Journal

SCOTUS Blog and All You Need to Know

2012-03-29T18:18:00Z

If you want one place to go for links and commentary to the past three days of SCOTUS argument on the ACA - who doesn't - then SCOTUS Blog's post here is the place to be. Enjoy what one legal blogger has aptly titled "Rashomon on the Potomac".

My Class Made it on to the Life @ UCONN Law Blog

2012-03-14T16:50:57Z

I was excited to see my class on public health law blogged about today on the "Life @UCONN Law Blog". Thanks for the post and mentioning the class. We are currently in the process of working with the law school to schedule a number of courses that will be cross-listed as LAW/PUBH for the 2012/2013 Academic Year.

Here's a link to Mr. Canning's post.

Lessons from Zen and Cycling to Work

2012-03-13T13:39:02Z

After my small tumble/accident last week, I should have paid attention to a key instruction in Zen: Pay Attention. I did not and did not check ALL my equipment this morning. I didn't note that both my pedal straps had been damaged last week. Today, on the way in I took fall #2 when my left strap broke as I was starting at an intersection. I'm fine. No serious injuries except to my pride. So, lesson today, check your equipment and get a routine. I also need to take a lesson/practice changing out a tube.

Otherwise, it was a great bike ride and very strenuous. West End of Hartford to UCHC is not steep but nearly all uphill. The potholes and road surfaces on Farmington Avenue as you head East in West Hartford and in Hartford are terrible. Also, note to CT drivers, it is dangerous to honk at cyclists to let them know you are approaching from behind.

More Tips on Writing, from Ogilvy

2012-03-07T15:07:12Z

Taken from:

The better you write, the higher you go in Ogilvy & Mather. People whothink well, write well.
Woolly minded people write woolly memos, woolly letters and woolly speeches.
Good writing is not a natural gift. You have to learn to write well. Here are 10 hints:

1. Read the Roman-Raphaelson book on writing*. Read it three times.

2. Write the way you talk. Naturally.

3. Use short words, short sentences and short paragraphs.

4. Never use jargon words like reconceptualize, demassification,attitudinally, judgmentally. They are hallmarks of a pretentious ass.

5. Never write more than two pages on any subject.

6. Check your quotations.

7. Never send a letter or a memo on the day you write it. Read it aloud the next morning—and then edit it.

8. If it is something important, get a colleague to improve it.

9. Before you send your letter or your memo, make sure it is crystal clear what you want the recipient to do.

10. If you want ACTION, don't write. Go and tell the guy what you want.

David

The New Academia: "Wages of Security"

2012-02-24T18:03:49Z

For those of you in the new academia—no tenure, no budget, no promotion track, growing workload, diminishing returns, no administrative staff, angrier students, and greater expectations from department heads and deans. This episode of Back to Work is worth a serious listen... all the way to the end. If your deparment, university, program, center, lab, whathaveyou is tanking... you aren't going to turn it around.

I [Heart] Huckabees and Zen

2012-02-21T18:39:44Z

I watched I [Heart] Huckabees again this weekend not having seen it since starting more serious and daily Zen practice. I was hit over the head by how Zen the film is and how much Buddhist doctrine, particularly Zen, is included in the film. A quick Google search demonstrated I was not alone in recognizing these elements. Not mentioned in the paper but of particular note to me were the Jaffe's having tea with Ms. Huckabee: There is tea, there isn't tea - reminding of the Mu koan. The paper mentioned Brad's final koan which I also found evocative. The paper doesn't take up the role of Caterine Vauban who also plays an important role and also, I thought has her place in Zen, representing that initial journey of the practitioner and also some of what might be known as Zen sickness. Albert has it right when it takes all three: the Jaffes and Vauban to make it all work.

Zen Sitting at UCHC

2012-02-06T15:23:08Z

I'm taking a poll of faculty, students and staff who would be interested in having an ongoing Zen Buddhist sitting group active and meeting regularly on campus. If you are interested or have questions, please contact me through this site or at x5496.

Moving to Hartford: Further Explorations

2012-02-06T15:07:58Z

I have explored more of Hartford and its surrounding towns. I find it amusing that people here mean Hartford when they say Hartford rather than the entire MSA. When I say in Hartford I mean everything from New Britain to Manchester and Windsor down to Wethersfield.

Finally made it to A Dong market. This was a pretty good Asian market and had a big selection of foods. There were fish and meats which were good as wells as Asian vegetables that you would typically find. The vegetables were fresh and a lot more reasonably priced than other stores in the area. I got Burdock root and Daikon at very good prices. They had a large selection of soy sauces but not the spectrum of different Japanese types that are important for different types of cooking. Overall, it seems to be the place to grab your Asian groceries.

A Dong is also not far from the closest comic book store I can find, Eye Opener. Eye Opener isn't far from A Dong. It can be a little difficult to find as it is on the side street. It is a small shop but they seem to have everything you might be looking for or should be able to order it if not. I'm mostly interested in DC's New 52, and you can pick them up there.

Only thing left on the list is a mechanic. I think I found one in Canton.

Moving to Hartford: First Weekend Explorations

2012-01-06T21:38:24Z

I've gotten some feedback on my last post about necessities in Hartford. This weekend I plan on checking out A Dong Supermarket for Asian Food in West Hartford and Apple Tree Markets in West Hartford for fish and vegetables. I found a liquor store, Harvest Wine and Spirits on Farmington Ave in West Hartford. Otherwise, spending the weekend unpacking and finishing my rakusu. Jukai coming up on the 28th.

More input on things to do finding necessities is welcome, and I'll report back on my weekend trip. Am close to finding an Audi mechanic I think.

Public Health Law II - Updates

2012-01-06T21:15:24Z

For those of you following my journal and registering for my advanced class in public health law, I must apologize that the syllabus is not yet ready or available. Blackboard is not yet functioning for the class. If I do not have Blackboard on Monday, I will email readings and syllabi to those of you currently enrolled in the class. If you are interested in the class but have not enrolled, do so as soon as possible.