Wednesday, 8 December 2004
08:09 AM
Just family stuff. Soon enough I shall return to some tech topics; I apologize for all this wallowing about in personal life. Anyway, an update on my fabuloso kids.
Zack applied for and got a position as a volunteer docent at the Seattle Aquarium. As noted elsewhere, he's interested in Marine Biology. Last Sunday he underwent the first of several training sessions, which lasted all day. There was some concern that he would be nodding off, but on the contrary, he came home completely pumped about the experience. If I understand correctly from him, the Aquarium is moving away from a static model where fish swim in tanks and you can read the little plaque next to the tank to learn about the watery denizens. Instead, they're creating a more interactive experience where, among other changes, they're using docents to interact with the patrons and provide a more personalized and interesting visit, which moreover can appeal to a wider age range. Not surprisingly, a prominent aspect of the training is customer relations. Zack reported that they had a veritable fleet of volunteers (mostly women, curiously). I don't know when he will go on duty, but you can bet I'm going to go down and hear what he has to say.
On an unrelated note, the three of us were at a Christmas party last weekend. At one point in the evening, people wanted to sing Christmas carols. The host, a fine pianist, got out a book of carols, sat down, and led a raggedy choir through the traditional favorites. However, it was noted that a lot of those old English carols are actually kind of lugubrious. We might wish you "comfort and joy," but we're doing so in a minor key. The non-singing contingent requested something more fun, but there was no music. When the host vacated the piano bench, Sabrina sat down and entirely by ear played through Frosty and Rudolf and some of those other more upbeat numbers -- perfect right hand with a halting but passable left hand. I was impressed as hell, even though I've heard her pick out tunes before. She sure didn't get any such ability for me.
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