I was supposed to fly out this morning but the flight was full. I'll
try again tomorrow all day and keep you posted. I'm a little worried
about work but otherwise I'm well.
Peter
Monday, August 3, 2009
Paris
Friday, July 31, 2009
Roquebrune
Hi all,
Sunday, July 12, 2009
St. Gilgen
We're well in St. Gilgen Austria. Dad has a cousin here and his
father's family goes way back. This morning we were walking on the
street when a man stopped us to say hello to the cousin of Dad's who
is showing us around. When it was explained who we were he said that
he had lived for a time in the property that Dad's great grandparents
once owned here. The guesthouse of the property is itself three
stories tall and elegant looking. Aparently out great great
grandfather was very well off.
The area is stunningly beautiful so I'll have plenty of pictures to
post to the Internet once we get back.
Tomorrow we head back to Paris where we'll stay until dad leaves on
Thursday.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Normandie
Having a great time in Nor,qndie; but I cant write much because I
donùt hqve time + Im on a strange keyboard;
Relaxed and sleeping well in places with walls a foot thick:::::and the food;
Be well:
peter
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
France
Dad and I have found each other and all is well. It's surprisingly hot
in Paris and jet lag is kicking in. Be well. I'll try to write more
tomorrow.
Sent from my iPod
Monday, March 16, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Thats one way to put it
From Harpers: Number of times in 2008 that the S&P 500 closed up or down 5 percent in a single day: 17
Number of times between 1956 and 2007 it did this: 17
Source: The Vanguard Group (Malvern, Pa.)
Friday, February 27, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Class is out. Off to Tahoe.
Wednesday I submitted the grades for my course and I'm surprised at how happy I am with how the class progressed over the summer. I had a busy time planning and teaching, going out of town/state almost every weekend, and spending the rest of my time with a good guy in Co Springs (alas, he is moving). In the midst of it all I was too busy to reflect much on the course. But two weeks before the end of the class a few students explained to me that their religious backgrounds had biased them against the idea of evolution. They thought that evolution was itself opposed to religion and I had made them see otherwise. I had explained that evolution doesn't really comment on religion and that many of the early prominent biologists (eg, Mendel) were members of the clergy. I think explaining evolution and natural selection without comment on religion is exactly what made them see that there is no need for religion to attack evolution, for evolutionary theory isn't attacking religion. They directly told me "thats not what I thought evolution was" or, paraphrasing, 'my wife doesn't like evolution becuase the church tells her not to, but I can see they're very different.'
I couldn't ask for greater praise from my students. I'm looking forward to the fall when I'll be teaching another section of the same ecology course and two sections of biology for non-majors.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
Wall E - I can't wait
John Lasseter is the biggest name in film you don't know. He's been the director or producer of every Pixar film to date. It is an unparalleled track record and Wall E will continue the streak.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
McCain supports wiretapping without warrants
In another shift from the right position to the wrong position, McCain backs Bush's wiretapping program, here. Anyone who wants to vote for the year 2000 version of John McCain needs to wake up and realize that person does not exist anymore.
Obama
Frank Rich nails it:
Obama plays better in the rest of the world than I think most Americans will ever realize, here, here, here, and here - The Economist's take. Moreover, a change in look, approach, and rhetoric is, in itself, substantial to the rest of the world.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
I completely agree with this Hillary supporter...
Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell (a Clinton supporter) on Clinton's posturing following her loss of the nomination, on the idea of Obama asking her to be VP, and on the difficulties posed by Bill.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Clinton loses, gives victory speech....what the fuck?
I'm buying into the egomaniac ideas about her. Bringing up the bullshit that she won the popular vote doesn't help either. (Parts of the speech are pretty good, but still...)
Sunday, May 25, 2008
It's over ...... right?
The difference between Hillary's response to Obama's "bitter" comment (article, video: massive political attack "Obama, the elitist") and Obama's response to Hillary's "assassination" comment (article; she was probably tired and didn't mean any offense) is a striking example of the character differences between these two.
In the running for worst policy of the Democratic Party
The New Yorker: The free trade paradox:
"At times, the campaign has looked like a contest over who hates free trade more: Obama has argued that free-trade agreements like NAFTA are bought and paid for by special interests, while Clinton has emphasized the need to “stand up” to countries like China."
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
One Point McCain
One point to McCain. McCain opposed the farm bill. Obama supported it.