Thursday, August 28, 2008
so you just want to stay at home?
what? no one wants to go to the middle east? last i checked america was pretty neat. not to mention canada. and. i have always wanted to see a polar bear in the arctic. plus. wouldn't it be so sweet to climb down a frozen snow crevice? so sweet.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
A Nation of College Graduates
Sure, I'm a fan of higher education. I'm a college graduate myself. But these days, college degrees don't mean a whole lot. Unfortunately. Actually, education in the United States at least (prepare yourself for a sweeping generalization) doesn't mean that much. This afternoon I read this piece on The Star Ledger's website HERE. Well, it's nice to see that students are doing well on SATs and such, but standardized testing doesn't mean that much either. See. In the article the school touts the testing system as a valid form of measuring success. But from my perspective, having gone to a state school, gone through the motions of public elementary and secondary education, these tests only measure clearly commonplace status: "average."
The article also makes mention that most if not all of the students from the particular school in New Jersey intend to go to college, and actually plan on going to instate colleges. The principal of the school had the audacity to say it might be that they don't want to travel too far or it "might" be that higher education is expensive. Of course that's why they're going to instate schools. College is extraordinarily expensive, especially when you measure the gains of going. Yes, you're more intelligent, but upon graduation, since so many people are going to colleges there literally aren't enough jobs to go around. And for how many seemingly blank checks students are filling out to no end, there should be jobs that pay more than the crippling dolla-dolla-bills that young graduates are might be getting out of college. Depending on which internship one accepts or not.
As a graduate with a liberal arts degrees in both Journalism and English, I can say with certainty that the education system in the United States cares more about the institution — those it employs and ever-increasing profit margins — than the students attending the school who are emptying out their piggy bank's worth of life savings just to be there. I went to the University of Iowa, and I worked hard. I enjoyed my college experience, but that's what it was, an experience. I worked all four years (yes, I finished in four years); I participated in clubs and organizations ranging from the Newman Center to University Choir; I wrote for The Daily Iowan, was Executive Editor, Managing Director and writer at Content Magazine and was a DJ at KRUI 89.7; I worked summers. I tried hard, all in the name of getting a career rolling. I did well.
Crossing the stage, shaking hands of the professors and various university officials (all making well into the $50k-$150k range, I thought of them at their graduation. I thought of who their terrible speaker was, of who they thought they were going to be 20, 40, 60 years from their meager 20-something days. Ten professors were honored for over two hours, the last hour was dedicated to the thousands of students that paid the most expensive price of admission to that basketball stadium. For a few seconds we were honored, but it didn't seem like it was about us at all.
Now I am living in California for a short stint interning for penny's (more than many of my peers are making as they intern for free, see Reality Bites below). As I attempt to flee working a dead end job that will at least give me health care, I'm here without any real cash — save for my piggy bank. I have to dig deeper into debt, because that seems to be the only way to get ahead in this world. You have to spend money to make it. And it's ridiculous. Everyone is trying to make money, but in their desire to gain a bonus they're essentially robbing the very people that make their company go-go-go. And, for the most part, company executives don't do this intentionally. Many people have mouths to feed and bills to pay, and to each his own, right? Take care of self first, right? The only way to sustain existence, right? As a 22-year-old University of Iowa graduate, Lake Forest High School graduate, Deerfield Junior High graduate, as a learned person, as someone worth employing, why does even a $35,000 job make it hard to make ends meet? By the time rent's spent, groceries bought, health care paid for, general appliances cashed out, and maybe a little tucked away for savings or a rainy day — why then, why is there still not much left? Most jobs are 40 hours a week, then another two hours in transportation time, so that's 10 hours a day, leaving between 4-5 hours left a day for life outside of sleeping and working. We're killing ourselves to get jobs that don't pay and steal our time. Our. Precious. Valuable. Time. Check out the October issue of Ode Magazine when it comes out for a peak into what a NYC schoolteacher thinks of the education institution post teaching days. I also put together a Q&A with the teacher to be put on the Web as well.
For those students graduating from high school, please head onto college, but know that even that won't be enough to get you the white picket fence, the brick house, the good neighborhood, the nice clothes. It will only get you average, and when you think of average, think nothing special. As individuals we need to think of ways to be special, to get what we want, but not at the expense of someone else. We need to be more conscious in our actions, and please, don't reward the status quo. That's a surefire way of rewarding no one.
"This year's SAT averages in themselves are not all that notable, as they were close to those in 2007 and typically change little from year to year.
Nationally, the averages didn't shift a single point from last year: 515 in math, 502 in reading, and 494 in writing, each out of a maximum 800."
-The Star Ledger
The article also makes mention that most if not all of the students from the particular school in New Jersey intend to go to college, and actually plan on going to instate colleges. The principal of the school had the audacity to say it might be that they don't want to travel too far or it "might" be that higher education is expensive. Of course that's why they're going to instate schools. College is extraordinarily expensive, especially when you measure the gains of going. Yes, you're more intelligent, but upon graduation, since so many people are going to colleges there literally aren't enough jobs to go around. And for how many seemingly blank checks students are filling out to no end, there should be jobs that pay more than the crippling dolla-dolla-bills that young graduates are might be getting out of college. Depending on which internship one accepts or not.
As a graduate with a liberal arts degrees in both Journalism and English, I can say with certainty that the education system in the United States cares more about the institution — those it employs and ever-increasing profit margins — than the students attending the school who are emptying out their piggy bank's worth of life savings just to be there. I went to the University of Iowa, and I worked hard. I enjoyed my college experience, but that's what it was, an experience. I worked all four years (yes, I finished in four years); I participated in clubs and organizations ranging from the Newman Center to University Choir; I wrote for The Daily Iowan, was Executive Editor, Managing Director and writer at Content Magazine and was a DJ at KRUI 89.7; I worked summers. I tried hard, all in the name of getting a career rolling. I did well.
Crossing the stage, shaking hands of the professors and various university officials (all making well into the $50k-$150k range, I thought of them at their graduation. I thought of who their terrible speaker was, of who they thought they were going to be 20, 40, 60 years from their meager 20-something days. Ten professors were honored for over two hours, the last hour was dedicated to the thousands of students that paid the most expensive price of admission to that basketball stadium. For a few seconds we were honored, but it didn't seem like it was about us at all.
Now I am living in California for a short stint interning for penny's (more than many of my peers are making as they intern for free, see Reality Bites below). As I attempt to flee working a dead end job that will at least give me health care, I'm here without any real cash — save for my piggy bank. I have to dig deeper into debt, because that seems to be the only way to get ahead in this world. You have to spend money to make it. And it's ridiculous. Everyone is trying to make money, but in their desire to gain a bonus they're essentially robbing the very people that make their company go-go-go. And, for the most part, company executives don't do this intentionally. Many people have mouths to feed and bills to pay, and to each his own, right? Take care of self first, right? The only way to sustain existence, right? As a 22-year-old University of Iowa graduate, Lake Forest High School graduate, Deerfield Junior High graduate, as a learned person, as someone worth employing, why does even a $35,000 job make it hard to make ends meet? By the time rent's spent, groceries bought, health care paid for, general appliances cashed out, and maybe a little tucked away for savings or a rainy day — why then, why is there still not much left? Most jobs are 40 hours a week, then another two hours in transportation time, so that's 10 hours a day, leaving between 4-5 hours left a day for life outside of sleeping and working. We're killing ourselves to get jobs that don't pay and steal our time. Our. Precious. Valuable. Time. Check out the October issue of Ode Magazine when it comes out for a peak into what a NYC schoolteacher thinks of the education institution post teaching days. I also put together a Q&A with the teacher to be put on the Web as well.
For those students graduating from high school, please head onto college, but know that even that won't be enough to get you the white picket fence, the brick house, the good neighborhood, the nice clothes. It will only get you average, and when you think of average, think nothing special. As individuals we need to think of ways to be special, to get what we want, but not at the expense of someone else. We need to be more conscious in our actions, and please, don't reward the status quo. That's a surefire way of rewarding no one.
"Everyone's special, Dash."
"Which is another way of saying no one is."
-The Incredibles
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
"i got somethin' on my mind-grapes."
"I speak to this because I have got the strong impression that there are rather a lot of Christians who shut their eyes to harsh realities, including sin. The good people of my Episcopal church, despite my letter, were doing just that sort of eye-shutting. No doubt Christians I'm speaking of hate sin (when they can see it), but they are unwilling to look at unpleasant realities—unwilling, indeed, even to look at, let alone love, the sinner. It would be sad if the world saw Christians as so many ostriches with their heads buried firmly in the sand. But many do see Christians that way. That's not the faith that will overcome the world."
—"Under the Mercy," Sheldon Vanauken
Sunday, August 17, 2008
oh come on. this is too perfect.
titled: why you gotta leave me hanging weather channel?
seriously. i don't know how this happened. but it's too perfect. too. perfect.
seriously. i don't know how this happened. but it's too perfect. too. perfect.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Working Villages International
I'm working on a piece about an eco-village community in the Democratic Republic of Congo, specifically in the Ruzizi Valley. I learned about it on Ode Magazine's exchange. It's pretty neat actually. Here's some more information, should you be intrigued:
1. Working Villages International Homepage
2. Ode Magazine's, Exchange Story
3. Africa Aid Organization
Just a start into various places people can help.
Part of the reason I'm feeling more proactive in aid organizations and relief groups is from working at Ode, but also, I know there are tons of people that want to help and don't know how. I plan on posting more places where people can give in some way, either time, money or prayers. But, a good place to check if there's anywhere local is to go to Volunteer Match. It's a website that has listings of everywhere people can get involved locally. It's pretty great, and people can always use another person willing to give of themselves. And, as always, it's very easy to donate money at church, or at other religious services for different faiths. Plus, you can help others give by giving them charity-styled gifts, like a gift certificate where they can pick where to donate funds, like at TisBest, JustGive and many others. Plus, I'm sure each of you knows someone who personally needs charitable giving to do what they do, like friends who volunteer with Campus Crusade for Christ or someone who's raising money for some sort of health research or for a Breast Cancer walk. At the University of Iowa students raise money for children's cancer research with Dance Marathon. People always need help, so give from what you have, what you can. It's important, because only together can we make a difference.
1. Working Villages International Homepage
2. Ode Magazine's, Exchange Story
3. Africa Aid Organization
Just a start into various places people can help.
Part of the reason I'm feeling more proactive in aid organizations and relief groups is from working at Ode, but also, I know there are tons of people that want to help and don't know how. I plan on posting more places where people can give in some way, either time, money or prayers. But, a good place to check if there's anywhere local is to go to Volunteer Match. It's a website that has listings of everywhere people can get involved locally. It's pretty great, and people can always use another person willing to give of themselves. And, as always, it's very easy to donate money at church, or at other religious services for different faiths. Plus, you can help others give by giving them charity-styled gifts, like a gift certificate where they can pick where to donate funds, like at TisBest, JustGive and many others. Plus, I'm sure each of you knows someone who personally needs charitable giving to do what they do, like friends who volunteer with Campus Crusade for Christ or someone who's raising money for some sort of health research or for a Breast Cancer walk. At the University of Iowa students raise money for children's cancer research with Dance Marathon. People always need help, so give from what you have, what you can. It's important, because only together can we make a difference.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
"What Led Me to this Town?" The Jayhawks
What led me to this town
Room to roam but no place called home
Dazed at first but shaking off the Sunday gloom
What led me to this town?
Such a lazy afternoon
Eight shades of gray and I can taste the rain
Oh, how high the lovely have flown
What led me to this town?
Blue lights shining over my life
Blue lights shining over my life
Sometimes I can't get free
When you're standing right there in front of me
I woke up one day and my dreams were gone
What led me to this town?
Blue lights shining over my life
Blue lights shining over me
Are you keeping a secret?
Well I'm keeping one too
Can you keep it a secret, I'm in love with you
What happened to this boy?
Such a lovely mother's son
Blue lights shining over my life
Blue lights shining over me
Friday, August 08, 2008
in case you thought you could get away...
o, everyone knows i love natalie dee doodles. she's funny. what can i say?
this one speaks loads about summer.
see.
i hate bugs. i understand they're necessary, whatever. i get it. im just as sad as the next person that the bees are disappearing. what?—you didn't hear? yeah, they're dying out mysteriously. something to do with wireless phones. anyway. my traditional summer catch phrase is: "Get outta here, Bug!"
Because, yes, bugs ruins everything. that's why they say when there's something wrong with something, oh like, say, a computer, they say there's bugs in it.
san francisco has bugs. gnats to be specific. my housemate composts. which is all well and good. but she doesn't know how to do it right because our house is full of gnats. to do composting right you need to have a little pile of dirt to throw over the uneaten food scraps. we don't have a little pile of dirt. just a gnat infestation. and my room's next to the kitchen. ick.
well, you can't win 'em all. at least i'm not a bug.
this one speaks loads about summer.
see.
i hate bugs. i understand they're necessary, whatever. i get it. im just as sad as the next person that the bees are disappearing. what?—you didn't hear? yeah, they're dying out mysteriously. something to do with wireless phones. anyway. my traditional summer catch phrase is: "Get outta here, Bug!"
Because, yes, bugs ruins everything. that's why they say when there's something wrong with something, oh like, say, a computer, they say there's bugs in it.
san francisco has bugs. gnats to be specific. my housemate composts. which is all well and good. but she doesn't know how to do it right because our house is full of gnats. to do composting right you need to have a little pile of dirt to throw over the uneaten food scraps. we don't have a little pile of dirt. just a gnat infestation. and my room's next to the kitchen. ick.
well, you can't win 'em all. at least i'm not a bug.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Visible Changes
During my final year at Iowa I had the pleasure of continuing to write for the Daily Iowan newspaper. I usually wrote arts and culture stories, but periodically I'd somehow end up in the metro section with a good story. One worth telling. In February I wrote a story about Invisible Children, an aid organization based in San Diego, California, that was set up to benefit the children of northern Uganda. In 2003 a film was shot to tell the story of child soldiers and the mounting internally displaced people caught in the crossfire. Five years later there has been noticeable change, especially with regard to the continued peace talks between rebel leaders of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and the Ugandan government. For more information on the peace talks click here. Later in the year the University of Iowa's Invisible Children chapter hosted a benefit concert to raise awareness and funds for the northern Ugandan children, where I was again to write a piece on them. Since those two stories I have thought more of the movement and the US role in aiding foreign countries and have often found myself wanting to have a hand in it, rather than merely writing about it. Though, clearly both are necessary. That brings me to today.
Today I was checking out the progress of Invisible Children and learning more about the struggle on another blog and saw this above video. We'll see where this all takes me, but all I know is I have to use my skills to help others. It's too hard to stand idly by as the world turns, especially since that's not like me at all. But until I know what my next move is, all I can do is do what I know how, spend my time wisely, and help the world turn, not just watch it turn. So, volunteer it is, starting with a Habitat for Humanity project in Golden Gate Park Saturday morning bright and early. Volunteermatch.org is a lifesaver.
So, basically, I challenge myself as much as my stories challenge others to live outside yourself, and live a good story to tell about later.
Check it out: Invisible Children Video
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
ABC's to Stress
ABC's popular television show, Lost, has been occupying most of my time as of late. I don't have cable at my house in San Francisco, I didn't have cable at my house in Iowa City, and my brothers were watching cable at home so I never was able to in Lake Forest. So, I don't really watch television. I'm not against people who do. I don't think it does bad things to a person. It might be an escape from reality for many viewers, but honestly, it's not that big of a deal. My housemate in San Francisco thinks television should be just one of those things you do when you're sick or there's a special like the Olympics or Living Life Organically. What have you. So, as I have few friends in this city it's been easy to slip into sort of a groove where I work all day during the week, periodically hang out with a friend or two, and then settle down in the confines of my bed, flip open my Mac Book, type in www.abc.com and let it lead me to Lost.
I know, I know. I should go to a coffee house. Meet some random people, become best friends, la-dee-da. But I'm too tired during the week, so Lost it is. While I'm clearly a fan, as I've gotten through 2-and-a-half seasons already, I think it's the main reason why I wake up with a headache. See, I clench my teeth when I'm stressed out or feeling anxious. I do it without noticing, and I usually do it while I sleep all night. It causes me to have really sore teeth and tender cheeks and temples. And headaches. Oh, the headaches. The doctor says it's TMJ, Temporomandibular Joint disorder. Lame. Since I have this quite regularly I sometimes sleep with a sort of mouth guard in, but I left it in Chicago, because I hadn't needed it in a few months. I thought I was over it. No dice. Lost apparently makes me all tense. I think it also my be this new job. I've been here for about a month and still feel a bit tense, and now that my main overseer isn't in the office daily, I think it might be better. I don't feel as much stress to get everything done super quickly without mistakes. I work better when I'm just all by myself. But, I guess with any new job one has to adapt. I just hope these headaches go away. It's not healthy to pop Ibuprofen daily, but it does make the pain subside.
For now, I'll simply have to cut back on Lost and instead get calm before I rest for the day.
I know, I know. I should go to a coffee house. Meet some random people, become best friends, la-dee-da. But I'm too tired during the week, so Lost it is. While I'm clearly a fan, as I've gotten through 2-and-a-half seasons already, I think it's the main reason why I wake up with a headache. See, I clench my teeth when I'm stressed out or feeling anxious. I do it without noticing, and I usually do it while I sleep all night. It causes me to have really sore teeth and tender cheeks and temples. And headaches. Oh, the headaches. The doctor says it's TMJ, Temporomandibular Joint disorder. Lame. Since I have this quite regularly I sometimes sleep with a sort of mouth guard in, but I left it in Chicago, because I hadn't needed it in a few months. I thought I was over it. No dice. Lost apparently makes me all tense. I think it also my be this new job. I've been here for about a month and still feel a bit tense, and now that my main overseer isn't in the office daily, I think it might be better. I don't feel as much stress to get everything done super quickly without mistakes. I work better when I'm just all by myself. But, I guess with any new job one has to adapt. I just hope these headaches go away. It's not healthy to pop Ibuprofen daily, but it does make the pain subside.
For now, I'll simply have to cut back on Lost and instead get calm before I rest for the day.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
ODE MAGAZINE
So, most of you are aware I'm working at Ode Magazine. It's an international, alt-monthly. We focus on positive news, but it's not that we're unaware of bad things happening to good people. We're intelligent about it, I guess you could say. We're getting set to launch our next issue in a few weeks. I got to see the sneak preview of it yesterday. Kind of exciting! I've got two mini pieces in it of about 300 words each. Still, it's cool. Plus, I did some layout for the web page we have in the magazine and wrote small minor things that don't get bylines. No biggie. Check it out if you want, just by clicking here.
You can also check out my special profile page. I mention my new favorite thing: vietnamese coffee.
That's all for now. If you see Ode's Silence issue from last month, it's still in stores at Whole Foods, Borders, Barnes & Noble and I think just recently we opened up an account with CVS. It's sweet to be part of something that is growing.
You can also check out my special profile page. I mention my new favorite thing: vietnamese coffee.
That's all for now. If you see Ode's Silence issue from last month, it's still in stores at Whole Foods, Borders, Barnes & Noble and I think just recently we opened up an account with CVS. It's sweet to be part of something that is growing.
Friday, August 01, 2008
Setting Sail
Since my computer was stolen last year I haven't completely put my album collection on my iTunes. Today, while at work, I was listening to Pandora.com and was really in the mood for some Dave Matthews Band, surprisingly enough. Anyway, I hadn't listened to Dave's solo album in a long time, and this song popped up. Good one. Here are the lyrics. I'd like to think of myself as a ship in bottle that's set sail against the current. It's exciting to be doing what I had always wanted to do. I'm out in the world, living across the country, exploring life for a bit, trying to create a niche while I'm here. I'm here, aren't I? If everything is lost, make sure to check out Pandora.com the next shot you get.
Baby
Baby, It's alright
Stop your cryin' now
Nothing is here to stay
Everything has to begin and end
A ship in a bottle won't sail
All we can do is dream that the
wind will blow us across the water
A ship in a bottle set sail
Baby, It's alright
Stop your cryin' now
There was a weakling man
who dreamed he was strong as a hurricane
A ship in a bottle set sail
He took a deep breath and blew across the world
he watched everything crumble
woke up a weakling again
Some might tell you there's no hope in hand
just because they feel hopeless
but you don't have to be a thing like that
You'll be a ship in a bottle set sail
Baby' It's alright stop your cryin' now
It's alright so stop your cryin' now
You'll be a ship in a bottle set sail
Baby
Baby, It's alright
Stop your cryin' now
Nothing is here to stay
Everything has to begin and end
A ship in a bottle won't sail
All we can do is dream that the
wind will blow us across the water
A ship in a bottle set sail
Baby, It's alright
Stop your cryin' now
There was a weakling man
who dreamed he was strong as a hurricane
A ship in a bottle set sail
He took a deep breath and blew across the world
he watched everything crumble
woke up a weakling again
Some might tell you there's no hope in hand
just because they feel hopeless
but you don't have to be a thing like that
You'll be a ship in a bottle set sail
Baby' It's alright stop your cryin' now
It's alright so stop your cryin' now
You'll be a ship in a bottle set sail
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