Things that are in Texas

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Dial a Stranger

FWT has begun in earnest. I’m just emerging from the other side of the adjustment period to really focus on my work for the next several weeks. This Field Work Term, I found my way to Austin, Texas where I’m working for a podcast called Dial a Stranger. They compile questions from strangers and then call other strangers to get answers to those questions. So far I’m learning a lot about what goes into creating a regularly occurring podcast as well as how difficult it can be to get complete strangers to open up over the phone. In the meantime, I’ve been able to see some of Austin; today I get to see how Texas barbecue compares to the stuff back home in Alabama.

Here’s the Dial a Stranger website; you can listen to all of the episodes, or (even better), you can sign up to be a stranger and you might get a call. http://www.dialastranger.com/

Celebration Service

Happy holidays everyone! This weekend I went to see a The Meredith Monk Celebration Service-a tribute to the artist Meredith Monk-performed by bonafide Bennington students. It was super cool. Now, I am totally into the holidays and “Celebrations” was a singing and dancing performance inspired by religions all over the world. It was a compilation of teachers and students, spoken work, songs and dance. Below are some pictures from the service.

Late nights, writing by the fire

It's especially nice to come home to this from the snow.

This past week has been one of scrambling. Scrambling to finish final papers for my classes, to move my stuff into storage, and to make sure I’m not forgetting anything. Last night was an especially late one; I was putting the finishing touches on my final paper for Problems of Political Development. The occasional distraction/procrastination of the fire along with the company of several other housemates helped me make it through the night though.

Back to the grindstone

I just got back from Thanksgiving break.  After three days of much needed R&R, it’s time to put my nose back to the grindstone.  While the home-cooking did me much good, I think arriving back on campus for one of the first, light snows of the season did me even more good.  The next two weeks will be intense — lots of work to finish, lots of events to attend — that’s part of the whirlwind that is end-of-term.  AND, if there’s snow to play in… getting that work done is going to be so much harder.

Just a dusting, but still beautiful

DIY Pizza Night

Last Friday night, my house (Welling) skipped the dining in favor of some homemade pizzas. We made four pizzas, ranging from vegetarian to a true meat monstrosity. Despite the fact that none of us knew what we were doing, I think they turned out ok.

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Ashley Gilbertson: Photojournalist

Soooo,  I saw this amazing guy speak last night as part of a guest lecture series. Ashley Gilberston is a photojournalist for The New York Times and he spoke in Tishman lecture hall about his work during the Iraq War. He is currently working on a project documenting the childhood bedrooms of soldiers who have died in Afghanistan and Iraq. As an aspiring journalist, I got the chance to speak to him one on one for a few minutes.

Me: I was wondering logistically how you ended up going to Iraq, before you ended up getting commissioned by The New York Times.

Him (paraphrased): Well it was really easy. First, you want to have connections before you go overseas. So about six months before I went, I started making connections with Iraqi’s who were in America and knew people in Iraq. The first time I went over I had to be smuggled in and then I just drove around taking pictures. There was one picture that got me my lucky break and really launched my career and I wasn’t even trying to take that picture.

So now I’m thinking-should I go to Iraq and just start writing stories and taking pictures?! Check out Ashley here, he really was an incredible guy to hear speak and think about venturing out and making change not only after college but right now!

Dewey House Living Room

Look what I saw on my way to dinner last night!

Home Away from Home

Apart from my room, this is probably where I spent the most amount of time on campus. Sitting in front of this piano, I’ve had what are likely my best and worst moments at Bennington. Worst is when I am staring into the abyss of the sheet music for hours trying to get a grasp on whatever I’m trying to learn. Best is when I finally get it.

My piano of choice.

Just in case I feel like mixing it up.

A Late-Night Stroll Through VAPA

A few weeks ago I wandered through VAPA sometime late in the evening. I collected some audio of the building as well as anyone I ran into. Never having had a class in VAPA, there was a real sense of adventure exploring and peeking in on what students were working on.

 

VAPA Audio Postcard