We value personal freedom and the ability to make choices about how we live our lives. So I always thought of a constraint with a negative connotation. In my operations course we studied the Theory of Constraints in improving production. There are lots of interesting games to demonstrate the concept. By recognizing the constraint as a bottleneck, optimizing it, and developing parallel processes, we could increase efficiency. In our own lives, we deal with constraints that are both external and inherent. After taking my motorcycle road test, I realized that constraints can be both limits as well as a safety margin as you aim for a goal.
On the second day on the bikes, we spent time on emergency maneuvers such as weaves around an obstruction, stopping in a turn (straighten the wheel first), and close in directional changes. Cones were set up to simulate parked busses, guardrails, and curbs. We needed to stay within the lines, yet at the same time, use all the available space to complete the task safely. On my practice course reversal, I was so intent on staying far from the line, that I got too slow and too tight, and I gently dropped the bike. Having the will to get close to the edge, with adequate power, made all the difference. The only points I lost on the test were for not staying on the throttle through the curve. I had plenty of room to lean and look to the end of course, but old habits, and a bit of fear, took over. I was pretty giddy, nonetheless, to get my certificate.
The ultimate study in bottlenecks is the DMV. I went to Warwick for the “express” service. It was actually interesting to watch the rate inflow based on type of service and number of clerks. I also saw pragmatism at its best. People that could not wait any longer would give their number to someone who had a higher number, who would subsequently do the same for someone else. Even if the gain wasn’t that great, the smiles were worth it. I suppose you could start a scalping business if you got there early enough….
Now the current constraints about getting a bike involve parking, location, and a few other factors. I did get a nice e mail from my son in LA. He’s thinking about bike school and maybe a trip for us up the Pacific Coast Highway. I don’t know about you, but one of the things that keeps me going is planning trips and new experiences for the future.I can imagine the sunlight reflecting off the waves and the smell of air.
And I’ll remember the constraints of safety gear, weather limits, and my own abilities – I want to stay around for quite a few more miles.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Power Through the Curve
Often during a change in direction, when the path is heading off course, additional power is required.
I shared with you my experiences of faith during a taxi ride on the back of a 125 cc motorbike from Cap Haitian to Milot. I found that by leaning with the driver and allowing myself to flow with the machine, I not only traversed a distance, but also experienced the world in a different realm. I have read Pirsig’s “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” both in college and again over the last few years. Although it is in part an autobiographical story of a motorcycle trip he took with his son, the underlying philosophical discussions center around the dynamic tension with the Zen of being in the moment, and the importance of rational thought and action to maintain order.
I had a little free time before going back to Boston for school this summer. And despite the ribbing of my sons about a midlife crisis, I enrolled in the Rhode Island motorcycle school at CCRI. My classmates were as diverse in their own ways as my colleagues at Harvard - yet with a shared interest. Our first day was spent in class understanding the mechanics of a bike, how it differed from a car, risk recognition and management (right up my alley), and the mindset needed to ride safely. There would be a lot of counterintuitive mind/muscle memory training. For example to turn a bike right, you push the right handlebar down and away, causing a lean. If you feel the changes, your body will follow and you must look far into the distance, of not where you are now, but where you want the bike to go. And here’s the cool thing, if you start to go wide, you can’t roll off the power or hit the brake as you’ll lose traction and stability. Instead, you must lean harder and add more power to drive yourself through the turn and back on course. It takes both the Zen of the moment and the rationality of basic physics. With thought, none of this surprised me. In flying, when you start a turn, you add back pressure since you are changing the component of lift, and add power to maintain airspeed. I know I’ve done that right when I take someone along, bank 45 degrees to the right so they can look down the wing, and they feel no sense of falling, just gentle pressure into their seat.
Today was a 5 hour riding range starting at 0645. The bikes had seen their share of students, with scratches and dents, but the headlights still glowed and the controls were responsive. Despite the heat we all wore long sleeves and pants with boots, helmets, and gloves. After some basic warm ups, we began track work. I was having trouble with my turns –until I realized I wasn’t looking where I wanted to be, I was looking just in front of me. Once I trained myself to look beyond the entrance, to the end of the curve, it all fell into place. As I rolled on the throttle, the bike became more stable. As we practiced panic stops, I was able to modulate how hard to squeeze (after I’d locked up the wheels a couple of times.) The time went quickly, and I’m looking forward to another session tomorrow.
I’ve sometimes been accused of thinking too much, and at other times being a bit impulsive. What I am learning during this change in direction is that we can and should experience both the real and romanticized aspects of life.
And sometimes Zen will tell you to add power and lean in, even if it doesn’t seem rational.
I shared with you my experiences of faith during a taxi ride on the back of a 125 cc motorbike from Cap Haitian to Milot. I found that by leaning with the driver and allowing myself to flow with the machine, I not only traversed a distance, but also experienced the world in a different realm. I have read Pirsig’s “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” both in college and again over the last few years. Although it is in part an autobiographical story of a motorcycle trip he took with his son, the underlying philosophical discussions center around the dynamic tension with the Zen of being in the moment, and the importance of rational thought and action to maintain order.
I had a little free time before going back to Boston for school this summer. And despite the ribbing of my sons about a midlife crisis, I enrolled in the Rhode Island motorcycle school at CCRI. My classmates were as diverse in their own ways as my colleagues at Harvard - yet with a shared interest. Our first day was spent in class understanding the mechanics of a bike, how it differed from a car, risk recognition and management (right up my alley), and the mindset needed to ride safely. There would be a lot of counterintuitive mind/muscle memory training. For example to turn a bike right, you push the right handlebar down and away, causing a lean. If you feel the changes, your body will follow and you must look far into the distance, of not where you are now, but where you want the bike to go. And here’s the cool thing, if you start to go wide, you can’t roll off the power or hit the brake as you’ll lose traction and stability. Instead, you must lean harder and add more power to drive yourself through the turn and back on course. It takes both the Zen of the moment and the rationality of basic physics. With thought, none of this surprised me. In flying, when you start a turn, you add back pressure since you are changing the component of lift, and add power to maintain airspeed. I know I’ve done that right when I take someone along, bank 45 degrees to the right so they can look down the wing, and they feel no sense of falling, just gentle pressure into their seat.
Today was a 5 hour riding range starting at 0645. The bikes had seen their share of students, with scratches and dents, but the headlights still glowed and the controls were responsive. Despite the heat we all wore long sleeves and pants with boots, helmets, and gloves. After some basic warm ups, we began track work. I was having trouble with my turns –until I realized I wasn’t looking where I wanted to be, I was looking just in front of me. Once I trained myself to look beyond the entrance, to the end of the curve, it all fell into place. As I rolled on the throttle, the bike became more stable. As we practiced panic stops, I was able to modulate how hard to squeeze (after I’d locked up the wheels a couple of times.) The time went quickly, and I’m looking forward to another session tomorrow.
I’ve sometimes been accused of thinking too much, and at other times being a bit impulsive. What I am learning during this change in direction is that we can and should experience both the real and romanticized aspects of life.
And sometimes Zen will tell you to add power and lean in, even if it doesn’t seem rational.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Anniversaries
This week marks six months since the earthquake that devastated Port au Prince, sent shockwaves around the world, and altered lives both for the victims and those that cared for them. Although my initial entries were optimistic regarding the recovery, the pace is much slower than any of us would like, and the underlying government and infrastructure issues remain. The President has been seen intermittently, yet a truly functional oversight system is nonexistent.(picture is of the presidential palace before and after) Aid continues to come in, albeit at a reduced pace. There are articles suggesting that large fortunes will be made by bidding out reconstruction projects. One would hope that this money will stay in Haiti, but history would predict otherwise. Nonetheless, the milestone of a six month anniversary, and the coverage it receives, will once again increase awareness. Hopefully, it will also provide a chance for reevaluation and course correction.
My last blog discussed the concept of the golden hour and how we mark and experience the passage of time. Anniversaries provide resting points along this continuum. How do we set goals, when we don’t have a tangible end in sight? How do we reflect on what we have accomplished if we don’t pause and mark the progress compared to similar periods? And why do some religions mark the anniversary of a person’s death, rather than their birth?
At least when we’re younger, all of us looked forward to our birthdays. It would mean a party and cake, a year closer to getting a driver’s license, being able to go to bars, sign legal contracts and move toward independence. As young adults, birthdays were still fun, but began to focus on the 30th and 40th. Had we reached personal goals? What should we do in our relationships? How have family dynamics changed? For those of us now in our 50’s and 60’s, birthdays seem to come more frequently. Fortunately many of us are still active and working on healthy lifestyles. If we’ve had children, they are going out into the world and we have the chance to redefine what we want in our own lives. Our birthdays and anniversaries of relationships or jobs become times to celebrate what we have done, but also reevaluate what our future should look like. The midlife crisis is in fact a good thing, as it challenges current thinking. Finally the 70’s and 80’s aren’t old anymore. Active travel, new job and volunteer opportunities (several of my colleagues in Milot were in their 70’s), make the transition to what is hopefully a brief period of decline.
In Judaism, we are instructed to celebrate the date of our relatives’ deaths, not their births. A candle is lit and one goes to the temple to recite “Kaddish” a simple prayer of faith. You often see others, whose family member had the same date, and even if it’s been a year, there is still an acknowledged connection. The Yartzheit (Year passed) symbolically marks the movement of the departed to the next higher level. Regardless of the symbolism, I realize that I wasn’t alive at the time of my loved one’s birth, but experienced their lives as well as their passing. So it is an appropriate anniversary to celebrate and remember. Other religions celebrate the birth of their saviors as a mark for the beginning of a new age and new enlightenment. The creation of a marking point in time differentiates that moment and creates a common opportunity and experience for believers.
This week is also my own anniversary of 4 months since I went to Milot. As I think you have seen from my reflections, it has been a transformative experience. Many things have occurred that now are viewed with a different, more open perspective. I am grateful to those of you that continue to follow my ramblings, and give me support and feedback both on and offline. It is enlightening and energizing.
My hope that all of us are in a position to make decisions today that will give us new anniversaries to celebrate in the future.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
The Golden Hour
Time can be both the enemy and an ally.
In trauma surgery, we learned of “The Golden Hour.” Based on experiences from war and urban penetrating trauma, it was clear that the sooner a patient reached care after injury, the better their chance of survival. Advanced prehospital systems utilize front line providers and rapid evacuation, as well as designated trauma centers to achieve this goal. Improved survival rates from devastating injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan have left us with many young men and woman who are alive but may require extensive rehabilitation. Nonetheless, by using time to set a standard for performance, we can do miraculous things.
The opposite exists in Haiti, yet in some ways, it aids in matching available resources with patients who are most likely to benefit from them. On my first day, I saw two significant moped accidents just on my trip from the airport. Throughout my stay, we would hear of a Tap Tap accident and realize that a number of injured would die before arriving at the hospital. Those that reached us would have self selected by having stronger cardiovascular reserve and more distal orthopedic injuries. On the few occasions that a significant trauma would reach us, we had the difficult issue of limited ventilator capacity and blood banking. Similar to what we needed to do with the neonate with meconium aspiration and anoxia, aggressive intervention was not an option.
Last evening, however, I realized there was another Golden Hour – the times just before sunset and just after sunrise, when the low angle of the sun casts a golden glow over the world. Photographers use these times to stage ads, as the product takes on a warmth that emphasizes its beauty. I was coming out of Cuban Revolution around 8 and saw a rainbow, stretching across downtown. By the time I got the camera, the rainbow had disappeared, but the colors around me had softened. I appreciated nuances of architecture that I had driven by multiple times without noticing.
We think about the bright light of midday, and feel its heat. But if you look at pictures taken of someone at those times, they are often squinting, and may seem less than comfortable. Think of your own favorite moments – perhaps it is fresh coffee at dawn, or gazing over water as the sun sets. In any case, time has been your ally – it uses light to give you a golden hour of transition and enhanced beauty, then gradually lets it slip away, until you are able to experience again in the future.
When you next look at your watch, pause for a moment and appreciate what the passage of time has done for you today, and how it will lead you to tomorrow.
In trauma surgery, we learned of “The Golden Hour.” Based on experiences from war and urban penetrating trauma, it was clear that the sooner a patient reached care after injury, the better their chance of survival. Advanced prehospital systems utilize front line providers and rapid evacuation, as well as designated trauma centers to achieve this goal. Improved survival rates from devastating injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan have left us with many young men and woman who are alive but may require extensive rehabilitation. Nonetheless, by using time to set a standard for performance, we can do miraculous things.
The opposite exists in Haiti, yet in some ways, it aids in matching available resources with patients who are most likely to benefit from them. On my first day, I saw two significant moped accidents just on my trip from the airport. Throughout my stay, we would hear of a Tap Tap accident and realize that a number of injured would die before arriving at the hospital. Those that reached us would have self selected by having stronger cardiovascular reserve and more distal orthopedic injuries. On the few occasions that a significant trauma would reach us, we had the difficult issue of limited ventilator capacity and blood banking. Similar to what we needed to do with the neonate with meconium aspiration and anoxia, aggressive intervention was not an option.
Last evening, however, I realized there was another Golden Hour – the times just before sunset and just after sunrise, when the low angle of the sun casts a golden glow over the world. Photographers use these times to stage ads, as the product takes on a warmth that emphasizes its beauty. I was coming out of Cuban Revolution around 8 and saw a rainbow, stretching across downtown. By the time I got the camera, the rainbow had disappeared, but the colors around me had softened. I appreciated nuances of architecture that I had driven by multiple times without noticing.
We think about the bright light of midday, and feel its heat. But if you look at pictures taken of someone at those times, they are often squinting, and may seem less than comfortable. Think of your own favorite moments – perhaps it is fresh coffee at dawn, or gazing over water as the sun sets. In any case, time has been your ally – it uses light to give you a golden hour of transition and enhanced beauty, then gradually lets it slip away, until you are able to experience again in the future.
When you next look at your watch, pause for a moment and appreciate what the passage of time has done for you today, and how it will lead you to tomorrow.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Independence Day
I hope everyone is enjoying the Independence Day holiday weekend. It was quiet running through downtown and Federal Hill this morning. Along Atwells Avenue I saw American and Italian flags displayed together. I started thinking about how we as individuals and as countries struggle and sacrifice to have freedom. Although every country is somewhat different, there is a basic tenant of the desire to set one’s own destiny. Wars have been fought, primarily over economics,other times over longstanding class struggles, to achieve these freedoms. Some countries survive and prosper after conflicts, other remain unstable. In America, the 4th of July is a summertime staple with family, friends, parades, and fireworks. It gives us a moment to celebrate a nation, which despite its challenges, has endured for over 225 years.
As I watched the India Point fireworks, I looked around me. There were other displays, lighting up communities and their citizens in all directions. The music added to the experience (I’ve been humming “Stars and Stripes Forever” all morning.) I watched the Boston Pops Special and saw pictures of our servicemen. I thought about my Dad and what he experienced in World War II, my cousin who went to Viet Nam, and today’s troops, many the age of our kids, currently serving throughout the world.
I’ve spoken of Haiti’s independence in 1804 and the building of the Citadel and Palace San Souci. One day in March there was a lot of traffic on the single road to Milot. Busses and trucks were decorated; people were singing and blowing horns. Even though Haitian Independence Day is January 1, there are celebrations of freedom throughout the year. On that day, it was traditional to go to the Citadel. I found it wonderful that in the midst of a disaster, people took time to celebrate their heritage. I also learned on other interesting fact – you should eat soup on New Year’s Day in Haiti. Apparently, the French had limited soup consumption to their upper class. He who forgets the past....
A final story about a national celebration took place a few years ago when we took our kids to Italy and then Paris. I had made the travel arrangements without looking much at specific dates. When the flight from Florence landed in Paris, the airport was almost deserted, despite it being a weekday. We had a hard time finding a cab and meeting the people that were renting the apartment for the week. Then I realized it was July 14th – Bastille Day. Just as the 4th of July is another day for everyone else in the world, I assumed that July 14th would be a regular day for us. The unexpected upside was a great fireworks display. But now we were hungry. Someone said it felt a lot like Christmas Day when you were Jewish.
Some things are universal – we ate Chinese.
So as we celebrate our own independence as a country and face our challenges, it’s good to remember that all people strive for self determination. fulfillment, and connection. A recent spectral analysis of the Declaration of Independence showed that Thomas Jefferson had originally penned the word “subjects” but changed it to “citizens.” This was his statement that Americans were no longer ruled by another nation, but were part of an emerging democracy, with rights and responsibilities.
My hope is that all people have the opportunity to be both independent and an integral part of a functioning, supportive society.
As I watched the India Point fireworks, I looked around me. There were other displays, lighting up communities and their citizens in all directions. The music added to the experience (I’ve been humming “Stars and Stripes Forever” all morning.) I watched the Boston Pops Special and saw pictures of our servicemen. I thought about my Dad and what he experienced in World War II, my cousin who went to Viet Nam, and today’s troops, many the age of our kids, currently serving throughout the world.
I’ve spoken of Haiti’s independence in 1804 and the building of the Citadel and Palace San Souci. One day in March there was a lot of traffic on the single road to Milot. Busses and trucks were decorated; people were singing and blowing horns. Even though Haitian Independence Day is January 1, there are celebrations of freedom throughout the year. On that day, it was traditional to go to the Citadel. I found it wonderful that in the midst of a disaster, people took time to celebrate their heritage. I also learned on other interesting fact – you should eat soup on New Year’s Day in Haiti. Apparently, the French had limited soup consumption to their upper class. He who forgets the past....
A final story about a national celebration took place a few years ago when we took our kids to Italy and then Paris. I had made the travel arrangements without looking much at specific dates. When the flight from Florence landed in Paris, the airport was almost deserted, despite it being a weekday. We had a hard time finding a cab and meeting the people that were renting the apartment for the week. Then I realized it was July 14th – Bastille Day. Just as the 4th of July is another day for everyone else in the world, I assumed that July 14th would be a regular day for us. The unexpected upside was a great fireworks display. But now we were hungry. Someone said it felt a lot like Christmas Day when you were Jewish.
Some things are universal – we ate Chinese.
So as we celebrate our own independence as a country and face our challenges, it’s good to remember that all people strive for self determination. fulfillment, and connection. A recent spectral analysis of the Declaration of Independence showed that Thomas Jefferson had originally penned the word “subjects” but changed it to “citizens.” This was his statement that Americans were no longer ruled by another nation, but were part of an emerging democracy, with rights and responsibilities.
My hope is that all people have the opportunity to be both independent and an integral part of a functioning, supportive society.
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