I've never used one. They were all over Korea, though, and looked pretty neat.

Yes and no. I was a unique event, and I was glad to have been there and had the experience. But, once was enough. I spent most of the event managing stressed youth -- the concert was, as i'm sure you can imagine, an environment that was ill-suited for some of our neurodivergent youth. Also a very heavy visible police presence (tactical with assault rifles), and airport-style security to enter. All after a very stressful jamboree experience with heat emergency, heat-illness, serious infrastructure deficits, then evacuation, then government curated program/tours with police escort and minders, and a busy day in Seoul in the rain etc; some of our youth were just done. Our scheduled arrival time at the stadium was quite early; we were in our seats 4 hours before the show and not allowed to move around the stadium. Dinner was a boxed meal consisting of 5 small plain dinner rolls, 2 individually wrapped plain croissants, a bag of doritos, a small shelf-stable tube of meat paste, a small bag of jerky that was too spicy for some, and a bottle of water. Apparently there were to be bananas, but these were removed because of safety (the peels might cause a slip and fall hazard!???? Jamborees run on rumours, but this one tracks, I think.) Lunches throughout the jamboree had all been similarly weirdly bakery heavy - sometimes cake/muffins, sometimes plain bread products -- I think there must have been a bakery sponsor. I did get to see some of the back-stage area while escorting a youth to a secure quiet area. But then was not allowed to return to my seat the same way; I had to exit and re-enter the stadium to return to my seat. The concert was very orderly: orderly entry, orderly dismissal, good crown control. Quite amazing, considering it was a rescheduled-at-the-last- minute affair. It was originally scheduled for Aug 6 on the Jamboree grounds. Then that was cancelled, and the even rescheduled for Aug 11 in Jeonju. Then venue changed to Seoul bc of typhoon and evacuation. The organizers had 4 days' notice to pull it off. We were also very fortunate to be in covered seats. Those in field seats got quite wet wth the rain.

The grand finale had all the groups on the stage at the same time. It was quite something!

Not K-con in LA, but rather K-POP Super Live in Seoul World Cup Stadium. Apparently some of these acts are famous? I know nothing about K-pop, but the youth in attendance were all pretty excited about the whole thing. It was loud!!!!

Yes. And I think it's important to note that shingles vaccine preventing dementia, and shingles causing dementia are different things. They are different research questions. There may be more going on with the vaccine than simply suppressing clinical shingles cases, though that seems the most obvious.

Each national scouting org will do detailed post-mortems. BSA had members of all ranks including medical and management on scene. Their decision to pull their youth out was based on facts and real-time observation. They know. ETA: I will of course submit feedback to my own national org. Plan, Do, Review is part of our program structure. Review is baked in and expected.

Another strategy is to eat a few salty snacks throughout the day (salted nuts, roasted seaweed snacks, even chips) and drink plain water. Broth with breakfast or dinner. There isn't anything magic about electrolyte drinks; salts are salts, whether you eat them or drink them. There is a lot of marketing and hype.

Not a thing anymore. The rational for spacing covid vax from other vax was to gather data on covid vax side effects and adverse reactions without confounder of other vax at the same time.

Not great. Jet-lag plus covid is pretty crummy. But I'm not seriously ill --- just feeling unwell.

My covid avoidance streak is finally over. I succumbed last week --- thank you world scouts jamboree! Given all the problems and hardships we faced at the jamboree (flooding, heat emergency in a giant shadeless field, shocking lack of public health and public safety infrastructure, medical system overwhelm, emergency evacuation for typhoon) covid is just really just icing on the cake.

An elegant study that suggests a causal link between shingle vaccine and 20% relative risk reduction for dementia. Association between shingle vaccine and reduced dementia risk data has been floating around for some time. This latest study suggests causality --- a very big deal

We’ve been relocated to a lovely college dormitory. Beautiful modern air conditioned facility. Our hosts have been exceedingly generous. They provided us with hygiene kits, pillows, blankets, hot meals, the works. We are all so grateful. The Jamboree organizers have arranged a “jamboree on the road “. Will all be bus to various local activities and will still have the opportunity to interact with scouts from around the world.

Hello all! I am currently sitting in a shadeless field at 37°C, ambient temperature and 75% humidity, awaiting evacuation to Seoul because of the incoming Typhoon. I have a I have a lovely big umbrella, and there is a nice breeze at least. Fun times!

It’s me! I’m on site right now The heat has been ferocious and the infrastructure poor. The UK and US pulled out a few days ago due to infrastructure concerns. The army and the red cross are here now. It’s been quite an adventure so far. The site is closing because of a typhoons that’s headed for us. We are relocating to Seoul first thing tomorrow morning.

Keeping you in my thought, Melissa. Hoping for the best possible outcome.

Needle through chest into lung = percutaneous lung biopsy. Usually only need local anesthetic Though mouth or nose into lung = bronchoscopy. Often requires procedural sedation. Edited to add link

This has been a big issue for us. Racism and sexism both. Especially when DC were younger. Doubly wounding for racialized kids, I think. And especially hard to navigate for classical homeschoolers. We avoided certain classics until they were older, and others we avoided altogether. And then there was lots and lots of family discussion about racism, sexism, white supremacy, and privilege.

When they were young children and pre-teens, I curated. Censoring is too strong a word ---- nothing was strictly off-limits, but I was intentional about what was easily available. Now that they are mid-teens, I'm in an advisory role. So far so good. They value my judgement and generally respect my recommendations. We all talk a lot about what we are reading as part of our family culture, which helps; everyone knows what everyone else in the house is reading, and we often read the same books.

I stepped back at work years ago for similar reasons. I'm working fewer shifts, and have declined leadership roles. I have time for my family, and time for other unpaid but meaningful things in my life, like volunteering and advocacy. I'm earning less, (far less than peers) but it's enough --- our lifestyle isn't fancy. Absolutely worth it.

Our mystery leak beneath a window turned out to be improperly installed roof shingles. The water tracked inside the wall and seeped out onto the floor beneath and beside the window.

Fig Newtons. Excellent portable energy food for endurance exercisers! Favoured by cyclists. There are recipes for these on-line. I've never tried to make them -- seems like way too much trouble when store bought are pretty great already.

This is the one I used to learn to knit. Way back in 2008 I think.

A few days in Seoul and a few days in Jeonju before the jamboree. The Jamboree itself will be in SaeManGeum, near Byeonsanbando National Park.

We are leaving for this next week! Anyone else going? It would be fun to connect with WTMers while there 🙂

We own one of those! DH picked it up as a free cast-off somewhere. It's been super useful for sizing growing kid's feet, especially for online footwear purchases.