Wrong Side of the River

Just sitting in "my" apartment. I put the "my" in quotations because it really isn't mine. A dear friend is letting me stay with her for a few weeks. I know I've only been in the city for two days but one thing is for sure; New Jersey is the place dreams go to die. I still haven't actually been to NYC properly and that makes it quite difficult to find a job.

Life is just so frustrating. I know what I want but I don't know what I need to do to make it happen. I am desperately lacking in some practical tools.

Also I really want some cannoli...

The City By the Bay

I'm sitting in the Long Beach airport with nothing to do. It's a problem when you spend more time traveling then at your destination.

I spent yesterday night and a few hours this morning in San Francisco. I was there to audition for a spot in The New School's MFA drama program. I had to do a couple monologues for the DEAN of the program. That was nerve-wracking! But I survived. Let's just hope I impressed them enough to get a callback.

The city itself wasn't bad. It kind of reminded me of NYC. If New York was built in the middle of some hills and had a really crappy subway system.

The food was fab! Last night I went to Pier 39 and had some traditional sourdough at the Boudin Cafe. This afternoon I had some of the best curry of my life!

So overall a good trip just promise me that I will never have to spend another second at the Long Beach Airport.

SOPA, Blackouts, and Pirates, Oh My!

(I just have a lot of feelings! Also, this sucker got published in Rexburg Idaho's most trusted news source. Want proof? Find yourself a copy of the Jan. 24th Standard Journal, turn to the Opinion page, and read for your self.)

Millions of people all over the world heaved a collective sigh of relief on the morning of Jan. 20^th. A day after the single largest internet strike in history,  Rep. Lamar Smith withdrew the controversial SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) from legislative consideration. Just an hour later, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced that a vote on SOPA’s sister bill, PIPA (Protect IP Act), would be put on hold indefinitely. This was seen as a great victory for all of us who see freedom of information as the basis for a strong and stable democracy. I want you to imagine a world without the internet. I know for some of you that won’t be that difficult. But for those of my generation and younger who have come to depend on that soft glow of the computer screen, this world is unacceptable. The internet has reshaped the very fabric of the world. It has changed the way we interact with each other and the way we teach and learn.

What SOPA would have done is cut off access to millions of webpages that are found to be hosting or providing access to copyrighted material. This means that if you put a link on your Facebook page to a YouTube video for your new favorite Lady Gaga song, Facebook would be obligated to cut off all access to your page. This has massive implications for continued net neutrality and creative commons use. The public has a fundamental right to use and access this information on the internet. There are countless underground communities of incredibly creative individuals that use copyrighted material to create everything from art to literature to music. Anyone who doesn’t believe me needs to spend 15 min. scrolling though Tumblr and you will see what I mean. Draconian copyright laws have the power to crush these thriving communities. You have these multi-billion corporations crying foul when 13 year olds and grandmothers download the newest episode of Community or make a video of themselves dancing to a Michael Jackson song. What we really need is to experience a fundamental paradigm shift –freedom of speech must begin to incorporate ideas of fair use.

Now, I know what some of you are thinking. SOPA (and PIPA) were originally created to put an end to the reign of digital pirates illegally downloading and sharing copyrighted material. This is a real problem! Or is it? Proponents of these types of laws point to the millions of dollars in decreased CD sales since the advent of digital music sharing. But, according to an International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) study published in 2009, music sharers (pirates) are 64% more likely than regular music buyers to purchase music online. These so called "freeloaders" simply have a greater demand for music than the average person, one that their limited budgets can't deal with. This goes the same for other forms of digital media. People who are labeled pirates buy the majority of movies, TV shows, audiobooks, and computer/video games but don't have the means to fulfill their demand and so they supplement their purchases with free material.


The real problem is the entertainment industry’s refusal to change their business model. They need to rethink the way the distribute their products. Record companies, TV networks, and the film industry want to cut down on illegal downloading? I’ve got five pretty simple solutions that don’t require government censorship. 1) Make your TV show/music/movie/whatever available online; 2) put ads on it so you can make money off of it, or (even better) sell the viewing rights to a video streaming service, like Netflix or Hulu; 3) make it available everywhere not just the country of origin; 4) make is available as soon as it airs/becomes legally offered—not  the next day or the next week, literally as soon as physically possible; and finally 5) realize that the old primary methods of distribution (CDs, theatres, cable TV, etc.) are premium services and are just way too expensive to rely on any longer especially in a world of  internet streaming. 

Yes, I know. I just saved the entertainment industry. You’re welcome. I’ll be expecting a check in the mail. 

Class of 2011

I am officially a college graduate. Four and a half years of frustration and headaches and I finally have something to show for it. Sort of.

I don't know which is more terrifying; never finding a job or working somewhere I hate. My parents would claim it is the first one. They think I'm some privileged person with an inflated sense of her own place in the world when I don't want to take a minimum wage job at McDonalds.

It is really tough to reconcile the fact that I need a job with the story I've been told my whole life: "If you want a good job than go to college!" I don't think it is picky to expect a decent job since I've got a degree. Maybe I'm delusional.

It would be really nice to get some sort of proof that I'm not.

10 Years Later

I still remember where I was when I first heard the news. It was a normal day. I had just started 7^th grade and was still getting used to my new homeroom. When the principle started morning announcements there was something different in his voice. He then explained the tragedy that was currently unfolding in New York City. My teacher quickly turned on the television. All day we just sat and watched the news and stared in horror. No one could believe what was happening. 


I remember sitting in gym talking with a friend. Even then we both knew this was huge. It would change the face of not only the United States but also the world. This would be in history books. This was going to be our generations Vietnam. 


It was this day that ultimately lead to my decision to be involved with politics. It was the day I decided I must stand up for human decency and freedom all across the global. There is enough fighting and contention in the world. Hate only breeds hate. Injustice only breeds injustice. In those few days and weeks after 9/11 this country came together in a way that had never been seen. There is no reason why we cannot have that spirit with us all the time. To not remember is a mockery to those who died that day.


I found this article (Our Post 9/11 Failures) today I think it says it better than I ever could...

We failed the biggest test posed by the 9/11 outrage: In our anger and dismay we failed to recognize our common humanity, that we are made for love and that acts such as those committed on that day are an aberration. When we looked at the terrorists we did not see ourselves, we did not consider how our actions and posturing in the world may have contributed to the crime. No. We saw “others,” and we demonized them. (Archbishop Desmond Tutu)

Back Home and Away

I feel bad I don't update more often but I seriously have nothing to talk about. At this point in my life I am uber-boring.

I finished up Spring Semester. Considering the amount of work I put in to it (and the amount of class I went to [re: almost none]) I think I did pretty well.

I have one semester left of my undergraduate education; which is absolutely insane. I am starting my grad school applications and that is going to put me in an early grave. Who knew personal statements where so incredibly frustrating to write. I will keep everyone updated on my progress.

In other news, I am currently babysitting my cousins two dogs; Ruby and Max. That's been an adventure.

The "Other" Blog

Also I don't think I ever shared this.

This is my other blog on Tumblr.

http://pocket-change.tumblr.com/

I post pictures and quotes and random little things.

Time is a Funny Thing...

...sometimes it goes by so fast you don't even realize it.

This has been an interesting last few months.

The last time we talked I was incapacitated by a sprained ankle and a psychosis inducing living situation . I have since removed myself from the poison environment that was my apartment and my ankle is mostly healed.

I moved in with my really good friend Sierra and her husband; who were either nice enough or crazy enough (I haven't decided which yet) to let me crash at their place while I finish up Spring semester.

Also, had a birthday. Turned 22. Nothing exciting to report on that front.

Read a few good book and saw a few good films.

Currently, totally obsessed with legendary British television show Doctor Who.

I need a vacation...or a show to be in. Either one would be fine.

Random Musings

It's been a while. My life has been so crazy I almost forgot I had a blog.

This afternoon I'm bored out of my mind and sitting in bed with a bag of frozen corn on my terminally sprained foot/ankle when I think to myself "hey...don't I have a blog or something I can waste some time on?"

So I'm back. You can all thank my apartment's crappy Everest-like stairs for my return.

Not much to say. I really miss living in NYC and having a life and my (literally) mentally unstable roommate is not helping the matter. I am in desperate need of a return to normalcy.

I am excited for two things. 1) This semester is ending in 2 and a half weeks. 2) I have tickets to the Arcade Fire concert in April.

Also, I had forgotten how stressful it was to be a senior. Standardized tests and grad school applications are not exciting; especially when you have no idea what you want to do. Should I get the degree in International Affairs? Public Health? Or maybe journalism? Maybe I should just join the Peace Corp? Or I could just forget it all and go to acting school.

It is obvious I am not ready for real life.

I *Heart* NY

Well...I am back from the big city.

That was the coolest thing I have ever done.

I literally do not have the words to describe the way I feel about the last four months so I thought I would just share some photos.

Got Competence?

This last weekend I was privileged enough to attend Jon Stewart's Rally to Restore Sanity in Washington DC.

It was an amazing once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget. Just the sheer humanity that was gathered together in one place blew my mind.

As you can see from this hastily made map, there were more then double the anticipated amount of people. Also, I had an awesome spot. It was insane. 

So some of the highlights...The Roots, John Legend, the Mythbuster guys,

Yusef,

Ozzy Osbourne, Kid Rock, Sheryl Crow and don't forget Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert.

Also, this.

Yeah. I was totally there. I still can't even beileve it. Nor can I adequately describe what went on. The message was simple. We cannot let fear, whether it be from Washington, the Media, or ourselves, dictate our choices. Maybe I will just let Jon Stewart explain...  

* I might add more pictures later but most of them are blurry and kind of sad...

Yes...I'm bragging again. Deal with it!

That title was a joke. Don't worry. I'm not that cocky. Usually...
This is a sweet article I wrote about polio:

Now is the Time to Wipe Out Polio for Good

I realize it says that some other dude wrote it but actually we were co-writers. The website publishing program only lets you put one name in the the "by" line and he won the contest.

Be the Change You Wish to See in the World

This last weekend (Sept. 17th - 19th) I was privileged enough to attend the the Millennium Campus Conference.

Hundreds of undergrad and graduate students gathered together at Columbia University to discuss the progress we are making to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). 

This was one of the greatest experiences of my life; like at least top 15. :) For two days we just sat and listened to speakers discuss development and social entrepreneurship. I think I might have finally found what I want to do after college. That in its self is a miracle.

Plus the soundtrack for the whole conference consisted entirely of The Beatles and John Lennon! :D

Charity: Water
Scott Harrision, the founder of Charity: Water was the first person to speak to us on Sat. He was a super compelling speaker and he has a great story. Seriously, check out the website! His organization has brought clean water to over a million people since 2004 and he isn't planning on stopping anytime soon!



Invisible Children
I'm sure most of you have heard of Invisible Children. It is their mission to end the war in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and free the child solders that have been used to fight these bloody civil wars. We heard from a women named Brenda. She was caught in the middle of the Ugandan Civil War, a war that killed her father and doomed her to a life of poverty. Invisible Children was able to give her a scholarship and she was able to go back to school and now she is in her final semester of college and applying to law school.

Engineers w/out Borders
The founder of Engineers Without Borders-USA, Bernard Amadei, spoke about how we need to change our view of poverty reduction.It is no longer enough to give a man a fish or even to teach a man to fish. We need to begin to build fishing industries. He had two main points on which he believes we should focus our efforts: 1)create stable and secure communities through participatory efforts and 2) provide appropriate and sustainable technologies. He then explained about another type of poverty that is even more crippling than what we usual consider. This is what he calls internal poverty; when some one is poor in spirit and lacks the will to participate in real change. He challenged us all not only to stand up to poverty but to walk until it doesn't exist.

Jeffery Sachs
Jeff Sachs in one of the world's leading development economics and is currently the UN Secretary Generals Special Advisor on the MDGs. This man is a fantastic speaker. I didn't take as many notes as I wished I had because I was so enthralled at what he was saying and applauding him every two seconds. He basically talked about how there is a massive deficit of political will in the world today to reach the MDGs. He explained that development is all about peace yet the US government spends $800 billion a year on defense (military, weapons, secret ops, surveillance). The government is willing to spend a trillion dollars to invade a country but when they have to spend a million to send children ARV drugs (a type of HIV medicine) all the sudden they get all nervous about spending their money. He explained that it would take a massive social movement, on par with civil rights, to move the government to action.

 

Bill McKibbin
This guy started 350.org; the organization that is pushing to to reduced carbon in the atmosphere back to 350 ppm in an effort to slowing climate change. He has been a personal hero of mine since I saw him on the Colbert Report last year. He was a really funny guy and really passionate. Check out 350.org and see how you can get involved in the movement toward alternative energy.

 
Ahmed Djoghlaf
He is the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity. "We are undermining the capacity of the world to sustain life." Never has anyone been so blunt.

Adam Braun/Pencils of Promise
Just one thing I want to share from his talk. He gave us 7 lessons that he had learned through his life that I really connected with. Yes, they are sappy and motivational but powerful nonetheless.
1) Get out of you comfort zone.
2) Speak the language of the individual you want to become. Not "I want to do it" but "I will do it"
3) Embrace those late, sleepless nights
4) To achieve the unreasonable you have to become an unreasonable person.
5) Just go. Find a way to achieve your dreams.
6) Find your cause and live it.
7) The impossible can be made possible. "Live not in dreams, but in contemplation of a reality that is perhaps the future".

(The dude with the mic is Bobby Bailey (founder of Invisible Children). Adam is the guy with the sling.)

The Global Poverty Project
Check it out!!! I would tell you more about it but I really don't feel like writing anymore. :p

And finally, don't forget the special video message from Justin Bieber. I'm not even joking.

This almost ruined it for me...I will not leave you with the Bieber. You can thank me later.

Check it out!

So that last post I wrote...after editing and changing the content completely like 7 different times I finally made it good enough to go on the AMICC blog. Yay!

Sierra's freaking cool article about international legal obligation that you know you want to read!

And then after some more edits (made mostly by the editor) the same post got published in a real-live Internet magazine. Sort of also yay!

This is pretty much the same article just in a different format and with some stuff deleted...

So like the title of this post so eloquently put it...check it out!

Let Those Lights Inspire You

In two and a half days I will be leaving the quiet and safety of Rexburg, ID for the biggest adventure that I have ever known. I am moving to New York City to be an intern in the office of the American NGO Coalition for the International Criminal Court. This is an organization that is committed to the essential nature of US support of the ICC. From their website:

AMICC is a coalition of non-governmental organizations committed to achieving through education, information, promotion and an aroused public opinion full United States support for the International Criminal Court and the earliest possible US ratification of the Court's Rome Statute. AMICC members believe that strong participation by the US in the ICC is essential to the future of the Court as an effective institution. They take pride in the historic role of the US in promoting the development of international criminal law. They emphasize that the ICC expresses and implements values traditionally championed by the United States, including international justice and the rule of law.

I am so excited to work for this great organization and to experience New York for real! I will keep everyone updated as to how I am doing and don't worry; I promise not to get mugged!

Interesting...

I write like
Kurt Vonnegut

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!

To Contemplate the Mysteries of Life

I have nothing particularly interesting or important to say this evening. However, I felt like writing on my blog so deal with it!

I have been thinking a lot about my life. What exactly do I want to do with it? I thought graduating from high school was a time of big decisions. Was I ever wrong! There are just so many things that I want to do and no time or money to do any of them.

I want to travel. I want to get out of this country and experience the real world for a little while.

I want to be on stage. I wish I were still acting. I already know that not doing the BFA will be one of the biggest regrets of my life.

 I just wish I could do everything that I love!

Why do there have to be so many choices...

Pretty much the only good reason to drink soda

And now for something completely different!

I am not a crafty person. My artsy projects usually just get paint everywhere or start vinyl fires. Don't ask... So when the urge to make something hit me today I had every right to be worried. But I think that I did a good job in finding a project that wouldn't potentially burn down my house. Pop-top bracelet!

It stared by pulling the pop-tops off of my Dad's Pepsi can collection.

Sticky and gross...

I dug through my scrap box and found some ribbon that I thought would be suitable. The black piece was really easy to work with but a word of advice if anyone undertakes the challenge -do not use wired ribbon!! The green wired ribbon kept snagging and the wire started poking and well, guess who has a few new scars tonight?

I then began the threading process. Yes, it is as hard as it looks. If it doesn't look hard you must be an alien. There is no other explanation. It took me 45 min. to figure out how to get 4 tabs on the stupid ribbon. Here it is about half way done.

But after about two hours, several bloody fingers, and not a few curses I had a finished product! I cut the extra ribbon and sealed it with some clear nail polish so it wouldn't fray.

I have got to say I am pretty proud of myself! What do you guys think?

**If you want to learn how to make your own awesome pop-top braclet visit here!

7X3

Well, it is official.

21.

The age of absolute power.

(Minus the whole rent a car thing but who does that ever.)

I do not feel like I'm 21. Several reasons why I am still 7 years old...

1) I still enjoy coloring...with crayons.
2) TGIF was the best thing on television...ever.
3) Ice cream is an acceptable dinner substitute.
4) Summertime is the best time.
5) I enjoy playing dress up
6) I can't talk to boys.

Oh dear...I think it's time for an intervention...

MUN: The Real Fight Begins!

Sorry about the lack of updates...I can't even finish talking about NYC...that is how busy I have been... So let me give you the highlights of the MUN competition. This was my committee-or at least most of it.

And these are just some of the awesome friends I made! Fran and Felix (on the left) are from Germany and were representing South Africa and Adrien and Caroline are from France and were representing the delegation from the UK. Lots of good memories! (Times Square hikes, healthcare chats, late night dancing, raspberry hot chocolate! :) )

Here is the entire BYU team at the United Nations!

And this is the best news....

We totally won!!! :D BYU won three Outstanding team awards which means we are in the top 1% of all university MUN teams around the world! And then me and my partner, Jenny, totally got the Outstanding delegate award in our committee just because we are that cool!