Monthly Archives: December 2009

(Community Matters) After our luncheon where we discussed this topic, UT Professor Michael Brandl posted a historical explanation of how the US financed past war deficits and the implications for today.

(Community Matters) Since Steven and I won’t be with the family on Christmas, we celebrated early with a full Xmas dinner yesterday afternoon.  Even gave the niece and nephews their gifts.

and enjoyed touring South Congress later in the evening

(Community Matters) The Anti-Defamation League has recently issued a report, “The Aryan Circle: Crime in the Name of Hate,” the site here, the full report here.

ADL’s website detailing its initiatives in this arena

I had breakfast this morning with ADL’s Southwest Regional Director Martin Cominsky and national Associate Director, Bob Wolfson.  Sorry to have missed yesterday’s strategic planning retreat for our region.  Good to be caught up on the good work nationally and regionally.

(Community Matters) Suppose our brief plan for a day trip to DC for this afternoon’s White House Christmas party wouldn’t have worked after all.  Hoping our friends arrived in DC before the airports were closed and are able to make it – from Austin, I think the Rudys, Wesners,  Merediths & Neelands

rumor Byron Nease (Charles Santos’ former lover) is performing

(Community Matters) Some pics from the weekend

Mom, Dad & their grandchildren

Eli & Paulina

Eric, Bridget, Mom, Luci, Eli & Dad

Dad, Mom, Billy (Matt’s assistant), Eric, Matt Rainwater, Eli

Bridget & Shaun

Bridget & Luci

Eli & Paulina

They only agreed to pose for this pic because they were being extra sweet hoping I’d let them open their Christmas gifts early (I overheard Eli tell Paulina to they had to be extra nice for this reason).  Alas, their loyalty to their dad’s school (their uncle’s too) is fun, but I fear it’ll limit their options as young adults

Steven, Eli, lil’ Eli and dad   (breakfast at the house on the park)

Paulina & Shaun (my oldest nephew)

mom & Paulina

(Community Matters) It now feels like the holidays.  My parents, siblings, niece and nephews arrived yesterday midday for a 3 day celebration of my parent’s 50th wedding anniversary.   [they didn’t want a party, sorta live a party with tons of friends and family at their ranch nearly every weekend, so just us] We’ve never hosted everyone in Austin at one time – quite nice.  Perfect arrangements – parents in guest house, siblings and most of their kids in a rented house just across the street on the park, oldest nephew in our guest room. Last night causal dinner with a few other family members.  Today photos nearly all day – Matt Rainwater’s taking portraits of extended family, smaller/nuclear families, Steven/me & our god children.  50th celebration dinner at Fonda’s tonight.  Sunday an early Xmas celebration/dinner especially for showering the kids with gifts.

Steven and I even decorated for Xmas a wee bit – we haven’t spent Xmas at home in years (maybe only twice in our 10+ years).  Well guess we won’t this year either; nevertheless, Sunday’s the proxy day for it.  I’ll post some pictures; I gotta remember to take some.

(btw, this pic from a reunion last year or year prior)

(Community Matters) The Rude Mechs remount Richard Schechner’s Dionysus in ’69, the Greek Tragedy at the Dawn of the Third Millennium. Not for everyone but an important production. NSFW

Vodpod videos no longer available.

(Community Matters) Before the breast cancer service collaboration ever launched, Jan Hill had a dream that there’d be a hill country ride for breast cancer.  She never let up.  Even during the darkest days of the collaboration – and there were some – she’d bring up the damn bike ride and how we had to get there.  Good for Jan!

Yesterday, ride organizer David Smith and his sponsor, Care Communities’ Carol Johnson, distributed over $411,000 to breast cancer service organizations in Central Texas.  Well, including $37,000+ to the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Central Texas which helped launch the ride.  EF won’t spend these monies, we’ll regrant them to breast cancer service providers.  And, we’ll do so based on the recommendations of breast cancer service providers collectively deciding on priorities, taking a bigger picture than that of just their agency.

The inaugural race resulted in an over 70% net profit. This is extraordinary for a first time race.  Even seasoned races often net only between 50% and 60%.  Kudos to the hundreds of riders, volunteers and staff

(Community Matters) more posted in facebook albums

in Hampstead Heath

photographer Jad Oakes & his sister, Zeina Amoul

Amoul’s – our favorite place for a meal in the London

in East London’s Market District

I would kill for this vehicle

(Community Matters) from MoveOn.org

Vodpod videos no longer available.

(Community Matters) What if Pres Obama persuaded Americans to purchase war bonds totaling what we’ve spent on our two wars the last 8 years? These could be medium and long term, offer rates equal to or better than available to individuals today and allowing the govt to better match maturities of its outstanding debt. It would also segregate our national indebtedness as a result of the wars from that as a result of domestic spending.

Less sure but thinking out loud . . . We might even sell healthcare bonds to finance our investment in healthcare coverage for ten years.

(Community Matters) Two page report on progress on LGBT equality from the Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Fund and the Movement Advancement Project.

and list of Obama Administration’s accomplishments in LGBT equality