We had a good day at home getting ready for spring. We cleaned the front entrance way to make way for the storm windows.. We then took down the storms and packed them away. All of a sudden the outside feels and sounds closer. .. It was funny taking down the windows on a cold day with the fire going.. but so it is in Vermont. This week it’s going to be in the 70’s already !

We got a run in with the dogs.. and had a good talk on politics as we ran. Like  many folks, we’re really concerned about he growing divide in this country. The politicians we elected are not the cause.. but rather a symptom ..of that divide.  I think this is a really improtant distinction … because to address a problem.. you really need to know what problem you are trying to solve..
We were thinking about why the divide was so deep and growing so quickly. My theory  is that it’s the media… on all sides.. Never before in human hostory have we been able to select what we listen to and whom we connect with so precisely. It has it’s pluses..  For example , We  can find folks who share our  weird hobbies like making high voltage machines.. .. and we can self select for the news and views we choose to here. Before the advent of cable tv, web 2.0 and social media, media providers generally couldn’t afford to specialize too much for fear of alienating viewers.  and therefore alienating advertisers   This caused  media.. print, radio , tv to keep closer to the center .. with views on both sides of issues..  Now , with digitally targeted advertising, it’s actually is better for advertisers when people identify their preferences by what they watch and read. This allows folks to seek out news/views that confirm and strengthen the views they already have.. OK.. no big new insight there..

But the ah-ha moment for me was the analogy with biological systems.. when genetic populatins are allowed to segregate and reproduce.. they tend to quickly amplify certain distinguishing  features .. eg.. thats why so many ashkenazi jews like me look like me., have wired hair like me.. . and have high math SAT scores.  🙂 .. but these same amplifications also generally weaken a population and make them more prone to defects, illness, etc… The  closer the population, the weaker the gene line becomes.  Diversity is not just the spice  of life.. it’s essential to the long term health of a species…    Its exactly the same for our thinking. our increasingly segmented  media is actually making us weaker.  By allowing us to selectively ignore other ways of thinking.. whatever our views.. .. we amplify our differences..Ths allows us to accept more extreme thinking as ‘normal’   and reduce our ability  to adapt mentally to new ideas and new realities.

OK.. maybe not that profound but to me it was a moment of new awareness.

something  to think  about…. . but then again… only if you agree with my thinking 🙂

nite all, nite sam

-me

good day.. tried to keep my mind off work..

Diane, the dogs and I got out for a long hike. Today was officially ‘sproing’ day.. the first days that leaves are visible on most of the trees. The pwoods were exploding wiht new life.. like these trillium

it was still grey on the ground.. but touches of green were visible everywhwere

just back from dinner with tim and jen. we watched fight club together.. it was the 4th time i’ve watched it since wednesday

many common themes with my life right now

where is my mind ?!?!

nite all. nite sm

-me

I just learned that my favorite restaurant in the world , Mexicalis, has closed ! 🙁   .

It happened suddenly because the new owner had not been paying his bills. I thought it might be something that could be fixed, but I just got off the phone with my friend Erin..  She’s worked there for 12 years.. she told me they hd to get everything out of there by 4pm today..

everything !

its not there anymore. !!!!

I cannot believe it !

When I say my favorite restaurant in the world. i mean it..    and.. those who read my stories here know that I eat in more restaurants around the world  than anyone should have to . its even the secret answer to many of those challenge questions on websights.. (guess no longer a secret)

I loved the food.. for years I had the same thing.. Veggie burritto, no green pepers, side of rice and black beeans. THeir salsa was pretty good for a Mexican restaurant this far north.. what passed for very hot made it to medium on my scale.. which must have meant it was plenty hot..   If i wasnt careful.. id fill upon chips and salsa every time.. My mouth is watering now jsut thinking of it.

This place has been such a part of our lives.. The place opened in 1995 it has been like my second office.. I have had hundreds and hundreds of meetings there…. it helped me build my career.. and I was able to help many others with their careers…

Its where I went to meet friends…  i was there a week ago

more than that..  these guys were/are my friends..

when Sam died, Nick, the previous owner, wouldn’t let us pay for our meals

there was a SamStone  buried in one of the flower pots. I showed my friend craig that stone just last week.. Erin told me that they saved the stone which made me happy  .

I wonder How many times did Sam eat here ?  It’s always been our first choice  for family meals out..

when we were in the colony, Mexicali closed for the finale and through us a party for all our friends to watch it...  we had tow of our friends from the cast there with us..

they even did it again for the second season.  even though I’d just been an advisor to the show..  and again we had two cast members  with us..

I’ve jumped into  Icy Lake Champlain with the staff at least twice as part of the Penguin Plunge for special Olympics.

That Penguin Plunge story reminds me. Mexicali has  been so much a part of the narrative of my life. I just searched my blog and cant even count the number of times I’ve written about it.. check it out here

Im jsut getting back to the US.. I need to drive by there and see it really gone.. Say good bye to an old freind

My heart and thoughts  go out to all the folks who’s jobs were here.. who’s  freinds were here.. who’s burritos were here

i will really miss you all.. we’ll see you wherever you land

good bye old friend

nite all, nite sam

oy.. it’s 3:15 am.. and I’m just finishing my day.. a very. very full day.. I got one more picture today from our visit  yesterday with Bundespräsident Steinmeier. I put it in last nights blog..but I love it so much I’m posting it again,..

wouldn’t it be greta if all national leaders were as holly as these two ?

(and yes.. I know I need a haircut)

Speaking of Jolly..   I was very happy that my friend Juergen missed his plane  and had to stay in Munch.. Well.. honestly, I’m not happy he missed his plane.. but I was very glad to see my old friend and catch up !

ok.. time for sleep..

nite all. noite sam

-me