Clearly I'm not that focused today...

Dear Co-Workers,

If any of y'all happen to read this, and check the time stamp I'm sorry. It's Monday, and I'm just not feeling this whole work thing. I'm working on my memo though honest. This whole becoming a social networking expert concept just keeps getting me sidetracked. Please don't fire me.

Yours,
Sam

Alright, now that that's out of the way- just a quick update on my earlier nag- interesting perspective from Professor MAN. (If I knew how to do that thing where you start someone's post and then it finishes on their blog, I would. But, as you can see, I don't. So click it yourselves please and thanks! )

It is indeed quite possible that all of this was staged. That would have been genius marketing on MTV's part, though I hesitate to give them that much credit.
I do however, believe that cultural scripts were definitely followed. The usual folks denounced Kanye, and the usuals stuck up for him, Ms. Swift got to look aghast at the Black bogeyman, and I am quite sure many more "urban" folks are aware of her presence than previously. Gotta say though, if it was staged I think Beyonce got the best deal of the bunch. Nice way to make up for any lingering doubts about her divadom to those who remember Destiny's Child's many personnel changes and her much gossiped about role in that. I drank her Kool-aid long ago, but I saw at least one facebook status of a new convert after last night...

Okay, exiting pop culture to focus on saving the world. Gotta get something done today if I want to keep riding my non-profit high horse!

Oh noooos! But then, YAY!

Due to what we're going to call "technical difficulties," no trees were climbed yesterday. At least not by this blogger. But don't worry! We will find a way! This likely just means that the schedule will be thrown off, and 3 adventures will take place next week, rather than 2.

In other news:

• Praying for the Kennedy family, and the nation without the Senator's leadership.
• Hope all the non-alum Dukies had an awesome FWOC (first week of classes).
• Congrats to various alums starting various things recently (internships, jobs, teaching careers, grad and professional schools and the like)! We are SO impressive!
• And on that note:

I am officially a Research and Training Fellow at the Young Women's Project! Score!

 K. That's all. There are indeed pictures from the first adventure. And I will post them this weekend. Promise.

Shout outs!

There have been requests for shoutouts, and I am quite willing to make a shameless plug and bring in some traffic to the blog, because I'm a member of Generation Y and we like attention.

Dear ladies of Duke in DC: thanks for a wonderful Thursday. Forever.Duke.
Dear Abbigator: Told ya, this is just for you!
While I'm shouting out Dukies: Hi Topeka! (You better read this miss. And let me know when you do.)

Okay, that's about it for that.

In other news, it is Saturday and I'm being kinda lame and have no further plans than the cleaning I already completed. This whole work life balance thing is a bit difficult... It seems I have an on and off switch and need to purchase some dimmers. I've decided to flip the work switch on since I got this super great job, and doing all that work makes me very tired come weekends or week nights. Generally, I can make it out in the world for about 1 activity a week (sometimes admittedly less). If there are suggestions for balancing a 45 hour work week, and being a healthy, social 20 something, while still saving money to move out within a couple years and own, not rent, I'd love to hear them.

Til then, I think I'll take a nap.

Today was Monday at the Young Women's Project.
Well, it was Monday everywhere I suppose, but YWP was where I spent most of the start of the week. It was... uneventful actually. Mondays are quiet for us- no youth, and allegedly a day of planning and adult staff productivity. Like most people who work with youth I'm sure, it seems as though there's never really enough planning time, but we make do. Mondays are also staff meeting day. Despite our anti-bureaucracy stance, they're kinda necessary...

What, you may ask, is the Young Women's Project?
Rather than a marginally interesting post on exactly what we do (the disinterest inrecapping it may only be mine, because I seem to do it often), I'll build suspense for a bit and instead tell you how we feel about things. This may also force you to click on the above link out of curiosity, thereby driving traffic to the website and potentially donations? Yes? Pay my salary? I digress... Aaanywho, I give you

YWP,
in bullet points:

We are:

• pro youth adult partnership
• supportive of "partners" rather than husbands, boyfriends or live-in lovers
• pro interdependence
  
• pro frameworks, check-ins, write-ups the share-drive
  
• pro-sharing, and oblivious to over-sharing
  
• pro trainings, assuming their interactiveness
• also pro chart paper and colorful markers, as a corollary
  
• neutral on promptness, but this is situation-dependent
  
• pro transparency (though not in the teen staff clothing) and pro accountability
• anti agression but pro assertiveness
• anti oppression and pro forward progression
  
• in support of work-life balance, and the balance that comes from mastering the tree pose in yoga
• obviously, pro yoga
• also, pro tai chi, tae bo and Thai food
• supportive of ethiopian, vegan and carribean cuisines, as well as Ben's Chili Bowl
• pro gmail, gchat and google in general
• in support of peer support groups and support systems, but anti support hose
• pro sarcasm, but only when tempered by an angelic smile
• anti beauty culture, but generally in favor of beautiful things
• pro long lunches and longer walks, also pro long evenings
• Basically amazing
  

Well, that's enough of that for the evening. Time for bed, then Tuesday!