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Saturday, August 27, 2016
Friday, August 26, 2016
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Monday, August 22, 2016
The Doll's House at Tate Britain. This painting was created with a scene from Ibsen's play the Doll House in mind. Unlike the uncovering of most affairs Ibsen chose to create a long silence that built tension upon the reveal. Here the artist picked this scene to paint using his wife and friend as models indirectly questioning their relationship to each other.
Sunday, August 21, 2016
Saturday, August 20, 2016
Friday, August 19, 2016
Thursday, August 18, 2016
What makes me miss America the most?
Arriving in London there was one thing on my agenda regarding food, I must find and eat Chinese food. I have been craving it for I don't even know how long and I knew that upon arriving in London I should be able to accomplish this goal. Fortunately finding a specific type of food is only a Yelp search away and off I went down Abbey Road to a popular Chinese food restaurant.
By all accounts the food was not bad. It was quite good and maybe even better than my favorite Chinese food restaurant, Shanghai 456 in New York City, BUT it was not the same. There wasn't even a line to get a table! To honor my favorite Chinese Restaurant off of Canal and Mott I will write about why I missed it.
First of all, you can almost never get water at Shanghai. Let me explain, when you sit down they bring out the tea and ask what you want to drink after recommending a Chinese beer. I always say I just want water.
They look at you confused, "just water?" They ask.
"yes, just water" I reply.
"Not a coke or a beer!?!?" Still with the look of confusion.
"No, I'm good with just water thanks."
"Ok. Ok."
They leave.
Later they come back to take your order, but guess what! No water. So you remind them again,
"hey can I get a glass of water, please?"
"oh yeah! Ok."
They still seem confused.
This conversation continues usually for 4-5 cycles, sometimes even lasting all the way up to when the main courses arrive. Sometimes I give in and end up just buying a coke so I can have something besides tea to drink, but other times I still politely insist. "Hey, can I get a glass of water, please?"
This water routine has become so integral into my experience at Shanghai 456 it has become the joke of my friends and I, "How many times will we have to ask for water this time?" We take guesses. But the routine never fails - it's always the same. I think at this point I enjoy the process of requesting for water so much that if they started bringing me water right way I'd be like... What happened to you guys?! Even after all these years of living in America they are still suspicious of the tap water.
Another thing I love about Shanghai is that although the atmosphere is nothing special, except that is in Chinatown, the servers despite their anti-water bringing ways, are just the best. They are Chinese-American and although their food isn't what I would call "Chinese authentic" they have mastered the "American" Chinese food palette. I would not bring my food snob friends here who are going to be like "this isn't REAL Chinese food." Well, news flash, we are in America, it's going to be hard to find authentic Chinese food anywhere even if the servers and cooks themselves are Chinese.
Like I said, the place in London was still very good, but it made me homesick in a way I never anticipated. They brought out water right away. They spoke English really well.. And the food.. Well it was fine. Who knew that American Chinese food experience would make me miss America the most! But if you stop and think about it, what's more American than that?
By all accounts the food was not bad. It was quite good and maybe even better than my favorite Chinese food restaurant, Shanghai 456 in New York City, BUT it was not the same. There wasn't even a line to get a table! To honor my favorite Chinese Restaurant off of Canal and Mott I will write about why I missed it.
First of all, you can almost never get water at Shanghai. Let me explain, when you sit down they bring out the tea and ask what you want to drink after recommending a Chinese beer. I always say I just want water.
They look at you confused, "just water?" They ask.
"yes, just water" I reply.
"Not a coke or a beer!?!?" Still with the look of confusion.
"No, I'm good with just water thanks."
"Ok. Ok."
They leave.
Later they come back to take your order, but guess what! No water. So you remind them again,
"hey can I get a glass of water, please?"
"oh yeah! Ok."
They still seem confused.
This conversation continues usually for 4-5 cycles, sometimes even lasting all the way up to when the main courses arrive. Sometimes I give in and end up just buying a coke so I can have something besides tea to drink, but other times I still politely insist. "Hey, can I get a glass of water, please?"
This water routine has become so integral into my experience at Shanghai 456 it has become the joke of my friends and I, "How many times will we have to ask for water this time?" We take guesses. But the routine never fails - it's always the same. I think at this point I enjoy the process of requesting for water so much that if they started bringing me water right way I'd be like... What happened to you guys?! Even after all these years of living in America they are still suspicious of the tap water.
Another thing I love about Shanghai is that although the atmosphere is nothing special, except that is in Chinatown, the servers despite their anti-water bringing ways, are just the best. They are Chinese-American and although their food isn't what I would call "Chinese authentic" they have mastered the "American" Chinese food palette. I would not bring my food snob friends here who are going to be like "this isn't REAL Chinese food." Well, news flash, we are in America, it's going to be hard to find authentic Chinese food anywhere even if the servers and cooks themselves are Chinese.
Like I said, the place in London was still very good, but it made me homesick in a way I never anticipated. They brought out water right away. They spoke English really well.. And the food.. Well it was fine. Who knew that American Chinese food experience would make me miss America the most! But if you stop and think about it, what's more American than that?
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
During the Hottest Month Ever Recorded on Earth this is What I was Reading.
This summer I picked up a book called This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. Climate (2014) hoping to have a reading experience that would challenge my worldview this summer. I first heard about This Changes Everything from a bartender at a bar I frequent in the East Village. Knowing that I was a science teacher he was telling me about this amazing book he was reading about the climate. He was giving it rave reviews and ever since then it keeps popping up in different book reviews. I took the plunge and bought it.
I started reading the book on my flight from Hanoi to Danang in Vietnam. Fearing it would be a "boring" environmental book, I have found the opposite to be true. It has been a page turner because it unites science, history, politics, diplomacy, culture etc! There are times when I'm reading the book were I just shake my head in disbelief thinking "is this fiction!?! This CANNOT be true!!" and then you look at all her citations and you shake your head more.
For instance, I did not know that there was this think tank called "Heartland Institute" that prides itself on protecting the free market and advocating for limited government. They created a plan on how to sell the idea that the science involved with global warming is wrong to the American people. These think tanks sat in a room with the money from anonymous billionaires to develop a plan to protect big business even if it meant consciously harming our environment in big ways.
One statistic from the book I can't stop thinking about is "A 2007 Harris poll found that 71% of Americans believed that the continued burning of fossil fuels would alter the climate. By 2009 the figure had dropped to 51%. In June 2011, the number dropped to 44% - well under half the population" (Klein, 35). The book goes to explain how this think tank implemented the plan.
Although I cannot explain this nearly as well as the book (which I recommend you read), I will do my best to abbreviate a few of the points:
Step #1: Hire a group of think tanks who will protect your businesses interests - financially, politically, and culturally. Give them thousands (or Millions) of dollars to play with. Then be involved with as much or as little of the process as you desire. It's nice that the think tank takes anonymous donations so that your business(es) and your name don't get brought up in political conversation, which *could* mean "bad" business for you. It's best to stay as anonymous as possible - you don't want the American people knowing your name.
Step #2: Make Climate Change personal. Concince people that the choice isn't about climate change but really about "Do you love America?!?" Stop all media broadcasting about our changing world that even suggests global warming. Tell people that by taking environmentally aware actions you are actually a socialist/communist by creating news media that implies this. (AKA you can't be a good conservative if you are concerned or worried about the environment because if you did that then you are agreeing that the fundamental part of our conservative philosophy is wrong.)
Step #3: Tell people that the "Science" is wrong and their needs to be a "restoring of the scientific method" with research conducted by people who do not hold scientific degrees or publish in peer reviewed journals. Create pamphlets, books, and YouTube videos that push this agenda and claim to be legit. (Meanwhile, their research apparently 'outsmarts' the 97% of the worlds climate scientists who made a life of studying the Earth.)
Step #4: Once the science agenda is working for many, the few that are still not convinced explain that "well even if it was true, we can't possibly do anything about it!" Set up a long list of denier buzz phrases such as "well it's not our problem it's the developing world!" Or "we could never change our lifestyle" Or "the countries of the world will never agree on a world action plan" Or "one persons actions are not going to impact this" Or "we are already so far gone there's no point." Over dramatize the impacts of being environmentally aware with a slippery slope argument aka "if we let those environmentalist inform our policy then the next thing you know we will be living in huts without running water and electricity!" ***Note many of these phrases work for people who are moderate and liberals too.
Step #5: Watch the polls from 2007 to 2011 drop dramatically as people believe burning fossil fuels will not alter our climate and therefore we should not do anything about it. As the Heartland Institude you are free to lobby politicians with this worldview you created in hand. Best yet many politicians will have absorbed this agenda (along with the people they represent) and they will help push the original big business agenda without even realizing that's what this was all about!
Of course, this is the simplified version. If you want the full version read the book.
Although I cannot explain this nearly as well as the book (which I recommend you read), I will do my best to abbreviate a few of the points:
How to Protect Your American Big Business
Step #1: Hire a group of think tanks who will protect your businesses interests - financially, politically, and culturally. Give them thousands (or Millions) of dollars to play with. Then be involved with as much or as little of the process as you desire. It's nice that the think tank takes anonymous donations so that your business(es) and your name don't get brought up in political conversation, which *could* mean "bad" business for you. It's best to stay as anonymous as possible - you don't want the American people knowing your name.
Step #2: Make Climate Change personal. Concince people that the choice isn't about climate change but really about "Do you love America?!?" Stop all media broadcasting about our changing world that even suggests global warming. Tell people that by taking environmentally aware actions you are actually a socialist/communist by creating news media that implies this. (AKA you can't be a good conservative if you are concerned or worried about the environment because if you did that then you are agreeing that the fundamental part of our conservative philosophy is wrong.)
Step #3: Tell people that the "Science" is wrong and their needs to be a "restoring of the scientific method" with research conducted by people who do not hold scientific degrees or publish in peer reviewed journals. Create pamphlets, books, and YouTube videos that push this agenda and claim to be legit. (Meanwhile, their research apparently 'outsmarts' the 97% of the worlds climate scientists who made a life of studying the Earth.)
Step #4: Once the science agenda is working for many, the few that are still not convinced explain that "well even if it was true, we can't possibly do anything about it!" Set up a long list of denier buzz phrases such as "well it's not our problem it's the developing world!" Or "we could never change our lifestyle" Or "the countries of the world will never agree on a world action plan" Or "one persons actions are not going to impact this" Or "we are already so far gone there's no point." Over dramatize the impacts of being environmentally aware with a slippery slope argument aka "if we let those environmentalist inform our policy then the next thing you know we will be living in huts without running water and electricity!" ***Note many of these phrases work for people who are moderate and liberals too.
Step #5: Watch the polls from 2007 to 2011 drop dramatically as people believe burning fossil fuels will not alter our climate and therefore we should not do anything about it. As the Heartland Institude you are free to lobby politicians with this worldview you created in hand. Best yet many politicians will have absorbed this agenda (along with the people they represent) and they will help push the original big business agenda without even realizing that's what this was all about!
Of course, this is the simplified version. If you want the full version read the book.
When I was reading the passages about the Heartland Institutes plan I was like... This can't be true! First of all, I have NEVER heard of this institute and I have a degree in science. HOW is that possible? Second, if some friend came up to me and explained what I just explained, I'd be like you're lying- there's no way! I've never even heard of this! Third, no one, institute or not is THAT malicious. (Hahaha... My bad). But then when you are reading the book there's just so much evidence she walks you through and its maddening! It's just citation after citation - I started looking up stuff on the internet myself just to be sure.. And boom.. When you start looking it's all there.
And then I feel stupid. I think about various anti-climate agenda I've seen in my own family. I think about the news reports I've seen on tv. I think about how I myself wasn't really convinced climate change was real until I did an experiment in COLLEGE that required me to drop alkaseltzer (turns into CO2) into a beaker of water wrapped with Saran Wrap and compared it to a beaker that didn't have excess CO2. The temperature in the CO2 one skyrocketed. I was (secretly) very alarmed and this was enough evidence for me begin considering other ideas about climate change. I realized in reality I knew nearly nothing.
And then I feel stupid. I think about various anti-climate agenda I've seen in my own family. I think about the news reports I've seen on tv. I think about how I myself wasn't really convinced climate change was real until I did an experiment in COLLEGE that required me to drop alkaseltzer (turns into CO2) into a beaker of water wrapped with Saran Wrap and compared it to a beaker that didn't have excess CO2. The temperature in the CO2 one skyrocketed. I was (secretly) very alarmed and this was enough evidence for me begin considering other ideas about climate change. I realized in reality I knew nearly nothing.
The American people have been LIED to by these think tanks through massive propaganda all in the name to save big business. Part of their plan was to make climate change a cultural identity, to make slippery slope arguments (if we let environmental policy come in next thing you know we are going to be living in a world without luxury!), devalue science by claiming the science is "wrong", and so many other things. I'm amazed and horrified at how organized this movement is.. and how I have NEVER heard of this Heartland institute until now. WHY!? I expect more of my fellow Americans. Why do we tolerate this behavior?
I'm in such disbelief that this exists...and yet when I sit back and actually think about it, it makes perfect sense. How else can something so wrong become so right?
I'm in such disbelief that this exists...and yet when I sit back and actually think about it, it makes perfect sense. How else can something so wrong become so right?
Saturday, August 13, 2016
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Monday, August 8, 2016
Sunday, August 7, 2016
Saturday, August 6, 2016
Amsterdam, Enginneering, and Bikes
After recovering in Edinburgh, we flew to Amsterdam for four days. I LOVED Amsterdam. I have never been in a place that was so well designed for people! I was told that Dutch monarchs all had essentially the education of a Masters in Mechanical Engineering so when they were developing the country they built it with the values of excellent system and structures that kept the environment in mind. The city of Amsterdam itself is below sea level and has a network of canals around the city. I had always heard of Amsterdam's canals, but I was surprised to see the complexity of the canals and how they are truly the heart of the city. To pull a canal system like this off you have to have excellent engineering. Here's a map so you can see what I mean. I stayed on Herengracht canal near a neighborhood called Jordaan.
Amsterdam is a walkable city or if you prefer a very bike-able city. I had read that there are more bikes than people in Amsterdam. I asked our host if this was true, and he had said that yes it is because it was practical. He explained to me that many people will own 2 cheap bikes and 1 nice "weekend" bike. The idea is that during the week you ride a cheap bike to the train station, lock it up, ride the train towards work, then when you get off at the train station you have another cheap bike you take the rest of the way to work. Then the nice "weekend" bike is for family bike rides or leisure riding. The city is also designed with excellent bike lanes and nobody wears a helmet. They all know how to live in a world where everyone bikes and they prefer it over other modes of transportation. I was really impressed with this. Here's a picture I took of a canal and the bikes lined up along it.
Finally, my favorite engineering endeavor I witnessed in the city was a thing I will call a the magical electronic ladder used for moving. We were walking along a canal minding our own business when we ran into a moving truck that had attached to it an electronic ladder that went up to the top floor of the nearby building. Since many homes in Amsterdam have huge French Windows it makes so much more sense to send your heavy furniture out the window down this ladder thing than carry it down flights of stairs. When I saw this I stood there for 5 minutes watching them - I just couldn't believe it! It was MOST amazing thing I have ever seen. IT was so easy! There's a guy that operates the ladder, a guy that is putting boxes/couches/chairs on the ladder from the building, and a guy that slides the furniture easily into the truck! I think they thought it was funny that I was so impressed - I kept smiling at them and giving them the thumbs up. It was so impressive to me! Throughout the rest of the stay I saw 3 more trucks like this... I guess it's a common thing? Here's a picture from the internet I found of it.
Amsterdam is a walkable city or if you prefer a very bike-able city. I had read that there are more bikes than people in Amsterdam. I asked our host if this was true, and he had said that yes it is because it was practical. He explained to me that many people will own 2 cheap bikes and 1 nice "weekend" bike. The idea is that during the week you ride a cheap bike to the train station, lock it up, ride the train towards work, then when you get off at the train station you have another cheap bike you take the rest of the way to work. Then the nice "weekend" bike is for family bike rides or leisure riding. The city is also designed with excellent bike lanes and nobody wears a helmet. They all know how to live in a world where everyone bikes and they prefer it over other modes of transportation. I was really impressed with this. Here's a picture I took of a canal and the bikes lined up along it.
One of the problems of living in a world with canals and lots of bikes is that it is not uncommon for bikes to fall into the canal. In fact, there's a boat crane that goes fishing daily for bicycles in the canal. I didn't see it while I was there, but there's a picture of what it looks like I found on the Internet. I thought this fact was HILARIOUS and highly amusing.
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| Photo credit: heather_mcnabb/Flickr |
Finally, my favorite engineering endeavor I witnessed in the city was a thing I will call a the magical electronic ladder used for moving. We were walking along a canal minding our own business when we ran into a moving truck that had attached to it an electronic ladder that went up to the top floor of the nearby building. Since many homes in Amsterdam have huge French Windows it makes so much more sense to send your heavy furniture out the window down this ladder thing than carry it down flights of stairs. When I saw this I stood there for 5 minutes watching them - I just couldn't believe it! It was MOST amazing thing I have ever seen. IT was so easy! There's a guy that operates the ladder, a guy that is putting boxes/couches/chairs on the ladder from the building, and a guy that slides the furniture easily into the truck! I think they thought it was funny that I was so impressed - I kept smiling at them and giving them the thumbs up. It was so impressive to me! Throughout the rest of the stay I saw 3 more trucks like this... I guess it's a common thing? Here's a picture from the internet I found of it.
I hope to write more about Amsterdam - especially the way the Dutch think about the environment and the art we experienced. I didn't realize so many great artists came from Holland! Finally, I hope to also touch on the legal prostitution and weed and how it links back to Amsterdam being a port city.
Thursday, August 4, 2016
Wednesday, August 3, 2016
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