It is a fine day when you are full of pride for another person’s accomplishment and learn something new. Hank, my grandson, has learned to play chess at a relatively high level at the age of 5 and a half. Hank has learned from Coach Vellotti, a very engaging fellow, who incorporates fun into each lesson plan. Over 1500 years ago, likely in India but possibly in China, the game came into vogue. The word chaturanga, comes from India and refers to the four divisions of the military; the infantry, calvary, elephantry, and chariotry which have evolved into the modern pawn, knight, bishop, and rook. The game has continued to change to its modern form which now claims over 600 million worldwide players with 15% of Americans, 23% of Germans, 43% of Russians and 70% of Indian nationals playing at least once per year. Hank earned his 17th level at this weeks chess camp and has a medal and trophy as reminders of his accomplishments. The camp had a diverse group of children and includes some outdoor activities. I cannot beat him at chess and Hank challenged me to a run around the track at 90 plus degrees, he won that too as he saved his dash for his last move. If the current census question was a chess match, I believe POTUS is in check, the ultimate outcome of a strategically inferior approach.
My friend invited me to join him for a drink at one of Boise’s new cool places. I joined him at 4 as the doors to Water Bear were opened. By 5, the classy facility was packed to check out the newest downtown addition to the scene. I was told about the origin of the name and later did a bit more research to round out the details. Tardigrades are also known as “water bears or moss piglets.” This is not a cuddly cute creature but rather a water born phylum of water dwelling eight legged segmented micro-animals. The name means “slow-steppers” as first described by an Italian biologist. The water bear has been found everywhere – from mountain tops, to the depths of the ocean, mud volcanoes, as well as tropical rainforests and Antarctica. Tardigrades are among the most resilient animals known, they are able to survive extreme conditions that would be fatal to nearly all other life forms. The creatures live through high and low pressures, air deprivation, radiation, dehydration, starvation and exposure to outer space. What can we learn from a phylum that traces its ancestors back 530 million years? As a long term banker, I always hope that a new bar/restaurant can sustain the normal great start. I think naming your endeavor for a proven survivor with a catchy name is a fine idea. Stop by the Water Bear and help them succeed.
Charles Darwin made the point, “it is not the strongest species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.”
Wishing you an excellent summer week end, Mike