The Collaboration

"No Lose Lottery" illegal in U.S.

2011-01-15T22:49:00.000+01:00

Super interesting idea proposing that whoever puts money into their savings account is illegible for a lottery drawing. In some places where this is being tried, it is working. A woman received $100,000 after a $75 deposit into her savings account.

It's no wonder that many people enter lotteries when they can't afford anything else---a quick solution to all their problems. If those couple bucks every week was putting into a lottery that also created a savings stash for them, it's a win for banks and buyers.

If we could only convince banks to create systems where they get the most profit when their customers succeed. Unfortunately this system is illegal in the U.S. Find out why by listening to the link below.

The “No-Lose Lottery,” Part 2 | Freakonomics Radio

More Holmes!

2010-12-31T04:59:00.002+01:00

I absolutely love this series. Brilliant, witty dialogue that you would expect from writer Steven Moffat (think Coupling). Thank you, Nana and Miss, for the happy introduction.

Bad news: there are only three episodes in the season. Next season doesn't appear until Fall 2011.

Good news: each episode is as long as a full length film and as interesting as an original---not a trilogy movie fest that starts out excellent and leaves you hating yourself for being suckered in by the end.

Favorite dialogue:

--Policeman Anderson: "Never mind that. We found the case. According to someone the murderer has the case and we found it in the hands of our favorite psychopath."

--Sherlock: "I'm not a psychopath, Anderson. I'm a high functioning sociopath. Do your research."

Policewoman: Are these human eyes?

Sherlock: Put those back!

Policewoman: They were in the microwave.

Sherlock: It's an experiment.

Scouts with Attitude

2010-06-09T03:56:00.003+02:00

Thank you, Scott for introducing me to nerd utopia badges. Also known as Science Scouts.

My favorites
"I will crush you with my math prowess" badge
"I may look like a science, but I'm actually also a pirate" badge
"I have set fire to stuff" badge
"Have violated the posterior of an animal in the name of science" badge
"I've name a child or pet for science" badge

Best Wishes--I'll Write You

2010-06-05T03:13:00.001+02:00

Theo E. Shellito, 75, resident of Coeur d’Alene, died May 31, 2010, at Ivy Court in Coeur d’Alene. She was born April 25, 1935, in McArthur, Calif., to Ora McKinney and Trilma A. (Day) McKinney.

Theo married Donald A. Shellito on Dec. 19, 1964, in Reno, Nev. They moved to the Coeur d’Alene area 25 years ago. She was a homemaker and enjoyed gardening and her membership in the Rimrock Ladies Social Club.

The next big reality show....sometimes they even speak English...

2010-05-12T03:45:00.003+02:00

Ok, this is kinda cool Nebraska. A bit less exciting than Law and Order, but way to have open documented proceedings....there's nothing like it to give a jolt of reality to our favorite glitzy shows.

http://www.supremecourt.ne.gov/oral-arguments/sc/video/5-10/4-28.shtml

Becky goes emo

2010-04-09T03:19:00.004+02:00

I promised myself I'd blog today.

Work
I could talk about life, stresses, working all hours in a new job and being unsure if I can handle it all. The irony of people complimenting me when I'm treading water.
How scared I feel that they'll discover that I'm just surviving. How any good thing that happens is from a team effort that expands beyond our department.

Life
I could talk about how ridiculously awesome my guy's been. When he's not acting like a 12 yrs old.
He doesn't ask about my day until I'm ready. He let's me blur out to his TV while he messes with my hair. He doesn't complain that I only see him an hour every day.
In a suspicious way, I think he relishes not being obligated to be social. He says he'll miss his freedom when I'm able to work normal hours. Boys. Bleh.

Knowledge
One of my favorite teachers retired the other day. I grieved. Not just because the next generation won't be pushed to use that muscle behind the eyebrows, but for his life of scholarship.
Of course he doesn't think he's learned enough or studied enough...but he has done more research than anyone I know.
He searches for answers. He fuels inquiries. I lust after that power and ability.
This is probably the No. 1 thing that will bring balance to my work and personal life: the lust for knowledge and coming to grips with life's most tormented questions.
I know I am different in this. New ideas are a drug. Knowing for oneself, an addiction. Discoveries of truth are the only glimmers of peace.
And I can only make time for this most intoxicating pleasure if i get off work while the sun is up.
Bleh.

Do not make dead Better Off Ted!

2010-03-14T10:17:00.003+01:00

Better Off Ted is one of the funniest parodies of cubicle life. So like all the other greats...Firefly, etc...after it's second season corporate tv (ABC) canceled the show (March 10). What the heck...

Anyway, enjoy while it's here...the latest (and last?) episode on Hulu.

My dream last night...

2010-03-13T20:04:00.003+01:00

I was in italia last night. I was shopping along the cobble-stone streets, walking into tiny shops. There was a maze of stone buildings, twisting and towering and leaning over the streets. Tiny red flowers running up and down stairs and sleeping under windowsills.

I bought a fuzzy light green onesy for Little Bit, then realized, "I'm in Italy. Why am I buying something I could buy anywhere else?" I determined to find un libro di bambini where Little Bit could poke a pencil over the words and hear the story of Little Red Riding Hood in italian. Or peruse the music boxes...

I woke up feeling angry, alone, and missing a country I can't currently reach and a child I can't hold.

I miss hearing italiana in the streets. Walking by intriguing, brightly clothed people. I miss feeling slightly safe while discovering more twists in an ancient city. It's the ache of achieving a familiarity with something that alienated me.

It's a similar ache for my sister's unborn baby--something so far away that I long to know. I desperately wish I could be there while Kristin's belly is getting bigger and she's grumpy and uncomfortable. Somehow I'm convinced that this child will be the most pure, lovely, mischievous and fun kid in the whole world.

In my head I know babies are born every day. That this child will be human and scream and hurt and be hurt and that this kid will not live without scars. But I love this unknown child and I am so proud of my sister.

Glitter Girls

2010-02-04T06:05:00.002+01:00

Incredible performance by Pink at the Grammys this year.

Kris, happy birthday. Hope you have a party where you get to throw glitter. I love you!

This I know

2010-01-11T06:04:00.003+01:00

This I know:
-the possibility of failure is real.
-failure is not the end of the journey.
-success means fighting till the end.
-God is more powerful than this.
-I am not alone.

My goals:
-persevere
-work out daily
-communicate

Pants - Here Come the Mummies

2010-01-01T22:14:00.001+01:00

Thank you Enga for introducing me to "Here Come the Mummies." Love it. :)

Changes

2009-11-13T15:52:00.004+01:00

Thank God for hope.

As you can see, I've been pretty consumed with work since beginning my new job in July. Changes since then:
-learning the ropes at work
-boss being out of the country
-three key people I work with changing job positions--it was planned and for promotions and various reasons.
-getting three new people.
-our department is re-organizing processes, job assignments, and redefining what we do and how we do it.

This will all lead to a different, hopefully more streamlined and efficient office...eventually. It's just going to take another couple months before we hit the groove. Until then...

Breaking news about Becky's life.

2009-07-18T06:46:00.003+02:00

So two days ago I quit my job.

The next day I started my new one.

I'm working as an organization mastermind and a marketing liaison. We'll see how it goes. I'm excited to be working with the people, and yet it feels completely surreal to be there. Things change hecka fast.

In Memory of the Most Trusted Man in America

2009-07-18T05:29:00.002+02:00

Here's to you, Walter Cronkite. Thank you for showing us how journalism should be and can succeed. Rest in peace.

Quotes

"I can't imagine a person becoming a success who doesn't give this game of life everything he's got. "

"I think it is absolutely essential in a democracy to have competition in the media, a lot of competition, and we seem to be moving away from that. "

"Objective journalism and an opinion column are about as similar as the Bible and Playboy magazine. "

Teenager Murder, 2003

2009-07-14T04:05:00.002+02:00

One of the most horrifying stories I've ever read. A news story about three teens who commit murder — what's horrifying is the profiles of each of the murders. One is a manipulative kid who conspires to kill his 17 year old wife, a complete psychopath girl and her fat sidekick who had never met the victim and did it on the agreement that he could "move out of his parents' house."

Famous Last Words

2009-06-25T09:00:00.000+02:00

1. ...Crap.

2. Yeah, this'll work. Trust me.

3. I'm pretty sure I can do it. I saw it on a cartoon once.

4. Yes, dear...I'm listening...

5. Perhaps a little fat in that dress.

6. Yep, get that to you Tuesday.

7. Look, it's perfectly safe.

8. Oops.

9. I know what I'm doing! What do you think I am? An idiot??

10. Don't be ridiculous, of course it's wired like this.

11. Hey guys, watch this!

12. E tu, Brutus?

It's amazing how a small list of creativity can stimulate the brain at work again. Probably because of No. 6...

Relationship Quotes and Summaries from this Month

2009-06-21T01:16:00.004+02:00

Quotes from real life, summaries from reading. Ideas for grappling.

• "I want to look so good I make a clergyman cry." ~Girl getting dressed up for a date.

• "Don't worry so much about losing something that you overlook what you already have." ~Wise woman relational advice.

• "Adore yourself." ~Every woman's struggle.

• "You're a mess over the breakup you experienced, I'm a mess over the breakup I expect any day." ~Girl talk about insecurities.

• "Average is alright." ~A woman about coming to grips with self-image, culture and personal expectations.

• Summary of new ideas discovered while reading "Ten Commandments of Dating" by the author of "Kosher Sex,":

Today's generation is aristocratic when dating — a person looks for a partner of equal intelligence, looks, talents, money and manners who will make a good match. Rabbi Shmuley Boteach advocates being a peasant — one person looking for a soulmate, where both people feel that they are "home," and complete, a full acceptance of the other person. He says to stop worshipping self-sufficiency and realize that there is a need that only the other person can fill.

...I'm still trying to decide which parts of these I agree with...

Happy belated Earth Day!

2009-04-24T20:25:00.000+02:00

In honor of April 22. Yep, I have slight hippy tendencies, but this railroader amused me. Hope you enjoy!

They Tried To Kill Us (We Survived, Let's Eat), Passover Song

2009-04-10T22:22:00.001+02:00

I first heard this song this week on NPR performed by Good for the Jews.

Very cool and very crazy song. All the best wishes to you and your Passover or Easter celebration (or strange combination of post-modern festivities).

I present Jewmongous.

Billboard of Social & Political Expression Goes Slightly Emo

2009-03-28T19:47:00.003+01:00

I know I'm a loser. My dedication to share something semi-valuable with the world is only matched by my hate of sitting very long in front of a computer when I'm out of the office.

And all those important political bits of knowledge, keeping up with world wide events and odd pieces of info. has drifted into "this is my life and what I care about" blog, which is great, but also like an online diary, instead of platform for political and social expression.

So, as many bloggers before me have discovered, this is my apparently emo phase in blogging. I apologize. Hang on. I will share smidgens of intellectual gossip again. I will spark ideas about information you may/may not have cared deeply about before. And this will become the underground lusting site for random bits of knowledge. Porn for the brain if you will. Though that may be setting the bar rather high...

All the best,

Your random blogging author

Welcome to the Funhouse; Pink

2009-03-14T21:13:00.005+01:00

One of the best breakup albums ever, Pink's Funhouse, is an astounding blend of cutting lyrics and moody notes that show the kaleidoscope of emotion that make women so complicated, powerful and beautiful.

This is one of my favorite albums and I've listened to it over and over since my sister sent it to me for Christmas. :) My favorites include her first solo No. 1 "So What"; "Sober"--incredible lyrics; and "I Don't Believe You."

Pink channeled energy from her divorce from motocross star Carey Hart and plugged it into raw, naked lyrics that show the tempest and vulnerability of the female experience.

You don't have to be broken up to fall in love with this album. Trust me. But if you do, this is as good as chocolate.

President Obama...America All Better

2009-03-10T02:56:00.004+01:00

Ok, this is something that I've got to get off my chest, and it's been bothering me for the last four months. Two things have encouraged me to finally write about it now: a conference I went to and an improv show I attended in Chicago.

When President Obama was finally sworn in on that historic day in January, I was a little offended. Every channel championed Martin Luther King Jr. and emphasized over and over again how far the United States has gone to elect a black president.

Honestly, I'd forgotten he was black. I was celebrating how far the United States has gone since 2001, and 2004.

I'm all for equal rights. And let's face it, politicians only alienate themselves by not demographically representing who the rest of us are. But I didn't vote for Obama because he is black and I'm offended by people who assume many people did. I voted for Obama, because I believe he can change things, or at least he's going to darn well try. Because I want a politician paid for by the people, not the global corporate giants. Because I want the United States to stand for integrity again, not flagged terrorism. I voted for President Obama because I cared about his stance on issues. Not because I cared about his skin color.

Conference:
"Whenever anyone over 30 yrs. sees President Obama they see a black president. Anyone under 30 yrs. just sees an American."

Chicago Improv night showed "America All Better." Definitely worth checking out.

how i met your mother

2009-02-05T06:23:00.001+01:00

In honor of Kristin, who got me hooked on this show.

Also, my favorite dialogue in Season 1 Episode 1:
Lily: And you didn't kiss her??!
Ted: She didn't give me the sign.
Barney: The sign? The sign? Ted, you do not wait for a sign.
[lays a huge smacker kiss on Marshall]
Barney: Did Marshall give me the sign?
Marshall: No, I didn't! [To Lily] I swear.

Feb. 4

2009-02-05T05:25:00.002+01:00

To my gorgeous sister who I love through bits of ill mannered poetry,
You rock my world.

If there was a sister who chased siblings around the kitchen with a butcher knife,
You were she.
If there was a sister who convinced her baby brother that sirens were looking just for him,
You were she.
If there was a sister who knew no limits on how to inflict pain on 8th grade bullies,
You were she.
And you still are!
My kick butt, passionate, theater directing, puppy loving, secret action star sister,
Who I love absolute dearly.

Thank you for being my tough-girl inspiration, support and giggle center.

I love you.

Happy Birthday, Kristin.

Welcome to Hell

2009-01-13T03:07:00.001+01:00

Love it. Thank you Missy and Joe.

I'm only doing this because of Kristin...a little late than never.

2009-01-12T02:53:00.005+01:00

Rules: Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 16 random things, facts, habits or goals about you. At the end choose 16 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, its because I want to know more about you.

1. I chew mint gum for my motivation when facing a difficult task.

2. I adore well written short stories and poems, but find it difficult to make the time to read them.

3. I love random dancing in the living room to excessively loud music.

4. I have my dream job which combines travel and talking to strangers.

5. Motorcycles are amazing. Harley's are classics and you can't argue with them, but I prefer crotch rockets.

6. I dive into new projects with enthusiasm. Reality of the responsibilities attached hits later--guitar, languages, piano...

7. I will be the first person to buy a teleporter, because I adore the idea of instant travel...really instant anything.

8. Recently learned to play a bit of Halo...and loved it!

9. Only started paying attention to car manufactoring symbols (toyota, hondai, ford...) on the freeway last month.

10. Completely terrified of committing to anything. But I do.

11. I'm like a Reese peanut butter cup ---a concoction of opposing thoughts, emotions and dreams that somehow dwell together.

12. I'm still getting used to saying "my boyfriend" in casual conversation.

13. I'm almost equally extrovert and introvert.

14. I'm not that big into sweets or pop or running.

15. I am much more vulnerable than I appear. And much stronger than you'll ever see.

16. Favorite phrase "Whatever you want, Becky."

I'm tagging: Joni, Alison, Cale and Adele.

Operation Break Through

2009-01-09T05:05:00.004+01:00

So my job is the coolest ever. Yeah, I've got crappy days where I feel like I'm mesmerized by a blaring screen and typing through oatmeal, but what other job pays for me to hang out with a bunch of kids and have an absolute blast? Other than kids' camp....

So I covered an event where kids from eight different shelters in the city area were given a day train ride, got to meet Santa and got NICE gifts. The kids were loving the attention from the volunteers and having so much fun.

I researched one of the shelters. This organization, Operation Break Through is AMAZING. Started as an after-school daycare for inner city poverty level mothers by two nuns, this organization regularly takes care of 500-600 children a day. If you're looking for inspiration, check it out.

http://www.operationbreakthrough.org/ob_video.html

The new ride in a new year

2009-01-02T01:45:00.007+01:00

So here's my new baby. And I'm absolutely terrified that I own it --- my first real car...that I've paid more than $100 for... Welcome to my 300 M Chrysler.

Thanks to Derek for helping me get an amazing first car Tuesday for a steal of a price---something that I can afford without shaking in the corner and crying at night. :)

By the way, HAPPY 2009 EVERYONE!!

...no way was I driving this last night for pre-New Year's....one night, waaaaaay too many drunks on the road. Actually I've barely touched it yet...I'm still shaking a little...but not in a corner. It's more of an open space... :)

Rock on Odd Names

2008-12-22T00:23:00.003+01:00

I've seen Boring, Oregon and Happy, Kansas, but one of the coolest town names I heard of last week was one of my co-workers visiting Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.

Anyone like to add to the odd name list?

View Larger Map

Ah ha!

2008-12-11T21:43:00.002+01:00

To you, the evil newsletter that hangs about my shoulders as I try to juggle four other major projects going on in my life:

I shall not be intimidated. You shall be destroyed. Yes, you were due yesterday, but you will be obliterated and cast out in that black abyss of "edits and design center" where no"one more interview"-realizations hit TODAY!

You shall beg to hang onto my mouse and I shall spurn thee with loving care into the arms of an editor. Farewell thou attention-sucking fein. Fare thee well.

Thanksgiving List

2008-11-28T00:38:00.004+01:00

Happy (belated) Thanksgiving Everyone!

So to follow Katie's example, and because when I was in church at 6:30 a.m. yesterday (Spanish church always starts early, especially for holidays when you can also have yummy breakfast afterwards), I realized how completely blessed I am.

Things I am Incredibly Grateful For:

1) Italiano experience. Really, last year completely altered my life. Taught me the value of beauty, art and reinforced the importance of a small group of stable, do-anything-for-you friends.

2) Aussie experience. Also completely life changing. I discovered politics affect my life and that I am part of a global society. This was the first time that I became part of a small group of friends and realized how incredibly important it is to know you belong.

3) My college in the States: serving others as a lifestyle and how to be a leader. Not to mention pretty kick-butt people.

4) The scrunching of autumn leaves.

5) If you don't put family down on the list to be thankful for, everyone thinks you're pretty much a miniature Hilter. But seriously, I love my family and they're awesome. They are my support, my tank of wisdom and my energizer of hysterical laughing.

6) A good job doing exactly what I want to do: traveling the country, interviewing strangers, learning how to do an interesting, fast and efficient write-up ASAP.

7) Christmas. I am looking forward to questo Natale piu' di prima, non sono sicura ma penso e' perche' mi manca la mia famiglia. [I'm really looking forward to Christmas for the first time in ages. I miss my family.]

Black Books- Cooking the Books episode [3/3]

2008-11-23T14:09:00.001+01:00

Kept thinking of this episode this week. I'm ruining the end for somebody, but the entire Black Book episode is on youtube.

:)

Enjoy!

Fridays at Work

2008-11-07T19:22:00.003+01:00

Thank you, Laura, for introducing this to me. We need to do this at work! ;)

YAY!! Results are in.

2008-11-05T19:38:00.001+01:00

Super adorable, (don't necessarily agree with it 100%), but very well written article on how Europe is finally jealous of the U.S.

Tues., Nov. 4, 2008

2008-11-04T03:37:00.004+01:00

U.S. Election Day!

For the U.S. citizens, GET OUT AND VOTE!
Vote on what you know, vote on what you believe.
Go and make your voice heard.

life update and politics

2008-10-28T04:54:00.004+01:00

Ok, randomness....
--My contacts are killing me. My eyes are gasping for air at 11 p.m. (This is just a side note.)
--I might be helping out behind the scenes with a Shakepeare play. I'm goofily and quite geekily excited about this. (Yes, I just made up words, but so did Shakepeare. Get over it.)

I was in the grocery store the other day and heard the check out lady and the woman buying groceries in front of me talking politics. They both agreed that they didn't want Obama to become the next president because "he is a Muslim." Okkkkkkkkk.....

Honestly, I don't care who you vote for as long as you make an INFORMED decision. Obama is not Muslim. He's a Christian. Don't people remember the uproar about something Obama's pastor said at his old church? People were freaking out back then about his CHRISTIAN pastor. Check your facts. Here's some common misconceptions addressed by msnbc.com.

A good thing about Obama: Economy plan
My beginner's economics class in 2006 addressed the common idea of "trickle down economics" and how it DOES NOT WORK to stimulate the economy. It only widens the gap between the wealthy and poor. This is simple (not even elaborate) economics, people. McCain needs some seriously better advisers in this area.

A good thing about McCain: Strong anti-torture stance
You get more reliable information for our troops when you do not torture inmates or sink as low as the very terror we are fighting against.

Craig's List of Everything and Almost Somethings

2008-10-18T20:02:00.000+02:00

I am amused. Everyone has a closet romantic yelling to let them out. Which you really should...it's stuffy in there.

But anyway, I became amused while browsing around Craig's List for furniture. How incredibly helpful Craig's List is! and why hadn't I discovered this before? So I checked out what other bulletins Craig hosts: motorcycles, writing gigs, etc.

But my favorite bulletin happened to be something random, called, "Missed Connections," which pretty much means you saw this incredibly hot guy/girl in the grocery store/coffee shop and you've been kicking yourself all day for not introducing yourself or trying to come up with small talk. So in the faint glimmer of hope you leave a message on Craig's List under "Missed Connections" and if they happen to see it (or I suppose someone else does who's just as interesting), then you get an e-mail back. It's an interesting idea and very "missed opportunity for a Hollywood moment" while at the same time having the potential to be "scary Sam met harry Suzy."

Oh well. I was amused and had to share. Though, I doubt that I'd have the guts to post a love inquiry online in the slight hope that a cute coffee man would find it. Refrequent the coffee place people! Just stare and drool for awhile, they'll catch on and probably drop a napkin in your general direction.

I suppose we all have missed opportunities. And while my closet romantic enjoyed the readings, don't save yours for Craig's List. Grab your nerve ladies and gentlemen! Act like an idiot and start a conversation. You can do it!

Stephen Colbert is out of this world...or at least his DNA is.

2008-10-16T18:58:00.002+02:00

On Oct. 12, 2008 Stephen Colbert and some of the greatest minds of Earth were launched into space from Central Asian spaceport of Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan ...or at least, their digital DNA was.

An American game designer, Richard Garriott, paid $30 million to fulfill his childhood dream and see the stars close up. Garriott is reportedly spending a big chunk of his fortune on this 10-day excursion.

Garriott is also taking up the digital DNA sequences of some of the earth's greatest thinkers, musicians, athletes and computer gamers. The list ranges from famous physicist Stephen Hawking to comedian Stephen Colbert, and is part of an "immortality drive" which will contain a list of humanities greatest achievements and some personal messages from home. The "time capsule" will be stored in a space station in case of Earth's destruction.

Garriott, the sixth space tourist in the history of the program, is the first to follow in a parent's footsteps (his father, Alexander Garriott, was a cosmonaut). However, as millionaire Charles Simonyi plans to prove, space tourism doesn't have to be a "once in a lifetime" opportunity.

Moving along

2008-10-13T17:32:00.003+02:00

So...I have left Oregon.

I officially have a journalism job---which I start next week.
I currently have a place to sleep---and let me just say thank God for a mostly nice condition free mattress and boxsprings a couple houses down from where I'm bunking.
I have food--Safeway run last night.
I have clothing--three bags worth of clothes, bedding, books and random stuff I "can't do without" that thankfully survived the plane ride over.
I'm mooching off other people for phone and Internet at the moment---thank God for friends---and I'm hoping to solve at least one of those problems within the next couple days.
And I may have a junky just-barely-running vehicle (according to the friend I'm loaning it from) that I can borrow for the next couple days. We'll see what kind of desperate shape the vehicle is in later today.

So all in all, things are good, in chaotic movement and on there way. I'm still suffering from a bit of vertigo, but other than that, things are doing just fine.

Love to all.

SNL skit with Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton

2008-10-01T19:28:00.005+02:00

I apologize to my series of loyal readers...Kristin, Kate, Allie. Since I've begun the job hunt I've been at my computer for hours at a time, typing up cover letters, making phone calls, filling out applications that ask 75 percent of what I've already put on my resume but somehow isn't valid.

After my work day at the computer is called to a close, I really don't want to get on again. Hence, the deary vacancy from myspace, e-mail, blogging and Ctrl+Alt+Del. But when I saw this Saturday Night Live skit withTina McFay and Amy Poehler, I knew I was back online sharing the good, the bad and the hilarious. Enjoy!

W. Trailer contest

2008-09-19T20:55:00.002+02:00

This is a brilliant idea for an interactive contest.

Lionsgate provides numerous clips from the film, clips from actual George W. Bush footage, music selection, transition affects, photos, AND the ability to put them altogether without having the Final Cut Pro film editing program on your computer.

Check out www.youtube.com/WtheFilm to together your own trailer for the movie. The contest began today and continues until the film premiers in the U.S., October 17. (Again the PR person on this is a genius.)

Only one winner will be chosen. The grand prize includes a new laptop, Final Cut Pro and a video camera. Only applicants in the U.S. who are at least 18 years old are eligible.

The idea is hands-down brilliant promotion for the film. Making the trailer however, creates a fine balance between promoting a movie you haven't seen, propaganda and doing the most professional work possible to get the prize.

Public Display of Self-Evaluation on My 24th Birthday

2008-09-15T22:43:00.005+02:00

Top 5 Things that are Freaking Me Out

1) My future. There's so many things I want to do with my life and I've always had this prodigy complex where, even though I am officially 24 years old, I have this idea that I am brilliant and will be the absolute best at whatever profession I choose. There's just so many professions that I'd love to dedicate my life to. Politics, film, journalism, kids, traveling all over the world on humanitarian projects.

2) Nothing's for certain. I've loved that about my life. But lately I've only been semi-certainty a week at a time. An outline of a plan for year at a time would be fabulous.

3) The U.S. economic situation seems like great Aunt Margaret jerking open the window curtains at 7 a.m. on a summer Sunday morning: it reveals a glaring situation that cannot mean anything good.

4) Politics. Right now I'm pretty hopeful that either presidential candidate is going to be better than our current government. Both sides realize that the biggest moving factor for voters is fact #1: the current government system has not been listening to its people. Hopefully we can maintain the pressure on the government enough that no matter who takes the Oval Office will keep most of his promises for us.

5) I wanna just go have fun. But I can't. I haven't made enough results yet. I'm sure there's a lot of psycho-analysis that can go into that, but let's be honest. Everyone feels better knowing he/she's accomplishing something of value.

5 Things I am Profoundly Grateful For

1) A mother who supports me unquestioningly, has limitless belief in me and asks me the tough questions to keep me motivated.

2) A family that cares about each other like crazy---no matter how far away we are.

3) Friends that still love me, even when I haven't called for months on end.

4) Cookie dough. Oh baby.

5) Three different opportunities to take care of kids on a regular basis. It's my favorite excuse for imagination and guiltless goofing off.

6) BONUS: Fun exercise program at a fitness center. So excited!

7) BONUS' BONUS: Radio Theatre, Chronicles of Narnia. The best way to accomplish a multitude of things while having fun.

---Intermission---Pon and Zi (part 2)

2008-09-06T07:35:00.011+02:00

So apparently, most people check out my Web site because they adore Pon and Zi, emo characters that I discovered from a friend and happened to post in April 2007. Instead of going on a rant about the importance of politics and crisis awareness and global corporations take-over, I decided I'd take a moment to indulge. After all, everyone needs a moment of the fun and odd to mix in with the every day mostly kinda serious and odd...

American politics--making decisions

2008-09-05T19:03:00.004+02:00

Usually I do not get into political campaigns AT ALL. In the past, I really haven't cared about politics. The "big bad powers that be" had no real impact on my life. This idea began to change when I lived in Australia for a couple months and discovered that my Aussie mates knew more about American politics than I did.

I used to think that politics was simply a huge complicated web that was impossible to understand. I wanted to make informed decisions in the voting process and on political ideas, but that to me meant understanding every aspect of every debate and that my friends, seemed much too daunting.

And I was right. Politics is entangled. But now I realize politics is not about having the right answer on everything. Politics is about finding the right answer together: sharing new ideas, understanding an opposite view and learning more about a subject which enforces or causes me to adjust my opinion. And the good news about political ideas being so wrapped around each other, is that once you learn about one topic, it helps you understand the others.

The point is, we can't hide from politics. Now's the time to listen to opposite ideas, watch a youtube clip of a speech or two and get ready to make a decision. Politics only works if "we the people" make it work.

India Arie - "Video"

2008-09-01T10:21:00.001+02:00

I'm back! Good news: the evil report is finally finished! So I suppose I am officially graduated now. Hallelujah!

In celebration and happy excitement, check out India Arie's song, "Video." Thanks to Kate for introducing me to her hip, smooth butterfly groovin lyrics.

More of her songs worth jammin to: "Brown Skin," "I Choose" and a duet with Pink entitled, "I Am Not My Hair."

bad news, good news

2008-08-12T20:52:00.006+02:00

Sadly CLOSED while Becky panickingly pounds out her final research paper.

Opening again September 1.

Media interacting with you

2008-07-31T21:11:00.005+02:00

Thank you, Chris for introducing me to these awesome possibilities. If you're looking for the Web to be a bit more interactive, welcome to the future...which really took off last year.

To participate in a "choose your own ending" online story, click here. It's a game from 1999, but the concept is brilliant. Press Enter go to/back to the original story starting point. Then type in an action--jump, sit, smile, throw gnocchi, remember clare, take off clothes, go home-- whatever and read the results. :)

If video's more your style, here's the first interactive video on youtube (added one month ago) which allows you to click on different parts of the video to upload you instantaneously to a different video conclusion. It's a magic trick and you actually get to pick your a card and click the results.

But if that seems to old fashion, you can always try the cinema, either a crowd participation interactive game.....

....or "a choose the plot" movie experience.
You can check out the film below and choose how you want the plot to go by visiting www.ideaadventure.com.br.

Bad news: it's in Portuguese.
Good news: it's still pretty entertaining (yay humor that transcends language barriers. ok...not "lol" quality, but you know you'd find it hilarious if you understood anyone from Brazil. Still worth exploring. Plus you don't have the irruptions of "choosing as you go" adventures. You choose and then see how it all worked out.)

If Portuguese is to daunting, check out the English-speaking Canadian version of break-through cinema with Late Fragment.

Good news: highly innovative (I suggest watching the interactive trailer to get an idea of the film).
Bad news: very dark and you have to see some of the same things over and over to see anything new on the trailer. But again, worth exploring.

(repress the tears, repress the tears)

2008-07-26T06:07:00.003+02:00

Very, very sad news, my faithful readers...(i.e. Kate)...."Who Owns the Media" will be semi-suspended until further notice.

This means that:
1) The committee rejected my petition to do a research blog instead of a 25-page paper. Disappointing and frustrating, but probably less work in the long run.
2) That occasionally, when I get frustrated by the information I can't easily share in my report, you can expect a video excerpt, lyric or clip on the site.

So updates will be random, but ya' already know that's how roll yo, so enjoy the ride ya'll.

New Web site!

2008-07-21T08:50:00.003+02:00

Today, I have launched the "Who Owns the Media--a look at the U.S. and Italy" blog. I am so incredibly excited, it's really kinda ridiculous. [sigh. Yes, I'm a nerd. Yes, yes, get over it.]

This is the subject of my last and final major report, an independent research project as part of my Communication undergrad program. I was supposed to write 25-pages, but I'm currently petitioning to write a research blog instead---it's more interactive, I get quicker feedback from my adviser, and it has more of a "take the reader on a journey as I'm learning" feel. Plus you get to share video, audio clips and direct links to awesome Web sites that just have to be seen to be believed.

So if you're curious, check it out: discover that almost everything you see on TV, film, magazines, newspapers and books is controlled by only a handful of companies. We'll talk about the GOOD and the BAD about this situation. Then we'll check out the Italian media situation (think ONE person in control of 90 percent of things you see on TV) and we'll compare notes.

Feel free to leave comments too (...though it's obvious you despise doing that on THIS blog so...), just make sure to keep all comments extra-kosher. Graders might be reading. (Hopefully! I'm still waiting on approval...)

Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog - Trailer

2008-07-19T04:08:00.002+02:00

Yes, this is incredibly cheesy...but it's also incredibly fun. :)

From the warped genius of Joss Whedon who brought you Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly and Angel, comes the story of a wannabe evil genius, the vain-for-a-good-reason hero and the laundromat girl who has humble dreams of changing the world.

Whedon's inspiration hit when the Hollywood Writer's Strike was getting under way. He wanted to show writers that they could survive, they could do excellent work, they could even make money---all without the big companies if they had to. This idea spawned, "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along-Blog," a 40 minute made-for-Internet movie that's become an instant hit (it was even mentioned on NPR today!). On top of that, you can watch the movie for FREE...depending on how dedicated of a reader you are to this site...

For a limited time only (think tomorrow), the film will be shown on www.drhorrible.com's site. The first installment, Act 1, was posted Tuesday (with approximately 1,000 viewers a minute, causing the site to crash....after some hours, the problem was resolved); Act 2 was posted Thursday, and the final installment is set to arrive Saturday (i.e. tomorrow).

The entire movie will be available until midnight and then it magically disappears and the only fix you'll be able to get is buying it from iTunes at $1.99 per installment, or the entire movie for $3.99. But even then, nothing is forever. According to TV Week, iTunes promises to carry the film only until July 29.

But if you like the show, buy it. Whedon's hoping to actually pay his cast and crew.

To read the highly entertaining, "master plan" (which means Whedon interviewing himself to explain the whole idea to the fans), click here.

Lara Logan: Journalist

2008-07-16T23:37:00.003+02:00

Lara Logan: CBS News’ chief foreign affairs correspondent shows what journalism should be about. She's incredibly intelligent, passionate about straight-forward journalism and makes being a geek with a cause look incredibly cool.

I saw her on this clip with Jon Stewart and was prepared to hate her (look at her, she's gorgeous). But her down-to-earth manner and hard-hitting responses peaked my interest.

Then she gained my hero-like respect when I saw an interview of her by CNN in 2007, where she had to defend her exclusive report on how U.S. soldiers had come across and emaciated handicapped boys in Baghdad who had been stripped of clothing, tied to bedposts and starved nearly to death while the caretakers had stuffed the pantry with clothing and food. She was accused of everything from being the U.S. government's propaganda puppet to being manipulated by the terrorists, all because she was reporting the realities of what she saw.

For the story Logan covered about the handicapped boys in 2007, click here.

It's unclear if she'll be CBS New's chief foreign affairs correspondent much longer, though she got the job just last month...however pregnancy complicates things. CBS says she's not going to be out of work [unless she wants to be], but her job responsibilities might change. After 17 years of reporting and four years being in Iraq, the Washington Post says the unexpected pregnancy came at a good time:

At CBS, Logan says, "they let me run around the world doing everything I want to do. It's a dream job, but it comes at a cost...Since 9/11, I've spent 95 percent of my time on the road, and I do need to have a home at some point. I do need to settle down. I've been living like a refugee."

Sounds like a true vagabond to me.

Watch you're wallet

2008-07-10T02:20:00.004+02:00

For those in the U.S., heads up.
For those outside of the U.S., is this common outside the U.S. too?

Fabrizio Moro - Pensa

2008-07-04T04:10:00.003+02:00

In Italy, the Mafia is not an idealized glamor life in the 40s, but a real life and death issue still going on today.

When our school visited Sicily for a week, we stayed in the hotel of a man who was one of the first businessmen to fight against the Mob. He organized a group of businessmen together a few years ago to stop paying the mandatory "protection fee" by the Mafia. While some were killed and some were threatened, the Mafia are first businessmen. And a group of people standing together, is a hard cord to break. This song is about taking a stand against the Mafia today and not letting intimidation work. It's called, "Think."

For translated lyrics and a little bit of history on the song, click here.

Almost famous

2008-07-04T02:31:00.002+02:00

Welcome to the United States, where everyone has the right to life, liberty and being pursued by the paparazzi.

"Hire Your Own Paparazzi." It's a phenomena that's been gaining momentum all across the country. In a society obsessed with reality TV, you get to convince everyone you're the star without ever having to hit the audition. Anyone can be engulfed by everything celebrities are trying to avoid...just make sure to bring the cash.

first impressions of home

2008-06-30T18:51:00.006+02:00

As Americans, we are fat.

And I live in a modern-day hick town.

I didn't realize this before.

I knew in my head that the United States was an overweight nation, but it didn't really sink in until I walked to Fred Meyers my first full day back home and saw 98% of the people over 30 yrs. old at least 20-30 lbs overweight. Of the people under 30 yrs. half were just as overweight and the other half were very fit and fashion conscious. They were almost too bright to look at.

In Italy you're fighting for space to dash between pedestrians, but in my home town I was one of three people walking on our very large sidewalks during my entire afternoon excursion.

Of course three hours of the excursion was set gaping up and down Fred Meyers aisles, wondering how there could be so many brightly colored options of the same item, but only one of the gazillion choices matching the exact criteria I was looking for. Two quotes kept running through my head: one my dear friend Kate shared, "your malls are temples to bullshit!" and the other, a line Diane Keaton tells Queen Latifah in the movie "Mad Money" when Latifah tries to convince Keaton that they've stolen enough money, to quit while they're ahead and that Latifah has enough stuff to make her happy. Aghast, Keaton retorts, "Are you AMERICAN??"

My sentiments are somewhere in between. I'm horrified at the demanding buy-buy-buy society...but at the same time some of the things are so pretty...

Oh yes, and I live in friendly hickville. It looks modern enough--cars and people and Fred Meyer and such. But a lady started a conversation with me from her car (while her husband drove and her teenage daughter relaxed in the back) as I waited to cross the street. People wore t-shirts and jeans. I didn't see any women wearing heels for pain and fashion's sake. It explained so much about who I was when I arrived in Italy, and who I'm gently starting to ease back into (not that the "new me" knows heaps about fashion, but now I understand why it exists). Hopefully I'll take the best of both worlds and work to stay somewhere in the happy middle.

Dylan Moran on Australia*

2008-06-17T02:27:00.002+02:00

Well, since we've already heard Dylan's take on Germany...(*same disclaimer applies as previously stated).

This is to entertain me mates from Oz and as a peace offering to the faithful visitors since for the next week I will probably not even post an adjective since I'll still be on vacation. :P ...This should entertain you for a bit. Play nice with the other children. Please leave a message after the beep. I shall think of thee. Cheers.

(Who has an issue saying the final word...?)

Dylan Moran and Germany *

2008-06-17T01:25:00.002+02:00

I love Germany. Oh my goodness. I had never been to Germany until about 10 days ago when we visited Munich and a couple towns nearby. AMAZING. (Adele, I am so sorry for doubting you!)

While talking to one of the coolest people ever here in Italy, she said she loved Germany and wouldn't mind living there (she visited Berlin at least twice this year). I couldn't imagine why. And then I went. AMAZING. More trees than Oregon (THAT'S saying something), it's completely green awe-inspiring countryside with a great mixture of high tech modern life in town dotted by ancient architecture and heritage.

Before I visited, I was pretty much of darling Dylan Moran's opinion---I know he's doin satire, but there seemed a lot of truth to that embarrassingly enough...---until I actually visited the place. (His dialogue was on repeat in my head for the entire trip.)

It was strange to find everything Dylan said as the opposite in real life (even the language grows on you when you see how amazingly out-of-the-way friendly the people are). All was different, EXCEPT for the bit about talking to a German person. That, unfortunately, was so true for me. :P

But I'm learning to be a more intelligent, open-minded person who has, by the way, become enchanted with Germany, its rich heritage of searching for knowledge, its more environment friendly lifestyle and the its home-town feeling while it maintains big city technology. I've realized that while the rest of the world may be still looking at Germany through a 1940s lens, but Germany itself, isn't.

*I apologize for the swearing. Sensitive ears may need to be turned off at the very beginning and end...but don't miss the middle!

It's the end of the world as we know it

2008-06-02T09:38:00.005+02:00

Everyone's leaving now.
Each day another friend leaves. Tomorrow it's my roommate's turn.

The last nights are bittersweet, lately they're a bit mellow. It's amazing how much less conversation there is when everyone's avoiding the topic of anything to do with the future. There's only so much you can say from the same mouth. I'm excited. I'm sad. I can't wait to be home. I don't want to leave. I don't know when I'll see you again.

We're from all over the world. Even those in the same country are from far away states. It's almost impossible to say how much emptier the campus feels every day. How much my heart keeps aching. And how ready I am to just be home.

Dr. McNinja

2008-05-26T20:22:00.004+02:00

After a week excursion to Sicily, I am back, as tan as I get (think "it's a baby girl!" stickers), and starting to pack up everything again. Nine days and I'll be out of the online mania for about 20 days...so...that's plan for the next month or so. I'll try to make up for the lack of later postings this week...

In keeping with the trend of showing off influences friends have on one's life, I bring Dr. McNinja, courtesy of Allison. Thank you, dear. Where else can you find a fun cheesy action comic novel about an Irish ninja/doctor that has a gorilla as a receptionist? (Just a warning, it makes more sense if you read several of the strips in row...)

Enjoy.

If You Were a Zombie...

2008-05-14T15:25:00.005+02:00

Thank you, Taylor, for introducing me to one of the most entertaining Web site ideas I've seen in a long time: If You Were a Zombie.com.

Not only is the idea fun, but the writing is brilliant. Really, you should read the "About Us: Our Employees" section simply for a postmodern literary delight.

Th only complain I could possibly have is the lack of greeting cards, yes greeting cards ("Send a card: deadlock the door"). They need more ideas and we just might be zany enough for this to be right up our alley. Brainstorming accepted, ideas will be e-mailed along...well the morbid, disturbing and hysterical anyway.

Pavel si Cleopatra Stratan - Mos Craciun (original version)

2008-05-08T00:28:00.002+02:00

This is pretty incredible. This is Romanian sensation Cleopatra Stratan, and I believe her father, singer Pavel, is Santa Clause...he's got his own odd and interesting music video.

Anyway, she's very cute and amazing. And hopefully she doesn't grow up screwed up, but for more information try the very trustworthy Wikipedia links for introductions.

Insect sex

2008-05-03T12:32:00.004+02:00

From male spiders using invisible ultraviolet B (UVB) light to attract the female spiders,
to scientists controlling the minds of fruit flies with light to get the females to behave like males,
who knew insect sex could be so interesting??
Thank you, BBC news for making us more educated, slightly creepier and well-rounded people.

yes, a blog also for personal messages

2008-04-29T01:02:00.003+02:00

Happy Birthday, Jenny!

May you always have everything you want to be happy...and a fire extinguisher just in case. :)

April 22

2008-04-22T15:19:00.004+02:00

Happy Earth Day!

Since 1970 reminding people to show love for lovely lady Earth by
turning off the lights, cleaning up the air and rebounding those crumpled love letters.

He's back

2008-04-14T21:47:00.003+02:00

Guess who's also back in power? Berlusconi, 71-year-old media mogul (who has accused judges of constantly being after him with corruption charges) has won the Italian governmental election...again...since 1994 Berlusconi has ran for premiership five times. This year marks the third win.

Sure he's flamboyant and loud and owns 50% of the media in Italy. On the other hand, he had the longest running government in Italian history since World War II---the same government for five years in a row. Who cares if he's repeatedly been to trial for corruption charges, he's a politician, isn't that normal?

This is what desperation and frustration comes down to: any change looks better than the current one when the Italian economic situation looks so ominous and while the streets of Napoli are lined with huge amounts of garbage that citizens refuse to remove.

Amazingly, no matter how desperate the situation, Italians have a better nation wide presidential vote turnout (80% this year) than do Americans (55% in 2004).

i'm back!

2008-04-12T07:23:00.002+02:00

Ok, after a week out of the country, I'M BACK IN FLORENCE!

So...summary:

DUBLIN, IRELAND
-love the accent, love the humor, love the friendliness (though it's also a little unnerving), love that there's huge trees with vines running up them in the park we visited and that there's football/tennis courts everywhere.
-listened to Irish music in a packed pub. i think i was the only person with a 7-up and not a Guinness.
-saw where Jonathan Swift was buried in Saint Patrick's Cathedral. (i am a very enthusiastic fan of his satire "a Modest Proposal" about dealing with the widespread famine in Ireland in the 1700s).
-was refreshed by the lack of things to do.
-would be quite happy living there i think if it weren't for that pesky and constant rain during the year (thankfully, except for a couple quick bouts of hail, it was all sunshine and wind for us this trip).
-i got lost for the afternoon.

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
-gothic style is everywhere there and is the Russian influence. wow.
-the prices are BEAUTIFUL. reasonable prices in fancy shops and adorable market streets.
-down side: with its own currency, the Republic of Czech stole a good portion of my money and then i felt like i had to use up the remainder just so that i didn't get out-and-out robbed again.
-watching a new korean tv show with Missy.
-Charles Bridge--cool.
-fried cheese burgers--thank you, Missy for all the new foods you introduced me to! this was definitely my favorite though. :)
-i got lost for a couple hours in the afternoon.

COMING BACK
-left Missy and Prague at 9 a.m.:
two flights
+ nine-hour layover
+ hour bus ride
=I'm back in Florence central at 2:45 a.m.

Make it back to my room by 4 a.m. I still have not slept. Breakfast is only in a 1/2 hour...(at 8 a.m.)

And that's all folks! I took a surprisingly few amount of pictures. Hopefully I'll post something soon....

What's up now, Doc?

2008-04-07T20:33:00.001+02:00

Dublin was a blast. Now I'm checking out Prague. Will write more later.

Let me just say: five hours in an Irish pub talkin to the locals and striving to catch everything with the accent. Fun times!

Belle, the original cast(Garou, Daniel, Patric)

2008-03-31T12:50:00.002+02:00

Yes, it's hard to understand: it's in French. But dang, it's cool.

I present the song, "Belle," from the show, "Notre Dame de Paris," which opened in Paris in 1999. Art really does add to the quality of living.

To read the short review when the show came to London in 2000; to see "Belle" performed live, in costume and with subtitles.

Enjoy.

And then there was...darkness?

2008-03-29T00:00:00.003+01:00

One of the coolest things is happening today. Now. Possibly this minute (depending on when you're reading this...).

Sydney, Australia is leading 371 cities one of the most innovative ways to grab attention about global warming: turning out the lights all around the globe for one hour.

Beginning at 8:00 p.m. in Sydney, Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House will have only the moonlight to illuminate them, major restaurants will turn off bulbs and light candles and skyscrapers will turn off their neon signs. Not only does this increase awareness about global warming and how we can respond, this campaign also encourages romance all across the world.

Begun last year in Sydney, this year 26 major cities are involved in "Earth Hour" including:
Aalborg, Aarhus, Adelaide, Atlanta, Bangkok, Brisbane, Canberra, Chicago, Christchurch, Copenhagen, Darwin, Dublin, Hobart, Manila, Melbourne, Montreal, Odense, Ottawa, Perth, Phoenix, San Francisco, Suva, Sydney, Tel Aviv, Toronto and Vancouver.

While only a symbol, symbols do have importance in reminding us of our decisions, our values and how to better put those ideas into practice...all across the globe, every hour of the day.

The update you've always wanted...but never realized until now.

2008-03-24T20:57:00.003+01:00

So...since youtube won't let me post anything onto this site for whatever reason lately (possibly the dismal Internet connection), guess I'll update everyone on my very exciting life.

Spring Break has officially started, and after a day and half revisit in Rome, I'm back in Florence and taking advantage of everything that the rainy March weather has allotted to us:

Day 1
...
...
...

Day 2
...wrestle sunglasses off evil, green-toothed chimp.
...
...
...

Day 3
...
...in counseling for Day 2.
...

Day 4
...
...
...have reoccurring nightmares. See Day 2.

Day 5
...write a blog to distract from flashbacks to evil monkey.
...
...

Ok, now really.
1) I've been reading, Irving Stone's "The Agony and the Ecstasy: A Biographical Novel of Michelangelo." Recommended by a friend, this famous and thick book brings out the character of some of the most famous Renaissance artists and the people surrounding Michelangelo's life. Interesting, fun, well-researched and enlightening. Definitely worth the 600+pages so far.

2) Been finishing some freelance work with Sean. We're almost finished, man!

3) Been putting off homework.

4) Been eating at a Jewish restaurant. Adorably cool grandfather running the place. I NEED to go back. The place has good food and super accommodating and family-like staff.

Future:
I don't take off for another 10 days, so finding a way to make my resume presentable without the amazing tools I've had in the past (such as a Mac, Illustrator, InDesign, Quark...) will be exciting. Pray for me. :)

NPR is my new hero

2008-03-12T17:42:00.003+01:00

So I've rediscovered how awesome it is to listen to National Public Radio. Though it's based in the United States, I've just started listening again online from Florence, and I've begun an enthusiastic addict. Hard topics, terribly interesting, real people and fueling the search of knowledge. It's breathtaking.

Here's a nine-minute story that surprised, challenged and inspired me. It talks about how the author, Benjamin Skinner, was able to negotiate for a nine-year old sex slave to be sold to him for $50 US. Don't worry, he didn't actually buy. He was determined that during his journalistic under cover work he would never pay for a human life. He only broke that rule once.

Two stats seriously surprised me: First, while about one person becomes a slave in the U.S. every 30 minutes, the U.S. is one of the countries with "less" slaves, according to Free the Slaves.net. And secondly, most slaves are NOT commercial sex slaves.

The interview is even better if you're able to listen to the voices: click the audio icon directly under the story's heading.

Trivia

2008-03-09T17:39:00.005+01:00

The only three feminine words in the Italian language that are feminine whether the person you're talking about is male or female:

la guardia: the guard
la guida: the guide
la spia: the spy

I think it's an excellent description of the essential traits of every woman. Believe us, gentlemen, though we have these powers, whether they're used for good or evil depends solely on each individual woman.

The Bank Job Trailer and story

2008-03-04T14:46:00.002+01:00

Here's one of the most interesting tales of bank robbery that I've never heard of until today.

If you were legal in 1971 and living in Britain, you might of heard of the 1971 Baker Street robbery, the biggest heist (up until that point) to have ever hit England at 3 million pounds stolen...unless you were visiting relatives in Chile until four days after the grab, when in that case thanks to the government's media gag, you're probably as surprised as I was to hear about it.

Despite being eavesdropped on for 10 hours during the burglary, the culprits weren't caught during the thieving, and most of the money still hasn't been recovered. Theories abound, but this one is supposedly set on real interviews with the culprits, who seemed to know as little about what was really going on as anyone else.

As so many stories seem to go, this tale begins with a princess...and ends with a hanging.

Natural disasters of the Florence kind

2008-03-01T18:06:00.003+01:00

So we had an earthquake yesterday.

I was in the top room of the girls' dorm pretending to read this morning when the entire building shook. At first I thought I giant truck...or a gorilla...was going past the building. Then I realized it might be something more.

I decided there was only two ways to find out: the sound of doors slamming as girls gathered in the hallway while asking each other, "Did you feel that?!" and the tremors following 10 minutes later confirmed the hunch. About half hour after the first one, there was a second, followed by two very minimum tremors.

Most girls only felt one of the earthquakes. But I had the advantage of being in the highest room in the building at the moment of shuddering, so I felt special to have surfed them all. Ok...surfed is an extreme word for this.

Both earthquakes were very minimal. Just shudders. There was no damage that I know of and everyone was fine. The earthquakes only effect were making the day so much cooler. Thank you, God for cool experiences without disasterous consequences.

Update

2008-02-21T22:53:00.001+01:00

Thank you, God that exams are over.

...and for two days of "pausa."

And that's all I have to say about that.

JUNO Trailer

2008-02-15T00:50:00.001+01:00

Here's a trailer for a film I watched recently and loved. Cute, INTELLIGENT DIALOGUE (you can always tell the Sundance scripts), and I know a girl who says and sounds just like this!...minus the pregnancy.

It's cute and worth watching.

P.S. I LOVE YOU - Official Trailer

2008-02-11T18:23:00.001+01:00

I want to see this movie. I don't care that it's a chic flick. It has a great idea for a plot. And it looks adorable.

the political scene

2008-02-06T15:03:00.000+01:00

U.S. Presidential Candidate Update:
Even after 22 states voted for their favorite Democratic nominee, there's no clear winner between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. However, John McCain seems the mostly likely contender for the Republicans.

BBC News has a very helpful map with the results, statics and a brief summary of each state's main concern help give a little more background.

Meanwhile in Italy
The Italalian Prime Minister Romano Prodi resigned last month (the Senate voted no confidence) and the Italian president has just dissolved parliament.

National elections are set for April 13-14.

Most are expecting Silvio Berlusconi to win the next election. The richest man in Italy and media mongrel, Berlusconi has ready served two terms as prime minister---one being the longest running Italian government (2001-2006) since World War II.

Berlusconi has also been tried 11 times for corruption charges (each time acquitted or the verdict overturned on appeal---except for a few of those cases that are still going on).

U.S. voter political resources

2008-02-05T14:30:00.000+01:00

It's Feb. 5, 2008, and 22 states are holding state primaries.

Here's an amazing resource, a Political Dashboard that is helpful for seeing who has already voted, what the results are and when the other states will vote.

Good: There's more demographic information and history of how the state has voted in the past.

Bad: Some points are confusing. The column that shows "Yahoo! Buzz" means how much the candidate has looked up on their search engine from that state---it's not a popularity poll. And there's a couple interesting information additions that are better explained by the "What is this?" button at the top part of the page.

Another helpful resource: Project Vote Smart.

Good: The site has outlined information about almost everything: who's in office for every states, the presidential candidates profile information and addresses for everything (research the candidate, donating or checking out their opponent). Outlined facts, not fluff story-telling.

Bad: This site has a map also, but only to discover when your political party in each state is voting.

Roman adventure

2008-01-28T18:20:00.000+01:00

So I realized I never really told ya'all about the Rome visit...and I'm just going to briefly mention it here. But here's two of the most famous and coolest sites in Rome.

We're at the Colosseum which housed gladiator events. People on stone benches on top of vendor shops all around the action. Underneath the floor (which is mostly gone now), the prisoners, gladiators, slaves and fighting animals were kept.

While Christians were used in these events, historians doubt they were actually put to the test in this particular Colosseum. According to historians however, occasionally the entire Colosseum floor was sealed off and flooded to simulate naval battles.

Overall, pretty impressive engineering. Not as large as I imagined, but still a must-see.

The Vatican was pretty cool. There's a ton of amazing art in the museum (including the Sistine Chapel which we're not allowed to photograph...and there's men whose job it is to constantly "shhh!" people. Paid to be hated.).

Here's one of the amazing sculptures they have, "Laocoon." This was the man who warned his fellow Trojans, "Beware of Greeks bearing gifts," before the Greek gods sent giant snakes to crush him and his sons. This sculpture was buried for more than 1,000 years in the ruins of Nero's Golden House until it was rediscovered 1506. Everyone was used to seeing "pretty" and "balanced" sculptures. The rare emotion and strength of this piece caused such a huge sensation that it was paraded through the streets, and left a huge impression on a young onlooker named Michaelangelo--who began working on the Sistine Chapel two years later.

One of the coolest paintings at the museum, Raphael's "The School of Athens" includes the greatest philosophers and scientists of the ancient world. In the center is Plato (pointing up indicating philosophy and mathematics are key players in discovering the perfect truth) and Aristotle (pointing down to the studying of the material world). The picture is divided as such with Plato's thinkers on the left and Aristotle's scientists on the right.

Raphael put his contemporary great minds of the Renaissance in the picture. Leonardo di Vinci is Plato, Raphael as himself but off to the side in the painting and (after having a sneak peek at Michaelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling) the brooding Michaelangelo in the front leaning on the table.

In memory of

2008-01-25T15:09:00.000+01:00

Unless you've been hiding under your bed for four days, you've probably heard about rising star, Heath Ledger, who was found dead in his apartment on Jan. 21, 2008. At this point people are assuming the Australian actor OD-ed on prescription pills.

Maybe it's because he has two films coming out, or maybe it's because I've followed his films since he started getting attention---and not because he was good looking (which he was), but because he actually picked good, interesting and diverse roles. Or maybe it's because he was so young--only 32 years old--and his career looked so full of potential. Or maybe it's seeing all these mini-biographies for a guy I still can't believe is dead. Whatever it is, his death hit harder than I would have imagined for a person I never knew.

R.I.P. Heath.

Firefly Trailer

2008-01-20T15:37:00.001+01:00

This is a classic. If you don't know what Firefly or Serenity are, you need to check out the DVDs right now. For everyone else, here's to the cult following.

Hamlet Act3, Scene1 Soliloquy

2008-01-15T22:14:00.001+01:00

I've had parts of this speech drifting around in my head for the last week as I remember when my sister rehearsed and rehearsed this monologue for a presentation in high school.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you one of the most famous and thought-provoking speeches in Shakespearean writing: "to be or not to be" [or as in italiano: "essere o non essere."]

To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep;
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to, 'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep;
To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub;
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause: there's the respect
That makes calamity of so long life;
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,
The oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely,
The pangs of despised love, the law's delay,
The insolence of office and the spurns
That patient merit of the unworthy takes,
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin? who would fardels bear,
To grunt and sweat under a weary life,
But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscover'd country from whose bourn
No traveller returns, puzzles the will
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of?
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all;
And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprises of great pith and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry,
And lose the name of action. - Soft you now!
The fair Ophelia! Nymph, in thy orisons
Be all my sins remember'd.

Quick U.S. political update

2008-01-13T23:51:00.000+01:00

In a tight race, Hilary Clinton won the Democrat nomination in New Hampshire about a week ago. She won by a 2% margin, when most were expecting Barak Obama to get the win. So the tight campaign continues for them.

Next up is Nevada, Michigan and then primaries in 22 states on Feb. 5.

Giorgia E poi - Live in Super 1996 -

2008-01-11T13:24:00.001+01:00

The first Italian artist I've really listened to. This song was recommended to me by dear Sally, and I love it.

The topic's pretty heavy, saying "And then, and then..." love will come like death to make you love and then disappear, to endure a night that never ends.

So very, very sad, but "molto bella." Enjoy.

U.S. election process

2008-01-05T16:39:00.000+01:00

Update on election process: Obama wins the caucus in Iowa.

I'm quoting from the above link: The Seattle Times, "On Deadline: Iowa Results Scare GOP," by Ron Fournier

Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois tapped into a hunger for institutional change and helped produce a record-shattering turnout for Democrats _ an estimated 239,000, compared with the previous high of 124,000. Republicans didn't do half as well, drawing about 115,000 people to its caucuses.

...And this didn't just happen anywhere. It took place in Iowa, the quintessential swing state that Democrat Al Gore won in 2000 by 4,144 votes and Republican George W. Bush won four years later by 10,059 votes.

The journey is definitely not over, but a chill has been sent down the Republican leadership's spine, sending an undeniable message that Americans in Iowa (and quite likely the rest of the States) are sick of the current corrupt, arrogant and deafened ears of their leadership and are ready to fight for a change.

Let's hope the rest of us fight as loudly.

Presidental Candidates 2008

2008-01-02T05:45:00.000+01:00

I'm going to try to post video footage of some of the U.S. presidential candidates for 2008 throughout the next couple of months as I learn more and more about them. So far, from the research I've done to this point, I'm leaning toward Barack Obama.

~he has experience, but not enough to make me think he's completely corrupted.
~he comes from a diverse background, growing up in different places and holding a more world-wide view.
~he opposed the war in the Iraq from the first vote.
~he's willing to sit down and talk with his enemies.
~he has solid, good plans that if he is able to do half of will make a big difference.
~he can speak well and I feel represent better the American people, by putting together complete sentences in public. :)

Invisible Children update: hope and reality

2007-12-27T00:50:00.000+01:00

It's crazy when you get to report on something positive...if it's not bloody, it doesn't seem to make the news. But today it does. At least here. A quick update on the Invisible Children situation:

You may remember two blogs entries--one this year and one from last year trying to raise awareness of the African children being abducted and forced into terrorist militias.

The children traveled hours into the city to spend the night on the streets where their chances of being abducted were much less, while chances for other dangers (rape by citizens, children against children violence and uninformed, unsafe sex) were increased.

Since the beginning of the film Invisible Children in 2003 when three college guys discovered the two decade year-old war, the grassroots mobilization has made an impact. Today, thank God, most commuting to the cities has stopped. For a quick update read this press release or watch the short clip.

Or....you could watch it. Right now. Less than one hour.

Watch the first 2 minutes 3 seconds.
I dare you.
It's not what you expect.
(Don't worry, you won't be suicidal afterward).

William Saroyan

2007-12-25T18:16:00.000+01:00

"The writer is a spiritual anarchist, as in the depth of his soul every man is. He is discontented with everything and everybody. The writer is everybody's best friend and only true enemy - the good and great enemy. He neither walks with the multitude nor cheers with them. The writer who is a writer is a rebel who never stops." (from The William Saroyan Reader, 1958)

--I was introduced to William Saroyan by my friend Katie, and I'm terribly interested to read more of his work and especially watch his play, "The Time of Your Life" which is set in a bar during the Depression and about people just sitting around, searching for the meaning of life. It sounds like characters I would meet in Odysseus' casefiles.

“The most solid advice for a writer is this, I think: Try to learn to breathe deeply, really to taste food when you eat, and when you sleep really to sleep. Try as much as possible to be wholly alive with all your might, and when you laugh, laugh like hell. And when you get angry, get good and angry. Try to be alive. You will be dead soon enough”---William Saroyan

Glimpses of Paris

2007-12-21T17:54:00.001+01:00

The Highlights (love how I'm so discriptive....)
1. The tower.
2. Church of the Sacred Heart (beautiful!)
3. The three amici in the Louvre.

The season festivities greeting

2007-12-21T17:38:00.000+01:00

As sent by Pastor Rich Carlson for season tidings. Decided to add my "dido" greetings. :)

"Please accept, with no obligation implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral, celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all, and a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2008, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great, (not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country or is the only "AMERICA" in the western hemisphere), and without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, or choice of computer platform of the wishee.

By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms....
This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal.
It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting.
It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her/himself or others, and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher.
This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year, or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher."

the truth

2007-12-14T23:45:00.000+01:00

For the next four days, I'll be checking out Paris! Please comment on the graffiti pics, so that I feel loved when I get back.... :)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!

Graffiti at Cinque Terre

2007-12-11T23:44:00.001+01:00

I have a theory that in a land brimming with so much artistic history, art bursts forth from today's generation of Italians in graffiti---often all over the city. And while there's a lot of profanity, a ton of city art is professions of love or poetry on walls (example I saw: "Francesca, is my taste still on your lips?...fly to me.").

However at Cinque Terre, there's the Lane of Love, which is something truly special for this generation of artists. The walkway walls are covered--up to the ceiling--with art. Much like these pics here! (surprise!)

1 & 2) The bench says (loosely translated): "This night I will not return home. I will linger alone with the stars."

3) It's a tradition here that when lovers attach a lock to a railing and throw the key into the sea, their love will last forever.

The Rest) cool graffiti. The middle shot with Suzie and Jenny Tiffany.

2007-12-11T21:45:00.000+01:00

What, no one leaves comments anymore?? What the heck...

Useful phrases every American tourist should know

2007-12-05T18:44:00.000+01:00

Three phrases every American should know, according to "Don" Luca:

-"Non ho capito." [nohn oh ca-pee-toh]= "I didn't understand."
-"Mi dispiace." [mee-dee-spee-auch-ay]= "I'm sorry."
-"Aiuto!" [ah-yoo-toh]="Help!"

Becky's top three useful phrases:

-"Grazie." [grah-tzee-ay]= "Thanks."
-"Bo." [b-oh]= "I don't know."
-"Bello/a." [bell-oh]="Beautiful."

It's odd being a foreigner

2007-11-30T19:57:00.000+01:00

At least when I was in Australia I was surrounded by Australians who showed me what Australians cared about, thought about, fought about and were completely perverted about. They introduced a new sense of humor and a multitude of new vocabulary.

While I'm increasing my vocabulary here in Italy, for the most part I'm a foreigner among foreigners. Sure the Americans take up half the school, but the other half is mostly Romanians, then volunteers from all around the world (Mexico, Sweden, Argentina...). There's about four actual Italian students here that I see on a regular basis. In a school of 50 students, sometimes the Italians must feel like the foreigners.

And sure, I usually hang out with the Italians or the Romanians or the Spanish speakers, and all of the Americans are learning heaps about the Italian culture....it's just obviously not the same kind of education. Not better or worse, more like comparing a car engine with a motorcycle's gear shifting. Completely different playing fields.

So I suppose I must embrace the fact that I'm learning more about the world and all of Europe, not just submersion into an Italian mindset. I sing German, Italian, Latin and French with the choir. I hear Romanian, Italian, English and Spanish at lunch. I will be able to tell the difference between the latin languages even if I can't pinpoint which one is being spoken.

And I will learn about the world from all the rest of the foreigners...even the ones who've always lived in Italia.

Stealing Pizza from Nonna

2007-11-25T21:34:00.000+01:00

The setting: Last night, 25 people from the church choir and their families in an apartment celebrating the first choir director and her husband who are retired and visiting from Switzerland.

The victim: the previously mentioned choir director.

The scenario: We were all asked how much pizza we would like (since the visiting couple were paying for everyone's meal. Very, very kind.) I held up one finger (as most other people did) and figured we were telling how many slices we would eat (supper would be about 7:30 p.m. as usual. Kinda late for me.)

When we arrived at the apartment later and began chatting, people starting coming in with pizza boxes and saying the pizza type before putting it in people's laps. About half the room had pizzas on their lap (plenty of pizza for the entire group) when someone came in and prayed over the food.

After hearing the blessing, I got up, went over to the grandmother and asked, "Posso?" ["Can I?"] since she had the pizza type I had ordered too.
"Of course! Help yourself," she said in Italian.
"Wow, big pieces," I said and went back to my seat where two Romanian friends were staring with mouths tapping the floor. At first I thought they were just drooling over the pizza.

Allen finally picked up his bottom lip long enough to say, "You just stole her pizza."
"That's kind of a harsh way of saying it," I said lifting the cheese pizza toward my mouth.
"Becky," said Allen eyes wide, "everyone will get their OWN pizza."

I went over right away and tried to give back the pizza, rambling on about my confusion and repeated apologizing but she wouldn't hear it. The sweet grandmother commanded me, saying she was older than me and I had to do exactly what she said and there was no possible way for her to finish the entire pizza and to eat my new piece right away and come straight back for more.

She was a dear. I learned later she taught at Union College as the choir teacher for five years right after WWII and only departed from her favorite school to get married and follow her husband to France. Because of her traveling to France for mission work (her husband was a pastor), she got to put up a Golden Chord.

This woman is amazing. She's lived in France, Newbold, Switzerland, Italy, the States and Jerusalem, just to name a few places. She knows seven languages and says her husband knows three more than she does. Both were very charming and left you wanting to kiss their cheeks and give them Christmas cookies. Sadly, I had no cookies. But kisses were definitely in.

...so...

2007-11-22T17:27:00.000+01:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

I'm lookin forward to this Thanksgiving. We've got a huge meal planned for tonight and all the students and faculty are invited, so it should be fun. Finals are finally over---yay! And we've got tomorrow off and we'll probably all go shopping (even though they obviously don't have all the sales starting tomorrow that we have in the States, I need jeans pretty desperately).

Ooo, about the meal for tonight, I helped make pumpkin and apple pies from scratch yesterday, so I'm really excited to taste how it all came out.

We also visited the leaning tower of Pisa today and the town of Luca---which is a cute little town perfect for shopping...some things are more expensive and some things are cheaper there. But it's all shiney. :)

Whether you celebrate this particular holiday or not, I hope you have a wonderful day filled with good food, friends and a little bit of craziness. Love to all!

Trip to Naples

2007-11-20T19:02:00.001+01:00

Thanks to Daniel Tanaka for working hours to put all this together and letting me mooch off his amazing talent. :)

This made Kristin laugh out loud...even snort!

2007-11-15T01:23:00.000+01:00

Thanks to xkcd.com for the comic