It's an interesting time to be involved with Massachusetts Power Shift.
After a successful conference this April, the planning team is expanding and opening to become the youth climate movement of Massachusetts. We hope to be helpful to everyone interested in activism, or even those who have never been involved before. It's really not that hard to get started, and once you do it feels fantastic to be involved in a democratic process.
As my role in the organization, I'm going to be PUBLISHING THE NEWSLETTER once a month to inform, direct, and inspire ya'll to action. Anyone reading this should subscribe on our homepage, www.masspowershift.org. It won't be spammy, while being very informative about what's going on.
The newsletter is part of our effort to revamp and recreate the organization's website. We now will be offering a calendar of events, blog, and resources page for your own actions. I'm working on the web design of this baby, seeing what that's all about. The site is designed to be as user-friendly and simply informative as possible... check it out and tell your friends!
http://www.masspowershift.org
If you're around Boston for the 2nd, there's a huge rally at the State House that MAPS is taking part in around the GWSA, a cap-and-trade bill for Massachusetts. This is a perfect way to get involved, real action and make a difference. Make a sign, get some friends, and head over to the State House (near the Boston Common, Park St. T) :::
*July 2nd event: Energy Independence!
**Date:* Wednesday, July 2nd
*Time: *12 - 2 p.m.
*Location:* Boston Commons, next to the State House
*Description: *A gathering of concerned citizens to call on their
leaders to take a stance on dirty fossil-fuels and make a commitment to
reducing our carbon emissions by passing a Global Warming bill that has
a robust short term cap to bring us to 80% reductions in Green House Gas
emissions by 2050. Event begins with faith leader, speakers, and call
to action. Info tables connect participants with materials and info to
lobby at the state house.
It takes all of us to make a future,
-Eddie
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Boston Updates!
BOSTON SUMMER 08::::Avast,
It appears Boston is definitely much more chill come summertime. Summer classes are both casual and a blast (even SMG: summer non-major classes are definitely the way to go!). There are still enough people are around to make socializing worthwhile; can always meet someone on Comm. Ave or at a party. As one friend put to me: "College is so much more fun without the school". Climate-wise, we always get a nice breeze to keep things cool (and sailboating!) and nights are mellow and usually just about right. I'm diggin' it. For all ye of BU not around for the summer, an update on the latest goings-on at the Charles River Campus:
The Commonwealth Ave beautification process is nearly complete, and it shows. Our campus of rubble and orange cones now takes the form of a green tunnel of tranquility, with new planters and trees lining the sidewalk. Only thing is, it will be much more narrow when tons of students are walking by. They're now in the process of removing a lane of traffic to expand the T platforms, and it shows. It's harder to dash across the street now!
West Campus seems to be getting a huge facelift. As Student Village Two nears completion, I'm realizing HOW F*ING BIG IT IS. It towers 16 stories over the previous, and has a really corporate and almost cold look to it. Apparently because of an uncalculated design flaw it can cause 80 MPH winds on I90 capable of flipping cars... fuck yeah.
In other news, the entire track and field is torn up as well and redone for next year. It will be bigger (and without that silly bandstand) in order to host track events there. Seems to make sense.
Speaking of torn up in west campus, how about West dining hall getting a major renovation as well. All the carpet is torn up, tables gone, and heavy construction going on. Hope they don't change it too much...
As expected, The GSU is basically worthless, offering lunch at very limited shops for only 2-3 hours a day. Th ey don't even keep Starbucks and Jamba Juice open. Maybe it's not profitable enough... fuckers. BU facilities in general have proven pretty bottled up, with no dining hall accessibility or campus food options. (They took out the Warren Taco Bell for a Starbucks...)
And guess what? The West Campus Wendy's Project? the one that BU has been working on for more than a year at the most high-demand place? It still looks like the same rubble, but now has a "coming soon" sign! I'll believe it when I see it. The West Campus Goodwill is definitely clutch though!
And the Charles River-Esplanade... Really the reason to stay here. So nice in the summer to see families and couples and runners out and about. I've been keeping busy reading outside, sailing, climbing trees, and biking around her lovely Charles riverbanks. Always cheers you up to see 12 people chillin on the dock watching the sun set over the Charles. (and the StuVi 2 Monstrosity, but...)
Hope you enjoyed the tour! With a month and a half of summer already done, definitely still pining for more. Stay tuned, dear reader.
-Eddie
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
If You're Reading this Right Now...
You were right. Filling personality gaps is not the same as not having them. It is only through time spent alone reading, enjoying solitude, comfort or simply thought that we can dispel the traces of depression and incompleteness within us. It's a journey, but true inspiration comes from within. It is the quality of our passion that defines who we can be. And who any one person can be... is not limited by anything or anyone. (Just do it!)
The "in-place" Zen and self-affirmation one gets through belonging is truly something. Through life awareness and sheer determination I find more energy morning to night for the things I need to do and the those I want to pursue. By organizing priorities and time while dropping unnecessary social events, a balance can finally be reached. But it's the plan that keeps me going. A purpose in life, a goal to be achieved, a passion for something in this world... it's what makes college worth the thousands of dollars, our only purpose and privilege these four short years.
Awaken. Find yourself, find your passion. Let Your Life Speak: "Is the life you are living the life that wants to be living in you?"
Happy searching! The destination is well worth the journey.
Alone, sober and happy::
-Eddie
The "in-place" Zen and self-affirmation one gets through belonging is truly something. Through life awareness and sheer determination I find more energy morning to night for the things I need to do and the those I want to pursue. By organizing priorities and time while dropping unnecessary social events, a balance can finally be reached. But it's the plan that keeps me going. A purpose in life, a goal to be achieved, a passion for something in this world... it's what makes college worth the thousands of dollars, our only purpose and privilege these four short years.
Awaken. Find yourself, find your passion. Let Your Life Speak: "Is the life you are living the life that wants to be living in you?"
Happy searching! The destination is well worth the journey.
Alone, sober and happy::
-Eddie
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Books That Will Change your Worldview
The great thing about summer is finally having time to read the book list you've been saving up-- at least for me anyways. Ah, the intellectual pursuit of life! All the wisdom that someone else took the time to write down. Here are my top three recommendations:
1. The Omnivore's Dilemma
I read this last fall, and it completely changed the way I look at food (and inspired me to devote a life to improving its production). Michael Pollan is a very clear writer with a good sense of humor and a stunning story of his journey into the mechanics of food production. Especially with food appearing so often in the news, it's important that everyone understand the way the system works and be conscious of what you're choosing to nourish yourself with. I'm now reading his Botany of Desire: a Plants-eye View of the World which tells the story of the apple (sweetness), tulip (beauty), cannabis plant (intoxication), and potato (control) and how they domesticated people to do their bidding. Pick it up, or he actually has a new one too, In Defense of Food.
2. The Marx-Engels Reader
Whether or not you trust the outcome of Marx's theories, reading his original work is essential to a well-rounded understanding of history and thought. Included here the best summary available, from the Communist Manifesto all the way to Volume One of Das Capital. As well as better understanding the world rules and daily conflicts we live in, it got me started in philosophy and has lead to further reading in Nietzsche, Kant, and the man, Che Guevara (his Motorcycle Diaries are fantastic, the actual diary the movie was based on).
3. Blessed Unrest
If you are revolutionary-minded, or believe in a cause, you may be interested to hear about a broad-scale change of public mentality that has led to hundreds of thousands of activist interest groups in recent years. When do radical movements with the same things in common stop being isolated and become a new way to live? This book has inspired me to do something for this unnamed movement for truth in life.
Other self-help books that are valuable and insightful:
-Eddie
1. The Omnivore's Dilemma
I read this last fall, and it completely changed the way I look at food (and inspired me to devote a life to improving its production). Michael Pollan is a very clear writer with a good sense of humor and a stunning story of his journey into the mechanics of food production. Especially with food appearing so often in the news, it's important that everyone understand the way the system works and be conscious of what you're choosing to nourish yourself with. I'm now reading his Botany of Desire: a Plants-eye View of the World which tells the story of the apple (sweetness), tulip (beauty), cannabis plant (intoxication), and potato (control) and how they domesticated people to do their bidding. Pick it up, or he actually has a new one too, In Defense of Food.
2. The Marx-Engels Reader
Whether or not you trust the outcome of Marx's theories, reading his original work is essential to a well-rounded understanding of history and thought. Included here the best summary available, from the Communist Manifesto all the way to Volume One of Das Capital. As well as better understanding the world rules and daily conflicts we live in, it got me started in philosophy and has lead to further reading in Nietzsche, Kant, and the man, Che Guevara (his Motorcycle Diaries are fantastic, the actual diary the movie was based on).
3. Blessed Unrest
If you are revolutionary-minded, or believe in a cause, you may be interested to hear about a broad-scale change of public mentality that has led to hundreds of thousands of activist interest groups in recent years. When do radical movements with the same things in common stop being isolated and become a new way to live? This book has inspired me to do something for this unnamed movement for truth in life.
Other self-help books that are valuable and insightful:
- How to Win at College by Cal Newport. The best college life guidebook, I follow it religiously.
- Let your Life Speak by Parker J. Palmer. Find your own vocation in life, the voice that guides you to where you need to be.
- Arriving at Your Own Door by Jon Cabat Zinn. 128 daily zen lessons that lead to a mindfulness and presence that is a great base for any stresses life throws.
-Eddie
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Summer in Boston, what!
Given that my lease is still in effect until September, and there's nothing much happening this summer in Oberlin, Ohio, decided to stay in Boston for classes and work this summer. A few weeks in, I'm loving the experience. Definitely much more chill than Boston in the cold and busy school year, and tons of stuff going on too:::
-Summer Classes at BU: it seems like everyone I know is taking classes from the school of management. While cold and foreign for outside students during the school year, summer classes at SMG are actually quite laid-back and really informative. I'm taking a business for non-majors series of three classes (intro Marketing, intro to Business, and intro to Finance next term) that give a general intro to the business vocabulary and mindset. It has confirmed my suspicions that the world is indeed run by the impossibly narrow-minded business agenda... our society is, for better or worse, built on targeted marketing, profit projections, and sales numbers. For me, social entrepreneurship and social business are the most interesting aspects as I look to establish my own venture after school. I encourage anyone to take a business class at some point; while limited in perspective it is a very informative way to look at society and culture, and a very marketable skill after college anywhere you go.
-Work: some students get internships, some are content with summer classes, and others work. I begin this week at the Sunset Grill and Tap in Allston, as host welcoming people to a delicious meal and 114 beers on tap. It's owned by the same guy who runs the Sunset Cantina, a crazy, overweight man who is known to walk in unannounced and begin cleaning behind machines, rearranging tables and chairs, and yelling at anyone who gets in his way. Looking forward to it, but it'll take up evenings in a big way as I work 5-1.
-Activism: there's so much going on in and around Boston!
As Massachusetts Power Shift continues to grow and solidify as an organization, a strong coalition of the youth-based climate movement is established. We are soon going to be offering event awareness, activist networking, resources for hosting events, partner connections, and are considering optioins to begin working on our own campaign. It's an exciting time to be in the organization as we work through to the very foundations of what matters and what we're about. We will soon be recruiting in a big way, starting an e-newsletter (I will be chief compiler and editor!), and reforming our website to include trainings, news, events, and links. We are recruiting in a big way anyone student or otherwise who is interested: email me at if you want to be in on the organizing or newsletter.
Boston Rising Tide: A grassroots protest/direct action group I've been meeting with, they work on social justice issues through marches, protests, and demonstrations.
Sierra Student Coalition SPROG: The Student branch of the Sierra club is hosting environmental leadership training camps all across the country. I'll be going to one in New Hampshire this summer, learning how to organize and lead from the pros. I know I'm looking forward to it, follow the link and you can find one near you!
Carrotmob: These guys are awesome. They all coordinate buying at one store on one day in order to reduce it's climate footprint. Check out their youtube video. There's talk of starting one in Boston...
-Fun: oh man Boston in the summer rocks. With the nicer weather and continuous breeze to cool off, it seems like everyone comes out of hiding to populate the common, esplenade, BU beach or flock to Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard. Me, I have been taking advantage of the free time and nice weather to get some good reading in. I'm currently finishing up The End of Poverty, read Che Guevara's The Motorcycle Diaries, Quirkology, and The Life of Meaning: Reflections on Faith, Doubt, and Repairing the World. Pretty solid mix that always leaves me satisfied.
That, and HARVEST MOON 64!
Alright well time to go cook some dinner... I am experimenting in responsibility and sustainable living by not spending any money this week. So far so good, towards the end it's getting rough though.
Look for more updates soon, and leave some comment love if you want!
-Eddie
-Summer Classes at BU: it seems like everyone I know is taking classes from the school of management. While cold and foreign for outside students during the school year, summer classes at SMG are actually quite laid-back and really informative. I'm taking a business for non-majors series of three classes (intro Marketing, intro to Business, and intro to Finance next term) that give a general intro to the business vocabulary and mindset. It has confirmed my suspicions that the world is indeed run by the impossibly narrow-minded business agenda... our society is, for better or worse, built on targeted marketing, profit projections, and sales numbers. For me, social entrepreneurship and social business are the most interesting aspects as I look to establish my own venture after school. I encourage anyone to take a business class at some point; while limited in perspective it is a very informative way to look at society and culture, and a very marketable skill after college anywhere you go.
-Work: some students get internships, some are content with summer classes, and others work. I begin this week at the Sunset Grill and Tap in Allston, as host welcoming people to a delicious meal and 114 beers on tap. It's owned by the same guy who runs the Sunset Cantina, a crazy, overweight man who is known to walk in unannounced and begin cleaning behind machines, rearranging tables and chairs, and yelling at anyone who gets in his way. Looking forward to it, but it'll take up evenings in a big way as I work 5-1.
-Activism: there's so much going on in and around Boston!
As Massachusetts Power Shift continues to grow and solidify as an organization, a strong coalition of the youth-based climate movement is established. We are soon going to be offering event awareness, activist networking, resources for hosting events, partner connections, and are considering optioins to begin working on our own campaign. It's an exciting time to be in the organization as we work through to the very foundations of what matters and what we're about. We will soon be recruiting in a big way, starting an e-newsletter (I will be chief compiler and editor!), and reforming our website to include trainings, news, events, and links. We are recruiting in a big way anyone student or otherwise who is interested: email me at
Boston Rising Tide: A grassroots protest/direct action group I've been meeting with, they work on social justice issues through marches, protests, and demonstrations.
Sierra Student Coalition SPROG: The Student branch of the Sierra club is hosting environmental leadership training camps all across the country. I'll be going to one in New Hampshire this summer, learning how to organize and lead from the pros. I know I'm looking forward to it, follow the link and you can find one near you!
Carrotmob: These guys are awesome. They all coordinate buying at one store on one day in order to reduce it's climate footprint. Check out their youtube video. There's talk of starting one in Boston...
-Fun: oh man Boston in the summer rocks. With the nicer weather and continuous breeze to cool off, it seems like everyone comes out of hiding to populate the common, esplenade, BU beach or flock to Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard. Me, I have been taking advantage of the free time and nice weather to get some good reading in. I'm currently finishing up The End of Poverty, read Che Guevara's The Motorcycle Diaries, Quirkology, and The Life of Meaning: Reflections on Faith, Doubt, and Repairing the World. Pretty solid mix that always leaves me satisfied.
That, and HARVEST MOON 64!
Alright well time to go cook some dinner... I am experimenting in responsibility and sustainable living by not spending any money this week. So far so good, towards the end it's getting rough though.
Look for more updates soon, and leave some comment love if you want!
-Eddie
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