Kony

So of course by now you have heard about this make Kony famous campaign. If you read my blog, there's no way that you haven't heard about it. I'm not going to share the movie or posters because by now you probably know the whole story. It's pretty f'n crazy. I literally watched the video this morning because manny posted the video on his blog and I started to watch it before work.

I usually read my twitter during my break and it was all over twitter. Now I check my facebook and my blogs and it is everywhere. I am on the internet a lot - and man did this thing spread fast. I can't believe it - but I think that it goes to show how powerful this thing is when everyone will know who he is. It's sad that this video is only in english. I hope it gets translated into other languages because it would be awesome to literally unite the world in something like this.

But I'm also reading these people who are posting facebook statuses to the effect of - good for you for posting something in the status, it changes nothing unless you do something.

I've always been the kind of person that hates doing things just because that's the normal response so I'm very hesitant to get wrapped up by the dramatics of the whole situation but I think something really cool about this is that it is happening before the US election.

The basic goal of the campaign is to make people aware of who this kony guy is. Not to send us all into africa to go hunt him down - No that is going to be left up to professionals and governments. I'm intrigued by the fact that we can actually try to have an impact on controlling government. That could be a huge lesson to people about humankind and I think that this could end up being a huge social experiment and could turn into something more important than just capturing this man.

special edition part III: The great outdoors

22-02-12

The weather has gone from cold for a weakling canadian D - to a nice balmy february. Today I think it was six or seven above and seeing as I have no internet I have been making the wonderful decision to walk home from work (only part ways). I try to make it take an hour. And so when I walk home from the central square (Luisenplatz) I often go through the park. Darmstadt has some really beautiful parts and the large garden/park is one of them. It's funny though because about a week and a half ago I was walking home through the park and there is a wonderful little pond that had frozen over. Not completely however - there was still a section roped off, and then a section completely unfrozen, so the ducks could hang out there. And the ice was full with people. Some with skates, some running and sliding from the island in the middle. It is quite evident that the Germans get very excited for 'new' weather. So when this pond froze everyone was there. Now today as soon as the weather got really nice again it was so full. If I didn't have to pee so bad I would have stopped on (editors not - another mistake) sat on a bench for a little while. At least this will give me an idea of what I can do on the weekend.

This whole 'handwritten blog' is a little fun. I don't think I like the fact that it is only for me though. I want people to be able to read about me, partially because there are people that I don't get to see as often as I like - but mostly because I have the worst memory - and the writing is easier to read.

I took a picture

Special Edition Blog: Day 1 (as well)

On my way to work the other day the song ' youth of the nation' by POD came on - I know, super old school... to be honest I have no idea how it got on there. First off I want to say that for the ones who wonder it was it is awfully striking and poignant (editors note: I have no idea what this sentence was supposed to mean). It gets me thinking about a few things which I think is really the point of the song.

1st I thought about the whole columbine thing. If I had internet I would do some more research because I don't remember the details exactly. My summation of the story is these kids who were made fun of etc. decided to bring guns to school - and kill some people. Then I thought about what could get someone to actually kill people. This kind of things still is happening. At the time it seemed like a really big deal but I am sure I was to young to really comprehend the gravity of the situation

2nd I don't know why this was a common theme, but last semester belec, syl and I had a number of conversations about depression and suicide. Not that we were contemplating (don't worry). I think that it may have stemmed from many of the these debates and issues with gay teens committing suicide and issues with bullying. I understand that bullying will never end - not that it is right and we shouldn't do what we can do to prevent it, but we will never be able to eliminate it all together. But it's just weird to me that it is an issue with the younger generation. It seems that in general generations become more and more tolerant as time goes on - and in general I consider it is perfectly acceptable to be gay in the eyes of many of my peers. May not agree with it, but wouldn't go out of their way to discriminate. Perhaps it may just be a maturity thing.

3rd I thought about the kids that I worked with coming to the drop in centre run through youth for christ. Yu could tell there was a lot of hurt and as I listened to this song I wonder with these kids who are depressed and suicidal and believe that no one likes them - and what do I do - how do I respond? I hate to say this but it's highly likely that I would be to naive to realize there was an issue. I also realize that there are people who are just very socially awkward and have a tough time making friends. I can't fake a relationship with someone who I have nothing in common with either. It's just so hard - like what if one day I have kids that are like this - just have a difficult time socializing and fitting in. Like can it be nurtured or do these things occur naturally?

I feel like I need to talk a little bit more (this is me in real time - aka not hand written)


After I got my computer back I was able to see a trailer for a film called Bully which whoever does the film ratings wanted to rate it 18A meaning that kids who could be impacted by the film would not be able to see it. Please take a look at the trailer 





I just feel like kids don't listen to older people. Even myself as a kid I know that I was always to stubborn to ever listen to my parents and I agree that there are a lot of things that you need to experience for yourself to really understand things. Growing up and living is about making mistakes and learning from those experiences. Maybe these kinds of simulations that schools sometimes run are what is important for making change because it it shows them the other side of the situation. Realistically bullying is always rooted in some other kind of insecurity. I feel that for the most part bullying comes from the insecurities and inadequacies that are even more evident as teenagers, simply because the fact that we ourselves are learning who we are, and that the image that others see of us may differ from how we see ourselves. It's just such a complicated problem that is not easily solved. I think it's difficult as well to get kids to take things seriously and actually encourage them in thinking different. Teachers need to maybe find ways to be more inspirational. I think it's going to take a lot of small efforts by many different people to start making a difference. 


This recent shooting in ohio made me think about the hormones and irrationality of teenagers as well. Like this kid did not realize what he was doing when he went there. I read a report talking about what happened and he's only now just starting to grasp the reality of the situation. Like this kid has f-d his life over. He has killed four people. I think that until you see death it is hard to value life. I honestly feel bad for the kid - but can you imagine what kind of bullying must have happened with him to get him to that point. Reports from other kids say that they never really expected anything like that from him. Even in reports he said would have things written in his facebook status indicating morose topics and death and killing but death metal music says a lot of crazy stuff - it doesn't necessarily indicate someones intentions. 


I had a prof last year that was working on getting a bill through the government about workplace bullying and making it illegal. I understand that kids will be kids - but I don't think that it always stats that way. There needs to be some sort of change when they are young, and parents and leaders that start promoting tolerance.


I'm sorry for adding on so much...

Special edition day I: The pioneer

21-02-12

No internet leads me to do silly things - like a handwritten blog. Such as this... to be typed into my real blog later. So a few days ago I noticed my computer acting retarded and I got a little pissed because the cord had to be placed precariously close to the edge of my desk - which of course makes me a little nervous. I didn't want to accidentally knock it with my elbow. But then the charger started working again no problem, until yesterday when I had some real trouble with it. I had to get to cord in a specific position, Then at about 8:00 pm I decided it was time to get more comfortable and sit on my bed. I stood up with my computer and in the middle of 'teach me how to dougie' it just shut off. My first response was a bad word. I tried so hard to get the charge back but got nothing. After turning on the computer and restarting it the computer worked again. I realized no matter what I did this computer wasn't going to charge with this chord. I wonder if it has anything to do with voltage...anyways - I am now computerless for a few days = hence the handwritten blog. I was pretty cheese and still am about the whole thing. I knew that I was going to have to olden-days-life it. Like obviously people were entertained back in the day but cut me some slack! The whole way that people lived was different. Evenings I rely on my computer for music and entertainment - ok I can get entertainment from books and I have a project that I am working on as well. Back in the days at least they still had the radio - or records! I was panicked at first because I have no other way to charge my iPod except for my computer due to the fact that I left the charger in Amsterdam. Luckily I can plug it into my work computer...phew! Back in the days there were likely more family meals...and drinks were cheaper so meeting at a pub would be easier. Like how did people make friends? I should start try meeting people. Perhaps I'll try finding couch surfers for coffee - oh, except I have no computer. I just hate how quiet it is without music. The cord will be here in 2-7 business days, but I can hardly wait. I just love my shows. I guess this technically should be a learning experience, or me proving that I need to, or should be able to survive ohne electricity but I want to play my 21st century ' I love the internet' card. Like information is available to quick on the internet

I want it now - Veruca Salt

hiatus of sorts

So I know that I often take breaks between blogging - but I don't think I've ever really gone this long without blogging, at least not since last summer.

Allow me to explain -

Monday february 20th I was just hanging out in my room - creeping websites as usual, nothing exceptional. The prior week I had been experiencing some trouble with my charging cord. I literally had to keep it on the edge of the table so that the cord would hang at the correct angle. Around 19:45 I wanted to get more comfortable by sitting in my bed. I picked up my computer and on the second stop it just shut off completely. What the heck? It was completely charged. I turned it back on again and tried to put the cord back in because it had no green light indicating power. I tried for about ten minutes to find the perfect angle because I couldn't accept the reality. My cord was done. Luckily I'm relatively intelligent and immediately logged onto amazon.de so that I could order a new cable. Then loaded a few podcasts onto my ipod and shut down the computer.

I have blogged before about how much I love my blackberry - and this week I loved it even more. It was a lifesaver.

Everyday after work I would come home and just hope that there was something waiting for me in the mailbox. I was getting a lot of sleep and listening to a LOT of podcasts. Thank you nerdist!

But I must say judging from all those nerdist podcasts I would never want to become a comic. I would hate the your ability to make someone laugh would be your livelihood. That would be so terrifying. And it's just such a performance art. I really enjoyed getting to know some of their guests better. A lot of name naming going on (verging the pretentious boundary).

But days went on and that friday I came home and my roommate said there was a slip in my door for me to go pick something up at the post office...FINALLY!!!

So I peddled my bike as fast as I could to that post office, '

sorry, you have to come back tomorrow'

Since I was getting so much sleep I am always up early so I made it to the post office the next morning by 8:30. I made it to the post office only to have my heart crushed. It was a book I ordered along with my cable...crushing.

This meant I was going to have to survive the whole weekend without a computer. But with the strength of podcasts and the fact that I'm working on a little handbag I was able to suppress the boredom.

It didn't end up being that bad but it really was't that great either. I'm waaayy to addicted to tv!

My cable ended up coming on wednesday - so I've been pretty happy about that. It's nice to be back.

I did however still have this giant urge to blog - and so I had to do everything by hand!!!

Over the next few days my plan is to released these 'special edition blogs' where I will copy out everything that I have handwritten. And I promise not to edit - so the errors will stay!!

I hope you enjoy.

Work errors

I hate making mistakes at work. I always feel like any mistake I make is completely and thoroughly my fault, despite any other circumstances surrounding my failure.

I know that no person is perfect but I hate that feeling when you have to be put in that position. Obviously learning a job there is no possible way to get everything right every time you do it.

But I always have a tough time figuring out how I should act when I make a mistake. Should I act like I'm really upset about it because I want people to know that I'm taking the task seriously. But I always don't want to stress out about silly little things that won't be helped by me getting mad about them and not moving on. But then that runs the risk of people thinking I don't take and car or pride in what I'm doing.

chocolate and gossip girl

I literally will die a diabetic. My whole life I have always been more of a salty than sweet person - but working has turned me into a crazy chocoholic. Literally not a day goes by where I do not eat chocolate - expect on weekends. Tonight I went grocery shopping and found that milka bars were on sale and I couldn't resist. There were also two special limited edition bars celebrating milkas 111th birthday.

So I just finished eating the bar with the brown cake...and it has pop rocks. Someone brought this for me when I was in grade four and I have never forgot it. Amazing....I have never eaten and entire bar like that before. I just couldn't stop....

Also did you know that milka was owned by kraft foods?

I also happen to be watching gossip girl and it may have one the award for the single worst gossip girl line of all time. I can't remember the exact line and I really don't feel like going back to watch it.

So the two characters are discovering something in Blairs prenup and one says  "If this marriage doesn't work out the Waldorf family will have to pay enough to bankrupt the family' obviously the prenup doesn't say enough to bankrupt the family. Obviously this character would never know how much is needed to bankrupt the family. She doesn't know their personal wealth that well. If you knew the story you would just die of how dumb this show is, but then you would judge me for continuing to watch it.