Potpourri

Time is flying. Exams ended last week, quickly followed by a flurry of Commencement activities. Early Monday morning we got started painting the kitchen; continued on Tuesday. Still not done, but mother-not-in-law arrived this morning so things are on hold for a few days. And, I've got to do some "school" work this week to get ready for summer teaching. I've been keeping up with folks' blogs, but not having much of a chance to post comments.

Monday evening we had an unfortunate experience. Around 10 pm, while watching a movie, we heard our neighbors start fighting. Short version - it got ugly fast and we called the police. We were mainly motivated to call because their five year old was home and parenting was part of the argument. Things settled down, the cops came, that was that. We've been neighbors for six years and this is a first. They are very, very Christian; very traditional, etc. But, we've got a fine "neighborly" relationship and the kids sometimes play together.

Yesterday, T, the wife/mom, came over bearing flowers. It was so sad. She came over to apologize, tell us that she had experienced moral failure in that she had cursed at her husband. Her account went from bad to worse. Clearly, in her mind, this was all her fault. Of course we had heard how it started. Him: "When I come home I just want to be left alone." He was annoyed that his son was still up at 9pm and that his wife had spoken to him when he wanted to be left alone. Yikes! Anyway, we chatted for a while and finally I just said, words to the effect of, "I know we come from very different backgrounds... but you need to know that you weren't the only one who was wrong." Her response was that, "...although his behavior had been shaming" her reaction was "more wrong because I screamed at my husband." I said something like sometimes the person who doesn't raise his or her voice can be saying the more abusive things. I didn't want to start quoting what we had heard, but it was so sad to hear her claiming all responsibility. She said that they were talking with their elders and their pastor... She said something I didn't understand about "being in the light," but I wasn't inclined to ask. It was just so sad. Everything we had surmised about their relationship was pretty much verified. Mr. Big Man. Yeah, right. And did I mention that we think there's some drug trafficking going on in the apartment across the street? Unfortunately with the windows open we get to hear all the "thumpa-thumpa" music at 2 am, etc.

So, that's it from here. Between now and next Friday I have to finish prepping things for the Germany course and finish posting everything for the on-line course here. I have to do some shopping before leaving. Hopefully we'll finish the kitchen. Mother-not-in-law leaves next Wednesday. So, on Saturday, 2 June I leave for Trier, Germany via London and Luxembourg. I have a nine hour layover in London so I hope to get into Victoria Station and spend some time in a few bookstores. I'm scheduled to spend the middle weekend in Stockholm. Then, I return on Saturday, 16 June, via Luxembourg and Amsterdam. I have a seven hour layover in A'dam. If all goes according to plan I'll go to my favorite pizza place, go for a long walk, and stock up on Gouda. In an unusual move I'm not taking my laptop. Between security, the intentionally long layovers to do some shopping, and the lack of connection at my lodging, no point in dragging it around. While I will have to spend some time at the Internet cafe in Trier and I'll keep up on my reading, I probably won't post much - unless of course there is big news! The German keyboard is frustrating and I should be out enjoying the city!

So, that's about it from here. Just wanted folks to know that I'm reading - and counting the days until we arrive in Halifax! Cheers!

House, apartment, tent?

We have, since the beginning of this whole immigration enterprise, debated where we would move and whether or not we'd decide or let other things (e.g., jobs, school...) somewhat decide for us. We've gone through phases of thinking we would buy a house, build a house, rent first, buy a condo, and back through the round several times over. For a whole host of reasons that I won't bore you with we recently decided that the smartest thing to do is to rent first.

I had previously - during an earlier iteration of rental mania - found a bunch of decent websites about rental units. I visited them again yesterday and found a place where the landlord actually listed anticipated vacancy dates - through summer 2008! And, we were really intrigued with one of the listings. So, I emailed him. My big concern was finding a place that would be suitable for our needs/desires and that would accept a dog. So far we've exchanged several emails in which he's given me all kind of info. Our dog is no problem and they're willing to not let it to anyone else until after we have a chance to see it in July.

I don't want to be too jazzed about it because so many things could happen; e.g., we don't like it or the current tenants decide not to relocated as planned. But, it's downtown - one mile from the university, one mile from a French Immersion elementary school, walking distance to the riverfront, and - drum roll please - across the street from the Farmers' Market! It's more than we had planned on spending - isn't that always the way - on a rental. But, it includes heat and water, has a garage and a parking place (even though the location will allow us to keep getting by with one car), and has basement storage.

So, we'll see what happens. I said that even if it doesn't work out the mental exercise of evaluating the pros and cons and really deciding what are priorities and what are not is useful. We'd still like to buy or build, but since so much is up in the air regarding whether or not we stay there, etc. this seems like the most reasonable plan to take. Plus, we really get a chance to learn the neighborhoods, etc.; something I swore we'd do before buying in a place about which we know nothing.

Countdown to Halifax: 7 weeks from Saturday!

Funding!

I got the grant! That means that I'll be able to plan at least one, perhaps two, trips to Canada to meet with folks who've agreed to participate in the "Magnetic North" project. Yippee! Most likely that means that if I can't swing it in October when we have a long weekend, I'll plan to visit Toronto next January (yeah, silly me) when I'm not teaching. I'm going to Portland, OR in April of next year so I may try to add Vancouver to that trip. Rock on!

Hope your weather is as beautiful as ours is here in the Twin Cities!

Yet one more reason...

First, I appreciate the debate over whether hate crime legislation is the way to go. That is, I appreciate the arguments for and against increased penalties when something is deemed a hate crime. "Hate crimes under current federal law apply to acts of violence against individuals on the basis of race, religion, color, or national origin." But, it seems to me that if a jurisdiction chooses to pass such legislation, as has the federal government, it should include sexual orientation.

The House, yesterday, passed legislation that would add sexual orientation and gender identity to existing hate crime legislation. The Senate is expected to pass a similar bill. Now, I know you'll be shocked, but, yes, Bush plans to veto the legislation if/when it reaches his desk.

Let's see - Congress passes legislation to set a timeline on Iraq. Bush vetoes. Congress, it appears, will pass the hate crime legislation. Bush plans to veto. What a @#$%.

Best Places to Live

Check out Money Sense and the "Canada's Best Places to Live" rankings.

Masochism

I happened upon the last twenty minutes or so of the first GOP "debate." I kept thinking, "Someday I'm going to look back and say that the best thing I ever did was get my son out of the country." Somebody wants to eliminate a federal income tax. Somebody, digging at Clinton, spouted off about how horrible national health care would be. Somebody, I think it was evil, evil Duncan Hunter, said that we "had license to take military action" against Iran. Throw in Sam Brownback and a little pro-life rhetoric and the biggest #@$% in the world, John McCain... ugh. Pathetic. Just pathetic.

BTW, the debate was held at the Reagan Library. Nancy "Just Say No" Reagan with there, seated with Schwarznegger. She isn't looking good. Very, very frail.

In other news, did you hear about Joan Baez being denied permission to perform with John Mellencamp at Walter Reed? I don't think a day goes by that I don't hear something that makes me even more disgusted. Is there a point at which it won't be possible to be further disgusted?

Well, so much for the uplifting post.

Vote Kucinich.