Oh So Po So

THIS JOURNAL IS BEING DISCONTINUED

2008-05-01T23:03:43Z

Please see my old-new journal www.livejournal.com/users/adrian_ilo and comment to be friended!

Take that, Betch

2008-04-23T18:28:23Z

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Obama-Henry.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=oklahoma%20governor&st=nyt&oref=slogin#

I would also like to point out to all the people who made fun of me when I worked for the Green Party, that even f-ing wal-mart is publicising how they are making trendy t-shirts out of recycled coke bottles. So now the message is 'Buy buy buy! but only if it's recycled and organic'
I want my 'use less stuff' bumpersticker back.
Point being, empty corporations making empty claims about their new and improved 'GREEN IS THE NEW BLACK' gear can suck it. They are really not getting the point. And yes it's nice that people are waking up but seriously, can I get a bit of common sense for earth day?
There is no reason to go to extremes and be freegan and only wear recycled clothing, but going on buying sprees to ease your emotional stress or insisting on driving everywhere and taking three showers a day is a little silly. Just a little lifestyle modification goes a long way. I don't have time for a coherent argument so we'll just end this rant here.
p.s. everyone go to gov. henry's website and tell him he's a good guy.

So

2008-04-09T17:02:32Z

I think I'm getting really tired of this blog. I want to start all over and wipe the slate. Maybe when I move to DC. Maybe sooner. Until then...
Two different recordings of the same song.

AAAHH!!!! I'm so happy!!!

2008-03-27T23:46:09Z

Great Article

2008-03-24T22:51:55Z

http://www.harvardir.org/articles/1104/1/

adri_nwnderland @ 2008-03-18T07:51:00

2008-03-18T12:52:28Z

Apathy turned inside-out

2008-03-15T02:46:34Z

In light of all the Oklahoma Politics lately, I thought I would zoom out, then zoom in again, then zoom waaay in. And I think I know what to tell my grad schools, finally, when they ask why I want to study blah blah blah... and what to tell people when they ask why I joined the Peace Corps.

I really loved the post recently by tashar and it reminded me of a book I found in the PC office called "Citizens of Nowhere" which was put out probably by some UN agency and was mostly a little glossy about the problem of Statelessness. People who have no identity, because their passports were lost or their country ceased to exist or what have you. It's mostly ignored because it mostly happens to people from countries that are not on the radar of international news media. I think it's fascinating and tragic. I think there was a little taste of the feeling of statelessness when Tom Hanks did the movie about being stranded in the airport. ( I can't remember the name, Google it)
So here are some bits about it.
http://www.refugeesinternational.org/content/publication/detail/5051
"These situations are a very low priority on the agenda of the United Nations. At the Geneva headquarters of the UNHCR, only two individuals focus on helping the world’s stateless people. UNHCR field offices have guidelines that regulate the activities in the field of statelessness, but at the local level, representatives and protection staff alike appear unwilling to take on these caseloads. "

This issue and that of human trafficking, (AKA SLAVERY) are so overlooked.
We IMPORT women and children who are forced or tricked into a situation working as 'nannies', 'dancers', or 'massage therapists'. If they are lucky, they are just cleaning houses.
http://www.iom.int/jahia/Jahia/pid/748

http://www.imagelibrary.iom.int/details.asp?id=836&c=modern
this image is tagged: moldova, sexual exploitation

I did some seminars and classes about this using a IOM kit in PC and it's continually shocking. But what's also shocking is the lack of human rights in our literal back yard.
I had a conversation with a friend about how people see homelessness and assume drug and alcohol addiction. People see someone walking in my city, and assume they are homeless. What is missing when we judge a person and ignore the system that failed them just because it hasn't failed us YET?
My stepfather has daily dealings with Veteran's Affairs. Mis-diagnosis upon medication interaction upon general incompetence.
I see homelessness and I see OUR FAILURE. I see slave trafficking on United States soil and I see greed and apathy.
So that's why I get into politics. Not for glory or money, not to impress my friends and family, not to
make connections or even change things for the better. Primarily, because if I don't, I'm a failure in this world. And I feel that on a basic level that goes beyond emotion, beyond religion or dogma, and way past economic feasibility. It's just because I have to. It's my reaction to the world.

adri_nwnderland @ 2008-03-12T07:51:00

2008-03-12T12:52:49Z

I have to be at work in 30 min and I haven't eaten or had coffee. Good thing work is making coffee!!! muuhahahahah!!!

In other news, Oklahoma Gay Bashing state legislator made youtube

adri_nwnderland @ 2008-03-09T12:35:00

2008-03-08T18:36:24Z

written by Max Ehrmann in the 1920s --

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

tehehe

2008-03-06T14:44:53Z

http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com/full-list-of-stuff-white-people-like/

http://xkcd.com/118/

Oh yes, Muppets

2008-03-05T15:00:56Z

teheheh

2008-03-03T16:56:49Z

Stolen from goingtodenmark

Pros and Cons

2008-03-02T15:09:06Z

Can someone tell me-Why are people so afraid of immigration? Did they miss the memo about the huddled masses yearning to be free??

It's oklahoma, I understand, we don't like people who aren't 'like us'.
If we focused on bringing up the economies of developing nations, maybe this wouldn't be an issue. I know, it's a huge and complicated issue and it upsets a lot of people but seriously, what is the big deal? What are we afraid of?
Did I mention that all brown people are not terrorists? And how deeply is our educational system failing? /rhetorical question
Ok, enough of that, just a response to some idiotic comments from the state's population.

In other news, the weather is fantastic and tornado making today. I absolutely adore the pre-thunderstorm pressure. It's tense and humid and quiet. The atmosphere is on the edge of climax. What we call good weather in Oklahoma includes blistering heat and wind that causes cars to veer off the road. But when it's time for some dramatic rain and explosive lightning, I am mesmerized. Thermo-dynamics in action today, and I'm going to be doing laundry and watching from the porch. I will miss that about Oklahoma. Thunderstorms and porches.

"When you grow up surrounded
By willful ignorance
You have to believe
Mercy has its own country
And that it's round and borderless
And then you have to grow wings
And rise above it all"
Ani Difranco- Animal

adri_nwnderland @ 2008-02-23T20:15:00

2008-02-24T02:16:01Z

I'm flipping back and forth between the Democratic debates and Chris Rock.
It's Saturday night and I am (see above). I think this can only serve to emphasis how little of a social life I actually have.
Moving on...
Hilary is getting more and more aggressive as the day goes on, and I think it's making her look bad. This week in politics has been ludicrous. My favorite was when people started raising a ruckus because Obama stole some language from his friend. Newsflash: NO ONE writes their own speeches. EVERYONE steals and paraphrases things that have been said before. We wouldn't know what to do if we didn't hear the same recycled populist phrases each and every election.

Two Questions (and a comment)

2008-02-23T21:47:42Z

1. Did Hilary just say 'Shame On You!"??? And shouldn't some aid be telling her that is INCREDIBLY BAD WORD CHOICE?!

2. Why is McCain attacking Obama using Clinton's rhetoric, unless they are threatened?

The weather has changed dramatically today. So Oklahoma.

adri_nwnderland @ 2008-02-19T12:39:00

2008-02-19T18:48:05Z

I got a B in macro. (She CAN be taught!)
Today is painting and hanging out, tomorrow is trial run dog sitting with Misha and my first day of coffee nerd training. Luckily, I have been in training for this since I was 11 and my dad bought me my very own first espresso machine.
(and you all wondered why I have that twitch) I need to find a birthday present for my mum for Thursday. Any suggestions?

Also, still trying to pick a grad school, and wondering how to gauge a community I have never been to. I can't really afford the plane tix to visit, and my car has 100,000plus miles on it. I also don't know how many days in a row I can take off work and lie about. I'm thinking about Amtrak.

The end-game in Kosovo

2008-02-16T01:53:55Z

http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/world/20071209_KOSOVO_FEATURE/index.html

adri_nwnderland @ 2008-02-15T18:56:00

2008-02-16T00:56:42Z

TEA AND CAKE OR DEATH!

Girlyman

2008-02-15T16:53:36Z

I saw them at the blue door last night, tonight they are playing in Norman. I'm not going to bore you with a three page review, although I could go on about them.
Beautiful, three part harmonies blending with a great sense of humor. Mandolins, drums, banjos and at least three guitars.

They definitely connected with the audience, and being Yankees, had to ask what chicken fried steak means.

I was a huge fan of Nate's 'tuning' banter and I couldn't take my eyes off the girls. Ty's impeccable timing and highly expressive face unified the group while Doris was hitting those high notes like she was doing the only thing in life that quieted her soul.

I was impressed, and that's rare.

http://www.girlyman.com/

go- tonight- in Norman.

adri_nwnderland @ 2008-02-13T22:18:00

2008-02-14T04:23:07Z

Remind me why I spent the morning not watching the news because all the news stations had BASEBALL DRUG HEARINGS?
We torture people, no one wants to talk about it, instead lets talk about DRUGS IN SPORTS!
Never mind the fact that we have primaries happening. SPORTS!

I love bad russian pop

2008-02-13T23:07:03Z

How is this world made, what we have we don't hold, yes or no?
In a thousand years, we may not find the answer....

It's a beautiful day charlie brown

2008-02-13T04:47:26Z

And just for fun.....

adri_nwnderland @ 2008-02-10T21:24:00

2008-02-11T03:43:38Z

I seriously miss Ukraine today. It sneaks up on me in parking lots and while I'm trying to study or cleaning the shower. I buy dried calamari at the russian store but I don't have the right beer to drink with it. I miss homemade cognac and snacks of sausage and cheese for every possible occasion turned holiday.
I write letters in bad surzhik to Natasha and then never send them. I think about calling but it's always 8 hours ahead. I wonder how anyone ever called me.
I don't miss feeling paranoid that someone is following me home. I don't miss wearing five layers inside my apartment to keep warm, or being force fed strange meats. I don't miss my job or having to dress up every day. I don't miss trains, or train bathrooms.
I miss the atmosphere. I miss my friends. Even the ones that made me crazy at the time.

I talked to my second cousin today for half an hour. He takes his produce to the farmers market every week. People actually ask him if he glues the corn on those sticks for a reason. It's corn, it grows on cobs. How disconnected do you have to be to not know where corn comes from?

But I love america, and not just the political changes happening or the ideals that I share with a large swath of society, or even the English that is everywhere and all the time. I love grilled cheese on soft wheat bread and lettuce all year long.I love that most people aren't looking for what they can get out of me. I love 59 degrees in the middle of February.

But it's still hard to relate when everything people are concerned about seems so trivial in comparison to the daily lives of the people I was close to while I was 'gone'. And all my acquaintances and family friends seem to think I was on some sort of extended vacation or touring the world for fun.
I am so thankful for my friends because they are for the most part talented and amazing forces for good. Life isn't a balance sheet or a scoreboard, but I am totally winning this one, if only because I know that.

Русская служба Би-би-си

2008-02-06T18:50:34Z

be be cee po russki
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/russian/international/newsid_7229000/7229787.stm

This and free podcasts are my hero for language right now.
И все в городе праздновали, потому что би би си на конец то нашлосья по русский
;)

Paying for gas with rezinovi sapogi

2008-02-06T17:18:14Z

"Earlier Tuesday, Mr. Yushchenko was forced to cancel his state of the union speech in Parliament because opposition lawmakers physically occupied the rostrum where Mr. Yushchenko would have stood; others hung posters on the walls protesting the president’s support for joining another Western group, NATO. The speaker removed the state of the union speech from the day’s agenda, and the presidential press service said it would be rescheduled. Mr. Yushchenko then flew directly to Geneva to sign the trade pact deal without delivering the speech."

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/05/business/05cnd-trade.html?ex=1359954000&en=e83f0a88363cc209&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink