You never know what will happen

Everytime I think to myself, "that's it, I'm not blogging anymore" something happens to remind me that this is a new community slowly creating it's unique mores. We are caught between cyberspace and reality. What a perfect opportunity for a true study of new relationship dynamics. The little blogling rivalries have prompted different responses in people. What we think we understand, and we are comfortable knowing about human interactions is evolving before our eyes.

Either that or we're just a bunch of boobs. That didn't come out right. Boobs. You know what I mean.

I was genuinely surprised to see posts from Dave, Jeff, and Angelo referring to a what started as a comment I made on Hope's the day before the last blogger meet up. Before we knew it, there were bloggers whose veins teem with sarcasm, and hypercritical critics heeding the call to a kinder, gentler approach. Angelo's encouraging words to fellow bloggers actually brought tears to my eyes. Reading what Jeff wrote about Jane made me appreciate both of them even more as friends.

Our school counselors call these encouraging words "put-ups" and they are used to counter bullying in today's campuses. Put-ups are just as necessary for adults. In the wake of certain blogger spats, it was just what we needed.

Having the meet ups gives us a chance to re-connect and reminds everyone that we are all real people with real feelings and what we say online has an affect in real time. I hope everyone makes it a point to go to the next meet up, even if it's only for a little bit. I have an idea for the next meet-up that will be really fun, so mark your calendar!

Positive Global Change

Bree has nominated me for the Bloggers for the Positive Global Change Award that started on Angelo's blog. I read the description on the Climate of Our Future blog because I wasn't quite sure what I did to deserve the nomination. I certainly would never place myself in the same category as the environmental heroes at MINA or Beautify CNMI. Then I read this:

There are a wide range of bloggers on the Web who, like Atlas from mythology, have taken the weight of the world upon their shoulders and are trying to build awareness among their readership in order to create a more sustainable and enlightened future.

I'm not very good at authentically complimenting myself, so I'll just thank Bree for the honor and pay it forward. I nominate Bruce and Jane even though I know Jane doesn't do the tag thing. I also nominate Hope in the "hope" that she'll start a movement at her new school, and the soon-to-be elected Student Council at GES because I know they'll take the challenge. Now, please follow the rules:

1. When you get tagged, write a post with links to up to 5 blogs that you think are trying to change the world in a positive way.

2. In your post, make sure you link back to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme.

3. Leave a comment or message for the bloggers you’re tagging, so they know they’re now part of the meme.

4. Optional: Proudly display the “Bloggers For Positive Global Change” award badge with a link to the post that you write up.

Where's Angelo?

Where's Angelo? The NJHS is ready to do some un-damage in Garapan man!

Okay, there's no Angelo this morning, but there is plenty of garbage. For more photos on how the G.E.S. team tackled the trash monsters, check out the Mallard Pond.