There are Beaches in Ohio

Mainly, I just wanted to post a photo of my entire family burying Tom in the sand, which occurred about 2 hours after they met him.

Humanitarian Manute Bol Dies

This story is from DCist.com and the sites it linked. I didn't really know about Manute Bol's humanitarian work, and it's too bad it took him passing away for me to find out. Read below about the generosity of his life - kc

"Some sad news ... Manute Bol, the iconic 7 foot, 7 inch big man died today. He was 47. Bol was, quite literally, one of the more visible players in the NBA during his ten-year career -- especially when he teamed with the diminutive Muggsy Bogues (see right) to form one of the most vertically disparate duos in NBA history. Bol remains the only NBA player in league history who averaged more blocks than points per game in his career.

But it is Bol's humanitarian work in his native Sudan which is the stuff of legend, and what he will surely be remembered for long after he is gone:

According to reports, he made nearly $6 million in his career, and, aside from a few American comforts, spent it all trying to save lives and educate children back home. He has given so much and received little in comparison. He was once lured back to his home country with the promise of a cabinet post, only to find out he would be required to convert to Islam. When he refused, he was stranded for nearly five years. His trust and good intentions have been abused so many times. Even while playing, he went into war zones to help the Lost Boys and other refugees. Sometimes, those visits were interrupted by bombings from warlords who viewed Bol as a threat. His family was wiped out by Darfurians, but when that country became victims, Bol was one of the first Sudanese to speak out in support.

But despite the severity of his cause, Bol wasn't above pulling a publicity stunt to earn the public's attention, such as the time he boxed William "the Refrigerator" Perry, earning the title of the "world's largest jockey" or playing in an ice hockey match.

Bol had been helping to build a school in the southern region of war-torn Sudan when his health took a turn for the worse. Bol was hospitalized in mid-May, suffering from kidney failure and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, an incredibly painful skin affliction which often required large doses of morphine. A Facebook page set up in the wake of his hospitalization is overflowing with words of remembrance today; in a time where the headlines seem to be dominated by athletes with relatively ludicrous problems, Bol was certainly one to emulate."

Grant the Plant

As the godmother to my new nephew Grant, I wanted to bring him a lasting gift. I racked my brain for ideas for a creative present for a little boy. I thought about something "Presidential," but an Ulysses S. Grant theme gift did not seem like a fit.

My next train of thought was to rhyme his name. "Grant the Plant!" I decided to buy him a tree.

I'm excited to watch Grant and his new liberty apple tree grow.

Here he is holding a lil' apple!

Welcome to the world Grant, our newest Cotter environmentalist!

You have already offset your baby footprint.

Georgetown Time Warp

Felt like I was back in time during a bike ride across the bridge of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Georgetown canal the other day.

Hipstamatic Cotters

A new iPhone photo app.

Photo: Paul Cotter


Photo: Mary Clare Cotter


Photo: Owen Cotter


Photo: me :)

Location: Chris and Cathy's new house in Stow, OH

Google Maps - Favorite Features

I've been glad about three new features* on Google Maps:

1. Google Earth button. It's on the right side of the screen. As someone who looks at maps a lot of the day and is too lazy to open the Google Earth application, this button is awesome! It also prevents using extra computer energy on opening a separate application. Once in Google Earth view, it's fun to slant the angle to see an altitude perspective. For instance, I like to fly over the Grand Tetons in Wyoming and the Snake River in Idaho. I really like the "Terrain" feature under the "More" button, too.

2. Live Traffic Button. Also on the right side of the screen. I just realized today that Google Maps shows live traffic status. Pretty helpful.

3. Biking Directions. Launched last month, the biking directions option has been added on the left side of the screen. Now you can choose between directions by car, public transit, walking or BICYCLE. In a city like D.C., and a lot of places, this feature is very helpful.

It looks there are mountain biking trails posted, too. See this site for more info.

If you have other features you like and use, please share! I am especially interested in creating "tour videos" through GoogleEarth or GoogleMaps and I can't figure out how. I think I have to have an upgraded version of the programs. Any tips would be useful.

* I think most of these features are new. At least they are new to me, so I thought I'd share.

USA v. England World Cup Game Re-enacted with LEGO players

Courtesy of The Guardian and http://www.legofussball.eu/

Watch it on mute. Very cute!

Time For Boating

Photo: Lowering the sailboat into the water via large pieces of webbing.

Tom's boat is in the water and it's time to sail!

Named "the Argo" after Jason and the Argonauts

Mainly, I am THRILLED about the fact I needed to buy BOAT SHOES in order to sail. Look at my boat shoes! I bought them in Portland, Maine. So Legit.

Yes, they are KEDS, and I wear them unironically. Keds rule the boat shoe world.

Here is a photo of the sail. Maybe I will blog another time about how terrifying sailing was the first time I went out on the Chesapeake. I have a lot to learn.

BOAT SHOES!