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| "Together": china marker drawing on junk paper collage on journal page. |
Want music?
Click: Ambrosia, Biggest Part of Me.
2GN2S
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| Dad and I, 1994. |
For Fathers Day, I was thinking today about some of my Dad stories. There are a lot of them, I call this one ... the reluctant barber.
At age 15, I returned from Australia to live with my Dad in his tiny house in Hollywood and start high school at John Marshall. As mentioned earlier, Dad was thrifty, frugal, prudent & penny-pinching. All of those! And in fairness, he did grow up during the depression. He was a single man after the divorce when I was 5, so he didn't need much or have much. Early on, Dad decided I could save him some money. He bought a barber kit from Sears.
I hated the idea, but that didn't matter, he announced that I was his new barber. I asked, what if I botch it up? He said: "you'll learn." What if I nick it and you have a bald spot? He said, "it will grow back."
I did both of those, but he never minded, since it was free. This went on for three years until I left for college. But that wasn't the end of it. Whenever we lived in the same proximity, the reluctant barber was put back on duty. This was true to the very end. Dad passed at age 86.
Some of you know, Dad had wanted a boy, so he only called me Jack.
A German startup has designed a multifunctional backpack that transforms into an insulated sleeping space equipped with solar panels, aiming to provide practical support for people experiencing homelessness. The concept combines portability, shelter, and access to basic energy needs in a single product.
By functioning as both a backpack and a temporary sleeping solution, the design addresses challenges such as carrying personal belongings and finding a more comfortable place to rest. The integrated solar panels can potentially provide power for charging small electronic devices used for communication and accessing support services.
Homelessness affects millions of people worldwide, with many facing difficulties related to shelter, safety, and maintaining connections to healthcare, employment opportunities, and social assistance programs. Innovative products like this highlight how design thinking can be applied to address everyday challenges faced by vulnerable populations.
While technological solutions alone cannot solve the complex causes of homelessness, they can complement broader efforts involving affordable housing, mental health services, employment support, and community-based assistance. Practical innovations may help improve dignity, safety, and quality of life for those in difficult circumstances.
This initiative demonstrates how technology can be directed toward humanitarian goals rather than convenience alone. It reflects a growing movement within social innovation that focuses on creating solutions with meaningful real-world impact for underserved communities.
A 7 minute video, Autistic Teen Artist, here.
Just because ...
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| Grey-hooded Warbler |
Sunday's Smiles ...
Hoping you see all the good things in your day.
