Leisure activities old & new

First it was Borders and now it's Barnes & Noble. I just read an article in the Huffington Post that Barnes & Noble plans the closure of at least 20 stores a year for the next decade. Wow. This is really sad news for people like me who enjoy going to bookstores grabbing a cup of coffee and reading a good book or entertaining a book club. With all of the rage of Kindles, Nooks, and other tablet readers you would think people would still be excited about reading and communing in bookstores. It is my opinion that although tables are the new way to read your books, I just got a kindle fire myself, people still aren't reading the way we use to or that we should. 
Americans generally spend at least 4.5 hours a night watching television. Watching TV is the leisure activity that occupies the most time accounting for about half of leisure time for Americans.  Does that seem like a lot of time in front of the TV? Have you ever stopped to consider your own viewing habits? There is a lot of debate over the value of television. Many people think that TV is the downfall of society while others insist that they spend valuable family time watching television with one another.
How do you spend your leisure time? I am making an effort to stop senselessly watching television and start reading more or participating in other activities. I get really sad when I hear about bookstores closing and I can only wonder when these closings will spread to our public librairies. I hope this doesn't happen as these community spaces are so useful to so many and my blogging partner just got a job at a public library so we must support her as well.

What about you, how do you spend your leisure time? Are you surprised to hear about Barnes & Noble closing so many stores?

--Krystal

The Newsroom

The media is a very frustrating industry. It seems that as time continues the media industry is evolving into something we barely recognize. I understand that making a profit is part of the deal, but shouldn't bringing relevant news into our homes be the top priority. It has become alarmingly obvious that each media network has their own particular agenda and has no real qualms with expressing and furthering their agenda.

This is a topic, I find myself discussing a lot with friends. So many stories are over exageratted while others are underrepresented. The media will spend weeks covering Manti Teo which has no real impact and at the same time forget to mention the American struggles abroad. And when actua; news is reported it seems like the media relishes in creating a dramatic story as if they are producing a movie or rather than reporting on real lives. The horrific event in Newtown, Connecticut is a great example of news affiliates so eager to be first with the story that they chose to misrepresent the known details. Instead of reporting on the facts and the situation a story was being told as if the facts weren't enough to keep a viewer's attention. Many media outlets had to reverse on many of their reports.

Has anyone seen the new HBO program, The Newsroom? It's a new television show about the life within a newsroom all the way from the people behind the scenes and how stories are selected for on air production. What I find interesting about the show is that a new executive producer is brought it and she wants to ensure they are reporting the news and is very particular about what stories they air and how they discuss them. It really makes you question the high powered media outlets that get so much of our attention and how they monitor themselves.


What frustrates you about the media today? What could be done differently?

--Krystal

Post Inauguration Thoughts

I am incredibly moved by the words that our President, Barack Obama, spoke at his inauguration this afternoon. His speech was primarily about equality and freedom; it was a speech of hope for the nation. It acknowledged many problems we currently face, and gave listeners hope that these will be addressed in the next four years. 

Obama spoke about the need for our social systems in order to safeguard our people, keeping them healthy and safe. He spoke about how this country will thrive when all people are happy, healthy, and thriving members. Obama addressed the idea that our system often works only for some, on the backs of everyone else. He spoke of our country's success with all of us as a collective. It is an important balance between the American ethic of hard work and personal responsibility and that of everyone being equal to everyone else. It is difficult to juxtapose the idea that we must all be accountable but must all act for the greater cause of the nation and not as individuals, but he walked this line beautifully.  

I was energized by his words and his message, but find the depths of what needs to be done in our nation overwhelming. There is no question that Obama is the voice of our generation and I could not be more proud of his work. He is a symbol of progress, he is a representative of diversity and new ideas about who this country is for. I can't help but find that despite this being a day of happiness and hope, that I feel a tinge of despair. I feel that this country is fundamentally flawed, what with the second amendment and the way this country was brought into existence--on the backs of slaves. These fundamental issues have become root systemic problems of violence, anger, and socioeconomic inequality, that this country has carried with it for over two centuries.  These ugly things are written into our laws and our history books, and they are hard to ignore and overcome. While Obama's words were words of hope, we are still so far from what I dream of and what our people deserve. This is not a quick fix, but things that are part of the fibers of America, and the reason for my distaste. I recognize that these issues are fundamental issues with the identity of this country, and that leaves me at an impasse--where do I go from there? 

Both Obama and his introducer spoke in terms that quantified as America as greater or "more powerful" than other nations. While it is important for citizens to feel pride in their nationality, I think it is dangerous to speak about being such a powerful and wonderful place, particularly in light of the dangers and economic problems that we currently face. Many citizens do not have passports and do not understand for themselves the cultures of other countries, except for by what people tell them. I believe this American exceptionalism creates a certain arrogance and dislike of people from other places around the world, and I do not agree when politicians speak in these terms. 

Regardless of this, I do feel there are things to look forward to in the next four years, and I am eager to see what Obama can do. I know by his words that he believes in equality and freedom, but it will be a matter of what he is allowed to do for this nation. 

--Megan

57th Inauguration Preview

President Obama will get sworn in tomorrow for his second term.  The District has been busily preparing for this day since the election in November, and everything is ready for a busy, crowded, and chilly Monday at the Capitol.

While not nearly as many people are expected as DC saw in 2009, the city will be teeming with individuals who have come out to participate in the festivities.  DC residents will actually be underrepresented at the swearing in ceremony,  as representative Eleanor Holmes Norton’s office is the only place for District residents to turn for tickets. Less populous states like Wyoming have more representatives with tickets.

Krystal and I participated in the National Day of Service on Saturday in honor of the Inauguration and MLK Jr. Day. We did a clean up at Rock Creek Park, fulfilling one of Obama’s seven areas of focus—environment. 

There are a lot of festivities in DC tomorrow in honor of the inauguration. This day is a symbol of change and growth for the country, as we all gear up for a new term. Expectations are high, and reform is needed in many areas. I am hopeful for this term, and hope to see Obama work on gun control and education reform—including making higher education more affordable-- in addition to the economic development that is needed.

Good luck to those that are going out in the crowds tomorrow!

--Megan

Beasts of the Southern Wild-Pick Flick

For January my "pick flick" of the weak is Beasts of the Southern Wild. Have you heard of it? Have you seen it? This is a story about the life and struggle of a family and community during after a hard hitting storm in the Louisiana bayou. I was skeptical of this film at first and knew nothing about it before I watched, but was pleasantly surprised very quickly. From the beginning of the film the viewer immediately falls for young Hushpuppy. She is tough, quick thinking and resilient regardless of the difficult living and family situation placed upon her. You are introduced to an unique Louisiana community that many of us are unaware of or quickly forgot after the images of Hurricane Katrina victims left our screens. These individuals are proud of who they are and where they're from and this film tells a great story of just that. Accepting who you are and where you're from and truly reveling in that. Some may see this film and think these characters are small minded and make poor decisions, but I see a community that truly cares for one another and although they may not always make the best decisions or know what move to make next they are living, enjoying life and loving those around them deeply.

Quvenzhané Wallis

Beasts of the Southern Wild received some Academy of Award nominations. One for best film and another for best actress with 9 year old star Quvenzhané Wallis. Wallis is the youngest actor to ever be nominated for an Academy Award. You will fall in love with this young star from the moment she takes the stage and will be rooting for her throughout the film.


Beasts of the Southern Wild is already available for your renting pleasure so go ahead and grab it when you have a free night and let me know what you think. As a big fan of film I suggest seeing all of the films nominated for Oscars.


--Krystal

Promised Land Review

Over the weekend I went to see the new Matt Damon/John Krasinski movie, Promised Land. This was an entertaining film bringing to light the issues of fracking in small American towns and the juxtaposition of economic sustainability with environmental sustainability.
Fracking is the method used to drill natural gas out of the earth. It is done miles beneath the surface of the earth. Natural gas is a safe, clean energy, but the method for obtaining it is not. Big energy companies often go into small towns and lease their land from them for this reason, and this is the idea behind Promised Land.
The film shows the complex issue from many sides: the environmental destruction and damage are placed alongside the idea of a struggling farming community getting rich and sustaining their town, improving their schools, and finding better jobs and opportunities for their children. The movie does a good job of illustrating both sides of the issue and not just preaching the issues with fracking.
Viewers are left with many ideas to consider, such as the safety of the method, the economic development that would come or not--there is the risk that many farms would be permanently destroyed, drinking water contaminated, animals and quality of life affected.
As far as the issue goes, I disagree with the idea of fracking. It is not a clean energy solution, and it destroys small- town farming communities and comes at a great cost to the health of  the planet. Many towns do not get the economic sustainability they are promised, as crops and animals become sick. This technology has also not been around long enough for us to know what sort of damage drilling deep into the earth is doing.
As far as the movie goes, I recommend seeing it. There is a surprise plot twist at the end that I really enjoyed and think demonstrates the problem that comes with corporations having so much power and influence through money and information. You can literally buy anything you want in this country, provided you can pay the price.

--Megan

The New Year is Here

I just spent some time looking over the resolutions I made in 2012...that I don't at all remember making. It was fun to look back at those, as I literally had not seen them since last January and see how the year turned out compared to what I had resolved to do.
I think we must become more intentional about things simply by writing them down. In 2012, my overall goal was "freedom and detachment" and while I can't say that I fully detached myself from the consumerism and social norms of this world, in some areas I gave it a valiant effort, and I certainly explored the definition of freedom throughout the year, even on this blog. I definitely have a better sense of the meaning of freedom and how I can individually feel freedom and how we as a community can experience freedom.
While I will certainly continue to be intentional about freedom and detachment, particularly from material things, I want to set my resolutions this year to revolve around peace. This, of course, can mean peace in the community and around the world, which I certainly hope and pray for, but I understand very little about what can be done to create peace in this larger arena (but hope to learn more!). Besides learning more about peace and engaging in peaceful and non-violent relationships and service with others, I believe inner-peace is an avenue to communal and global peace. The more love, contentment, and care that an individual feels, the more he/she will be able to spread that feeling and love and care for others. I have listed a few ways below that I can experience inner peace:

1) Forest bathing. It's very real and relieves stress, tension, anxiety with small amounts of time spent in nature. I love the idea of getting out doors more and hiking more, and this seems like a very real way to experience less stress and more peace in my life.
2) Turn off the social media. Seriously, these are bad habits and they lead to nasty feelings like jealousy, consumerism, and ugly conflicts and bullying. People feel they can be ruder using social media, and all that constant information is de-sensitizing. Take a break! I'll try to limit myself to only certain times when I can look at my social media sites. To start, I'm taking a facebook cleanse, to attempt to break my nasty facebook habit. Come to think of it, spending less time on the computer at all will reduce anxiety and greed.
3) Journaling. A classic. It's easy to fall out of the routine, but it is so helpful and stress reducing. Plus, it's a great artifact later.
4) Yoga, breathing, meditation. Stop all the doing and just be content with yourself. Attend yoga, read a reflection and meditate on it, just take deep breaths. Doing these things for me will help me stay sane and less frazzled.
5) Be at peace with myself. I'll attempt to live in the moment, do the best at whatever I'm currently doing, even if I don't like it (cough cough). I know I'll feel more inner peace and contentment if I'm doing my best. When you're living in the moment, you're more aware of the things that are working and the things that are not, and once you are aware, you can work to fix them. Peace with being present is essential.


Resolutions can be fun, and they are a way to be intentional about life...if you can remember them! Don't overwhelm yourself with too many, and don't attempt to "change" yourself...just to let go of the things holding you back until the true you is revealed. At our core, we are beings of peace, freedom, and light.

Happy 2013 to all! Wishing you a year of happiness, peace, and growth.

--Megan