Mid-September

This image plots all of the trees felled by the storm that blew through last Thursday. In case you didn't hear, Thursday we had a strange and severe, albeit brief, storm that included a couple of tornadoes. As you can tell, Manhattan was largely spared any serious damage, at least vis-a-vis Brooklyn and Queens. Danie and I had walked into our apartment from grocery shopping mere moments before it blew through our neighborhood, which was really lucky for us and for the dryness of our apartment. Thanks to everyone who sent me emails checking on us!

All of a sudden I realized I'm in the third week of the semester and I haven't been blogging much. I'm determined not to slip into that neglectful behavior again this Fall, so a quick update:

School is off to a roaring start. I am enjoying my classes and my course work very much, which is good because it's just about all I do now. I've cut down on working at the restaurant to 2 or 3 shifts a week, but my time still feels pretty constrained. Full time graduate study just really isn't very accommodating when it comes to other activities, be they social or occupational. I've also begun my research project with Third World Network on the G20's impending Seoul Summit Agenda.

Danie has been working quite a bit, and she's also been doing volunteer work at the ASPCA. She's also added bikram yoga to her exercise regimen, and has recently been seen going from yoga to the gym and vice versa. The lady's fitness is impressive.

The city is a veritable beehive of activity this time of year. With the UN back in session and the semester underway, the lineup of speakers and political-cultural events is almost overwhelming. This week Bolivian President Evo Morales is speaking in town, though I won't be attending because I have class. A week from tomorrow former Argentinian President, current Secretary General of MERCOSUR, and current first Gentleman of Argentina, Nestor Kirchner, will be speaking at my School, and fortunately Danie and I'll be able to make that discussion. I think one could get a comprehensive education in international affairs by simply attending all of the public lectures, discussions, and conferences being held this time of year. If only I didn't have classes...