So i finally decided to go back to the office today. The plan is to take it easy and reintegrate to work on a paced basis. So I am going to start with 3 days a week and two days at home, telecommuting. It has been almost a month since my back decided to quit…

I saw the back surgeon my doctor recommended last Friday at the NYU Spine Center, located very close to Union Square in Manhattan. The good news is that I do not need surgery. He actually told me that my MRI looked pretty good to him and that anyone suggesting I should have surgery was just…

Given my evident lack of progress, I saw my doctor this morning and asked him for advice on next steps. He neatly explained to me that one of the three hernias (L3-L4 for those who really want to know the gory details) I have is the one causing the pain on the left side of…

It came as a complete surprise to me. This was a long weekend as today is a US Holiday. Andrés and Ana went to Washington to visit my sister. I was home alone for a few days. While in the house I spent most of my time upstairs. I was there when the door-bell rang…

My doctor recommended I go to the Chiropractor. Since I cannot drive a car or walk long distances, I search the Web for one which is locate close to home. I found one a mile away from the house who takes my health insurance. The Chiropractor saw me Tuesday and said my back looked pretty…

My back is progressing slowly. Thats is the good news. Now I have more mobility but I quickly found out that I cannot t sit down for more than 20 minutes in a row. The pain and stiffness are easy reminders as to why this is not possible. So I decided to pay avisit to…

My back is progressing very slow in spite of all the additional medicines I got from my doctor. One of them is a pain killer which helps but it is just a panacea. I know… Although I can now move around the house (slowly and gingerly ) I cannot sit for long periods of time.…

I woke up this morning with severe pain in my the left side of my lower back. In addition, I also had apparent infection in my right eye which was all stuffy and wet. When it rains it pours indeed… I managed to take a shower and get dress and was ready to make an…

Last Friday I received a call from the Mission of Spain to the UN requesting a meeting to discuss possible support for OLPC. So I had to wear a nice tie and shirt for the ensuing meeting which took place today. The meeting with the Mission’s Deputy went quite well. I presented UNDP’s take on…

Last Friday I received a call from the Mission of Spain to the UN requesting a meeting to discuss possible support for OLPC. So I had to wear a nice tie and shirt for the ensuing meeting which took place today. The meeting with the Mission’s Deputy went quite well. I presented UNDP’s take on…

I am back in Bogotá for the first time in two years. And once again, I must admit the city has changed for the best. Before, when I left twenty or so years ago, it was a small, gray and cold city, in addition to dirty and a tiny bit on the boring side. Today…

Early this morning, I got a call from a UN colleague who told me that I had made an article in a local press web service. The article is here: http://www.innercitypress.com/undp121306.html. Inner City Press has been running for a few days an exposé on UNDP. It is clear that inside information is being furnished to…