to Fulbright New Zealand's Sir Wallace Rowling Award for funding my stay here! http://ping.fm/lKzxG
I'm going to be a Research Assistant for the Board on Science, Technology and Economic Policy at the National Academy of Science (NAS), starting tomorrow. A mouthful, yes!
Here's a little excerpt from something I already wrote about it:
"The National Academies are the 'advisors to the nation on science, engineering and medicine'. Though funded by Congress, they remain independent of the Executive and Legislative branches, and less than half of their work is commissioned by either branch; they have significant discretion in directing their investigatory resources. This allows the NAS to maintain both the credibility of independence and the kind of clout needed to make a real impact in policy debates. The Board on Science, Technology and Economic Policy (STEP) of the NAS is at the nexus of policy debates over patent systems, high-skilled immigration, government investment in renewable energy technology, and national innovation schemes more generally. These are exactly the types of policy, and the types of policy-making process that generate them, that I came to the US to study. From their website:
In 1991, as concern about international economic competition intensified, the Academies created a standing program on Science, Technology, and Economic Policy (STEP) to identify means of accelerating innovation, advancing competitiveness, and improving monitoring of the nation’s economic performance through the Academies’ process of convening expert committees, conferences, and workshops, and issuing thoroughly reviewed, authoritative reports. Under the guidance of a committee of industrialists, financial executives, former policymakers, and academic economists (including three Nobel Laureates) STEP has addressed questions of trade, tax, human resources, intellectual property, research and development, information, and statistical policy.
The STEP Board then, was created by a federally-funded organization (NAS) to ensure America's economic competitiveness in the 21st century. My research interests could be summarized as “how do governments use their resources and apparatus to encourage economic development and competitiveness through technological development”, and so the STEP Board is almost the best fit imaginable. While there I would be working as a research assistant to the Board's permanent Director, researching and writing reports on immigration, patent reform, and whatever other work commences in my time here."
So that's a little bit about what I'll be doing, it should be fun. Here's the website of my group: http://ping.fm/Y2ZQJ
I'm in a hotel for the next few nights (semi-affordable thanks to priceline.com's name-your-price feature), then some BnB/couch-surfing until I can move into my new place in Columbia Heights on June 7: http://tinyurl.com/2k74kr
Thanks to Fulbright New Zealand's Sir Wallace Rowling Award for funding my stay here! http://ping.fm/lKzxG
Monday, 25 May 2009
Photos from recent parental visit
Mum, Dad and my Aunt Lindy visited for the past few weeks. We went to Chicago, Ann Arbor, DC and New York.
Photos:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=77154&id=703999762&l=3059dc788a
More photos:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=78695&id=703999762&l=936c736d4c
Photos:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=77154&id=703999762&l=3059dc788a
More photos:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=78695&id=703999762&l=936c736d4c
Friday, 9 January 2009
Leaving the Rez
When I left you last, I'd described my eventful journey out to the Cheyenne River Youth Project in Eagle Butte, South Dakota. What did I do out there?
We spent the time from arrival until Christmas Eve 'picking and wrapping'. Picking involves reading the Dear Santa letters sent in by kids who participate in the CRYP's after-school kids and youth programs (it is these programs that the other volunteers staff during normal business weeks, such as Andy did earlier in 2008). The kids write a little bit about their year, how they've been doing at school and why they deserve their presents. Then they have space to list a few items they'd really like for Christmas.
Most of the letters are identical to what one would read anywhere in the developed world (can I have an Xbox, a Bratz doll, a basketball). But the odd one was truly heartbreaking: stories of obvious poverty and young children prematurely aware of the difficulties of life on the Rez, such as those that wish only for more blankets and clothes. After a few moments of quiet contemplation at your own fortunate situation you get back under control and back to work, picking out four or so presents for each kid, and then putting them in a garbage sack. Then the sacks go into a box labeled for the family, and then wrappers come pick up a box at a time. The system really was quite a marvel to behold.
The 23rd was a loooong day...16 hours of wrapping. After coming in with very few wrapping skillz, I emerged as somewhat of an expert, sought throughout the center to consult on difficult objects such as skateboards and toy lawnmowers. Over the day the speed picked up about two-fold without a noticeable drop in quality which was good.
The real warm fuzzies came on Christmas Eve when I was selected for Santa duty, no doubt due to my portly stature and ability to do a damn fine Santa accent. The suits were excellent, the pillow worked well, and we loaded presents into three pickup trucks to make deliveries across Eagle Butte. Unfortunately, Santa has to sit in the deck of the pickup, huddled out of the wind. I was so glad I had three pairs of gloves and underarmour thermals on! Some of the kids we visited were quite skeptical of the whole Santa act, and one poor little boy was scared out of his wits by the intruder (he would only take presents from Dad or my elf helper, not me directly) but most were over the moon to see Santa and his offerings. I had a tear in my eye more than a few times at the reactions of the little ones.
After deliveries were complete, my job there was effectively done and it felt strange to be doing nothing on Christmas and Boxing Day after working so hard beforehand. But the rest was welcome. We had an amazing Christmas lunch thanks to Christmas coordinator Ben (from London) that was reminiscent of home with great roast potatoes and even steamed pudding with custard and cream. I ate more than anybody and was quite content. Then later, at my suggestion, the volunteers watched 'Requiem for a Dream' at my suggestion. NOT A GOOD CHRISTMAS MOVIE despite the single Christmas reference in there. On Boxing Day we made some Karaoke magic at the Christmas-thank-you party. CRYP really knows how to look after its volunteers. We thanked them back with stirring renditions of Ziggy Stardust, Smells Like Teen Spirit, and of course the obligatory Down Under (a duet of Julie the director and me).
The next day I packed up and left the Center, a little sad and more than a little attached to the place and people. I'm sure I'll return some day for a longer stint. Julie drove Ben and I to Pierre, where we all stayed the night after a meal and a few drinks. I had my first taste of Buffalo meat and it was a religious experience! Think of the beefiest beef you've ever had, and then square the taste and halve the fat and cholesterol and you've got Buffalo. Hopefully one day they will roam the prairie as they used to: there is a decent change of this as many good people are devoted to their return. A cure for America's obesity epidemic perhaps? Not at current prices but perhaps one day.
The next day I had a quick look around the SD Capitol building, which had lovely Christmas decorations, and then Julie took me to the airport and I flew back to Detroit, which was blissfully uneventful. Except when I arrived home to no electricity at my house. Flooding and 'high' winds (35mph?) had knocked out 200,000 Michigan customers and so it was morning until my street was back online. Lucky I could sleep by the gas fire. A few days later I traveled out to New York City for New Years, but that is another story for another time (soon).
Photos of South Dakota trip: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=47756&id=703999762&l=04af807ad5
We spent the time from arrival until Christmas Eve 'picking and wrapping'. Picking involves reading the Dear Santa letters sent in by kids who participate in the CRYP's after-school kids and youth programs (it is these programs that the other volunteers staff during normal business weeks, such as Andy did earlier in 2008). The kids write a little bit about their year, how they've been doing at school and why they deserve their presents. Then they have space to list a few items they'd really like for Christmas.
Most of the letters are identical to what one would read anywhere in the developed world (can I have an Xbox, a Bratz doll, a basketball). But the odd one was truly heartbreaking: stories of obvious poverty and young children prematurely aware of the difficulties of life on the Rez, such as those that wish only for more blankets and clothes. After a few moments of quiet contemplation at your own fortunate situation you get back under control and back to work, picking out four or so presents for each kid, and then putting them in a garbage sack. Then the sacks go into a box labeled for the family, and then wrappers come pick up a box at a time. The system really was quite a marvel to behold.
The 23rd was a loooong day...16 hours of wrapping. After coming in with very few wrapping skillz, I emerged as somewhat of an expert, sought throughout the center to consult on difficult objects such as skateboards and toy lawnmowers. Over the day the speed picked up about two-fold without a noticeable drop in quality which was good.
The real warm fuzzies came on Christmas Eve when I was selected for Santa duty, no doubt due to my portly stature and ability to do a damn fine Santa accent. The suits were excellent, the pillow worked well, and we loaded presents into three pickup trucks to make deliveries across Eagle Butte. Unfortunately, Santa has to sit in the deck of the pickup, huddled out of the wind. I was so glad I had three pairs of gloves and underarmour thermals on! Some of the kids we visited were quite skeptical of the whole Santa act, and one poor little boy was scared out of his wits by the intruder (he would only take presents from Dad or my elf helper, not me directly) but most were over the moon to see Santa and his offerings. I had a tear in my eye more than a few times at the reactions of the little ones.
After deliveries were complete, my job there was effectively done and it felt strange to be doing nothing on Christmas and Boxing Day after working so hard beforehand. But the rest was welcome. We had an amazing Christmas lunch thanks to Christmas coordinator Ben (from London) that was reminiscent of home with great roast potatoes and even steamed pudding with custard and cream. I ate more than anybody and was quite content. Then later, at my suggestion, the volunteers watched 'Requiem for a Dream' at my suggestion. NOT A GOOD CHRISTMAS MOVIE despite the single Christmas reference in there. On Boxing Day we made some Karaoke magic at the Christmas-thank-you party. CRYP really knows how to look after its volunteers. We thanked them back with stirring renditions of Ziggy Stardust, Smells Like Teen Spirit, and of course the obligatory Down Under (a duet of Julie the director and me).
The next day I packed up and left the Center, a little sad and more than a little attached to the place and people. I'm sure I'll return some day for a longer stint. Julie drove Ben and I to Pierre, where we all stayed the night after a meal and a few drinks. I had my first taste of Buffalo meat and it was a religious experience! Think of the beefiest beef you've ever had, and then square the taste and halve the fat and cholesterol and you've got Buffalo. Hopefully one day they will roam the prairie as they used to: there is a decent change of this as many good people are devoted to their return. A cure for America's obesity epidemic perhaps? Not at current prices but perhaps one day.
The next day I had a quick look around the SD Capitol building, which had lovely Christmas decorations, and then Julie took me to the airport and I flew back to Detroit, which was blissfully uneventful. Except when I arrived home to no electricity at my house. Flooding and 'high' winds (35mph?) had knocked out 200,000 Michigan customers and so it was morning until my street was back online. Lucky I could sleep by the gas fire. A few days later I traveled out to New York City for New Years, but that is another story for another time (soon).
Photos of South Dakota trip: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=47756&id=703999762&l=04af807ad5
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