In Light of These Events: February 2013

February 26, 2013

Waiting Out Winter

Tools, Workshops, and Grease oh my!

WAITING OUT WINTER from Andrew David Watson on Vimeo.

February 22, 2013

Last week my cousin was in town with his Father-in-Law and we all went out to American Flatbread to eat and drink some good beer. Sean and Bill were then going to see Josh Ritter and invited me to tag along. Bill instigated the evening and I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed the show. Thanks Bill.

February 20, 2013

Unschooling?

“There were no sex classes. No friendship classes. No classes on how to navigate a bureaucracy, build an organization, raise money, create a database, buy a house, love a child, spot a scam, talk someone out of suicide, or figure out what was important to me. Not knowing how to do these things is what messes people up in life, not whether they know algebra or can analyze literature.”

- William Upski Wimsatt, author of Bomb the Suburbs

found at Fuck Everything and Become a Pirate.

I am surrounded by Educators, wife, friends, etc, and this weekend I had about three conversations on the state of the Educational system, it's origins, and where it's headed. The short version is that the system is outdated, set up for an industrial nation to train it's industrial workforce, and not aligned with a world where facts and information are at your fingertips. It lacks the guidance to navigate and evaluate. This quote struck me as offering a similar critique.

February 13, 2013

Winter Happenings

Well we have had a bout of wintery weather here in the Northeastern US. Perhaps you've heard about it? In truth we were spared the really heavy stuff and only got about 9 inches. But that was just enough to finally get out for some winter recreation with the family. First, I have to make mention of a kid who blows my mind. Our friend Jackson is not only a great skier but a great person. I've known him since he was about four and my kids idolize him. In the past few years he has turned his focus and abilities on freestyle skiing. We have been entertained and often amazed by his feats on skis. However he has recently gotten some recognition for his skiing and later this winter he will be competing in the Jr. Nationals. Check out the video below and prepare to have your mind blown. Did I mention that he is only 11! Check out Jackson's website for more awesomeness.

Jackson Hipple "Send me to JO's" Tape from KLULESS! on Vimeo.

On to tamer adventures, after getting shoveled out on Saturday, we did some cross country skiing in the intervale.

These are the only pictures I took of this weekend.

Thanks to Local Motion we have some well marked and groomed trails in the city of Burlington. Now if we can just get enough snow for them to open them more than 3 weekends a year we'll be all set.

After that we headed to A--'s School where we were wowed by the brilliance that was the school musical theater extravaganza that was titled "Sustainable Superheros." It was funny both intentionally and unintentionally. A-- was in the chorus and, as you'd expect, she was outstanding.

Then we headed to the Mountains to meet up with my cousin, Sean and his father-in-law Bill who were up to do some skiing. It was a great two days of good skiing, beer, and conversation. The kids are getting better and better all the time.