Just Checking In

Its been about three weeks since my dad passed away and I wanted to post a bit about how we're doing. Given that he first got sick in early May, there really hasn't been a lot of time to digest the idea of him being sick forget about him being gone.

I'm back at work after missing a few weeks and trying to get into the swing of things. But things aren't really swinging back because its summer and no one ever seems to do any work during the summer. Well, that and I'm working on State strategy stuff and who wants to figure out how to interact more with Albany (though I hear the sex and drugs are great up there). I'm splitting my time between creating a strategy for the Museum to raise its profile City, state, nationally and internationally and working on projects and grants for the education department. The government relations work is interesting because most museums don't think about influencing educational systems or try to dabble in large scale education reform. We're quite good at the education stuff so its a project that is pretty easy to sell.

On the education side I am working with the team on creating an education pipeline to bring kids from 2 years old through grad school. The idea is that if you participate in a program beyond a one time field trip you will find a whole series of programs that will foster your scientific development. We have the perfect mix of scientific research and a great education staff so the reorganization makes a lot of sense. Plus it allows us to offer scholarships and support services who are underserved by their city schools.

In my personal life things are busy. We've been going out socially with friends and eating a lots of decent and pretty good restaurants. P was really excited that I stayed up past two AM last weekend. I was pretty surpised as well but I think letting my nap in the corner is probably the best way to handle the narcolepsy.

We're heading down to Kinnelon for Josh's B-day (and some snorgeling with Baby Sonny). Then its down to LBI for a few days for some R and R and then to Langley for a NASA presentation on the history of STEM education reform in the US. I promise that I will make it as interesting as possible despite its rather boring content. Finally we head out to San Francisco for a wedding and then two days in Napa. We rented a small cottage so even if we spend the whole time sitting on the porch sipping wine we'll have a great time.

So, in conclusion. Gardening and Park Slope are pretty great. Work is busy and coming together though we haven't changed the world yet. The family is doing the best we can and we all miss my dad more than my silly blog posts could ever possibly convey. Oh, I signed up for a dance class and rode my bike the other day.