growing power

I read this article this morning. It's about Will Allen's organization called Growing Power. It's based out of Milwaukee. He's planning a training center in Minneapolis, to help urban farmers. I think it's great, however, I felt inclined to write him a note with a few concerns/questions. See below. Also, if anyone knows how to get a plot at ayd mill road and hamline, let me know. It says to "ask a gardener", but last time I was there, the only farmer left before I could talk to him. Go figure....

Dear Mr Allen--

My name is asha. I live in st paul, minnesota. I was reading the star tribune this morning, and saw an article that Growing Power is coming to Minneapolis. I can't tell you how excited about this I am.

As a young woman of color, I really want to get involved in local/urban farming. One of the problems I have with this however, is there is a big divide in community plots and work. For example, the few urban gardens in st paul that I have seen are very segregated. One has gardeners from a primarily middle/upper class background, the majority of them being Caucasian. The other one, only about a mile away is mostly immigrants (first generation), where it is hard for me (an english only speaker) to learn more about their farming practices and interests.

I saw that an event is being held in St Paul next thursday. I was interested in attending, but it's too expensive for me. I hope that when your organization puts roots in this town, there will be some kind of outreach for young people and people of color.

I think that urban gardening is an incredible concept and movement, and I hope that you can help "bridge the gap" and make it accessible to all people, and perhaps work with community groups to make it more diverse as well.

If there is a way I could help in this, please let me know. I know a lot of people in similar situations as myself (i.e. brown, poor, hungry, etc) who want to be more involved in community development projects, but who are either intimidated (by the homogeneity of the group) or simply left out because they cannot afford to participate in something so organic.

Again, thank you for bringing your program to Minnesota. I look forward to seeing the impact and growth.

asha.

road rage.

The other day, I was driving down lexington, about to cross over 94. The light turned yellow, a car was turning left, and I know for a fact that intersection has been home to many accidents... so i stopped.

A woman behind me honked and started yelling. My windows were rolled down, and I could clearly the words "fuck you, you fucking bitch" echo between our cars. "Whatever", I yelled back, annoyed that someone would curse at me, because I stopped to prevent hitting turning car. "You fucking bitch, I coulda made that light" yelled the woman in the Kia. I thought to myself, (really, you coulda made it....considering you were 10 feet behind me and even i would have been cutting it close). "Whatever lady" I hollered back. The light turned green, and as she yelled some more, she flicked me off, and swerved in front of me. "Bitch", I said to myself. We both turned left, and I planned on taking the frontage road rather than 94, but apparently she had the same plan. I took the freeway instead.

That was about a month ago. It still irks me. Why do people get so angry over the stupidest shit? I mean really lady, if I would have gone through the light, and you would have gone through as well, there's no doubt in my mind that the turning (left) car wouldn't have been hit. And that would have slowed us all down even more!!

Last week, I was driving into downtown st paul on kellog. I stopped ahead of the 35E interesection, because traffic ahead was backed up, and I didn't feel like being "that person" who gets stuck in the middle of the intersection when the light turns red. The car behind me honked.
I figured it wasn't directed to me, afterall, where was I supposed to go? The dude honked again, and I looked up. I raised my hand, asking "what"? And he motioned me forward. What a dufus.

Here's the kicker though... As this dude was all eager to get into downtown, so eagar that he had to honk at me to pull ahead just 10 feet or so....this mother effer pulls out a map or some sheet of paper and starts reading it while he's driving. C'mon dude! Really? And you know his dumb ass was more of a driving hazard than I was, as he was drifting into other lanes while reading his map. Stupid hypocrites.

I've been riding my bike more, not because of this road rage that I seem to be victim to lately, but because summer is ending and warm days will soon give way to frostbite and other winterous delights.

I guess that's about all I've got to report at the moment. Tomorrow I'm taking a break from booze, for 6 weeks. I made a "pact" with some of the guys at the pub to do this. We'll see how it goes. I think I can do fine without drinking, I just am not sure how tolerant of others obnoxious behavior I will be. It will be a test, of my patience and my determination. I think it will be good.

need a photographer?

I'm available for hire in the following areas:


photography:

-sports (track and field/cross country are my favorite), but am flexible.
-portraits (senior/school pics, family, team/group).
-weddings (formal and informal).
-live music (from large hip hop shows to small cabaret shows).
-special events (parties, indoor and outdoor gatherings, etc...)
- anything else, let me know, and I will tell you if I am able.



educational based:

-childcare (am certified in first aid & adult CPR and am competent in infant and child CPR).
- tutor (subjects vary)
- several years working with developmentally disabled adults and children.
- assistant for elderly people (errands, cleaning, outings, card playing, etc...)



misc work:

-indoor painting
-yard work/grass cutting/raking/snow shoveling
-window washing
-car cleaning (inside and out)
-house cleaning (inside, mostly)
-boat cleaning (inside and outside, depending on size)



If you need work done, let me know. If I can do it, I will. If I can't, I will try to help you find someone who can. Pricing is negotiable, quality of work is not.

photos from the summer...

I sure do feel lame for not posting in over a month. I "borrow" my neighbors (unlocked) internet, so my connection is kind of hit or miss.

I figured the best way to "catch people up" on my shenanigans is through pictures.

A more more "wordy" blog will follow soon, for those who can read.

me, shameless at sally's party. (sept 09)
(photo by sally).

beautiful donna and beautiful sally (sept 09)

jamie and molly at sally's "radical" b-day party (sept 09).

bennny, eric, and nick (beer pong tourney, sept 09)

john and ian (2nd place in beer pong tourney).

benny and nick (beer pong champs) sept 09.

eric, the brains/organization of beer pong tourney (sept 09)

benny and nick. sept 09.

patriotic beer pong table, made by eric.
(custom designs are available for sale)

shoes on kai's boat (summer, 2009)

ang driving andy's boat along the mississippi (aug 09)

denisa (belly dancer) + mary and eric (the bewitched) aug, 09.

the bewitched, aug 09.