Monthly Archives: February 2011

Auto Love, Part 1

Posted on February 28, 2011 by sputterpub

    The verdict is in on mass transit, and just because it isn’t pretty doesn’t mean we shouldn’t look at it. The truth is, we’ve been running this bus and train and boat experiment for a century, and the obvious, … Continue reading →

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Utopolis

Posted on February 25, 2011 by sputterpub

  When I was 15 I spent some time with the school debate team. I wasn’t a member but my friends Jim and Tim were, and I helped them prepare for the competitions. The subject that year was nuclear power. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons, Poetry | Leave a comment

Stupid Pets

Posted on February 24, 2011 by sputterpub

   When I was 5 they gave me the turtle. I don’t remember asking for one. I didn’t name it Myrtle (that was Mom: “Here. Meet Myrtle the Turtle”). I associate the creature’s presence with my terrible tonsillectomy but I also … Continue reading →

Posted in Critters, Lessons | Leave a comment

Arcs and Angles

Posted on February 23, 2011 by sputterpub

     It’s really a lovely concept. I’m not going to drone about the six or seven principles of Universal Design – what is it with our species, that we seem to so like lists and acronyms? I’m going to try … Continue reading →

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Fruit Cocktail

Posted on February 22, 2011 by sputterpub

     When I was 20 I knew a guy with a weird job. He was a year ahead of me at Cal, part of the group of people I was most likely to socialize with, often around but not an … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Lessons | Leave a comment

The Best Revenge

Posted on February 18, 2011 by sputterpub

     When I was 54 I was the object of an attempted assassination. It was an attack against my character and it failed, but it rocked me with confusion and pain. I was betrayed by an individual I trusted. Actually … Continue reading →

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UNA

Posted on February 17, 2011 by sputterpub

  When I was in my 50s, I got to participate in construction. The small nonprofit organization I helped establish (Hearth – see yesterday) worked with Affordable Housing Associates and architect Kava Massih and Toolworks and too many funders to … Continue reading →

Posted in Universal Design | Leave a comment

Hearth

Posted on February 16, 2011 by sputterpub

  When I was 47 I got lured into a nonprofit. It was like a legend, where my every deed led to a new adventure and pulled me deeper into the story. First a respected retired client lunched with me … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Universal Design | 1 Comment

Alaska

Posted on February 15, 2011 by sputterpub

    When I was 41 I took an Alaska cruise with my parents, and when I was 49 I got to return to the southeastern portion of the big state. I loved both trips. I adore Alaska. I once thought … Continue reading →

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Stinson 1966

Posted on February 14, 2011 by sputterpub

   When I was 16 I spent the first most uncomfortable night of my life. I went casual camping with Ellen and two other friends and got caught in the rain. My parents’ house in Larkspur was on the very lowest … Continue reading →

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