Here's a video I made last night. Tracy and I took the pictures over the last three years. The music is by Andrew Bird and the song is titled Anonanimal. Let me know what you think. Have a good weekend.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
The Present Tense of Education
Recently, I have come across two provocative publications about the current state of education. It has sparked much debate in my own mind, and I'd like to share with my readers (small in number, yet high in devotion).
Study: Achievement Gap Narrows between White, Black Students
A CNN report that reveals recent numbers about the achievement gap. Here are two notable quotes that I believe are true. "Society can pay for it now, or they can pay for it later," Newell said. "And they can pay for it by looking at our prison system, by looking at a shortage of talent in our workforce. And so when they look at it, not preparing all of our children now will affect us all later." Later, Kevin Huffman stated, "Aside from the short-term scores-oriented effect of narrowing the achievement gap, the long-term effect is one of a moral and economic obligation."
Should Everyone Go to College
A balanced and thought-provoking commentary about the utility and accessibility of higher education.
That's all for now. Rereading this, I feel incredibly idealistic and youthful, but the issues should be on the table, even if only blogged by 22 year-olds.
Study: Achievement Gap Narrows between White, Black Students
A CNN report that reveals recent numbers about the achievement gap. Here are two notable quotes that I believe are true. "Society can pay for it now, or they can pay for it later," Newell said. "And they can pay for it by looking at our prison system, by looking at a shortage of talent in our workforce. And so when they look at it, not preparing all of our children now will affect us all later." Later, Kevin Huffman stated, "Aside from the short-term scores-oriented effect of narrowing the achievement gap, the long-term effect is one of a moral and economic obligation."
Should Everyone Go to College
A balanced and thought-provoking commentary about the utility and accessibility of higher education.
That's all for now. Rereading this, I feel incredibly idealistic and youthful, but the issues should be on the table, even if only blogged by 22 year-olds.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Present Tense-- Contest!!
I'm getting a little bogged down in my research, and to make matters more stressful, I just got summoned for jury duty (Not complaining, I'm happy to do my civic duty- it's just bad timing). Trace is in the thick of her summer semester and grinding through long days of class. In short, we need a pick-me-up.
So, to rejuvenate ourselves (and to secretly see if Present Tense has more than a 4-member audience), we're holding the first ever PRESENT TENSE JOKE CONTEST.
Here's how it works: Over the next week or so, feel free to submit as many awkward moments, humorous anecdotes, or fictitious tales as you would like. Google jokes, ask friends, or think it up... Whatever it takes. We will even accept pictures or video clips. You can post your joke as a comment to this post or email it to me (leohwhite@gmail.com) or Tracy (tc.bialis@gmail.com). Just make us laugh. Note: although I love them, Trace isn't a fan of vulgar jokes, so let's keep it quasi-clean. After a sufficient amount of entries, Tracy and I will judge them and declare a victor.
What's in it for you: If you win, we will publish your picture in an upcoming PRESENT TENSE post. And we will mail you 5 Dollars (I know it's not much, but whatever, we're poor). In sum, We are offering you fame and fortune .
That being said, let the contest begin. Make sure I can contact you in some way if I don't readily have your email or phone number. If we receive more than Naomi's interrupting cow joke, I'll be happy. So go on and be funny!
So, to rejuvenate ourselves (and to secretly see if Present Tense has more than a 4-member audience), we're holding the first ever PRESENT TENSE JOKE CONTEST.
Here's how it works: Over the next week or so, feel free to submit as many awkward moments, humorous anecdotes, or fictitious tales as you would like. Google jokes, ask friends, or think it up... Whatever it takes. We will even accept pictures or video clips. You can post your joke as a comment to this post or email it to me (leohwhite@gmail.com) or Tracy (tc.bialis@gmail.com). Just make us laugh. Note: although I love them, Trace isn't a fan of vulgar jokes, so let's keep it quasi-clean. After a sufficient amount of entries, Tracy and I will judge them and declare a victor.
What's in it for you: If you win, we will publish your picture in an upcoming PRESENT TENSE post. And we will mail you 5 Dollars (I know it's not much, but whatever, we're poor). In sum, We are offering you fame and fortune .
That being said, let the contest begin. Make sure I can contact you in some way if I don't readily have your email or phone number. If we receive more than Naomi's interrupting cow joke, I'll be happy. So go on and be funny!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Pictures from Planes
Tracy and I have collected a few pictures from flights over various cities. I think they are worth sharing. Enjoy.
San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge on the left and the park on the right
Another View of SF: Bay Bridge at the top and Golden Gate Park at the bottom
Los Angeles at night
On the coast of the East Bay
Space Needle, Seattle
Somehwere between San Francisco and Seattle
San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge on the left and the park on the right
Another View of SF: Bay Bridge at the top and Golden Gate Park at the bottom
Los Angeles at night
On the coast of the East Bay
Space Needle, Seattle
Somehwere between San Francisco and SeattleWednesday, July 1, 2009
Mt. Rainier!!
A month ago, at Louie and Naomi's wedding, Daniel Jessee flippantly mentioned that he was heading to Washington for an REI event and to climb Mt. Rainier. He invited me to go, and without considering the possibility, I told him that it sounded like an amazing trip (for him, not me). A week later, I remembered the conversation and started to give it some real thought. Flights were reasonable, I had some experience at 14,000 feet, and Daniel had already scoped out dates, routes, gear lists, etc... So I went for it.
Now fast forward three weeks, a flight to Seattle, and an approach climb to Camp Muir at 10,000 ft.: On June 26 at 11:30pm, I woke after an 1.5 hours of sleep. Daniel and Jamie arose with me. We put on our helmets, cramp-ons, gaiters, and harnesses. We picked up our packs and ice axes and tethered ourselves to one another. We left camp and started toward the summit of Rainier at 12:45am. The first scare came as falling rocks bounced down the incline; we heard them first and saw them in the last second as they entered the scope of our headlamps. Next, we scampered up the loose rock fields. Still in the dark, we navigated around the (seemingly) bottomless crevasses. Scared and out of my comfort zone, I kept drudging forward and trying to stay focused on the task ahead.
As the hike wore on, Jamie, Daniel, and I got into a better rhythm and I gained more and more confidence. At 415ish AM, I witnessed the most majestic sunrise that I have ever seen. At 555am we summitted Mt. Rainier (14,441 ft)!
Looking back to the casual invitation from Daniel, the trip was so much more than I could have imagined then (or blog about now). Rainier was a formative and memorable experience for me. I learned so much about Mountaineering, respecting the outdoors, and my friends, Jamie and Daniel. My dad loves Mountaineering and lent me much of my gear, and I found myself thinking of him throughout the trip. He would have loved this trip (as most of my family would have). In the end, it was also a good test for me, and I feel accomplished to have completed the task.
A few thank yous: Daniel for leading and teaching, Dad for the gear and support, Blair for housing me and showing me around Seattle, Jamie for his infinite wisdom and newly found friendship, and Tracy for not worrying too too much. I've posted a few a pictures. I can show you more photos the next time I see you.
Now fast forward three weeks, a flight to Seattle, and an approach climb to Camp Muir at 10,000 ft.: On June 26 at 11:30pm, I woke after an 1.5 hours of sleep. Daniel and Jamie arose with me. We put on our helmets, cramp-ons, gaiters, and harnesses. We picked up our packs and ice axes and tethered ourselves to one another. We left camp and started toward the summit of Rainier at 12:45am. The first scare came as falling rocks bounced down the incline; we heard them first and saw them in the last second as they entered the scope of our headlamps. Next, we scampered up the loose rock fields. Still in the dark, we navigated around the (seemingly) bottomless crevasses. Scared and out of my comfort zone, I kept drudging forward and trying to stay focused on the task ahead.
As the hike wore on, Jamie, Daniel, and I got into a better rhythm and I gained more and more confidence. At 415ish AM, I witnessed the most majestic sunrise that I have ever seen. At 555am we summitted Mt. Rainier (14,441 ft)!
Looking back to the casual invitation from Daniel, the trip was so much more than I could have imagined then (or blog about now). Rainier was a formative and memorable experience for me. I learned so much about Mountaineering, respecting the outdoors, and my friends, Jamie and Daniel. My dad loves Mountaineering and lent me much of my gear, and I found myself thinking of him throughout the trip. He would have loved this trip (as most of my family would have). In the end, it was also a good test for me, and I feel accomplished to have completed the task.A few thank yous: Daniel for leading and teaching, Dad for the gear and support, Blair for housing me and showing me around Seattle, Jamie for his infinite wisdom and newly found friendship, and Tracy for not worrying too too much. I've posted a few a pictures. I can show you more photos the next time I see you.
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