Embracing My Nerdiness

Who, when faced with a question about the 25th Amendment, runs to his or her room to pull from his or hers cluttered bookshelf a copy of the Constitution?

Me.

I do it. I mean, I would do it. I did it.

Last night on The West Wing (well really it was the last episode of season 4) the President was enacting the 25th Amendment. Tiffany and I were trying to remember what exactly the 25th Amendment said, so what did I do? I paused the DVD, ran back to my room and pulled out my very own copy of the United States' Constitution. It's complete with various editions of the Constitution, The Articles of Confederation, the Declaration of Independence and various court cases leading to extremely important changes to the US. Apparently this isn't a pretty normal thing to have on your bookshelf... But I have it.

Everyone has a little nerdiness in them, right? Some people love video games, others computer games. Many people geek out over Star Wars, technology or even the latest fashion and boots. I fall for nearly all things political-- and I like it. I don't let this out to just anyone. I mean if you know me well you know I have an opinion and I usually share it carelessly, but if you don't know me well I tend to stay quiet until an invite is secured. You have to really want it otherwise I won't waste a sentence on a conversation that will die quickly. I may not be good at organizing or rallying, but I can read, think and speak. When done properly, those three things are dangerous. I think I'm going to embrace this.

Wisdom from Peanut Butter & Jelly

As I was making lunch, seriously 10 minutes ago, I started thinking about public speaking. I know, this is odd. I'm sure not many people think about public speaking while they're making peanut butter (well in my case almond butter) and jelly sandwiches, but I was.

It actually brought me back to my sophomore year of high school when I took student leadership as an elective. (It was supposed to look good on a college application, however,I'm not sure that it made a difference). One of the assignments for this class was to give a "how to" speech. I'm pretty sure I gave my speech on how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, even though at the time I'm sure I refused to eat them. I remember how much I despised giving speeches and still do. I think I was afraid that I wasn't going to say the right thing, be prepared enough or that the grade was subjectively given by the teacher so it wasn't going to matter anyway. In a sense I still feel that way now except the grade isn't given by a teacher per se, but rather by my audience..

Anyway, the deeper issue that this brought to my attention is why do speeches and leadership go hand-in-hand? I do believe it's possible to be a public leader and not give public speeches. Why can't people just lead by example? Nothing will be accomplished if people don't do what they say they will.

I think it's the medias fault. (Isn't everything?) But more specifically, television's fault, or maybe how we view what "public" means in public speeches. FDR gave his famous fireside chats over the radio in 1933. Does that count as a public speech? I would feel much more comfortable in a sound booth than I would being filmed giving a speech or even standing in front of a large group of people. I think people feel like they need to see someone to be able to relate to them in some way. I think it's because we all subconsciously judge people on how they look, how they stand, how they dress. I, for instance, don't like many politicians' speech writers. Not that I could do better, but if they have the money to buy words, they could do better.

In J-school they told us that "public" referred to our audience, so I think that the term "public speaking" is relative. While I continue to conquer my fear of engaging large audiences, I will choose to believe that public speaking refers to any spoken word that is consumed by a public, and look for more ways to find and encourage those who lead by doing rather than saying anything.

A blowin in the wind

I'm not a fan of change. In fact, I think I resist it as much as possible until I just have to embrace it. Some things have gotten easier: watching people and relationships come and go, but the hardest change is always Summer to Fall.

I think I suffer from seasonal depression. The only time I ever loved fall was when it meant I got to go back to school. Sure, I never was ready, but it was always constant. Every year the same feelings. Anxious, overwhelmed, and excited to be one step closer to graduation... Maybe that's it.. Maybe because I don't know what it feels like to graduate from college, I don't feel like I really have. I don't feel my education will sustain me through life.... because it won't.

One thing far more valuable than any class or subject I exhausted is self-worth. Where does it come from? Not a class, a $40,000 piece of paper, or even a "I'm proud of you, Nat."

I think it's important to evaluate where we put our trust and our faith. If I put more faith in the government than I do in God, I'd be worse off than I am now. Same with everything else for that matter. I don't think it's wrong to be ambitious, but I need to be careful of what I am ambitious about.

There's nothing like cooking with Martha...

Unless it's cooking with Snoop D-O-double G:



This seriously made my day.

One of the many reasons I am not a fan of war

This really upsets me.

We did it!

I honestly cannot believe it is over, although at the same time, I am happy that it is. I don't think I could have survived much more of this crazy lifestyle. I have learned so much from being here: about myself, about others and about how I relate. I know now, more than ever, that I don't want to be defined as any one thing, or to be put in a box. I don't think I am capable of aligning completely. Even more so, I don't think I want to completely align with any one thing. I'm not sure where this new road will lead, or what, if any, changes will actually take place in the US, but as long as I keep an open mind to perspective I'll be able to see the good in it all.

This makes it worth it

This is an amazing story...

E-Day 2008

More than 3000 doors knocked...

More than 2000 calls made...

More than 480 hours of work logged...

And this all by me alone.

Today we will find the extent to how the effort was worth it.

I made the list!

HALPERIN'S TAKE:
The Five Most Important People in American Politics Not Running for President

1. Obama secret weapon Pete Rouse.

2. McCain strategist Mike DuHaime.

3. Obama national field director Jon Carson.

4. Obama battleground state chief Jennifer O'Malley.

5. Every member of Jon Carson's field team (tie). <---- I'm part of this team :)

A day of firsts

With 9 days left before the election, Obama followed suit and came for the last time (or so we think) before 4 Nov. to Colorado. Our office, which is located northeast of Denver, was given the opportunity to attend.

I had never been to a political rally, which is odd, I know, given that I love politics, but this was an unique experience. Since I am staff I didn't have to wait in line, which was awesome given this crowd:

I was feeling slightly guilty for being there. I was extremely tired, cold, and thinking that this wasn't going to help win the election in Colorado, especially in Brighton where my office is located, but I thought it would be a nice change of pace. Hey, we might even get some volunteers out of the deal.

When he began speaking I got really excited. I was about 100-200 feet away from him, and it finally dawned on me that we, as in everyone in that crowd and I, were making history. His speech, even though the same information with little twists we have been hearing via the media, lifted spirits and was received with tons of enthusiasm. I heard older women screaming like they would have at a Beatles concert in "their day," and bragging that this was the 9th time they had seen him speak and that they would follow him all over the country. I left the rally feeling great, energized and ready to hit the doors.

Then the unthinkable happened. I got back to the office and was the first one there. Good thing, too, because I am the key holder. I had been waiting around for my Field Organizer, Stephen, for about an hour, so that I could go out and knock on some doors, when I received a call from my regional director, Nick, looking for Stephen. He said that he really needed to get a hold of him immediately, and that he would call me right back. I was a bit nervous because I didn't know what was going on. Did we not meet our goal? Should we have been doing something more? No, in fact completely different, Barack Obama was on his way to our office and he would be there in 30 minutes.

At that point, I didn't really know what to think. I wasn't freaked out or worried, I just listened intently as Nick rattled of instructions of cleaning the office and getting on the phones to get as many people there as I could and said he was on his way.

Thank God Vicki and Sarah showed up when they did with a handful of other volunteers. I tried to print call lists from our database, but I couldn't find them, so luckily they had the volunteer lists to call from. We were actually able to get 60+ people here before he arrived.

We (Nick, Stephen and I) along with our core Brighton volunteers lined up in the foyer to our office as sort of a "greeting team" for BO. He walked in the door and started shaking hands and greeting people down the line. I was last and got skipped over. I really didn't mind because at this point I wanted to be anywhere, but in the office. I got a little shy and wanted to be as far away from him as possible. (Yes, I think this is silly too, he is after all, just a person. An incredibly intelligent person running for president of the US, but still just a person).

Needless to say, I did get to meet him. I'll post the rest of the story after the election. But here's a picture for the time being:

Party realignment?

I was told in college, and history has proven, that nearly every 30 years there is a major party realignment. Could this be it for the GOP?

My favorite part of campaigning

Today is our official dry-run of election day, and because I left the office at 2:15 and didn't fall asleep until 3:30, giving me 2 1/2 hours of sleep for the night, I decided to take the time to remember what I like about campaigning.

Campaigning, or community organizing, is the hardest thing I have ever done, but the one thing that keeps me going while I'm here (besides knowing that I get to come home on 6 Nov. ) is the "community" in community organizing. We have been blessed here in Brighton, CO with a core group of amazing people. I will do a short run-through:

Sarah: She's basically our mom (and has two little ones of her own). She cooks for us on an almost daily basis and she cleans our bathrooms at the office! (Clean bathrooms are a pretty big deal to me :) ) She's also completely type-A so we are kindred spirits and commiserate on how to better organize the office.

Vicki: She's the fearless volunteer team leader. Like Sarah, she has two little ones, one who was 6 weeks old when he began canvassing for Obama in the primaries. Since then he has taken his first steps in our campaign office, and we were all here to witness it. We lean on each other when we get rude people, and we know if one of us loses it the other will too. She also makes fun of me for not liking to wear shoes in the office, and even gave me a pair of cute slipper socks with frogs on them!

Gregg: He's an amazing canvasser and is the canvass captain for election day. He always gives us updates on what "the other side" is doing and brings in his "hate mail." He and his wife are very sweet people (it's like having younger grandparents again), they have even put up with me calling their house and knocking on their door without recognizing last names. :)

Linda: She is one of our best phone call makers. No matter how rude people are to her, she still keeps at it. I've only had to give her a pep talk once (which I mustered from God knows where) to get her spirits back up. She in turn gave me a hug. I needed it. :)


These are only a few of the people who have made an impact on me here. I'll write more and share more stories as time provides, but all I know at this point, is that without the support from my family and friends back home, and these people here I wouldn't be making it right now.

Seriously? Still?

This story puzzles me. Are we seriously still this far behind? How long until the sentiment is refused...

New news on the genocide in Sudan

This excites me. Let's hope that it is ended soon. If so, we'll be one step closer to the end of the LRA as well.

Economic Policy

This news post has to be on its own because I have a lot to say about it.

Senator John McCain, the Republican nominee, plans to unveil a new 'pension and
family security' plan while campaigning in the Pennsylvania on Tuesday. According to an outline of his proposal released by the McCain campaign, it is aimed at seniors, workers and homeowners – 'those who are currently hurting the most' due to the ongoing fiscal crisis.

I'm curious as to how "seniors, workers, and homeowners" are the groups of people who are "currently hurting the most". I'm appalled that there hasn't been much talk of anyone living at or below the poverty line. Do politicians honestly believe that this downward turn in the economy doesn't effect them adversly as well? Or do you have to have money to be effected?

They may not be politically active in the sense of engaging in politics as most Americans see fit, but they will engage in their own form of politics if things go completely against them. I'm not too sure I would like to see a recap of the Watts Riots of '65 or the LA Riots of '92... History repeats itself when we don't learn from it.... And hey, that was only California.

Worthy News Posts

Every morning I come into the office early to catch up on the news because I don't have time to do it during the day. This is what I found that alarmed me or made me smile in some odd fashion:

1. Woohoo for Oregon beers!
2. I would probably vote republican if Colin Powell ran for president.
3. I wonder what Michael Scott would do to get a date with Sarah Palin while she's in Scranton. (Man I miss the office!)
4. This excites me so much! The last group in Uganda to practice female circumcision finally banned it!

Life on the campaign trail...

Things I have realized while being in Colorado:

1. I don't have much free time. In fact, the only reason I have free time right now is because our reporting site is down for maintenance.
2. I don't need free time because I don't have any friends here.
3. I hate driving. The 18+ hour drive from Portland was bad enough not to mention the 20 miles I drive to the office each day.
4. I am so in love with reading the bible every morning. I've realized even more how I can't make it through the day without it.
5. I miss the West Wing, Pop Tarts, TCBY and red wine.
6. Although winter is my favorite season, I don't like cold weather.
7. I absolutely love coffee! I didn't drink it much this summer and I can't figure out why not.
8. I miss my family and friends, but I know now that I could move away from everyone and be alright. (not that I'm going to)
9. Campaigning is not the lifestyle for me, but I think if I didn't experience it I would always wonder.
10. Public bathrooms,no matter where you are, are disgusting!

More info to come soon...

Meat-less balls

Recently my roommate and I have fallen in love with meat-less balls. Yes, we have also enjoyed acting like seventh graders and making ridiculous jokes about balls in general. While this is way off topic of something meaningful, I decided I needed a good laugh-- especially given the past few weeks.

I read this article on the Portland Mercury's blog, and decided I need to get this cookbook. If not for myself, then definitely as a gag gift for my roommate.


Sample Version - The Testicle Cookbook

Bacon Boy & Fry Guy

My youngest first cousin, Austin Winters, died last Thursday, and I've been having a rough time with it. It seriously breaks my heart to know that he was so young with so much ahead of him.

Here's a little more information about Bacon Boy & Fry Guy and the merchandise he created with the Children's Healing Art Project, or CHAP.

When will it end?

"...And a little child will lead them."
(Isaiah 11:6)

As if 20 years of war isn't enough, now involving three different countries the LRA strikes again. This breaks my heart so, so much.

After being in northern Uganda and spending time with children who have experienced the death of their parents and being child soldiers themselves, I can't imagine why this is still happening. I hate that life is taken for granted like a sick game...

I know that I don't have a complete grasp of their culture, but I still don't understand how children can have their innocence stolen and made to do things that most people would never dream of: killing (both partaking and watching), ravishing, raping, taking drugs, maiming. It's just so cruel...

And it's funny that both sides think that they are right, that they should win, but in all reality, everyone loses.

Fashion Police

You may expect something like this to happen in a third world country where modesty reigns supreme, but what do you think when something similar takes place in Florida?

Rwanda, Rwanda

Finally a country that's making some progress.

Please note this:
"'The problems of women are understood much better, much better by women themselves,' voter Anne Kayitesi told the BBC's Focus on Africa. 'You see men, especially in our culture, men used to think that women are there to be in the house, cook food, look after the children... but the real problems of a family are known by a woman and when they do it, they help a country to get much better.'"

Does anyone see the power and the conflict in that quote?

Why it pays to "Go Green"

I love that this is an Oregon-based company. We will forever be an environmentally conscious state. Read how Kettle is saving money, and not to mention the environment.

Articles worth reading

I spent some time reading news online today and I came across these two articles that are of interest.

1. Haiti is the poorest nation in the world and now 1,000,000 people are homeless because of Hurricane Ike.

2.Raja Petra Kamarudin has been detained in Malaysia because he wrote against Islam on his blog.

It seems that the same issues are rising all over the world. What will be done to fix them?

Abandoned & bruised awaiting a cure

In my current stint of being unemployed I have been doing a lot of reading, which isn't anything new or different for me. But this particular day (yesterday), something I read really made me think. I was lying by the pool of my apartment complex with some younger girls from church when I picked up Barack Obama's Dreams from My Father and began to read.

I'm not really sure how long I had been reading, but it was long enough for the girls to migrate to the other end of the pool to discuss life, while dipping their pedicured toes in the water, and for me to read 140 pages. Once you get past the fact that this book was written by a lawyer, a senator and a politician, you realize that this book is about identity, about a son, a friend, a husband and a father. It made me stop and think about my own identity and my passions.

One of my passions is civil rights and African-American history, which first prompted me to read this book. Don't get me wrong, I support Obama more for his politics than the fact that he is of mixed race and struggled during one of the more fascinating time periods of US history. He just makes me think.

At one point in the book his grandfather's friend tells him, "But your grandfather will never know what that feels like," in reference to being black, experiencing the hurt of racism and trying to find your identity living as a black man in a white family. I stopped there and began listening to the girls' chatter. Being further than an earshot away, it was mere whisper in the late afternoon wind that was beginning to blow. They were talking about being orphans and meeting their birth parents, and for the first time it struck me that I will never know what that feels like. That should be an obvious, but when you really look at the implications and what it means it's mind blowing. I will never experience what these young girls have no matter how hard I try. I began to think of other disparities: we grew up in different areas, we are all of different ethnicity. I realized what a role that played in the depth of our friendships and in the depths of our souls and our identity.

I will never know what it fees like to be black and to come up through the struggles of the last 100+ years, but then again, they will never know how it feels to be white. It was completely chance or luck depending on how you look at it, and this effects our friendships. I've come to the point in my life where I don't want to hide my true self any longer, but I'm beginning to wonder what I hold back from people because of our differences...

Leaving on an airplane...

While this blog was originally created to hide my musings on politics and how I would do it better, I feel the need to share a little something different right now. Today marks the first post I've actually written even though I created this blog over a year ago. Ironically, right before I left for Uganda last June. And, today is the day I leave for Uganda this year. My heart already feels so soft that it may melt before I get there.

I am truly blessed by all the people I have in my life. I have never felt so humbled, loved and supported. Thank you. I hope you enjoy these next couple weeks as much as I do. If my heart was only in one place it would definitely be Africa. I know some may not understand, but those that do know that there are few words that can describe it. With three hours before my flight I think I should get some sleep, but while you're reading this please check out what is happening in Kenya and pray for those children!