Dreams and Memories

Today I finally finished the book "The World is Flat" in which Thomas Friedman outlines the extreme flattening -- his term for increased interconnectedness and mobility -- of the world, describing a series of "flattening events" (i.e. fall of the Berlin Wall & rising of the internet browser) and talks about the implications that the flattening world has for American society. A few interesting examples, but nothing new to those of us paying attention to and participating in the flattening. One idea, however, that caught my attention was that of dreams and memories. In the last chapter of his book, he summerizes his previous remarks about a country's political and cultural climate and their affects on willingness to change. The more a country is focused on dreams (hope for the future), the more they constructively respond to changes while the greater a country is focused on memories, the more they respond with humiliation and hatred.

Dreams and memories...it makes for an eloquent comparison. Is it true that the more memories you have (the longer you live), the fewer dreams you have? Is the goal to die with no dreams and with many memories? Who knows. I hope to die with a lot of both.

Sleepless in Seattle and Tired in Tijuana

It's nearing the end of my third week as a staff member of Esperanza. After a two week "break" in Seattle, I returned to Tijuana, only to spend more time in the office working on internal documentation and communication systems. After three weeks, that included hectic preparation for a presentation for the Board of Directors, I have to say, I am tired. Yes, I did get a small break in Seattle, but I don't think it was enough. At the same time, I was anxious to leave Seattle, to return to Tijuana and start my new job. Sleepless in Seattle and tired in Tijuana. What's the solution? I'm convinced that I need a trip to an isolated beach on the Baja Peninsula with my girlfriend before I turn loco.

Currently listening to: 80's pop/rock
Currently reading: "The World is Flat" by Thomas Friedman