The answer appears so simple that even Saturday Night Live has made a gag of it. To escape the nightmare tide of rising debt, all Americans need do is control their consumption, right? Resist the pull of the flat screen TV, the closet full of brand names, the smart phone. It’s just that easy.
In May 2012, members of the Occupy Wall Street publication Tidal and its working group, Occupy Theory, called for a series of open assemblies to re-evaluate the Occupy movement’s strategies. Conversations quickly coalesced around the topics of education and debt, and the Strike Debt group was born. Taking a cue from the student protests in Quebec, the group began to hold weekly assemblies in Washington Square Park and adopted Quebec’s red square as a symbol of solidarity.
“We realized that student debt, medical debt, housing debt, credit card debt – these are all necessities of life, and people are stuck,” said Susan Meaney, a member of Strike Debt’s organizing committee and a mother of two college-age children with student loans.
With roughly 75 percent of Americans mired in some kind of debt, much of it medical or educational, Meaney said, the blame cannot rest on the debtors. When basic necessities like health care and schooling are partially or entirely debt-financed, consuming less is not the answer.
“It’s a systemic problem,” she said. “It’s not because [Americans] don’t know how to handle their money. There’s a system in place that keeps them that way. We wanted to open up a conversation and let people know that they are not alone.”
One of Strike Debt’s most publicized initiatives is the Rolling Jubilee, a donation-based fund that has already purchased and abolished more than $1 million worth of people's private medical debt in the United States. The initiative has brought attention to the “shadowy, speculative secondary debt market” where defaulted medical and credit card debt can be sold to debt collectors, who purchase it for a fraction of the price and turn a profit by pressuring debtors to pay the full amount. The group's most recent debt buy involved obtaining a portfolio worth over $1 million — for around just $21,000.
“We purchase the debt like a debt buyer, but instead of trying to collect on it we abolish it,” said Ann Larson, Rolling Jubilee’s assistant treasurer. “This is like public education, letting people know that this is happening. These are people who haven’t been able to pay their medical debt, people who got sick [or] had an accident, and now debt buyers and collectors are profiting from it. They are trafficking in misery.”
Another large Strike Debt initiative has been the 130-page Debt Resistors’ Operations Manual, a handbook that outlines various forms of debt and debt resistance. Debt resistance, the manual explains, can consist of anything from intentionally defaulting on debt to simply negotiating with creditors for more equitable interest rates. The publication is available for free online and at Strike Debt rallies. A second edition will be available in mid-September for purchase on Amazon, but will remain free online and at demonstrations.
“The problem is that people suffer from debt alone, often overwhelmed by feelings of shame,” Rolling Jubilee secretary Christopher Casuccio wrote in an e-mail. “With the DROM, we tried to tell a story to other people who feel as isolated as we do, a story about our economic system and the role that debt plays as a predatory tool for capitalists. We have received thousands of emails from debtors all over the country, [which] confirmed what we suspected: debt is a crisis and people are suffering everywhere, often with nowhere to go and nobody to talk to.”
Strike Debt affiliates have popped up around the country, in places like Oakland, San Francisco, Portland, Philadelphia, Detroit, Chicago, and Minneapolis. Many of the groups are still in their infancies, working out an organizational structure and planning initiatives. They are in conversation with the New York hub to varying degrees, but are encouraged to focus on the issues directly affecting their communities.
Strike Debt Bay Area, for example, has formed several subgroups aimed at tackling different facets of the debt problem, and has so far held two Debtors’ Assemblies, a small rally on tax day, and joined in protesting the closure of a post office in Berkeley. The movement is small but optimistic.
“We’re basically trying to establish a critical mass here in the Bay Area,” said Margaret Rossoff, a member of the organizing committee. “We have a few people who are really committed, but we need more.”
However, Strike Debt has also weathered serious upheaval in recent months. On the eve of this year’s May Day demonstrations, Amin Husain, one of Strike Debt’s original members, sent out an e-mail announcing his departure from the group, citing vicious infighting and ideological differences. The move sparked a small exodus of members who shared Husain’s views.
The Palestinian-born artist and activist, a former corporate lawyer, abandoned his profession to take up the mantle of political activism and helped plan the original occupation of Zuccotti Park on September 17, 2011. For some, Husain had become a public face for Strike Debt, and perhaps even for Occupy. His departure was seen as an unsettling comment on the movement’s future.
“I’ve come to think you can’t really build a movement around debt,” Husain said. “When you substitute capitalism with [conversations about] debt, the problem is that you don’t pick up issues like race, racism, white supremacy in society, and patriarchy. That’s not Occupy.”
In his e-mail, Husain cited legal scholar Frances Lee Ansley’s definition of “white supremacy” as a main source of conflict within the group:
“By ‘white supremacy’ […] I refer to a political, economic and cultural system in which whites overwhelmingly control power and material resources, conscious and unconscious ideas of white superiority and entitlement are widespread, and relations of white dominance and non-white subordination are daily reenacted across a broad array of institutions and social settings.”
Husain felt that Strike Debt was reproducing these dynamics, if unconsciously, in a largely homogenous movement. He said that Strike Debt was sidestepping crucial conversations about race, class and gender, and how these are used as instruments of oppression.
“Strike Debt is not addressing race and patriarchy in a way that I think is healthy, and it’s limited by not being multi-racial, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural,” he said. “The main reason I left is because we couldn’t have these conversations. There were a lot of interpersonal dynamics that stopped that from happening. I don’t want to be part of something that is predominantly white that will produce the same world.”
Still, Husain has not left Occupy for good but has merely shifted his efforts elsewhere. He has continued his work with Tidal’s editorial team, as well as Occupy Theory, and continues to promote the kind of radical social shift sought by Occupy as a whole.
The remaining members of Strike Debt have acknowledged the upheaval and the issues raised by these departures, but are committed to moving forward with their current structure.
“These sorts of conflicts are inevitable in any social movement,” Larson wrote in an e-mail. “As for the future, we're tackling the same issues and questions that have animated our work since the beginning. My sense is that most active members feel that, while we must always learn from past conflicts, we're headed in the right direction.”
Casuccio added that the group has adopted a set of principles aimed at promoting “direct democracy, autonomy, accountability, and anti-oppression. We're very aware of these challenges and are committed to facing them honestly, actively, and with reflection and humility.”
Recently, Strike Debt members have been supporting Cooper Union students protesting the university’s controversial decision to charge tuition. Members say that upcoming Strike Debt initiatives may be aimed at not only combating student debt but also the shady economic underworld of check cashing and payday lending. They have been quietly gearing up for another debt buy as well as the release of a second edition of the Debt Resistors’ Operations Manual.
“We want to build a national debtors’ movement, and that takes a lot of planning,” Larson said. “It takes a lot of focus, a lot of thinking about the logistics and communicating with people in different parts of the country.”Click on their website www.tilees.com for more information.
2013年5月30日星期四
2013年1月15日星期二
Esposito recalled for service to Norwalk
Former Mayor Frank Esposito, who served a record seven terms as the city's top elected official, was remembered Monday for his love and understanding of people, decades of public service and accomplishments, and fun-loving personality.
"Public service is not easy, and on the local level, it can be very difficult," said former Mayor Frank Zullo, one of two elected officials who delivered eulogies during Esposito's Mass of Christian Burial in St. Matthew's Church on Scribner Avenue.
City residents who support a mayor's decision don't have long memories, while those who oppose the decision never forget, Zullo said. He said mayors, unlike elected officials at the state and federal levels, are not insulated from their constituents, but must be prepared to justify their decisions to constituents "at every turn."
Still, Esposito won seven elections in a row, serving as mayor from 1987 to 2001, a record Zullo said he doubts anyone else will achieve.
State Rep. Lawrence Cafero Jr., who also delivered a eulogy, said Esposito had "incredible knowledge" of people and human nature, and knew how to bring people together and negotiate settlements. He noted Esposito was not a man of great wealth or lengthy formal education, but his "wealth and success was measured by how much he loved and how much he was loved by others, and, by that measure, Frank was the richest and most powerful man in the world."
The Rev. Walter Orlowski, pastor of St. Matthew's Church, said people always knew where Esposito stood on issues and many city residents remarked at Esposito's wake on Sunday that when they called his office and reached his secretary, Esposito always called back that afternoon. Orlowski said Esposito "understood his role in life: to serve God's people to the best of his ability."
Esposito's accomplishments as mayor included building a parking garage for rail commuters, raising the city's bond rating to the top AAA through sound financial management, leading the effort for a $50 million upgrade to Norwalk's sewage treatment plant and moving the Department of Public Work's garage from Matthews Park so a children's museum and playground could be built on that property, Zullo said.
Zullo said Esposito also designated a new site for the Norwalk Police Department, closed the city dump, which was near Interstate 95 and the last thing visitors saw of the city when entering or leaving it, and supported The Maritime Aquarium at a time when it wasn't that popular. "Frank saw the need for that center and supported it, and thank God because it's one of the rocks of South Norwalk," Zullo said.
"He knew how to work behind the scenes and across the aisle. Keep in mind he did all of this while still maintaining a very reasonable tax rate," Zullo said.
Esposito also had a fun-loving side, which Zullo and Cafero recalled in anecdotes that gave a glimpse into Esposito's sense of humor.
Cafero recalled going with Esposito to Hartford to ask then-Gov. Lowell P. Weicker Jr. for more money for the city and that Weicker, whose idea of a state income tax had been opposed by Esposito, launched into a tirade filled with colorful language. "We could not get out of there quickly enough," Cafero said. "Just as we got out, Frank said, `I forgot my coat in his office,' and he sent me in to get it."
Zullo recalled a time when he and Esposito stood by a table of hors d'oeuvres during a function and a woman walked up and asked who they were. Esposito took both of her hands in his and introduced himself as Frank Zullo. The woman, Zullo said, replied that she had wanted to meet Zullo for a long time and believed that he was the best mayor the city ever had.
Zullo said Esposito, who served in the Korean War and on the city's Common Council and state's General Assembly, dedicated his adult life "to make Norwalk a better place for all of us and for future generations.
Zullo said a good man must die, but his death cannot erase his good name or memory. "All who knew him and worked for him are better for that experience," he said.
Esposito's 90-minute service included the hymns, and his coffin was brought out of the church to an organist's rendition of "My Way," which Cafero said was Esposito's favorite song.
"There's a little piece of each and every one of us that is missing today, and the shine of our beloved Norwalk has lost a little luster," Cafero said. "Rest in peace, my dear friend. We'll see you soon."
Penned under the watchful eye of Peter Schreyer , Kia's global chief of design, the Cadenza's broad shoulders, contoured hood, large wheels and wide stance give it a strong and grounded appearance. The striking design has a distinctive sport-sedan form, as if the car would be equally comfortable on the Autobahn or carving through the Swiss Alps.
The aggressive "Tiger Nose" front fascia instantly speaks to Kia's brand identity. Flanking the grille are quad headlights that nestle deeply behind crystalline lenses. The lower fascia is wide, lending to the Cadenza's imposing stance, and chrome trim accents around the fog lights and grille add to the vehicle's premium presence. LED positioning lights and available HID headlights provide additional European sophistication.
Perhaps best enjoyed in profile, the Cadenza's silhouette is at once strong and elegant. The vertical nose is imposing; the long hood is sensuously sculpted to meet the swept-back windshield. The greenhouse curves gracefully to the C-pillar and is surrounded by a tasteful chrome bezel that flares upward at the rear door, effectively creating a beautiful glass droplet. Beginning just aft of the front-door cutline is a chiseled indentation that sweeps upward, seamlessly transitioning into the tail lights. Classic chrome accents adorn the lower portions of the doors and the treatment continues into the rear fascia. The 19-inch alloy wheels offered in the Technology Package resemble a jet turbine and add to the Cadenza's athletic stature.
Moving to the rear of the vehicle, the standard LED taillights sit high on the deck and are designed to cut across a large portion of the vehicle, lending to the Cadenza's broad stance. The twin oval tail pipes accentuate the Cadenza's sporty and elegant design.
The interior of the Cadenza envelops its occupants in a premium environment complete with soft leather upholstery and tasteful accents of wood and chrome. Ambient lighting and horizontally positioned switch gear radiates an uncluttered and sophisticated aesthetic. An elegant analog clock centered between the center stack buttons lends a classic feel. The center console is angled toward the driver for optimized control, and an available large seven-inch high-resolution TFT LCD screen in the gauge cluster showcases a wide range of vehicle information including turn-by-turn navigation and infotainment. Elegant chrome bezels surround the HVAC and audio controls, air vents and the standard push-button start. Standard Bluetooth, wood-trim door inserts, one-touch automatic up/down power front windows and power-folding heated outside mirrors with integrated turn signal indicators all enhance the Cadenza's premium image.
"Public service is not easy, and on the local level, it can be very difficult," said former Mayor Frank Zullo, one of two elected officials who delivered eulogies during Esposito's Mass of Christian Burial in St. Matthew's Church on Scribner Avenue.
City residents who support a mayor's decision don't have long memories, while those who oppose the decision never forget, Zullo said. He said mayors, unlike elected officials at the state and federal levels, are not insulated from their constituents, but must be prepared to justify their decisions to constituents "at every turn."
Still, Esposito won seven elections in a row, serving as mayor from 1987 to 2001, a record Zullo said he doubts anyone else will achieve.
State Rep. Lawrence Cafero Jr., who also delivered a eulogy, said Esposito had "incredible knowledge" of people and human nature, and knew how to bring people together and negotiate settlements. He noted Esposito was not a man of great wealth or lengthy formal education, but his "wealth and success was measured by how much he loved and how much he was loved by others, and, by that measure, Frank was the richest and most powerful man in the world."
The Rev. Walter Orlowski, pastor of St. Matthew's Church, said people always knew where Esposito stood on issues and many city residents remarked at Esposito's wake on Sunday that when they called his office and reached his secretary, Esposito always called back that afternoon. Orlowski said Esposito "understood his role in life: to serve God's people to the best of his ability."
Esposito's accomplishments as mayor included building a parking garage for rail commuters, raising the city's bond rating to the top AAA through sound financial management, leading the effort for a $50 million upgrade to Norwalk's sewage treatment plant and moving the Department of Public Work's garage from Matthews Park so a children's museum and playground could be built on that property, Zullo said.
Zullo said Esposito also designated a new site for the Norwalk Police Department, closed the city dump, which was near Interstate 95 and the last thing visitors saw of the city when entering or leaving it, and supported The Maritime Aquarium at a time when it wasn't that popular. "Frank saw the need for that center and supported it, and thank God because it's one of the rocks of South Norwalk," Zullo said.
"He knew how to work behind the scenes and across the aisle. Keep in mind he did all of this while still maintaining a very reasonable tax rate," Zullo said.
Esposito also had a fun-loving side, which Zullo and Cafero recalled in anecdotes that gave a glimpse into Esposito's sense of humor.
Cafero recalled going with Esposito to Hartford to ask then-Gov. Lowell P. Weicker Jr. for more money for the city and that Weicker, whose idea of a state income tax had been opposed by Esposito, launched into a tirade filled with colorful language. "We could not get out of there quickly enough," Cafero said. "Just as we got out, Frank said, `I forgot my coat in his office,' and he sent me in to get it."
Zullo recalled a time when he and Esposito stood by a table of hors d'oeuvres during a function and a woman walked up and asked who they were. Esposito took both of her hands in his and introduced himself as Frank Zullo. The woman, Zullo said, replied that she had wanted to meet Zullo for a long time and believed that he was the best mayor the city ever had.
Zullo said Esposito, who served in the Korean War and on the city's Common Council and state's General Assembly, dedicated his adult life "to make Norwalk a better place for all of us and for future generations.
Zullo said a good man must die, but his death cannot erase his good name or memory. "All who knew him and worked for him are better for that experience," he said.
Esposito's 90-minute service included the hymns, and his coffin was brought out of the church to an organist's rendition of "My Way," which Cafero said was Esposito's favorite song.
"There's a little piece of each and every one of us that is missing today, and the shine of our beloved Norwalk has lost a little luster," Cafero said. "Rest in peace, my dear friend. We'll see you soon."
Penned under the watchful eye of Peter Schreyer , Kia's global chief of design, the Cadenza's broad shoulders, contoured hood, large wheels and wide stance give it a strong and grounded appearance. The striking design has a distinctive sport-sedan form, as if the car would be equally comfortable on the Autobahn or carving through the Swiss Alps.
The aggressive "Tiger Nose" front fascia instantly speaks to Kia's brand identity. Flanking the grille are quad headlights that nestle deeply behind crystalline lenses. The lower fascia is wide, lending to the Cadenza's imposing stance, and chrome trim accents around the fog lights and grille add to the vehicle's premium presence. LED positioning lights and available HID headlights provide additional European sophistication.
Perhaps best enjoyed in profile, the Cadenza's silhouette is at once strong and elegant. The vertical nose is imposing; the long hood is sensuously sculpted to meet the swept-back windshield. The greenhouse curves gracefully to the C-pillar and is surrounded by a tasteful chrome bezel that flares upward at the rear door, effectively creating a beautiful glass droplet. Beginning just aft of the front-door cutline is a chiseled indentation that sweeps upward, seamlessly transitioning into the tail lights. Classic chrome accents adorn the lower portions of the doors and the treatment continues into the rear fascia. The 19-inch alloy wheels offered in the Technology Package resemble a jet turbine and add to the Cadenza's athletic stature.
Moving to the rear of the vehicle, the standard LED taillights sit high on the deck and are designed to cut across a large portion of the vehicle, lending to the Cadenza's broad stance. The twin oval tail pipes accentuate the Cadenza's sporty and elegant design.
The interior of the Cadenza envelops its occupants in a premium environment complete with soft leather upholstery and tasteful accents of wood and chrome. Ambient lighting and horizontally positioned switch gear radiates an uncluttered and sophisticated aesthetic. An elegant analog clock centered between the center stack buttons lends a classic feel. The center console is angled toward the driver for optimized control, and an available large seven-inch high-resolution TFT LCD screen in the gauge cluster showcases a wide range of vehicle information including turn-by-turn navigation and infotainment. Elegant chrome bezels surround the HVAC and audio controls, air vents and the standard push-button start. Standard Bluetooth, wood-trim door inserts, one-touch automatic up/down power front windows and power-folding heated outside mirrors with integrated turn signal indicators all enhance the Cadenza's premium image.
2011年10月24日星期一
A mind-altering run to defeat Alzheimer’s disease
Shortly after finishing his three-month, 3,312-mile run from the coast of Oregon to the Rhode Island shore, Glenn Caffery visited his physician and complained that his feet were numb.
“What’d you expect?” the doctor replied.
Caffery, a 49-year-old data management teacher at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, lives in Leyden, a small town in the Connecticut River Valley that borders Vermont. His cross-country pilgrimage was to raise awareness about the Alzheimer’s disease that killed his father at age 68.
“He was diagnosed at 55,” said Caffery, “but it was symptomatic at least two years prior to that.”
On May 19, Caffery stuck his foot into the Pacific Ocean and began his long, arduous journey across Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Minnesota on toward the Northeast and into New England. On Aug. 17, surrounded by friends and family, he splashed into the Atlantic Ocean at Misquamicut Beach in Rhode Island.
Along the way he had jogged through towns named Mud Butte and Faith and avoided roads with rumble strips that rattled the three-wheeled stroller he kept packed with supplies and camping gear. “It was kind of comfortable to have it with me. I never gave it a name. I’m glad it never came to that.”
His wife, Colleen, shipped Asics DS running shoes and multivitamins to designated truck stops every 350 miles. Truckers learned of his cause and gave him leeway on the highway. Railroad engineers leaned on train whistles for encouragement.
South Dakota was the most grueling part of the journey, a daunting 560-mile trek in 100-degree weather through desolate territory where the state mammal is the coyote.
“It got discouraging,” said Caffery. “There was no shelter. There were no trees. I was by myself and totally dependent on the people around me.”
He was grateful for people like the owners of the Ace Motel in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, who gave him a roof over his head and a fresh bar of soap in the shower stall. “Ceramic tile, toilet, shower … Compared to sleeping on the side of the highway, it couldn’t have been better.”
A nasty case of shin splints set him back a week, but his arthritic hip never barked and he was able to average 50 miles a day while burning 600 calories an hour.
“I was amazed with my body’s ability to bounce back every morning,” he said. “My left hip was pain free and my right arm wasn’t sore from pushing the stroller, but my left shoulder bothered me. It did nothing, but a person’s body responds to work.”
Most weight-conscious people try to maintain a caloric intake under 2,000, but Caffery needed 7,000 calories day to keep up his energy level.
“Food was the single hardest part of the trip,” he said. “The problem was, I had no appetite and the stuff I ate was high calorie and not particularly healthy. Mostly I got sick of things. They had really gross ice cream (in South Dakota) called Blue Bunny, and another problem was I was a vegetarian in one thousand miles of beef country. But I did eat a lot of eggs and drink a lot of chocolate milk.”
Jogging on thoroughfares built for fast-moving vehicles provided a shocking, near slow-motion perspective of death on the highway.
“Dead things were horrible, so many dead things in the road,” he said. “The stench was a constant companion. Cars are so disruptive, and I saw so much killing…. Two Canada geese crossing the road with their offspring and I thought how beautiful, and a car went smashing through them, just a swirl of feathers. The car never slowed. That was hard.”
At night in the West, snakes came to bask on the warm roads.
“I had to be careful. The really big snakes were the bull snakes and they camouflaged well on the road,” said Caffery. “When I saw my first prairie rattler I knew I had to keep getting fresh batteries for my head lamp.”
In Ohio his father-in-law died. He rented a car and drove to the memorial service in Easton, Pa., then returned to where he’d left off.
“It made me wonder whether my run was truly separate from my life or really just the same,” he said. “I don’t think it was as separate as it seemed.”
The country’s diverse geography didn’t affect him so much as the people he met.
“They have forever changed me,” he said. “I feel really blessed they brought me into their world. I came to learn that the U.S. is a big community and I’d never thought of it that way. I was given two flags along the way. I’ve never had a flag in front of my house but I cherish these two flags.”
Life has returned to normal for Caffery. He’s back teaching at UMass and on Oct. 18 he spoke at an Alzheimer’s symposium in Boston. Although he’s raised $25,000, he said, “Alzheimer’s been a part of my life but I don’t consider myself an activist, surprising as that sounds.”
His feet still hurt and his weight is down and he’s quick to admit, “I’m in pretty bad shape right now.”
Yet he’ll recover physically and keep the memory.
“What’d you expect?” the doctor replied.
Caffery, a 49-year-old data management teacher at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, lives in Leyden, a small town in the Connecticut River Valley that borders Vermont. His cross-country pilgrimage was to raise awareness about the Alzheimer’s disease that killed his father at age 68.
“He was diagnosed at 55,” said Caffery, “but it was symptomatic at least two years prior to that.”
On May 19, Caffery stuck his foot into the Pacific Ocean and began his long, arduous journey across Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Minnesota on toward the Northeast and into New England. On Aug. 17, surrounded by friends and family, he splashed into the Atlantic Ocean at Misquamicut Beach in Rhode Island.
Along the way he had jogged through towns named Mud Butte and Faith and avoided roads with rumble strips that rattled the three-wheeled stroller he kept packed with supplies and camping gear. “It was kind of comfortable to have it with me. I never gave it a name. I’m glad it never came to that.”
His wife, Colleen, shipped Asics DS running shoes and multivitamins to designated truck stops every 350 miles. Truckers learned of his cause and gave him leeway on the highway. Railroad engineers leaned on train whistles for encouragement.
South Dakota was the most grueling part of the journey, a daunting 560-mile trek in 100-degree weather through desolate territory where the state mammal is the coyote.
“It got discouraging,” said Caffery. “There was no shelter. There were no trees. I was by myself and totally dependent on the people around me.”
He was grateful for people like the owners of the Ace Motel in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, who gave him a roof over his head and a fresh bar of soap in the shower stall. “Ceramic tile, toilet, shower … Compared to sleeping on the side of the highway, it couldn’t have been better.”
A nasty case of shin splints set him back a week, but his arthritic hip never barked and he was able to average 50 miles a day while burning 600 calories an hour.
“I was amazed with my body’s ability to bounce back every morning,” he said. “My left hip was pain free and my right arm wasn’t sore from pushing the stroller, but my left shoulder bothered me. It did nothing, but a person’s body responds to work.”
Most weight-conscious people try to maintain a caloric intake under 2,000, but Caffery needed 7,000 calories day to keep up his energy level.
“Food was the single hardest part of the trip,” he said. “The problem was, I had no appetite and the stuff I ate was high calorie and not particularly healthy. Mostly I got sick of things. They had really gross ice cream (in South Dakota) called Blue Bunny, and another problem was I was a vegetarian in one thousand miles of beef country. But I did eat a lot of eggs and drink a lot of chocolate milk.”
Jogging on thoroughfares built for fast-moving vehicles provided a shocking, near slow-motion perspective of death on the highway.
“Dead things were horrible, so many dead things in the road,” he said. “The stench was a constant companion. Cars are so disruptive, and I saw so much killing…. Two Canada geese crossing the road with their offspring and I thought how beautiful, and a car went smashing through them, just a swirl of feathers. The car never slowed. That was hard.”
At night in the West, snakes came to bask on the warm roads.
“I had to be careful. The really big snakes were the bull snakes and they camouflaged well on the road,” said Caffery. “When I saw my first prairie rattler I knew I had to keep getting fresh batteries for my head lamp.”
In Ohio his father-in-law died. He rented a car and drove to the memorial service in Easton, Pa., then returned to where he’d left off.
“It made me wonder whether my run was truly separate from my life or really just the same,” he said. “I don’t think it was as separate as it seemed.”
The country’s diverse geography didn’t affect him so much as the people he met.
“They have forever changed me,” he said. “I feel really blessed they brought me into their world. I came to learn that the U.S. is a big community and I’d never thought of it that way. I was given two flags along the way. I’ve never had a flag in front of my house but I cherish these two flags.”
Life has returned to normal for Caffery. He’s back teaching at UMass and on Oct. 18 he spoke at an Alzheimer’s symposium in Boston. Although he’s raised $25,000, he said, “Alzheimer’s been a part of my life but I don’t consider myself an activist, surprising as that sounds.”
His feet still hurt and his weight is down and he’s quick to admit, “I’m in pretty bad shape right now.”
Yet he’ll recover physically and keep the memory.
2011年10月12日星期三
The biggest problem with tile floors? The grout
Tile floors have been the standard for luxury installations for more than 2,000 years. But in the last decade, in particular, new materials and building techniques are challenging this method, because of both appearance and long-term performance.
First, let's talk about the biggest problem with tile floors. They have three main weaknesses: grout, grout and grout. Grout is integral to tiling floors, and while there is nothing wrong with the product itself, it has some inherent weaknesses in how we use it in our modern homes.
Modern-house floor construction (with smaller-dimension lumber and greater spacing between supports) is more flexible than you'll find in older homes. If you compare a new 2 x 6 versus a 2 x 6 from 50 years ago, you will see a big difference. In places where framing was once spaced 16 inches on centre, now it's common to see them spaced 24 inches on centre. All of this adds up to a framed house that has more "give" in it. Structurally speaking, the frame is still strong enough to do the job, but this added flexibility doesn't take into consideration the effect it has on a tile floor. That flex will cause grout to crack.
However, ceramic, porcelain, slate, and other types of floor tile require absolute rigidity in their support. One of the biggest complaints from new homebuyers is cracking floor grout. The builders are diligent in coming back and repairing the grout during the warrantee period, but the reason for the cracking grout has not been addressed. Without addressing the frame flex, the cracked grout will more than likely return over time.
Depending on the situation, the fix can be as simple as adding more blocking to the floor joists directly under the tile floor. This works where there are small areas, such as a powder room or front entrance. For areas where there is more tile coverage over a greater span, the joists may need to be laminated, or doubled up, in order to reduce the floor flex.
I think many people are drawn to a tile and grout floor because of its lasting durability, over alternative flooring systems. But durability depends on investing in high-quality materials. One option is the use of a decoupling membrane, such as the orange waffle sheets I recommend, which will allow for the flex. But these products aren't cheap, and many people don't want to spend the money for something they can't see. The smart money isn't spent properly.
There's another tile floor product that causes a lot of grief: the material that bonds the tile to the floor. The product I use is called Thinset. It comes in powder form and there is a big cost difference between cheap, low-quality product that doesn't adhere well over time, and expensive product that has excellent adhesion, and durability. Ultimately, the difference is in the longevity: The cheap stuff only performs for a few years and the expensive stuff can last a lifetime.
Since builders and contractors don't have any vested interest in seeing your tile floor last a lifetime, only a few invest on your behalf in buying the high-quality Thinset.
And when it comes to the DIY crowd, I'm never surprised when I'm at a big-box store and the shelf with the cheap product is always almost empty, while sitting on the shelf right beside it is the expensive product. I don't have to tell you that it's stocked full. Even when homeowners have the choice, they still opt for the cheap stuff without understanding the consequence of their decision.
If you've ever dropped anything hard, such as a cooking pot, on a tiled kitchen floor, you'll know the tile or gout it hits can crack or chip. That's one reason vinyl floors are so popular for kitchens: They're more forgiving. But vinyl flooring doesn't look like tile.
But now you can buy a peel-and-stick vinyl tile product that you can put grout in between in order to make it look like real tile, without the expense. Not a good idea. I would like to remind everyone that "crap plus crap equals crap".
Grout depends on rigidity and good adhesion, and grout also needs to be a certain thickness to gain its maximum strength. If you look at the sides of a ceramic or porcelain tile, you will notice it has a certain thickness to it and the sides are left unfinished. This is so the grout can better stick to the edges of the tile and enough of the product gets down in between the tile to give it some strength.
A groutable vinyl tile is just half the thickness, and because the vinyl tile has rounded edges, there's even less space for the material to work itself in between. This is not a good situation.
First, let's talk about the biggest problem with tile floors. They have three main weaknesses: grout, grout and grout. Grout is integral to tiling floors, and while there is nothing wrong with the product itself, it has some inherent weaknesses in how we use it in our modern homes.
Modern-house floor construction (with smaller-dimension lumber and greater spacing between supports) is more flexible than you'll find in older homes. If you compare a new 2 x 6 versus a 2 x 6 from 50 years ago, you will see a big difference. In places where framing was once spaced 16 inches on centre, now it's common to see them spaced 24 inches on centre. All of this adds up to a framed house that has more "give" in it. Structurally speaking, the frame is still strong enough to do the job, but this added flexibility doesn't take into consideration the effect it has on a tile floor. That flex will cause grout to crack.
However, ceramic, porcelain, slate, and other types of floor tile require absolute rigidity in their support. One of the biggest complaints from new homebuyers is cracking floor grout. The builders are diligent in coming back and repairing the grout during the warrantee period, but the reason for the cracking grout has not been addressed. Without addressing the frame flex, the cracked grout will more than likely return over time.
Depending on the situation, the fix can be as simple as adding more blocking to the floor joists directly under the tile floor. This works where there are small areas, such as a powder room or front entrance. For areas where there is more tile coverage over a greater span, the joists may need to be laminated, or doubled up, in order to reduce the floor flex.
I think many people are drawn to a tile and grout floor because of its lasting durability, over alternative flooring systems. But durability depends on investing in high-quality materials. One option is the use of a decoupling membrane, such as the orange waffle sheets I recommend, which will allow for the flex. But these products aren't cheap, and many people don't want to spend the money for something they can't see. The smart money isn't spent properly.
There's another tile floor product that causes a lot of grief: the material that bonds the tile to the floor. The product I use is called Thinset. It comes in powder form and there is a big cost difference between cheap, low-quality product that doesn't adhere well over time, and expensive product that has excellent adhesion, and durability. Ultimately, the difference is in the longevity: The cheap stuff only performs for a few years and the expensive stuff can last a lifetime.
Since builders and contractors don't have any vested interest in seeing your tile floor last a lifetime, only a few invest on your behalf in buying the high-quality Thinset.
And when it comes to the DIY crowd, I'm never surprised when I'm at a big-box store and the shelf with the cheap product is always almost empty, while sitting on the shelf right beside it is the expensive product. I don't have to tell you that it's stocked full. Even when homeowners have the choice, they still opt for the cheap stuff without understanding the consequence of their decision.
If you've ever dropped anything hard, such as a cooking pot, on a tiled kitchen floor, you'll know the tile or gout it hits can crack or chip. That's one reason vinyl floors are so popular for kitchens: They're more forgiving. But vinyl flooring doesn't look like tile.
But now you can buy a peel-and-stick vinyl tile product that you can put grout in between in order to make it look like real tile, without the expense. Not a good idea. I would like to remind everyone that "crap plus crap equals crap".
Grout depends on rigidity and good adhesion, and grout also needs to be a certain thickness to gain its maximum strength. If you look at the sides of a ceramic or porcelain tile, you will notice it has a certain thickness to it and the sides are left unfinished. This is so the grout can better stick to the edges of the tile and enough of the product gets down in between the tile to give it some strength.
A groutable vinyl tile is just half the thickness, and because the vinyl tile has rounded edges, there's even less space for the material to work itself in between. This is not a good situation.
2011年4月13日星期三
Dardens' compensation about $4.8 million each
Toby Darden, board chairman for Fort Worth-based Quicksilver Resources, received compensation valued at slightly more than $4.8 million for 2010.
His brother, Glenn Darden, president and CEO of the natural gas and oil producer, posted compensation of just under $4.8 million.
Both had moderately lower compensation than in 2009, when the compensation for each totaled slightly above $5 milllion.
Both Dardens drew a 2010 salary of $440,000. The bulk of their remuneration was in the form of grants of company stock and options and other incentive compensation.
Jeff Cook, Quicksilver’s executive vice president for operations, had 2010 compensation totaling more than $2.5 million, and Philip W. Cook, senior vice president and chief financial officer, had compensation of nearly $2.1 million.
The compensation totals were in a company proxy statement.
His brother, Glenn Darden, president and CEO of the natural gas and oil producer, posted compensation of just under $4.8 million.
Both had moderately lower compensation than in 2009, when the compensation for each totaled slightly above $5 milllion.
Both Dardens drew a 2010 salary of $440,000. The bulk of their remuneration was in the form of grants of company stock and options and other incentive compensation.
Jeff Cook, Quicksilver’s executive vice president for operations, had 2010 compensation totaling more than $2.5 million, and Philip W. Cook, senior vice president and chief financial officer, had compensation of nearly $2.1 million.
The compensation totals were in a company proxy statement.
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