I had an interesting treat tonight. I was invited to give a talk on innovation to RANV, a local Amateur Radio Operators (AKA HAM Radio) club. I used to be a ham radio operator when I was a kid… WN5IAU .. or .- -. ….. .. .- ..- as I used to say. There were about 25 of them gathered there tonight at the O’Brien Center in South Burlington. I’m used to giving talks to elementary and middle school kids.. sometimes high school kids.. and even less frequently college kids. it’s rare that I get to speak to a group of such.. uh… distinguished years. Lets just say It was so much fun being in a room with that many confirmed nerds.The Ham hobby has been on the decline for a while as kids turned away from science and engineering.. but as the Maker movement brings geekdom back in to the realm of cool . In addition to talking about the CoWe talked about how the Maker movement might be a path for growth for the Ham community. While the allure of being able to speak to people over great distances has lost some of its allure in teh days of Skype .. there are certain things that Ham’s alone can do including using very high power transmitters or very high or very low frequencies. There are also some very cool intersections with steam punk.. I’m going to help broker a joint meetup of some kind between the groups.
I want to add that today is the birthday of one of my favorite people .. My father in law Gabe Mariano .. he’s one of the nicest an most able guys I know.. and he helped make our wonderful Diane. .. Happy birthday Gabe.. we love you !
You’re a heck of a guy !note.. this pic was from last year.. !
That time of year. It was almost 5 before i got out for a run it was nearly dark.. By the time i got home i could barely see the dogs on the trail behind me. I have to admit the early dark also darkens my mood.. This month is always hard that way… Next week we will mark the 6th anniversary of Sam’s passing. I try not to think of it…. Meaning the anniversary… But theres no getting around it. Its a day like any other without him here with us… Still, as the day approaches it feels heavier and heavier . This year i feel stronger than any of the past six.. Life is good now… We are doing well , work is better .. We’re all engaged in the world… Im grateful for those things .. Yet November still comes over me like a tide of black water and theres no swimming against that tide for me.
I know that meditation , exercise, sleep and being outdoors help and i will try to do as much of that as i can in the next 2 weeks.. Then the days will pass and it will be a slide into the holidays with their bittersweet mix … But then it will start getting brighter again..
Today is Veterans Day.. a day that always makes me think of my dad. His time in the Korean conflict was one of the defining things in his life. We still look at pictures of the boat he was on and he still likes to tell us stories of those days..
I can’t imagine what it’s like to go to war… and I don’t think war is the answer.. but I understand.. that sometimes there is no answer. My views as a pacifist don’t change the fact that I honor folks who served our country.. or whatever country called them. I’ thinking today of all the men and women in harms way right no around the world and wishing them peace and safety..
