Mark L. Van Name's Blog, page 273
August 28, 2010
UFC 118: Kyle and I pick 'em
Last time around, Kyle and I disagreed twice, and he was right on both counts. This time, I hope to do much better. Here's how we see tonight's fine slate of fights in Boston, starting, as usual, with the undercard, most of which we probably won't get to see.
Mike Pierce vs. Amilcar Alves
Mark: The only way Alves can win this fight is if Pierce postures up too much on the ground and opens himself to a submission. Pierce isn't going to do that, so he'll emerge the victor of what I expect will be...
Mike Pierce vs. Amilcar Alves
Mark: The only way Alves can win this fight is if Pierce postures up too much on the ground and opens himself to a submission. Pierce isn't going to do that, so he'll emerge the victor of what I expect will be...
August 27, 2010
Lessons from a militarized childhood: Their world is not your world
(In this entry, I assume you are aware of my goal of raising a lot of money to help child soldiers by donating all of my earnings from sales of the hardback of Children No More to Falling Whistles. If you're not, you can go to the Children No More site and learn more there. I'll be here when you return.)
What I experienced in my three years in a militaristic youth group is nothing compared to what true child soldiers undergo. I believe, however, that they and I, as well as many abused children...
What I experienced in my three years in a militaristic youth group is nothing compared to what true child soldiers undergo. I believe, however, that they and I, as well as many abused children...
August 26, 2010
Back to college she goes
Move-in day was in most ways simpler and less emotionally wrenching this year than last, because we all now understand how it works. The move itself went as smoothly as possible given the usual hassles of a crowded environment, and Sarah has a great room in an absolutely beautiful dorm.
The hardest part, of course, is seeing her go. I wrote last year about it leaving a hole in my heart, and it did so again this year. I believe that is all as it should be: she should leave, she should have a g...
The hardest part, of course, is seeing her go. I wrote last year about it leaving a hole in my heart, and it did so again this year. I believe that is all as it should be: she should leave, she should have a g...
August 25, 2010
On the road again: Austin, day 4
Today was one of those unfortunate travel days that began early. I do not like seeing six-anything on my bedside clock, but I saw that this morning.
Fortunately, the travel was largely uneventful. I say "largely" because DFW likes to mess with me; I swear it does. I arrived at gate C27 (or so) facing a three-hour break between flights. No problem: off to the Admirals Club I went to work. The big board told me my flight would be out of gate A23, right opposite the A terminal's club, so ...
Fortunately, the travel was largely uneventful. I say "largely" because DFW likes to mess with me; I swear it does. I arrived at gate C27 (or so) facing a three-hour break between flights. No problem: off to the Admirals Club I went to work. The big board told me my flight would be out of gate A23, right opposite the A terminal's club, so ...
August 24, 2010
On the road again: Austin, day 3
Today began very early and is ending rather late, and I can't talk about most of it.
Dinner, though, is fair game for discussion. We ate at The Carillon at UT's AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center. The building was certainly impressive, and the restaurant's design was, too. The six-course tasting menu, however, did not live up to the space. Don't get me wrong: It was a good meal. Fifteen or so years ago, it would have been the best meal I'd ever had. Today, though, it was a...
Dinner, though, is fair game for discussion. We ate at The Carillon at UT's AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center. The building was certainly impressive, and the restaurant's design was, too. The six-course tasting menu, however, did not live up to the space. Don't get me wrong: It was a good meal. Fifteen or so years ago, it would have been the best meal I'd ever had. Today, though, it was a...
August 23, 2010
On the road again: Austin, day 2
I can't talk much about these business trips, but it was a very busy day.
I can mention the rather odd way it began: about half an hour before I had to get up, a time period that was a large chunk of the sleep I got, my alarm clock exploded to life with the words, "Bill O'Reilly is mad at Justin Bieber and Kim Kardashian."
Weird words to wake up to.
I suppose it serves me right for not following my usual travel rituals and verifying the alarm is off each night before I go to bed.
Dinner tonigh...
I can mention the rather odd way it began: about half an hour before I had to get up, a time period that was a large chunk of the sleep I got, my alarm clock exploded to life with the words, "Bill O'Reilly is mad at Justin Bieber and Kim Kardashian."
Weird words to wake up to.
I suppose it serves me right for not following my usual travel rituals and verifying the alarm is off each night before I go to bed.
Dinner tonigh...
August 22, 2010
On the road again: Austin, day 1
Business brings me again to a city I quite like, but, wow, is it hot here. The high temperature every day I will be in Austin will be over a hundred. Fortunately, air conditioning is everywhere.
Sunday is the key day I try to catch up a bit on sleep, but not today; this morning, I was up before eight for an unusually long day of flying. Austin via Chicago is just not as quick as Austin via DFW, but that was the best route I could find given all my criteria.
After much driving and working, thoug...
Sunday is the key day I try to catch up a bit on sleep, but not today; this morning, I was up before eight for an unusually long day of flying. Austin via Chicago is just not as quick as Austin via DFW, but that was the best route I could find given all my criteria.
After much driving and working, thoug...
August 21, 2010
Let's meet at some upcoming readings!
In the space of a few days less than two weeks from now, I'll be doing two local readings and book signings. Here are the basic details, which you can also find on my site's
29 August 2010, 2:00At both of these events, I'll be talking about the child soldier issue, Falling Whistles, and the Children No More giveaway program--as well as reading, answering questions, and all the usual s...
McIntyre's Books
Fearrington, NC
2 September 2010, 7:30
Quail Ridge Books and Music
Raleigh, NC
August 20, 2010
Lessons from a militarized childhood: Trust no one
(In this entry, I assume you are aware of my goal of raising a lot of money to help child soldiers by donating all of my earnings from sales of the hardback of Children No More to Falling Whistles. If you're not, you can go to the Children No More site and learn more there. I'll be here when you return.)
What I experienced in my three years in a militaristic youth group is nothing compared to what true child soldiers undergo. I believe, however, that they and I, as well as many abused children...
What I experienced in my three years in a militaristic youth group is nothing compared to what true child soldiers undergo. I believe, however, that they and I, as well as many abused children...
August 19, 2010
Lessons from a militarized childhood: They don't want to hear
(In this entry, I assume you are aware of my goal of raising a lot of money to help child soldiers by donating all of my earnings from sales of the hardback of Children No More to Falling Whistles. If you're not, you can go to the Children No More site and learn more there. I'll be here when you return.)
What I experienced in my three years in a militaristic youth group is nothing compared to what true child soldiers undergo. I believe, however, that they and I, as well as many abused children...
What I experienced in my three years in a militaristic youth group is nothing compared to what true child soldiers undergo. I believe, however, that they and I, as well as many abused children...
