One of my favorite artists for his lyrics and blatant musical talent, but also for the clear passion that he exudes into the music that he writes and performs.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
My thoughts on; ‘This Is About Power’: An Interview With Bill McKibben
This interview with Bill McKibben, the founder of 350.org really gets to me the importance of the people in making change and developing progress.
In the recent past I've fluctuated between the vitality of either a strong focus on what I'll call "back room deals" and the opposite or gathering a strong base. Bill McKibben talks about this in slightly different ways, but very related. He at one point thought that by merely writing the stories and taking an un-opinionated approach that someone else with more passion and means of organizing would take up the roll. He has since seen that there was a lacking in that department and saw it as his responsibility to take up that void. He represents, as he mentioned, one of the earliest and strongest supporters of the climate change conversation. Since his personal realization he has made strong strides in developing or helping to develop a group of impassioned people around the issue of the environment. He still writes, but now from an opinionated stance and continues to pursue organizational ends.
McKibben was able to reach a balance in his approach that should be recognized and applauded. Personally, this "battle" to find my place has seen progress as well. I feel more inspired on a daily basis by merely having discussions with new people about the wide array of challenges we face. I continually try to pursue an opportunistic outlook and approach with gathering support. While it seems there is a never ending outlay of issues and challenges on every level of the playing field, we can at least find a sense of joy in the simple fact that there is an acknowledgement of an issue at hand and that we have a stake in trying to solve it. Patience is another factor that is important for the many leaders and groups of people throughout the world who are making strong efforts in addressing these challenges.
As I said, in the past I've fluctuated between different routes to success, sometimes based upon the latest reading or film that I was watching. For some time there was a strong negative approach that called for radical revolution and immediate change. And while there is much to be taken from the past approaches of revolution such as pure passion and resilient energy, I've also come to the belief that these upheavals and rapid changes are not robust and lasting in the long term. There is a distinct difference in organizing and bringing people together to show support for an issue and calling for rapid change through revolution. This dilemma is where I see the need for both organization and direct participation with all parties concerned. As far as my personal place within this system, I'm still finding that balance, but will continue to be involved with all sides and pursue learning about all tasks at hand.
In the recent past I've fluctuated between the vitality of either a strong focus on what I'll call "back room deals" and the opposite or gathering a strong base. Bill McKibben talks about this in slightly different ways, but very related. He at one point thought that by merely writing the stories and taking an un-opinionated approach that someone else with more passion and means of organizing would take up the roll. He has since seen that there was a lacking in that department and saw it as his responsibility to take up that void. He represents, as he mentioned, one of the earliest and strongest supporters of the climate change conversation. Since his personal realization he has made strong strides in developing or helping to develop a group of impassioned people around the issue of the environment. He still writes, but now from an opinionated stance and continues to pursue organizational ends.
McKibben was able to reach a balance in his approach that should be recognized and applauded. Personally, this "battle" to find my place has seen progress as well. I feel more inspired on a daily basis by merely having discussions with new people about the wide array of challenges we face. I continually try to pursue an opportunistic outlook and approach with gathering support. While it seems there is a never ending outlay of issues and challenges on every level of the playing field, we can at least find a sense of joy in the simple fact that there is an acknowledgement of an issue at hand and that we have a stake in trying to solve it. Patience is another factor that is important for the many leaders and groups of people throughout the world who are making strong efforts in addressing these challenges.
As I said, in the past I've fluctuated between different routes to success, sometimes based upon the latest reading or film that I was watching. For some time there was a strong negative approach that called for radical revolution and immediate change. And while there is much to be taken from the past approaches of revolution such as pure passion and resilient energy, I've also come to the belief that these upheavals and rapid changes are not robust and lasting in the long term. There is a distinct difference in organizing and bringing people together to show support for an issue and calling for rapid change through revolution. This dilemma is where I see the need for both organization and direct participation with all parties concerned. As far as my personal place within this system, I'm still finding that balance, but will continue to be involved with all sides and pursue learning about all tasks at hand.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
A Brief Reflection on My Semester in Florenze, Italy
In the Fall of 2008, my sophomore year at Stony Brook University, I spent four months studying abroad in Florence, Italy. I studied at Florence University of the Arts (FUA) which had a sister school, Apicius that specialized in culinary, wine and hospitality. I wrote and edited for the school's magazine, Blending Magazine during that time and continue to maintain a strong relationship with the folks at the school.
The group of students that I studied abroad with was sent a list of questions that we were asked to answer and submit back. Because of the distinct impact the experience had on my life I felt obligated to respond. The following are the questions and and my responses to them:
- How did your study abroad experience impact your life?
Hah! If it was that easy to articulate effectively I'd have a book contract by now.
To this day, the group that was in Firenze during the fall of '08 is family. Borgo Ognissanti, the name chosen after the street of the flat - the thirteen of us essentially lived together and came to rely on one another for the most important and the most mundane aspects of life.
Firenze awoke two passions within me that have and will undoubtedly continue to play important roles in my life. The Regional Wines of Italy course brought me to the vineyards of Tuscany in San Gimignano where I was enchanted by the estate life of a vineyard family. For over a year I've been working for a vineyard on Long Island where I've continued the education and passion for that sacred nectar. The vineyard produces estate wines, some of the best in the region, and is run by a beautiful family of European descent. Since Italy, my bar for acceptable wine has been set high, although if the group of friends is right, exceptions can be made for the sake of special occasions.
Secondly, the experiences abroad brought forth a distinct yearning to better understand the complexities of the world we live in, participate in enacting solutions to the challenges we collectively face and a desire to better grasp our place on this planet. Since Firenze, I've taken time off from school to work in the emerging field of renewable energy and have since returned to Stony Brook's new Sustainability Program. I'm majoring in Environmental Humanities (environmental anthropology). I plan on continuing to work within the complex framework of the interconnected international system, maintaining a focus on society in the environment and examining the inequalities that are present throughout the globe.
- What was the most surprising form of reverse culture shock that you experience upon re-entry?
For some time afterwards there was a distinct disdain for the sporadic, seemingly meaningless method of development in the majority of the United States. Stony Brook is on Long Island, full of strip malls and a lack of community. I missed the urban accessibility of Firenze and the small town feel of villages outside of Firenze; they all seem to be built with purpose.
- What or who do you miss the most in Florence/Italy?
Although I mentioned the group that came to be family, Borgo Ognissanti, I especially miss the other students of FUA and Apicuis who became dear friends but do not live close by as well as the group of people who make it possible the faculty and staff. They were a blast and I still keep in touch with many of them.
However, I'd be lying if I didn't say that what I miss most were the times alone either wandering aimlessly or running along the curving street, Viale Galileo that offered tree covered paths, expansive public gardens, a separation from the bustling streets of Florence and an expansive view of the city from Piazzale Michelangelo. Those were the moments that Florence became alive and opened itself up to be experienced fully.
- What did you learn about yourself while studying abroad that has changed your outlook or interactions with others?
(These answers are essentially provided above. In the sake of not repeating myself I'll leave the decision to you as to keeping them within the framework of that question or separating them. If you're going to separate them, forward me the revisions if it's not too much trouble and I can adapt them if necessary. Grazie!)
- Have you been able to maintain the bond with your former roommates or class?
Borgo Ognissanti does keep in touch. Given the time since our experience together in Firenze, changes have naturally occurred. Many of us are onto the other endeavors; school, internships, graduate school, work, etc. Some of us do still manage to get together during opportune moments and these times are cherished to the fullest.
- Open Topic: Tell us something that is interesting :-)
The concept of the "real world." Many times throughout the course of my experiences in Firenze, friends (and myself included) would be disillusioned with the idea that Firenze must be something separate from reality. How could such a period of time continue or exist ever again? It must be too good to be true. What would it be when we got back to the "real world?" - we would ask each other.
Of course time and space changes. We move, we "get on with things," we are faced with decisions. However, I would argue that, in part because of my time in Firenze, I was re-awoken to the belief that I could do anything. I say "re-awoken" because we start out having the belief instilled in us by family and friends and this seems to gradually deteriorate as we increasingly enter into society. I should put that statement into context; I don't mean "anything" relative to the entire globe, but rather anything within the confines of my individuality and passions. (Point being, why would I want to do anything if within anything there are things that I inherently wouldn't be interested in.)
The time we spend abroad is not some sort of alternate reality. You don't reemerge into the "real world" upon touching down in the United States. That being said, while abroad you are afforded the possibility of separating yourself from the routine that society has come to expect us to follow. It is a chance to learn about yourself and about things that may have been completely foreign to you beforehand. Firenze is very much the real world and should be experienced as such.
The group of students that I studied abroad with was sent a list of questions that we were asked to answer and submit back. Because of the distinct impact the experience had on my life I felt obligated to respond. The following are the questions and and my responses to them:
- How did your study abroad experience impact your life?
Hah! If it was that easy to articulate effectively I'd have a book contract by now.
To this day, the group that was in Firenze during the fall of '08 is family. Borgo Ognissanti, the name chosen after the street of the flat - the thirteen of us essentially lived together and came to rely on one another for the most important and the most mundane aspects of life.
Firenze awoke two passions within me that have and will undoubtedly continue to play important roles in my life. The Regional Wines of Italy course brought me to the vineyards of Tuscany in San Gimignano where I was enchanted by the estate life of a vineyard family. For over a year I've been working for a vineyard on Long Island where I've continued the education and passion for that sacred nectar. The vineyard produces estate wines, some of the best in the region, and is run by a beautiful family of European descent. Since Italy, my bar for acceptable wine has been set high, although if the group of friends is right, exceptions can be made for the sake of special occasions.
Secondly, the experiences abroad brought forth a distinct yearning to better understand the complexities of the world we live in, participate in enacting solutions to the challenges we collectively face and a desire to better grasp our place on this planet. Since Firenze, I've taken time off from school to work in the emerging field of renewable energy and have since returned to Stony Brook's new Sustainability Program. I'm majoring in Environmental Humanities (environmental anthropology). I plan on continuing to work within the complex framework of the interconnected international system, maintaining a focus on society in the environment and examining the inequalities that are present throughout the globe.
- What was the most surprising form of reverse culture shock that you experience upon re-entry?
For some time afterwards there was a distinct disdain for the sporadic, seemingly meaningless method of development in the majority of the United States. Stony Brook is on Long Island, full of strip malls and a lack of community. I missed the urban accessibility of Firenze and the small town feel of villages outside of Firenze; they all seem to be built with purpose.
- What or who do you miss the most in Florence/Italy?
Although I mentioned the group that came to be family, Borgo Ognissanti, I especially miss the other students of FUA and Apicuis who became dear friends but do not live close by as well as the group of people who make it possible the faculty and staff. They were a blast and I still keep in touch with many of them.
However, I'd be lying if I didn't say that what I miss most were the times alone either wandering aimlessly or running along the curving street, Viale Galileo that offered tree covered paths, expansive public gardens, a separation from the bustling streets of Florence and an expansive view of the city from Piazzale Michelangelo. Those were the moments that Florence became alive and opened itself up to be experienced fully.
- What did you learn about yourself while studying abroad that has changed your outlook or interactions with others?
(These answers are essentially provided above. In the sake of not repeating myself I'll leave the decision to you as to keeping them within the framework of that question or separating them. If you're going to separate them, forward me the revisions if it's not too much trouble and I can adapt them if necessary. Grazie!)
- Have you been able to maintain the bond with your former roommates or class?
Borgo Ognissanti does keep in touch. Given the time since our experience together in Firenze, changes have naturally occurred. Many of us are onto the other endeavors; school, internships, graduate school, work, etc. Some of us do still manage to get together during opportune moments and these times are cherished to the fullest.
- Open Topic: Tell us something that is interesting :-)
The concept of the "real world." Many times throughout the course of my experiences in Firenze, friends (and myself included) would be disillusioned with the idea that Firenze must be something separate from reality. How could such a period of time continue or exist ever again? It must be too good to be true. What would it be when we got back to the "real world?" - we would ask each other.
Of course time and space changes. We move, we "get on with things," we are faced with decisions. However, I would argue that, in part because of my time in Firenze, I was re-awoken to the belief that I could do anything. I say "re-awoken" because we start out having the belief instilled in us by family and friends and this seems to gradually deteriorate as we increasingly enter into society. I should put that statement into context; I don't mean "anything" relative to the entire globe, but rather anything within the confines of my individuality and passions. (Point being, why would I want to do anything if within anything there are things that I inherently wouldn't be interested in.)
The time we spend abroad is not some sort of alternate reality. You don't reemerge into the "real world" upon touching down in the United States. That being said, while abroad you are afforded the possibility of separating yourself from the routine that society has come to expect us to follow. It is a chance to learn about yourself and about things that may have been completely foreign to you beforehand. Firenze is very much the real world and should be experienced as such.
Monday, October 11, 2010
A weekend of bliss, a break from the hectic nature of senior year and time for contemplation
I'm trying to bring myself back into the school mode. This weekend was nearly a complete detachment from things educational (still did the 10/10/10 event and Sylvester Manor internship, but generally speaking there was a noticeable absence of school work).
Friday, after lazing around all day doing school work and such, worrying about the piece I'm supposed to write for THINK, I went to campus with a box of pears that I brought back from upstate with the intentions of giving them to the THINK crew and explaining that I couldn't write it. They weren't in the office and Sal was on campus, so he and I met up and went for a couple beers at John Harvards, a local brewery. We chatted about the MTA and development issues in NYC and other things.
After those couple sizable brews I had to head out east to Shelter Island. I drove into Greenport, parked my car by the ferry station and packed up my things and hopped on the boat. Getting off on the Island I realized how special of an opportunity it was to bike to the event at the Shelter Island Historic Society. The weather this weekend was better than one could ever ask for. There was a crispness to the air, but not cold by any means. The sky was illuminated by an incomprehensible amount of stars and biking to the contradance was such a pleasant experience.
I was supposed to get to the event at 8:30, but didn't make it until about 9:15. I made it to the last of the dances. By that time nearly everyone was in the middle of the barn dancing in circles with each other. Earlier, I was told, that the dance was led outside and there was about 200 people dancing under the stars together. After the last dance there was a story telling session. It was MC'ed by this woman from Brooklyn and there was a large group in the crowd of people from Maine... an interesting contrast, but it worked out really well. The stories generally centered around food, but other than that they were far from the same. One was about a grandmother's pie recipe, another about farting from beans, another about a "buck for a duck, a duck for a fuck, a fuck for a duck, and a fucked up duck that got hit by a truck" another was a reading from a poet about the logging camps in Maine and the cook for the camps.
After the stories and free wine the volunteers cleaned up and then headed back to the Manor. I biked into the camping area to find a big open field... no trees for hammocking, but that being a good thing. There's a spot between the Manor and the harbor with cut grass and large spacious trees. I set up beneath them, but wasn't quite tired. I went out to the open lawn to this wrought iron chair and a large flat log, laid down on the log and looked up. Caught about 3-4 shooting stars before settling back in to the hammock. There was an angry duck in the harbor that occasionally made these loud noises. The breeze felt chilly and I was glad to be in my warm sleeping bag.
At one point, two people walked down the lawn from the Manor, set up on the edge of the harbor and began playing fiddles... It was sensuous. Truly blissful.
Eventually I fell into a light, but worthy sleep and woke up to a clear sky again in the early morning. At 7 this yoga instructor came and led a yoga session on the grass between the manor and water. There was a breakfast laid out of granola, yogurt, bagels, etc.
After a crisp outdoor shower I biked back to the Historical Society to help clean up and from there, biked to the North Ferry and made my way to LLK and then on to Paumanok for work. Columbus Day weekend is one of the busiest and Ursula, Charles and Salim are away in Germany so Karen was there as well as all of the regulars. Karen and myself declared our role as "the keepers of ambiance" for the day and our goal was to ensure that a proper ambiance was maintained for the mutual benefit of the staff and the guests... so this naturally entailed drinking :-). What a day!
After we finished cleaning up the lot of us gathered a cheese plate and some glasses and made our way outside. Kareem and Karen were studying for some exams and what not, so after a few glasses of wine I went in to listen. It's great to have the opportunity to learn from the winemaker about his tasks and the theory behind the work.
I left after a bit and headed back to Stony Brook, picked up Camile and her friend Rusty and headed on home. We had a bit more wine and some brews before heading next door where they were having a bit of an afterparty for homecoming. I got drunk... more than I have in a while. Woke up the next day and was ready for a day of work with the 10.10.10 event.
There ended up being about 25-30 people who came out and helped clean up. It was great! We worked in the garden and picked up around campus. The garden has a lot of potential and some good people working on it.
Afterwards I biked with Andrew, a member of the Env Club, back to the house and stopped and picked up beer and a cake for Alla's birthday - a cheesecake topped with fresh fruit. We originally planned on heading back to campus for a forum of green buildings, but the 6 of us decided instead to cook a big meal. We used the tomatoes from the garden and made a great sauce. Nick, my friend from Southampton and the one who's taking on the Garden project, and I made the meal. Toasted Italian bread with fresh chopped basil and garlic, mozzarella and sliced tomato with balsamic and olive oil. For dinner, the sauce had the fresh tomatoes and a variety of veggies. I made it extra spicy of course :-/ :-P but it turned out great. Everyone liked it and it gave Nick and I a good time to chat. It was perfect with 6 people, over the course of the night I had a variety of conversations with each and every one of them, separate and all together.
Most of the crew headed out after dessert and clean up - everyone helped out at one point or another. And Andrew and I talked a bit more. We discussed change and positive approaches versus negative approach and right before he had to leave I think there was a breakthrough in the conversation. I gave him an example of an alternative way of approaching an issue that he presented to the Environmental Club. Rather than being upset and thinking about an issue in a defeatist and negative way, it could have been seen as an opportunity for strong change. It meant a lot that he said it really got him thinking. He sent me a text soon after that he was really thinking about it. That felt good. Beforehand I felt this build up of tension that I think I was creating because I noticed the issue last week and haven't been able to address it and didn't know how. It was a relief for me and possibly the overcoming of a threshold of progress for him. He has a whole lot of potential for organizing and I think that was one aspect that could have held him back. If he can learn to sequester those types of challenges and form them into opportunity and away from discouraging and confrontational rhetoric he should do really well.
Before falling asleep I was cruising the super information highway and found a really interesting graduate school in Vermont, SIT Graduate Program of World Learning Take a look, I'm definitely applying!
Today is "back to work" somewhat. I wrote a report on yesterday's events with 350.org and 10/10/10 and have to meet up to discuss the Sylvester Manor internship.
Tonight is the dinner celebration for Alex. We're eating at Luce & Hawkins at Jedediah Hawkins. I want to go down to the speak easy that they have in the basement, order a scotch and reminisce about Prohibition.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Inspiring video of the local community driven food and economic system
High Mowing Organic Seeds on "Dan Rather Reports" from High Mowing Organic Seeds on Vimeo.
What an inspiring video. The projects that are going on in VT in relation to this whole concept are powerful. They're providing real results to the economy on a local level and having positive repercussions on the global level.
I hope to address this issue more shortly, but enjoy the video in the mean time.
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