Wow. It has been quite awhile since I last blogged. I've had net access since I came back, so I can't blame it on connectivity. Actually, I think I may have been in a bit of a slump about returning from the Peace Corps. Yeah, coming back has been a bit of a twist--falling back into old habits and routines has made my service time seem almost dream-like.
Anyways, I haven't been letting time just slip away. Been keeping plenty busy--hum...seems I'm never content till the pot is boiling over. Since I've come home I have been bouncing back and forth...
On the medical end
Been to the doctors' office for a bum knee and my throat. I've seen two ENTs already, both stuck cameras down my nose to see my vocal folds--the first one was awful and the second wasn't so bad. Perhaps it due to my distraction as I got to see on a tv everything on the camera. Gross yeah, but wicked cool too. I get engrossed watching surgical shows and this one was me. ^_^ Got another throat surgery coming up on the 10th....let's hope this one works longer than the last one.
On the work end
well, let's hope for a better ending so far. At the moment I'm still riding the unemployment train. Cleaned up the resume, but no bites on it just yet. Not a good time in the economy to be returning from the Peace Corps and looking for a job.
On the volunteer end
Yeah, I did say volunteer--but wasn't all the volunteer stuff with the Peace Corps? No....that it seems was just the warm up. Since coming home, I've been getting involved with quite a few organizations and movements. Here's a quick list:
---Organizing for America (OFA for Health Care reform)
---HCAN Illinois (Health Care for America Now)
---Dundee Democrats
---David Hoffman for U.S. Senate Campaign
I'm a 'grunt' on the first two, helping wherever I can for a movement I believe in. Unfortunately the pure vision of universal health care is getting corrupted and twisted via 'debate' and amendments on Capitol Hill. Ok--I'm stopping there before this becomes a rant.
The other two have been giving me tangible things to work on. The Dundee Dems have asked me to help with their website and I also created a Facebook Fan Page for them (CHECK THEM OUT!). Tomorrow we have a monthly meeting and my official duties with the group might be declared. The David Hoffman for U.S. Senate Campaign is something I've been following since I got back, but I just joined the team this week. I'm officially interning (unpaid) for them as a Political Outreach Coordinator for some of the collar counties (Kane, DuPage, and more to come). This means that I will be meeting LOTS of people in local town/county positions as well as the area movers/shakers and getting a good grounding the local political climate. This will bring loads of invaluable experience, contacts, and open many doors for the future. I have no clue what those doors are or where they could lead...but it surely is more than just sitting on the couch watching t.v. would do for me.
On the social end
I hosted this year's Great Pumpkining....and it was wonderful.
Here are some pics from that. Sadly my camera batteries kicked out and knowing Jessica, it will be awhile till I get copies of hers.
Also hosted a Halloween Party. The costumes were fantastic and the good times were rolling.
Here are some pics from that.
The most recent social gathering was Friendsgiving. For those not in the 'know', Friendsgiving is a gathering of friends within a week of Thanksgiving where we all put into a pot luck feast, kick back, and simply appreciate being surround by awesome friends. Games and awesomeness abounded.
Here are some pics from Friendsgiving
Here are a few other quick pics:
Helping out with the OFA Phonebanking
Calling up to support the Strong Public Option. Well I got a few calls in till my voice completely failed.
Helping make posters at an HCAN meeting for the AHIP rally (American Health Insurance Plan--they are the lobbying arm for the health insurance industry)
At the AHIP rally on 17 Nov
My awesome shirt signed by hundreds of people from Spring Village, SVG
And so my friends.....the path goes on....
Stay safe and happy
ciao tutti
~your local wannabe jedi
~Shawn
