Archive: September 2004
Driving Grandma’s car
I got new license plates on my lunch hour today. The airport made me do it. Everytime I go on a trip I park in the back 40 so that I can take my hang tag with me to wherever I’m going, and it’s always a challenge to find a non-permit spot where I [...]
A Shallow Post
Ok, you women who regularly wear lipstick, what do you do about eating? Wipe it off beforehand and re-apply afterwards? Eat it off with your meal (and ugh, leave lipstick on the water glass), and re-apply later?
A quick web search for the answers to this essential question uncovered that the women of America apparently all [...]
Paralympics Headlines
The Paralympics loses its innocence
Carlos Ribagorda does not appear to be a man who suffers from learning difficulties; a journalist for a Spanish business magazine, he has just published a book on young rightwing politicians. Four years ago, however, he won a Paralympic gold medal in Sydney as a member of Spain’s learning-disabled basketball team.
Innovation [...]
Yes, Virginia, …
Visa and Outdoor Life Network Step Up to Make Coverage of 2004 Paralympic Games Possible:
Visa USA has committed to be the sole and exclusive U.S. television sponsor of the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games, which will appear on Outdoor Life Network (OLN). A two-hour program will recap the 11 days of competition taking place in Athens, [...]
The Darfsteller
Dorothea is looking for the novella The Darfsteller by Walter M. Miller Jr., probably best known for Canticle for Leibowitz.
“Darfsteller” appears to be a play on the German word Darsteller (actor).
(Sorry about the double ping; I can never seem to do that right.)
Edinburgh
From Lisy Babe, these are fun:
I’m Fine!
Why do these offers of help only come along when I’m fine? Why do supermarkets only put feta cheese on the top shelf? And why does no-one ever say “Do you need a hand?” when I’m attempting to mount a chiller cabinet in Sainsbury’s just to reach the damn [...]
Paralympics Headlines
The able-bodied guide to the Paralympics:
There is no great secret except one: don’t, ever, ever, ever, ever be condescending to a person with a disability. Not unless you are a member of parliament or a Greek taxi driver.
Stunning opening for Paralympics
I’ve been thinking about the lack of US media coverage of the Paralympics (duh). If [...]
Paralympics Headlines
Sauvage to carry flag in Athens
World’s fastest growing wheelchair sport
Hall to carry Paralympic torch
Paralympics: Festival gets wheels turning for disabled
Anachronism
When I learned that my choir would be doing a play, I commenced to worrying about the wheelchair, and how the director was going to want handle it - hide it? Try to do something period-appropriate? Ignore it? I learned at the run-through Saturday that she has decided to allow the anachronism of a modern [...]
Earthmoving
Thanks to the excellent services of Paul Gutierrez of Guterriez Trucking & Landscaping, we now almost don’t have a swimming pool anymore.
I should back up and give credit to the family, especially my husband and Eldest Son, who in several brutal days of jackhammering busted up the walls and bottom of the pool, and the [...]
I may have raised a writer
From Eldest Son:
Crew is really great. Stroking with seven other people in synchronicity is beatific (although we are not very good at this), and it’s really nice to wake up in the dark but NOT need to get into a frigid pool. Friday morning we were overtaken by the Annapolis rowing club, with whom we [...]
Better than expected
Yesterday was our first run through of Quilters. We have not rehearsed together since June (early July?), but a few hardy souls (myself included) had impromptu rehearsals in the interim.
I’ve been pretty worried about this production, but was pleasantly surprised yesterday - people were on the ball. Some of the principals were already off-book, [...]
Idiot’s Guide to Disability Etiquette
Jody picked up on Mark’s book idea before I did, but I love it.
I actually don’t have very many good stories, sadly. Went to a gas station/fancy car wash place the other day to get gas. A young employee was lurking about with a clipboard, doing a survey, maybe, or giving out free car washes [...]
Golden Opportunities
Golden Opportunities: Paralympics About Empowering People Through Sport - a very nice piece from the Toronto Star.
When all is said and done, it is the Paralympics that are closest to the original Olympic ideal these days. Its grassroots approach to nurturing competition on a level playing field at the local level is what it’s all [...]
Condo Association Loses
Last spring, we read about a condo association that prohibited a wheelchair-using tenant from entering the building via the front door. The case has been settled: US$70,000, and get rid of the rule.
Freedom Machines
Via Scott Rains, a reminder that the POV film Freedom Machines is scheduled to be broadcast in the US on PBS stations on September 14th.
Handcycles, Cool Rings
It’s been a fun weekend - thanks to Chris of CapricornCycles I got to demo some handcycles. It’s a real thrill to have the wind in my hair. Now I need to decide whether I would rather have a handcycle as a 20th wedding anniversary present, or the engagement ring I never got. How [...]
You tell ‘em, Stuart!
American Broadcasters Ignore 20% of Their Audience.
Miscellaneous
Getting the Story Right: Adventure Travel Without the Pity Factor, from Scott Rains. Why Dangling Wheelchair is not just an example of the “Disabled Hero’s Welcome” genre.
The bookmarklet solution to the password problem, from Simon Willison. I’m using Password Agent on a USB memory stick, but this looks interesting as well.
Time to go visiting
This is a shout-out to my sister-in-law N in Seattle, who is having a ramp built onto her four foot high front porch. I really appreciate both the thoughtfulness and considerable financial commitment she’s putting into this.
Paying the Piper
I’m paying for all my recent activity - August was very intense at work, we’re trying to get a release out. Last week I flew to Annapolis for 3 days, then San Francisco for one day. This week I’ve been working long days to get ready (doing viewgraph engineering) for a customer meeting tomorrow. School [...]
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