I think that lately the difficulty behind regular blogging is that it requires the same kind of thinking as my job. I go to work each day, and I've got to come up with all this stuff to say all the time... Intelligent opinions, feedback, creative ideas, etc. The blog is like that, too. It doesn't have to be intelligent, I suppose, but it has to be something somewhat unique and from me. Recently I'm noticing a lot of instances when I don't know what I think or what to say. In fact, I might be brain dead. Much of the time, I just want to say, "I don't know. What do you think?" Maybe it's a sign that I've naturally come to a point where I am ready to develop my active listening skills.
Unfortunately for you, I subscribe to the theory that if you have writers' block, you just have to write through it. About whatever comes to mind, without considering the quality too much. As long as you write (or in this case blog) something, you're making progress.
On that note, over the weekend I did a massive early spring cleaning. You might be surprised at how useful and truly inspirational Organization for Dummies actually is. I threw out about four garbage bags full of old papers, files I didn't need anymore, goodwill stuff, art projects gone wrong, and the like. Then I rearranged my bedroom furniture. My things still aren't as organized as I would like them (my biggest problem is clothes and where to put them), but it's a good
start -- a bit of a clean slate for 2007.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Friday, January 05, 2007
The SFUSD is ridiculous
In an effort to keep this blog movin', I promised myself that I would post something every day before leaving work for as long as possible. Now it's getting hard. I can't get my camera to download pictures, so I have no easy way out. I think I'm going to have to write about something.
That something is going to be the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) and their ridiculous enrollment policies. I have recently been semi-involved in applications for elementary school (or at least I've been an active observer). In other places, public school is public school. That means there's a school in your neighborhood, your parents at some point roll into the office and tell the school you need to go there, and you go. It's close, it's convenient, if the public schools are bad your parents start trying to figure out a private school option, but you've always got the back up of the school down the street.
In San Francisco, it is nowhere near that easy. They've got this whole system set up to promote economic diversity in each school. That means you can't just send your kid to the school down the street. You fill out an application with a bunch of personal information and a list of your top seven choices of any of the public schools in the city. Your kid has only an 80% chance of actually getting admitted to one of those seven schools. There is a waitlist for each school and a second round. Keep in mind your neighborhood school might be one of those that are really poor quality.
Essentially, they're trying to prevent having all the rich kids going to one school. They don't want the schools in the Marina to have a better quality of education, or more funding (there is a lot of fund-raising through parents and communities in the public schools here) than the schools in the Mission. That's an admirable goal, but I don't think they've seriously thought about the repercussions of this system. It means that a parent who lives in the Noe Valley and works downtown could easily have to somehow get their kid all the way to a school in the outer Sunset before heading into the office. That could easily add an hour to your morning commute, and you'd never be leaving the city. It also means they have to figure out someway to get their kid home at 3 pm.
I remember that I started coming home from school on my own in middle school, but a lot of the kids I went to school with took the school buses home. This system makes that overly difficult as well, because it's one thing to have a ten-year-old walk home or talk a school bus alone, but it's an entirely different thing to expect them to get from Cole Valley to Potrero Hill unsupervised.
I'm pretty sure that this whole system is why I see tons of kids under five in the city, but rarely see kids that are older. Unless you get lucky and get accepted to a decent school near your place, the system becomes unworkable since it's pretty much impossible to live in the city and support kids without two working parents.
And no, the fact that I'm thinking about kindergartens does not make me old. I'm going to go out and rage tonight just to prove it. And when I say "rage" I mean drink a glass of wine, watch a DVD, and fall asleep on the couch at 10:30.
That something is going to be the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) and their ridiculous enrollment policies. I have recently been semi-involved in applications for elementary school (or at least I've been an active observer). In other places, public school is public school. That means there's a school in your neighborhood, your parents at some point roll into the office and tell the school you need to go there, and you go. It's close, it's convenient, if the public schools are bad your parents start trying to figure out a private school option, but you've always got the back up of the school down the street.
In San Francisco, it is nowhere near that easy. They've got this whole system set up to promote economic diversity in each school. That means you can't just send your kid to the school down the street. You fill out an application with a bunch of personal information and a list of your top seven choices of any of the public schools in the city. Your kid has only an 80% chance of actually getting admitted to one of those seven schools. There is a waitlist for each school and a second round. Keep in mind your neighborhood school might be one of those that are really poor quality.
Essentially, they're trying to prevent having all the rich kids going to one school. They don't want the schools in the Marina to have a better quality of education, or more funding (there is a lot of fund-raising through parents and communities in the public schools here) than the schools in the Mission. That's an admirable goal, but I don't think they've seriously thought about the repercussions of this system. It means that a parent who lives in the Noe Valley and works downtown could easily have to somehow get their kid all the way to a school in the outer Sunset before heading into the office. That could easily add an hour to your morning commute, and you'd never be leaving the city. It also means they have to figure out someway to get their kid home at 3 pm.
I remember that I started coming home from school on my own in middle school, but a lot of the kids I went to school with took the school buses home. This system makes that overly difficult as well, because it's one thing to have a ten-year-old walk home or talk a school bus alone, but it's an entirely different thing to expect them to get from Cole Valley to Potrero Hill unsupervised.
I'm pretty sure that this whole system is why I see tons of kids under five in the city, but rarely see kids that are older. Unless you get lucky and get accepted to a decent school near your place, the system becomes unworkable since it's pretty much impossible to live in the city and support kids without two working parents.
And no, the fact that I'm thinking about kindergartens does not make me old. I'm going to go out and rage tonight just to prove it. And when I say "rage" I mean drink a glass of wine, watch a DVD, and fall asleep on the couch at 10:30.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
It's tricky
There's been a lot of confusion expressed to me lately over "Linda." The truth is that her name isn't really "Linda." That's pretty much just a code blog-world name. Her real name sounds a little bit like "Linda" and frequently, in real life, people mis-hear her and think she said her name was Linda when it is really something else that's not quite so common or forty-something sounding. Thus the "Linda" joke. If you have met a friend of mine who looks exactly like the photos of Linda, but who has a different name, then you can pretty much assume that the person you met is really actually the "Linda" I refer to.
On the same note, it's exciting that so many of you are still reading RBlog even though I haven't posted anything in an eternity. There hasn't been much in the way of comments posted recently, but I've received a ton of real-life comments. Makes me feel like the effort is appreciated.
On the same note, it's exciting that so many of you are still reading RBlog even though I haven't posted anything in an eternity. There hasn't been much in the way of comments posted recently, but I've received a ton of real-life comments. Makes me feel like the effort is appreciated.
Should be noodle not Doodle
I was going to actually write something today, but somehow time got away from me. Maybe tonight. In the meantime, in my effort to keep posting regularly, you get a couple pictures of Linda's mom's new GoldenDoodle puppy.
She's a mix between a golden retriever and a poodle. I think that should make a Goldenoodle, but apparently no one agrees with me. I've been told that it's GoldenDoodle. Anyway, the puppy's name is Maggie and Linda's mom is a Proud Puppy Momma (PPM?). And Jeremy is in love with Linda's mom.
She's a mix between a golden retriever and a poodle. I think that should make a Goldenoodle, but apparently no one agrees with me. I've been told that it's GoldenDoodle. Anyway, the puppy's name is Maggie and Linda's mom is a Proud Puppy Momma (PPM?). And Jeremy is in love with Linda's mom.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Happy 2007!
Jeremy, Linda, and I all survived Mexico. Some of us got off better than others. For example, Linda was struck down by a mystery stomach ailment and rung in the new year with a whole lotta pukin'. Honestly, she was sick for days and I was a little worried. I think she's finally on the road to recovery.
I haven't downloaded my photos yet, but here are a few from Jeremy's set to tide you over:
Us Weekly: More captivating than a Mexican sunset. How did the Idols get thin? Linda must know!
Hard to tell where Becky hair stops and Linda hair starts.
By day she's a mild mannered attorney. By night she's La Boca del Mundo, avenger of justice! (This is actually a Mexican wrestling mask I bought for Sam. It hasn't yet left my purse, and I'm not entirely sure I'm going to be able to part with it when the time comes.)
Here's our whole crew on the sunny, sunny balcony. Ay, dios mio. I already miss the sunshine.
I haven't downloaded my photos yet, but here are a few from Jeremy's set to tide you over:
Us Weekly: More captivating than a Mexican sunset. How did the Idols get thin? Linda must know!
Hard to tell where Becky hair stops and Linda hair starts.
By day she's a mild mannered attorney. By night she's La Boca del Mundo, avenger of justice! (This is actually a Mexican wrestling mask I bought for Sam. It hasn't yet left my purse, and I'm not entirely sure I'm going to be able to part with it when the time comes.)
Here's our whole crew on the sunny, sunny balcony. Ay, dios mio. I already miss the sunshine.
This is a test
Well not entirely... I did want to share this photo with you -- it's Dave and Sam on their recent Utah ski trip, and they make me smile. However, I'm primarily interested in whether or not I'll be allowed to keep the photo posted once Dave notices it (if he notices it).
Progress
I haven't forgotten about my resolutions, yet. I took a tour of the Embarcadero Y yesterday and got a free pass to work out until January 16. I want to look at the one in the Presidio and also the one that's closer to my office, but the YMCA membership seems like a pretty solid bet. I'll be ready to sign up for a membership before the end of next week.
I've made less progress on the motorcycle license, but here's the scooter I think I might buy:
Isn't it cute? It's under $2000, and also comes in pink. The riding lessons start back up the third weekend in January, so by then I won't have any excuses left and I'll just have to go and do my best not to kill myself. There are four different weekend sets of lessons I could attend before the end of February.
I've made less progress on the motorcycle license, but here's the scooter I think I might buy:
Isn't it cute? It's under $2000, and also comes in pink. The riding lessons start back up the third weekend in January, so by then I won't have any excuses left and I'll just have to go and do my best not to kill myself. There are four different weekend sets of lessons I could attend before the end of February.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Don't get used to the posts
I'll soon be flying to San Diego with Jeremy to celebrate New Years 2007. Linda is going to pick us up at the airport and drive us to a house that's been rented in Rosarito, Mexico. There we will be joined by a posse of people I have never met before and the festivities will begin! I'll be away from a computer for several days, thus there will be no posts.
Sadly, my steady date will not be joining us on the Mexican adventure. He's currently in Utah, on a family-fun style ski trip. I'm trying not to feel too disappointed about the New Year's kisses I'll be missing, since it is primarily my fault. I'm a lousy skier and had a lot of fun with my family already this holiday season, so heading south seemed like the clear choice over Utah. I think that as a team, Jeremy and Linda will make a fabulous stand-in New Year's eve date. They've got it all... Looks, brains, super sarcastic senses of humor, booze, and a rental house in Rosarito. Plus, I hear they're both real good kissers.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Sadly, my steady date will not be joining us on the Mexican adventure. He's currently in Utah, on a family-fun style ski trip. I'm trying not to feel too disappointed about the New Year's kisses I'll be missing, since it is primarily my fault. I'm a lousy skier and had a lot of fun with my family already this holiday season, so heading south seemed like the clear choice over Utah. I think that as a team, Jeremy and Linda will make a fabulous stand-in New Year's eve date. They've got it all... Looks, brains, super sarcastic senses of humor, booze, and a rental house in Rosarito. Plus, I hear they're both real good kissers.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Design by MUNI
On a lot of the MUNI trains and buses, they have this little sign up near where the driver sits. It says, "INFORMATION GLADLY GIVEN BUT SAFETY REQUIRES AVOIDING UNNECESSARY CONVERSATION."
I've often thought that phrase would be great on a t-shirt, and that MUNI should make them and sell them online to earn some extra money to run the J Church more than once an hour.
I've often thought that phrase would be great on a t-shirt, and that MUNI should make them and sell them online to earn some extra money to run the J Church more than once an hour.
Annulment in Oregon
Over the holiday, one of my friends mentioned that his marriage was actually annulled. It was previously understood that he got divorced. My mom, sister, and I were trying to figure out what the differences in grounds for a divorce vs grounds for an annulment are. I always thought it had to do with the amount of time that the marriage actually lasted. My sister (who works in a law firm and is surrounded by attorneys who seem to enjoy answering random legal questions) checked up on it and sent an email this morning, writing:
"Apparently in the state of Oregon there are very few grounds for legal annulment which include:
1) one of the parties was married at the time of remarriage
2) the parties are cousins or better
3) fraud
4) parties were incompetent at the time they entered into the marriage (they were minors or had some mental illness etc.)
5) parties were forced into marriage
The law states nothing about a time limit on annulment. Interesting, eh?
Also, there is the type of annulment that happens in the Catholic Church, but a marriage that was annulled in the Church would have to be legally dissolved somehow either by annulment or divorce."
That clears that up. Now I'm a little perplexed about this guy and his ex-wife/not wife. Does he suffer mental illness? Did he accidentally confess to me that she was really his cousin? What constitutes fraud in a marriage? When Britney Spears married that guy in Vegas, did they get a divorce, or did they have it annulled? I'm sure she could have made a case for mental illness.
"Apparently in the state of Oregon there are very few grounds for legal annulment which include:
1) one of the parties was married at the time of remarriage
2) the parties are cousins or better
3) fraud
4) parties were incompetent at the time they entered into the marriage (they were minors or had some mental illness etc.)
5) parties were forced into marriage
The law states nothing about a time limit on annulment. Interesting, eh?
Also, there is the type of annulment that happens in the Catholic Church, but a marriage that was annulled in the Church would have to be legally dissolved somehow either by annulment or divorce."
That clears that up. Now I'm a little perplexed about this guy and his ex-wife/not wife. Does he suffer mental illness? Did he accidentally confess to me that she was really his cousin? What constitutes fraud in a marriage? When Britney Spears married that guy in Vegas, did they get a divorce, or did they have it annulled? I'm sure she could have made a case for mental illness.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
We'll call them New Year's resolutions
I have a couple things that I don't particularly want to do, but need to take care of soon. Getting these things done would be a relief, since I've been putting them off for months. Supposedly one of the best things you can do to help yourself accomplish goals is declare them publicly, so here you go:
1) I will join a gym before the end of January. The Bay Club and the YMCA are both still on the short list. Crunch, 24-Hour, Equinox, and Sports Club LA are all officially out.
2) I have to finish the motorcycle class and get my license. I'd like to give this the same end of January deadline, but it seems overly ambitious. I'm shooting for the end of February.
1) I will join a gym before the end of January. The Bay Club and the YMCA are both still on the short list. Crunch, 24-Hour, Equinox, and Sports Club LA are all officially out.
2) I have to finish the motorcycle class and get my license. I'd like to give this the same end of January deadline, but it seems overly ambitious. I'm shooting for the end of February.
If only Sally had a blog
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, December 27, 2006 2:40 PM
Subject: RE: fabulous!
Can I blog a picture of how swollen your face was after your surgery?
I haven't posted anything in about a zillion years and I'm looking for new material.
RB
12/27/2006 03:13 PM
To
"'RBrownin
cc
Subject
RE: fabulous!
Are you serious? Your friends already make enough fun of me without seeing me look like Alfred Hitchcock. I guess you can post it as long as you keep it academic... no comments about drooling.
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, December 27, 2006 3:30 PM
Subject: RE: fabulous!
Well, I don't have to. Got anything else interesting?
RB
12/27/2006 03:31 PM
To
"'RBrownin
cc
Subject
RE: fabulous!
Hmmm.... not really. You could write something about how Tony Blair flies commercial. I think that is a bit odd.
Sent: Wednesday, December 27, 2006 2:40 PM
Subject: RE: fabulous!
Can I blog a picture of how swollen your face was after your surgery?
I haven't posted anything in about a zillion years and I'm looking for new material.
RB
12/27/2006 03:13 PM
To
"'RBrownin
cc
Subject
RE: fabulous!
Are you serious? Your friends already make enough fun of me without seeing me look like Alfred Hitchcock. I guess you can post it as long as you keep it academic... no comments about drooling.
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, December 27, 2006 3:30 PM
Subject: RE: fabulous!
Well, I don't have to. Got anything else interesting?
RB
12/27/2006 03:31 PM
To
"'RBrownin
cc
Subject
RE: fabulous!
Hmmm.... not really. You could write something about how Tony Blair flies commercial. I think that is a bit odd.
The new Blogger
I have been trying to convert this blog to the new, non-Beta version that Google has been pushing since back when I actually posted stuff. Today, I think the site decided to let me make the switch, but it has taken an hour so far and I'm still getting nothing but "Your account is currently moving to new Blogger. You will get an email when your move is complete." Kinda seems like the brainiacs at Google should be able to translate my silly blog to Punjabi and beam it to Mars in under an hour, while doing calculus problems on a treadmill. Why the hell is this taking so long?
Once I'm up and running on the new Blogger, I'm considering giving RBlog a whole new look to renew my interest. At the very least, I needs a format that is more photo-friendly. If you have suggestions, make them now.
I'm slightly worried that the promotion of the new Blogger is an early sign that Google is going to start charging for this service. Those worries are fueled by the fact that I've never been able to figure out how Google makes as much money as it seems to make. My favorite rumor about how cool it is to work for Google is that they have an on-campus gym with the equivalent of swimming pool treadmills. I don't know what they're called, but they're mini lap pools where you swim in place against a big jet of water. My second favorite rumor about Google is that the big black buses with the tinted windows that have been spotted in the evenings around Noe Valley and Cole Valley are Google buses, sent to pick up and drop off employees... urban-chic school buses that shuttle between the city and Mountain View.
It's been an hour and a half now. This is ridiculous.
Once I'm up and running on the new Blogger, I'm considering giving RBlog a whole new look to renew my interest. At the very least, I needs a format that is more photo-friendly. If you have suggestions, make them now.
I'm slightly worried that the promotion of the new Blogger is an early sign that Google is going to start charging for this service. Those worries are fueled by the fact that I've never been able to figure out how Google makes as much money as it seems to make. My favorite rumor about how cool it is to work for Google is that they have an on-campus gym with the equivalent of swimming pool treadmills. I don't know what they're called, but they're mini lap pools where you swim in place against a big jet of water. My second favorite rumor about Google is that the big black buses with the tinted windows that have been spotted in the evenings around Noe Valley and Cole Valley are Google buses, sent to pick up and drop off employees... urban-chic school buses that shuttle between the city and Mountain View.
It's been an hour and a half now. This is ridiculous.
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Okay. Biker Dad has been sitting in this space forever and you're sick of it. I get it.
I'm not sure why, but blogging has not held the usual zing for me over the last couple of months. And I suppose that is obvious at this point. Mostly, my excuses have been that I have no time and nothing to say, though it's clear that neither of these things are true. Or at least they are no more true than they have been at other points in life, during which I was a determined and dedicated blogger.
I suspect that I've just been side-swiped by a case of general malaise this fall. I would liken it to a small period of depression, but that sounds so extreme and unattractive. Nothing has really held the usual zing over the last couple of months and I've been cranky. Salty, as the Jo-tel would say. Shark-like. I was sad to see the end of summer and never really got over it. I'm sure some of this mood is related to all the seriousness and focus required by the new job. Maybe it's the weather? I am damn tired of working full-time and always having school stuff hanging over my head... lurking in the background. That's for certain. I'm sure my failure to join a gym after canceling my last membership in September contributes, as well. In fact, it's probably at least 50% of the problem.
I flew back to SF this morning, after a week in Portland, and the brighter light quality, proximity of my own bed, and the completion of the Christmas have me feeling very optimistic and ready to take action. I expect that I a little blogging will help me sort myself out in the New Year. Watch this space for actual posts. Coming soon!
I'm not sure why, but blogging has not held the usual zing for me over the last couple of months. And I suppose that is obvious at this point. Mostly, my excuses have been that I have no time and nothing to say, though it's clear that neither of these things are true. Or at least they are no more true than they have been at other points in life, during which I was a determined and dedicated blogger.
I suspect that I've just been side-swiped by a case of general malaise this fall. I would liken it to a small period of depression, but that sounds so extreme and unattractive. Nothing has really held the usual zing over the last couple of months and I've been cranky. Salty, as the Jo-tel would say. Shark-like. I was sad to see the end of summer and never really got over it. I'm sure some of this mood is related to all the seriousness and focus required by the new job. Maybe it's the weather? I am damn tired of working full-time and always having school stuff hanging over my head... lurking in the background. That's for certain. I'm sure my failure to join a gym after canceling my last membership in September contributes, as well. In fact, it's probably at least 50% of the problem.
I flew back to SF this morning, after a week in Portland, and the brighter light quality, proximity of my own bed, and the completion of the Christmas have me feeling very optimistic and ready to take action. I expect that I a little blogging will help me sort myself out in the New Year. Watch this space for actual posts. Coming soon!
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