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It Begins In DC

Posted By Samuel Richard on June 2nd, 2008
7:30AM – The computer that I’m working on says that it’s 4:30AM, and it’s a little scary. Completely riding on adrenaline. This week is going to be fun. I feel like I miss San Fransisco already. That city might have to be my home some day. But for now, I’m in the Capitol City.

Shower, suit, then breakfast. See you soon! But first, a little wrap-up from the weekend.

Ginsberg, Kerouac, and Burroughs all hung out here.

This is where they all hung out. I sat in the same chairs as Alan and Jack. Crazy.

This is the bike that I borrowed from Jonny. Go buy shirt or something.

This is my home for the next couple of days. Stay tuned.

Cheers,

Sam

“I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked.”

Alan Ginsberg

Posted in Nonprofit Congress, San Fransisco Trip
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The Night In Captions

Posted By Samuel Richard on June 1st, 2008
The San Fransisco Street. Sorry, couldn’t resist. Don’t get it?

I said I love this city, right?

La Trappe is one block away from the famous Lombard Street.

Found this billboard on the way to dinner. Yo quiero street art.

Delicious Italian food. In Little Italy. Makes sense, right?

Our waitress was even Italian. I’d say that’s pretty “autentico” – if I could pronounce it.

Took forty-eight (48) hours to see a police officer. Posed for a picture to prove they exist.

Live salsa band was playing when we showed up. So we stayed the rest of the night.

Today I fly out of San Fransisco, but not back home. I fly straight to Washington, D.C. on an overnight flight. I leave the City By The Bay at 9:30PM tonight, and land in the Capital City at 5:35AM tomorrow. I have this little bottle of that 5 Hour Energy stuff. I think I might try it…

Cheers,

Sam

“Dawn: When men of reason go to bed.”

Ambrose Pierce

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Camera’s Back, Made A New Friend

Posted By Samuel Richard on May 31st, 2008

That’s me and Cindy Sheehan. Turns out she’s running for Congress.

5:30PM Today was the reason why were here, YFEST 2008. It was a little smaller than I thought it was going to be, but fun nonetheless. There were dancers, hip-hop artists, and some amazing high school speakers. Hearing about what these kids do – most no more that sixteen (16) or seventeen (17) – floors me. Even if older generations don’t get their act together and start making real change a reality, although I hope they do, I have full faith that us young folk can straighten the ship out.

This is about to sound really weird, but my biggest take away from this afternoon will be a song by Jewel. Yes, that crazy Alaskan got to me today. One of the student perfomances was a young woman who sang “Hands” (video below), and she was great. I know you are probably thinking, “What did those hippies do to Sam?!” But I promise, I still have all my wits about me. It was the chorus.

My hands are small, I know
But they are not yours
They are my own
And I am never broken

The theme of this year’s YFEST was the “Power of One” – no relation to the book or movie. But in the context of that line of thinking, the thought that my hands can do great change was pretty moving for me. Starting a movement is great, but highly improbable. Leading thousands of people to change their way of thinking isn’t really plausible. But I can doing great things with my own hands. Even though they are pretty small.

Cheers,
Sam
“I can change the world /With my own two hands.”
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Triple Play & The Bridge

Posted By Samuel Richard on May 31st, 2008
12:00PM – Day One (1) ended in fantastic fashion, and today ain’t bad either. After dinner last night (seafood overlooking the bay), Dana, Candi, and I all headed to AT&T Park to watch the Padres take on the Giants. The game went thirteen innings (13), and included a triple play. I had never witnessed one live before, and it was pretty amazing.
Then this morning, I took my bike (on generous loan from ZPG) and took a ride to the Golden Gate Bridge. I’m liking this city. Just got a call from the front desk – the camera came in. Awesome. Now we’re off to YFEST. I’ll see you from there.

Cheers,
Sam
“I saw the groundball and I was thinking: one, two – wow. I don’t think I’ve seen that before.”
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Don’t Worry, It’s Not Beautiful Anyway

Posted By Samuel Richard on May 30th, 2008
8:35AM Landed in glorious San Fransisco, CA. It’s beautiful weather here. Mostly cloudy and 55 degrees. I’m not that good at math, but I’m pretty sure that’s almost half the high temperture in Phoenix today… Just saying. But don’t worry, fate had its way with me. I left the camera I was so anxious to bring on my desk. It’s being overnighted here, and I’ll be back behind the shutter no time.
Now, off to grab a bike from Jonny over at Zero Per Gallon. I’ll be mobile this weekend. And I might just have some pictures to prove it…

Cheers,
Sam
“The heart and mind are the true lens of the camera.”
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A Little Excited

Posted By Samuel Richard on May 30th, 2008
1:10 AM – Technically, it’s Day One (1) of my trip. In reality though, I’m still in Phoenix. On the bright side, I’m only five (5) hours away from boarding my flight. Wait, that’s a bright side? I think I might be tired… One more episode of 30 Rock, then bed. I promise.

What I’ll be living out of for the next week or so.


Nothing like a guy with a gas mask on to make a TSA guard feel safe.

Cheers,
Sam
“San Fransisco has only one drawback. ‘Tis hard to leave.”
Rudyard Kipling
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85,000 New Friends

Posted By Samuel Richard on May 29th, 2008
I am excited.

Tomorrow morning at precisely 6:30AM, I board a plane to San Fransisco, California. I’ll be spending the weekend there hanging out with some of the brightest high school kids this country’s got to offer. And by brightest, I mean those most likely to come study Nonprofit Leadership & Management with me here at ASU. Saturday is YFest, which is a huge annual event that New Global Citizens puts together to celebrate the accomplishments of their members, and they invited us as the College of Public Programs to come out and share a little bit about what we are all

On Sunday night, I board a plane headed to Washington D.C., and the 2008 Nonprofit Congress National Meeting. There I get to meet a whole bunch of important people in the Nonprofit Sector, and hopefully get smarter by osmosis.

Last fiscal year, over 85,000 new organizations applied for 501(c)(3) status, so I’m hoping the conference will be well attended. I am also hoping to talk to a few people about the responsible use of technology in the Sector – and the possibility of making this news story the status quo. And I’m also looking forward to taking a tour of the NPR studios. Anybody want a Nina Totin’ Bag while I’m there?

I stole my sister’s laptop and camera for the trip – so I will be “live blogging” for the conference and updating the page pretty regularly. Hopefully. Unless I spend too much time at the beach or dining with Congressmen. But enjoy the weather back here, huh?

Cheers,
Sam
“I have two ears and a heart, don’t I?”
Jack Donaghy
(In response to the question, “Do you like Phil Collins?”)
Posted in Nonprofit Congress, San Fransisco Trip
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