July 1, 2009
Wednesday Cat Blogging: Missing Dylan
I'm very sad to report that Dylan has been gone for almost 10 days. Even in New Mexico, his nickname was "The Escape Artist." He was never content to be an indoor cat, like some other Tonks we know. He would escape at every opportunity.
Out here, he loved being able to run out in the yard and in the wild area around the house. He had been going in and out for the better part of a month, but left one day and never returned.
Although I may be over-anthropomorphizing, I think it's really changed the dynamics within the tribe(s). First of all, Chloe misses her sleeping buddy. They have been bosom buddies since birth. (That's Dylan on the left.)
Chloe's seemed lonely, and since she lost some air cover, she is being increasing ganged up on by Shadow and MacKenzie. And Pookie has been missing Sadie. Tonight, for the first time, Chloe and Pookie came within 3 inches of each other and sniffed - no growls, no chasing. Maybe they will be the next soulmates ... one can hope.
Every day I go outside, I hope that Dylan will come trotting down the hill, but I'm losing hope. Then I remember that I gave up on Shadow and he showed up 9 days later. Shadow has used at least 5 of his 9 lives. I think Dylan still has at least 8 left.
Posted by hgroteva at 8:55 PM | Comments (0) | Cats | Massachusetts
June 24, 2009
Resistance is Futile
As the Borg said to Jean-Luc, "Resistance is futile." That's how I've come to feel about Facebook. Yes, I'm on it now. The thing that put me over the line was the birth of my nephew last week. I know that Facebook is where all his pictures will be, and I want to keep up with him, so ..... (Not to mention that quite a few of my fellow bloggers have moved from blogging to Facebook.) I signed up a few hours ago, and discovered some old high school friends I haven't communicated with since graduation.
I also discovered, to my surprise, that my division at the university has a facebook page of its own! Needless to say, I have signed on.
Facebook has double interest for me now. The grant application we are working on involves social network analysis, and of course, facebook is the ultimate social networking tool. We will be studying social networks in a different way, but the experience of being on Facebook is giving me some new ah-ha's about social networks in general. Stay tuned for more on that...
Posted by hgroteva at 9:07 PM | Comments (0) | About | Life | Technology
June 22, 2009
Every Little Step
I saw a great movie yesterday, "Every Little Step." It's a documentary based on the selection of the cast for the Broadway revival of "A Chorus Line." Great stories, great music, great dancing, and lots of energy. But what got me the most? It was about excellence -- giving it your all, taking risks, pulling out all the stops -- and all the joy and elation that comes with it.
Go to this link for a trailer.
Enjoy!
Posted by hgroteva at 8:55 AM | Comments (0) | Life | Movies
June 13, 2009
In Memory, Saige Reisler
Saige Reisler, Development Officer for our College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, died last Saturday after jumping off the Tappan Zee Bridge into the Hudson River. She was 33, with a teenage daughter and a new fiance.
Her memorial service today was beautiful, uplifting, even transformative. Her family had put much energy this past week into making meaning of something that seems unfathomable. Life and death are indeed mysteries.
Saige's minister gave profoundly comforting comments, reminding everyone that her spirit is very much with those gathered together. He felt confident that the Lord, rather than turning his back on Saige, caught her spirit before her body even hit the water.
I had had some interaction with Saige and was slated for more. I looked forward to our meetings - she seemed very sincere about the people she worked with. After a recent honors event, we shared the joy of a successful scholarship nomination for a very deserving undergraduate student. Her memorial service revealed the many ways in which she cared profoundly about others. She lived a life of sacrifice and giving and modeled that for others. Her approach to life has become magnified many times over in her death. Her mother urged people to share, to give, to help others.
Saige had apparently told her sister and daughter that when she died, she wanted her favorite piece of music to be played: a reggae version of "Over the Rainbow." It was light, airy, whimsical, and provided just the right touch after a very emotional few hours. I found the version on the internet - it was by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole; go to this link and then click on "Over the Rainbow" to hear 30 seconds of this song, and think of Saige. And here's a fuller version: enjoy...
Rest in peace, Saige. You will not be forgotten. Every time we see a firefly, it will be a reminder of your too-brief life and the many ways in which you touched others.
Posted by hgroteva at 10:54 PM | Comments (0) | In Memory / In Honor
May 30, 2009
We're Number 1
Amherst has just been named the Number 1 college town in the U.S., according to the article posted here. Here we are on the map.
It looks like the ranking was due to a number of factors, including 5 colleges in the immediate area (UMass, Amherst College, Smith, Mt. Holyoke, and Hampshire); reasonable cost of living; access to cultural events; and good public transportation. The article forgot to mention the natural beauty of western Mass.
Posted by hgroteva at 9:21 PM | Comments (0) | Massachusetts
May 17, 2009
Many Moods
All these photos were taken off the deck of our new house within the space of the first two weeks living here. The view is of Mt. Holyoke Range State Park, due west. The moods of the terrain seem to change every 5 minutes - we have experienced dense fog, clouds, heavy rain, wild winds, and bright sun -- often all on the same day. What a privilege!
Posted by hgroteva at 8:20 PM | Comments (0) | Life | Massachusetts
May 15, 2009
Friday Cat Blogging: Four Minus One
In Sadie's absence, Pookie had a quiet afternoon.
The MN tribe always seemed to sleep in pairs or as a foursome. Pookie always paired with Sadie, but you can see that the dynamic is now a threesome - they seem to be pretty happy, although I'm sure they miss Sadie. On the other hand, peace now reigns in the house and Chloe and Dylan can move around without slinking and fearing attack. By all reports, Sadie is doing well in her new home.
Posted by hgroteva at 1:31 AM | Comments (1) | Cats
May 14, 2009
Obama's ASU Commencement speech
President Obama's commencement speech at Arizona State last night had me glued to the tube. He is amazingly inspirational - whenever I hear him speak, it feels like he's talking directly to me.
ASU had the bad taste not to present him with an honorary degree. Yahoo news reported the following: "His body of work is yet to come. That's why we're not recognizing him with a degree at the beginning of his presidency," university spokeswoman Sharon Keeler said after the school's student newspaper first reported the decision.
Obama turned this lemon into lemonade by telling the graduates that their "body of work" would ALWAYS be in progress and that they should never rest on their laurels or their titles, even if the title was POTUS. Here is the first part of his speech. The 2nd and 3rd installments are available on YouTube.
Posted by hgroteva at 7:49 PM | Comments (0) | Life | Politics
May 10, 2009
Sadie's New Family
Sadie moved to a new family today. If you've been following this blog, you know that her adjustment to the other cats has been, well, not what you would call "adjustment." One of our new neighbors fell in love with Sadie and mentioned that her sister was looking for a new cat. We met her sister and husband today, and they really liked Sadie too. So she went home with them to Newport, RI. We agreed to keep in touch, and if things don't work out there, they can bring her back. Chloe must sense her absence already, because just in the space of 2 hours she is more relaxed, climbing into our laps, and purring away. I will miss Sadie - she loved to perch on my shoulder and purr - but her being in a different environment will be good all the way around. She will have a good home, I am sure.
Posted by hgroteva at 7:15 PM | Comments (0) | Cats
May 7, 2009
Quite the Week
We moved into our new house last Friday - a week ago. Although it went as smoothly as it could have gone, it has been exhausting. The movers came at 7:30 Friday morning and had everything out of the house by about 1:00; then they took a brief lunch break and started unloading at the new place. The unloading was finished around 7:30 pm. The following day we brought the cleaning crew into the old place, and it is now clean and empty with the exception of about 200 boxes, which I have advertised for free on Craigslist (come get 'em on Saturday). At the new house, we've dealt with the garbage service, propane delivery, recycling barrel delivery people, lawn folks, mail folks, builder, cable people, and others I'm forgetting at the moment.
One of the more painful glitches was that the washer and dryer didn't fit through the door to the laundry room, even with the door taken off. So the builder had to come and remove the trim, install the machines, and then put the trim back on. But it's in place now.
The cats (individually) have adapted well to the new house, but the MN and NM tribes are still not integrating. Sadly, we have decided to find a new home for Sadie. As much as I love Sadie, she has poor Dylan cowed into slinking around and hiding above cupboards that are 10 feet tall where she can't be seen from below. We need more peace in the kingdom. The cats have enjoyed venturing outside a bit (yes, even Pookie) - but our neighbor warned us not to let them out after dark. She mentioned sightings of deer, moose, coyotes, and bear. So we round 'em up at night.
Despite all this grousing, once the dust settles, I know I'm going to love it here. The view westward is magical and changes by the minute all day. I've been taking a series of pictures from the same vantage point and will post them as soon as I can get to it (after all those papers are graded).
Thanks to all who have sent good wishes for the move. They have been much appreciated! I told my colleagues that I hope they like me, because I'm not moving again!
Posted by hgroteva at 9:26 PM | Comments (0) | Cats | Massachusetts | Moving
April 22, 2009
Feline Advice Sought
My blogging frequency has slipped lately, as we prepare to move to our new house next week. Those of you who have followed this blog know the trials and tribulations we have had integrating our two tribes of Tonkinese (let's call them the NM and the MN tribes.) Sadie continues to be aggressive, but we are hoping that the move to a new house will break up current behavior patterns and press the proverbial reset button.
We will be moving the cats on the same day as we move our furniture. The moving company estimates that the process will take all day, so we will probably take the cats to the new house early in the morning. One of us will stay at the new house, and the other will supervise the move at the old house. Do any of you faithful readers have suggestions about how to introduce them to the new house? Turn them all loose at once, close the door, and let them sort it out??! Sequester the two tribes in separate rooms? The two NM cats have already visited the new house. Interestingly, Chloe was like Dora the Explorer - she quickly scooted throughout the house and claimed it as her own. Dylan huddled in a corner. The MN group won't visit until the day of the move. Suggestions?? Maybe we should tranquilize them? Or perhaps tranquilize ourselves? Stay tuned... Please leave comments!
Posted by hgroteva at 8:43 PM | Comments (4) | Cats | Massachusetts
March 31, 2009
Our New View - Signed, Sealed, & Delivered
At our closing today, we learned about the meaning of "mortgage" from the French.
From Wikipedia: The term comes from the Old French "dead pledge," apparently meaning that the pledge ends (dies) either when the obligation is fulfilled or the property is taken through foreclosure.
"Dead pledge" sounds a bit ominous, don't you think??
Posted by hgroteva at 12:15 PM | Comments (2) | Family | Life | Massachusetts
March 21, 2009
Magic Wings - Magical Day
It was a perfect first day of spring to visit Magic Wings in Deerfield with one of my oldest and best friends. Magic Wings is a butterfly conservatory, featuring 4000 free-flying butterflies from all over the world. You enter their habitat and walk among them for as long as you like. Peaceful and awe-some.
Posted by hgroteva at 5:30 AM | Comments (0) | Life | Massachusetts
March 20, 2009
Friday Cat Blogging: Sadie the Shady Lady
Doesn't she look innocent?
NOT!
This little fuzz ball has terrorized the two NM cats to the point that that they slink around the house fearing that she will pounce on them. We have entertained the idea of finding another home for her, where she can be the ONLY queen bee. But first, we are trying kittie prozac. It hasn't kicked in yet, but it's only been a few days. She is very affectionate with the MN cats (especially Pookie), so I think it's really a dominance thang. Stay tuned.
Posted by hgroteva at 5:14 AM | Comments (0) | Cats
March 17, 2009
Once, Again
In honor of St. Patrick's Day, it's time to listen once again to the soundtrack to one of my favorite movies of all time: "Once." Such a great story, and such great music. I'm listening in memory of the Irish side of my family, especially my beloved grandfather, Leo Francis Ryan. He died suddenly of a stroke when I was about 8 - I wish I had gotten to know him as an adult - my sense is that he was quite a guy. He's the second from the right.
Here is a link to the soundtrack - enjoy!
Posted by hgroteva at 8:58 AM | Comments (0) | Family | Identity | Music - of all kinds
March 15, 2009
Uncommon Knowledge
I discovered a column in the Sunday Boston Globe that gives me a good feeling as a social scientist. It's entitled "Uncommon Knowledge: Surprising Insights from the Social Sciences", by Kevin Lewis. [Click here]
One of today's clips, "The peaceful effect of boys," noted that "the gender of one's children affects one's view of foreign policy." Seems that "households with more boys were more likely to think that the United States should not intervene in other parts of the world and should use diplomacy over military force." The biggest effect seems to be on fathers of boys, who may be concerned that their sons would be drafted. It's a plausible explanation -- however, the U.S. has not had a draft in decades.
In any case, it was fun to encounter this column - it's always good to get some of those initially counterintuitive ideas out there for public exposure..
Posted by hgroteva at 1:04 PM | Comments (0) | Family | Life | Social Science
March 12, 2009
Gains and Losses
What a treat to have one of my favorite choral groups, Cantus, performing here. I've heard them a number of times in the Twin Cities and own most of their CDs. They are a musical inspiration for me.
The concert was excellent and warmly received by the smallish but enthusiastic audience. I was thrilled to have their music wash over me, but it made me acutely aware of the music I am missing - both as a listener and a singer. I simply have not had time this year to keep singing. But I must. Summer is not all that far off, and perhaps I can connect with a voice teacher, who in turn might help me identify good singing venues for next season. There is nothing like singing. If you want to read more, click on the "choral music" category and look at my many entries.
In looking for blog material about the group, I found this link to a recent (3/5/09) performance of the group at Trinity Church Wall Street. Part of this program is what they sang here tonight. Enjoy!
I also found this YouTube of a rehearsal of the Biebl Ave Maria. The picture is poor (probably taken with a phone cam), but the music comes through fairly well. The Biebl is one of the most beautiful pieces in the choral repertoire for a male group - perhaps THE most beautiful. I had the pure joy of singing it once and would love to again.
Tonight's experience reminds me of the phenomenal opportunities I had singing in the Twin Cities, and the many friends I made in the process. Priceless.
Posted by hgroteva at 10:41 PM | Comments (0) | Choral Music
February 28, 2009
Whiff of Spring
February has been over the top -- conferences, committees, teaching, writing, admissions, faculty search --- not to mention buying a house. I have gotten almost no exercise, and I feel it. But this morning I took a walk in the neighborhood. It was about 35 and a bit windy -- but there was a decided whiff of spring in the air, for which I am grateful. We are under a winter storm watch for Sunday into Monday -- snow expected -- but the good thing about spring snow is that it melts sooner rather than later.
Posted by hgroteva at 2:55 PM | Comments (0) | Life | Massachusetts