Wednesday, January 18, 2012
It's tough keeping track of the days now. I hope I've gotten a few points across through my writing thus far. This internship is draining but worthwhile and I know that in the coming days my return to Massachusetts will be bitter sweet. I will do my best to keep you updated but much of my time now is spent with folks and self-thought. So here's a super cheesy thank you to those who've supported and stuck with me as well as those who keep me sane.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Its a rare day where I have the house to myself. I slept on the couch last night in front of the fire and i didnt mind it at all. Our dumpstering score from yesterday was just the happy event I needed to get to bed. Ideally I would have like to go hiking today but maybe I can do so tomorrow. So I'm taking this time to cook my chicken. We found BBQ sauce and a sealed can of Hooter's brand medium spicy wing sauce. So I'm gonna experiment and cook up the chicken i have.
I didn't end up using the hooters sauce, but Chynna helped me out and essentially baked my chicken for me. It tastes crisp and delicious but we have to wait for it to cool.
-90 min later- 8:45pm 1/14/2012
Dance Instructor Dan and his dumbass friend came over. After a few mixed drinks of whisky and dr. pepper he felt the need to chop some kindling. Dan took the top of his thumb off (only half inch at most) and proceded to lie down on the ground by the door. It was a scene of beautiful chaos. I walked quickly to get the freshest towel 40 house had and gave to him to apply. I then went to the freezer and found a small ice pack, I was already holding the thumb nub in the other towelled hand. I put it on ice and went over to Dan, on the ground. Understandably he was writhing a good amount. Super-doula Tara remained calm, elevating his feet as Chynna went to get the car. He is so damn lucky that we live 3 min from the local hospital. We were there in 2.
As an update, they couldn't reattach the tip. It'll take a few weeks to recover, but I hope that event was eye opening to more than just me. It made me so accutely aware that I can stay calm and focussed in such a potentially chaotic situation. Maybe its not so great that I've become desensitized to it. Tara's calming manner defineitley helped me. She took command, and proved how solid she is. I know thats experience that comes from her trips to Africa, in which death and dying, and the distance from real medical care is so vast. She's out to do great things in the world, and honestly I feel nourished by the energy she brings to her pursuits.
I didn't end up using the hooters sauce, but Chynna helped me out and essentially baked my chicken for me. It tastes crisp and delicious but we have to wait for it to cool.
-90 min later- 8:45pm 1/14/2012
Dance Instructor Dan and his dumbass friend came over. After a few mixed drinks of whisky and dr. pepper he felt the need to chop some kindling. Dan took the top of his thumb off (only half inch at most) and proceded to lie down on the ground by the door. It was a scene of beautiful chaos. I walked quickly to get the freshest towel 40 house had and gave to him to apply. I then went to the freezer and found a small ice pack, I was already holding the thumb nub in the other towelled hand. I put it on ice and went over to Dan, on the ground. Understandably he was writhing a good amount. Super-doula Tara remained calm, elevating his feet as Chynna went to get the car. He is so damn lucky that we live 3 min from the local hospital. We were there in 2.
As an update, they couldn't reattach the tip. It'll take a few weeks to recover, but I hope that event was eye opening to more than just me. It made me so accutely aware that I can stay calm and focussed in such a potentially chaotic situation. Maybe its not so great that I've become desensitized to it. Tara's calming manner defineitley helped me. She took command, and proved how solid she is. I know thats experience that comes from her trips to Africa, in which death and dying, and the distance from real medical care is so vast. She's out to do great things in the world, and honestly I feel nourished by the energy she brings to her pursuits.
Friday, January 13, 2012
I want to kick so many things. My advisor got this new droid phone and because I fall into the generation younger than her I'm supposed to be an expert. I have no goddamn idea how to work this thing but let me just take time out of my day to post it. Why don't you just send it to facebook!? Half an hour of my life spent getting a picture from a phone to my email. I'M NOT GETTING PAID FOR THIS! I need some fresh air, I want to go for a run so badly. Nobody is meant to sit still for that long just staring at a screen. I have shit to do, things to plan, and that has very little to do with anti-bullying.
[two hours later]
so after the phone incident I left, went for a run fully realizing that i only had a t shirt and that it is below freezing. I'm feeling a bit cooped up. At least now I get to concentrate on sports and LGBT stuff specifically. I've listening to the United States of Tara while doing the rest of this work. I hate having six word documents open at the same time. Hopefully I'll do something fun tonight, maybe go dumpstering, or food shopping, or slowly start packing? who knows.
[two hours later]
so after the phone incident I left, went for a run fully realizing that i only had a t shirt and that it is below freezing. I'm feeling a bit cooped up. At least now I get to concentrate on sports and LGBT stuff specifically. I've listening to the United States of Tara while doing the rest of this work. I hate having six word documents open at the same time. Hopefully I'll do something fun tonight, maybe go dumpstering, or food shopping, or slowly start packing? who knows.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Today was painfully slow. Each time I'm forced to ride that bus I think about how lucky i am to afford the brand name ipod rather than still lugging around a CD player (i've seen 3 of them now, its haunting). I miss my friends up north but I'm enjoying my time down here too, the freedoms I have of my own room, my own schedule, the hours in which I ccan cook or make a fire. Yeah I sleep in a sleeping bag and my desk is the other half of this full sized mattress, but there's nice people and more often than not good food around. Some of my housemates can be elitist sons of bitches but who doesn't know at least one person with those qualities. At the heart of it Alexei will talk to Eli about his father issues. Carleigh and Chynna will be spiritual about how and what they eat. I love this house as a home away from home. They like me being here and I enjoy contributing how I can (pro dish-washer). Which makes coming home after a stressful day of internship that much nicer. Tis all for now. As much as I declared it, the post about Daniel may be a tad delayed only cause we essentially banned him from 40.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Just for Kicks if you're looking to live in the house I currently do, this is the craigslist ad
Date: 2012-01-08, 8:30AM EST
Reply to: mailto:hous-qhqw9-2789162384@craigslist.org?subject=%24200%20%2F%20110ft%26sup2%3B%20-%20Community%20house%20room%20open--seeking%20awesomeness%20(Asheville)&body=%0A%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fasheville.craigslist.org%2Froo%2F2789162384.html%0A [Errors when replying to ads?]
$200 / 110ft² - Community house room open--seeking awesomeness (Asheville) (map)
Date: 2012-01-08, 8:30AM EST
Reply to: mailto:hous-qhqw9-2789162384@craigslist.org?subject=%24200%20%2F%20110ft%26sup2%3B%20-%20Community%20house%20room%20open--seeking%20awesomeness%20(Asheville)&body=%0A%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fasheville.craigslist.org%2Froo%2F2789162384.html%0A [Errors when replying to ads?]
We are a community house experimenting with and demonstrating sustainable living and community organizing.
The vision is to: 1. to create and share a model sustainable home, 2. to support community activists/organizers by offering an supportive and educational place to live, 3. and to use our house and property to host classes/presentations/skill shares, potlucks, meetings, films, a library, discussion circles, dances, etc.
This is an opportunity to live in an awesome community house, but also a chance to be a part of grassroots community organizing. We are seeking folks who are into this project, not folks who just want a cheap place to live.
The house features:
* a library available to the community
* a large bicycle rack
* wood stove for heat
* composting
* a verdant garden
* a clothesline and clothes washer
* a rainwater harvesting system for garden irrigation (1,000 gallons)
* natural building methods and reclaimed/scavenged building materials
* high speed internet and wireless
* the peaceful absence of a television
We are a community house with 6 residents. We have meetings about every 2-4 weeks.
There will be an application process since it is a community house. It is important that you be enthusiastic about and engaged in the house. It would be a plus to have skills and interests in community organizing, teaching and/or remodeling.
The rent would be $200. The rent is low because a) the house is still a bit rough around the edges and unfinished and b) we want to support local activists with lower living costs. There will be a month to month lease you will be asked to sign.
Other important stuff:
* Utilities shared (internet, power, gas, water, landfill, etc) comes to $20-30 a month per person
* Food preferences: organic, local, scavenged/reclaimed.
* We don't have central heat or air, so it runs a bit hot in summer and cold in winter. We have a wood stove and do our best to heat house with it We have fans but no A/C.
* Residents are expected to give at least one month notice before leaving.
* Drinking is okay but drunkenness is not, and getting stoned everyday ain't okay.
* Dogs and cats might be OK-- it really depends. Fleas in the yard are really bad here.
We are especially excited to support permaculture, intentional communities, unschoolers, freeskools, earth defenders, indigenous peoples, LGBTQ, natural building, herbalists, bicycle advocates, organic food growers, sustainability, ecovillages, independent media, worker-owned businesses, Green Party, nonviolent conflict resolution, antiglobalization/relocalization, local currencies, appropriate technology, mad scientists, animists/pagans, conscious music, open source, war resisters, etc etc.
Here are some projects (and their websites) that we are directly involved in.
* Freeskool Asheville http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=55734428124
* Open Umbrella Collective http://www.openumbrellacollective.yolasite.com/
* Sassafras Community Health Collective
* Grassroots Activist Guild http://www.grassrootsactivistguild.org/
Some cool quotes:
A different world cannot be built by indifferent people.
~ Horace Mann
To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.
~ Elbert Hubbard
If you have come to help me you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bout up with mine, then let us work together.
~ An Aboriginal Australian woman
If you would learn more, ask the cattle, seek information from the birds of the air, The creeping things of earth will give you lessons and the fishes of the sea will tell you all. Speak to the Earth and it will teach thee.
~ Job: 12, 7
Congress St at Gaston (google map) (yahoo map)
PostingID: 2789162384
The vision is to: 1. to create and share a model sustainable home, 2. to support community activists/organizers by offering an supportive and educational place to live, 3. and to use our house and property to host classes/presentations/skill shares, potlucks, meetings, films, a library, discussion circles, dances, etc.
This is an opportunity to live in an awesome community house, but also a chance to be a part of grassroots community organizing. We are seeking folks who are into this project, not folks who just want a cheap place to live.
The house features:
* a library available to the community
* a large bicycle rack
* wood stove for heat
* composting
* a verdant garden
* a clothesline and clothes washer
* a rainwater harvesting system for garden irrigation (1,000 gallons)
* natural building methods and reclaimed/scavenged building materials
* high speed internet and wireless
* the peaceful absence of a television
We are a community house with 6 residents. We have meetings about every 2-4 weeks.
There will be an application process since it is a community house. It is important that you be enthusiastic about and engaged in the house. It would be a plus to have skills and interests in community organizing, teaching and/or remodeling.
The rent would be $200. The rent is low because a) the house is still a bit rough around the edges and unfinished and b) we want to support local activists with lower living costs. There will be a month to month lease you will be asked to sign.
Other important stuff:
* Utilities shared (internet, power, gas, water, landfill, etc) comes to $20-30 a month per person
* Food preferences: organic, local, scavenged/reclaimed.
* We don't have central heat or air, so it runs a bit hot in summer and cold in winter. We have a wood stove and do our best to heat house with it We have fans but no A/C.
* Residents are expected to give at least one month notice before leaving.
* Drinking is okay but drunkenness is not, and getting stoned everyday ain't okay.
* Dogs and cats might be OK-- it really depends. Fleas in the yard are really bad here.
We are especially excited to support permaculture, intentional communities, unschoolers, freeskools, earth defenders, indigenous peoples, LGBTQ, natural building, herbalists, bicycle advocates, organic food growers, sustainability, ecovillages, independent media, worker-owned businesses, Green Party, nonviolent conflict resolution, antiglobalization/relocalization, local currencies, appropriate technology, mad scientists, animists/pagans, conscious music, open source, war resisters, etc etc.
Here are some projects (and their websites) that we are directly involved in.
* Freeskool Asheville http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=55734428124
* Open Umbrella Collective http://www.openumbrellacollective.yolasite.com/
* Sassafras Community Health Collective
* Grassroots Activist Guild http://www.grassrootsactivistguild.org/
Some cool quotes:
A different world cannot be built by indifferent people.
~ Horace Mann
To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.
~ Elbert Hubbard
If you have come to help me you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bout up with mine, then let us work together.
~ An Aboriginal Australian woman
If you would learn more, ask the cattle, seek information from the birds of the air, The creeping things of earth will give you lessons and the fishes of the sea will tell you all. Speak to the Earth and it will teach thee.
~ Job: 12, 7
Congress St at Gaston (google map) (yahoo map)
- Location: Asheville
- it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
After my post yesterday we had a house meeting. It was awesome to see "real world" accountability. It was also interesting to almost compare maturity levels. One of my housemates was so emotional she had to choke back tears. Internship was hellish again as I suffered my way through four hours of plugging in more information.
Today I am going to the mayoral proclamation. I have no idea what it means, I just know I have to take pictures for it. The company database that I'm using has yet to call back over how to make mailing labels. Today was also the clubs/orgs fair. I met some people from the UNCA Alliance and hopefully I end up with a solid connection to their group. After this week, with the majority of the workload out of the way, the idea is to focus my efforts on the Facebook page and bullying within athletics.
Today I am going to the mayoral proclamation. I have no idea what it means, I just know I have to take pictures for it. The company database that I'm using has yet to call back over how to make mailing labels. Today was also the clubs/orgs fair. I met some people from the UNCA Alliance and hopefully I end up with a solid connection to their group. After this week, with the majority of the workload out of the way, the idea is to focus my efforts on the Facebook page and bullying within athletics.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
I ended up missing the group meeting. I went on a run that included some really lame hill sprints. I'm joking myself if I think I'll be in shape for pre-season. I hate making excuses that I'm not working out but when you're walking to get everywhere it wears you out slowly.
I'm also sick of people taking up the entire kitchen. I just want to toast my damn leftovers and sit to eat but no, you keep felting your shawl at our table. There's a family dinner tonight and my terrible preparation led me to a tiny incident with a hatchet.Only a few drops of blood. The plan right now is to go on wild bus adventures on Tuesday to pick up my laundry. I tried to fill out some of my school paperwork so I wouldn't get super stressed about it when it's due tomorrow. Maybe being inside on a rainy day will be better or more productive.
I'm also sick of people taking up the entire kitchen. I just want to toast my damn leftovers and sit to eat but no, you keep felting your shawl at our table. There's a family dinner tonight and my terrible preparation led me to a tiny incident with a hatchet.Only a few drops of blood. The plan right now is to go on wild bus adventures on Tuesday to pick up my laundry. I tried to fill out some of my school paperwork so I wouldn't get super stressed about it when it's due tomorrow. Maybe being inside on a rainy day will be better or more productive.
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