Today the National Council on Social Studies 89th convention began. Well, actually a few events happened yesterday, but for me - this was the first day.

After I ate breakfast I walked the six blocks to the convention center and the adjacent Omni Hotel. I picked up my registration materials and the all important program. The next 45 minutes was filled by perusing the offerings in the program and scheduling them into my electronic calendar while drinking some coffee. I decided my first event would be the annual meeting of the elementary curriculum subcommittee for the NCSS.

The meeting was mostly attended by board and committee members, most of whom were university professors - teachers of teachers. Yup, as some of you would probably predict I would walk out of such a meeting having committed to take on some sort of formal role. And that's exactly what happened. I am now the board secretary which, in essence, has committed me to attending next year's convention in Denver. This position fulfills my personal commitment to become more involved with national professional teaching organizations centered on curriculum.

After the subcommittee meeting, I went to a presentation on geography for primary grades. I took away some good information on the use of 'mind maps' as well as some Internet resources. That was followed by a session on using literature to teach history. Several of my new colleagues on the elementary subcommittee gave presentations, and I won a beautiful book about ecology as a door prize. Around lunchtime I went to the keynote speaker presentation at the Omni Hotel ballroom. That address was given by a Columbia history professor and focused on the evolution of Abraham Lincoln's thinking on slavery. Finally, I attended a panel discussion about national and state policy initiatives and how they can drive social studies standards and instruction. I returned to the hotel at 4pm.

This is the first full day of my visit to Atlanta, and marks the only day dedicated to visiting sites of interest to tourists. In keeping with the goal of my trip, I have dedicated my time to three sites which represent the history of Atlanta and the American South.

I picked up a rental car from a Budget office just two blocks from my hotel. I drove north into the Buckhead area, easily the equal of Beverly Hills or Bel Air when comparing sprawling estates and mansions. My first stop was the Atlanta History Center.

It's a beautiful museum and well laid out. I spent about three hours touring the extensive exhibits and two historic homes located on the property.

The most fascinating part was focused specifically on the city of Atlanta and its development over the last 150 years. Until the Civil War, Atlanta was a small city of three thousand that existed as a railroad crossing. The war increased the population to almost 40,000 in just three years.

The destruction of Atlanta was not as complete as Gone With the Wind would have us believe. The city quickly rebuilt and dedicated itself once again to commerce, expansion and a model for 'The New South.' Thus the symbol of Atlanta today is the Phoenix.

Also in the museum was a huge exhibit about the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games, as well as a giant hall dedicated to the American Civil War. Smaller exhibits covered traditional southern crafts and Native American history in Georgia.

Outside the main museum building was a garden built in an old quarry, as well as the historic Swan House - an early 20th century mansion, and an southern old farm house with out buildings.

After three hours, I drove southeast to the Carter Center with includes the Presidential Library and Museum for the 39th President of the Untied States. The Carter Center is the fourth presidential library I have visited in my life - the others being Johnson, Kennedy, and Nixon.

I enjoyed the Carter Center a great deal. It had recently gone through a total remodel, re-opening just two weeks prior to my visit. Learning about President Carter's life was fascinating enough, but then to learn more about the humanitarian work of the Carter Center was even more impressive.

By three o'clock in the afternoon I was bound for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center and Historic Site. I toured the National Park Building, the King Center (run by a family foundation) as well as walking past Dr. King's home and Ebenezer Baptist Church in both its old and new incarnations.

By 5pm left the King Center and drove a circuitous route through East Atlanta, Piedmont Park, then back through Midtown, and into Downtown. I stopped at a grocery store on my way back to the hotel and returned the rental car by 6pm.

It was a productive and enjoyable day, which touched on the following subjects, appropriate for a teacher's business trip: urban development, farming, sports history, the Civil War, architecture, the Civil Rights Movement, presidential politics, and philanthropy.

Atlanta is the biggest city in the old South. It's well known as the hometown for Coca Cola, CNN, Georgia Pacific, UPS and Home Depot. I'm here for a teacher convention focused on social studies (history, economics, geography, sociology, civics). The convention will take place at the Georgia World Congress Center (aka Atlanta convention center).

My flights to Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport were on time and relatively comfortable. I flew through Chicago. After I landed, I rode MARTA from the airport into downtown Atlanta, getting off at the Peachtree Center station. MARTA trains impressed me as fast, clean, comfortable, and safe. Then I walked two short blocks south and I was at the hotel - Marriott Residence Inn.

I walked into the lobby at 8pm EST. It was dark, rainy, and dreary. I'm in the heart of the business district (which is surprisingly small). My room is a one bedroom suite with kitchen. From the living room, I have a view over Woodruff Park toward the state capitol dome. From the bedroom I look over a parking garage at the CNN Center.

Once I unpacked in my hotel room, I heated up some chicken soup with cheese and crackers I grabbed during my layover in the United Airlines Red Carpet Club at Chicago O'Hare Airport.

Tomorrow I'm picking up a rental car. My plan is to drive around town just to get the lay of the land. I also plan on a visit the Georgia History Center, the Carter Center and Presidential Library, as well as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center. Some time during the convention, I also hope to visit the Georgia Aquarium.

The convention starts at 7:30 on Friday with a newcomer's breakfast.

This is a very cool video. Aren't humans adaptable? Nothing stops free enterprise.

 

Good news! I'm going to a convention focused on the teaching of the social studies (history, sociology, economics and geography). It takes place in Atlanta, Georgia. It's a short event. The National Council on Social Studies annual convention is just four days long. It takes place after Veteran's Day in mid-November. I hope it's a worthwhile trip. I'm going alone, so I won't have anyone with whom I can share the adventure.

As is usual for me, meeting people will be challenging. While I am plenty friendly in these kinds of situations, and engage well when required to - I have never been able to get deeper into a social situation such as meeting new friends and going out for drinks or a dinner. We'll see if that changes during this event.

The school will only take care of the cost for my substitute for two days. I'm covering the cost of travel, hotel and registration. Knowing I will likely spend most of my time alone, I've secured my usual room at a Marriott Residence Inn downtown with a full kitchen so I can save money by cooking my own meals and not face dining alone in a restaurant. I will also save on the costs of a kennel and parking at the airport because Derek will be taking care of the pooches and the cat.

I'm looking forward to this, my first visit to Atlanta, as well as learning more about social studies instruction in elementary school. I've already registered for a tour/seminar at the Martin Luther King Center and a reception at the Carter Center.

The sad part is I will naturally compare this event to the conference I attended in New York over the summer. That week long gathering was so  superlative I'm afraid other professional conventions will pale by comparison. Furthermore, the NCSS event is much more commercial, taking place at the giant Georgia World Congress Center, attracting more than 3000 attendees and including the ubiquitous hall stuffed with hundreds of commercial retailers hocking their books and curriculum programs. I'm sure I will miss the warmth and academic focus of the Columbia University campus.

And there is more good news: Can you guess where Derek and I are planning on going in February 2010 - just four months away?

DISNEY WORLD! I've been wanting to do this trip for the last year. I actually had planned a trip to Disneyland for this past summer, but my trip to DC as well as the conference in New York precluded a vacation in California. Therefore, I postponned the trip and have not only moved it to next February, but changed the destination to Orlando, Florida.

We'll be staying at the Coronado Springs Resort inside the sprawling Disney World campus. Derek and I are also planning a day trip to the Kennedy Space Center.

The video below shows a day at Disney World. It's very cute and uses a special focus technique that makes real people and places look miniaturized.

     

I'm sitting in the lounge at Lexus of Bellevue. My car-baby is going through its 20K checkup. I'm a little frustrated because two weeks ago I discovered peeling paint on the bumper wrap.

In July, 2008 I had body work done on the car due to a friend backing my baby into a concrete pole. My insurance covered the repair minus the cost of my deductible, but now it's apparent the body shop they sent me to did shoddy work on the paint. Two spots are peeling and a third is bubbling. If I do nothing the peeling sections will continue to expand over time. Also, the bumper wrap is slightly out of alignment.

I called my insurance company to complain about the work, and they were very nice about it - they "guarantee the work." However, they want me to take the car back to the same body shop to have them do the work again. Excuse me? Why would I want to do that? I suggested to the claims officer that I take the car to Lexus of Bellevue, the insurance company approve the dealer estimate and we get the job done correctly. It looks like the insurance company may go along with that, though I won't know for sure until I receive approval next week.

The process, though, isn't my source of frustration. What bothers me is a long standing frustration with large corporations and their inefficiency.

I work for a public school system that is constantly being pilloried for "inefficiency, incompetence, wastefulness, etc." Sometimes these claims are true. The public and politicians hurl these claims, but then they go on to imply governments and school systems are always less efficient than independent corporations. That is a HUGE lie, and those that claim it are either willfully ignorant or professional prevaricators.

My insurance company would rather deal with a small body shop that has questionable work practices, than deal with a dealership that has experience and the efficiency of volume. Another problem I had was the time when the catalytic converter was stolen off my old truck. The insurance company required me to take it to an "approved body shop." Of course, body shops don't replace catalytic converters. They drove my truck down the street to Midas, then tacked a huge additional cost onto the bill. Ultimately, the insurance company paid almost double the price to service my claim when compared to the cost if I had taken it to Midas myself. That's ridiculous. Yeah, corporate America is so efficient! That is why I'm feeling frustrated. False claims and ittle injustices always stick in my craw.

But my title also speaks of temptation. "What is tempting John?" you may ask. Well, I'm sitting here in the Lexus lounge looking through an archway at a beautiful new red Lexus RX450h. The latest model of my sad car that is downstairs on a hoist having his belly poked and prodded. I talked with a sales rep about changes in the 2010 model.

Ooooh weee! The new RX is sweet and oh so sexy. He is calling to me. "John. Come buy me! I have a lot of new features! I'm more fuel efficient and sleeker!They'll give you a great deal on your trade-in!"

Downstairs, Vic (yes, that's my car's name) is suffering through the indignity of draining his bodily fluids and the frustration of scratches and peeling on his beautiful black body while upstairs the new slutty red hot Lexus is winking at me. I think he wants me to buy him a drink.

Is God testing me? Could I be more shallow?

What does one blog about when nothing seems important or pressing? Not much, I guess - which explains why it's been three week since my last entry. However, I've been told by two people I need to add a blog entry, so here goes...

My youngest schnauzer has become a vampire. The old dog got a scist on her neck. It started to drain, and the younger schnauzer - well, let's just say she tried to help. Now the scist has healed and baby schnauzer wants more. Gross! She keeps staring at the old dog's neck and sniffing one spot, occasionally giving it a furtive lick. I've started calling her Vampira.

Last week, the furnace came on for the first time since early June. In order to save money and energy, as well as pump less carbon dioxide into the air, I have reduced the time during which my furnace runs - and I reduced the temperature during afternoons, evenings and weekends down to 65. It's still set at 67 from 6-7am because I mostly walk around the house in my underwear while getting ready, and 65 is just too cold for that state of undress. I'm hoping to see some monetary savings.

This weekend I'm going to get a haircut, take my car to the dealer for routine service, and bake my first loaf of homemade bread in more than eight months. I'm trying a honey wheat recipe for the first time. I'm also going to try a new Indian dal recipe. My list of chores for the weekend includes vacuuming, picking up dog poop, and fixing a flat tire on my bike.

Sadly, I have not been able to ride my bike to work over the last week because it was the victim of a construction staple. I've been driving alone or car pooling for a week now. I miss riding my bike. The day I hit the staple was the first time I've been riding during a thunder storm. It wasn't pretty. There was lightning, thunder, drenching rain, and some hail. Thankfully, I had on my rain jacket and pants. But, not a hat - just my helmet. My head was drenched and the water was dripping down my neck below the jacket. I was a drippy mess when I got home. My shoes and socks were wet too.

I spent the recent weekend with Derek and enjoyed it as usual. We saw the movie Julie & Julia. It's a good flick. We ate dinner at Hobos Restaurant in Chinatown - a gay Portland institution. The food is mediocre but we enjoy the atmosphere and service. They make good drinks too. Sometimes it's nice to hang out with your own tribe.

I've been back at school teaching for the last month. Things have been smooth. Open House was last week and the third grade potluck is tomorrow. We are learning about ancient and modern Egypt. Math, of course, is a daily routine. We finished reading a fiction book called The Stories Julian Tells. Now we are reading non-fiction books and websites about bears, raccoons, and pandas in preparation for writing a compare/contrast report about the three. We have also been following the Writer's Workshop model for personal narrative writing - successfully I suppose because one teacher came in to observe me teach a lesson and suddenly three more followed her over the next two weeks. Perhaps word has gotten out  I  have a firm grasp on teaching writing.

In science we are studying botany. Most recently we have been learning about sexual reproduction (I just refer to it as "reproduction") in flowering plants including the pollination process. Last week we went to the Woodland Park Zoo to learn about plant/animal interdependence.

Next week I have a medical check-up as part of the adoption process. At the same time I will hopefully get a swine flu shot. Also, I intend to get my tax records copied and a financial statement off to the adoption agency within the next week as well.

I made some changes to the Australia trip planned for Derek and me in December. Instead of staying in a beach condo outside the city of Cairns while diving on the Great Barrier Reef, we will stay on a live aboard scuba yacht for three days. That way, we don't have to make the daily three hour round trip to the reef. We'll just live there and dive 4-5 times each day off the back of the yacht. Believe it or not, this option is actually less expensive because it's all inclusive and we save time.

Finally, and most fun of all, I bought a new 40" LCD high definition television. I really didn't need it, but how sad is it that my parents had the latest and greatest entertainment system before me? I had to catch up with the old folks. I also bought a Sony PlayStation 3 so I can watch Blu-Ray videos and play games. Wow! With Blu-Ray and HDTV I can see the pores on the actor's noses! Kinda creepy!

Hmmmm....nothing to say takes up a lot of column space.

Ciao



 

I have completed the first significant segment of my journey toward adopting a baby. Here are some of the sign posts I've passed so far.

I wrote a big check! Yup, I shelled out some serious cash to pay my adoption agency for a home study. Believe it or not, adoption costs a lot of money - A LOT! However, considering the emotional benefits and the value of fulfilling a longtime goal - it's worth it. Kids are priceless. (Note to self: make that your mantra when you are tired of dirty smelly diapers. "Kids are priceless, kids are priceless.")

Also, I wrote a thirteen page autobiography. It was an outline of my family background, history, career, relationships, religion, goals, personal challenges, values, role models, and reasons I want to adopt. My home study interview will use the autobiography as a springboard.

I completed some basic forms, including an application form, and a pledge not to use corporal punishment. Also, I signed a records release form in front of a notory and I paid the Seattle Police to fingerprint me. My fingerprints have been sent to the FBI.

Still to come: I have to convince six friends, coworkers, and/or family members to write positive letters of recommendation for me. The letters are sent directly to the adoption agency. I will never see them.

I need to have a medical check up and the doctor needs to complete some forms. Basically, they want to know if I'm going to die or I have a history of problems due to alcohol, drugs, mental illness, domestic violence, homelessness, etc. Again, I will never see the completed form.

I have to copy my tax returns for the last three years and complete a financial statement of debts and assets. Thankfully, this is something I get to do. At least I have control over something!

Of course, there is the home study too - which, as I understand it, is a couple interviews and at least one inspection of my house by a social worker. The homestudy interview is put together with all the information in the recommendations, my financials, my health report, as well as state and federal law enforcement reports. Ultimately, the day will come when I am told whether or not I am "approved" to adopt in the USA.

Question: Why don't straight people making their own baby have to go through a screening process? (That's a rhetorical question. No one needs to post an answer. Right now, no answer would satisfy me).

Finally, if approved, I need to write and publish a "profile." From what I have seen of samples at the adoption agency, the profile is a book of photos and written personal thoughts about parenthood and adoption. It's a tool for introducing me as a prospective parent to mothers considering putting their baby up for adoption. In other words, it's a way of selling myself as a father. Many folks publish actual soft bound books through Internet publishing companies - very glossy and professional. As a techno geek and wanting to put forward my best self-presentation, I'll probably follow that route, but I must admit I have a certain level of discomfort with the idea of marketing myself to mom's (and rarely dads) because I want them to give me their child so I can raise him/her.

Once all that is done, my name is sent out to other agencies in many states (that allow single gay men to adopt). That's when I "enter the pool" and that also marks the time when I write an even bigger check - twice as big as the one written this week. I can tell you this: I won't be in the pool for at least another three months.

The journey has barely begun.

This weekend, Derek is finishing his scuba diving certification program. He will complete his final written test as well as four test dives where he is required to demonstrate basic skills.

The certification process isn't easy - especially not in the cold water of the Northwest. When I got certified back in 2003, I started in a class of eight people. By the time we got to the final dives, only four of us were left. The rest had dropped out.

In 2005, when I earned my advanced certification - the class had a similar drop out rate.

Scuba diving isn't easy, but Derek has the talent. He's a natural, in my humble opinion - and the dive master that worked with him 10 months ago in Bonaire agreed.

Good luck Derek! Breath regularly, do your best, and you will succeed.

UPDATE: September 7 - Derek is now a certified Open Water Scuba Diver!! Yeah!!!

Derek and I went to visit my home town of San Diego over the last four days. It was a great opportunity for fun times together as well as an introduction for Derek to the old stomping grounds of my youth.

We stayed in Coronado at the Marriott Resort. We enjoyed time in Old Town, Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, a long drive through the city and time with old friends as well as great food.

In the upper left corner of this page are 60+ photos from our trip. Hopefully the pictures convey some portion of the fun we had, along with our roaming schnauzer, Ambrosia. Traveling with Derek is ALWAYS fun. He is an amazing travel partner and source of comfort as well as amusement - the perfect foil for my personality. When I am serious, Derek is silly. When I worry, he is confident and assured. I draw from him and gain so much energy. The gift he gives to me is too complex and wonderful to put into words. I hope I offer as much in return for him.

This San Diego vacation marks one year of dating - a milestone on what has become a significant journey. I look forward to more important events, milestones, and anniversaries with Derek (aka Chico and Honey Bear). The future holds change and comfort.

Have you ever wondered why so many cyclists don't ride all the way to the right on a busy city street? Well, if there are cars parked along the street - this is why:

  

I wish our cities designed better bike lanes. Most of them are dangerous. I regularly hug the outer white line of the bike lane and I get shouted at our flipped off for doing it, but this video shows why I do it.

Our Washington State test results from spring 2009 are now available, and I want....no NEED to point something out.

A gloss of the statistics complete with bar graphs and analysis is available in today's Seattle Times. The most significant quote, and the one I use as my "I told you so" moment is:

      "Seattle Public Schools outperformed the state average in 19 of the 20 tested subjects and grades, which is unusual for an urban school district."

Yes! Seattle Public Schools, the much maligned urban school district and largest in the state, is doing better than most people think. Yet, those of us in the district, already knew that. It is an insideous form of group think, or more accurately, group hatred that has kept Seattle from receiving the recognition it deserves in both the local press and in personal conversations about public education both locally and in Olympia, the state capital.

Strangely enough, nationally, Seattle is seen as a model for a well run large urban school district. Certainly SPS has its problems and a spotty record of financial mistakes as well as curriculum misalignment, but we don't do everything wrong, though that's what many ignorant people want you to believe. I suppose some of us have a hard time letting go of anger and hatred that has become as familiar as an old friend.

Today I feel justified for my past and numberous protests against ignorant boobs who have trashed SPS. I also feel ready to continue working on the process of change and raise our state test scores even more as we reform and improve public education. If I am wise, I'd best enjoy this moment. I'm sure it won't last for long.

Usually when on a trip, I will blog every day - but on this trip I have been too busy. Believe it or not, every night I've had a couple hours of homework! I'm appalled! They expect teachers to do homework? Thankfully, this evening's workload is not too onerous. I have time to tell you what is going on.

Every day is filled with activity and interaction. I experience a bit of New York, some of the Columbia University's mystique, and some great dining.

I'm having a great time. The speakers have run the gamut from good to spectacular. Some of the most well known teachers and writers in the United States are here. I'm usually suspicious of those considered "famous" in my field - but I'm learning some of those academics are truly famous for a very good reason: they live up to the fame. This is especially true of Lucy Calkins - Director of the Literacy Specialist Program at Columbia University Teachers College. She is amazing.

I'm enjoying Manhattan, as usual. But, the weather has been nasty the last couple days with highs in the 90s and humidity levels nearly equal to the temperature. Thankfully, every classroom and lecture hall has been air conditioned. Unfortunately,  walking just a few blocks from one venue to another, or into the boiling hot subway stations can leave me dripping with sweat. By the time I return to my hotel each afternoon I am wringing wet and ready for a shower.

I miss Derek too. I'd love to share Manhattan with him, and see some shows together. I know he wants very much to be here. Hopefully the day when we can enjoy New York City together will come sooner rather than later, and without the intrusion of business. For now, learning to be a better educator is my daily work.

A typical day at Columbia has consisted of waking at 6:30 am, getting dressed and eating breakfast in my room. My fellow teachers from Seattle and I ride the subway six stations to the north, stopping at Lerner Hall on the university campus. There we (about 2000 teachers and administrators) listen to a keynote address from a famous author or academic. Subsequently we break into  groups of a couple hundred for instruction and inspiration, and then we eat lunch at a deli or cafeteria in the area - usually along Amsterdam Avenue.

By 1pm we walk to the Teachers College where we break into manageable groups of twenty-five based on the grade level of our teaching. There we receive both additional instruction as well as time to work on and polish our own writing and interact with peers from around the country. The wood paneled halls and stained glass windows  at Columbia Teacher's College make the old brick buildings seems like temples of education. It's a great atmosphere in which to learn. I am in awe much of the time. Finally, from 3 - 4pm we partake in self-chosen seminars that focus on specific elements of the curriculum we are learning.

When I return to the hotel, at about 4:30 pm, I usually rest for a while before doing my homework. It usually consists of both reading and writing - we are in essence acting as students, like those we teach, engaged in the processes and exercises we will be teaching in the fall. Sometimes I have a chance to nap for an hour before I meet again with my fellow teachers for dinner at a nearby restaurant. I'm back at the hotel by nine or ten and asleep by eleven.

Though I am enjoying myself, and experiencing an increasing level of anticipation at the thought of putting what I have learned into practice back in Seattle, I am also feeling somewhat overwhelmed. I have taken copious notes. I've received page upon page of text to read. I have new books and charts. I'm constantly creating goals, samples and lesson plans for both my students and myself. There is a lot to absorb and still so much to do. We have just crossed the halfway point.

When I put all this information and these techniques into action, I must remember to be patient with myself. It's not going to be easy. But, I have no doubt my writing instruction will be better this year than last. I'm on my way to becoming both a better writer and a better teacher with Writer's Workshop. I'm very glad my principal was able to fund this trip. I think it will be well worth the expense.

I'm here in New York City, ensconced at the Hotel Beacon with a lovely view of Central Park, the American Museum of Natural History and the beautiful apartment towers that surround the park.

All my flights went well, even though I had to endure the cramped spaces of economy class. The only annoying part of the flight was the teenager that fell asleep and slowly drifted over to my shoulder - as though it were a pillow. It took a couple big shrugs of my shoulders to get him off.

We landed in Newark, New Jersey a full thirty minutes early. As planned, I took the airport monorail to the train station. From there I caught the New Jersey commuter rail into New York's Penn Station, then I walked through the station mall to the number one subway line which I rode up to 72nd street, walking the last two blocks to my hotel.

The room is perfect. It's a decent size with all new furniture. There is a small kitchen complete with stove top, refrigerator, microwave and sink. Hotel Beacon used to be an apartment building. In fact, about thirty residents still live here - which makes this the perfect place for me. I like feeling like a native whenever I travel, and there's no better way to do that than to stay in an apartment or condo style building. To that end, I had to go shopping for my dinner.

Once I had checked in and changed my clothes, I headed across the street to the Fairway Market. This place is a New York institution. The images you may have of a crowded grocer with streetside fruit displays, narrow aisles stacked high with exotic cheeses, oils, and other gourmet treats - well, that is the Fairway Market, and it's across the street from my hotel!

I stocked up on breakfast foods like yogurt, orange juice and quiche. I also bought dinner fixings for one night. Then it was back across Broadway to the liquor store for a bottle of wine, and finally back up to my "apartment" looking over Central Park. How cool is that?

Tomorrow I leave for the Big Apple. I have a conference at Columbia University, but of course this trip will not be just a business adventure.

I arrive a couple days before the conference so I can partake in some of the things Manhattan has to offer. I'll be seeing Avenue Q, the musical - as well as The 39 Steps, a comedic mystery based on the Hitchcock movie. I'm also planning a visit to the Natural History Museum and Hayden Planetarium.

I and two compatriots will be staying at Hotel Beacon on the upper west side, two blocks from Central Park. I return to Seattle one week later.

This will be my first trip to New York without staying in Midtown. I've had enough of the hustle, bustle, noise and crowding that inundates that area during the summer months. I think staying further north will be quieter, more relaxed, and add to my enjoyment of the trip.

This is my third business trip in ten years. I guess we teacher types don't get out much. I've been to Long Beach for a conference on community service integration with elementary curriculum. Last summer I went on a four night cruise to learn integration of chess. And this year I will be attending a massive (2,500+ teachers) conference about writing instruction using the Writer's Workshop model.

In my VERY limited experience, it sometimes seems like cycling is a white thing, a middle class thing, a young thing, a fitness or commuter thing, but not an everybody thing.

My experience is far too limited and my vision too narrow. The movement toward cycling is far more diverse. It's electric bikes and pedal bikes; it's racing bikes, commuter bikes, Dutch bikes, and mountain bikes;  it's fixed gear bikes and twenty speed bikes. Now I know, it's also scraper bikes!

Streetfilms.org has a great video report. Unfortunately I can't embed the video (thanks a lot MSN!), but you can check it out.

Twenty-five years ago I came across a book by Ernest Callenbach while browsing through the book section at my local organic supermarket in San Diego (anybody remember Jimbo's?). It was called Ecotopia, and the blurb on the back sounded interesting - part science fiction, part sociology, part environmental and political treatise. It was a cult classic among liberals at the time, and I fell in love with the book. I've read it half a dozen times.

I recently discovered an article about Ecotopia published six months ago in the New York Times. There has been a resurgence of interest in Callenbach's book. He later wrote a prequel about the evolution of his futuristic and ecologically balanced society that he set in the region we call Cascadia today (Northern California, Oregon and Washington).

I recommend the book to everyone - the prequel too.Though it's a good read, ecotopia has weaknesses. As stated in the Times, "Its characters are flat; its prose — well, call it utilitarian." The primary value of the book isn't it's literary style, but the ideas. The book prompts discussion about values, society, gender and the human ability to change and adapt - either by choice or when forced by circumstance. The book has a radical environmental vision - too radical for some, but fascinating none the less. It's amazing to see how much of Callenbach's vision is already coming true.

There was a posting on the Kansas Cyclist blog detailing the efforts by some to ban the use of bicycles on county and state roads in a few Midwestern states. One Iowa organization has gone so far as to couch their effort in a cloak of concern for safety. They worry about increasing use of farm to market roads by bicyclists and argue that "...shared roadways are no longer safe or practical in today’s society."

First of all, how can they complain that "today's society" makes sharing the road unsafe? The only interpretation I can fathom is they believe drivers in Iowas today are unsafer than in the past and therefore unable to share the road. Or, sharing costs them money and frustration, so the rights of other taxpayers (aka bikers) to use public rights of way should be abridged.

Similar efforts are underway in Colorado and Oklahoma. A few years ago a parallel effort was quashed in Texas. And, here in Seattle, we see a similar attitude on the part of truckers and industrial business owners regarding the completion of a missing section of the Burke Gilman Trail.

The people in these organizations are either liars or they are deluding themselves and the rest of their communities. They really don't care about safety. What they care about is time, money and exclusive use of public roadways by motorized vehicles. Having to share the road with cyclists slows down trucks and cars. Slowing down for bikes means frustration and anger, and that leads to an attitude of self-righteous arrogance. They believe since cyclists are a small minority of the population, their rights to public roads can be easily dispensed with - all in the name of commerce.

If the farmers and truckers cared about safety, they would suggest ways to improve the situation and not just go for an outright ban.  They would support expansion of bike lanes along with education of cyclists and motorists about how to share roadways.

It's simple: sharing slows me down, so I don't want to share. It has nothing to do with safety.

Come here baby. Come to Papa.

This is the kind of bike I dream of for Seattle commuting. This is the new Sanyo CY-SPK227 - the world's first carbon fiber self-charging E-Bike. That's right...when you coast or brake, the motor becomes a dynamo, charging the battery and thus extending your range - just like a hybrid car and exactly like the 1947 bike I talked about in a previous post.  This has got to be the wave of the future in the E-bike universe. Of course, as the first of its kind it has a one of a kind price tag: about $6,700 when it premiers in Japan on October 1, 2009.

There's no way I would ever pay that much for an E-bike, but someday the price will come down (dramatically I hope). The closer they get that bike to $2,000 the more buyers they will attract. Currently, Japan has a larger market for E-bikes (300K units vs. 100K units in the US), but the US has a larger potential market and if gasoline continues to increase in price, we will continue to see the E-bike market expand.

The specs: carbon fiber, 42 lb weight (kind of heavy, but better than my 58 lb bike), 8 speed internal derailleur, chain guard, 250 Watt brush-less electric motor (350 Watt would be better in Seattle), lithium ion battery pack, front fork magnesium suspension system, battery powered LED headlight, and a 60+mile range between rechargings! It even has a basic traction control system. If the sensors indicate a differential between pedal torque and rim rotation, the electric motor kicks up the power to increase and equalize traction. A more compact and foldable 20" version will premier 2 weeks prior to the CY-SPK227.

My only ciriticism is they should have been able to lower the weight more. E-bikes need a more robust frame than racing bikes because they are designed for urban use and need to support the torque, vibration and weight of the drive system (not to mention more "robust" city riders). It isn't a racing bike, but carbon fiber technology should be able to get the weight down into the 30 - 40lb realm. That's just the opinion of someone who isn't an engineer. Add disc brakes, a seat suspension system, and fenders and this bike would be the ultimate E-bike wet dream.

I'm so excited I have to blog about this. I just finished booking my December vacation trip for 2009.

Originally, I had hoped for another gay scuba tour like last year - but to the islands of Yap and Palau this time. Unfortunatley, I got a late start on the planning and the tour was filling up rapidly. All that was left was the more expensive luxury rooms on Palau. I thought about it for a week, talked with Derek, and then decided to move forward. I double checked the airfare (it's not included in the tour) and was shocked to find it had nearly doubled while I was thinking, climbing from about $1,700 to $3,100!! Yes - that's a coach ticket - not first class.

I could not afford that big a leap. I was already stretching my budget to the breaking point. I tried to imagine how the fare could take such a leap, and the reason was clear. Only one US carrier flies into Yap and Palau (if you are wondering where the islands are, look on a map down near the Philippines) The carrier is Continental. They have the market cornered for places like Saipan, Guam, Palau, etc. The only other way to get to the island would have been a flight through Japan on JAL - and it was about $4,000! So I knew very quickly there is no realistic chance that competition is going to force Continental to lower their rates.

That was the death of my plans for another gay scuba tour. But, hope springs eternal - and if there is anything I do well, it's plan vacations! So I set to work coming up with options.

In brief, I consulted with Derek and we considered going to Hawaii for 10 days. Or, we could fly to Belize and live aboard a scuba yacht for a week, Or third, we could go to Australia and dive on the Great Barrier Reef. Well, I think the title of this blog entry tells you which trip won out. Derek and I both favored Australia. The price was much better than Yap and Palau.

Tonight I finished booking all the major parts for our trip "down under"and even added a few twists. This trip is not as scuba intensive, but I have no doubt Derek and I will get in 6-10 dives, and that works for me. Derek is in the midst of a scuba certification course right now.

Here are some of the details of our trip. We will be flying on Hawaiian Airlines to Honolulu. We spend two night there, adjusting to the time change and avoiding 16+ hours flying if we went direct from LA or San Francisco. The two night stay in Hawaii has a side benefit of giving Derek his first taste of Hawaii - one of my favorite destinations in the world. I don't know if we will dive there, but there is so much to see, I'm sure we will have no trouble filling our time.

After our brief time in the birthplace of President Obama (birthers take note) we arrive in Sydney. We will lose one day because of flight time and crossing the International Dateline. We spend three nights in Sydney on the edge of Hyde Park at Oxford Street. I've reserved a studio apartment.

From Sydney we hop a flight into the Outback - Uluru specifically - the heart of aboriginal territory and site of Ayers Rock (see pic above). We are staying at one of the hotels there. Christmas in the Australian bush - not bad! After two nights in the outback we jump on a plane again to the far north coast of Queensland State and the city of Cairns - the heart of The Great Barrier Reef. We stay for 4 nights in a condo on the beach. That should give us about 3 days of diving, and maybe one day to explore the tropical rain forest or just lay on the beach.

Finally, we fly back to Sydney again for New Year's Eve, enjoying the fireworks on Sydney Harbour Bridge. It was really difficult finding a hotel, and the prices for what little is left are more than double the usual rate - but I found a hip hotel just 2 block from Hyde Park. The big question for me is, what will transportation be like at 12:30am on New Year's Eve in Sydney? Given that virtually every hotel is full already, I suspect taxis will be as rare as hens' teeth. If all else fails, we can walk. It's just 1.5 miles from the waterfront to the hotel.

Late the next day we head for home -  flying through Honolulu again though not staying overnight. The return trip will be our nasty 18 hour ordeal. However, as is usual for me, my planning is meticulous. One of the reasons I chose Hawaiian Air is they fly the Boeing 767, which has pairs of seats on the outside. No middle seats! Plus they are slightly bigger than average, so I think I will be able to cope. And, upon our return I will have two days to recover before going back to school.

While I'm in Ozzie land, can I throw some shrimp on the barbie for ya? Perhaps I will wrestle a croc too. Derek is planing on boxing with a kangaroo.

Tie me kangaroo down, sport!