Roomba entered my life recently. The addition was not my doing, and at first I looked at him with a deep suspicion. I spent several years of my life cleaning houses and I feel doubtful of anyone - or thing - that thinks he can do the job better than me.
I got home from work tonight and decided to experiment. Seemed simple enough: I hit the "clean" button. At first Roomba spun in circles and appeared unable to hurdle even the tiniest obstacle. After 10 minutes in one small area of the living room I gave up, picked him up and carried him to another location. He protested. I was rudely beeped at and a red light appeared warning me that I was breaking the rules. I scoffed and set him back down, challenging him to carry on. This process repeated for about 15 minutes until I gave up my controlling ways and let him do the job without supervision.
True to programming, Roomba cleaned diligently for one hour and then returned to his dock without hesitation. I checked for results - of course after cleaning, Roomba must be cleaned - and was impressed and horrified with the amount of crap he had gathered. With a new respect, I set him down gently to rest and charge up for the night.
Now all I need is a cat to make things really interesting.
13 November 2008
09 November 2008
Blog roundup
I haven't done one of these in so long that it's truly a treat. Since Obama's the flavor of the moment, let's stick to related news:
Bicyclemark recently wrote about the difficulty some will now face with Bush gone. It was so easy to staunchly oppose everything about the Bush administration, but now we've elected someone different, more positive. What will happen to those "entire systems of meaning?" It's going to mean a big shift...at least for now.
Others, however, are already proving this may not be the case. The Angry Arab raises some points about the coming Obama administration that I really hope aren't true. Oh please, can't we celebrate in blissful ignorance for a little bit longer?
And on a much lighter note, check out Yes We Can (Hold Babies). Don't ask me where I found this one.
Coming up: A focus on Dubai. I'll be there in a few weeks. In between enjoying the climate, the beach and the rampant capitalism, there are a few other (less fluffy?) things that need to be kept in mind.
Bicyclemark recently wrote about the difficulty some will now face with Bush gone. It was so easy to staunchly oppose everything about the Bush administration, but now we've elected someone different, more positive. What will happen to those "entire systems of meaning?" It's going to mean a big shift...at least for now.
Others, however, are already proving this may not be the case. The Angry Arab raises some points about the coming Obama administration that I really hope aren't true. Oh please, can't we celebrate in blissful ignorance for a little bit longer?
And on a much lighter note, check out Yes We Can (Hold Babies). Don't ask me where I found this one.
Coming up: A focus on Dubai. I'll be there in a few weeks. In between enjoying the climate, the beach and the rampant capitalism, there are a few other (less fluffy?) things that need to be kept in mind.
06 November 2008
Dear Mr. Bush
Dear Mr. Bush,
I know you are technically still President Bush, but now, like all of your predecessors you have taken on that frustrating title of Lame Duck. I wonder how it feels, after eight years of such power? No matter, the point of this letter is not to ask about your feelings, but to tell you about mine.
I've been an expat for almost the entirety of your presidency. I came to the Netherlands in August 2001, and a few weeks later the horror of 9/11 hit. I was shocked - as were you, it seemed. But your consequent reaction was quite different. Your sleepy demeanor quickly became aggressive. You used this attack to justify years of torture, bloodshed and grief. You bullied your way into two wars in the Middle East, and along with the destruction of countless cities, families and infrastructure, you also erased any remaining goodwill towards the United States outside its borders. Your arrogance - which I can only attest to ignorance - shone through time and time again. Remember when you tried to rub Angela Merkel's shoulders? You may have stopped drinking years ago but the belligerent frat boy in you has not gone away. At the same time your rhetoric spouted a good and evil ideology to an absurd degree. Come on, Mr. Bush, who believes the world is that black and white? Yet the American people bought it, and gave you free reign to practically destroy every foundation we had built our democracy on. And then...to my horror...they reelected you in 2004. Watching that moment on television was almost as terrifying as seeing the bombs reign down in Iraq during your vicious Shock and Awe campaign.
Global opinion - which for me, manifests its deep discontent almost daily in conversations - sunk to unprecedented levels after it became clear what floppy justification you had for starting that war. I'm sure you're sneering now. Who cares? It's the rest of the world. I was the President of one country. Well, Mr. Bush, you should know better than that. You may have gotten support from heads of government - particularly in Europe - but believe me, the citizens of those countries are really pissed off. I know you probably don't understand what that means. You have indeed needed to travel quite a bit during your tenure, but you did this surrounded by tough security and unfathomable luxury, with global diplomats no doubt kissing your ass every step along the way. I know you don't hear from the rest, other than through bullet proof glass or on the media. But I do. For the first few years, wary of these verbal attacks, I rejected everything about my American identity and bashed the U.S. as quickly as possible. Non-Americans were delighted with my negativity and joined right in. Eventually I realized that this wasn't fair. Why should I give up any pride in my nationality just because of you? Why should I continue to punish myself for the stupidity of voting for you when I was still too young to know better?
That leads me to a great confession: I did vote for you in 2000. I was an undergraduate student in Madison, Wisconsin, and was just beginning to turn away from my conservative roots. The day before the election I attended a concert in Milwaukee with three Republican friends who spent the rode trip badgering me about why I should give you my vote. I was tough to convince, but their insistence tugged at a traditional rhetoric that guiltily sent me over the edge. If it's possible to bolster my esteem, I remember immediately being filled with a sense of shame upon casting my vote. The weeks that followed, I thought my mistake might be redeemed when it seemed that Gore might actually be the winner. Of course it's silly to give myself so much credit but when he conceded, I did feel personally responsible. I knew there were many others out there like me, and if more of us would have gone against the grain the world today would be a very different place.
A few days ago, though, the world turned upside down. As you know, Barack Obama was just elected as the next President of the United States. Barack Obama, a man who is in every conceivable way your opposite, won the election. Though early on he was an unlikely contender I voted for him in the primaries, did a modest amount of volunteering and donated here and there but never truly believed this could happen. Many have said Obama represents a sense of universal hope, and whether it was rational or not, I really felt that my support for him signified one last shot at believing America could do the right thing. And it happened! I'm still a choked up mess every time I think about what this means for the U.S. and for the rest of the world.
But I think now I'm going to tell you the most shocking thing of all. The difficulty of being an American abroad the last 7 1/2 years, almost a quarter of my life...the constant defense I've had to maintain, the negativity thrust at me on almost every social occasion...I think it's worth it for this moment. Not for the future Obama presidency that I know nothing about, not for what he may or may not be able to accomplish, but simply for the fact that he was elected. For the elation this has caused worldwide. For the hope that not just Americans but the whole world feels right now.
Even if it all goes downhill, and Obama can't meet these arguably unreasonable expectations, he - and our movement - was able to rouse an optimism in an entire planet of people...an optimism which many truly believed was no longer possible.
Although I know your official last day in January 20, 2009, I'd like to say goodbye, Mr. Bush. I look forward to continuing my unofficial ambassador status and receiving, for the first time abroad, a positive reaction for something America has done. I look forward to turning with pride when I hear my President speak, and feeling like there's really a chance for a brighter future.
I know you are technically still President Bush, but now, like all of your predecessors you have taken on that frustrating title of Lame Duck. I wonder how it feels, after eight years of such power? No matter, the point of this letter is not to ask about your feelings, but to tell you about mine.
I've been an expat for almost the entirety of your presidency. I came to the Netherlands in August 2001, and a few weeks later the horror of 9/11 hit. I was shocked - as were you, it seemed. But your consequent reaction was quite different. Your sleepy demeanor quickly became aggressive. You used this attack to justify years of torture, bloodshed and grief. You bullied your way into two wars in the Middle East, and along with the destruction of countless cities, families and infrastructure, you also erased any remaining goodwill towards the United States outside its borders. Your arrogance - which I can only attest to ignorance - shone through time and time again. Remember when you tried to rub Angela Merkel's shoulders? You may have stopped drinking years ago but the belligerent frat boy in you has not gone away. At the same time your rhetoric spouted a good and evil ideology to an absurd degree. Come on, Mr. Bush, who believes the world is that black and white? Yet the American people bought it, and gave you free reign to practically destroy every foundation we had built our democracy on. And then...to my horror...they reelected you in 2004. Watching that moment on television was almost as terrifying as seeing the bombs reign down in Iraq during your vicious Shock and Awe campaign.
Global opinion - which for me, manifests its deep discontent almost daily in conversations - sunk to unprecedented levels after it became clear what floppy justification you had for starting that war. I'm sure you're sneering now. Who cares? It's the rest of the world. I was the President of one country. Well, Mr. Bush, you should know better than that. You may have gotten support from heads of government - particularly in Europe - but believe me, the citizens of those countries are really pissed off. I know you probably don't understand what that means. You have indeed needed to travel quite a bit during your tenure, but you did this surrounded by tough security and unfathomable luxury, with global diplomats no doubt kissing your ass every step along the way. I know you don't hear from the rest, other than through bullet proof glass or on the media. But I do. For the first few years, wary of these verbal attacks, I rejected everything about my American identity and bashed the U.S. as quickly as possible. Non-Americans were delighted with my negativity and joined right in. Eventually I realized that this wasn't fair. Why should I give up any pride in my nationality just because of you? Why should I continue to punish myself for the stupidity of voting for you when I was still too young to know better?
That leads me to a great confession: I did vote for you in 2000. I was an undergraduate student in Madison, Wisconsin, and was just beginning to turn away from my conservative roots. The day before the election I attended a concert in Milwaukee with three Republican friends who spent the rode trip badgering me about why I should give you my vote. I was tough to convince, but their insistence tugged at a traditional rhetoric that guiltily sent me over the edge. If it's possible to bolster my esteem, I remember immediately being filled with a sense of shame upon casting my vote. The weeks that followed, I thought my mistake might be redeemed when it seemed that Gore might actually be the winner. Of course it's silly to give myself so much credit but when he conceded, I did feel personally responsible. I knew there were many others out there like me, and if more of us would have gone against the grain the world today would be a very different place.
A few days ago, though, the world turned upside down. As you know, Barack Obama was just elected as the next President of the United States. Barack Obama, a man who is in every conceivable way your opposite, won the election. Though early on he was an unlikely contender I voted for him in the primaries, did a modest amount of volunteering and donated here and there but never truly believed this could happen. Many have said Obama represents a sense of universal hope, and whether it was rational or not, I really felt that my support for him signified one last shot at believing America could do the right thing. And it happened! I'm still a choked up mess every time I think about what this means for the U.S. and for the rest of the world.
But I think now I'm going to tell you the most shocking thing of all. The difficulty of being an American abroad the last 7 1/2 years, almost a quarter of my life...the constant defense I've had to maintain, the negativity thrust at me on almost every social occasion...I think it's worth it for this moment. Not for the future Obama presidency that I know nothing about, not for what he may or may not be able to accomplish, but simply for the fact that he was elected. For the elation this has caused worldwide. For the hope that not just Americans but the whole world feels right now.
Even if it all goes downhill, and Obama can't meet these arguably unreasonable expectations, he - and our movement - was able to rouse an optimism in an entire planet of people...an optimism which many truly believed was no longer possible.
Although I know your official last day in January 20, 2009, I'd like to say goodbye, Mr. Bush. I look forward to continuing my unofficial ambassador status and receiving, for the first time abroad, a positive reaction for something America has done. I look forward to turning with pride when I hear my President speak, and feeling like there's really a chance for a brighter future.
05 November 2008
Revival
Yesterday’s election results have revived this blog. I haven’t felt this inspired to write for months! Here’s something I wrote yesterday morning before the drama of counting the votes had begun. More soon.
I am an expat and have lived in the Netherlands for almost the entire Bush administration. I voted early in this election, carefully following the procedures set by my home state of Minnesota. Now, I can only hope my ballot is in good hands.
You'd think that abroad it's easy to forget about voting. But for the past month, international friends and acquaintances have furrowed their brows and asked for confirmation that I was able to vote. Some, not knowing about the absentee system, offered to sponsor my trip home to cast a ballot. After hearing my distinctive accent, even strangers on the train have questioned me: Did you vote yet?
After a couple dozen of these conversations, my assurances are down pat. I quickly explain the system and leave everyone looking slightly relaxed. But for those that aren’t sure of my political allegiances (and my closet full of Barack gear), a new, more distraught expression flits across their face, and I see them holding back. I know what this is about. I smile and assure them my vote was for Obama. They sigh with relief and repeat their support.
There is not another election like this one on the planet. Today, U.S. citizens are voting for the whole world.
09 March 2008
14 February 2008
Valentine tidbits
Hey, it's Valentine's Day! Although I am hardly a fan of commercialized love, there are a few things I've come across in the past few days that have made this Valentine's Day memorable.
* I was thrilled to see that Jarod, the quirky history buff behind Jarod's Forge is back from a hiatus. He chose to return with a delightful bit on the history of Valentine's day. Read it!
* My all-time favorite ecards website (someecards.com) is full of snarky, hilarious cards to send people that have a good sense of humor. Of course they have a fabulous V-day section, like "You make my heart beat entirely too fast." Which reminds me I better send a few before the sun sets.
* Wouldn't it be romantic to get married on Valentine's Day? In Amsterdam? You can, tonight, and then you can throw it all away tomorrow! Wed & Walk lets you marry whomever you want (friend, neighbor, ex, lover) but the marriage is only valid between 6 and 10pm (and costs 30 Euros). Just think of all the couples that will soon be experiencing a brief marital bliss! My fellow blogger Invader_Stu wrote about this first, and is taking the plunge in just a few hours. I can't wait to hear the report on engagement, marriage, marital bliss, and marital dissolution.
* I was thrilled to see that Jarod, the quirky history buff behind Jarod's Forge is back from a hiatus. He chose to return with a delightful bit on the history of Valentine's day. Read it!
* My all-time favorite ecards website (someecards.com) is full of snarky, hilarious cards to send people that have a good sense of humor. Of course they have a fabulous V-day section, like "You make my heart beat entirely too fast." Which reminds me I better send a few before the sun sets.
* Wouldn't it be romantic to get married on Valentine's Day? In Amsterdam? You can, tonight, and then you can throw it all away tomorrow! Wed & Walk lets you marry whomever you want (friend, neighbor, ex, lover) but the marriage is only valid between 6 and 10pm (and costs 30 Euros). Just think of all the couples that will soon be experiencing a brief marital bliss! My fellow blogger Invader_Stu wrote about this first, and is taking the plunge in just a few hours. I can't wait to hear the report on engagement, marriage, marital bliss, and marital dissolution.
12 February 2008
A part of history
Super Tuesday is ancient history. I voted, and felt that thrill of participation and a nice warm fuzzy of assurance that I made the right choice. But I'm still debating how to best participate in the campaign. I really want to do something. Maybe I'll live in a bunker in some far away state for a few months later this year, licking envelopes and making calls. Maybe I'll use my SkypeOut balance up and do it from the comfort of my own home. Maybe I'll stay in the Netherlands and just teach it, which is what I've done the past two fall semesters. Time and opportunity will tell.
Long, long ago (2 1/2 years to be exact), I said that I wasn't a Democrat. That's still true, though I'm already snickering at the young and hasty words written in that post. I don't like the labels, but with time I realize that even if the two party system isn't ideal one must participate within it or forever be a recluse. I'm catering toward the opinion that change often comes from within. But I think it mainly has to do with the overwhelming sense of hope that this campaign has brought.
A few weeks ago, CNN was running a debate advertisement. With exciting music playing in the background, they first showed the then four Republican candidates. Four white men, up on stage, shaking their fists at each other. Politics as usual. Then the picture changed, and I saw Obama and Clinton. An African American man and a woman. And it really hit me. Wow, cool! That's who we get to choose from, and from one whole side of this two-party system! At least in that moment, whether I liked one or the other more is beside the point. That visual represents a major landmark for the U.S. The best two choices are different than any before. There is a huge possibility this generation will see the most powerful political figure in the U.S. as also representing a group thus far excluded from that honor. What a boundary to cross!
Sure, I have a preference. But it's hard to harbor ill will towards either in such an atmosphere. And even way over here in the Netherlands, I want to be a part of it. So someone please find me something to do, other than donating money!
Long, long ago (2 1/2 years to be exact), I said that I wasn't a Democrat. That's still true, though I'm already snickering at the young and hasty words written in that post. I don't like the labels, but with time I realize that even if the two party system isn't ideal one must participate within it or forever be a recluse. I'm catering toward the opinion that change often comes from within. But I think it mainly has to do with the overwhelming sense of hope that this campaign has brought.
A few weeks ago, CNN was running a debate advertisement. With exciting music playing in the background, they first showed the then four Republican candidates. Four white men, up on stage, shaking their fists at each other. Politics as usual. Then the picture changed, and I saw Obama and Clinton. An African American man and a woman. And it really hit me. Wow, cool! That's who we get to choose from, and from one whole side of this two-party system! At least in that moment, whether I liked one or the other more is beside the point. That visual represents a major landmark for the U.S. The best two choices are different than any before. There is a huge possibility this generation will see the most powerful political figure in the U.S. as also representing a group thus far excluded from that honor. What a boundary to cross!
Sure, I have a preference. But it's hard to harbor ill will towards either in such an atmosphere. And even way over here in the Netherlands, I want to be a part of it. So someone please find me something to do, other than donating money!
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