Saturday, June 26, 2010

Poli-Chick's Triumphant Return

Today I went door knocking for the first time in 2 years. The experience provided some synthesis.

I really enjoy door-knocking, especially when it is to share information, encourage voting and calculate support. I like it because I am not trying to GET anything more than the information the people want to give. I get to see different parts of my community, walk around out side and support causes that are important to me.

Last summer, when I applied at Environment Minnesota, I figured that it would be a similar experience to what I had done before. Since it was so different and horrible, I feared that I had changed from before, and that today would be very difficult.

I had even begun to grow wary of political activists, assuming that everyone who enjoys political field work must be crazy, hyper enthusiastic, extrovert-types with pushy attitudes. While these characteristics DO benefit the field worker, many different personality types can be of use in this work.

Antithesis occurred when I went to college, after Tim Faust's campaign against Judy Soderstrom, and the election of Barack Obama, I settled into my new lifestyle and politics retreated to the archive of interests past. This is shocking considering HOW much I felt that politics made me tick summer of 2008.

When I started classes that fall, I had to make quick decisions about which activities warranted my time and energy, and since political activism was on the chopping block, I figured that it was because I didn't care anymore.

I see now that this is not so. The kind of work I did today is something that I enjoy doing. It doesn't mean that I have to become a Poli Sci major and intern in Washington... or maybe it does! For now, it means that I get to do some meaningful volunteer work when I have time over the summer, and I am happy that this is still part of my life.

Democratic Primaries August 10th!

Friday, June 25, 2010

My New Shoes and the Implications They Hold

Today, I impulsively bought a new pair of shoes.

I was on my way home from Stillwater visiting my mom at fiddle camp, and I pulled off at North Branch to look at a map. (This is after spending 2 hours the night before trying to get from Augsburg to Stillwater, which should really only take 30 minutes, driving my mom's white van with no cruise control and wonky visibility).

The road in North Branch spit me out right by the mall, so I stopped to see if the stores were open, they weren't, but after getting gas for the car and verifying my route home, they were.

I needed new shoes. The blue pair I bought with Rita in Seattle two years ago have never actually fit, and while they serve every practical function, they are worn and old. So I wanted to get a pair of shoes that could match my old pair's versatility.

I paced the aisles multiple times, until I finally settled on a pair of gray Vans with laces. In spite of all the justifications I had for buying them, all they are to me are another pair of tennis shoes.

They match the old pair in every function except for ease of slip-on-ability, and function in semi-formal wear.

I am having a hard time committing them to the role of everything shoes.

Another factor contributing to my disease is that this purchase reminds me of when I bought another pair of brand name shoes when I was a budding teenager. I really liked those shoes a lot, and they served me well... but I don't feel like a 14 year old anymore.

Anyway, I am obsessing over my shoes today. I will let you know if I become more positive about them. Otherwise, I just spent a bunch of money that could have been put to use elsewhere.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Summer

This summer...

I visited my Grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins in Missouri as soon as I was able to leave Augsburg. My Mom and I stayed a week.

I applied at the North West Company Fur Post to work as an interpreter. I did not get the job, the first rejection in my professional career. It works out though because I am busy enough as it is working for my dad with the pottery, and as Molly Morgan at KBEK.

Later in May, I went down with a bunch of my friends to Paul's family's lake house in Iowa. It was much fun; my muscles were sore for days from tubing and jet skiing. They are going down there again on the Fourth of July I think, but I will not. I have other plans!

Work for my dad has been fun. Visser comes up on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Last week, we fixed up the driveway by trimming all the tree branches away from it, as well as by filling in the pot holes with sand.

I really like being back at the radio station. It's a great job.

I've been spending a lot of time with Sara who is back from college in Superior, and Paul (not Iowa Paul). Last night, we went to see Robinhood in Mora. It was mediocre, but I like swords, horses, and costumes.

The Milaca Marching Band is currently the best in the State. I saw them at their first parade last week, and will see them tomorrow in Milaca! I wish I could be with them!