Dear Mexicans

June 22, 2010 12:19 pm // 2 Comments

We would say we’re sorry, but we’re not. We have our country, and you have yours. It’s not our fault that your country sucks. So nice try – trying to take our country away from us — but it’s not going to work. We’re going to beat you back across the border, whatever it takes, so you might as well get moving along now and make things easier for yourself.

Naturally, there are bleeding hearts here that constantly stick up for you. These are the same people that are determined to ruin our great country with tolerance, consideration, empathy, compassion, and a bunch of other stuff that can only lead to communism. These are the same people that say things like “this country was built by immigrants”, and “doesn’t the constitution say that all men are created equal and that we all have a right to pursue happiness?”

That’s just stupid. Everyone knows that what they meant was that all citizens are created equal. And even though it says “all”, they really meant all white citizens. That’s what they meant, but they didn’t feel that they had to spell it out because at the time America was all white, and they couldn’t imagine that it would ever become the way it is now.

The founding fathers never meant to include Mexicans, or blacks, or communists, gays, atheists, Muslims, or any of the other people that want nothing more than to destroy our country. These are the same people that elected Obama, and after we’ve run you out of the country, we’re going to run them out too. Read More →

Posted in: Politics, Sarcasm, The US

Spill, baby, spill

May 27, 2010 7:07 pm // 1 Comment

So now we’re awash in pictures of oil-slicked wildlife, and the satellite images of a massive plume of toxic sludge swirling around the Gulf of Mexico. It’s depressing for the obvious reasons — that it’s a crime against nature — that it’s a devastating blow to both wildlife and to humans. There are no winners in this situation.

But it’s also depressing to read reactions and rationales. From Rush Limbaugh opining that the explosion on the oil rig was sabotage by liberals for political gain, to Newt Gingrich blathering about how it is unfortunate, but it shouldn’t stop us from expanding off-shore drilling. To Rand Paul, who apparently feels that being critical of a company that is responsible for the largest oil spill in US history is “Un-American.” Read More →

Posted in: Politics, The US

Arizona

May 13, 2010 10:45 pm // Leave a Comment

They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.

– Benjamin Franklin

Posted in: Pictures

A pedestrian is born

April 18, 2010 1:43 pm // 2 Comments

Ellen has been walking for a while now, but it happened so slowly that it’s hard to say when she really changed from an infant to a toddler. She’s been upright for months now, but before she was always holding the wall or a table, or a pant leg for stability.

An independent girl takes a stroll in the city Fresh air, people watching. Maybe a little shopping... Yes, spring is here -- life is good!
Yay for me! Best. Walker. Ever. And now, a bit of quiet introspection...

Then she started taking a step or two to get from a wall to a table or a pant leg. And then she did that often enough that, very slowly, it mattered less and less how far the wall was from the table, and eventually, whether there was a destination at all.

On the terrace at home At the park At the park

But at this point she’s definitely a walker. She only crawls if she’s already sitting down and there’s only a short distance to traverse. That’s not to say that she walks confidently, or without mishaps. Door jambs are treacherous. She’s keen to their trickery, but they vary in high and width, and so they’re still a threat.

On the terrace at home On the terrace at home On the terrace at home

This stage of life is pretty tough in terms of falls. But walking is her default method of locomotion, and she’s constantly working at improving it.

Lisbeth, Ellen, Kaspar, and Hanne Lisbeth tries to impress upon Storm the importance of walking Fine, you can walk now. But can you dance? Fine, you can walk now. But can you dance? Fine, you can walk now. But can you dance? Hi. My name is Ellen and I'll be your server tonight. Cousin Storm It looks cuter than it sounded

Most of these were taken two weeks ago when we visited Kaspar, Hanne, and Storm in Ã…rhus. Storm, who is two months younger than Ellen, isn’t quit walking yet, but it’s probably a good thing. He’s like the Energizer bunny, and doesn’t seem to have any respect for things like hesitation or caution. He’ll be all over the place when he figures out how, and I’m sure Hanne and Kaspar will miss the days of crawling

Posted in: Ellen, Pictures

With bleeding eyes

April 18, 2010 11:18 am // Leave a Comment

I have a friend with whom I disagree on virtually all matters political. We worked together at Microsoft during most of the Bush W. years, and had a number of interesting debates about Islam, Iraq, etc. It’s been over four years since I’ve seem him, but we keep in touch, and disapprove of each other politically more than ever.

Recently he posted this on his blog, the gist of which is that the new heath-care measure (“Obamacare”) is unconstitutional because it forces citizens to buy a product. Here is my retort:

You’re right – it’s a sad shame. But conservatives have to take blame here. Conservatives opposed this legislation with such hysterical vitriol that a number of unsavory deals had to be made and corners had to be cut. And now you’re complaining about those deals, which is like organizing a massive strike and then complaining that the busses aren’t running.

Read More →

Posted in: Politics

It’s the thaw that counts

March 20, 2010 11:22 pm // 1 Comment

I have a lot of fun making fun of Danes. I do. It’s fun. It’s fun for me, and it’s fun for them. I’m sure it’s fun for them…  Well, they certainly have fun teasing me back. I’m subjected to steady stream of American jokes at work, that’s for sure.

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One thing that’s fun to mock is the Danish obsession with the sun. When you grow up in New Mexico, sunlight is not exactly a scarce resource, but here — especially at this time of year – you’ll see people walking own the street and suddenly stop, close their eyes, and just savor the light on their faces. I’ve frequently made fun on that account.

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But, having been here for a few winters now, I’m beginning to understand. I don’t mind the winters (and this one was really very nice as far as winters go) but when the spring comes, and the days get longer… suddenly it’s is possible to conduct a tiny part of your non-working day in the light — it’s a revelation. Suddenly it seems like the dark was weighting down on you all winter and you didn’t even realize it.

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Posted in: Denmark, Pictures

Forty one

March 4, 2010 11:59 pm // 3 Comments

Today was a regular day, just like any other day. A perfectly normal day. Except that Lisbeth gave me a present as soon as I woke up (a really sharp dress shirt). And except that the guys at work teased me all day (I held the title as the oldest guy in the office for quite some time.) And that Lisbeth gave me another gift when I got home (two books that I’ve been wanting.)

But other than that, it was a perfectly normal day. Except for the stream of emails and Facebook messages from friends and family, wishing me well. And except for the fact that I was born exactly forty one years ago, at exactly one minute before midnight. (And, as my mother sometimes reminds me, after twenty four hours of labor.)

Posted in: Personal, Pictures

Winter, properly

February 27, 2010 11:18 am // 4 Comments

This has been an amazing winter. There’s been snow on the ground for two months now. Weeks have gone by very little time spent above freezing. And every time it seems like the snow might be melting, another batch comes down. Two years ago I wrote an entry called This winter’s limp handshake. We’re certainly getting a firm handshake this winter.

On the way home from dinner on a particularly cold and windy evening The building next to ours Almost home

This is not typical. Denmark had much milder winters than Americans tend to think. It is, after all, at the same latitude as Southern Alaska. But this January was Denmark’s coldest in twenty three years. Several I’ve talked to say they don’t remember a winter like this.  Read More →

Posted in: Denmark, Pictures

Birthday number one

February 16, 2010 12:16 am // 5 Comments

EllenI’m not sure how it happened, but somehow a year has passed since Ellen came along. It went by quickly, and it seems like she’s been with us all along.

She’s not walking yet. She’s pretty confident standing though, and this weekend Frits coaxed her into taking a step or two. It won’t be long, but so far she doesn’t really seem to think it’s an option anyway.

The way that she’s changed the most though, is her comprehension. She catches on to things that she wouldn’t have figured out before. She’s not solving equations or anything, but you can show her something and she’ll try it herself. Read More →

Posted in: Ellen, Personal, Pictures

Potato Person

February 6, 2010 10:33 pm // 3 Comments

The Potato PersonI really like the fact that we named her Ellen, but most of the time it seems a bit too grown-up. But that’s ok — that’s what nick-names are for. But for some reason (probably because she changes so fast)  no single nickname seems to stick. So here’s a list, in no particular order.


  • Little girl
  • The Frog
  • Tater-tot
  • Destructo-bot
  • Cabbage head
  • Potato-person

Posted in: Ellen, Pictures