Heeeeeeeeeellllllllllllloooooooooo out there

Father sun, the greenhouse, Seattle, WA May 2007.

Is it something I said, or didn't?

Things here are fine. We're just wrapping up another exciting work week here. Papers are almost done and on Thursday night we're on our way to Boston and not such beautiful New Hampshire to deal with a family issue.

My family is fine, thankyouverymuch. My father met another 15 relatives yesterday and my brother has met close to 60 M&Js he had never met. Pretty cool huh?

I will just be happy when by brother texts me from Paris telling me he's okay.

I've been busy taking all sorts of pictures, you should check out my Flickr photostream and using my rss feed to see my new pics as I load them. Some are silly, some are really bad (those are the ones taken with my phone) and some are down right awesome. I'm contemplating buying a new point and shoot because TH will take the D50 to Alaska with her and goddamnit, I take pictures every freaking day.

Check out my contacts too, they take great pictures.

Well the dog is snoring, I'm ready to read something that doesn't pertain to hazard planning and scientific python and hopefully one of you will comment before too long.

smooches,

nm

the miracle of the mommy network

Where the mommy mafia met, from the Iranian.com.

Today my Khaleh Mehri called me to thank me for the email I sent this morning to her son updating her on what my family was up to and where they were in their journey. I know that by sending out an email to a core bunch of my mom's friends, their kids and my family, the news will get disseminated far and wide and fast!

The mommy network is an amazing thing. I know I have written about it before. These are a group of amazing women who went to nursing school together in the 50's and still remain amazingly close friends, well, maybe more like sisters. I cannot begin to explain their bond. They laugh together, they cry together and they mourn together.

They are also amazing in their ability to run to eachother in the time of need or find the resources through their networks to make sure things are done correctly. I cannot tell you how much we benefited from K.Mehri when TH's dad needed help and we were 700 miles away.

I love them all.

nm

viva italia and stupice and juliet

Time to get those things in the ground.

nm

Sigalert

University Bridge, Day after. April 2007.

I was able to leave my office and make it downtown and parked right in front of my hairs salon (you cut more than one n'est ce pas?) in less that 45 minutes this afternoon during rush hour.

Considering yesterday's news of traffic hell due to sink holes, traffic diversions, the relentless media coverage and warnings, I was flabbergasted. Busses signaled they were changing lanes, pedestrians did not dart out in traffic, drivers were less stupid than usual merging onto the freeway and Westlake was open on my way home.

I even managed to make it home over the University bridge and not fall in.

Sometimes this city amazes me, and in a good way.

nm

kung fu hip

My hip and lower back are killing me and the last flying I did was two weeks ago, or was one, I can't remember.

Yes, I had a bulkhead and yes, I'm sure I put my feet up. I know it is wrong, I shouldn't do it.

However, I can attribute this rash of pain to one thing ...

Kung fu hip - the hip that comes from kung fu kicking and kick box kicks that comes from crushing snails on retaining walls on our daily walks.

Damn, now I'm going to have to pull them off and crunch them, which takes more time and is not as satisfying.

Time to take some more advil.

nm

view from afar

Shemiran, north Tehran, April 2007, photo courtesy of the published one.

How I wish I could be there to see my dad see everyone again.

nm

everything is wonderful, having the time of my life

Ribbons of chocolate. April 2007.

Not much to report. Heard from everyone, they are fine and I'm very relieved.

Vexed by spreadsheets and contemplating my career choice. I never thought my life would be ruled with such things.

I'm looking forward to a mellow week - I hope.

nm

sorry, just a little distracted....

Isfahan, May 2004.

Gawd, where did the week go?

I was merely looking at the availibility of flying from SEA to Paris on an award ticket to pick up some more Jean Charles Rochoux and I am off a week.

Damn skippy.

I need that week back.

Then again, I could just screw American and fly BA in club for the same amount of miles, but put myself through the torture of LHR.

Or, I could just walk to Frans and buy some chocolate.

More on this later...

nm

earth day redux

So, it is earth day.

What did you do?

I composted, didn't really drive anywhere (no where in fact), cleaned out my fridge, ran four loads of laundry, walked my dog four times, had a good conversation with my dear Pat and took a nap for my own conservation.

Hey, for us, every day is earth day. We compost, we minimize what goes into landfills, we think before we buy, we recycle, we minimize our use of electricity and we do it without any hoopla, any color adverts in the papers and without a big media flurry.

It just happens.

Other than that, we're enjoying ourselves here.

Ernest has been very busy (read his blog). I am killing snails left and right (have shoes, will travel). TH managed to get some work done today (yeah). We spent about thirty minutes today cleaning out the freezer and by god, we'll be done with the salmon, halibut, berries and lamb before the next batches come in! Well, at least closer than we have before.

I am so ready for the week to begin and be over.

Does that make sense?

It does to me.

Buhbye historical data in seventeen different formats! I am so done with you.

nm, exceling, zoning and interoperating in April 2007

Blue guitars and tight asses

Ernest the puppy, February 2007.

I met you again in my sleep last night,
these are days of slow boats and false starts.

Hearts remain under lock and key,
you will be the one to set them both free.

And yet people will tell you you're miles from your home,
miles from your home.

But that's where I want to be.
Out there searching,
out here fumbling,
out here waiting
for you and you for me.

The moon hangs like a question mark,
pale as milk, bold as a promise.
When will you share these sights with us?
When will we hold you in our arms?

-Miles from our home
Michael Timmims

Hmm. Where did we leave off?

Ah yes, we survived our half marathon quite nicely. The weather was great, the company delightful, the scenery spectacular, the tulips lovely, the food excellent and the asses on the marathoners stunning.

So, what next?

I am doing the 10K associated with the Kirkland Half and decided that I'll end up walk/running the Seattle Half Marathon on Thanksgiving weekend. Since I've decided to basically stop flying, its great. TH can run off to Brussels without me in November and October and I'll just stay home. She gets my upgrades and I get to train with Ernest.

Tonight we went to see the Cowboy Junkies. It was a strange show this time. Either I'm feeling younger or the fan base is getting older, but it felt like we were the youngest people there. I love them, but they did not do Ernest the puppy's song - Miles from our home, which is one of my favorite songs in the world and his AKC name - Oxboro's Miles from our home - Ernest the puppy.

The song is so important to me, I was seriously bummed. I can remember sitting in the Kirkland Performing Arts hall almost a year ago, knowing that the following day, Peter and I would be driving to Goldendale to pick him up. I just get verklempt just thinking about it.


I just couldn't wait to meet you my sweet boy.

Okay, other than that, I'm off to SFO tomorrow for a one hour commitment. I wish to god that I was paid like one of those people who gets flown to a one hour meeting, but alas, I am not, just have to go.

Yes, those taxes are done, money transferred and I'm feeling it today.

Sigh.

nm

Musings and rants

Not necessarily the best carbs to load on, Seattle, April 2007.

First of all, I turned to TH yesterday and said "a year ago, would you ever have thought you would be carrying a bikini-clad rubber chicken to the car to entice your dog to follow?".

Seriously.

Next, it is spring here.

I am so happy. I could have done without the downpours of yesterday leaving me with a pile of wet sloppy clothing hanging on the line that I am going to have to take off now, spin and then throw in the dryer. The lilacs are blooming as are the fruit trees. Looks like our old cherry will mostly rejoin us this year. I am relieved.

Sigh.

I need to pack for my half marathon tomorrow. Desitin (don't ask), glide, three pairs of socks, ibuprofen, second skin, some power bars, sunscreen (always hopeful), some water and rain jacket.

Should be fun! Will be treated at the end by TH and Ernest bringing us back to Miss J's car.

Yesterday, I received a terse email from our homeless acquaintance thanking us for the 100 dollar donation we made to the Humane society when he had to surrender his cats for what we believed would be a fostering situation. It paid for their euthanization and cremation since they did not pass the old cat physical.

Nice.

Like, when we found a home for them for the last nine months, kept them in food, litter and vet bills and then tried to find a fostering situation when he was incapable, we were being cruel and thoughtless.

Just call me nm, cat killer.

Sigh.

Serenity now.

You can kill me snail killer. I have been forcing Ernest on long (1 hour walks) in the morning in the hood, just to kill snails. I need to know just how far on someone's property I can creep to pick up snails and bring them to the sidewalk to kill.

Would you as a homeowner be incensed if I was to pick snails off of your retaining wall or rockery or steps (the first two to your garden) to kill them before they get to your hostas?

I need to know.

I don't want someone coming out with their NYT and latte and beating me over the head with it and throwing hot caffeinated coffee at me. I drink decaf, that would be bad.

On that happy note, I'm going to sign off now until tomorrow when I will return to you aglow, in pain and done for the month!

nm, cold blooded killer according to few

daydreaming...

Recently I have been househunting, not for myself but for my parents who are reconsidering life up North.

It has been interesting. My parents took risks in the mid 70's to buy more than they could afford at the time and to give their kids dream house to grow up in Seattle. They sold it to build a house from the ground up - a lovely place with a grand ocean view in So Cal .

They lived in that for while and then decided to downsize. It has been interesting to watch that process, they moved from about 4500 square feet to 3200 in So. Cal. plus another 900 in Seattle. It has been amazing to me to watch them pack up, move, remodel and move again four or five times in the same time I have stayed put here in the 98105.

Now, they are thinking about it again. This time they are looking for more room than they currently have, while keeping to their desire for one story home with a view, very few steps to negotiate and large entertaining spaces. It has been fun to wander the internet typing in requirements and seeing what comes up within or near my zipcode where money is less of an object than it would be for me. For now, I can drive by houses I love and think would be perfect in hopes that a for sale sign will pop up and that they will love it.

zipity do dah

I can't describe my week. All I can say is that it just isn't getting better and the amount of money coming in is certainly not equaling the amount of money that is pouring from my accounts.

Sigh.

I wish I had just decided that the life of science wasn't that wonderful at an earlier age. I hear what my friends in consulting make or in sales and I am gob smacked.

Anyone had a change of heart and decided that they were willing to give up their comfort zone in order to live a bit more dangerously - e.g. change careers at your midlife?;taking up paragliding, living somewhere cheaper or different; or take time off to figure out what you want to do?

I am tired of my comfort zone.

nm who just inhaled six mini meringues from le panier because they were there

Cherry blossoms, Rainier on the five way, April 2007.

We've recovered from Easter. I have found only one egg in the garden. I am impressed. Good job hunters. We missed some of you, next year, there may be an night time hunt.

Right now, I am just overwhelmed by the tax year (oy!), traveling next week and my half marathon on Sunday.

The weather is divine and all I can think of is playing in the dirt.

It is going to have to wait until next Saturday the way the week is shaping up.

nm

What may be the truth

As seen on an airconditioning unit somewhere in Savannah.

Beautiful here. I have very little energy to discuss anything, but I have been battling duplication of effort all day.

I love that.

nm

more terms of endearment

cast through the prism
make that objective a reality
embedded in the recommendations
context of synthesis
proactively develop a new way to suppot scholarship
shared commonalities
biodegradable sensor nets
metadata as a living evolving resource
formats repurposed
bin up the recommendations

words to write a nsf grant by

In no particular order -----

data borderland
synthesis
actors
metadata
collaborative
clearinghouse node

add cross walk and interoperability and you have a nsf proposal title.

Bingo

TH is in a meeting for the next few days that seems to be very interesting if you are interested in global change, polar issues and modeling and mapping. However, even with a group of the best and the brightest talking without all the suits in the room, they are still prone to speaking in tongues.

You know, bullshit bingo speak. Words that just make no sense.

She just sent me a bingo message. She also told me yesterday that there was talk of carbon neutral arctic research. I guess those researchers all going up to Greenland in April are planning on canoeing? I'll have to ask Miss S. next time I see her.

I am eagerly awaiting her five words of bingoness.

Never heard of bullshit bingo? Consider yourself lucky. If you have and want to play along, go here.

Shop window, on canal st. martin (the non-dodgy end), Paris, France, February 2007.

On Wednesday morning I leave for another VAF. This time in Savannah. It should be fun and TH has never been there. We'll catch up with one of her father's grad students who is now a professor and see more of the extended family.

If it wasn't so damn hot and muggy. I can't not abide by that combination. It makes me sluggish and it makes traipsing around looking at buildings and taking pictures harder work than it already is.

Ernest is going to the kennel. He suspects something is up because we have premeasured his food and washed his bed.

Mrs. El-hakim's third grade class project carpet (the hideous gabbeh carpet in Maria Teresa brown) we have in our in living room is getting deep cleaned for easter. It lived a pristine life while we were petless and now is quite well, doggie. The window cleaners are booked and my parents are coming up for a few days.

If only I could make work seem so organized, but that is the biggest challenge.

Unfortunately, I am involved in a project that keeps on throwing me curve balls, it seemed relatively easy at first, but oy, it just keeps on getting more complicated.

Oh well, maybe getting away from the office will give me some time to think.

And you?

nm