Adventures in...

Time

2008-07-08T10:24:00.002-04:00

I ran again this morning. Funny how beating the alarm clock to the punch can become a game. 30 minutes today with Casey Dog. She ran with me yesterday morning, then with Case yesterday afternoon, so I'm watching her closely. Much less tongue-dragging this morning (for both of us, actually), so I'm not too worried about her. She was motionless on the floor afterward until just before I left for work, so I think she's expending some energy again. It's been a while since Case finished her marathon and tapered the long runs she was doing with CD. I'm enjoying the old feeling of stretching tight leg muscles throughout the morning at my desk, and actually feeling like I have blood circulating.

Oh yeah, "time." It occurred to me on this morning's run how exercising before work makes me much more aware of the passage of time and how I manage it. Two days in a row I've run in the morning, and two days in a row I've gotten to work on time. Nothing much deeper than that, except maybe that exercising (and maybe running in traffic with a dog) certainly seems to increase awareness and alertness.

To forming good habits

2008-07-07T15:28:00.003-04:00

It's been a while since my last post. I've been loathe to write much of anything lately (just ask around), so it's not surprising.

Development #1: Case completed the weekend-long Motorcycle Safety Foundatation Basic Rider Course (BRC) yesterday. She's been talking a lot about learning how to ride and following her birthday in May, signed up to do just that. She had a great time riding (in the rain yesterday even) and is now shopping for a motorcycle.

I'm happy that she's enjoying learning to ride and I'm supporting her in making her puchase (we're going to test-ride a Yamaha V-Star 650 this evening). That said, I'm experiencing for the first time the same concern that I imagine she, my mom, and other family members have experienced as to my motorcycling. I tend to ride very safely and conservatively, and have conveyed that to my family and friends. I'm sure Case will do the same. I guess I just have to trust that she'll learn good habits and make good decisions out there on the road.

Development #2: I've started running again, and signed up for the Marine Corps Marathon (late October). I haven't run consistently since I raced IMCDA (over a year ago), so I'm definitely out of shape. My dad also signed up for MCM, and in typical Dad fashion, has hit the ground running, literally, researching and designing a running program and keeping with it for three weeks now. If I hope to keep up with Pops, I've got my work cut out for me.

I'm getting into my own groove, having run Saturday afternoon and again this morning before work. My plan is to run every morning this week to form the habit (a recurring theme), then taper to three weekday runs and a long run per week. I may keep up the daily routine a second week if I think I need it. Casey Dog is surely a fan, though she furrowed her furry brow, confused this morning as I laced 'em up as Case (her usual running partner) was still fast asleep.

It's a new day.

Thoughts on yesterday's "Potomac/Chesapeake Primaries"

2008-02-13T11:55:00.003-05:00

I spent a long day at the polls at Precinct 16 (Lyon Village) in Arlington yesterday. The other Election Officers and I arrived at 5 am. From 6:30 - 11:30, the polling place was packed with voters. Down to a trickle until 4:30 or so, when we got another steady stream until we closed down at 7 pm sharp.

I have a question: There are laws against candidates' supporters campaigning within a certain distance of the polling place entrance. Do these same laws prohibit the media from operating within those limits? Yesterday morning and evening, a news crew from a well-known local affiliate set up insidethe polling place while voters were queuing, signing in, and voting. In each of the two instances, the reporter was on camera for 20 seconds max, but in both cases he opined on the Obama/Clinton contest, citing comments from the Clinton camp to the effect that they expected Obama to do well.

My question is: aren't campaigners prohibited from campaigning close to the polls so that they might not influence and sway voters who are making their final deliberations and decision as to whom they will cast their ballot for? Why would this not apply to the media as well?

Day One

2008-01-16T12:40:00.001-05:00

I'm recovering from one of my first runs in almost 7 months. I ran about 45 minutes, and probably a little less than 4 miles. Temp here in Jensen Beach, FL, is 72, with 55% humidity. My limbs felt heavy, my breathing was labored, and my HR was through the roof. Not particularly fun, but it was great to get out and enjoy this weather and gain some perspective.

I realized that it's one thing to have completed an Ironman; another thing entirely to live an Ironman lifestyle. I realize now that I find my satisfaction not in completing the race, but in how I feel when I've been training consistently. While 'consistently' is relative in my case, as those who know me will attest, when I work out, I feel better about myself.

Another thing I've realized is that, contrary to my feelings immediately after IMCDA '07, I don't really want to do the faster, shorter distances. I like the longer distances, and always have, but have struggled with consistently training during the week at shorter distances.

Consistent training has proven to be a constant, positive impact on every aspect of my life, so as a 33rd birthday present to myself (1/24), I'm going to become the most consistent, smartest-training long-distance triathlete I can be. My goals for 2008 are to train for and complete one century, one 2 mile swim, and at least one marathon.

Home again, home again

2008-01-11T10:38:00.000-05:00

I'm Jensen Beach bound, baby. With the exception of Dec. 24th, 25th, and NYD, I worked the holidays, so my vacation begins the 15th. Time to relax and re-center in S. Florida. Looking forward to spending time with my mom, enjoying some golf and good conversation, 70+ degree weather and sand between my toes. Amen.

Sabre: Up and Running

2008-01-04T09:32:00.000-05:00

After new spark plugs and a new battery, I got the Sabre running again last night.

I installed a new battery and tried to start her 3 or 4 times. Wouldn't turn over. I was a bit deflated, and said, "Well, at least I know it's not the battery." Then as I was about to head inside to consult my manual, I decided to try it one more time. It caught!

I put on all my gear and hopped on the frozen seat for a spin in the 28 degree weather. My face nearly froze! I'll ride this weekend, as temps are expected to climb. After that, I'll put her in the garage and bring her out whenever the weather permits.

Props to Casey, who diagnosed the battery as the problem from the start.

It's great to be back on the road!

The truth shall set you free

2007-12-20T23:38:00.000-05:00

I need to vent.

One day when I was about 5 or 6 years old, I was playing with Stephen Dye, a friend of mine who lived a couple of houses over. For some reason, he mentioned something about Santa Claus. Now for me, the gig was already up, and I thought I'd been the last to find out, but I didn't want to burst his bubble, so I didn't say anything.

After we finished playing, I headed home and found my dad, or rather my dad's backside, as he was digging in his tool shed for something. I said something to the effect of: "Dad, can you believe Stephen still thinks Santa Claus is REAL?" I don't remember his reply, just the look on his face after he turned around. I turned to see an ashen-faced Stephen, who'd followed me home and was standing behind me. I felt about two centimeters tall.

Every time I get one of those e-mail forwards--you know, the ones about crazy coincidences and conspiracy theories, weird accidents or mushy reunions--I feel like I'm listening to Stephen Dye talk to me about Santa. Except Stephen didn't e-mail me a story once a week to get me excited about Santa. And we were five and believed everything we were told.

Now, I don't want to be a kill-joy, and I don't get a thrill out of bursting bubbles. In fact, I feel like a Scrooge, like I'm about to turn around and break the news straight to Stephen's face, only this time he's all grown up and is still talking about Santa.

We still know only a minuscule FRACTION of what there is to be known in this world. Let's not clutter our heads with something that's already been proven false.

Keep the jokes coming! As long as you know it's a joke, or a corny story, click 'Forward' to your heart's content. I'll laugh with you and probably share it myself. And I love a heartwarming story as much as the next guy.

But please, PLEASE... before you forward to me or anyone else that moving, ironic, tragic, heart-wrenching, hackle-raising, tear-jerking story that implores you to forward to five friends or write a letter to your government... PLEASE go to snopes.com and type in the e-mail subject or a key phrase from the story. The folks on this site, the Mikkelsons, have spent some time researching e-mails that are making the rounds out there. Now I don't have the time to look up this stuff, and I'll admit that I usually take them at their word without digging further myself, but they're my first line of defense when it comes to forwards and have just about "seen it all" when it comes to e-mail hoaxes. And be careful, they've compiled so many stories that you may find yourself spending an hour or two reading their reports.

You may find that the story you've received, even with all its irony, is true, that this wonderful (or horrific) incident actually occurred. If so, then by all means, let us hear about it! Get the word out to everyone, and put me at the top of the list!

If, however, it's a big load of crap, please do us all a favor and refrain from spreading disinformation. If you've got some time to kill, you may even want to clue in the person who sent it to you. They might send their own retraction out. If what you're about to forward could cause a panic (like, say, a two- to three-year-old long-disproved post about a possible recall of many types of dog food, medicine, whatever), then it's definitely time to send a message BACK up the thread to let everyone know it's a hoax.

Let's do our part to reduce the amount of BS out there.

On ham radio / procrastination

2007-12-10T19:16:00.000-05:00

I wonder if I'm the only ham radio enthusiast in the world who has yet to either operate a radio or learn morse code. About a year and a half ago, I ran across a website on ham radio kits (www.elecraft.com) and became immediately obsessed with building and operating one of these things. I come from a line of guys who tinkered with stuff--model railroads, woodworking, that sort of thing--so I guess it's in the genes. Anyway, I did what anyone in need of a hobby with several hundred bucks burning a hole in their pocket would have done: I bought a kit--an Elecraft K1.

I'd never soldered before, but I bought (yes) a couple of cheap kits to practice on and soon got the hang of it. I then got to work soldering this radio. I was working at a slower pace than most folks (30 hours seems to be the usual assembly time for one of these), but that was okay by me, since I wanted to make sure it was done right (...okay, yes, perfectly). Then I met and started spending time with Casey, started training for Ironman, began grad school in earnest, etc. The radio got put on the back burner.

I picked up with assembly about 3 months ago, and worked on it a couple nights in a row--just long enough for me to solder a 20-pin component into place... backwards. That really took the steam outta me (perfectionist and all), and I had other things distracting me, so I made a note of the screwup in my manual, and promised myself to fix it when I had the time, the inclination, and the equipment to correct my error.

Well, this radio project has become my time-waster, my procrastinatory muse. But here's the catch: I don't even have to work on the radio to waste time, much less use it--I think and read about radios to waste time! I spend sometimes up to an hour a day on the Elecraft site, re-reading e-mail posts on the reflector and sharing in the excitement other builders and operators have over receiving and building Elecraft's latest and greatest, the K3.

Anyway, the reason I'm posting this is two-fold. First, in my cruising the Elecraft site, I found that the other guy who is still building his K1 (everyone else seems to have built 10 K1s and 20 of its big brother, the K2, and are impatiently awaiting the arrival of their long-ordered K3) is writing a blog about his process and taking pictures and what-not. So I was inspired by this and feeling a sense of camaraderie with my K1 compadre and thought, well, I should do that, too! And I will, and I'll post pictures, because it's something I do want to do but only after this weekend, because...

Second, I wanted to get these thoughts down in electrons so that I can forget about it for the next week. I have a ton of research and writing to do between now and Saturday. This is just to "limber up the fingers" and "get the words flowing" so that I can get back to work. Seems to be doing the trick!

So anyway, to all four of you that actually know this blog exists, if you're still reading, I hope you got a kick out of it, and I'll be getting back to work now...

J

Shootings

2007-12-05T17:28:00.000-05:00

What is going on?! What is driving people to go on shooting rampages?

I'm an conflict analyst, and I've got this burning need to find out why there are people doing this. These aren't typical serial killers. They're not looking to escape, or to stay alive in order to kill again. Every shooter since Columbine, to my knowledge, has turned the gun on himself, leaving no way to address whatever is going on with him personally. This phenomenon is similar to suicide bombings in the Middle East, but it lacks a handy political undercurrent that we can attach to it.

Or does it? We as conflict analysts are cross-discipline researchers. We have the training (and the responsibility) to dig into this phenomenon and look for patterns, to get a psychological and sociological lay of the land. We look at structural conflict, identity issues, aspects of positioning. If we can never predict who will do what when, the least we can do is identify key indicators within structures that can be mitigated or possibly even reversed--through outreach programs, anti-bullying programs, inclusive measures that can foster a less violent, less alienating society.

It's not comfortable to turn the camera on our own culture. What we see is gonna be ugly, because it's gonna be us. It's not easy to understand an issue that hasn't already been well-framed and documented over years of conflict and strife. With the exception of Sweden's recent shooting, this is a distinctly American conflict, one the conflict community has a duty to address.

B Русском Языком...

2007-11-25T00:12:00.000-05:00

Я только что понял, что я могу написать в Русском языком на Blogspot! Я не хорошо помню как написать в Русском языком, но я буду пробовать!

On the loss of individuality in studying conflict

2007-11-12T09:05:00.001-05:00

I was just doing some housecleaning and stumbled upon a sermon that my father sent me as a birthday gift in January. The sermon is by Dr. John Claypool, who pastored my parents' church back in the mid-seventies. My dad thought it was interesting that the sermon was delivered the Sunday before I was born. What really struck him was its focus on interpersonal and intergroup conflict.

Claypool touches on several conflict themes in the sermon, but as I reread it this morning, I gained new insight. Writes Claypool, "[conflict] is the price one has to pay for individuality and the kind of fellowship that grows out of honest interchange. When conflict of this type is avoided at all costs, it takes its toll on both of these realities."

This really hit home for me. It's no secret that within the conflict resolution community, at least at ICAR, there is a sense among students that they are to never actually be in conflict, that it would be hypocritical of them to purport to resolve others conflicts while they are mired in their own. Or worse, that it might undermine the very philosophical basis of their chosen career field. The result is conflict avoidance and entire groups of people walking on eggshells.

Claypool describes a minister-friend that was hospitalized from depression as a result of his need to display a front of agreeability, his tendency to be a "pleaser," and the consequential loss of his own sense of individuality, his own personality, his own sense of uniqueness.

While I hope none of our students are or have found themselves in the same predicament as the minister, I understand that they sometimes feel (or create for themselves) the pressure of being a role model, a living example or embodiment of "peace" or "conflict resolution." I've certainly put myself in such a position at times, and it's not fun. It's hard enough on the psyche to stomach reading and hearing about the conflicts we study without adding a heavy layer of self-imposed self-righteousness and "CR-correctness."

More later on this maybe... I've gotta hit the books now.

J

Blogging with a purpose

2007-11-07T15:18:00.000-05:00

Having read several entries on a friend's blog, I agree with his sentiment that a blog is better when it has a purpose. By "better," I mean less pedantic and indulgent, instead inspiring personal accountability and responsibility. I've been lacking in these areas lately, and have been in a funk about the direction things are going for me as a result. The blog is part of a larger effort to remedy that. I also believe in feedback as reinforcement that we are not alone in our journeys, and I welcome responses and comments when you have a chance.

So, for now, the purpose is... to get a job!! Although I'm still working on my master's degree, I'm actively seeking work in the field of conflict analysis and resolution both in the immediate future and for after I complete my degree in May 2008. If any of you have ideas (or friends with ideas) on job opportunities, please let me know. I'm open both to working abroad--in peacebuilding, capacity building, post-conflict reconstruction, or reconciliation programs, to name a few areas--and stateside, "back-stopping" such programs from here. I have an abiding interest in programs with a focus on Russia and the CIS, but am not particular to that region. I'll post my resume here on the site in the next few days in case you'd like to forward it on to anyone.

Take care,

Jay

Welcome

2007-11-07T15:16:00.000-05:00

So, this is my umpteenth attempt at maintaining a blog, but I have high hopes for this go 'round!

About me: I'm a graduate student of conflict analysis and resolution, working part-time at a law firm. A recovering procrastinator, just creating this account could be disastrous! Here you'll find my vents, rants, opinions on life, love, politics, and occasionally, my thesis, and (hopefully soon) a few published articles, letters, and op-eds. I also hope to use this as my vehicle for clearing the cobwebs, getting the thoughts flowing and fingers moving, and kicking writer's block when it rears its ugly head. You may even see a bit of Russian here, if I can knock off some of the rust!

I live with my girlfriend Casey and our black lab mix, also named Casey (a complete coincidence, mind you, and neither would agree to change her name, so there you have it!). Casey (the gf) and I met on a long bicycle ride in Lake Placid, NY, and completed our first Ironman triathlon together this past June in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. I'm now more into bikes with motors (to which my expanding middle attests). I like to pretend that I'm impervious to the cold and so plan to ride my Honda Shadow Sabre 1100 until ice descends upon the highways and byways of northern Virginia and DC.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out the site! I'm still working out the kinks and experimenting with formats.

Hope you subscribe, and I'll be in touch...

Jay