Almost...

I was so excited for a minute or two today. Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google, finally posted some job positions on their web site. I have a cover letter and resume all set to send them -- but I'm not qualified for any of the current positions. Now, I'm back to deciding if I must go back to school in order to work for one of the organizations that is trying to make social or environmental changes to our world, or do I just give up this dream and continue whatever it is that I'm currently doing. I'm telling you -- one of these days I'm going to work on one of these water or energy projects (or not), and that is going to be fun.

Until then, I've got one or two other irons in the fire. We'll see how that goes and I'll report here.

If you're not familiar with Google.org or the Google Foundation, this article at the NY Times will bring you up to speed.

They need blankets

Two in one day.

If you want to make a difference this Thanksgiving, please donate blankets or money for blankets to Camp Hope (sorry no PayPal link, but instructions are provided at the link). The volunteers (up to 300/week) are staying in a school that was flooded by hurricane Katrina and currently does not have heat. Camp Hope is supported by the New Orleans Habitat for Humanity affiliate and has worked to gut over 1,800 homes in St. Bernard Parish and is now involved in reconstruction. Read a recent volunteer's experience here.

While I don't have the strongest blog following, due in part to my recently infrequent updates, please feel free to pass along this request to those you think may support them. We're reaching out in Baton Rouge to those who can donate blankets, but now every little bit counts.

Thank you.

Old Friends

Two Sundays ago, I took the day off to go to Camp Hope. It was an opportunity to visit my friend Don who returned to volunteer in St. Bernard Parish as well as Emily and Crystal who work at the camp. It was a reunion of sorts. After a tour of the camp, we went to breakfast and swapped war stories about our respective service organizations.

Seeing them was like seeing family. It grounds me. I'm lucky to have met such wonderful people who share such a common vision.

Later the same week, I ran into friends from college. A close friend as a matter of fact, and her sister. It amazes me how old friends can pick up a conversation as though it hasn't been fifteen years since they last talked. Although I only spent a few minutes with them, it was so meaningful for the same reason. Maybe it's just me, but occasionally i find it reassuring to have my perspective and approach validated by others that I trust. I think it's taken me a long time to even get to the point that I can admit that.

I believe I have some new opportunities unfolding, and it is a quite exciting time. I'm grateful that I was able to spend time with people I love because it helps me make better decisions. Thank you.

What a Wonderful World

As some have noticed, it's been a while since my last update. I've been busy working on that software I said would take a week to write. I wasn't certain how interesting it would be to describe the details of designing/writing it would be, hence the lack of updates. It has been a significant undertaking, and will probably end up being one of the more useful pieces of software I've ever written. My best estimate is that I've got close to 400 hours of design/development in it now.

Last week I reached the one-year anniversary of my move here from Virginia. I had high hopes of going on here about what I've learned, what I've accomplished and what I hope to be when I grow up. Instead, the day came and went. I am glad that I came here, and at least accomplished what I originally set out to do. And I am satisfied that I've met others who have done the same thing. I believe that twenty-years from now I will look back on this time and still feel I moved forward in life.

Before I go on to watch the Daily Show recap of today's election results, I thought I would drop in and give an update. I just finished watching the end of Meet Joe Black. Every time I watch the movie I smile, laugh out loud and cry -- and I appreciate it more. It's quite beautiful really. I love listening to Jeffrey Tambor describe love to Death, Sir Anthony Hopkins expressing his contentment with his life, and Marcia Gay Harden expressing her love to her father. All that acting, and I can watch Claire Forlani too.

See, I'm running low on material. I haven't posted in three weeks now? Four? And all I've got is I watched a movie. At least it was a good one.