If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!
--Rudyard Kipling
Friday, December 19, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Hot, Flat, and Crowded
I adore Thomas Friedman. I find myself completely enthralled when listening to his talks and lectures. Today I heard on MPR a talk he gave recently discussing his new book, Hot, Flat, and Crowded, as well as some of his ideas on fostering a green revolution.
Sit back, grab a cup of tea, and take a listen to Friedman:
Sit back, grab a cup of tea, and take a listen to Friedman:
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Like a Rose as an Orchid
Me, and my helmet such an un-conventional kid
All intense and kinetic, at best tolerated from afar
Not yet arrested, and by that I mean betrothed
Though a start I am newly courted
I've just not been trusted with alters
I'm a sweet piece of work, well intentioned yet disturbed
Wrongly label-ed and under-fed, treated like a rose as an orchid
My friends, as they weigh in, get understandably protective
They have a hard time being objective
So inside we cancel each other out
I'm a sweet piece of work, well intentioned and unloved
Unlabeled and misunderstood, treated like a rose as an orchid
You've brought water to me, making sure my bloom rebounds
You know best of what my special care allows
So I've lived in my blind spot
Thought myself usual when I'm not
And your garden is a nice spot
As long as it is brave and where you are
For this sweet piece of work, high maintenance and deserted
I've been different and deserving, treated like a rose as an orchid
Sweet piece of work, overwhelmed un-observed
I've been bowed down to but so misread
Treated like a rose as an orchid
"Orchid" lyrics by Alanis Morissette
All intense and kinetic, at best tolerated from afar
Not yet arrested, and by that I mean betrothed
Though a start I am newly courted
I've just not been trusted with alters
I'm a sweet piece of work, well intentioned yet disturbed
Wrongly label-ed and under-fed, treated like a rose as an orchid
My friends, as they weigh in, get understandably protective
They have a hard time being objective
So inside we cancel each other out
I'm a sweet piece of work, well intentioned and unloved
Unlabeled and misunderstood, treated like a rose as an orchid
You've brought water to me, making sure my bloom rebounds
You know best of what my special care allows
So I've lived in my blind spot
Thought myself usual when I'm not
And your garden is a nice spot
As long as it is brave and where you are
For this sweet piece of work, high maintenance and deserted
I've been different and deserving, treated like a rose as an orchid
Sweet piece of work, overwhelmed un-observed
I've been bowed down to but so misread
Treated like a rose as an orchid
"Orchid" lyrics by Alanis Morissette
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
60 years ago, a Universal Declaration....
60 years ago, on the 10th day of December 2008, the UN General Assembly adopted and declared the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Declaration outlines the rights of which all human beings are inherently titled. I've read over the Declaration many times in my life and it never ceases to bring new understanding and awareness to me. Think of the many positive and needed changes weve seen in the world in the last 60 years! The world is a very different place than it was 60 years ago. Unfortunately, still 60 years after the document was adopted, there are still billions of people for whom these rights have yet to be realized.
Take a look at the video posted below, courtesy of the Human Rights Action Center. Read the many rights established in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
What do each of these mean to you?
How many of the rights are actually extended to you?
How many are not?
How much longer until we all treat each other as the lovely equals that we are?
Will it be another 60 years?
Will it be more?
It will be only as long as it takes for us to decide it to be so.
Just think, the world could wake up tomorrow and say, "Ahhh. Today, things will be different."
How amazing would that be?
In hope!
Take a look at the video posted below, courtesy of the Human Rights Action Center. Read the many rights established in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
What do each of these mean to you?
How many of the rights are actually extended to you?
How many are not?
How much longer until we all treat each other as the lovely equals that we are?
Will it be another 60 years?
Will it be more?
It will be only as long as it takes for us to decide it to be so.
Just think, the world could wake up tomorrow and say, "Ahhh. Today, things will be different."
How amazing would that be?
In hope!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Australia Always Makes Me Laugh
I thought I'd pay tribute to my favorite internet video of all time, Ebaum's World's The End of the World. You've probably seen this because it is one of those classic internet videos, in fact perhaps one of the pioneers of internet videos, the video that paved the path for all future internet videos to walk. ...err, something like that. Anyways, lest I get too carried away, take a looky at the End of the World. It ALWAYS makes me laugh.
WTF, Mate?
WTF, Mate?
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
America has spoken
Ahh, what an amazing morning this is. It's a morning that so many of us have been waiting so long for. For some of us its been months. For others, its been years. And for some, its been a lifetime.
I woke up this morning with a sense of pride and optimism that I must admit I have never felt in all the years of my politically-aware life. Never, until today, have I truly understood and seen the proof of the great promise America has to offer it's citizens. Never before have I truly, truly felt proud and trusting of the American public. And most of all, never before have I felt this optimistic of my generation and of my future. We've found the light at the end of the tunnel. For so long I waited for that light to appear, searching aimlessly and blind in the dark for any slight glimmer I might be able to catch a glimpse of. Today that light has been found. The end of the tunnel is near and the light on the other side is bright and warm and welcoming.
I am so hopeful. And I am so proud. I am so excited that my generation has finally found that defining moment we will always look back on and say, "There. Right there. That was the moment we realized the future was ours." And I am so humbled to see how far we have come as a country. We have reached up and reached out and took hold of the dreams and hopes of our founding fathers, of our great-grandparents and ancestors, and of so many who dedicated their lives to the hope that one day, ONE DAY, we would be a country of American citizens equal amongst each other and our government.
Not only did we elect the first African-American President, but we also made our voices heard on some of the most hot-button issues of our time. Colorado and South Dakota voted to protect a woman's right to choose, and Michigan voted to permit stem cell research in the hopes of finding cures to some of the most deadly diseases we encounter. Washington voted to allow physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill adults. And, especially dear to me, Minnesota voted to protect our environment and arts by guaranteeing steady funding to these causes.
But it does not end there. While this day is a most victorious one for so many Americans and for the world at large, there is still a long way to go. A mere 51% majority of California voters elected to write discrimination into their state constitution by denying marriage rights to same sex couples. Of this I am ashamed. Moreover, Florida and Arizona als voted yesterday to amend their constitutions to restrict same-sex couples from marriage. Arkansas voted to prohibit unmarried couples to adopt children. We are in the midst of a failing ecomony. We are a country still at war.
And yet, despite these things, we have hope.
Congratulations, America. Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life. Let's make it great.
I woke up this morning with a sense of pride and optimism that I must admit I have never felt in all the years of my politically-aware life. Never, until today, have I truly understood and seen the proof of the great promise America has to offer it's citizens. Never before have I truly, truly felt proud and trusting of the American public. And most of all, never before have I felt this optimistic of my generation and of my future. We've found the light at the end of the tunnel. For so long I waited for that light to appear, searching aimlessly and blind in the dark for any slight glimmer I might be able to catch a glimpse of. Today that light has been found. The end of the tunnel is near and the light on the other side is bright and warm and welcoming.
I am so hopeful. And I am so proud. I am so excited that my generation has finally found that defining moment we will always look back on and say, "There. Right there. That was the moment we realized the future was ours." And I am so humbled to see how far we have come as a country. We have reached up and reached out and took hold of the dreams and hopes of our founding fathers, of our great-grandparents and ancestors, and of so many who dedicated their lives to the hope that one day, ONE DAY, we would be a country of American citizens equal amongst each other and our government.
Not only did we elect the first African-American President, but we also made our voices heard on some of the most hot-button issues of our time. Colorado and South Dakota voted to protect a woman's right to choose, and Michigan voted to permit stem cell research in the hopes of finding cures to some of the most deadly diseases we encounter. Washington voted to allow physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill adults. And, especially dear to me, Minnesota voted to protect our environment and arts by guaranteeing steady funding to these causes.
But it does not end there. While this day is a most victorious one for so many Americans and for the world at large, there is still a long way to go. A mere 51% majority of California voters elected to write discrimination into their state constitution by denying marriage rights to same sex couples. Of this I am ashamed. Moreover, Florida and Arizona als voted yesterday to amend their constitutions to restrict same-sex couples from marriage. Arkansas voted to prohibit unmarried couples to adopt children. We are in the midst of a failing ecomony. We are a country still at war.
And yet, despite these things, we have hope.
Congratulations, America. Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life. Let's make it great.
Friday, October 31, 2008
30 Reasons
If you are yet undecided on which way you'll sway on November 4th, allow me to help.
Check out a great Internet campaign called 30 Reasons. It's an effort to get-out-the-Obama-vote which has enlisted 30 graphic designers with one simple mission: use design to portray a reason to vote Barack. Each day, a new poster is shared, giving one more argument in the pro-Obama arena.
I love the 30 days campaign because it is so simple, effective, and to the point. Each day a new design is posted for the world to see. And that's it. One image per day. Nothing more, nothing less. Can you imagine if this was the way our candidates campaigned, rather than the endless and intelligence-insulting TV ads, harassing phone calls, and radio commercials we are all bombarded with this time of year? Imagine driving down the road and seeing one of these billboards as you enjoy your morning commute. Or how about, instead of entire commercial breaks dedicated to obnoxious campaign commercials, there was just a simple, 10-second, audio-less image flashed on the screen, and then back to programming as usual? Instead of those wasteful campaign mailers that have been hijacking my mailbox, wouldn't it be great to get a simple postcard, with one of these artistic designs, to greet you among your bills and junk? It's like free art right in your mail box. You could even collect it, tack it to your wall, and create a mini-gallery right there in your living room. It'd be like a political debate with no words. That would be awesome.
A few of my favorites for your viewing pleasure:
I encourage you to check out the 30 Days campaign and take a look at the rest of the great designs these artists have submitted. There's a lot of awesome posters, (30 days worth, in fact), and even more reasons to cast your vote for Barack.
Print them out, paste them up on your wall or cubicle, set them as your desktop background, whatever your little heart desires. And vote on Nov 4th.
Check out a great Internet campaign called 30 Reasons. It's an effort to get-out-the-Obama-vote which has enlisted 30 graphic designers with one simple mission: use design to portray a reason to vote Barack. Each day, a new poster is shared, giving one more argument in the pro-Obama arena.
I love the 30 days campaign because it is so simple, effective, and to the point. Each day a new design is posted for the world to see. And that's it. One image per day. Nothing more, nothing less. Can you imagine if this was the way our candidates campaigned, rather than the endless and intelligence-insulting TV ads, harassing phone calls, and radio commercials we are all bombarded with this time of year? Imagine driving down the road and seeing one of these billboards as you enjoy your morning commute. Or how about, instead of entire commercial breaks dedicated to obnoxious campaign commercials, there was just a simple, 10-second, audio-less image flashed on the screen, and then back to programming as usual? Instead of those wasteful campaign mailers that have been hijacking my mailbox, wouldn't it be great to get a simple postcard, with one of these artistic designs, to greet you among your bills and junk? It's like free art right in your mail box. You could even collect it, tack it to your wall, and create a mini-gallery right there in your living room. It'd be like a political debate with no words. That would be awesome.
A few of my favorites for your viewing pleasure:
I encourage you to check out the 30 Days campaign and take a look at the rest of the great designs these artists have submitted. There's a lot of awesome posters, (30 days worth, in fact), and even more reasons to cast your vote for Barack.
Print them out, paste them up on your wall or cubicle, set them as your desktop background, whatever your little heart desires. And vote on Nov 4th.
Lessons of the Sigmoid Curve
One of my favorite guilty pleasure Blogs is Dumb Little Man (link to the right!). Recently DLM posted an interesting tid-bit on the Sigmoid Curve. Much like chaos theory, the Sigmoid Curve is a way of defining the natural ebb-and-flow of all things. As I read the article, The Lesson of the Sigmoid Curve, I began to think of the countless things in life that can be measured via the curve. Seasons, stages of life, one's career, the political landscape of our country, etc.
The Sigmoid Curve
Michael Miles, in his article, describes the stages of the curve, and the subsequent "S" shape it emulates. The first stage of the curve, the learning curve, is when the curve slowly begins to increase. This is a frustrating phase, because the upward-motion requires much hard work with seemingly-little immediate payoff.
The second stage, the Growth Phase, is when that hard work begins to bear some fruit. Times are good during this phase. All that hard work has paid off and things are going great. It's a period of prosperity and abundance. But we all know that all good things must eventually come to an end.
That leaves us with the decline phase. As the "S" begins to take a downward spiral, prosperous times become more scarce and hard work once again does not produce immediate results. It is at this time, Miles explains, that one should learn to recognize when their sigmoid curve is reaching decline, and use that as an opportunity to move to a new curve which is on the up-and-up. He writes, "Successful individuals and organizations are self-reflective and constantly monitor their own position on the Sigmoid curve. However, to be truly successful is to go even further – it is to jump off the current curve when it is nearing its peak and start on the bottom of another curve." So, essentially, curve-surfing is the secret to success.
That makes me think of the election and how, as we all know by now, change is the new big thing and we all want a piece of it. America's sigmoid curve is on the decline. I don't think that's hard to argue. Look at our economy, our unemployment rate, the war we aren't winning, and the state of our education system. No matter if you are Republican, Democrat, Green or none-of-the-above, I think we can all agree that we need a change. Its time for us to jump on a new curve. Our current curve is on the downward spiral and we need to recognize it, before it's too late. We only have a small window of opportunity for ditching our current curve and making home on a new one. That new curve has a name. I like to call it Barack Obama.
I'm jumping to the Obama curve on Nov 4th. I hope to see you there.
The Sigmoid CurveMichael Miles, in his article, describes the stages of the curve, and the subsequent "S" shape it emulates. The first stage of the curve, the learning curve, is when the curve slowly begins to increase. This is a frustrating phase, because the upward-motion requires much hard work with seemingly-little immediate payoff.
The second stage, the Growth Phase, is when that hard work begins to bear some fruit. Times are good during this phase. All that hard work has paid off and things are going great. It's a period of prosperity and abundance. But we all know that all good things must eventually come to an end.
That leaves us with the decline phase. As the "S" begins to take a downward spiral, prosperous times become more scarce and hard work once again does not produce immediate results. It is at this time, Miles explains, that one should learn to recognize when their sigmoid curve is reaching decline, and use that as an opportunity to move to a new curve which is on the up-and-up. He writes, "Successful individuals and organizations are self-reflective and constantly monitor their own position on the Sigmoid curve. However, to be truly successful is to go even further – it is to jump off the current curve when it is nearing its peak and start on the bottom of another curve." So, essentially, curve-surfing is the secret to success.
That makes me think of the election and how, as we all know by now, change is the new big thing and we all want a piece of it. America's sigmoid curve is on the decline. I don't think that's hard to argue. Look at our economy, our unemployment rate, the war we aren't winning, and the state of our education system. No matter if you are Republican, Democrat, Green or none-of-the-above, I think we can all agree that we need a change. Its time for us to jump on a new curve. Our current curve is on the downward spiral and we need to recognize it, before it's too late. We only have a small window of opportunity for ditching our current curve and making home on a new one. That new curve has a name. I like to call it Barack Obama.
I'm jumping to the Obama curve on Nov 4th. I hope to see you there.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
The Quarter-Life Quandry
"I'm just a little bit
caught in the middle
Life is a maze
and love is a riddle
I don't know where to go
I can't do it alone
(I've tried)
and I don't know why
Slow it down
make it stop
or else my heart is going to pop
'cuz it's too much
Yeah, it's a lot
to be something I'm not
I'm a fool
out of love
'cuz I just can't get enough
I'm just a little bit
caught in the middle
Life is a maze
and love is a riddle
I don't know where to go
I can't do it alone
(I've tried)
and I don't know why
I am just a little girl
lost in the moment
I'm so scared
but don't show it
I can't figure it out
it's bringing me down
I know
I've got to let it go
and just enjoy the show
The sun is hot
in the sky
just like a giant spotlight
The people follow the sign
and synchronize in time
It's a joke
Nobody knows
they've got a ticket to that show
Yeah
I'm just a little bit
caught in the middle
Life is a maze
and love is a riddle
I dont know where to go
I can't do it alone
(I've tried)
and I don't know why
I am just a little girl
lost in the moment
I'm so scared
but don't show it
I can't figure it out
it's bringing me down
I know
I've got to let it go
and just enjoy the show
oh oh
Just enjoy the show
oh oh
I'm just a little bit
caught in the middle
life is a maze
and love is a riddle
I dont know where to go
I can't do it alone
(I've tried)
and I don't know why
I am just a little girl
lost in the moment
I'm so scared
but I don't show it
I can't figure it out
it's bringing me down
I know
I've got to let it go
and just enjoy the show
dum de dum
dudum de dum
Just enjoy the show
dum de dum
dudum de dum
Just enjoy the show
I want my money back
I want my money back
I want my money back
Just enjoy the show
I want my money back
I want my money back
I want my money back
Just enjoy the show"
Summed up nicely, Lenka.
P.S. These lyrics are from a song called "The Show" by Lenka, whose first album is being released in the US on Sep. 23rd. Check her stuff out, she's pretty nifty.
caught in the middle
Life is a maze
and love is a riddle
I don't know where to go
I can't do it alone
(I've tried)
and I don't know why
Slow it down
make it stop
or else my heart is going to pop
'cuz it's too much
Yeah, it's a lot
to be something I'm not
I'm a fool
out of love
'cuz I just can't get enough
I'm just a little bit
caught in the middle
Life is a maze
and love is a riddle
I don't know where to go
I can't do it alone
(I've tried)
and I don't know why
I am just a little girl
lost in the moment
I'm so scared
but don't show it
I can't figure it out
it's bringing me down
I know
I've got to let it go
and just enjoy the show
The sun is hot
in the sky
just like a giant spotlight
The people follow the sign
and synchronize in time
It's a joke
Nobody knows
they've got a ticket to that show
Yeah
I'm just a little bit
caught in the middle
Life is a maze
and love is a riddle
I dont know where to go
I can't do it alone
(I've tried)
and I don't know why
I am just a little girl
lost in the moment
I'm so scared
but don't show it
I can't figure it out
it's bringing me down
I know
I've got to let it go
and just enjoy the show
oh oh
Just enjoy the show
oh oh
I'm just a little bit
caught in the middle
life is a maze
and love is a riddle
I dont know where to go
I can't do it alone
(I've tried)
and I don't know why
I am just a little girl
lost in the moment
I'm so scared
but I don't show it
I can't figure it out
it's bringing me down
I know
I've got to let it go
and just enjoy the show
dum de dum
dudum de dum
Just enjoy the show
dum de dum
dudum de dum
Just enjoy the show
I want my money back
I want my money back
I want my money back
Just enjoy the show
I want my money back
I want my money back
I want my money back
Just enjoy the show"
Summed up nicely, Lenka.
P.S. These lyrics are from a song called "The Show" by Lenka, whose first album is being released in the US on Sep. 23rd. Check her stuff out, she's pretty nifty.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Hide or Seek
1...2...3...4...
I will not see things in just black or white.
Colorfast.
My world is more than hues of grey.
I embrace the spectrum of both night a day.
Become.
5...6...7...8...
I demand choice and
for it I want respect
I will speak my mind.
I cannot be silenced.
Listen.
9...10...11...12...
I have already started my trek,
please guide me and keep me company.
I will venture off your path sometimes
as my own intersects
Always a way back to-
place.
I love my country
(and yours).
Evolve.
13...14...15...16
I am not apathetic.
I have not lost hope in my generation
(or yours).
Acknowledge.
17...18...19...and a half...
My decision will be influenced.
20.
I am the future.
Ready or not, Here I come.
I will not see things in just black or white.
Colorfast.
My world is more than hues of grey.
I embrace the spectrum of both night a day.
Become.
5...6...7...8...
I demand choice and
for it I want respect
I will speak my mind.
I cannot be silenced.
Listen.
9...10...11...12...
I have already started my trek,
please guide me and keep me company.
I will venture off your path sometimes
as my own intersects
Always a way back to-
place.
I love my country
(and yours).
Evolve.
13...14...15...16
I am not apathetic.
I have not lost hope in my generation
(or yours).
Acknowledge.
17...18...19...and a half...
My decision will be influenced.
20.
I am the future.
Ready or not, Here I come.
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