http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/14/opinion/sunday/presto-instant-playground.html
Opinion
Presto, Instant Playground
By ALEC APPELBAUM
Published: August 13, 2011
Can a trendy retail tactic promote healthier living in low-income urban neighborhoods?
Interesting idea from several New York neighborhood associations. They temporarily close neighborhood streets and create "pop up" playgrounds with different sports for the local communities. They have their arguments on how these temporary playgrounds might motivate children and parents to get out of the house and exercise once the street is reopened. Although I could see it having some impact, I find myself wishing for a more sustainable permanent approach. It is easy to get caught up in the excitement and get out and play when enthusiastic 20 somethings are showing your kid how to play tennis on a mini tennis net in the middle of a normally busy street. When its gone though, it is just as easy to stay home and play the wii.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
On Real vs Barca and other collective activities
Simple enough question, there is never a gray area. One of the few things in life that is black and white. Yes, no, or neither (the last response very rare and usually reserved for those completely not interested in football, or don't want to fight). Unfortunately, in the second of what I believe will be 5 matches against each other, Barca lost 1-0, heartbreaking, in overtime. I was in a new cafe on Biranzarane, and liked it.
The place was split in half regarding allegiances and they (mostly boys and men) brought their own flags! It was almost like there were two bodies, and at each missed goal, great pass, corner, breakaway, there was a collective ahhhh that would erupt, or a collective sigh of relief that would escape depending on the team. When Real scored, you didn't hear any individual screams or sounds, but a loud single roar, not just from our cafe but from across the street, across town, across the country.
The only other thing that can emotes such a roar...a Wydad and Raja game (although I would have hoped the promise of constitutional change would do the same thing, I think that time has yet to come).
There is always retour and I can only hope this time I take part in the collective roar and not the collective sulking out the cafe towards your car.
The place was split in half regarding allegiances and they (mostly boys and men) brought their own flags! It was almost like there were two bodies, and at each missed goal, great pass, corner, breakaway, there was a collective ahhhh that would erupt, or a collective sigh of relief that would escape depending on the team. When Real scored, you didn't hear any individual screams or sounds, but a loud single roar, not just from our cafe but from across the street, across town, across the country.
The only other thing that can emotes such a roar...a Wydad and Raja game (although I would have hoped the promise of constitutional change would do the same thing, I think that time has yet to come).
There is always retour and I can only hope this time I take part in the collective roar and not the collective sulking out the cafe towards your car.
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