oh, new england

twitter is actually useful

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:16:51 -0400

The traditional media is having trouble in Iran due to official repression, but Twitter is allowing Iranians to communicate to each other and to the outside world about the dramatic post-election happenings. You can follow the postings here. Huffington Post is also maintaining a good live-blog here. It is fascinating to see how events are playing out. Iranians have hit the streets to stand up for their vote, and the government reacted with force. This story is moving so fast you have to follow it online to keep up with it. Apparently, early this morning, Ayatollah Rafsanjani called a meeting of the Assembly of Experts, the body in Iran with the authority to choose the successor to the Ayatollah Khameni; according to Iran expert Reza Aslan (on CNN) “the very foundation of the Islamic Republic is up in the air right now.” If you haven’t seen it, the 2007 animated film Persepolis, based on an autobiographical graphic novel, is a good primer on where Iran is.

33

Mon, 8 Jun 2009 09:16:05 -0400

After five months of house hunting, we found a lovely 1920 Victorian in Seekonk, MA that was in a short sale. The process since our initial offer dragged on and on. Unfortunately, the bank is still not in a hurry to complete the transaction. Fortunately, staying with my mother-in-law is allowing us the flexibility to be patient. The bottom line is in a short sale process, expect to wait for long periods of time with no word or news. If you are in a hurry, or have some sort of time limit, a short sale is not for you. However, short sale properties are often the best deal you can find short of a foreclosure, when you have to deal with properties abandoned and damaged. Katie and I are in love with the house, so for us, we are happy to wait. Once we make more progress I will post some updates here.

i am proud to be an american

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:47:37 -0500

Today is a day that I think we will be able to look back upon as the end of an era where divisiveness and corruption dominated the business of our government. President Obama said:

‘On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics. We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.’

This spirit of national unity is what I was hoping for when President Obama decided to enter the race for president. In these times of economic and international turmoil, without precidented in my lifetime, we all need to work together to preserve our union. I believe President Obama is just the man for these times. Tonight Katie and I are going to celebrate the Inauguration at a local restaurant where one of the many gatherings are taking place. What a wonderful day.

cooling off

Sat, 17 Jan 2009 02:48:18 -0500

I visted the Clinton Library in Little Rock and had a fine time there. The campus is beautifully situated on the waterfront. I will have some good pictures up in the next few days. Today I am in Cincinnati OH where I found some Steeler fans and some great hospitality in the Mt Adams district. I am almost home, only a few days out. Speaking of the Steelers, Sunday they play the Ravens in what should be one of the hardest fought games of the year.

a quick trip through the south

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:36:21 -0500

After spending just one evening in Little Rock, AR, I must say I am impressed. They have a fine riverfront district full of life, even on a Wednesday night. The beer selection at the Flying Saucer is the best I have seen, bar none. The hospitality I saw all around town was above and beyond. Tomorrow I will head to the President Clinton Library before I drive north to St. Louis and my amigo John Montonye. Yesterday I was fortunate enough to be able to spend an evening with the Metzgers, in Austin. Their son Gus is maturing before my eyes.