Hopsuz's Blog

How did we become so culturally divided?

hopsuz — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 13:18:36 +0000

Should we live in high-income neighborhoods with people “just like us” who have similar educational, work, and income backgrounds…. or are we contributing to the great cultural divide we’re seeing in our country today? Charles Murray has written a great piece for the WSJ discussing this great divide. He has stripped out race and compared two towns from 1960-2008 to compare the evolution of who we ALL were in 1960 to how divided we’ve become and the myriad reasons for those changes.
What particularly pleased me about this article was confirming a long-term sense of living in downtown Hartford. A mix of cultures, income levels, ages, interests, backgrounds and experiences only adds to the richness of who we are, rather than isolating us the way some very affluent (mostly around the major cities) suburbs are doing.
I think this is a particularly important article for boards to read as our customer and employee base has become more culturally diverse, it’s important for boards to be in tune with those changes and with that diversity.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204301404577170733817181646.html?mod=WSJ_economy_RightTopCarousel_1

My Father, A Silent Films Pioneer

hopsuz — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 01:51:24 +0000

My Dad, George McAvoy, at 91 just published his third book, My Father, A Silent Films Pioneer. Dad’s father was a Special Effects Manager (in other words he blew stuff up) and he also found locations for the filming to be done. He traveled extensively and wrote regularly to my grandmother, updating her on the progress of the filming. He also left thousands of photographs behind from his time working for Fox Films from 1915-1920. Unfortunately, he may not have known how unstable dynamite is. His garage blew up when he opened the door and he died in 1920 shortly after Dad was born. This has been a very personal experience for Dad writing about a parent he never knew and learning about his experiences in the silent film industry when it was located in Ft. Lee, NJ.
The website includes an interview of Dad.
His other two books: “A Citizen Soldier Remembers” concerns his experiences in WWII and “And Then There Was One” is the history of the magnificent old resort hotels in Northern New Hampshire.

OH WOW. OH WOW. OH WOW.

hopsuz — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:49:47 +0000

When arguably the greatest visionary of our generation utters as his last words: “OH WOW. OH WOW. OH WOW.”, it feels like we have more to look forward to than we might have thought. In Mona Simpson’s eloquent eulogy for her brother, Steve Jobs, she shares these last words…. and certainly leaves us curious as to what else he saw in his future.
Frank and I have shared my mother’s last breath and Frank’s Dad’s last breath with each of them. Neither were being kept alive by artificial means and they were both ready to leave us. It’s a remarkable and loving experience and I hope we all get over our fear of death and can utter OH WOW. OH WOW. OH WOW. as our final words as well. As with so much else, Steve Jobs has changed my perspective on what comes next.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/30/opinion/mona-simpsons-eulogy-for-steve-jobs.html?_r=1&sq=Steve%20Jobs&st=cse&scp=3&pagewanted=print

Sugar(chocolate), Fat(butter) & Salt..”a huge synergistic bang” in the brain & gut!

hopsuz — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:59:30 +0000

We crave certain foods so much that they seem addictive. Just thinking about cinnamon buns or pizza stimulates the release of the neural chemical dopamine, which can cause the brain to override the biological brakes that try to prevent overeating. According to “Why Humans Like Junk Food,” by a former Nestlé scientist named Steven A. Witherly, the brain especially loves mixtures of salt, sugar and fat and the emulsive textures of butter, mayonnaise and chocolate. Witherly has developed what he calls the food-pleasure equation, in which Pleasure = Sensation + Calories. When we eat a combination of sugar, fat and salt, he says, we get a huge synergistic bang, first in the parts of the brain that register pleasure and then in the gut, which detects and responds more favorably to the high calories in sugar and fat. It’s caveman stuff, going back to when we learned to eat big-calorie foods to survive.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/10/02/magazine/29mag-food-issue.html?ref=magazine#/health

hopsuz — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 19:20:01 +0000

The number one cause of bike/car accidents is a car coming in the opposite direction and turning in front of us (or hitting us). It didn’t make sense to me at the time when I read this, but after months of watching I understand and have been watching oncoming traffic much more carefully. The oncoming car is looking for a break in traffic and accelerates when they see the break. They may never see a biker because they’re looking for the break in traffic. They also tend to underestimate our speed if they do see us, so we’re in front of them much quicker than they anticipate. Having had two close calls on the Lake Champlain trip in this exact scenario, I’m paying much closer attention to oncoming traffic.

“Listen, my children, and you shall hear of the midnight ride of Paul Revere”

hopsuz — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:41:14 +0000

What a fabulous poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and it was worth re-reading. It conveys all the excitement, importance, and heroism of the moment.

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/paul-revere-s-ride-the-landlord-s-tale/

Biking 101- The SEAT

hopsuz — Sat, 14 May 2011 21:31:53 +0000

I never think to check the seat, even though I carefully etched a line in the seat post showing where the ideal height is. After several trips out with the seat 1-2″ lower than it should be, which is a PAINFUL experience, I finally figure it out. Then, of course, it feels way too high, but makes biking soooo much easier and more efficient. We biked 46 miles today. After 10 miles I adjusted the seat and the rest of the ride was faster and easier. It’s biking 101, but not always top of mind.

News from Dad’s

hopsuz — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 19:35:07 +0000

What a trip to Dad’s! Mike and Mike from Whiting Trash Removal efficiently removed the commercial freezers and refrigerator with only one comment: “Glad they don’t make them like this any more”. $60+tip. Amazing. Thank you Mike and Mike!!

We had lunch and dinner with nieces and nephews and tried, but couldn’t solve all the world’s problems.
I sent Dad’s manuscript to the publisher by way of a “cloud” file sharing. The book is about his Dad, who worked for Fox films during the silent film era as location manager and special effects expert, died when Dad was born, but left thousands of photos from the silent film era. Dad has included 200 photos in the manuscript.
His other book that’s available now is: A Citizen-Soldier Remembers, 1942-1946, which can be found on Amazon (or at George McAvoy, PO Box 262, Littleton, NH 03561 or georgemcavoy@myfairpoint.net for $12.95 + $4 shipping). It’s about his WWII Army service at the Battle of the Bulge.

Tuesday we were off to the VA hospital with a stop for snacks at the King Arthur Flour Cafe and Bakery in Norwich, VT…Ummmmm!

Then on to an appointment with Dr. S, who I adore. When we were preparing for our trip to Dublin and the U2 concert two years ago for Dad’s 89th and Dad was having medical issues, Dr. S reduced his medications by half. That dramatically improved Dad’s quality of life and he is MUCH better today than he was two years ago… Amazing. I accompany Dad for his appointments (at his request).

Dr. S and Dad CHATTED for much of the half hour (Dr. S was EARLY – did I mention how much I love the VA Hospital in WRJ, VT). They chatted about: living in Washington Heights, where Dad grew up and Dr. S went to Columbia Medical School, about Yankees games – the game where Mickey Mantle did a “cycle”, about Tom Mix making films on the north shore on Long Island, about Ft Lee which was the headquarters of the silent film industry and Dad’s grandfather was Mayor, about Dad’s new book, about Dr. S’s dad who is also 90, and on and on and on.. After some medical stuff, (does he have chest pains/shortness of breathe walking the mile home from the PO straight UP hill? No.) The result to Dad: KEEP DOING WHAT YOU’RE DOING!!
Off to Opthalmology and new glasses. We needed a nurse, the technician and Frank to decide on frames after I announced we have “Fashion Police” in our family. Same result in Optho: KEEP DOING WHAT YOU’RE DOING!!
Wed was my presentation to Rotary, which was really high pressure!!! Dad introduced me. Dad seemed pleased and that’s all that matters!! Photo left to right: Mary (Dad’s GF), Dad, niece Cheryl McAfee, Frank, me at Rotary.

A visit to Dad’s

hopsuz — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 11:12:12 +0000

We have a long list for this visit: We’ll check Dad’s house to be certain everything is working, especially the garage doors into the heated garage — very important to his safety in the winter, and lighting in the house.
The manuscript for the third book he’s written is ready to go to the publisher. The other two are: A Citizen-Soldier Remembers, 1942-1946, which can be found on Amazon (or at George McAvoy, PO Box 262, Littleton, NH 03561), and And Then There Was One is out of print. Dad needs help in organizing and formatting so I’ll do that.
Next, I’ve engaged Whiting Trash Removal to remove two freezers and a refrigerator from the basement for $20 each.. I’M NOT JOKING.. It’s Littleton,NH AND they were recommended by the re-cycling center. I have no idea how they make money.
Next I’ll exchange a hard drive. I keep three backup drives and one stays at Dad’s, which I exchange every trip, so I have one located off-site. I use it to back up his computer as well.
Tuesday we take him to the VA hospital in White River Junction, VT for a check-up. It is the best functioning health system imaginable and he has a doctor who has seriously prolonged his quality of life. We all so appreciate his doctor. It’s an hour drive every six months and we all take turns.
On Wednesday I’ll be giving a presentation to the Littleton Rotary Club, at Dad’s request. That will be fun, but in spite of being in front of crowds of 500+ prominent business people, being in front of Dad is always intimidating.
In between all of the above, we’ll get together with Dad’s GF, Mary, and my nieces and nephews and grand-niece and nephew to catch up on all that’s going on with them. Polly’s Pancake Parlor isn’t open yet so we won’t have breakfast yet at our favorite spot, but there many really good restaurants in the north country. Amazingly, everyone always wants to get together and there are always plenty of laughs to go around.
We’re off shortly for the next couple of days.

Change in the biking rules!

hopsuz — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 23:23:09 +0000

From now on ONLY the person biking at the front can wave on traffic!

Biking in the Gulf Islands National Seashore