a Geographer's Place

Case's Fieldwork

2011-05-27T07:49:00.000-07:00

Fieldwork. MY kind of fieldwork involves two things: working hard and playing hard. Yes, there’s also safety, planning, getting equipment and funding, etc., etc., blah, blah. But it all comes down to working and playing.

It’s my goal to instill the kind of fieldwork I learned into the hearts of my students—those brave enough to embark on excursions with me. Because the only way to really learn it, is to do it.

Fieldwork can be trying, rigorous, dangerous, challenging, and frustrating. In my eyes at least, it should also be fun. Sure you may get very hot or super cold, be extremely dry or soaking wet, and sweat like a puerco estacado. But you’ll also be richly rewarded...if not with good, usable data, then with experience that will, hopefully later, lead to wisdom.

So here I am, in my little apartment on my beloved Island of Grenada in the Caribbean while students scamper around the Island on the annual G.R.E.N.A.D.A. (Go, Run, Explore New And Diverse Areas). All part of fieldwork. Lovely.

Right-sizing

2011-01-07T14:46:00.004-07:00

I'm writing this post for a friend who suggested I chronicle my recent life events. So here we go...

After my father died, my mother had a LOT to maintain: several horses on several acres means fence repairs, irrigating the pasture, feeding the horses, maintaining the out buildings, and more. We tried, unsuccessfully, for a couple years to get her to "right-size". Not down-size, since smaller isn't necessarily better. But find the size that was right for her. Apparently, she thought the farm was her right-size (though even she admitted she couldn't handle all it entailed...so was it her right-size?)

Over the last couple years, I've reflected on the idea of "right-sizing" and found it quite helpful. How much "stuff" do I really need? How large of a living space do I really need? I've never had much stuff to begin with, but I have even less now it seems.

It's nice.

I live downtown in a studio-size place (renting right now, maybe buying in the future...who knows?) It's a 7-minute walk from my home door to my office door. Plenty of shopping and food opportunities nearby, and I walk most everywhere. After a few months of living here, I even sold my beloved truck.

(And it was my MOST favorite vehicle I've owned! I loved Seven [my truck] more than my little '83 GLC [see a previous post]).

Now I use public transportation to get around the valley. If I need to take a longer excursion, I rent a car. Several rental agencies have shops just blocks from my place. And by renting, I forgo a car payment and car insurance, as well as vehicle maintenance. To get around town quicker than walking, I use Denver's B-Cycle program.

My bank is a five-minute walk. My doctor and dentist just down the street. Even my chiropractor and insurance agent are just a few minutes walk from my building. I can see all of these from my balcony that overlooks the city. When I need fresh food, I stop into Cook's Fresh Market, or use Door-to-Door Organics. And then there's the Denver Arts scene with world-class museum exhibits, plays & musicals, and downtown exhibitions.

It's nice.

Being from "the country", I always dreamed of living in a city, but thought I would not like it. Yet while I still enjoy the outdoors (perhaps more now than when I lived in the country), here I am, living downtown. And enjoying every minute.

The Anthropocene

2010-03-12T08:06:00.003-07:00

According to the geologic era/epoch/period format, we live in the "Holocene"--the last 10,000 years or so. But for some years now, some academic folks have claimed human influence on the Earth has been dramatic. (Actually, they don't call it "human", since that would be sexist (it has "man" in it). They instead use the term "anthropogenic" (human-created).

Anyway, because of the apparent extreme anthropogenic influence, some academics say we've moved out of the Holocene and into a new geologic epoch called the Anthropocene. They cite evidence that since the industrial revolution (that's usually the start-time), human--I mean anthropogenic--influence has really been the key factor shaping Earth.

Good argument, sure. Good evidence, yes. I've heard and read good arguments on both sides.

But still, the term has a difficult time catching on in Science. Maybe we don't want to admit the influence we've had...Maybe we're still too politically-correct to use "human"...Maybe people are fed up with change...It's anyone's guess.

I use the term in my classes to illustrate how Science can change, but that the change can be a long and arduous process. It takes a LOT of effort and cooperation to change anything in Science.

Just ask the planet Pluto...

Court Wisdom

2010-02-08T13:40:00.005-07:00

I come from a family of basketball and softball players. My mother was an avid softball player--she could play any position very well. She got offered a position on the American Girls Baseball League, but had to turn it down to help raise her siblings and run the farm. But I remember her teaching me the fundamentals.

Apparently my dad was a great basketball player in his youth, and I've heard stories about how good he was from his friends. He played hard. I'm talking like Jerry Sloan hard: tough screens, elbows out, strong drives. And he played the same even into his late 60s.

My first real basketball education came while living in Mexico with Cameron and playing on a city league-ish team. I had just turned 15 years old and didn't know how to "box out" or "crash boards". I came back from Mexico with good skills in each (thanks, Cameron). Once at Weber State, Cameron and I played many a pick-up game, where I gained even more pointers and refined my skills.

My second real basketball education was playing city league in Idaho Falls with Bob and Cameron. Cam and I would drive from Ogden to Idaho Falls (and most times, back) once a week just to play one game. But it was sweeeet: three brothers playing at the same time on the same team. Just plain fun. Aside form learning how to play "tough" ball, I got really good advice from Bob, like: "If you score you make one person happy; if you make an assist, you make two people happy". I still look to pass first (unless I'm under the basket).

For a few years, I couldn't get enough basketball. I would start playing pick-up games in the morning after cleaning movies theaters and as long as the team I was on won, I'd just stay there--to the detriment of my GPA because I missed so many classes! But it was fun. I liked playing against people who were larger, or taller, or just thought they were "all that". Because I play "tough" ball. I don't call fouls--either way. I just liked to play. I still do.

Anyway, for the past month I've been playing basketball regularly here on campus. It's great. And I'm having fun with it. Still building my stamina, but as for "moves", well, fundamentals outplay style & flash anytime. And when I toss a "quick release" layup, shoot an "old school" up-and-under, or make a hook shot, the students are impressed. For example, today I threw a no-look, backwards pass to a teammate--a spot-on assist through traffic, right to him under the basket. Not only was he shocked, but the other team was amazed. "Court awareness", Bob and Cam called it.

But at a certain time, I believe "awareness" becomes "wisdom". Of course I probably have more experience than the students against whom I play, and so, yes, probably more wisdom. Yet I'm (a lot) slower now than I used to be and still don't have much more than a foot of vertical leaping ability, but I dribble better (less) and have better vision (lasik!). I also box out very well and can still "throw around" people--no matter the size; I can usually box-out 2 or 3 folks under the key and get the rebound.

I guess I've just realized it's the fundamentals that lead to the wisdom. And, in the end, I suppose that applies to life--and anything else for that matter!!

My Broadway Debut Opposite Carrie Fisher

2010-01-08T18:50:00.008-07:00

It started with a short trip to do fieldwork in NYC with a grad student who studies "New Media". (This is why I enjoy Geography: it allows me to study just about anything). And what's NYC without Broadway? To celebrate completing part of the fieldwork, we saw a few Broadway plays--one of which was Wishful Drinking, Carrie Fisher's one woman show based on her recent book.

Reviews for the show were very good, so we were expecting a good time. We also heard she was interactive with the audience...It was, I must say, an excellent, interesting, silly, and bawdy performance. I am now vehemently a Carrie Fisher fan--and not just because of how good a time we had, but because of her as a person.

For those who don't know, Carrie Fisher = Princess Leia in the Star Wars trilogy so, amongst talking about other interesting times in her life, she also spent time discussing her Star Wars past--how she unknowingly made a commitment to stay in her 23-year-old physique, for example! Donning a Princess Leia wig, she discussed the popularity of her 23-year-old metal bikini-clad character...and how people have become very, umm, creative when it comes to reproducing the Princess Leia likeness (which apparently, George Lucas has the rights to, and for which she gets no compensation!)

Because this phenomena likely stems from the male psyche, she asked for a male volunteer to come on stage and check out a life-size statue to her Star Wars likeness. When no hands went up immediately, I shouted loudly. And thus it began...

Once onstage, she greeted me with an innocent "stage kiss" and asked my name. I said, "whatever you want it to be..." and to her rolling eyes, I quickly recovered with, "Case". "Case?" she said.To which I responded, "Yes. Case. Like a six-pack. Only better." (funny because she used to be an alcoholic)! After some banter, just so I could understand what it was like to be Princess Leia, she asked if I would be willing to see what it was like to be Princess Leia. As she presented my Leia wig, I bowed before her, as if to receive an award. We chatted some more on stage, me playing the role of the bashful fan, her the confident and strong leading lady.

I closed the first act, reading from a script, with the closing line--after explaining to the audience I would be in the lobby at intermission signing autographs--"...And may the intermission be with you--always". I was rewarded with a quick "romp" on Miss Fisher's couch as the curtain fell. We chatted backstage for a while, took some photos, and then sealed our goodbye with another smooch on the cheek...

But that wasn't all...the second act began with a quick note on the "amazing" properties of the cannabis plant, after which she invited me to the stage for a "special" gift--accompanied by a nice "farewell" kiss. The gift is rather personal, so if you want to know what it is, you'll have to come and visit me. It has to be seen to be believed!

So there it is: my Broadway debut starring opposite Carrie Fisher. Complete with kissing!

Trix...

2009-02-25T18:50:00.002-07:00

For probably two decades my favorite cold cereal has been Lucky Charms. They’re "magically delicious," you see. I love the little marshmellow shapes and colors.

However, a fortnight ago I bought a box of Trix because they were on sale (try $1.67 for a 20 oz. box!) And you know what? They’re gooooood. Fruity, crunchy, really brightly colored, and they take a long time to get soggy—not to mention the wonderfully-flavored milk!

After having that first bowl of Trix, I have yet to look back to the “magically delicious” Charms. Perhaps it’s like it says on the box top: “Trix are for kids”.

Indeed.

Tools of a Geographer

2008-08-26T20:46:00.003-07:00

Someone left an anonymous comment asking what tools I use as a Geographer. This comes at a great time since I just discussed this with my class last week.

I’ve written a little about the Ways of the Geographer and also what Geographers do. I’ve also put together a baby Treatise of Geography and reworked a classic Primer on Fieldwork. And that’s where I’d start: fieldwork. IMHO fieldwork of any kind is THE Geographer’s tool. Describing the earth requires being IN it...and fieldwork makes that happen.

But, if I had to list more conventional tools, first on my list would be my field journal/notebook. This serves to record everything I do, observe, and analyze in the field. Second would be my digital camera—to capture those phenomena I am observing and analyzing.

After those, more specialized tools might appear in my cache based on what I intend to study. Depending on the situation (“human” or “physical”), I might use any or all of: passport, GPS unit, clinometer (to measure slope and angle), altimeter, thermister, soil knife, soil bulk density sampler, soil “test” kit, soil auger, flash drive, string, measuring tapes, IR thermometer, solarimeter, old maps, new maps, historical photos/documents, governmental documents, satellite imagery, aerial photographs, rock hammer/pick, hand lens, binoculars, digital voice recorder, archeologist brushes, spectral radiometer, Munsell color book, Ziploc baggies/sample storage units, nuclear densometers, calipers, and flashlight.

Whatever I take—for either environment—goes into a backpack. And, of course, there’s the requisite food, snacks, and beverages, those along the way and those in situ.

But there are many more tools Geographers use—the above list is far from exhaustive. For example, back in the lab, to analyze my findings, I might use a computer, a microscope, GIS & remote sensing software, statistical programs (MiniTab anyone?), SEM (scanning electron microscope), and even other colleagues.

One of the great things about being a Geographer is how adaptable we can be. If, for example, we want to study something about the planet Mars, we might have to learn a little astrophysics and planetary geology…and that’s just fine! Likewise, if we need to video tape our interviews with people to help us understand their sense of place, we need to know interview protocols as well as documentary filming techniques…and that’s super!

In a nutshell, the “C” answer to “What tools do you use as a Geographer” would be whatever tool is needed to complete the research at hand. And if we call in an expert in another field to help us, all the better!

New Digs...

2008-07-04T09:20:00.004-07:00

It took three days and nearly 1000 miles, but I finally arrived at my new digs in Denver, CO. All of my things fit snugly in a 5’ x 8’ U-haul trailer and the back of my Jeep.

The third-floor apartment (with five flights of stairs) is spacious for a one-bedroom, and located in a gentrified/gentrifying area. The deck faces south-southwest, and looks over the green tree tops of neighborhoods while providing a beautiful view of the Front Range (Rocky Mountains). The summer thunderstorms put on spectacular lightning shows in the evenings.

It was a bear to move-in, what with five flights of stairs and all—my calves took four days or so to recover from the torturous stairmaster experience. But the views are sooooo worth it!

My campus office is nice too. It’s the rare corner office on campus. Apparently it was created a decade ago for a Department Chair, so I have this terrific 180-degree west-and-north view. Although the architecture (both inside and out) leaves something to be desired, the location is sweeeet.

It took a lot of cleaning-out and rearranging to get the office looking spatially appealing. But once I add a map cabinet and small storage locker for my field equipment, I’ll be set. Of course, since it was designed to be a Chair’s office, I lack the requisite interior laboratory space with gas and water hook-ups and a sink. I discovered this past week, however, that there are several laboratory spaces I can usurp as needed.

While I do enjoy playing scientist in the lab—with microscopes, burners, and other science-y stuff—my main “laboratory” has always been outside. And besides, by having an office without the laboratory accoutrements, I avoid the risk of smelly things emanating from my office.

Mostly. (Although I do have two windows that open).

Moving...Part Deux

2008-06-19T08:10:00.004-07:00

As I sit here in my IKEA Poäng chair amidst boxes, I’m reminded how it’s the simple things that really make my life enjoyable. I have very few things. And what I do have are good quality items.

I've learned to pursue good quality over the years. It’s a personal choice, but I’d rather have one very nice thing than a dozen mediocre things.

Living in apartments for the past several years, I’ve seen a lot of people come and go, and most folks have very large trailers. I’ve always wondered how they fit all that stuff in a tiny 600 or 700 square foot place—even 1000 square feet.

My mind then wanders to how they acquired all that stuff. Where do they store all that stuff? And WHY do they store it?

Is it something in our genetic code that says, “Look…we might need this in the future, so we’d best keep it…” Sure, I see the logic in that genetic trait. But unless you’re consistently using the stuff, why keep it?

I have a great friend who LOVES books. She always reads the latest novels. But she does something very neat. When she’s finished, she passes-on the book to someone else. This both de-clutters her house and saves someone else money they’d otherwise spend—all while showing her generosity. What a great concept!

So, when I look at the dozen or so boxes scattered around this little apartment, I’m grateful to be semi-minimalist. And I hope to stay that way. Because very shortly I’ll be loading my stuff into a small trailer—in 115 degrees heat!!!

a Goal

2008-06-07T09:48:00.002-07:00

After returning from Europe for the first time, I made a self-pact; a goal, really. I told myself I was going to visit at least one country per year of my life.

If that meant I had a few years where I had to miss, that was okay. It could be made-up by traveling to more than one country in the following years. The only thing I wanted to avoid was being 85 and having only visited 60 countries (try visiting 25 countries when you’re 85—you’ve probably already visited all the “comfortable” countries!)

I’ve been pretty good with this goal since then. As of today, I’m five countries short of my goal. But the only reason why I’ve missed the goal the past few years is that I’ve visited some countries more than once (and some several times).

I view travel as a way to destroy stereotypes. It’s also a terrific way to learn, grow, and expand the mind. Especially if you really get into the place (like, avoid staying at five-star places the entire time because it removes you from everyday folks that keep the economic wheels spinning).

So, even though I’m a few countries short of my goal today, by the end of next summer I should be beyond the goal. You’re welcome to join me!

Global Warming?

2008-05-22T17:47:00.002-07:00

The other day I wrote about the high temperatures we have had (the Valley of the Sun IS the desert, after all). Some would say it’s due to global warming.

But then, yesterday (Wednesday) the temperature dropped dramatically—to the mid 80s.

Today (Thursday) it’s below 80. And it has RAINED most the day. In fact, it’s raining as I write this! Hard.

Global warming?

Well, most scientists are careful to use the term “climate change” rather than “global warming” nowadays, since evidence of the earth “warming” is ONLY similar to what has happened in our past (I’m talking geological time-scale).

What scientists DO know is that climate is changing—more so in some places than others, it seems. So, warming? Well, only in some places. Other places are actually getting cooler! Go figure. While fires rage in California, a single State away, it’s pouring rain…it’s even snowing—right now!—on parts of the Colorado Plateau!

But that’s science: uncertain, yet attempting to make sense of trends and patterns from observations. However weird they may seem!

110

2008-05-20T14:51:00.002-07:00

Yesterday the Valley of the Sun SMASHED its previous May record for Temperature. We hit 110 degrees.

To get a sense of 110 degrees in a “dry heat”, try this:

Set your oven to 110.
When it reaches the appropriate temperature, sit in front of the oven and open the door.

The term “dry heat” is silly, when you think about it. That implies there must be a “wet heat”? I mean, anything over 98 degrees is hot—even if you’re naked. Anything over 110 degrees is BLOODY hot (even if you are naked)! And studies show that after 117 degrees, the body stops functioning normally.

Having lived in both “dry” and “wet” heats (the US Southwest, the Amazon, Grenada), I would have to say each “form” of “heat” is equally (in)tolerable. I’m convinced this is the reason natives in “hot” regions are naked or nearly-naked. When I was in the Amazon Jungle for example, as soon as I shed my “modern” clothes for a yanchama (bark skirt of the Bora Tribe), I immediately felt cooler. LOTS cooler.

So, “dry heat”, “wet heat”, “humid heat”…each term really say very little. Folks say 90 degrees at 90% humidity is like 105 degrees in the “dry heat”. But believe me: they are VERY, very different. In one, you’re just wet. All the time. In the other, you are UNABLE to stay wet (or cool). All the time.

And there is a big difference between 100, 110, 115, 117, and 120+ temps. I can feel the difference between them. Up to 110 I can handle…just keep fluids in me and wear a hat & sunscreen. At 110 my eyes start to get really, really dry (sit in front of an oven at 110 degrees and see what I mean), but I keep liquefied and I’m fine.

By 115, I can drink a gallon of liquid and sweat it out in half-an-hour; I start to wonder why I'm in the heat. At 117 I walk slower and my Jedi-like reflexes significantly diminish. And at 120+, I get headaches—no matter how much liquid I consume.

And sunscreen—however much—has little effect in 120 degree heat.

Now, just for fun, think of this scenario: What would happen if humidity was 100% and the temperature was 100 degrees?

Answer: you would drown from breathing—every breath you took would be water vapor and your lungs would fill.

Weird, huh?

Pomp & Circumstance

2008-05-08T17:47:00.006-07:00

Today I got “hooded”. The entire ceremony was about two hours—though it felt like longer. This is one of the rituals accompanying advanced degree awarding in Academia. The entire graduation ceremony is based on medieval practices, so it has robes, gowns, hats (mitres?), and other vestments, like hoods (see image).

For a PhD degree, the hood is traditionally dark blue (#1 in the image). The robe is usually black with different colored “piping” (the stripes down the middle) and chevrons (hash marks on the sleeves). Although many schools are going with other-than-black colors for robes (mine was maroon).

In Academia, the regalia can get quite outlandish! Each robe has different piping and chevrons…every (undergraduate) discipline also has its associated color (for example, education = light blue, natural sciences = gold). And each school can be as creative as they want. Oxford (UK) has some particularly interesting garb…their “tam” (hat) alone is a sight to behold! (just google “oxford academic regalia”)

The experience was good, overall. It was fun to walk across a stage for everyone to see and shake the President of the University’s hand—all festooned in attire royalty or paid clergy might wear for public ceremonies. But it also seemed archaic in some sense, being “displayed” as a trophy of the university, a commodity to be flaunted before a throng of potential buyers.

But such is the World of Academia…full of pomp and circumstance…all for a piece of paper that grants you “privileges” and “rights” and “honors”. How elitist.

And now I’m one of them. Sheesh.

Moving...

2008-04-28T14:51:00.003-07:00

I've moved, on average, once per year since I was 23 years old. That’s a lot.

I have a cousin who LOVES to move. “It’s like Christmas,” she told me once. “I get to open boxes and boxes of stuff! And if I forget to label them, it’s like a huge surprise!” She’s an optimist.

Moving every year or so certainly keeps down the clutter: how many folks who’ve collected stuff for 12 years can fit everything they own in a 6 x 12 U-Haul trailer? But then, I'm also rather minimal when it comes to material things. Whether that’s been by choice or circumstance, who knows…I like to think it’s by choice.

I am looking forward to being “stable” for a while. You know, put down some roots. Live in one place for more than a couple years. Get involved in the community without knowing I'll be leaving shortly. Although that will have to wait, since I'll just be moving to another, temporary apartment until I have time to find the home and location I want.

Until then I’ll just pretend it’s Christmas…

Road Trip I

2008-04-19T06:41:00.007-07:00

This is St. Francis Basilica in Santa Fe, New Mexico (at night). On the way back from finding a place to live in Denver, I spent a day here.

While the surrounding suburbs are becoming more modern, the old downtown area remains charming. Surrounding the plaza and kiosko, are old Spanish churches and cute shops. The shops have everything from clothes and indigenous handicrafts to bronze sculptures and a plethora of different chile peppers. A few blocks off the plaza is San Miguel church (sign below), and interesting piece of Southwestern history...

After wandering around the old town for a while, I ate a wonderful dinner at Los Mayas—a three-generation-old restaurant complete with live music (an old Spanish guitarist who was a really great entertainer).

Santa Fe makes a nice getaway. Not as loud and citified as say, San Antonio or Tucson. Just a nice place to relax and wander. There are also lots of nice, easy day trips available. And several Clint Eastwood westerns were filmed in the region!

Borderlands

2008-03-25T19:05:00.024-07:00

For those who don’t know it, one of my interests is the US-Mexico border. Last weekend, a professor and myself took some students to investigate the towns of Sasabe, Arizona and Sasabe, Mexico in the Altar Valley. (Go find it on a map…pic below).

In Sasabe, AZ, there are maybe a few dozen residents with a single store (that has EVERYthing—literally…mattresses, shoes, pork & beans, curling irons, Fruit Loops, you name it!) and post office; ranching is the main form of livelihood. In Sasabe, Mexico we estimated the population to be 3,000 to 4,000 people. The main form of livelihood in Sasabe, MX is anyone’s guess...the town is not much to speak of, as this photo shows.

One thing that IS present? The ever-watchful eye of “Big Brother”. The US Border patrol has a real, on-the-ground fence (see pic), mobile watchtowers (see pic), and a virtual fence that looks like a radio tower but is actually a sophisticated surveillance system, complete with 24/7 Pinkerton security!

The US-Mexico border is a fascinating study region. And students enjoy telling their friends on the drive home (on their cell phone), “Yeah, dude, I’m just coming back from Mexico…” Too fun!!

Laughing

2008-03-17T14:36:00.003-07:00

I have a friend who says, “Laughing: it’s like jogging for your insides.” Indeed! Few things are better than a good guffaw. While there are many different types of laughs, any laugh is a good sign of happiness.

Take the song I Love to Laugh from the Disney version of Mary Poppins. It outlines many of the various ways people laugh: through their noses, hissing, blasting, fast, “twitter like birds”, and a myriad of other ways. I've seen people laugh with their entire body!

Have you ever laughed until you’re crying? How about laughing so much your stomach hurts? See…laughing like that is a workout! I’ve laughed so much that I’ve been sore the following morning. What a great feeling!

And a couple years ago health scientists at Vanderbilt University found that 10 to 15 minutes of hearty laughing per day can burn up to 50 calories! That’s about 1.5 calories per minute (in comparison, jogging burns 10 calories per minute). That means, if you laugh 15 minutes a day, you lose the caloric equivalent of four pounds per year!!

So every time something strikes you as even slightly funny…laugh. Hard. (Unless you’re highly asthmatic). It’s highly contagious!

Brain Power Types

2008-02-19T14:44:00.002-07:00

One of my longer blogs, but intriguing nonetheless…

A marvelous person sent me this article from the NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/books/14dumb.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5087&em&en=2c9bff2541865fdc&ex=1203570000

It got me thinking…One of my eccentricities is people-watching. For example, I can spend hours sitting at the food court in a mall—or any other place—just watching people. In all my time people-watching and observing, and spurred on by this article, it occurred to me that for years I have been classifying people based on what I call “brain power”. Hey, it’s what scientists love to do: classify things!

I categorize brain power into six types: Intelligent, Smart, Clever, Ingenious, Unaware, and Naïve. Now, by “brain power”, I mean the way people attain and use knowledge.

In a thesaurus, intelligent & smart are synonyms; so are clever & ingenious and unaware & naïve, respectively. But when I say someone is “smart”, I mean something different that “intelligent”. And likewise for all of my BPTs (brain power types). And it’s much more than semantics, I think…Here’s what I mean:

Intelligent: good at book learning; reading comprehension; able to remember things (even if their information was gleaned from reading some article in the newspaper 20 years ago)—would read about how electricity works rather than sticking their finger in an electrical outlet to discover the shocking experience.

Smart: uses common sense; inherently knows what to avoid; always makes the “right” decision—would never be caught sticking their finger in an electrical outlet because they’ve heard stories...

Clever: figures out ways around things; likes to bend rules; manipulates things—would get someone else to stick their finger in the electrical outlet to see what happens (even though they probably already know…)

Ingenious: resourceful; uses practical means to accomplish endeavors; devises inventive ways for discovering something—would build some machine that would test the electrical output in the electrical socket or create a model of how electrical output might be measured to see how much danger there was.

Unaware: uninformed about (certain) knowledge; ignorant in (certain) areas; takes (certain) things for granted—expects the alarm clock to always work because it’s “plugged in” and “that means there’s electricity”!

Naïve: inexperienced; innocent; blissfully oblivious—never realizes where the electrical outlets are in the first place (until they need to use them…then they have to search for them)!

Now, I do believe that everyone could exhibit each of the BPTs depending on the situation. However, I also believe that some people choose otherwise. And that’s fine! Each is different…neither good nor bad…just different. It’s merely a categorization based on my observations of (lots of) people.

Souvenirs

2008-02-08T21:15:00.000-07:00

After returning to the States after more than two months in the Middle East, I remember going through US Customs at JFK (New York) airport. Here’s how it went:

“Where have you been?” the Customs Officer asked me.
“Umm, let’s see…Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Cyprus, Greece, and Turkey—I loved Turkey,” I gushed.
“How long have you been out of the country?” he said in a stern tone.
“Oh, a couple months,” I responded.
“Where’s your luggage?”
“Right here on my back, sir,” I replied.
“Bringing back any trinkets? Any souvenirs?” he said, eyeing me.
“Just pictures, memories, and my travel journal,” I said, smiling.

He cautiously waved me through, but I had a sneaking suspicion he thought I was trying to pull the wool over his eyes. How could someone spend two months traveling without buying a single souvenir? Easy: travel light and make memories your souvenirs rather than material possessions. Now, I’ll admit every once in while I purchase something overseas (usually for someone else). But there are tricks to buying stuff and still traveling light.

For example, if it’s a large purchase (a Swiss cuckoo clock or Persian rug, for example), mail it to yourself back home—so it’s waiting for you when you arrive. Most shop keepers can help you with this, and may even ship it straight from their shop to your address! If it’s a smaller purchase (like English toffee or an Inca bracelet), pack it in your bag. And if you buy lots of things—like, if shopping is your reason fro traveling—consider buying an extra bag while you’re traveling, and make that your “checked” baggage at the airport. (But it sucks to lug around an extra bag full of goodies…talk about a target for thieves…)

Another tip: while souvenir shopping overseas can be fun, be sure you will actually use what you buy. Sure, that gold-plated replica bust of Nefertiti looks swanky in the shop, but unless you’re an Egyptologist who really needs it for your collection, it will become a simple dust collector (and probably broken by the time you get home).

Titles and Monikers

2008-02-01T20:38:00.000-07:00

Today I successfully defended my dissertation. That means I now have the “privilege” of a title and a moniker. Sexy.

The question looming in front of me now is, “Which do I use”? Titles precede a name and monikers go after it. So, do I use “Dr. Allen” or “Dr. Case” or “Dr. A” (that sort of sounds kewl), or should it be “Casey Allen, PhD” or “C.D. Allen, PhD”? Or should I even exercise the privilege?

For me, it means little either way…Titles often seem arrogant to me, even if they can denote valuable accomplishments. But just because someone has a title, does that make them “special” or better than people without one? Does it endow them with privilege?

Well, perhaps in a way it does, since society tends to place value on such things. Most diplomas from the Powers That Be (PTB) have a little phrase like, “…with all rights, powers, and privilege as set forth by those in authority…”

But what does that actually mean? Just because I’ve achieved a certain level of education—jumped through a myriad of hoops, paid my dues, and bowed to the PTB—I now have special “privileges”? Am I now a PTB? (*gasp*) Maybe.

And I suppose that’s something for which to be grateful…when all’s said and done, I have spent nearly 22 years in formal education (K-10 ½, baccalaureate, master’s, and now PhD). That many years should yield some kind of privilege, I reckon. But, I’ve met folks who say things like, “My name’s Dr. So-and-so, and HEAVY on the Dr.”—meaning, they WANT you to call them “Dr.” regardless, even if you’re a “Dr.” yourself.

While I understand that sentiment—achieving a PhD is a difficult and long process, and a moniker is often seen as the penultimate academic achievement—it still seems silly. If titles and monikers were given for every difficult achievement then there could be many different ones people qualify for: Friend, True Love, Wife, Husband, Mother, Father, Sister, Brother, and on and on…and then there are occupational titles that could be touted: Military Service Personnel, Police Officer, Engineer, Scientist, Farmer, Poet, Firefighter, Salesperson, and the list continues…—all difficult achievements in their own right!

I suppose, in the end, it comes down to personal preference, just like most other things in life. While there are societal formalities that often must be adhered to (at a conference or ceremony, for example), outside of those, whatever someone feels comfortable with is the way I’ll go. So, while one person might call me “Dr.” and another person might call me by my first name, I’ll answer either way. Because, in the end when all is said and done, our actions—what we do—define us, and our achievements, awards, and even titles and monikers fall by the wayside.

On the Cheap...

2008-01-19T19:20:00.000-07:00

I was trained to travel cheaply. Well, maybe “cheap” is the wrong word. Frugal is a better choice. Yes, I travel frugally, depending on my given budget.

Preferring to crawl around odd sites and discover obscure views, I will give up a swanky hotel most anytime. When you think about it, while traveling, a hotel is simply a place to wash-up and lay your head for the evening.

While Spartan accommodations can leave some people cold (pun intended), they can be beneficial. Take, for example, the place in this picture:

This is an $8 room in Lima, Peru: just a place to lay your head and maybe write a post card. But what else do you need? You should be out and about exploring, right?

Okay, okay…so once in a while it’s nice to stay in a five star palace and be taken care of (I have done that several times). However, if I had to choose between posh lodging or an extra destination, pyramid, cathedral, ruin, or museum (and I usually do), I’d pass on the feathery comforter, room service, and bellhop!

The Hero with 1000 Faces

2008-01-14T10:59:00.000-07:00

One of my hobbies is studying mythology. All peoples and cultures have myths, many of which are rooted in actual events. Myths are, in their simplest form, stories passed down generation to generation. Each one usually has a moral. Some are very exciting epics, others are tales of loneliness, still others are comedic, ALL are interesting. And for me, the similarities between myths are VERY alluring.

Many decades ago, Joseph Campbell (the authority on mythology) wrote a book called, “The Hero With A Thousand Faces” (1949), where he compared myths from many different cultures. Through the decades, he revised and updated the book to include “new” myths. (For Star Wars fans, George Lucas relied heavily on Joseph Campbell’s works when creating his epic battle of light vs. dark).

THAT is what fascinates me about mythology. So many different peoples and cultures separated by thousands of miles of ominous terrain and dangerous oceans, yet many have common stories and, even more intriguing, common “heroes”. Geography plays a big role in mythology!

Understanding a people’s mythology allows you to gain a deeper appreciation for the culture itself. It can also reveal some intriguing insights into why things are the way are in that culture. Mythology enriches our knowledge of other peoples, and by doing so, can bring us closer together as a species.

If you look closely the next time you read or hear a myth — and it could be something as simple as a fairy tale — you’ll see connections between other myths you’ve read (or heard). As Joseph Campbell said, mythology is, “the song of the universe, the music of the spheres…” And it’s a wonderful symphony!

Note: Besides Hero, you may also want to check out The Power of Myth or pretty much any other book by Joseph Campbell. He was an interesting man.

Breakfast

2008-01-03T08:36:00.000-07:00

Next to dessert, breakfast is my favorite meal. A good, hearty breakfast always helps me feel charged and ready for the day. While I can eat cold cereal with the best of them, handle a simple toast-and-juice breakfast, and enjoy a “European” breakfast (muesli/granola, plain yogurt, juice, fruit, and cold cuts), it’s the hearty breakfasts that are my favorites.

Now, while I enjoy cooking in general, I relish the chance to cook a breakfast, especially for other people. There are few things better than seeing folks with a satisfied tummy in the morning. I’ve been lucky to have some really great recipes handed down through my family: everything from Yorkshire Pudding (yes, we eat it for breakfast—apologies to my UK friends) to buckwheat pancakes. And I usually experiment a bit with the recipes until I discover a “secret ingredient” that enhances the breakfast and makes people say, “There’s something in there…I’m just having a hard time figuring it out…”

Why do I like breakfast so much? Maybe it’s because I was raised eating good, hearty breakfasts. Maybe it’s because “breakfast is the most important meal of the day” was drilled into my brain during 7th grade health class. Or maybe it’s my “Swedanglish” heritage—those countries that have outstanding breakfasts. Anyone who has partaken of a full English breakfast knows what I mean…regardless, I just love breakfast. It’s sexy.

My favorite breakfast to cook? Well, that would have to be my grandmother’s recipe for Danish thin pancakes—with a personal twist: I make a just-sweet-enough cream cheese filling and top them with a tangy apricot-rum-flavored sauce…Mmm…

Clouds

2007-12-22T15:29:00.000-07:00

My fascination with clouds might stem from years ago when our family lived in Blue Creek. Sometimes, while the older kids were all gone to school, my mom and I used to go on “nature walks” and watch clouds. We looked for shapes in them.

Even though I’m sure we looked at thousands of clouds, I can only remember seeing a rabbit, a pirate ship, and a dog. But since then, I always “look up and marvel” as the Cloud Appreciation Society says.

There are literally hundreds of different types of clouds and scientists love to classify them. This jellyfish-like cloud, for example, is a type of cumulus. But the little “tendrils” are referred to as “virga”…precipitation that evaporates before it is able to hit the ground. Sexy.

Rain and Gray

2007-12-11T14:20:00.001-07:00

We’ve been having a LOT of rain here in the Valley of the Sun. One of my study sites I’m monitoring has received almost 6 inches in the past week! That’s more than it’s received in all the months previous to now! I can’t wait to see how much the site has changed after this rain! All this rain has reminded me how much I enjoy the greening and clouds associated with precipitation…so that’s what I’m blogging about today.

Although my favorite color is orange, a close second is gray. You know, that gray-ish blue tint the clouds sometimes get—almost a tungsten hue. And gray skies make me smile…because they’re pretty, because they bring rain, and because I know what (usually) comes after gray skies. But others fail to notice the beauty of gray. Or rain.

I was having dinner with some friends last night. One of them said, “I don’t like the cold and wet. Cold is okay, but wet I can’t handle. And the gray skies. I need sun!” Another said, “Well, where I grew-up, there were always cloudy skies, even if it didn’t rain. We had 300 overcast days a year. Here they have 300 sunny days a year. I don’t mind gray skies as long as it rains.”

These opinions are predominant in my experience. When it’s too hot, many people wish it was cooler—or wish it would rain to cool off things. When it's too cold or too wet, many people wish it was warmer and/or drier. Maybe I’m out of sorts with many folks, but I enjoy BOTH rain and gray skies (just as I enjoy sunny or partly cloudy skies). Whether the gray skies bring rain, or whether they’re just hanging around for a spell, I ENJOY them both. Really. It’s fun to play in the rain (or snow), jump in puddles (and snowdrifts), and watch flash floods (and avalanches)—from a safe distance!

So, next time the skies are cloudy and gray, and you might be feeling ho-hum because of them, look up at the sky. Really LOOK at it. And marvel in its beautiful mottled grayness. It is stunning!

Field Studies

2007-12-06T13:02:00.000-07:00

I LOVE being "in the field"!

It was one of the things that drew me to Geography! My first experience with REAL field studies was at Weber State with Dr. Murphy. He is a great Geographer and really loves field work (and traveling!). His love of the field rubbed off on me. Even today I play in the field as much as I can.

This picture was taken on a recent field excursion through the Sonora River Valley in Mexico. I was driving along, observing the landscape, when all of the sudden we see this road cut that has a volcanic dike shaped like Mexico! How cool! (That's me, squatting on what would be the Yucatan Peninsula...)

Of course, we HAD to pull over and take pictures! (The word "MEXICO" had already been painted on the road cut). I love finding "Natural" features that represent everyday objects. And this was one of the coolest representations I've found!

My Favorite Car. EVER!

2007-11-30T12:37:00.000-07:00

Here it is: my 1983, four-door Mazda GLC.

Why is it my favorite car ever?

Maybe it’s my favorite because it was the first car I ever bought on my own. Although I did have to borrow the $300 from my gracious sister—whom I paid back way before the deadline we had set. Or maybe it was the fact that I could fit all I owned in it: I could actually live in the car. Or maybe it was the manual moon roof: flip down the crank handle and turn it (like a non-electric window, only on top of the car’s ceiling). Or maybe it was the fact that it easily topped 100mph…or that it was small enough to switch drivers over the hood while driving…that’s right: out the window, across the hood, and into the other window while speeding down the freeway. Ask Jared. He was there. Or maybe it was all the road tripping I did in it from 1993 to 1994. Or maybe it was the $250 Alpine stereo I installed myself…so loud the car almost bounced. Good thing I had sexy aluminum rims!

When I think hard, it was my favorite car because of the freedom it represented. A 20-something with a part-time job, full-time school, a full tank of petrol, and a cooler full of root beer, chips, Pop-Tarts, and Twizzlers.

It died in the fall of 1994. I killed it…See, I was driving down to Enterprise, Utah for a visit with Cameron (another brother). When I filled-up with gas in Tremonton, I added a quart of oil (it used a little…). But, after I added the oil, I closed the hood—forgetting to put back on the oil cap. Around Draper, by what was then the South Towne Mall, I started hearing a chick-chick-chick sound over my loud, blaring Van Halen music. Right before the Utah State Prison exit, I heard a “boom”, followed by smoke coming out from under the hood. I pulled over, opened the hood, and almost cried. It had thrown a rod (or two). I had killed my favorite car.

I would probably still have it today, with a new engine, but something even more terrible happened. It was parked on the side of I-15 while I went on to Enterprise for the weekend (but that’s another story…) I expected it to be towed, where I could then pick it up and assess the engine damage’s true extent. But when I got to the impound yard, I found that someone had side-swiped the car while it was sitting off the road—totaling it. They hit it so hard, that two of my aluminum rims were broken! I knew it was a yellow-colored vehicle, because of the paint alongside the doors that had been crumpled. The impound guy said it was probably a drunk driver. Well, if that was the case, at least they smashed an empty car...

So, I took my stereo, speakers, and personalized plates (2LOONEY), and left. I still miss it, and find myself, once in a while, reminiscing about those carefree days…and then I realize something: I’m still carefree, just with different responsibilities!

My First Car...

2007-11-21T09:05:00.000-07:00

My first car was a 1979 Ford Pinto. It’s pictured below on the left-hand side (this is the only picture of it I have). The location in this picture is where we used to go during the “hot” summers in Northern Utah: “The Flumes”! Basic fluvial processes were at work: when moving water gets forced into a smaller area, the velocity increases…so as the water got “squeezed” into the “flume”, the current got stronger and faster. And at the other end of the flume there were “rapids” big enough to “surf”! Really. We must have gone “fluming” a hundred times in the early 1990s. “We” means Jared (my brother), Todd (my cousin, jumping in the picture), and various friends. But this blog is about my Pinto…

The Pinto was given to me by a “friend” of the family (I use “friend” very loosely, since he sort of came and went…and no one knows where he is now). I was offered a choice by this friend of the family: a 4-speed stick-shift 1979 Ford Pinto or an almost-new 1989 Ford Mustang convertible. At the time, I had no driver’s license (it was during my first license suspension), and figured the Mustang would be too much. Besides, I’ve never been greedy, and the Mustang was waaaaay out of my league at the time. I was just happy to have a car. Even if it did have to sit on the other side of the road across from Norm and Maurie’s house for a few months until I got my license back.

The Pinto was great for a 19-year old: cheesy and yet lovable. I drove it to Zion National Park once. Something like 300 miles from where I was living at the time (thanks for putting me up, Norm and Maurie). I filled-up the tank at the Maverik petrol station (that’s how the store spells it) in Farmington, UT. Then in Beaver (UT). Then in Cedar City (UT). Then in Hurricane (UT). Driving around the city, back and forth to school, I never noticed how much gas it used. When I paid attention, speeding down the freeway, I could actually watch the gas gauge slowly move from the “F” to the “E”. Probably the wrong choice for economy. I think I spent more on petrol that trip than I did the rest of the time I had the car. Until I drove it to Idaho Falls to trade-in.

Towards the end of my ownership, the muffler mysteriously got a hole in it, and since I had zero money to buy a new one, I had to drive with the windows down all the time or risk carbon monoxide asphyxiation. The muffler “leak” could have had something to with the many times I bottomed-out in it, or the few times Jared “borrowed” it and literally drove it into the ground. But that is the kind of car it was: a “beater”. About a year-and-a-half after it was given to me, I sold the Pinto. Actually, Bob (another of my brothers) sold it. For $200 to some guy at the Rent-a-Wreck store around the corner from his car lot. I used the money to buy (from Bob) a newer car: a 1983 Mazda GLC. My favorite car. Ever!

My Watch Died...

2007-11-14T17:02:00.001-07:00

As a Geographer, knowing where you are is paramount. So, before I embarked for the Isle of Spice (Grenada) several years ago, I purchased a behemoth of a watch—the ultimate watch for a Geographer: the Casio Tri-sensor Titanium solar-powered watch. It was top of the line Casio at the time. It had an altimeter (measure altitude), barometer (measure air pressure), thermometer, and a digital compass! I spent more for this watch than I did for my first and second cars combined!

It was a great watch. All the sensors worked wonderful. I took it snorkeling, sea- and river-kayaking, swimming, hiking, camping, and through several countries—including a trek higher than 5150 meters in the Andes! And I never had a problem with it.

Then, a couple weeks ago, all of the sudden, it died. The little “charging” sign keeps flashing. You’d think, living in Arizona with all the sun we have (it’s still in the 90s!), this SOLAR-POWERED watch would stay “charged”. I’ve had it “charging” for days. But still the silly “charging” sign is all that it displays.

Very frustrating. Especially with all the outdoor stuff I do. *sigh*

So, I went out looking for a watch last week. I was going to just get a decent Timex or a nice Seiko. But I couldn’t find one that really caught my eye. I found a Timex I liked, and I almost bought it, but then something else caught my eye: a lightweight, multi-functional watch by LaCrosse Technology. I’d never really heard about this company—although I should have, since, as I found out when I got home and checked their website, they make weather stations!

So now I have a tres sexy watch that does everything my Casio did—altimeter, barometer, thermometer, and digital compass. Plus, it has a countdown timer, dual alarms and dual time zones, and a chronograph—all things my Casio lacked. It also forecasts the weather! Really. And weighs a fraction of the Casio, even though it works on batteries instead of the sun.

So far, so good. I’m excited to take it into the field this week…really see what it can handle. Perhaps once I finish my dissertation, I can dive into the 45-page owner’s manual…

And if you’re wondering about my first two cars? They were a 1979 Ford Pinto (light-powder blue) and a 1983 4-door Mazda GLC (replete with manually-cranked moon roof…it was, and still remains, my favorite car I’ve ever owned). More on them later…

My Favorite Fortnight

2007-11-12T09:42:00.001-07:00

11 November to 25 November. My favorite fortnight of the year. For three reasons:

First, Veteran’s Day falls within the week. The fact that our Veteran’s only get two days each year that focuses on them is appalling. But at least, collectively, they are officially recognized for their valuable service. The military represents an important part of this Country. Even if you disagree with how it’s administered or how it does things, it’s tough to deny their powerful influence throughout history. If I felt worthy, I’d salute every veteran—past, present, and future—with pride. But I feel inadequate next to those that have served our Country, and I can only let them know the admiration I hold for them. I am honored that they risk their lives for me. Their service, what they do, symbolizes our Country’s ideals.

Second, it’s Geography Awareness Week! For several years the second week of November has been set aside to promote Geography. While some people say it’s important to know the location of all 194 countries in the world, and spend their week focusing on that, I choose to focus on awareness of the discipline, helping people understand what Geography is. Certainly location plays a key role in Geography. But there is much more to the discipline. Maps? Sure, they are excellent tools for Geographers. Rocks? Yes, Geographers study them too. I could wax eloquently about Geography for days, but it’s better to visit my page already designed for that.

Third, it’s Thanksgiving! And we all have LOTS for which to give thanks. Just think for a minute: if you’re reading this, you fall into the top 10% of the World’s elite. And if you’re reading this on a computer, you are in the top 1% (yes, ONE) of the World’s elite. Remember, more than half of the World’s population—over 3 billion—live on less than $1 a day (yes, ONE). Ted (my Dad) said, “Things could always be worse…things could be better…but things could always be worse.” Indeed. Think of all you have, and you’ll realize how fortunate you truly are.

A Misunderstanding?

2007-11-04T10:47:00.001-07:00

In my quest for Professordom, I search everywhere. I turn over every stone possible, extending my search even internationally. But this advert really caught me off guard.

The job title says, “Assistant Professor of Geography”. Read on and it says the candidate will be responsible for teaching “World Geography…in the Department of Humanities”. That’s exciting! Geography in the Humanities. Right up my alley.

But then, listed as the first requirement: “Ph.D. in History”. Even funnier, it says, “Ph.D. in History required for this position”.

WHAT??

It’s bad enough that people confuse Geography with geology, but having someone with a PhD in history teach geography? The students will be getting a world history class instead of a world geography class. And there is a HUGE difference.

Trust me. I've taken many history courses (it was one of my undergrad majors before I found Geography). I’ve also worked closely with Historical Geographers (who use history as a method to do Geography). The two disciplines are CERTAINLY, unequivocally different. If you’ve taken a course in both disciplines, you hopefully observed that (assuming your geography class was taught by a geographer and your history class was taught by a historian). In fact, I spend part of the first day in my introductory world regional class explaining how the class will be VERY different from a world history class.

Now, I enjoy history (or herstory) as much as the next person. I really do. But there is something just plain wrong when a position advertises for a Geographer but wants—nay, requires—a PhD in History. My closet-Geographer friend raised an incredulous eyebrow when she saw this advert. Her exact response was, “That’s like saying you want an English PhD to teach Anthropology”. I agree. I suspect this train of thought stems from the K-12 education realm where Geography is all too often relegated to social studies or, unfortunately, shoved-in with history.

Could a history PhD teach a world geography course? Sure. Could a Geography PhD teach a world history course? Sure. But should they? I would never presume I could teach a Latin America history class, even though I know a LOT about Latin American history. And I would hope that a historian would never presume to teach a Latin American Geography class, even though they specialize in that branch of history. I would hope. Of course, as with much of Geography, there’s overlap. But the overall concepts, both taught and learned, are VERY different.

Think of it this way: if you listened to a Verdi opera, Rigoletto for example, would it be the same if Bono (from the band U2) was the title character? I suppose it’s still an opera, and Bono’s voice might be adequate, but he’s certainly no Tito Ruffo (a famous Italian Barritone). And Tito could probably have handled U2’s Vertigo, but it wouldn’t be the same as Bono wailing “Hello, hello…”. That’s all I’m saying. (Pavarotti singing with the Spice Girls also comes to mind…remember that? Fun, but…)

Maybe it’s a misunderstanding, so I smudged-out the name of the institution (for their protection). But I think I’ll call them this week to see if they wrote the advert intentionally, perhaps with a specific candidate in mind, or if they actually want a history PhD to teach Geography?

The Hurried Tourist

2007-10-05T21:00:00.000-07:00

As a Geographer, I’ve traveled. A lot. I’ve taken solo jaunts and been on guided excursions; been a group tour guide and one for myself. After years of traveling from all different angles, there’s one thing I’ve noticed: most tourists try and do too much.

Whether you’re planning a trip on your own or you have a travel agent/company doing it for you, be careful to pace yourself. Here are a couple examples…

Let’s say you only have a one week vacation coming and you want to “do Europe”. The first-time tourist (and sometimes the perpetual tourist) might think, “Okay, seven days…I’m seeing London, Paris, and Amsterdam”. Can it be done? Sure. But can you REALLY appreciate anything along the way in five days? (Five days because it takes one to get there and one to get home). A trip of five days visiting London, Paris, and Amsterdam might look something like this:

Day 1: Fly from home to London, overnight flight
Day 2: Grab the “tourist” hop-on-hop-off bus way early and zip around the city with stops at Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, and the Tower of London. In the evening, visit the British Museum or the Tate Gallery (depending on tastes).
Day 3: board early morning Eurostar to Paris via the chunnel, arrive in Paris in time for lunch. Secure hotel and take Metro to see Eiffel Tower, Sacre Cour, and Notre Dame. Overnight in Paris.
Day 4: The Louvre and Museé D’Orsay.
Day 5: Take early train from Paris to Amsterdam, arriving in afternoon. Visit the
Hague and take a canal tour. Overnight in Amsterdam.
Day 6: Outdoor museums, walking, “cafes”.
Day 7: Fly home.

Doable, yes? Should it be? I would advise against it. I mean, what about Portobello Road, Hyde Park, and Greenwich--all staples of London and so fascinating!? And then there's Versailles, the Montmarte Cemetery, the Sewers, and street life of Paris--they should be included in any itinerary that wants to "see" Paris!

My suggestion would be SLOW DOWN! On a whirlwind tour, is there really time to take it all in…savor the moment?

If you are limited on time when traveling, focus on fewer destinations and more time in situ—in place. The moral: when traveling, see more by doing less.

The Power of Getting Lost!

2007-10-04T09:24:00.000-07:00

My favorite thing to do when Traveling? Get lost.

Travel is fine. Getting lost when Traveling, well…that's fantastic!

Now, to me, "getting lost" while Traveling means wandering without any specific agenda. Sure you should have a guidebook and know about the place you're visiting, but by getting lost, amazing experiences occur.

Imagine this…

You've just finished an incredible lunch of gnocchi and are wandering down a small side-street in the Tuscan city of Siena, Italy. You could take the "main" street back to your hotel, but instead, you decide to wander down a small corridor lined with interesting shops very dissimilar from the "main" street. You're "lost"—perhaps more in thought than on the ground—although you know your hotel is somewhere in that general direction. But this is Travel after all, and you relish the chance to be Traveling.

Coming out of a small shop that specializes in silversmithing, you see an odd sight: a blue and yellow piece of material attached to a long pole flying through the air, end-over-end. Upon closer inspection, you notice the swath of material attached to the poles are "flags". Wandering closer, you see several of these flags performing all sorts of amazing aerial stunts.

Finally, you reach an archway of some courtyard, and it is filled with a group of young men twirling and throwing around flags. As you sit-down slowly on a plastic chair just inside the courtyard, you notice their sweat-streaked brows are furrowed in concentration—they don't even notice you.

After several minutes of outstanding practice, the flag throwers take what appears to be a break. A few of them notice you sitting on the chair, and you give them a smile. They return the grin. Making conversation with them as best you can, you learn that they are from a little town several miles away, here for the flag twirling competition this weekend. While highly advertised among locals, few tourists know about the annual competition, but as they can see you're a flag-twirling aficionado, they invite you to see them perform…

Experiences like this can happen when you Travel, but usually only if you are "lost". Just try it next time you Travel. But be certain to use common sense (as I always tell people, "If the alley is dark, don't go down it…"). Once you learn how to get lost, it becomes part of your Travel repertoire, and you'll never Travel the same again!

And remember, if you do have a "freak-out" experience when you're lost, just relax...In with the good air, out with the bad... Panic should be the furthest thing from your mind, because all you have to do is hail a taxi and give them the name (or address) of your hotel! You do remember the name of your hotel, right?

**By the way, you may notice I use a capital "T" for the word Travel (and any of its vernacular forms). This stems from my view that Travel—at least as I conceive it—should be a proper noun. For more on Travel with a capital T, see my article, The Traveler (with a capital "T").

Five Life Lessons from Harry Potter

2007-10-04T09:14:00.000-07:00

After reading the entire Harry Potter series (I finished book seven Saturday afternoon—21 July 2007), it occurred to me that there were several really, really excellent life lessons. While there are countless truisms and lessons throughout the Harry Potter series, these five “lessons” represent, IMHO, the concepts of how a meaningful life can be achieved.

1. Sometimes, you just have to find out things on your own.

This painful lesson is often skirted by parents and loved ones in the name of “protection”. If, for example, someone you love (see #5) is about to do something that YOU, from experience, know will be harmful, the first thought is to help them avoid it. But what good does that really do? Ignoring the someone doesn’t work either, as Dumbledore learned in OoTP. The trick is to be a guide through the “trial” and, though frustrating, let the person gain their own experience. Dumbledore learns this the hard way, paying with his life in HBP, and Harry is left to sort it out on his own without guidance from anyone. Thankfully Dumbledore left some kind of instructions for Harry to follow, and thankfully others in The Order honor Dumbledore’s instructions to a 17 year-old. Even though he MUST discover things on his own, he does have a helpful supporting cast and, as in life, even when you think you’re alone, you’re not. While you might have to find out something on your own, there’s no shame in asking for help along the way—or taking it when it’s offered—as Harry finally learns.

2. Things happen when they’re supposed to happen; Great things only happen after a LOT of hard work.

No matter how much you want something to happen, it will not happen until it’s time. Likewise, as Billy Joel says, “…you can’t be everything you want to be before it’s time.” And really great things, truly great things, only happen after working really, really, really hard. It takes Harry seven years of struggle to learn this lesson. For folks in the real world, it can take a lifetime if they’re unaware. Even though Harry doesn’t want to be great (“…I don’t want eternal glory…”), because of his hard work and dedication to a “right” cause (see #3), what he does becomes great. Likewise with Voldermort. As Olivander says when he meets Harry, “…He Who Must Not Be Named did great things. Terrible, yes. But great…” Indeed, it is this struggle that perhaps personifies Harry’s plight. He is constantly fighting against greatness, even though his hard work pays off with such great abilities as being able to cast a powerful Patronus charm in his third year—something never before thought possible. And not only that, but in his fifth year, he teaches others—some even younger than he was when he learned it—to cast strong Patronus charms as well. His hard work led to something great. All greatness aside, none of it happened prematurely. Those things only happened when it was time for them to happen, not before, not after. Just exactly when they were supposed to happen.

3. The hardest choices in life are between what is right, and what is easy.

“Right” choices are, in most instances, very difficult. If something were easy, everyone would do it. It’s always easiest to do the wrong thing. But, as Harry discovers, there are many different “right” choices, some of which might ruffle feathers of the PTB (Powers That Be). And ruffling feathers is okay. There needs to be more of it! If your judgment is clouded when it comes to a critical decision, remember that the “easy” way does not usually lead to any state of enlightenment or edification. The “right” choice will usually be MUCH, MUCH more difficult to do! Harry also learns that black-and-white choices are not always so black-and-white: there’s a lot of gray. Dumbledore is a master at the use of gray in life, allowing such occurrences as Hermione’s and Harry’s use of the time turner to save Sirius and Buckbeak, allowing a fourth Wizard in the tri-wizard tournament, and allowing Harry to accompany him on the hunt for horcruxes—all very gray areas, with really no discernable black or white. Yet each choice is definitely NOT an easy one.

4. Sometimes, people just die.

As Dumbledore tells Harry in book 7 (pg. 721), “…there are far, far worse things in the living world than dying.” After death, people live on in one way or another—whether in soul, or spirit, or body, or in your heart or mind. Death is simply an extension of life. When people die, it is merely part of a process, and not something over which to suffer or anguish. Death should be a joyful time to celebrate the release from the woes and sufferings of life. Some cultures understand this, others—MOST others—don’t. Is it sad to lose a loved one? Certainly. But mourning or complaining or fighting is no way to honor their life. And whether we want them to or not, sometimes, they just die, regardless of what we want or try to do. That’s death: life.

5. True Love conquers all.

Love is the most powerful force in the universe. It can break hearts, change lives, bring down kingdoms, and topple mountains. It can make a “bad” person “good” and a “good” person “great”. Harry continually learns the value of love, which often begins as friendship and grows. And I’m not talking about ONLY about romantic love, but love for our fellow beings—platonic love. Harry certainly loves his parents, but he also loves Dumbledore, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and in the end, even Snape! It is Harry’s understanding of love—along with his cleverness—that finally defeats Voldermort. Think about it: Harry uses a simple Expeliarmus spell against the seemingly much more powerful, “unforgivable” Avada Kedavra Curse. Because of his convictions, he can’t bring himself to kill anyone, really (the Elder Wand does it for him), as much as he may feel like he should (although he does attempt the gray area with Cruciatus and Imperius Curses). His continued use of defensive spells, even when he’s reminded that people know what to expect, is perhaps the most telling sign of his love—even though he might not recognize it as such.