Madison Messiah

Down in the Flood

2008-09-11T19:52:00.001-06:00

The rain is not nearly as fun when you're not out groovin' in it.

A Nod and A Reminisce

2008-09-08T02:21:00.005-06:00

Went for a walk long after midnight tonight. A night ripe for a good saunter. A light rain fell, flipped up the collar of my flannel to keep my neck warm. Just enough comfort to make one smile. And these words once scrawled on the corner of an envelope fell

Sundays are wonderful,

thinking of friends doing well

I can't complain.

Saw your pattern as I walked into the night sky

humming blue.

Stogies? Why not?

2008-05-28T21:22:00.004-06:00

I am officially an uncle.

Exploding into this realm with Japanese action sound effects, Jacob Flanders made his presence known to world at 6:12pm PST.

I think somewhere in the background Tom Petty was playing.

Truthiness

2008-05-13T09:04:00.005-06:00

Perusing some abstracts last night, I came across one addressing the effects of e-medicine on patient-doctor relations. It made me contemplate this scholar's post. I had formerly held the same perspective, as I think most do, however the patient-doctor scenario changed that somewhat.

We generally look at losing personal contact as a negative (with the exception of increasing productivity), but in what scenarios can this make people more comfortable to tell the truth and prove to be beneficial. Clearly it could benefit medicine as people may be more willing to convey their true sexual histories, etc. as they relate to HIV and STDs.

Could this increased level of comfort and trust help domestic violence or sexual assault victims effectively communicate their experiences? Help refugees share their stories? What other contexts could this be applied to?

Onward and Outward

2008-05-12T19:19:00.007-06:00

The past week has seen some seismic movin' and shakin' of future possibilities. While in NOLA for work, I sojourned to the international MPH department at Tulane and scouted the potential of resting my head in the city for a short spell. Despite all the praises I have heard of their international public health department I didn't really think it would emerge as a serious contender; nonetheless the program, encompassing emergency and disaster management, infectious disease, and policy (seemingly tailored for me), combined with city's developing country charm left me contemplating. Still have these programs to check out though and Berkeley is definitely still in the running. Maybe it was all the Sazeracs.

To compound the situation, over some ice cold sweet tea in the steamy Louisiana sun and the waitress calling me darling I got the call up to commence my first international project. A multitude of tea will be consumed in the coming weeks whilst working to identify emerging technologies that could be applied to immunization programs in developing countries.

Here comes the gravy train

To Quote a Phrase: Bring Your Own Boomshakalaka

2008-05-01T22:34:00.004-06:00

Sail is raised, rotated starboard and in pursuit of my Empty Sky.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Denver International (DEN) to Seattle/Tacoma Intl (SEA)
Departure (DEN): July 2, 8:38 AM MDT (morning)
Arrival (SEA): July 2, 10:28 AM PDT (morning)

Seattle/Tacoma Intl (SEA) to Tokyo Narita (NRT)
Departure (SEA): July 2, 12:52 PM PDT (afternoon)
Arrival (NRT): July 3, 2:55 PM JST (afternoon)

Tokyo Narita (NRT) to Manila Ninoy Aquino Intl (MNL)
Departure (NRT): July 3, 6:25 PM JST (evening)
Arrival (MNL): July 3, 9:55 PM PHT (evening)

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Manila Ninoy Aquino Intl (MNL) to Hong Kong Int'l (HKG)
Departure (MNL): July 20, 8:25 AM PHT (morning)
Arrival (HKG): July 20, 10:25 AM HKT (morning)

Hong Kong Int'l (HKG) to San Francisco International (SFO)
Departure (HKG): July 20, 11:45 AM HKT (morning)
Arrival (SFO): July 20, 9:10 AM PDT (morning)

San Francisco International (SFO) to Denver International (DEN)
Departure (SFO): July 20, 11:00 AM PDT (morning)
Arrival (DEN): July 20, 2:30 PM MDT (afternoon)

2008-04-27T22:17:00.003-06:00

Soles worn through to the heel on yet another pair of shoes. Next time you see me roamin' the streets it'll be in these bad boys.

Not Jerusalem Cruisers, but thanks to TOMS I won't be the only whipper-snapper strolling the world with new kicks.

Baseball & The Guy Sitting Next to Us

2008-04-24T20:57:00.000-06:00

Three people in the office today, so my colleague Michael and I decided to pull a Ferris and bolt for the smell of stale beer and hot dogs at Coors Field for the 1:05 Rockies v. Cubs game. The relatively new park has definitely lost the new park smell, initiated with a shower of toppled beer and nachos.

A few brews, a lot of shelled peanuts, a BP ball, and a nice sunburn later a stronger bond was forged and the victors smiled. (Though, a little conflicted over the fact that the ballpark offers a footlong brat.)

It never ceases to amaze the amount of info that can sail under the radar in the work environment. During 9 innings of banter I discovered that my colleague worked with Oliver North as part of the task force created when the Iraqis invaded Kuwait in 1990, completed his Master's thesis on switching development indicators from economic to social and the impact of having a social scientist on assessment teams, he studied at AUC, and I received a ton of great advice and connections regarding MPH programs that I am currently looking at.

How much do you really know about the people you work with? The people in your organization? Your teachers?

As we try to expand our networks, I feel that we often look for the big name, "I have an in with Bill Gates" connections and fail to really develop and appreciate the potential of more intimate connections.

Veiled Season

2008-04-22T21:10:00.000-06:00

It's rained a lot this week, little streams clearing the streets. People pack the bar patios across the street from my house on a sunny afternoon, clutching to the warmth and promise of the summer. Words from the patios resonate through my apartment, some clearly audible, others muffled by the undertones.

These days the weather fluctuates from 80 to snowing in the matter of an evening, a cocktail or two. Thus is the rub.

Rollercoasters Gotta Roll to the Bottom, If You Want to Climb to the Top Again

2008-04-14T23:18:00.000-06:00

I'm there.

Failing to Understand

2008-04-03T00:14:00.000-06:00

"Bilingual health care providers: the provider needs to be a provider first, not a provider AND interpreter—have trained interpreter even with bilingual providers" - Cambio de Colores 2004, Annual Conference

While I think that language concessions should be made so that individuals are able to access and understand health care, education, legal info, etc.; I think demands such as this are ridiculous. To divert money from other health services to have an interpreter in addition to a bilingual provider is a huge waste of public resources. If individuals are able to communicate and get the care they require, then where is the need?

The more research I've done on the topic of health care and Latinos in the Midwest in general, the more questions have arisen in my mind. Most of the material I have covered thus far has focused on providing cultural sensitivity, cultural competence, and language training for the members of communities facing a large immigration influx. ESL is the only training mentioned as necessary for immigrants. I'm surprised by the seemingly one-way street these recommendations have taken. Wouldn't it be beneficial to all to receive cultural sensitivity training? Clearly you want to increase understanding and minimize potential for discrimination/racism on the local side, but at the same time immigrants are moving into a new culture. It should be a situation of both sides working to establish mutual understanding. Isn't it pertinent to train immigrants on the cultural norms of the society they are entering? I have yet to come across a document suggesting such an action.

Cogs still in motion and more to come on this.

My Witness is the Empty Sky

2008-04-01T20:23:00.000-06:00

8:34 pm and finally leaving the office.

Meandering down to My Brothers' Bar, the old Kerouac joint which used to skirt the train yards (now neighboring REI). Regardless some libations, a vegetarian reuben, and Bird: the quintessential cap.

Not night cap, not Tap cap, but jive cap.

Revisited

2008-04-01T00:31:00.000-06:00

A number of things came to light during my short jaunt to Orlando: a greater degree of common understanding and a movement back towards a greater degree of patience. Sitting in the hot tub at night talking with Jason, a dude from Jacksonville who brought supplies and the motto, “don’t worry about it, we’re on vacation”, Angie a 43 year-old visiting with her daughter and niece before she returned to NJ for a serious surgery, a couple of Pennsylvania boys who had been hitting the gin a bit too hard resulting in John Smith singing “Just Around the Riverbend” from Pocahatas, and Jason a man meeting his 8 year-old daughter for the first time, trying to fulfill his responsibilities as a father and partner and wanting to start it in the "happiest place on Earth"; I realized that although Orlando isn’t my Dream, it’s a dream to many and there is something admirable in that.

There is something admirable in the family who may never have been outside the state saving up money to come to Orlando to see the exotic palm trees and eat Greek food. It’s someone’s dream to visit the place where their kids will have the time of their lives and speak of nothing other than meeting Mickey Mouse for the next 3 weeks. There is something of value in Florida. It’s a place “just around the river bend”, where people can come to forget about their problems for a while. Something that is not all that uncommon from many a international experience: positioning of yourself in unfamiliar surroundings tends to make you contemplate things other than expected in your place of origin. I sometimes forget that the things common to me are not common to all in this country.

Returnin' Home with Boot Heels Worn

2008-03-30T15:02:00.000-06:00

Fri, Apr 11, 2008 - Denver, CO (DEN) to Chicago, IL (ORD)
Depart: DEN 10:31 AM
Arrive: DSM 01:20 PM

Depart: DSM 01:41 PM
Arrive: ORD 02:59 PM

Mon, Apr 14, 2008 - Chicago, IL (ORD) to Denver, CO (DEN)
Depart: ORD 06:05 AM
Arrive: DEN 07:34 AM

I Am Just a Satellite

2008-03-26T20:35:00.000-06:00

Just had a conversation that put into perspective just how far we need to go with health education, everywhere.

"Well condoms can't prevent HIV, right? Isn't it small enough that it goes right through?"

Often it is perceived that HIV prevention is a strategy that is a one-time shot. You teach someone the facts once and that's it. Unfortunately, the more experience I get in the area, the more I begin to think that this isn't the case. Even though information may not be new in the field (or even truthful), if an individual hears something new from a friend, it is the latest information for them, sometimes perceived to trump facts they have gotten in the past.

Interesting to consider as more dollars flow towards care and treatment. Not saying that they shouldn't as that clearly has its own merits and acts as somewhat of a prevention strategy in its own right, but something to consider.

Jump-to-Conclusions Mat: Wearing My Leisure Suit, When It Should've Been A Space Suit

2008-03-25T23:23:00.000-06:00

Last year, I had an idea very similar to this one from Hopkins.

I was just one or two technological generations behind. I was developing the idea of using mobile libraries or "book mobiles" that would work to help improve literacy, health knowledge, and access to care.

Not letting it die yet.

Oh, I Didn't Give You the Tour

2008-03-25T00:36:00.001-06:00

Denver Nightlights
Originally uploaded by madisonmessiah

A little view from the corner my apartment stands on. Going to start giving some more updates about the movers, shakers, & surroundings in the city.

This is the only view in all of Denver where the skyline doesn't look phallic.

Much pondering occurs on an eve such as this:

A third of the world's population is infected with TB.

For a while I got caught too caught up in the bureaucracy.

Flintstones vitamins are a good public health strategy.

I should probably bite the bullet and start buying organic milk.

Teaching is a pretty solid way to get to know a society, your own and other's.

I Gotta A Couple A' Throwbacks

2008-03-22T19:30:00.000-06:00

Aside from reminding me of AliG, it was a bit strange this afternoon watching Flowers and Butch, both of whom played against my high school team, while playing shuffleboard with the guy who sold me liquor all year as a freshman at UW.

Keep On Goin' Y'all

2008-03-19T13:27:00.001-06:00

I realized in considering Nomadfest Part Deux that I have failed to announce the entrance of a little shaver of the male gender who will soon be entering the world.

No it's not mine, my sister is due on June 5.

Any suggestions on what I should try to make his first word be?

A Legacy...or Two

2008-03-18T10:15:00.000-06:00

A little compare and contrast from the National Portrait Gallery in D.C.

He even has a newspaper in his hand. Interested to see what W's will look like.

And a bit of flash:

Bring Me Your Finest Muenster

2008-03-04T11:41:00.000-07:00

Monday Night 2:30 pm: Our office is reprimanded by HQ for not following company policy, stating that a wine & cheese happy hour should commence every Friday at 3:30 pm.

Tuesday Morning 11:00 am: A new load of wine and beer appears in our office.

Yahtzee!

I'll Pawn My Watch & Chain and Go Home

2008-02-28T17:52:00.000-07:00

Strolling the streets of Salt Lake City with a bottle of wine, a journal, a sunset, and some old shoes that need to get broken in again.

I Have to Celebrate You Baby

2008-02-27T18:31:00.000-07:00

Sitting in the optometrist’s chair the other day, the typical discussion ensued…”What brings you to Denver?” and whatnot. I decided to throw the brick just one more time, changing coordinates I ask, “Have you ever been abroad?” It took an instant for the question to settle in this locale, once the resting place of the adventurous pushing westward. The response was slow, preceded by a cocked head and narrowing of the eyes as if trying to gauge the messenger. It was the only response I needed. She expressed her regrets at not having done so, but the hopes that her 18 year-old son would pursue what lies beyond our borders.

The badge of the internationally traveled is one that requires no introduction. It is one that emanates from the words that spill from his mouth, the way he carries himself, and his willingness to help another in an unfamiliar situation. You can see it in the way he interacts with those of different surroundings. It often presents itself in a clarity of purpose and direction, intermingled with a distant struggle or confusion.

The depths to which the international experience penetrates the marrow have oft been alluded to, but the degree seldom understood.

Busted Flat

2008-02-27T17:08:00.000-07:00

A little patience and professional courtesy pays off, for both parties.

I have been organizing the Latino AIDS Institute for the past few moons. Mix-ups went down, things got shaken up, thus is the Pursuit. But the vibe remained cordial throughout and now both parties are set to enjoy this radiant day on the salt flats.

The hotel didn't have to deal with a ranting maniac, who might go Mike Tyson on the manager's posterior.

And I am sitting on the top floor of the Hilton Salt Lake City in the Executive Suite, stocked with complimentary beverages of the adult effect.

Neither of us sacrificing the things that each required, but both getting a little tap on the bottom.

It Seems It's Not the Recipe, It's Got to Be the Cook

2008-02-16T21:50:00.000-07:00

As of late, I've pondered the reasons that organizations hire the folks they do. Kimchi is in the cask. And from my experience, the common trend seems to be that the people are hired for their character and what they have done, or at least attempted. I couldn't count the number of conversations I've had since starting my job that began, "Well when I got into this field I knew very little about it, but I had done...that appealed..."

It would seem as though good organizations hire people on character, innovation, and drive, assuming that those individuals will catch up on the knowledge that can be gained from reading articles or books.

When was the last time you were asked a question regarding your knowledge of a topic in an interview?