People in their places

This is the genesis of an essay I plan to write over the incoming week. (I’m posting it online more to spur me on in the process than to inform everyone of impending profundity.) The writing and editing of this curriculum spreads good seed in my head; this is part of the Discovering Your Culture session.

Culture is what you make of it; it is no more or less than a collective decision by a group of people to live and continue to live a certain way in a certain place. It is not set in stone; the past does not determine the future. A culture is as alive as the people who live it. It is not wholly a language, religion, music, or dress; these things change and grow over time. Do not become so set in the traditions of your culture that it can never change; a culture needs room to explore its future. It was never one thing and can never be tomorrow what it was yesterday any more than your children will live the life of your grandparents.

Manual for B11022

I’ve been getting a little cabin fever (after a month without aerobic exercise; which is the longest I’ve gone…in a long time). We purchased a Czech-made exercise bike last evening at Tesco. It’s actually quite nice (it allows for fore/aft adjustment of the seat like a spinner bike; the seat can be replaced with a standard bike saddle and the pedals are standard threads so I can replace them with a clipless set).
The computer has some impressive functionality; for example:

  • it has an alarm clock (in case one falls asleep on a lengthy ride).
  • it displays room temperature
  • it displays pulse (unless there is no pulse in which case the manual states “the computer will display ‘NO pulse’ on the window.” I hope an alarm goes off then too!
  • During the ride, one can adjust such parameters as: target time, target calories, age, weight, height, and “to select sexy.” (I’m not yet sure whether this means I can grow taller and more sexy or the ride will be so hard that my gender may change.)
  • There is a button with a yet unresolved meaning. It’s labelled Pulse Recovery; the manual states: “Press the key to activate the heart rate recovery function.” (I suppose if one has “NO pulse” this is the button to push.)
  • Error messages: “The speed over than 999.9 MPH/KPH then the computer will display ‘E’.” (I’ll have to watch that upper limit; though I’ve a feeling the bike will melt and the house catch fire before I get there.)

I rode for about 45 minutes this morning—still have a pulse; have not consulted for opinion on increased sexyness.

Coordinating Communications

I have been in the Czech Republic for nearly a month now, but am just now starting to hit the ground (still haven’t set up a post office account). I’m living in Most (in north-western Bohemia on the border with Germany). This is the BOA for Atlantic Bridge, the non-profit I worked with in the Netherlands this past summer. I will continue my work with AB on their curriculum from here (some interesting developments; I’ll talk about that in a later post). I’m living in one of the flats AB has here and will be working with their interns and local partners in the Czech Republic. However, though I am living in Europe, my actual employment is in Philadelphia with BuildaBridge International.
BuildaBridge is an organisation with a bright future; we aim to work with some of the world’s most as-risk people. Unfortunately, this is a growing population. Though globalisation has raised the mean standard of living for the world as a whole, it has also left many behind in an ever widening wake of economic, political, and environmental difficulties. Though we are a small organisation now, there are few who fill our particular niche and we are poised to grow quickly over the next few years (we maintain contact with many creative people who want to make a positive contribution to society). At the moment, we are developing a strategic plan and reviewing our mission and vision. I’ll post much more as we bring these materials on-line.

Though this position is paid, I am expected to raise a major portion of my support through donations an grant funding. BuildaBridge is a 501c3 non-profit organisation. As such, donations are tax-deductible. If you’d like to support my work here, send a check (with “European Office” written on the memo line) to:

BuildaBridge International
attn: Overseas Program Coordinator
205 West Tulpehocken Street, Suite 2
Philadelphia, PA 19144
United States

Alternately, donations can be processed on-line through our Just Give account (again, be sure to note “European Office” in the “Designate my donation” box.) If you give online, drop me an e-mail so I can send back a thank you.

You may request an organisational financial statement from the address above. We are accountable to a board and are required to openly report our finances

Below is a release concerning my new position that will be posted on the BuildaBridge Website.

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