Friday, August 16, 2013
Thursday, August 15, 2013
...and we could call it China
How is it that a noted heavy metal rocker makes more sense than most politicians?
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Scheduling
On page one:
"Children may be able to learn anything, but if you wanted to learn French, you should have started when you were six."
From Guitar Zero, a book about learning.
"Children may be able to learn anything, but if you wanted to learn French, you should have started when you were six."
From Guitar Zero, a book about learning.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Prosthetic Art
I hope that I never have to wear prosthetic limbs. And if I ever do, I hope they come equipped with jet packs and the ability to shoot fireballs.
But until then, and if, these are pretty awesome.
But until then, and if, these are pretty awesome.
Photo
This is an old photograph, but, still, it delights me. Even though the guy in the hood is likely a codger now and doesn't remember the color of the cop that protected him.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Changes
My wife made an observation about something relative to our trip, the other day. I think she's right.
The girl who had stayed with us now has a boyfriend. Apparently, a serious boyfriend. When they walk together, they stay close, and he'll frequently kiss her on the cheek. The parents are a little concerned because the girl has gotten her first diploma, so, she could right now go out and get a job as an apprentice.
A side note: in the French educational system, you can get multiple diplomas -- the first, for your apprentissage, certifies you as an apprentice; the second, the Brevet Professionel or the Baccalaureate Professionel, certifies you as a journeyman (the difference between the two depends on whether you spend more time as a worker than as a student, or the reverse), and the third, the Brevet de Technicien Superieur, certifies you as a qualified technician in your field.
Anyway, since she has that first diploma, she and this guy could decide that young love conquers all, put her career -- well, perhaps not on hold, but certainly on delay - and go build a life together. Her parents don't like that possibility, and so I don't like it. (I wouldn't if it were my daughter, and in my mind, she's still my daughter.) But even without that, I just didn't like those shows of affection -- even the guarded gotta be careful, the parents are watching type - and I didn't know why. Until my wife said: you want her to keep being the sweet, innocent fifteen year old you knew four years ago.
Yeah. That's it, exactly.
The girl who had stayed with us now has a boyfriend. Apparently, a serious boyfriend. When they walk together, they stay close, and he'll frequently kiss her on the cheek. The parents are a little concerned because the girl has gotten her first diploma, so, she could right now go out and get a job as an apprentice.
A side note: in the French educational system, you can get multiple diplomas -- the first, for your apprentissage, certifies you as an apprentice; the second, the Brevet Professionel or the Baccalaureate Professionel, certifies you as a journeyman (the difference between the two depends on whether you spend more time as a worker than as a student, or the reverse), and the third, the Brevet de Technicien Superieur, certifies you as a qualified technician in your field.
Anyway, since she has that first diploma, she and this guy could decide that young love conquers all, put her career -- well, perhaps not on hold, but certainly on delay - and go build a life together. Her parents don't like that possibility, and so I don't like it. (I wouldn't if it were my daughter, and in my mind, she's still my daughter.) But even without that, I just didn't like those shows of affection -- even the guarded gotta be careful, the parents are watching type - and I didn't know why. Until my wife said: you want her to keep being the sweet, innocent fifteen year old you knew four years ago.
Yeah. That's it, exactly.
Contacts
Sometimes, electronic closeness amazes me.
Sitting here on a quiet Sunday morning, I'm aware of family tensions in a family I've never met, in a country I've never visited, near a continent I've never been to -- all because I know one member of the family, and we talk a lot. I would bet that people there would be astonished to learn that their lives are, at least a little, known to someone on the other side of the world.
Or maybe just me?
Sitting here on a quiet Sunday morning, I'm aware of family tensions in a family I've never met, in a country I've never visited, near a continent I've never been to -- all because I know one member of the family, and we talk a lot. I would bet that people there would be astonished to learn that their lives are, at least a little, known to someone on the other side of the world.
Or maybe just me?
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Mood
I found a site called StereoMood where they say turn your mood into music!
I couldn't find one for I told my neighbor I'd take care of her dog while she was gone, and when I went over there this morning the damn dog had taken a dump in the kitchen, then walked through it. I guess nothing short of Ride of the Valkyries adequately expresses my mood, at the moment.
I couldn't find one for I told my neighbor I'd take care of her dog while she was gone, and when I went over there this morning the damn dog had taken a dump in the kitchen, then walked through it. I guess nothing short of Ride of the Valkyries adequately expresses my mood, at the moment.
Wednesday, August 07, 2013
Tuesday, August 06, 2013
streaming
My wife just gave me a Sodastream, which pleased me. Now all I need is to find somewhere to get some fruit flavorings......
Monday, August 05, 2013
Starts
It is not exercise by any reasonable definition. But my wife and I have begun walking briskly for a quarter mile, and then at a casual pace for the return. My goal is to be able to do this, walk briskly without stopping, for a mile. We'll worry about other goals when I can do this one.
It is not studying by any reasonable definition. But today I started listening to French dictees for the first time in quite some time. My goal is to be able to completely understand one dictee, start to finish (about 3 minutes). When I can do that, we'll try another.
Hey, it's a start.
It is not studying by any reasonable definition. But today I started listening to French dictees for the first time in quite some time. My goal is to be able to completely understand one dictee, start to finish (about 3 minutes). When I can do that, we'll try another.
Hey, it's a start.
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