Archive for August, 2009

Connect This: Mashable’s Social Good Conference

Thursday, August 27th, 2009

Mashable’s Social Good Conference is on tomorrow, August 28 at the historic 92nd Street Y in NYC at  1395 Lexington Avenue. Everything will be broadcasted via Livestream – but feel free to swing by the event and network. I’m on at 11:45AM and will give a 10-12 minute presentation on How Youth Climate Change Organizers Use Technology to Build Grassroots Movement. 1 Sky, EAC, and Focus the Nation have just launched some seriously cool tools online to collaborate with one another for on-the-ground-action, so tune in if you’re curious to see what they’ve developed.

If you are unfamiliar with the youth climate change movement – then you’ll probably be deeply impressed with how far it’s come since 2004. Below: An image from Power Shift 07 outside on Capitol Hill.

I’ll focus the discussion on what technological tools the Climate Network Partners helped develop to collaborate on actions and events through the lens of our newly-formed state coalition, The Keystone Environmental Youth (KEY) Coalition.

Living off the Grid: My trip to Taos, New Mexico

Sunday, August 16th, 2009

I’ve been a bit delinquent in my web posts as of late. This is what happens when you’re in the beginning stages of a new business. That doesn’t mean I haven’t had time to take a few trips: Taos being one of them. This past month I met up with my good friend Paul who decided to pack up and head to New Mexico to build some Earthships. I had never heard of them until one night he encouraged me to watch Garbage Warrior. 

Earthships are basically self-sustaining homes equipped with everything from passive solar heating/cooling, greywater catchment; black water recycling; sustainable, recycled or reclaimed frames; natural ventilation systems; indoor and outdoor gardens; and a host of other neat features. Mike Reynolds, the founder of Earthship biotecture, at one point had his architectural license revoked until he received an opportunity to reapply for it again once they realized he was onto something valuable. Ah, the price of Genius. 

The concept and execution of a completely self-sustaining home is an exciting prospect. Tens of thousands of earthships have been built all around the world – but Taos, New Mexico is definitely the capital of Earthship City. Check them out if you’re even remotely interested in Living off the Grid.

Thinking of jumping off the bridge into the Rio Grande…and then we looked down.

Different form in order to get into a handstand.

But can still achieve the same result.

There I am, poking fish again in the Phoenix – ultimate house in Taos.

Paul likes to exaggerate how big everything is. 

That’s us climbing up and off the Earthships.

Damon’s pasty (but lissome, limber) legs

Paul’s hands move into frame to grab Damon’s ass. Very Brokeback Taos.

Progression of laughter.

E.V.E. on the way of getting built.

Taos “stained glass”