Spectacular

Isn't this spectacular? Once again from the Boston Globe's "The Big Picture". A merry work-week to you all!

Never say never

#173027975 / gettyimages.com

Yesterday, a friend and I went to visit my daughter at her university a few hours drive from here. She started there in August and this is the first time we have been there since delivering her to the university gates during orientation week.

My friend rented a chic car to transport us and a huge amount of "goodies" for my daughter and a few gifts for her newly acquired friends. The absurdity of filling up a whole station wagon full of produce my daughter could, with a bit of effort, buy herself, was not lost on me.Thirty-two years ago, when I first came to Germany, I stayed for a few months at a friend's parents place. Their grown son, who was only a few years younger than I, came home every weekend from where he was studying and let himself be pampered by his mom.

She'd make him all his favourite dishes to eat, bake him cakes, and do his dirty laundry. By the time he was ready to leave on Sunday evening, she'd also have this care package for him to carry him over during the week.

Needless to say, my feminist emancipated soul was aghast. It took all of my muster not to make scathing comments to him as he was leaving the door with his duffle bag filled with freshly laundry clothes and the “muesli package” tucked under his arm. (I was after all a beholding guest in his parents’ home.)

I could only cope with the situation by saying to myself, “I will never indulge in such a wanton act of pampering once my children leave home! No, I will honour their well-earned independence. I will not practice such blatant and, let’s face it, easy appreciation-seeking practices. I’ll stand tall.”

Ha! The joke is on me. Yesterday proved I am perfectly capable of ridiculous levels of pampering. You know what? It was fun!

Touchingly hopeful

As an engineer, every time a new technology is developed I take some convincing as to its "worth", as well as it's potential for meaningful, appropriate usage. Up until now 3D printers were interesting and I could intellectually see their potential, but emotionally my heart didn't flip. This video outlining the social experiment Touchable Memories made this connect for the first time.

It is not necessary for a technology to make some sort of socially sentimental connect in order for it to be socially relavant, but it sure does help. There are some amazing applications for this technology. It's odd it has taken me this long to catch up.

Edge of Sanity

Just wanted to share this video. Don't know what is more stunning the idea of what the surfers are doing out on the water or the way the film was put together. 

It's been far too long since the last time I wrote a post. This year has been marvelously crazily busy. What a blessing! What a challenge! (And I am not substituting "challenge" for "having problems".) 

Being self-employed at my age is fascinating and sometimes quite frightening. I worked for nearly 30 years in international corporations or large universities. The transition to one-woman-show has been educational. Who would have thought it possible. 

Our children are both off studying now. Nomad Son is doing a co-op program in computer sciences. Nature Girl is off studying international relations. It is amazing to stand on the periphery and watch them stride on.