9 and Out?

Shadows fell upon our house, as they did for many, nine years after the terrorist attacks.  My thoughts were provoked in a much different manner than before.  Why?  Because I'm now living on the edge of where it all started and with roommates who knew people who died.  The gravity of the situation, a situation already holding substantial mass, began to pull more weight.  Questions arose regarding the memorial and thoughtless Qur'an burning.  Questions of memorializing the dead as well as those who have died -- since as a result of the attacks.  How many years  (generations) will it take for its effects on memorializing to dissipate?  The answers to all these were much different than what I would have anticipated, especially being so close to Ground Zero.

My House's Blog

http://bucketblogny.blogspot.com/

Buck Build

Donate a Buck - Together We Build a Home

I'm working with the Director of Construction here at Habitat Suffolk, Cindy Zeis, to build a house off of (not out of) One Dollar Bills!  We figured it was a donation that everyone could participate in.  Also, because of how Habitat works, if you help sponsor a house you become a part of something tangible for years to come.  What I mean is that you help build a whole series of houses through a "revolving fund".  To explain a revolving fund...The money you provide will go towards the construction cost for the first Buck Built House; however, because we have our homeowners pay back our houses through zero percent interest mortgages their money (essentially your money) helps go towards another house.  This is a perpetual process where for only one dollar you play a huge role in alleviating poverty and providing Simple, Decent, Affordable housing for years to come.  So it would be great if you could help!

 http://www.habitatsuffolk.org/donate.html (or you can mail it to us)

Just Another Weekend

Cafe Fink

So this weekend should be a busy one!  The plan is to take the LIRR (Long Island Railroad) into the City.  Meet up just south of Central Park with a person I've never met (I'll explain in a second) for coffee at Cafe Fink.

Then I'm off to meet two other people I've never met (I'll also explain in a bit) to go see one of their friends in a play titled “In the Boom Boom Room” by David Rabe.

Then I'm heading out on the town with my friend Julio who works for Apple in New York and lives in SoHo.

On Sunday I'm excited to meet up with my dad and stepmom for the day and catch the Broadway Musical, Billy Elliot!  I should come back with some good stories and pictures!

Vista-WHO?

AMERICORPS|Vista WEBSITE

So what am I doing here?  I'm volunteering for a year as an AmeriCorps - Vista.  AmeriCorps is often compared to the PeaceCorps, but for internal service within the States.  AmeriCorp has several different programs for a variety of different people ranging from high school graduates to professionals with college degrees.  The latter is the Vista program in which I'm enrolled.

Where does Habitat fall in all this? AmeriCorp Vistas associate themselves with existing non-profit organizations to help improve and help grow their capacity to alleviate poverty in the States.  I'm helping Habitat for Humanity - Suffolk County do just that.  My role as a volunteer Vista is not to do direct service (like construction, although I do involve myself in that on my own), but rather establish programs that can be implemented by Habitat when I'm gone.  My specific goal is to help develop Sustainable Design and Construction trends for Habitat-Suffolk.

How does Green Building Help Fight Poverty?  Well 80% or more of green building is achieved through energy efficiency (I'm sure I'll blog about this later).  When Habitat improves the efficiency of their homes they are ultimately putting money back in the pockets of their homeowners through reduces utility bills.  This assists them in being able to pay their mortgage and work their way out of poverty.

Vista and the Big Bucks!  So I am technically a volunteer here in New York.  I'm rolling in a sustenances based wage that is enough to get by.  I qualify for Food Stamps, which is humbling while it simultaneously helps me in my understanding of who I'm assisting.  I'm blessed to have the opportunity to do this.

New NYC - Approved to be built today

New York, Here is Your New Skyline

Image: Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects via New York Times

The battle for the soul of New York—or at least for its skyline—was over before it even really began. The City Council today approved 15 Penn Plaza, the Pelli Clarke Pelli-designed 1,200-foot tower that will now rival the Empire State Building on the skyline. From Jersey. If it ever gets built. The Architect's Newspaper

From here on out....

Welcome!  My goal is to keep my family and friends updated on what I'm doing here in New York.  I plan to keep most of my blogs short and informative, which should keep both you and me consistently on here.  Although, I'm sure I will go off on a longer rant and rave from time to time.  I plan on talking about New York, Green Building, People I Meet, My Job, ect.  Let me know your thoughts!