Blog Master G

Understanding the world around us is something that many people take for granted. Admittedly, I have a hard time identifying all 50 United states on a map, let alone other countries around the globe.

I trace this back to a States test I took in 5th grade. Each kid in the class had to keep taking the test until he or she received 100%. After several attempts, I was still unable to pass. When I was one of only a small group (2 or 3 kids total) who couldn’t pass, I decided to throw in the towel. I came prepared with a map in my backpack that hung over the back of my chair and was accessible during test time. Yes, I cheated on my 5th grade U.S. geography test. I passed.

In the spirit of my ongoing challenge to name all 50 states (I can do it just about every time these days!), Jen found this states game for me on November 9.

Why do I mention this now? First, so that I can move that email from Jen out of my email inbox now that I’ve captured it here. Second, in honor of GIS Day, which is tomorrow. I learned this from my coworker Ben, who was my feedback partner during last week’s ELP. He develops GIS software for Autodesk, so I’m sure he knows quite a bit more about geography than I do. And worlds more than the average American.

It is also fitting that I mention this today since the largest oil spill in history has occurred off the coast of Spain. Twenty million gallons of gas oil have spilled, compared with the 11 million that were spilled by Exxon-Valdez in 1989. It is so sad what we are doing to this world.