In an instant

Uh oh.

I think my walnut-size attention span has taken a serious hit. Today I was reading a New Yorker article for the first time in weeks. It was about segregation and the commemoration of the Freedom riders. I found it annoying. I fidgeted through it, skimmed major sections and kept thinking about what the next article might be. Then I got annoyed at myself. How could I be annoyed with my beloved New Yorker, especially when it's covering such a riveting moment in history?

And then the "a ha" moment came: the curse of the iphone.

Don't get me wrong; it's a beautiful machine. In a new town, the map and direction app is awesome.I love apps and how instantly gratifying they are. I was reading an Eating Well Magazine in the Aaronson's living room, wondered if they had an app and then in 12 seconds it was on my phone.I love the camera, which is of good enough quality to capture a random walk through nature in Vermont or my parents visit to Mt. Vernon or a video of Jeter jumping up a tree after a squirrel. It could've captured the U2 money shot had it not been for human error (caused by screaming, shaking and jumping.) I love that I can instantly download the re-vamped Spiderman song (now ahem featuring Bono and the Edge) and then play it through my awesome Mini sound system - in the middle of a road trip!

Yet, I think the iphone is actively contributing to my inability to focus on anything that isn't instant. I know things have been a bit busy for me lately, but I haven't read a single book since I got it. I check my email while lying in bed (at 11pm, at 4am, at 7am...) I check my email while departing or arriving at work, despite having my computer in front of me all day long. And when I'm not checking it, I'm thinking about checking it. Sigh. I know this is not newsworthy. The "crackberry" syndrome is so 2006. But I'm still amazed that despite having heard and scoffed at its perils, I still cannot resist the allure of the instant smartphone.

FYI, I just checked my email while writing this blog. Amazondotcom is having a 20% off shoe sale. Bel in Uganda is going to draft a capacity statement on health and nutrition. There's a dresser on craigslist that's still available.

Ei yei yei.











sent by my iphone ;)

Land of the Free

I thought living in our nation’s capitol was pretty patriotic and it is. Driving by the Capitol building every day never gets old. It’s stunning and I feel proud of our country…until I open a paper or listen or watch the news. Then I walk my dog past Russell Senate building and want to hurl eggs at it (and definitely let him lift a leg on the cornerstone.) In fact, I’m going into media black out over the coming weeks to avoid the dreaded vitriolic hyperbolic political mudslinging that’s looming over this budget ceiling issue.

But today, in downtown Rochester Vermont, population 1,171, I renewed my faith in Amurica. What a day. On this the 4th of July 2011, I arose to a fantastic view of ebullient cloud wisps across the green mountains. After a morning hike, where I rediscovered ferns and newts and white birch trees, I had a fantastic breakfast with the Aaronsons. We had Kristina’s homemade granola, which made me reminisce about wheat germ – wheat germ!

Art was worried we’d miss the start of the 230th annual July 4th parade, so we hurried down the mountain. Just in the nick of time we parked the car at the town hall and scurried over to the town square. I can’t remember in my life ever seeing a more picture perfect town square, other than on TV. The Aaronsons moved through the crowd like Ambassadors, greeting everyone and introducing Hayden and I like VIPs. We settled in down in front of the beautiful library and waited for the show to begin. We were promised 45 minutes of patriotism and that’s just what we got. The streets were lined with big smiles and red, white and blue scarves, hats and jackets. Every fire truck in the valley was on parade, along with Rochester’s finest: the state champion girls softball team, the town theater players, the world war two vets, the one Chinese guy in town and Senator Bernie Sanders, the fiery independent who reminds Democrats what they really should be saying out loud and proud. There was even a float that threw out Cabot’s Seriously Sharp Cheddar Cheese snacks…how much more Vermont can you get?! I fear I may have elbowed a kid or two out of the way for those cheese snacks!

We posed for pictures in front of the war memorial and I felt verklempt. To see so many people breaking from their jobs and iphones and all of the bad news and universally being proud to be an American was cool. Sorry liberal friends, but it was.

In order to get to the airport on time, I had to leave quickly after the pomp and circumstance. I jumped in my rented Dodge Avenger (a little cheap, but still kinda muscley) and wound around the mountains. At times I let anxiety creep in thinking about exits and rental drop offs, but I pushed it down immediately upon spotting a covered bridge, an ice cream stand or a bunch of fat Holsteins. This was America and what a perfect day to be celebrating America.

I got to the airport in plenty of time and wandered in to the Sam Adam’s Restaurant, where I consumed with pleasure the 4th of July special: A pint of Sam’s summer brew, real New England Clam Chowder and a truly delicious lobster roll. The waitress assured me that the ocean was just 20 minutes away – now that’s fresh.

Despite the tedium of daily politics and all that is wrong with the state of things these days, I was reminded today of this country’s greatness. Thanks for that Vermont.

PS I returned to DC just in time to see the migration to the Mall for the fireworks show...pretty cool and a perfect cap to a day in America!