I participated again today and I had so much fun! This is my third year walking in the fundraiser, having participated in 2004 and 2005. I walk to honor the memory of three family members I lost to this wasteful and ravaging disease. I offer a big THANK YOU to everyone who sponsored me this year – I surpassed my fund raising goal! Until there’s a cure…we stand in solidarity.
Yesterday was my birthday and I had a perfect day. I wanted to keep it low key, so I did, and spent most of the morning receiving calls from family (which was wonderful), drinking tea and watching one of my favorite movies. Around noon Cam took me out for an early supper and that was fun too (even without Spinach & Artichoke dip 
). We had a nice long walk around our neighborhood afterwards and the weather was absolutely gorgeous.
After that I headed out to sci fi club and hung out with friends for a couple hours eating warm caramel rolls while we watched the evening’s television line up. Yummm.
Even though I’ve been told I actually have a full week to celebrate my birthday, the week coming up is a busy one so unfortunately I can’t take that too seriously 
.
As a brief Life update: there have been some sad times recently as members of my extended family, who are very dear to me, have experienced several emergencies. My heart and attention have been with them. They have been and continue to be in my thoughts and prayers, and I am grateful as things seem to be improving. Also, I’ve been busy with career stuff. I made the decision last month to accept a position on the Board of Directors at the non-profit I’ve been active with for about a year and a half now. It was a very involved but gratifying decision, and it has rewarded me, even in the the short time since I made it. I also have a job interview for a research position in Denver tomorrow! Wish me luck and blessings. I will probably spend the remainder of this afternoon making final preparations for that.
That’s all for now; I will write more regular updates now that the “busyness” has subsided.
Peace!
I was very pleased to read recently that Vanessa Northington Gamble, M.D., Ph.D., has been appointed as University Professor of Medical Humanities at George Washington University, effective earlier this month. As a physician, historian, and activist, Dr. Gamble is an expert in the fields of medical history and humanities, bioethics and health care disparities, and is the first woman to hold this prestigious faculty position.
Early in my academic career I spent hours in the stacks of the local university’s library reading anything I could get my hands on that dealt with the history of race and ethnicity in medicine and public health in this country. Scholars such as Dr. Gamble fueled my passion, with writings and publications that vociferously addressed the state of health care as I observed it within my community, and presented to me a priceless body of knowledge from which I have drawn from over and over again.
Dr. Gamble directed the National Center for Bioethics and Research in Health Care at Tuskegee University and has served as head of the Division of Community and Minority Programs at the Association of American Medical Colleges. She is also an associate professor of health policy and management at Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Many congratulations to her and to the faculty that will benefit tremendously from her wisdom.
On August 13th, Dr. Nina Fedoroff, of Pennsylvania State University, was sworn in as the newest Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary of State (Ms. Condoleezza Rice). While in this position, Dr. Fedoroff will have a key influence on the future of American science policy and international scientific cooperation–
“The position of Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary (STAS) was created in 2000, to serve as the Department’s chief scientist and principal liaison with the national and international scientific and engineering communities. Dr. Fedoroff is the third person to hold this position. The Adviser is responsible for enhancing the science and technology literacy and capacity at the State Department, increasing the number of scientists and engineers working in Washington and missions abroad, strengthening and building bridges to the scientific and engineering communities, and providing advice on current and emerging science and technology issues as they impact foreign policy.” (excerpted from the U.S. Department of State’s website)
Dr. Fedoroff has been a favorite researcher of mine for quite some time because of her work with genetics and molecular biology and her studies on the societal impacts of genetically modified crops. She brings to the position an impressive body of knowledge and a well-respected plethora of experience, which includes memberships to the National Science Board and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She also served as founding Director of the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at Penn State and is a National Medal of Science laureate.
I look forward to hearing the dialogue her office will bring to the public policy round table.
Charity fundraisers are awesome because they give me an opportunity to meet a community of people who are willing to give their time, concern and/or money to causes I believe in. It’s also a great way to network with like-minded individuals.
Last night, I attended the Can’t Stop the Serenity charity screening of Joss Whedon’s Serenity, hosted by the Mile High Browncoats as a tribute to Joss and his efforts in supporting the advocacy group Equality Now. Serenity is one of my favorite movies, and all proceeds above cost from the event were to benefit EN, which works to end violence and discrimination against women and girls around the world. Men are also highly impacted by their work, as they stand to benefit a great deal from their tremendous efforts.
The screening was at the Tivoli in Denver, and it was PACKED. I attended the 8pm screening, and met some really cool folks while standing in line and waiting for the 5pm group to leave. I saw old people, young people, coupled people, single people, some people dressed in jeans and t-shirts and some people dressed in costumes and full-length gowns. It was awesome. One woman behind me commented on how cool it was to see so many “sci-fi geeks in one place”. Yeah!
Before the movie began, we watched a short film featuring Meryl Streep (on behalf of Equality Now), and Joss, in honor of his mother Jessica. After Meryl spoke, Joss gave the audience several answers to a question he is asked over and over again, “Why do you keep writing such strong female characters into your stories?” Joss answered, “Because of my mother”, “Because of my father”, “Because they’re hot” and “Because you’re still asking me that question instead of asking the other 100 guys over there why they’re not.” Well said.
Overall, the night was a lot of fun and very empowering. It was great to be in the presence of men and women who love sci-fi and support strong, healthy women and men. It’s not about overpowering each other, it’s about respecting each other’s ability to be strong and supportive. Like my Auntie Vivian used to always say, “When I am strong, my family, my home and my community are strong.”
At some moments, I felt like I was on the red carpet The highlight of the evening was being invited by Wes to the Afterparty in downtown, but I had to regrettably decline. Thanks to the MHB and all the organizers and volunteers for a great event!
Happy Summer!
Whew, what a weekend! Today ended what has been an extremely intense, but wonderful, 3-day course on Green Building Techniques, presented by environmental scientist and green builder Dan Chiras at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Our agenda today covered:
I am extremely pleased with the outcome of this course–we met our goals as a group and enjoyed ourselves in the meantime. Now that the course is over, I’m one step closer to being Green Building Certified (a process I began about 2 years ago). More details on that as it happens later in the year. For photos on some of the other projects I’ve worked on, follow this link.
Perhaps, the most important point I walked away with was this:
“Truly appropriate technology doesn’t make people or their communities dependent on systems over which they have no control.” –David Eisenberg
Green Design (Building, and Technology) is really, for me, about being good to myself, empowering my community and ensuring the prosperity of future generations…all children of all species for all time. (William McDonough) How can I do this? By being mindful and intentional with what is within my control–little by little, today, tomorrow and every day.
Many thanks to Dan, Mark Shueneman (of the Colorado Straw Bale Association, Boulder), Laura Bartels and our guest speakers for an amazing weekend!
Day Two of the Green Building Techniques course presented by Dan Chiras was phenomenal!
An outstanding feature of this lecture is that Chiras is teaching us from his proven methods of success, and also from the mistakes he made when designing and building his own home. He often refers to things he didn’t consider at the time and passes along a note of caution on how to avoid danger in the future. That perspective makes what he’s teaching even more cohesive and practical.
Today’s Topics:
And the main point that Chiras couldn’t stress enough was: DESIGN FOR EFFICIENCY!!!
During one of the design lectures, I brought up the notion that dome structures are increasing in popularity and asked what considerations one should make when trying to design. Chiras mentioned several advantages, such as stability, efficiency, etc., but also pointed out a few concerns around design complications, such as dome structures creating passive solar heating design complications. He also referred me to his book, The New Economical Home, which we all received a free copy of, where he makes mention of building domes. Surprisingly, the gentleman I met yesterday, the one who is designing a vacation home for him and his wife, currently lives in a house that has a dome feature incorporated into the center! Great! We talked at length about why he chose to do this, as dome living has been a passion of his for a long time. He also explained some of the complications he’s had, and recommended incorporating a dome structure into a larger floor plan (part of my observation/viewing dome ideas anyway). Another woman in our group, who’s actually researched dome living extensively, overheard our conversation and approached me afterwards. She gave me all kinds of links and resources for dome kits, monolithic domes, etc., and updated me on some of the benefits of domes when used as a primary dwelling.
Chiras also showed slides of gorgeous, spacious, brightly daylit interiors. I became interested in Daylighting techniques several years ago after learning about how incredibly easy it is to brightly light an office, classroom or home with natural daylight and little or no electric light. I call natural daylight “happy light”–our brain needs natural sun light each day to produce chemicals that promote feelings of health and well-being. Ever suffer from “cabin fever” in the winter? Shorter days mean less exposure to that vital dose of sunshine. Not only are bright, cheery spaces more fun (and much more productive) to be in, they are necessary for sufferers of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). And, as are all green design techniques when well-implemented, daylighting is extremely cost effective. Less money spent on electric lighting means more money in the bank.
A few buzz phrases I’ve been hearing:
“Design is an indication of intent.” –William McDonough
“Air Tight, Ventilate Right!” –Larry Kinney
and perhaps my favorite…
“When we build, let us think that we build forever.” –John Ruskin
Let’s try a quick recap of what’s been going on:
. If you’re interested, though, shoot me a note. I’d be happy to commiserate some more.It’s that time of year again…fundraisers, volunteerism, autumn…
For the third year in a row this weekend, I’m walking in what is probably Colorado’s largest AIDS fundraiser. The walk is 5K (and for the first time, some are running this year), and all proceeds/donations go to organizations that support the HIV/AIDS community in Colorado. Thousands participate, and there are free massages and ice cream at the end of it! Now as if THAT weren’t enough to get me involved, I also get to do some good in the community 
I’ve looked forward to it each year!
