A Microcosm of NYC

Took this with Darren way too early in the morning on the Brooklyn Bridge a month or so ago. His sunrise shots are nice, my pics were mostly trash. :)

Can't Keep Up!

I'm getting this overwhelming sense that I just can't through all of this social networking stuff fast enough for my research to matter. (I could deconstruct "matter" for several paragraphs but I'll spare you.) Anyway, AyAyAy! I keep finding new stuff--great for my creative juices but stinky for focusing research (whatever that means).

Anyway, before I deconstruct it, check out what I found: IMVU: "the world's greatest instant messanger" supposedly. I wouldn't know, haven't played on it yet but thought I'd share. If it's anything like "the world's greatest cheesecake" you find anyplace that serves cheesecake in NYC, we'll be disappointed. Still...if anyone has insight on this site (I'm rhyming, sorry), please do share.

Also DrJoolz has me laughing wildly and knowingly in her \recent post. Ahh, research, projects, research projects.

Oaxaca Teachers Strike Protests

My friend Payal sent these out about the Oaxaca Teachers Strike:

Payal's 1st Blog of Oaxaca Protests

And Her 2nd Blog about it

Here's why she started the blogs:

Hi guys, am in Oaxaca, Mexico right now and have found myself in the midst of the teachers strike which is barely covered by the news. So check this out and let me know if any of you have experience/ knowledge of Oaxaca that could lend some light to these recent political events.

I'll try to find news on this later and post it, but, of course, the shortage of news is an issue itself!

Here's a good read for the "news" of it. And more and morenews. And a couple of short videoclips on YouTube from other tourists trying to document this mess a couple of weeks ago and now.

Why are societies just so darn mean to their teachers? Who would want to be a teacher? (she asks herself!)

Photoblogging

Took this at 125th and Broadway subway stop. Funny enough, it's one of the better photos I've shot in a while and it was with my friend's point and shoot!?!

I'm committed to getting myself on the photoblogosphere soon. And if the rain in NYC would stop, maybe I could shoot more photos. But, heh, at least the rain is making it cooler and I can sleep again in my still window-unit-less-apartment instead of lying awake suffering quietly in the heat. Anyway, here are my two favorite photoblogs at the moment:

Markus Hartel
Travis Ruse

Check 'em out! Also to find more great photoblogs, take a look at the 2006 photobloggie winners.

Applause x 2

Today I had two great experiences involving youth and storytelling. And I had the pleasure of clapping 'til my palms hurt! Alongside those who were cheering and hollering louder than my little hands could clap.

Here's the two:

If you haven't yet checked out Student Press Initiative, it's a very cool. Lots of projects helping youth become published authors; WAC-based publication projects are integrated in to the core school curriculum. Today I had the unique pleasure of listening in on a celebration that was ultimately the release party for 2 year intergenerational oral storytelling project. I'm quite excited to read and listen to my new copy of Back in the Day II: Speak to Us of Work: Bronx Oral Histories as I've heard only a taste. There's just something about being in print.

And, secondly, another storytelling feast is waiting online at Media that Matters Film Festival. Went to the opening night of the festival tonight at IFC, but you can catch everything and more on the small screen. 16 great films. Much goodness, well much to make you productively outraged--milliary recruitment in schools, fair use in media, reflections on race, human rights and social justice stuff, etc.