Malawians move for Madonna schoolSome 200 villagers in Malawi have ended their protests and agreed to leave their land to make way for a school being built by pop star Madonna.
The villagers have finally accepted compensation of $105,000 (£67,000) after their protests had delayed the start of the building work.
A local chief reportedly told the villagers to "accept reality" after the government ordered them to move.
Madonna has adopted two children from Malawi, where she has an orphanage.
Story from BBC NEWS:Work is now expected to start soon on the Raising Malawi Girls Academy outside the capital, Lilongwe.
The AFP news agency says it is expected to be finished in two years' time.
As well as the compensation, the villagers have also been given new land elsewhere.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/africa/8513052.stm
Published: 2010/02/12 15:44:38 GMT
Saturday, February 13, 2010
It takes a Madonna....
I'll need to look into this more (in all my spare time), but with climate change, earthquakes and economic issues all causing whole villages of people to relocate, do we really need to add Madonna to that list?
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Friday, December 18, 2009
King County Caloric Intake
Starbucks.
The other night at dinner I was reminded by John and Annajo that King
County now requires calorie counts on all restaurant menus, today was
my first taste of that:
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
A Geographer, I am not.
Fall quarter came to a close without a winding down period. I worked up until the last possible second and I'm now back in the research saddle.
To get things started on the right foot, I promptly got lost on the way to my first appointment, walked at least as far as I took the bus and had to reschedule. I am a total disaster.
However, humbled, I returned to my home base, had a nap and gave myself twice the allotted time needed to get to my next interview.
I'm almost glad that my second interview became my first. It was fantastically amazing...
...and now I get it.
To get things started on the right foot, I promptly got lost on the way to my first appointment, walked at least as far as I took the bus and had to reschedule. I am a total disaster.
However, humbled, I returned to my home base, had a nap and gave myself twice the allotted time needed to get to my next interview.
I'm almost glad that my second interview became my first. It was fantastically amazing...
...and now I get it.
Monday, October 12, 2009
In a future life...
...I want to do this:
Read All Day
Right now I am dragging along in one book and will soon give in to the pleasures of re-reading.
Read All Day
Right now I am dragging along in one book and will soon give in to the pleasures of re-reading.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Intitating Project One Line
I was kindly asked by a good friend to "not disappear" when classes started. Well, classes officially start tomorrow.
So, I therefore initiate 'project one line' it is my goal to try to keep in email contact with people by sending out one-liners.
This is selfish in two ways (that I can see): (1) I want you to know how I am; and (2) I desperately want to be kept in the loop and know how you are.
Hopefully I will make good on this project and you'll see something from me every once in awhile...such as: Hello, I am grading and pulling out my hair; how are the kids? love Linds.
So, I therefore initiate 'project one line' it is my goal to try to keep in email contact with people by sending out one-liners.
This is selfish in two ways (that I can see): (1) I want you to know how I am; and (2) I desperately want to be kept in the loop and know how you are.
Hopefully I will make good on this project and you'll see something from me every once in awhile...such as: Hello, I am grading and pulling out my hair; how are the kids? love Linds.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
A Matter of Perspective
Somehow, I always end up getting selected at the security checkpoint at the airport to be violated by the TSA. I hate getting patted down by security, I understand it, but I doesn't mean I like it.
Perspective number 1: This is a total invasion of my privacy. This is my body, my personal space is being invaded by a federal agent. Getting patted down between my legs in an official capacity is not my idea of a good time. It makes me feel uncomfortable.
...but then I thought to myself, perhaps this is a thrill to someone...
Perspective number 2: Wow, there is a cute federal agent with her hands underneath my armpits running her fingers down the sides of my body. This is awesome, Perhaps I should have let them bring me into that special room--nudge nudge, wink wink.
The overhead announced that the security level was orange (a. what the fuck does that mean to a lay person? and b. who the fuck cares anymore?), so pay extra special attention to your surroundings for today, and be careful. Sigh.
Perspective number 1: This is a total invasion of my privacy. This is my body, my personal space is being invaded by a federal agent. Getting patted down between my legs in an official capacity is not my idea of a good time. It makes me feel uncomfortable.
...but then I thought to myself, perhaps this is a thrill to someone...
Perspective number 2: Wow, there is a cute federal agent with her hands underneath my armpits running her fingers down the sides of my body. This is awesome, Perhaps I should have let them bring me into that special room--nudge nudge, wink wink.
The overhead announced that the security level was orange (a. what the fuck does that mean to a lay person? and b. who the fuck cares anymore?), so pay extra special attention to your surroundings for today, and be careful. Sigh.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
So I took the weekend off.
Research Trip Daze
It's hard to conduct research without research subjects. The good news is I'm staying with family and I had a friend fly in for the weekend. Also, I spent the entire day Saturday at the Farmers Market taking in the scene and talking to people about food and my research:
Sunday it was a free Shakespeare in the Park--"Comedy of Errors" and Monday I tried to get in contact with the farmers again.
I know that a lot of research is just waiting, but this is a real exercise in patience for me. I spent most of the day at the computer yesterday trying to figure out how to make the most of what's left of my time here-making new contacts and sending out emails. So far, the most responsive person is the furthest away (Seattle).
Sigh.
It's hard to conduct research without research subjects. The good news is I'm staying with family and I had a friend fly in for the weekend. Also, I spent the entire day Saturday at the Farmers Market taking in the scene and talking to people about food and my research:
Sunday it was a free Shakespeare in the Park--"Comedy of Errors" and Monday I tried to get in contact with the farmers again.I know that a lot of research is just waiting, but this is a real exercise in patience for me. I spent most of the day at the computer yesterday trying to figure out how to make the most of what's left of my time here-making new contacts and sending out emails. So far, the most responsive person is the furthest away (Seattle).
Sigh.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
nothing else can possibly go wrong...
Research Trip: day 2
Those words came out of my mouth after finally getting on the road yesterday.I was wrong. Perhaps I am not cut out for adventure. I managed to lock myself between the gated door and the front door today and could not figure out how to get the door unlocked. I had keys, should be simple...suffice to say, after one desperate phone call, I emerged unscathed. But really.
Successes today:
-unlatching cat door with written instruction
-getting Prius to start
-not getting lost on the way to car return (without a map)
-returning car on time
-finding wifi
-befriending super-talkative crazy electrician
-taking 4 different buses to the places I actually wanted to go
-meeting with owner of farm
-unlocking front door on first try (upon returning after city adventure)
Failures:
-obviously, what I've related above-being caged
-trying to get directions from the car return place over the phone
-befriending super-talkative crazy electrician
-discovering that a mini-coup is taking place at the farm, since yesterday.
so, no site visits, no client meetings. I have the weekend to read and take in the city. Will recommence research on Monday if there is still a farm.
'Everyday is the start of something beautiful'
Research Trip Day 1:
I wanted to post this yesterday, but instead I crashed into the softness of a cozy bed.
To start everything went wrong. Not catastrophically, but frustratingly. I am trying to be intrepid, I am trying not to ultra-über plan everything, I am trying to be a researcher viewing the city and exploring. So, I had the opportunity to hitch a ride with a friend going to Berkeley--perfect, toss in some gas money, pack a backpack and stay with my uncle in the city. no big deal. a couple of emails, done.
We spent the weekend without a cell phone connection.
Simply, glorious. A four day weekend away before my research trip, a relaxing moment to keep the fear of failure off the brain. It worked. Until we got back in cell phone range. My ride left without me and I had no plan. And my efforts to not be an annoying house guest before I arrived also failed, to the tune of four voice mails seeking more details.
Other friends stepped in to the rescue-I rolled into the city last night on the wings of a one-way, rented Prius--those things are scary, fucking awesome, but scary--(500 miles to one tank, I put 3 gallons in to get the rest of the way), you would cry to know the deal I got.
I saw Shasta, and took in some views and then spent some nice conversation over a beer with one of my delightful hosts. This morning, I am well slept, hoarse from singing to myself for 8 hours and cheerfully typing away in a cafe, sipping coffee and thinking about the bus.
Try not to think about the fact that I took these while driving.
I wanted to post this yesterday, but instead I crashed into the softness of a cozy bed.
To start everything went wrong. Not catastrophically, but frustratingly. I am trying to be intrepid, I am trying not to ultra-über plan everything, I am trying to be a researcher viewing the city and exploring. So, I had the opportunity to hitch a ride with a friend going to Berkeley--perfect, toss in some gas money, pack a backpack and stay with my uncle in the city. no big deal. a couple of emails, done.
We spent the weekend without a cell phone connection.
Simply, glorious. A four day weekend away before my research trip, a relaxing moment to keep the fear of failure off the brain. It worked. Until we got back in cell phone range. My ride left without me and I had no plan. And my efforts to not be an annoying house guest before I arrived also failed, to the tune of four voice mails seeking more details.Other friends stepped in to the rescue-I rolled into the city last night on the wings of a one-way, rented Prius--those things are scary, fucking awesome, but scary--(500 miles to one tank, I put 3 gallons in to get the rest of the way), you would cry to know the deal I got.
I saw Shasta, and took in some views and then spent some nice conversation over a beer with one of my delightful hosts. This morning, I am well slept, hoarse from singing to myself for 8 hours and cheerfully typing away in a cafe, sipping coffee and thinking about the bus.
Try not to think about the fact that I took these while driving.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
"be sure to wear some flowers in your hair"
I'm planning (sans excel sheet) what to bring on my research trip down to SF and all I can think of are the lyrics to this song. I think Tuesday morning is going to come fast and with a large dose of reality.
I have no idea what I'm doing...but I'm setting out as a tabula rasa researcher. This is not to say I have no pre-conceived notions about my topic, but that I have no clue how to be a researcher. So, I will learn and it will be good--I hope.
I have no idea what I'm doing...but I'm setting out as a tabula rasa researcher. This is not to say I have no pre-conceived notions about my topic, but that I have no clue how to be a researcher. So, I will learn and it will be good--I hope.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Blue orbs of extreme delciousness
The blueberry bush we planted in the fall has given enough berries for mid-garden snacking and one round of fresh berry pancakes, oh the joy, oh the glories of fresh picked fruit...
But we still went and picked two more gallons up at Green Hill for freezing--summer splendor year round...
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
no vacations in this town...only manual labor!
My Dad came into town for the first time since we've been here. He came to relax, see the sights, our new house and check out our respective places of work.
But I had other plans...mwhahahahahaha
Actually, we did spend some time hanging out - we saw some wineries, hung out at the brewery, waltzed around campus and saw the latest offering in the Potter films series. But it's a close tie between the brewery and the hardware store for where we spent the most time over the weekend.
When my Mom was in town (in June) we took down the kitchen light to replace it with another; but the ceiling needed a coat of paint-thank goodness for long lit summer days-I finally had the motivation to paint this week.
I keep a running list of things that we want to change around the house. I got to cross A LOT of things off that list this weekend:
Replace kitchen light.
Special Delivery! --the perks of working for a small shop...
Replace sliding glass doors.
Remove rotting deck.
The remains:
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
On removing blackberries
You may recall when I spent the better part of a day last summer turning this:
Into this:
The removal of blackberries in the backyard was not a complete success, however, the care (read:machete thrashing) that I gave them was really more of a pruning exercise. they have flourished on the other side of the fence, so much so that we turned them into this last night:
A variation on dutch babies...erm...Dutch Mama. Yum.
Into this:
The removal of blackberries in the backyard was not a complete success, however, the care (read:machete thrashing) that I gave them was really more of a pruning exercise. they have flourished on the other side of the fence, so much so that we turned them into this last night:
A variation on dutch babies...erm...Dutch Mama. Yum.
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