I’m a particle physicist by training, but have a number of interests outside that field. I seem to fall naturally into connecting seemingly unconnected areas. There’s some consulting with people on technology as well as sports, transportation infrastructure modeling, environmental issues, and astrophysics. My biologist wife and I live in NJ with our ferrets. I'm very lucky to have remarkable friends.
Thinking about my walking companion Sally...
Sally happens to be a turkey vulture and perhaps a bit of explanation is in order. Our place borders a large heavily wooded area that’s home to enough wildlife to attract birds of prey. Crows are most common, but there are hawks, vultures, and the occasional eagle. I love watching hawks and vultures work the sky, but didn’t expect to get to know one.
A long time ago (1996) my incredible coach of 20 years Ken Davidson said: “Do you think I have a thought of what you should do in this situation? I truly don’t.. I have enough trouble figuring out my own life to spend any time thinking about what others should do with theirs.” And I stopped my own habit of contemplating what others should do with their lives that day as well. Why do I mention this “anti-advising” idea? It is one of the core core design principles of the Community For Change and all the writing in this series that Amanda brings to life for us. I am anti-advising. I think there is so much relief from self-consciousness when we feel we are truly in a space of zero fear of judgment and spaces filled with advisement (solicited or unsolicited) I sense can so often cut off genius and learning and community way too instantly. Perhaps I will write on this topic in the future more widely just to share the weird thinking I have migrated toward on the “advising” topic.
Mr Gross was my high school German teacher. He was big on learning language through song and would regularly point out a German word or phrase that might be more appropriate than American English. I wasn't a good student of the language, but he made an impact on me. I still remember and use some of his offerings. Today I saw one of my favorites used in the New York Times - the first time I've seen it used in America.