In the first days of November 2004 I spent three days working for the John Kerry campaign in Albuquerque. My then-wife Jennifer and I joined with Jim Liebman to GOTV on the city’s northwest side. We parted from him in sadness after watching the returns that evening. Nearly eight years later, I was glad to… Continue reading Los Tocayos Carlos
Strange Ride
In the last couple of weeks, I’ve ridden the single-speed to work a few times, and around town on errands. I can now put Zoe in a rear-rack-mounted seat on the old hybrid—much to her delight—and make it at least as far as the preschool. However, today, almost 8 weeks after the crash, was the… Continue reading Strange Ride
Neighborhood Watch
I’ve always been wary of Neighborhood Watch groups, crime prevention councils, and the like. This helps me understand why. Homeowners in George Zimmerman’s subdivision could be liable for damages from the wrongful death of Trayvon Martin. The potential levy reflects the moral hazard in getting involved in this kind of activity—including just attending a meeting.… Continue reading Neighborhood Watch
Shaking my head
The current statewide stormwater Phase II NPDES permit was issued in 2003 and expired in 2008. It’s been extended administratively while State Water Resources Control Board staff drafts an update. This permit tells smaller California cities and towns what they must do to reduce the amount of pollutants discharged from their streets, gutters, and drainage… Continue reading Shaking my head
Neighborhood Stroll
A few blocks of walking late last night has left my left calf and MCL singing. Most surprisingly, it also made me tired, the way an hour’s run or a 3-hour bike ride used to, before the February 9 crash. I don’t know how hard to push myself. Each time, I’ll have to guess whether… Continue reading Neighborhood Stroll
Hobble and Dither
A month after the February 9 crash, I’m still hobbled by two sprained ankles, two sprained knees, and a torn calf muscle. And I can’t seem to focus for very long, or for very much of the day, on work or on anything else. I’m stuck between two conflicting desires: One, to relax into the… Continue reading Hobble and Dither
Recent Work
The Contra Costa Clean Water Program’s Management Committee approved the 6th Edition of the Stormwater C.3 Guidebook, which has been published on the Program’s C.3 pages. My presentation slides are here. Every time I update the Guidebook, I appreciate anew the municipal stormwater staff in Contra Costa municipalities. These are the people who provide the information and… Continue reading Recent Work
Inventory
In the first days after the accident, I felt bruised; I could still limp around. I spent much of the weekend with Zoe, and took her to a playground on Saturday. I went to the office in the mornings, and even went back in the late evenings to fulfill some overdue promises. I gave a… Continue reading Inventory
Nightmare
Yesterday afternoon was gorgeous for a ride: Sunny, warm, and windless. I left at 2 pm, and I planned to be back in time to shower and pick up Zoe from preschool a little after 4. In 20 minutes or so, I made it to the top of Fairmount Avenue, climbed the quiet roads through… Continue reading Nightmare
Voluntarism
From wikipedia: In epistemology, ‘voluntarism’ describes the view that belief is a matter of the will rather than one of simply registering one’s cognitive attitude or degree of psychological certainty with respect to a stated proposition. If one is a voluntarist with respect to beliefs, it is coherent to simultaneously feel very certain about a particular… Continue reading Voluntarism