Remeber: Just Breathe

I first heard "He is We" in Paris via Purevolume. I was instantly grabbed by Rachel's and Trevor's acoustic sound, heart-filled melodies and honest lyrics. Here's one of my favorites songs: "Breathe." It reminds listeners to take a minute to breathe when tragedy or stress or fear strike. Follow the link to a "He is We" fansite for the song's lyrics.

I'm Not Alone

I found a website today that works on a similar principle as the one which I proposed last week. My Impact allows users to track and share their volunteer activities via twitter. It has a good layout and sponsors and is easy to navigate. The idea's really solid and the twitter integration is certainly a good idea.

Though we might compete, I don't think that the existence of MyImpact precludes the utility of another option, specifically one connected to Facebook. The FacebookConnect option allows for more social connections for volunteerism and would allow for a larger userbase, as more people are on Facebook than Twitter.

I'll keep looking for other sites that work on similar ideas as mine. And, good luck and all the best MyImpact!

My First Big Idea

For my entrepreneurial journalism class, I will be creating a business plan for an online company. Our final project will be presenting our plan to venture capitalists and many of our assignments will be based on coming up with, researching, or putting together our plan. Even though it isn't secret, I'll be using the tag "secret project" to keep track of my ideas and such. Note that all written content (and much of the photographic content) on this blog is my own, and so will be my ideas for the project.

My first "big" idea came to me either while falling asleep last night or waking up this morning. Luckily, I didn't forget it as I do most things that I think of at either of those times. It would be a website promoting volunteerism and active citizenship for all ages. It would use Facebook connect as its log-in (like Jibe) and using the users Facebook profile and groups, each users page would work as a hub presenting various service opportunities within that users interests, networks, and groups. It would also track service via a simple interface that would allow users to submit it and then potentially compete against other users on an individual, group, or network basis.

A Sunny Day in Ireland

In 2008 I spent six weeks studying at Trinity College Dublin. We took a weekend trip to Letterfrack. These pictures come from our day exploring Omey Island and a hike up a mountain behind our hostel.

Lovin' this song by The Maine

I heard this song the first time a few weeks ago. It's catchy and I like the almost-country tone it has, plus that it sounds kind of like something I would've listened to in middle school. 

Firefly’s Dance

Flash, drift, darkness, flash
their glow shines ‘cross the field
warming the cool northern breeze
blowing through bulrush blades.
And, solitarily, I watch the dance,
longing to join. To flash and drift
through any blade, against any breeze,
with you for whom I flash.
Watching, ever watching, I search
for that single flash that, launching lightening,
will speed me straight to you
who cannot—or will not—see through the dark.
So, here I wait, near the waving ocean of grass
and amidst a flashing pool of light
in my own black hole of sorts
watching, waiting, hoping for your flash.