Yesterday morning, when I was driving into D.C., I caught sight of a large object sliding through the sky outside the driver’s side window. While trying to avoid merging traffic, I turned to get a better look. The object quickly resolved itself to be a large bird with a white tail. Then I noticed the white head and golden beak. Continue reading “It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a … bird!”
1st Amendment applies to all
Over the weekend I drove to Ohio (and back), affording me plenty of time to catch up on past episodes of Fresh Air, Science Friday and other podcasts. During one of the Fresh Air episodes, I heard the most astonishing thing.
Can’t go home again
A few months ago I realized I had reached one those “turning points” in a person’s life. This one was when I discovered I lived more of my life away from my home town, than in it.
Dead at 38
Yesterday I wrote about my efforts to organize (and dispose 0f) my collection of papers, letters, photos and more. And I promised to share some of my findings. Today I share this:
Copyright gone wild
Were I lawyer, I think I might get involved in copyright. Enshrined in our constitution, copyright was created in the United States “To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries.”
It’s a beautifully written statement, describing the rationale and the parameters of copyright. “To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts,” and “securing for a limited time.”
Heading Home
As I left Dushanbe at 2:45 this morning local time, I still needed to find a few presents for folks back home. The shopping in Dushanbe is pretty much limited to staples for the population — food, housewares, etc. There are a few gift items, but not much.
So, at the airport I was relieved to see a small gift shop (and a rare refrigerated case where I could get a cold drink). Unfortunately for me, the gift pickings were still quite slim and the prices were exorbitant. (It seems the Tajikis have at least learned the capitalist lesson of a captive audience.) So, if you’re expecting a fine gift from Dushanbe, you might as well resign yourself to being disappointed.
Two Dead in Dushanbe
I had planned to tell you about my day hiking in the mountains outside Dushanbe. Or, perhaps, providing some wrap-up to my week as I pack to head home. Maybe, even, a series of photos to show some of the other images I’ve captured over the last week. But those will have to wait. A few minutes ago I came upon a scene so tragic and senseless that I decided I had to write about it.
Rubbed Raw
Perhaps presaging today’s events, last night I found myself unable to fall asleep. Awake until 2 a.m., I passed the time reading David Remnick‘s The Bridge, a biography of Barack Obama. It’s quite interesting and makes me wonder what the young Obama would say about his presidency.
Never mind that for now, though. I finally drifted off to sleep only to awake several hours later with a rolling pain in my belly. After determining that my kidneys were still in tact, I rushed to the bathroom where I … well, no need for details here. Let’s just say Mr. Whipple doesn’t need to worry about anyone squeezing Tajiki TP.
American Cornered
Today was my day at “American Corner,” where locals come to hear an American speak in his/her native tongue. I was asked to discuss social media and its role in creating a civil society, a topic I’m sure a great many American journalists would consider a contradiction in terms.
I began my talk by showing some examples of journalism in which engaging with readers improved the quality of the reporting. This included Sunlight’s live blog, our 180 degree project, projects I worked on at USA TODAY, and projects from the New York Times and other media organizations. The audience seemed suitably swayed that social media could be a tool for good and not just for teens or evil (as if there’s a difference).
War in the streets
Yesterday I witnessed my first bribe.
It was in the early evening and my chaperone, Vadim, and I were returning from a lovely dinner at an outdoor cafe situated high in the hills overlooking little Dushanbe. As we wound our way back through the small city, Vadim was busy navigating the Byzantine network of roads leading back to my hotel. We took a left onto the main boulevard — a beautiful tree-lined street with a lush green canopy — when he suddenly pulled over and hopped out.
Hatchomatic 
