Author: Ruby Sinreich

Here are a few more pictures taken cruising around the Rocky Mountains near Denver and Boulder:

I cruised around the Rocky Mountains today. Drove to the base of the highest paved road in the country, but didn’t drive on it, saw a too-tame deer, drove through adorable Nederland and repulsive Black Hawk, grooved to the best AM station I’ve ever heard, and very much enjoyed the drive down into Boulder.

The design here is sort of a cartoonish stylized interpretation of French. I prefer some of the other hotels by this chain. Photo taken during free wine happy hour, one thing these hotels all get right.

I had a talkative toddler right behind me, a large sleeping man between me and the bathroom, and a screaming baby a few rows away. Did I mention this was a 2 1/2 hour flight?

Granted, a sleeping seatmate is better than a chatty one. I really shouldn’t complain.

At least my laptop and phone have juice, and I have blessed headphones. Ahhh.

The latest cool thing you can do with Flickr‘s open API is Delivr Digital Postcards. Just search for photos by by tags, write your message, and send. Awesome!

This just in from Idealist:

A study conducted by North Carolina’s News-Recordhas found that gender-based pay discrepancies are persisting in the state’s nonprofit sector. In over 220 organizations surveyed, women executive directors earned an average of some 40 percent less than their male counterparts. Why the salaries are so divergent continues to be a topic of debate.

“A topic of debate?” No wonder it hasn’t changed. It should be a topic of outrage.

OK, I calmed down and looked at the actual N&R study, and it turns out they only looked at organizations in the Triad region who’s Directors make over 50k! Why? This study seems more for the benefit of business leaders than for nonprofit staff or leaders.

But then again…

A study released in February by The NonProfit Times reported that male executive directors earned an average of $108,555 last year, while women received about $77,000.

Another study, performed in 2002 by GuideStar, found that men who lead agencies earn 40 percent more than women. The study also found that men out earned women in every category of assets, from the smallest to the largest organizations.
– N & R

But seriously, the gender gap isn’t news! What’s surpising is that many of the women quoted in the story were so ho-hum about it.

So I Googled IKEA instructions in hopes that some enterprising soul had decided to create and share the useful instructions that are missing from most IKEA products*. Instead I found a few jokes and complaints about the instructions (or lack thereof) and this news item:

OSLO, Norway (Reuters) – Swedish home furnishings giant IKEA is guilty of sex discrimination by showing only men putting together furniture in its instruction manuals, Norway’s prime minister says.

IKEA, which has more than 200 stores in 32 nations, fears it might offend Muslims by depicting women assembling everything from cupboards to beds. Its manuals show only men or cartoon figures whose sex is unclear.

“This isn’t good enough,” Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik was quoted Thursday as telling the daily Verdens Gang. “It’s important to promote attitudes for sexual equality, not least in Muslim nations.”

– women’s news clippings » Gender bias in IKEA instructions?

* Although no-one had done it, someone else did suggest publishing “IKEA: The Missing Manual.”

Since last Friday, we have been trying to install this lovely new sink, basin, and cabinet from IKEA. I have to say that my normally-high opinion of IKEA is getting quite tarnished.

They do not tell you before you buy their faucet that it comes with European fittings. They probably sell hundreds of these things around the United States every week. They do not sell adaptive hardware that 99% of customers will need to connect it to their American plumbing. They don’t mention this incompatibility in the intructions, nor do their very helpful telephone support staff have any inforation to share. They can’t even tell you what type of fitting is needed!

So much for your people-friendly design, IKEA! WTF?

Because I haven’t posted much lately and because I promised some info to certain people…

First, and most importantly, the 8th annual Hi Mom! Film Festival is this weekend. If you live anywhere near central North Carolina, do yourself a favor and come check it out. There are 5 separate showings, each with their own character, so you can suit yourself. I couldn’t go last year, but the year before that was instrumental in me asking Brian out on our first date. If you come to Hi Mom, good things might happen to you too!

Last weekend Brian and I visited my mother. She lives and at the beach, and we got sunburned like stupid tourists! Ooops. Anyway, it was a really nice trip, our first visit since her husband’s memorial service in April. We also enjoyed seeing my stepbrother and his lovely wife and adorable son. I foresee more trips to the beach in the not-too-distant future.

This week, I still didn’t sell my car (oops, again). But I did request some peice of paperwork from my old bank which I need since I can’t find the title. I’m getting there…

Yesterday, I addressed (and Brian stamped and sealed) 20 invitations to the engagement party my parents are throwing for Brian and me. It’s not going to be very big, it’s mostly for old friends of my parents to get together. They were like aunts and uncles to me when I was little.

I promised the local bloggers that I would post some info about Dave Winer’s visit this weekend. After arranging for a friend to share his house for a party featuring Mr. RSS, he decided not to come. Maybe another weekend this summer. He can put his own party together next time. 😉

Finally, a very nice thing happenned. Last week my friend and handyman John Birkholz cleared the nasty vines and poison ivy that have been plaguing my prickly pear catus for the last few years. Less than a week later, the catus is happily blooming away. There are at least 4 succulent, yellow flowers on it right now and more on the way. I feel like the cactus is saying “thank you!”