some ideas

What are the holidays all about, anyway? I had thought that Christmas was just about getting presents.

It’s sometimes hard to know which holiday gift is just right. On the way home today I heard one suggestion on the radio which appealed to me: Have everyone make a donation to another’s favorite charity. It may be just a little too intangible though, for some. If I had to pick a favorite charity, it probably would be the Boy Scouts of America, it’s one organization that certainly did a lot for me. I wonder if there is a BSA fund earmarked for the specific purpose of supporting volunteer units and trips.

Every year before Christmas, members of my family gently suggest that I should drop some hints for what I might like.

Even though it’s only two weeks to Christmas, I figured I’d try and articulate a few areas of interest to me at the moment, and related gift ideas, in the rare event that anyone’s interested. Please feel free to post a reply, suggestion, wry comment, your wish list, jne but keep in mind that because this is a seasonally appropriate post it will probably be coming down in a few weeks. Also, it's a public website on the world wide web, so the whole world just might be watching.

As some of you know, in September I undertook an adventurous diet and health experiment the end result of which was that I lost about 25 pounds in 4 weeks. I’ve gained a little back since then and I’ve been pretty good about hitting the gym and getting some regular exercise. In that vein, I figured I’d try to mix things up a little and maybe try yoga and more closely monitor my peak heart rate when running, rollerblading, or using the elliptical.

Fitness-related stuff ideas
Heart Rate Monitor
http://www.amazon.com/Polar-Heart-Monitor-Watch-Black/dp/B000F6BZC6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1228973314&sr=8-1
Yoga Mat
Book about how to do yoga
Sweat bands

The company that I have been working at for most of the last thirteen years this week announced it would shrink its global workforce by several thousand employees. May be a good time to evaluate career options.

Career/business-related stuff ideas
CCNA Wireless Official Exam Certification Guide
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1587202115
If such a thing exists, a gift certificate to Harry’s Shoes http://www.harrys-shoes.com/ the only place where I feel confident that there will be a good selection of shoes in my size
gift certificates for clothes that would be suitable to wear to an interview

Because I embarked on my experimental health regimen in September, I missed a camping trip on Columbus Day weekend. I’m hoping that there will be other opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Of course, it's always nice to have the right gear.

Camping-related stuff ideas
Lots of cool s--t at campmor.com, it’s hard to know where to start.
My brother pointed out that sleeping bag liners are one of many neat things one can find there.
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Category___73078__244


If I have any great flashes of inspiration, I will add to this post.

Estonia Counts Her Blessings

An excellent piece by Jüri Estam, in the blog "La Russophobe":

The Sunday Prayer: Estonia Counts Her Blessings


I found the link on Giustino's blog "Itching for Eestimaa"

Independence Day 2008, some thoughts

In the late 1990’s, Toomas Hendrik Ilves came to the New York Estonian House, to present a speech for kultuuripäevad. My impression of Ilves’s speech was that when he made allusions to Estonians being “known” in the worldwide stage, he was reaching. He spoke about Carmen Kass, who was one of the world’s top models at the time, but then made mention of Mena Suvari, who albeit was one of my favorite actors in “American Pie”, even before I knew she was of Estonian descent. I interpreted foreign minister Ilves’s comments as ‘reaching,’ trying to tie anything remotely related to Estonia as part of his ‘agenda.’ After the speech, a representative from the Estonian consulate asked me what I thought about Ilves’s comments. I don’t recall my exact answer, but I think it was something akin to “Stop inhaling the whacky tabacky.” I told the consul, “I am an American goddammit, what Ilves just suggested is sacrilege.” Because, what välisminister Ilves suggested was that people of Estonian descent should repatriate to Estonia. My initial response to his suggestion was gut reaction. Having been a Boy Scout since age 11, I considered myself an American. That was the end of the conversation between me and the consul.

Flash forward to 2008, celebration in New York City of the 90th anniversary of Estonian independence. I find myself in a 3-way conversation with Edward Lucas and a guy who has repatriated to Estonia and is now an English teacher there. Teacher tells me, that he is very happy he has made the decision to move his family to his great-grandfather’s farm on one of the islands. I tell him that I am jealous of him and his decision. I must confess, that while I think Ilves is an idealistic nerd and a bit of a poindexter, he has articulated the needs of a nation well, and I’ve got his back. Maybe there really is something to his 'agenda.'

Some reasons to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Estonian independence in NYC

I don't care if anyone thinks otherwise, these are legitimate reasons to be taking part in the 90th anniversary celebration of Estonian independence in New York City, some of which even bear mentioning a second time:


• It’s the 90th anniversary of Estonian independence. Celebrate the 90th to help ensure that there will be a 91st, 92nd, 93rd,..,100th anniversary celebration in 2018, and so on.

• Edward Lucas will deliver the keynote address in English, real English, not the accented dialect that people this side of the Atlantic call English. More importantly, in addition to having written about Estonia’s successes (and occasional missteps) in the pages of the The Economist, in his blog, and elsewhere in online and print media, Lucas has covered Central and Eastern Europe since 1986, and is in the position to provide unique insight into the region’s current geopolitical climate. His most recent book, The New Cold War: Putin's Russia and the Threat to the West, will be released in the United States a few days before Estonian Independence Day.

• “The Singing Revolution” – the documentary film produced by Jim and Maureen Tusty will be playing in New York City for Independence. For those who haven’t yet seen the film, or would like to see it again, this is the perfect opportunity. There will be a showing of the film at a new theater, the Cinema Village in the East Village 10:30am Saturday, February 23rd, leaving ample time to get to the 1pm Independence Day ceremony at Community Church on 35th Street between Park and Madison. If you can’t make it to the theater on Saturday, there will be 2 additional screenings of the film on Sunday, February 24th, at 1pm and 3:00pm**
(It was 4:00pm, but now the official times on Sunday are 1:00pm and 3:00pm)

• There will be performances by Kersti Ala-Murr (soprano-Norway), Jaak Lutsoja, and the band “KIRSIAED” (from Tallinn) during the Independence Day ceremony and dinner-dance afterwards.

• There will be a rousing performance of ‘Isamaa ilu hoieldes’. Maybe not on the same scale as when it was sung by Ivo Linna and others at last summer's young peoples' song festival, but should be inspiring nonetheless.

• The NY Giants won the Superbowl.
OK, this one might be a little bit of a stretch, not really related to Estonian independence, was just looking for an excuse to call attention to David Tyree’s “miraculous” helmet-induced catch. Then again, I can remember a time that Estonian independence seemed little more than a pipe dream, so maybe the connection is not as tenuous as some might think.

“The Singing Revolution” – Playing in NYC for Independence!

From Jim and Maureen Tusty, as forwarded to me by Arno:

Dear Friends,

February 24th is the 90th anniversary of Estonian independence. In honor of that celebration, we have arranged for special screenings of The Singing Revolution in New York City.

The Singing Revolution will play at a new theater in the Village:

Cinema Village Theater
22 East 12th Street
New York, NY 10003
212-924-3363
http://www.cinemavillage.com/chc/cv/coming_soon.asp

Show times are:

Saturday, February 23rd at 10:30am
(allowing time after the film to get to the 1PM Estonian Independence Day Celebration at 28 East 35th Street)

Sunday, February 24th at 1:00pm AND 3:00pm**
(It was 4:00pm, but now the official times on Sunday are 1:00pm and 3:00pm)

The Cinema Village Theater is doing this in respect for Estonia's Independence Anniversary. Let's support their gesture.

And happy independence day!

Maureen and Jim Tusty
Producers/Directors of The Singing Revolution
www.singingrevolution.com

'Isamaa ilu hoieldes' - one guy's interpretation on youtube

Was putzing around on youtube, and found another rendition of 'Isamaa ilu hoieldes' with some different imagery.
Check out this interpretation.

New York celebration -- 90th anniversary of Estonia's declaration of independence

Information about celebration in New York City of 90th Anniversary of Estonian Independence at the bottom of this post, can also be found here:

http://www.estonianhousenewyork.com/eng_events.php

Regarding the planned program, worth mentioning is that 'Isamaa ilu hoieldes' will be sung by the New York Estonian Mens' and Womens' Choruses, together with several 'guest performers'. It was hard not to get a little fired up practicing the song with the segakoor last Wednesday. May not turn out exactly like the version sung by Ivo Linna and co. at last summer's noorte laulupidu but if there is enough of a turnout should still be pretty cool. Here's a rough translation of the lyrics into English.

Also worth noting, for the first time ever (I think) the keynote speaker will be a non-Estonian-speaker.

Edward Lucas, of The Economist, will deliver the keynote address in English, real English, not the New York-accented stuff some of us are used to. Don't know what he plans on discussing, but I think it's safe to say his talk may be a little more exciting and current than keynote speeches of past Independence Day celebrations. With any luck it may even be something friends, spouses and significant others who are not of Estonian descent might also find appealing. Lucas's latest book, The New Cold War: Putin's Russia and the Threat to the West, is scheduled for release in the United States on Tuesday. I've reserved a copy at Borders; I hope there will be time to get it autographed on Saturday.


Estonian Independence Day Celebration
The New York Estonian Educational Society invites you to celebrate
The 90th Anniversary of Estonia’s Independence
Saturday, February 23, 2008

Formal program starting at 1 PM
The New York Community Church
28 East 35th Street (Park & Madison)
New York, NY
Admission: $10.-
Program Highlights:
Mr. Jaanus Kirikmäe – Consul General of Estonia in NY
Keynote Speaker: Mr. Edward Lucas – European Correspondent of “The Economist”
Kersti Ala-Murr & Jaak Lutsoja Musical Program
The NY Estonian Men’s and Women’s Chorus
The NY Estonian School Chorus
James & Maureen Tusty – Producers of “The Singing Revolution”

Following the Formal Program:
Dinner-Dance at the NY Estonian House
with “KIRSIAED” providing music