December 18, 2005
God and Taxes
It's that time of year again, when some mysterious combination of the season and fiscal year-end evokes the normally shy spirit of giving. If you've got the urge but are unsure where to give, let me recommend two worthy causes:
San Francisco Network Ministries, led by the aptly named Glenda Hope, offers badly needed services in the Tenderloin neighborhood. These include computer training, housing, and a safehouse for women leaving prostitution. I've worked with this organization for many years, and endorse it with all my heart. They are good people doing seriously important work.
OTX West, led by an old IBM colleague of mine Bruce Buckelew, offers free computers to students in Oakland Public Schools, as well as heavily discounted ones to schools. They receive donated equipment from business and government, tune 'em up and install a clean build, then offer them along with training and tech support to people in need. I've seen his operation in action, and the passion and efficiency of his team are inspiring. I'll post some photos soon, but in the meantime they could use your support.
If you'd rather give llamas and goats to people around the world, that's cool too. The main thing is just to give.
"As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “I tell you the truth,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” (Luke 21:1-4)
Posted by Michael at 01:26 PM
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November 11, 2005
In Praise of Libraries
Being unemployed in a conventional sense (i.e. more time and less income) has given me a chance to renew my relationship with our local library. Initially, I did it to put a dent in our Amazon bill, but I've found it has other benefits as well:
Encourages me to read books I wouldn't necessarily buy
Reduces the clutter of too many books around the house
Gives me that mildly warm feeling of being environmentally sensitive
In addition to these benefits, I discovered the SF library offers free access to huge number of useful online resources, for example InfoTrac OneFile and the New York Times historical search. They also have over 1000 audiobooks and 5000 ebooks available for free download to card holders. Pretty impressive!
If you live in SF, I suggest you check it out. Regardless, it's worth seeing what your local library has on offer.
Link
Posted by Michael at 11:43 AM
November 02, 2005
What Happens Here Stays Here
According to Matier & Ross in today's SF Chronicle, there's a brouhaha at the Department of Human Services. It seems that highly inappropriate pictures of a psychiatrist from the Child Welfare Department were being passed around the office. The pictures, it turns out, were downloaded from an S&M web site. However, the only infraction being considered is the downloading and printing of the pictures - the frisky doctor is in the clear.
"As far as the department is concerned, however, the doctor didn't do anything that violated the city's work rules by appearing on an S&M Web site. He's not facing any disciplinary action."
Not to sound like Anita Bryant, but are there any outside (legal) behaviors that would disqualify someone from working with children in this town? I'd suggest a few, but I don't want the search engines to get the wrong idea about me...
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Posted by Michael at 07:35 AM
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October 28, 2005
Genghis Blues
Rating:
This is a very entertaining film about a blind San Francisco blues player (Paul Pena) who became captivated with Tuvan throat singing, and the odyssey that ensues. Interestingly, the story starts with the phsysicist Richard Feynman, who became fascinated with the country of Tuva shortly before his death. Through a series of connections, this results in Paul Pena going to Tuva to compete in their annual throat singing competition (first prize is a horse). It's quite a moment when he takes the stage in the middle of the film, though my interest faded a bit after that. Overall though, a great slice of musical life!
Last weekend we attended a memorial concert for Mr. Pena, which had a pretty wonderful range of performers as you might imagine. Turns out blues (kudos to "Big Bones") and throat singing make a pretty interesting mix.
Posted by Michael at 08:47 AM
