EmBlog

I know, I know.  I don’t keep up with this one…so why am I starting another one? But this new one is SPECIAL.  Believe me.  It’s associated with one of my greatest passions: THE MARQUESAS ISLANDS. Inspired by my book on the Marquesan language, it shares Marquesan news, photos, and words (it will parallel my […]

I recently took the train north from Massachusetts to Vermont, and once again found myself marveling at how much I love this mode of travel!  The (usually) gentle click-click of the train wheels is calming and peaceful.  The seats are large and comfortable compared to other forms of public transport.  The seat next to you […]

Since adopting our dog, Jolie, last fall, Damien and I have had a thrilling time getting to know her better, both as an individual and as one of the canine kind.  I grew up with dogs and so I met Jolie with a certain level of experience.  However, in working from home I have had […]

I recently saw an excellent documentary on religion and the role it plays in America today.  For the Bible Tells Me So, by Daniel Karslake, does a decent job of tiptoeing the tightrope of objectivity (at least from my admittedly liberal point of view) in a look at how religion can divide, damage and hurt. […]

Just heard about a great website on Vermont NPR.  Their motto is: “Ideas worth spreading”, with the mission: “Bring big ideas to everyone”.  The basic concept is that by sharing 18-minute, thoughtful and animated talks on various topics of our day online, anyone who visits the site can benefit from information and be inspired to […]

I recently attended a screening of Mother Nature’s Child, shown at the Green Mountain Film Festival.  A peak into the lives of some of America’s children of today, it’s a fascinating, frightening look at where technology is taking us—and what it means to grow up in a world where continuous, pervasive access to technology is both embraced […]

It seems a little strange to know exactly where I will be in six months…but not yet be able to do anything about it.  Damien and I are moving to Montreal!  Wooo!  Now what?  I almost immediately started making lists of things to do…only to realize that almost all of those things are tasks I […]

I recently watched a fascinating documentary called Trouble the Water (it’s available on Netflix or to read more, watch the trailer, etc. visit www.troublethewaterfilm.com).  Made in 2008, the film boasts some of the most incredible live footage I have ever seen—both of Hurricane Katrina itself and of life in New Orleans’ 9th Ward, one of the […]

Why is it that Americans are so bloodthirsty?  Does it date back to our days of taming the wild frontier, or the residual dreams of meat and potatoes brought over from Europe?  Is it just another expression and celebration of our own wealth, since meat is so difficult (resource-draining, labor-intensive) to produce?  Whatever its source, […]

I know, I know.  You thought I was living in Vermont now!  And I am.  But this is an old draft post that I never published and thought I should…now that my days in Rock Creek Park are done, for the moment. There’s always something new to “enjoy” on the bike ride home from the […]