Paul Newman

I wanted to take a moment and reflect on Paul Newman and especially his amazing creation of Cool Hand Luke, who had amazing eyes, was a fictional role model worthy of immense respect, and who was just damn cool.

Thank you, sir.

Robots of the Future win 3rd Place!

This weekend, I spent my time playing with some AAU students and some Lily Bunka students from Japan in a design project. You may remember my AAU-Lily Bunka experience from 2007.

This year, we again met new friends, struggled with different languages, shared creative visions and had fun. We had to create a stackable project that represented "building the future." When I thought of "separate themes coming together for one," the future, and combining Japanese and American culture, I couldn't help but think of Voltron (Thanks, Anthony). So, I drew this as a starter idea. The creative brainstorming with limited language resulted in .... robots! The Japanese students had a good idea ... first the robot was going to be made from trash and used to plant trees, the ole recycling message. But they had this idea of the robots holding a bridge between our cultures. We were possibly the last team to really get to building, struggling with realizing our vision. Oh, and the fact that at least 4 of our AAU students from Friday night didn't show on Saturday morning. But, we perservered. We got reinforcements and went to town building ... well robot-building.

We finished barely, having to get creative with fitting everything in the box, including some open chest surery on our robots. This morning, we set up, reverse strategized our "concept," gave a succient presentation and placed 3RD PLACE out of 13! Well done, everyone! I think it was becuase we had a clear, unique, cool idea done in a fun way. (Last year, we got complicated in our storytelling and looked like everyone else. This year, I put my brief-writing thinking to good practice.) Also, if you come from Japanese or American cultures, you are going to like robots, right?

Anyway, we played together a bit, ate some lunch, listened as 6 people thanked the same people over and over again, and said good-bye. I really liked playing with all the students and wish I could have got to know them better. I gave them my blog url. I hope you guys feel free to leave comments with contact info and links to other pictures. Friend me on Facebook (to the right.) Thanks for the fun. Once again, Team 4 rocked! Here is the picture proof.

By the sea

Starfish and mussels, originally uploaded by Cameron Maddux.

We spent some nice time with the sea yesterday. A little afternoon picnic and some time at Rodeo Beach and then we saw Pericles in the city with some family. A nice time. Flickr has more details. I hope your weekend was lovely and makes for the start of a lovely week.

A little afternoon date.

A falafel sandwich, some books and a ginger beer., originally uploaded by Cameron Maddux.

Sam was invited to do some skim boarding with Leo, so Mary and I had a bit of an afternoon date in the city. I had to go in to check on some Saturday teachers, so we decided to play in the city some. Unfortunately, I have been having a rough health time lately... everything comes in threes - first my bad cold, then the kidney stones and now this. I did not sleep but 2 hours my last night in Libertyville; I was just extremely restless all night. By the next night I had a bad fever that lasted for a couple of nights and has lately been constant muscle fatigue. My hands are the worst part; they are so tired I have trouble gripping things. I am a bit better this afternoon, and hope to have it all kicked by the time classes get going on Monday. (I did have an unfortunate class on Thursday, that I somehow endured in zombie-fashion and a half-watched documentary.)

Anyway, Mary and I hung out in the Mission. We both were in Indian/Mediterranean moods (which boils down to the fact that we both were alive.) We decided to split something at one of each. So, first we hit Pakwan for some tasty Saag-Daal. We strolled the neighborhood. And found two of my cultural treasure troves of the SF Area: 826 Valencia (specifically the Pirate's Supply Store), and Borderlands Books. As a word lover, I smiled throughout the stroll.

We then walked around some more before stopping at Ali Baba's Cave. Mary had been before and knew what to order: the delicious super falafel sandwich you see above. Yum. We liked this idea of splitting an entree, walking and splitting another entree; we hope to coninue it.

OK, the hands have had enough. Plus, as you can see ... I have some reading to get to!

Oh-no ... playtime is almost over!

Avery and Ian at their new table, originally uploaded by Cameron Maddux.

Tomorrow, I fly back to San Francisco. I am VERY excited about seeing Mary & Sam! I am VERY excited about doing some new teaching.

BUT ... I am VERY, VERY sad about leaving Eric and Sarah, good ole Chicago ... and of course: AVERY and IAN.

They are such treats. My soul got some much needed recharging these past several days. Thanks to the Maddux clan for letting me into their new lovely home and all the hospitality. Ian and Avery, I'll be back for more kisses and playing before you know it! Love you all.

Good luck to all the family and friends recovering from Gustav ... looks like relatively light. Now it's just time to get over the Hurricane hangovers and clean-up the leaves and branches.