New Construction

Much has been going on around the house lately. I haven't had too much time to blog since school is taking up a lot of time. When I have been able to break away from the proposals, papers and data, I've been getting my hands dirty around the house. We've had a couple visits from parents which, really helped. My folks got rooms painted, curtains up, etc. and that's when the place really started feeling like a home.

The first of the most recent (construction, shhhh, we didn't apply for permits but I checked the zoning code and we're cool) project commenced during a visit from Lauren's dad a few weeks ago. We expressed a need and he provided the vision. We had a spot picked out for our bikes, next to the deck in the back and I think I mentioned the bollards. We were stuck on how to shelter the bikes from the elements. We got the bikes out there and in the space, and started to think about a hatch that would flip down to cover the bikes and follow the slope of the handrail. Then Peter took it one step further and suggested a sliding door.

One trip to Lowes later, we were under way. The result gives us overhead cover for our bikes and fits in with the existing structure. Last weekend we lowered the grade a bit to allow an easier slide when the bikes are in there and now we have some drainage issues to resolve. Finally there's the security. We still have to find a bollard and get it in there. We're getting closer all the time.

Last week we got a dog, Mali. We took her in from a family who had to get rid of her on account of their having too many animals and some allergies. The woman of the house works at Rollins (where I go to school) and put out a mass e-mail which found me. One problem with having a dog is our need for a fenced yard. Most of it is in good shape but both sides of the house are open and she could get out. Also, stray dogs often come in our yard at night to get at some other dogs that stay few houses over. So... project #2, fix the fence problem. Matt volunteered to help me and I had no idea which route to take, wood, chain, prefab, have it installed...

One trip to Home Depot (to use the 6, $1 gift cards Matt had received at a basketball game, Thanks again Matt) and another trip to Lowes and we had it. It really occurred to us at Lowes. The first trip to HD really only produced a few top bars to fix a problem spot in the existing fence. While examining hinges we decided we would custom fit the fence to our space rather than search for existing gates and fence that fit it. This would involve building the doors, securing a post, and hanging the doors. We surprised ourselves when we put the doors together like old hat. Miguel came over and helped out with the post, and hanging one of the doors. It proceeded to rain all night which made this perhaps the worst possible time to pour concrete.

The next day I took another break from a hectic school weekend to hang the other door, the concrete could be fixed but it works. Today I put on the street sign we found in Midtown. Ignore the fact that the dog can still get out under the deck and I think this is a great success. So in all accounts there are still some things to shore up, but I am happy with the progress and enjoy the time away from the worries of school. I hope that I can inform you of more 'progress' soon.

Pop Quiz

I wonder if there are people who never have to think about what they'll do with their life; fifth generation doctors, sons of coal miners (see Derek Zoolander), women of colonial times. In creating that small list it occurred to me that in every case, the occupation precedent came from the parents. I'm sure William Clay Ford Jr. gave as little thought to his career path as his parents did with the name. Regardless of how setup for a certain path you are, I am sure the thought of being a paleontologist crosses your mind at least once after learning about dinosaurs in 3rd grade.

The idea of what I will do when I am finished with these degrees is something that often graces my psyche. The disconnect comes from developing complicated interests that don't always translate directly to a line of work.

dinosaurs = Paleontologist
making sick people better = doctor
improving urban environments for the health and quality of life of their people = garbage collector

Lately I have been hearing that I should be a teacher. This has come from several different sources with different interests but without collusion. In younger, more headstrong days, I would have ignored such outside insight and plowed ahead - taking the LSAT and applying to law schools - but with a bit more (not much)experience under my belt I am carefully considering the words of those who see me with different eyes. On one hand, I have put a lot of work into find a path of interest and pursuing it. Once I am finished with school I would not even be in a position to go on to become a teacher and perhaps everything I am doing now would be for not. On the other hand, being a teacher sounds rewarding and interesting. Maybe I could be good at it. Other people seem to think so. Of course I think I am good at what I am doing now (what was I just saying about being less headstrong?).

Here's something Matt said to me recently over some chips and salsa fresca "I figure if I am ony going to make around 40k when I get out, why not go (back) to teaching and feel like I am contributing more."

When I think about jobs I could do out of grad school, sometimes I lean to research, sometimes program implementation (perhaps with NGOs), sometimes I think I want to work at the city level because I think I could get more done there (more of what?) and sometimes I think about starting a firm (again, to do what?). Most of the time I am so confused I feel like 4x2=circle triangle.

So, as my first lesson plan, I have drafted this pop quiz for you, the reader. What should I do with my life? Be assured your comments will be considered thoroughly. Don't forget to include your name (otherwise you'll never get your grade back).

1. Which of these jobs best suits vargo?
a. scientist
b. teacher
c. politician
d. consultant
e. dj
f. blogger/journalist
g. doctor
h. other _________________

1a. If you said scientist, which type? Paleontologist?
1b. If you said teacher, which level and subject?
1c. If you said politician, which party and what level?
1d. If you said consultant, please describe the work you see him doing?

2. What skills does vargo have that would help him in the job you identified above? (nun-chuck skills are a given)

3. Suppose you lived near vargo, and occasionally saw him socially, what kind of job would put him in the best mood when you saw him (consider # of hours/wk, co-workers/clients, dress code and subject matter)?

3a. What type of work would you like to hear him talk about when you met?

4. What size organization do you see vargo working for?
a. 1 person, he runs his own show
b. 2-100, small office, lot of go-getters OR he runs a bigger show
c. 101-1000, larger org with couple small offices, think Innertrode
d. 1001 - 50,000 stuck in cube pushin' paper for the man

5. Had you given the issue of vargo's future any thought previously?
a. no, I have my own problems
b. once of twice, but I don't really care
c. just now, but I am happy to help him with this
d. all the time, what is wrong with this picture

Thank you for participating, I look forward to seeing the results.

Getting Old

If you're not familiar with Frontline, it would be my pleasure to introduce you to the program. The PBS program allows you to view many of the episodes for free. I recently watched one report that really moved me.

It's hard to live in the US and avoid hearing about the aging of the baby boomer generation. It's also hard not to know someone who falls into that category. Some of my first exposure to the issue was through the work of the ARC and their aging resources division. It has always seemed like a problem with a need for attention but it was one of those things where I passed the buck and thought "someone else will work on that." This episode really affected me and made me, for the first time, consider what I could be doing to work on this. The ARC definately presents this as a planning issue but is obviously also a health issue. Is this an area of focus for me?

Yesterday I had a phone call with La Universidad de Los Andes about some projects I could work on this summer in Bogota. They all deal with the drastic changes to Bogota's built environment and the affect on physical activity and quality of life of the residents. One project focuses on older adults in particular. Is this my chance to enter into the arena of __________ (not sure what to call it)? It is a solid possibility.

Notably, the medium of television can tend to amplify extremes in order to engage the viewer. Nonetherless, the future of our aging population is an interesting and important problem (read opportunity for some) and I recommend you try and watch this episode. Maybe it's one of these self-interested realizations that we reach in order to feel better about ourselves while at the same time looking out for ourselves. Maybe I feel guilty about not being near my parents and I worry about them. Maybe this show will change the way you think about this issue.

Wearing Your Helmet is Cool

Lauren thinks I'm crazy for ruining a perfectly good helmet by customizing it with some creative spray painting and a bit of school spirit. She is slightly biased, having bought the helmet for me. Nonetheless, my dream has been realized and soon I'll be cruising the streets of Atlanta, in a totally sweet bike helmet. And just in time for spring with the dogwoods in bloom and the N.I.T. on the horizon.

I thought Lauren would be in favor of any idea that got the helmet on my head more than it already is, but this all seems childish and unreasonable to her. I wonder how she would react if I painted her helmet up like the helmet of a Vermont Catamount. Oh... I forgot they don't have a football team and they suck!

I am anxious to see how other drivers react. Today I got honked at just for being on the road with a plain black helmet. We'll see if this brings out more honking and if they are primarily friendly or hostile.

Bodhi

Congratulations to The Schaef's on their new addition. It is pretty cool to know someone who has a real, live kid. The baby boy was a healthy 8lbs. 10oz. and almost 21" long. The new mother is doing well. We look forward to babysitting on occasion and making fun of you if you become lamer than us.

Welcome to the world, Bodhi. We have been waiting to be rocked.

Rage and Clarity

Maybe you've heard of the recent letter-bombing campaign in the UK, reminiscent of the US's own Unabomber, Theodore Kaczynski. Some reports have linked the attacks to road rage after three bombs were aimed at motor-vehicle offices this week. There must be a lot of rage pent up to bring someone to the act of building bombs at all, let along such intricate and delicate bombs.

On Wednesday, after putting up my post about the recent renting difficulties we've had, I went about my day as expected. I considered that my release of the rage that had been building up in my life. I found that in my next class I felt very relaxed and was able to generate clear and constructive comments during some group work where we critiqued each others work. The rest of the day I found my head filled with creative ideas and useful thoughts. It appeared that my blog had served as an outlet for my anger and that my mind celebrated its release from the shackles of anger. One potential confounder in this whole assessment is that Wednesday marked an emergence for the Atlanta Metro Area from a recent cold spell. The sun shined, coats came off and I was able to take advantage of it with some walking across campus to run my errands.

Nonetheless, my conscience self noticed the marked difference in mood, outlook, and especially cognitive activity that manifested itself during the middle of the day on Wednesday. I attribute it to the combination of the two coincident influences of venting and nice weather. Perhaps the blog, as a modern journal, has a role as a tool for healthy management of the psychosocial - physiological interaction. I'm glad to have it allow me to release without turning to violence, though I can't give the blog all the credit.


EPILOGUE:
I specifically sectioned out midday Wednesday because later that day I let an unexpected mishap crush me. For the sake of time I will only say that I watched (and heard) my glasses get run over by my own car. Higher highs may make the lows lower.

Hooke Broward

I really want to write about something else, but this issue consumes me. Even the MARTA experience of last night has fled my mind and I am left with one name. Hooke Broward (changed to protect the guilty). It's a complicated case. "Lotta ins and outs" So please keep up with it.

If you know anything about me, you know that I like to flaunt my knowledge of the word spoonerism. That said, the ordeal of getting out of our old apartment is really wearing on my family. FILA runs away when it's brought up. We had an agreement with our property manager, Cooper Brown. If we find a renter, we can keep our security deposit, and not pay any extra months. Perfect! We put an add on Craigslist and find a few people who love the place and are asking about moving in during the first week of January. This is a little early for us (we closed on Dec. 29th) but we tried to (and succeeded) to accommodate. We even returned after the initial move out inspection to do the final cleaning step the property manager wanted. This included washing blinds, all the baseboards, and the bath tub (a third time). But we did this so they would not have to hire a cleaning crew and we would get more of our security deposit back.

So we got out of the place ahead of schedule and Hooke Broward could move in when she wanted. As I said, there were a few people interested moving in so you may be wondering how did you choose Hooke Broward. Well, being the honest and forthright people we believe ourselves to be (as I bash someone) we followed non-discriminatory housing practices and treated interested parties based on the order their interest was expressed. Godd Tilliland, I wish we had gone with you.

Hooke kept moving the move-in back. It wasn't great news but we figured we were only out half of January's rent. The contact through the property manager - we'll call him C-Harley - is a real case. He never contacts me and is very waspy (Ben, preach!).

It is now February and later Today I will take a check over to the proerty manager for another month's rent. Hooke backed out of the lease that C-Harley never got her to sign and Cooper Brown listed the apartment again, at $45/month more than they were going to lease it to anyone we found. Now, we lose our security deposit ($950) because Cooper Brown spends it ALL on 'marketing'. They list on their website, Craigslist, Creative Loafing, and one other place. This costs $950. (I mean This costs $950?) I want C-Harley's job. Lauren and I did it for free and had better luck.

Ok, so were out the security deposit and now all of January rent, thanks to Hooke. All told that's $1,900 but we'll call it $1,400 giving Hooke two weeks to get her move-in on. C-Harley is ready to use Hooke's $950 security Deposit check, which Cooper Brown has already cashed, for the February rent. But yesterday he calls me to ask us to write a check for this month. He also needs us to turn on the power and take care of paying for whatever heat and electricity they use ("to keep the pipes from freezing"). What a guy, he finally finds my phone number when he needs money. He tells me that I'll get it back if they can rent the place before March 1st. At that point they'll reimburse me with Hooke's cash. One catch, they don't know if she'll come back ad sue them to get that cash back with her lawyer shark sister (whom she lives with and hence is in no hurry to move-in anywhere, even to places she told people she would move into). Her sister signed that letter that said Hooke would not be taking the place and consequently forced C-Harley into the fetal position under his desk.

Now we're out January (1/2), security deposit, and Feb (maybe). Possibly $2,350 and you may be saying you are an idiot for getting in to this situation. Perhaps you are right. Cooper Brown is trying to rent the place for more than they led us to believe it would go for. If we found a tenant (such as Hooke) they would only pay $950, same as us. Now that they run the show, the price is higher. And why not? They effectively have the place rented with a check from us every month. Damn.

Thanks for letting me get this down and out. Wish us luck.

Hooke Broward, I wish you no physical harm. I did for awhile but now I am past that now. I do wish you exceedingly great misfortune in everything and maybe a retarded kid. I am sorry, eventually I will not be so hateful but as I sign this check I only think of how your one action has created so much trouble for me. If I am missing some information, please contact me to tell me what is going on.

Jasovargal Occurrence

This morning I had my 3rd-ever encounter with the phenomenon I refer to as jasovargal occurrence. It is more commonly recognized as vasovagal syncope or vagal response.

As some of you know Lauren and I are participating in a clinical trial to test delivery methods for the yellow fever vaccine. We basically get the vaccine (today) with an additional two shots in your butt. This is either immune globulin or saline solution (the placebo), and this is what the test really is. After that we have to go for a lot of blood draws and they look at the immune response to both methods of administering the vaccine.

About a month ago we went for our first visit where they took blood to check for existing immunity and other peculiarities. Everything was fine and today we went back for the vaccine itself. First they did a blood draw for a baseline and this is where I ran into my jasovargal occurrence.

The first time I ever had a jasovargal experience was junior year in high school when I was finally eligible to donate blood at the blood drive. Questionnaire, check. Ear prick iron test, check. Give blood, check. I headed over to the table for some cookies and orange juice confident in my deed and ready to slap a little red cross sticker on my shirt. The next thing I knew I was laying on the ground staring at the ceiling. I had fainted and fallen straight back in the chair I was sitting upon. I decided to take a break from donating.

Let me step back and tell you that I have always been told that I have lovely veins. They are sort of popping out of the skin and phlebotomists look at them and start drooling. Such flattery does nothing to dissuade me from situations where my blood is drawn, thus compounding my problems with jasovargal occurrences.

In college I decided to give it another change. The ole' college try, if you will. The whole act of doing something that was not graded or intoxicating drew immediate attention and ridicule from my hyper-masculine roommates. At the student union, again I made it through the pint and again I felt weak and dizzy but made it over to the beds with some help. There a paper bag was quickly held to my face and I was given more cookies and juice. More ridicule followed. It just occurred to me that the nurse told me not to give blood again. This study is different (I have just convinced myself).

Today I again felt weak, the lights got bright, I was sweating, and my ears ringing. In this setting, it is nice that the nurse and doctors are right there for you, and there are repeat interactions. Tomorrow they'll know what they're getting into and take precautions (drink juices before as well as after). They've seen this before. I'll let you know what happens.

Have your own vagal response story?