The time we have, the task at hand

ParentsPstcrd_112109.jpg

2009-11-30T23:31:00.001-05:00

ParentsPstcrd_112109.jpg
Originally uploaded by Pedestrian Typography

I Wrote This For You: The Way Saturn Turns

2009-05-27T12:35:00.000-04:00

I Wrote This For You: The Way Saturn Turns: "All I can do, if I feel this way, is trust that somewhere in the universe, there's a you that feels the same."

I Wrote This For You: The Ghost Train

2009-05-26T14:35:00.000-04:00

I Wrote This For You: The Ghost Train

2009-05-21T02:09:00.000-04:00

http://caiiit.tumblr.com

http://twitter.com/eyycaiiit

2009-01-30T00:14:00.000-05:00

I'm having a really hard time making myself go to bed.

Spring 2009.

2009-01-29T00:16:00.002-05:00

Monday/Wednesday:
9:15-11:05 Documentary Photography
1:00-2:50 Graphic Design II
3:00-5:00 slave labor (except I get paid) in the photo lab

Tuesday/Thursday:
9:00-11:00 work in the photo lab
12:45-2:10 Art History 4 (which is essentially art history 2)
3:00-4:50 Intermediate Photography

Friday:
9:00-12:40 Intro to Digital Photography

2009-01-29T00:15:00.001-05:00

I haven't been this broke in a long time.

2009-01-24T14:46:00.001-05:00

Museum Update.

2009-01-15T08:05:00.003-05:00

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (x3)
The Cloisters
The Hispanic Society
The Roerich Museum
The Frick Collection
The Museum of Modern Art
The Guggenheim
The Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum

Today is The Jewish Museum & The Whitney, and tomorrow is the Brooklyn Museum.

2009-01-15T08:00:00.002-05:00

I can't wait for DC, for many reasons, but the one on my mind right now is how badly I'm itching to photograph. I'm bringing my film camera as well as my digital, I absolutely cannot pass this up. History, hello.
George kind of doesn't get why I want to be there, since its not like I can go to inauguration itself. But its about being present. Its about being a part of something much, much bigger. Its about someday saying, "Kids, I was there." Its a huge deal. Whether you're pro-bama or not, this is an event of historic proportions, and not just on the omg he's black scale. There is going to be more people, more excitement, at this inauguration than at probably any one preceding it. It's the first where young people were a predominant voting force, and you bet they'll be turning up in droves to celebrate their success.
And me and my camera(s) will be there, too.

2009-01-09T07:56:00.002-05:00

So far, I've been to:
The Metropolitan, twice.
The Cloisters.
The Hispanic Society.
The Roerich Museum.

Today's agenda includes:
The Frick Collection.
The Metropolitan. Again.

Monday is the MoMA.

I love this class.

2009-01-05T00:59:00.003-05:00

My plan for the next two weeks is as follows.

Go to a different NYC Museum every day, Mon-Thurs, with Professor Naymark. And get credit for it! Return around 3, so he says, and get some things accomplished. Dinner/Hanging out with George when he gets out of work at Calkins at 5. Does this not sound amazing?

List of things to get accomplished in my newly abundant free time:
.Actually see the inside of Hofstra's (supposedly very nice) gym. Maybe work out? Gasp.
.Finish Cat's Cradle. Read Slaughterhouse Five? And Anthem by Ayn Rand. But I'm overachieving here.
.Spend some quality time with Katherine and/or Caryn.
.Book rooms for Climate Week, yay. Note-Talk to Mike about this, ASAP.
.Get rid of shit I don't need. Forreal. Stop pretending I might need to wear it sometime. This needs to be done more so at home than here.
.LEARN TO FUCKING DRIVE. FOR GOODNESS' SAKE.

Go home Thursday nights, work Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
Party this Friday night, the 9th.

Then leave for DC the Sunday before inauguration, see my Lawraaah, and be in the midst of liberal political madness for a week. Can't wait.

P.S. MY ROOM IS CLEAN!
Tomorrow, I unpack the rest of my stuff, and vacuum. Oh, how I love clean rooms.

comma, love.

2009-01-04T00:23:00.002-05:00

Sometimes I just lay, or sit, or stand around, and it hits me like a ton of bricks that I'm in love, and sometimes that sudden impact makes me want to cry, and sometimes it makes me smile to myself, but either way every once in a while I get this sudden burst of overwhelming emotion, and this may be sappy, and it may be a run-on sentence loaded with comma splices, and I may want to kill the subject of my affection half the time, but I really just do love you, so, so much, and it makes me warm and fuzzy, thirteen months later.

2008-12-30T13:15:00.000-05:00

I need to take more pictures.
I need to read more.
I need to stop wasting my time on the internet.
I need to eat less salt, and maybe exercise?
I need to cut back on McDonalds =(
I need to challenge myself artistically.

Happy New Years, almost. Ready, set, go.

2008-12-29T11:48:00.001-05:00

4.0 this semester :)

2008-12-26T14:00:00.001-05:00

stop ignoring my text messages.

2008-12-23T11:35:00.003-05:00

I'm really excited to go visit the high school today. There's a lot of teachers I miss dearly.
I'm really glad, also, that I'm taking this museum survey class over the break, cause I'm already sick of sitting around my house. You know its bad when every time you sit down to watch CSI, you've already seen the episode. There' so many. But I've seen so many of them. I'll have to move on to Miami, not as good as Vegas, but not as bad as NY.
Talking to Laura on the phone last night made me really excited for Christmas, everyone says George did really really well. Here's what I know - our range was around 300, and he said he stuck to that. But on the other hand, I know its only one item. So what the fuck could he possibly have gotten me for THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS? Laura also mentioned that it was "so practical," so I know it can't be jewelry or something like that. Hmm. Either way, I'm excited. Christmas Eve with his family, he's coming here for brunch with my mommy Christmas morning, and then we go our separate ways - him to his family, me with my dad for Christmas dinner. I love Christmas. I don't love spending money, and I've been doing a lot of that. Oh well, holiday cheer.

Winslow is almost here to come to the HS with me, so, peaceee.

2008-12-22T13:17:00.001-05:00

I REALLY WANT MY GODDAMN GRADES.

2008-12-19T13:59:00.001-05:00

2008-12-12T20:54:00.001-05:00

I have braces.

Fuck.

2008-12-02T14:10:00.001-05:00

the day after tomorrow is one year.

wow. where did that go?
i can't even believe we've put up with each other's bullshit for this long.

got someone to cover my hours for that afternoon, and got my photo professor to allow me to take our quiz earlier in the day than class (which is 6-8), so we can go to dinner in the city. he won't tell me where, but i'm excited. he's always so cute when he's got something up his sleeve!

2008-11-28T23:48:00.001-05:00

I feel very sad, but I can't really think of a reason why.

Thankful.

2008-11-28T10:43:00.002-05:00

Apple Pie. Kristina Dewey. My Brother. Tea. Nana. Two Jobs. Five Cameras. One Year. George Feis. New Friends. Heat. Face Wash. My Boots. This Semester. Scholarship. Barack Obama. Laura Comer. Katherine Gagnon. Danny Ensanian. Lo Wesley. Mike Alilionis. Ryan Young. Planning trips to Washington in January. My January Class. My dorm. Braces in two weeks. My father, and his willingness to provide for me, and my january classes, and my dorm, and my braces. Inconsistent Capitlization. Jessica Box, and her driving me to work. Jessica Box and Danielle Digget, for keeping me sane at work. 3 A's in Photography. Fun with Mairead. The Challenges of Next Semester. Learning to drive, I hope. Living near Manhattan. Boyfriend. Bits & Bytes. Rick Odell, sometimes. Love. Facebook? Stars, the band. Several other music related things. My iPod. My mother, always and forever duh. Kristina Dewey, again. My yummies. My Blanket. Performance by Richard Avedon, and the fact that I saw it the day after it opened, and the fact that I saw it with two of the bests ever. George's patience. My own rapidly improving patience. The Fine Arts Department. My Body. My Brain. My new mascara, thank you Laura. Lazing around in bed before work. Baby, Dexter, Bunsen, and Pandalee. Also Leopold, Broken Nose Mickey, Juno, and Winslow Beemis. These are all stuffed animals/doll. My WWF panda mug and my Great Wolf Lodge Caitlin mug. Flickr! My father's chain e-mail addiction. A democratic congress. Going to DC for the first time in January, might have said that already. Going to DC FOR THE INAUGURATION. Not that I have tickets. But it will be awesome anyway. Blogger. Graphic Design. Professors Jaffe (sometimes,) Pillar, and Ocko. Professor Naymark and his infinitely funny unfunny jokes, odd fashion sense, and cute Russian accent. Thanksgiving! Hair Dye parties. Baking just-add-water Muffins with Tara and Katherine. Being six days from one wonderful year, of ups and downs and waaayyy downs, but truly wonderful. Being in love and being loved. Not being afraid of that. About a million other things, but I need to get in the shower and go to work.

2008-11-21T16:17:00.000-05:00

Take these chances to turn it around, take your time,
Take these chances, we'll make it somehow,
And take these chances to turn it around. (Take my...)
Just turn it around.

2008-11-21T12:29:00.002-05:00

i want to wear more dresses.
i want to take better photos.
i want to be more spontaneous.
i want to shake up my routine.
i want to try new things to eat.
i want to get (even) more involved.
i want to have the weekends back.
i want to spend more time being a kid.
i want to not fail at modeling for mairead.
i want to see twilight again.
i want to feel that spark.
i want to bake cookies & eat them hot.
i want to start being healthier.
i want to clean my room. kind of.
i want to do well in my classes.
i want to go somewhere new.
i want to read more, learn more.
i want to stop being such a ghost.
i want to get new foundation.
i want to fix my life.
i want to bring richard avedon back to life and then,
i want to work with him and learn from him and also,
i want to ask him how he knew about barack obama.
i want to be nicer to my family.
i want to go shopping for christmas presents.
i want to spend more time with kristina dewey and erin mcardle.
i want to think more, and overthink less.
i want to do more living and quit wasting my youth.

2008-11-21T11:36:00.001-05:00

mmm, twilight <3

2008-11-14T17:37:00.000-05:00

I'm through accepting limits
Cause someone says they're so.
Some things I cannot change,
But till I try, I'll never know.
Too long I've been afraid of
Losing love - I guess I've lost.
Well, if that's love,
It comes at much too high a cost

2008-11-12T08:18:00.001-05:00

I'm so busy.
I'm so tired.
I'm so stressed, and overwhelmed.

But I'm also so happy.

2008-11-07T14:53:00.003-05:00

It really is the little things.

♥♥♥

2008-11-06T20:16:00.001-05:00

My friends make me so fucking happy.

Yes, we can.

2008-11-05T00:40:00.002-05:00

Today, I was a part of history.

Jon Stewart called it at 11:01 pm EST, and I lost it. And Jon Stewart isn't even a legitimate news source. I've been crying all night. I was interviewed (still crying) live on the CW (channel 11) and my father taped it.

I voted for our first black president.
I voted for our first Hawaiian president.
I voted for who will hopefully turn out to be one of the best presidents this nation has ever seen.

Registration.

2008-11-03T00:06:00.006-05:00

Spring 2009 Schedule:

Monday/Wednesday
09:15 am-11:05 am
FA170E DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY
Marjorie P. Pillar
(providing I can get signed in, which I think I will)

01:00 pm-02:50 pm
FA051A GRAPHIC DESIGN II
Beth S. Ocko

Tuesday/Thursday
12:45 pm-02:10 pm
AH004 ART HISTORY-RELIGION, RULERS, & REBELLION
Aleksandr Naymark

03:00 pm-04:50 pm
FA170A INTERMEDIATE PHOTOGRAPHY
Barbara E. Jaffe

Friday (ughhh)
09:00 am-12:40 pm
FA170C INTRO TO DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY (honors option!)
Michael Zwiebel

2008-11-02T23:14:00.002-05:00

Dear Professor Barnett,
Why is it that you feel compelled to give students painting assignments without teaching them to paint? This is a design class. Eexpecting painting technique out of students in a class that is, in fact, a pre-req to Painting I, is a tad ridiculous, donchathink?
Very truly yours,
Caitlin.

2008-11-02T19:33:00.000-05:00

I mailed in my absentee ballot yesterday.

Absentee Ballot.

2008-10-31T14:05:00.000-04:00

I just voted in my first major election!

2008-10-27T23:10:00.000-04:00

We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.
-Mother Teresa

2008-10-27T22:38:00.002-04:00

Today was relatively productive.

I'm supposed to be mounting my little painted squares into a value scale right now, but I lost the ditto with the dimensions, and if I don't make up the right ones I'll have to start over. So I'll have to take the slight lateness and do it in class tomorrow.

The good news is that since I alotted this time for doing that, I'm going to get in bed with my sixth (!!!) cup of tea today, a box of cereal, and a book that I don't have to read, I just want to. Ayn Rand's Anthem, actually, a birthday gift from Shep and Brit.

Things I currently am hating unclude midterm week(s), JCPenney for preventing me from going on the trip to Pennsylvania that I've spent weeks working on, the bags under my eyes, the fact that the internet in my room doesn't let me do flickr uploads, and my apparent addiction to complaining.

On a less annoyingly whiny note, George living here is wonderful so far. I can see him now in little in-between times, and for a half-hour/hour or so before bed, which means that I don't have to set aside my minimal free time to spend with him. It works out a lot better, I think. Although with the onset of his two new jobs, I'll see him less than ever, I think we've reached a point where we don't need to be attached at the hip.

I can NOT believe that the election is a week from tomorrow. Holy shit.

Since my job didn't give me off the weekend I was supposed to go to PA and canvass for Obama, I can now go out for Halloween. I hadn't planned on that, I have no costume, but I'm determined to have fun.

I need to make a facebook event for our Power Vote Day of Action on Thursday.

I use way too many commas.

Mondays.

2008-10-27T07:49:00.001-04:00

I hate Mondays.

And it's not even the typical, whine, I hate Mondays because I'm still in weekend mode Monday hating that we all went through in high school. It's the going going going-I have one half hour for dinner, and that's my only break between 9:00 am and 10:00 or so pm, whenever we get out of PSU. It's knowing that when I get back from PSU at 10, I have to stay up and work on the art project I have due tomorrow, because there's no other time to do it.

Alright, now that I feel sufficiently pathetic for complaining, here we go Monday.

2008-10-26T10:22:00.001-04:00

What would you do if I sang out of tune?
Would you stand up and walk out on me?
Lend me your ears, and I'll sing you a song,
And I'll try not to sing out of key.

2008-10-25T22:53:00.001-04:00

It's raining incredibly hard. I'm feeling slightly overwhelmed. Goodnight and Go by Imogen Heap is stuck in my head, not a particularly bad thing. I'd really like to lay down, read a book, and a sip a cup of hot tea, but I left my books at school, knowing they'd distract me from my homework. I'm actually feeling quite overwhelmed. Guess I'll go put the kettle on, and then lay down-two outta three ain't bad.

2008-10-25T22:49:00.003-04:00

Except for when I was at work or eating soup with George,
I've spent the weekend comparing this guy:

with this guy:

Just saying.

2008-10-25T11:08:00.002-04:00

I need to quit my job.
I need to get a new job.
I need to learn to drive.
I need to write my paper.
I need to study for Hist. of Photo.
I need to see Kristina.
I need to go to the new Tanger!
I need to not spend my money, & thus
I need to not go to the new Tanger.
I need to go in the shower.
I need to do my art project.
I need to finish planning PV Day of Action.
I need to see if we got a speaker for the Al Gore webcast party.
I need to find more time to relax.
I need to eat better, and more often.
I need to see an adviser about the next 2 1/2 years.
I need to be nicer to my mom, and my brother.
I need to stop letting my job put me in a bad mood.
I need to get to more open lab hours in the darkroom.
I need to remember my dreams.
I need to learn to drive, really badly.
I need to get over my fear of driving.
I need to quit blogging and go do some of these things.

Debate '08.

2008-10-24T13:06:00.004-04:00

There's way more, obv, but here are some pictures from the debate.

2008-10-24T12:32:00.001-04:00

Why can't I just make myself write this Art History paper?

SIXTY-SEVEN-FIFTY!

2008-10-20T23:48:00.002-04:00

12,000 BC! 25,000 BC! 575 BC 2100 BC 745 BC!

George is the greatest art-history-studying-helper ever.
Thank you so much for saving me from my potential epic fail.

Thanks, other Caity.

2008-10-19T15:00:00.002-04:00

Originally uploaded by caity gee

This is from one of our many demonstrations in the last few weeks. Awesome experiences, galore. Photo Credit to Caity.

"The Hempstead 15"

2008-10-18T10:22:00.001-04:00

"On Wednesday, October 15th 2008, a peaceful protest outside the third Presidential Debate at Hofstra University on Long Island was met with violence and misconduct by police.

Iraq Veterans Against the War had a clear mission that night: to ensure that the issues most important to Veterans would be at the forefront of the debate. With over 4,183 service members having been killed in Iraq (at the time of the protest), it's unforgivable that the candidates have been allowing the Occupation of Iraq and it's casualties to fall into avoidable talking points instead of focused attention.

At 7:00pm the night of the debate, IVAW members led a contingent of a few hundred peaceful protesters to the main gate of Hofstra University. As per our letter to Moderator Bob Scheiffer, because we hadn't received notice that two of our Veterans would be allowed to enter the debate to address the candidates, a small, uniformed contingent of Veterans physically attempted entry.

Immediately police began arresting those who "crossed the line". They then began using horses to physically knock protesters back away from the Hofstra gates.

As the order to get back on the sidewalk was being complied to at least one officer charged his horse up the curb, and onto the sidewalk- directly resulting in at least three injuries- including two Iraq Veterans.

Nick Morgan, a former Army Sergeant was trampled, knocked out, and had his face crushed by the hoof of a horse.

Witnesses say that police left him unconscious on the sidewalk for up to ten minutes before arresting him. Nick, disoriented and obviously suffering a concussion, was initially refused medical treatment beyond a simple piece of gauze taped to his face.

When Morgan was escorted onto the bus in handcuffs, he didn't know where he was, or why he was arrested. Police initially refused to bring him to the hospital irregardless of his potentially life threatening condition. It wasn't until other members of IVAW demanded he be allowed to see a doctor, that the police hesitantly put Nick into an ambulance.

At the hospital Morgan received stitches, and it was discovered after an x-ray that his right cheek bone was clearly displaced and pushed back into his skull.

After treatment, the semi-conscious Veteran was brought to Nassau County's Headquarters Jail and shackled to a bench with the rest of us. With fifteen in total sitting in the jail, the officers and detectives began taunting and harassing Nick, with all of us witnessing this misconduct by police.

We, the "Hempstead 15" were issued the same summons and case number for "disorderly conduct" and "failure to obey a lawful order".

On November 10th 2008, the Marine Corps Birthday, and one day before Veterans Day, we will be heard in court. We would like to invite you to come out in support of the very Freedoms granted by the United States Constitution that we swore to uphold and defend when joining the military.

First District Court, County of Nassau, Arraignment Part, 99 Main Street, Hempstead New York 11550 (Room 268)

I hope to see you all there, for a Peaceful action."

-Sergeant Kristofer Goldsmith
Iraq Veterans Against the War
"1 of the Hempstead 15"

-----------------------------------

----------------------------------
"Hooves of fury stampede over veterans/U.S. Constitution Oct. 15
Matthis Chiroux of the “Hempstead 15" recounts his debate experience

Wednesday, Oct. 15th, 2008, members of Iraq Veterans Against the War and supporters gathered near the Hempstead, N.Y., train station to march on the final presidential debate at Hofstra University.

Our intent was made clear in a letter to Bob Schieffer, the debate moderator, one week prior. We wanted two members of our organization inside the debate where they would ask one question of Obama and one of McCain. If CBS and the candidates failed to meet our demands, we would march on Hofstra at 7 p.m. in a peaceful attempt to enter the debate to have our voices heard.

I planned on asking Barack Obama if he would back up his assessment of the occupation of Iraq as illegal by supporting servicemembers who would thus be required to refuse service there. Kris Goldsmith planned on asking McCain about his history of failing to vote in favor of V.A. funding, especially since the beginning of the occupation of Iraq.

Non-violence was stressed in every stage leading up to this action. It was stressed by me and Kris to Det. Thomas J. Calvert and Det. Robert Annese of the Nassau County Police Department the day before the action. Calvert and Annese were in charge of security for the debate, and they assured us they would instruct their officers to respect the non-violent spirit of the action by using restraint towards peaceful veterans and demonstrators.

In every stage of planning, IVAW made every effort to keep all planned tactics and actions “above the table” so that the candidates, the media, the police and the country would know exactly what would happen if our demands were not met.

We were at Hofstra to force the issue that veterans and servicemembers are not being cared for or heard from by our government, and the candidates, CBS and the Nassau County Police Department couldn’t have proved us more correct.

We, the veterans and our supporters, stood together in solidarity, knowing the stakes were high. But a resolve echoed deep from with us to stand our ground and be heard. Twice these candidates had brushed us off, and thrice just wasn’t going to happen.

So at seven p.m. when we’d heard nothing from the moderators, IVAW made good on its promise to the candidates and Det. Calvert. We marched to the front gate of Hofstra, read our questions and peacefully proceeded into police lines.

Because these candidates cared more to hear from “Joe the Plumber” than veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, ten veterans went to jail and five civilian supporters joined us.

This upsets me, but I knew the risk, and if I must fall in defense of democracy, peace and justice, I offer my sacrifice willingly.

What infuriates me is the GROSS MISCONDUCT of the police in the process, much of which I believe to be illegal.

After my arrest, the police charged their horses onto a sidewalk and unprovokedly knocked my friend Nick Morgan, a veteran of Iraq, to the ground and trampled his face. They then arrested him, put a piece of gauze on his facewound and loaded him onto a bus headed for jail with the rest of the Hempstead 15.

After they brought Nick onto the bus and we the veterans identified him as exhibiting signs of a concussion and as needing immediate medical attention, our arresting officers laughed at us and told us Nick would receive no help unless he himself asked to go to the hospital, though Nick was barely conscience and completely disoriented at the time AND THE COPS KNEW IT!

We pointed out that as a result of a serious head injury, Nick wasn’t aware enough to speak for himself. The police responded with, “too bad.”

After Nick stirred enough for us to instruct him to ask for medical attention, he was taken to a hospital, diagnosed with a fractured cheekbone, given nothing more than Motrin for the pain and brought to the Police Station where he sat chained to a bench for 5 hours with no further medical attention at all.

Additionally, police pulled other members and supporters of ours from the sidewalk and arrested them while horses spun in circles causing injury to most who couldn’t escape their paths.

All of this, I observed after arrest through the large windows of a bus we were detained in which was parked parallel to the demonstration and subsequent atrocities.

While on the bus, the officers mocked us, calling us idiots and whiners. When we arrived at the Nassau County Detention Center, the hazing did not cease.

One officer, when I brought up the prospect of speaking to a lawyer, threatened to, “put me in the back (jail),” where, “the big boys will pop your cherry!” When I asked this officer if he had just threatened an honorably discharged veteran of Afghanistan with prison rape and told him I wanted his name and rank, he refused and told me to look it up on the police report which the Nassau County Police Department has refused to provide us a copy of.

While detained, the three females who were arrested with us, including Marine Reserve Capt. Marlisa Grogan, were sexually harassed by the police who went so far as to hold Ids next to the chained womens' faces and make comments like, “you look like you came out of a Barbie magazine.”

All night, they didn’t stop. “You’re cowards, you’re idiots,” they said. The hostility was thick and unwarranted.

“This non-violent protest stuff is retarded,” they said (as if they’d prefer the alternative). “See how it got your friend’s face fucked up?”

Literally, they said this when they brought Nick in and chained him to the bench. The harassment only increased from there.

“Look at you friend’s face,” said one officer. “You’re responsible for that.” As if I gave to order to charge horses onto a crowded sidewalk.

I saw this same officer in the Colony diner where we went to eat after we were charged with disorderly conduct and released. He was with the one who threatened me with prison rape, and when I approached them respectfully and again asked for their names, he leapt to his feet, threw his finger in my face and began threatening to “beat my ass” if I didn’t drop it.

Afterward, one of his friends, also a police officer, approached me, accused me of being drunk and said I was about to get arrested again. I retorted that his accusations were false (considering I’d only gotten out of jail 30 minutes prior) and that I was only interested in learning the names of the officers who arrested and harassed us as I have the legal right to do. He responded with only his name, which he said was Peter Sikinger, but refused to reveal the names of his partners, though to his credit, he did back down from threatening me with arrest.

I am outraged at the egregious conduct of the Nassau Country Police Department and the failure of Det. Calvert to make good on his promise to “make things go as smoothly as possible.”

But mostly, I must put this on the candidates.

Barack Obama and John McCain, you have failed to properly address the occupation of Iraq and veteran and servicemember issues in this campaign. You failed to hear from us, the veterans and servicemembers, at the conventions. Your overwhelming concern for “Joe the Plumber” at the final debate while veterans are killing themselves at a rate of 18 per month is inhumane to say the least.

The fact that you allowed your veterans to be arrested, brutalized and harassed for simply trying to be heard by you is inexcusable. Forever should your consciences be scarred for what you allowed to take place to veterans on American soil.

But our questions still stand, and we still demand answers.

Obama, are you ready to support members of the military refusing to participate in the occupation of Iraq which you have termed “illegal?”

McCain, as a veteran, how can you account for your abysmal failure to vote in favor of post-2003 legislation to fund the V.A. which provides life saving services to men and women who gave all to serve this nation?

Besides which, you both owe the Hempstead 15 an apology. You owe Nick Morgan an apology for the reconstructive surgery he’ll be receiving and the permanent, violent altering of his face that is a result of your failure to hear from us.

You owe every veteran in history a public statement condemning the sidewalk trampling of Nick and Carlos Harris, an Iraq veteran, who also had his foot broken by a horse. As well Geoff Millard, a disabled veteran of Iraq with degenerative spine disease who was knocked to the ground, dragged from the sidewalk and arrested, and Nadine Lubka, one of our supporters, who was kicked in the face by a horse.

And we the people are not done forcing this issue.

I encourage every person who reads this to contact both the Obama and McCain campaigns and demand they answer our questions and condemn the actions of the police Wednesday night.

They don’t own this election, the media doesn’t own this election, we the people own this election, and we deserve to have our voices heard. Any candidate who disagrees with that statement is unworthy the Presidency of the United States of America."

Peace and Solidarity,

Sgt. Matthis Chiroux
One of the Hempstead 15

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The Questions which we, the Veterans, wished to ask
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Senator McCain, on July 9th 2008 you were quoted saying "I've received every award from every major veterans organization in America but the reason why I have a perfect voting record from organizations like Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and all the other Veterans Service Organizations is because of my support of them."
However, there are non-partisan Veterans Organizations such as the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), and the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) who've noted that you've consistantly voted against important issues such as increased VA funding in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007. This summer, another Veterans Organization, Veterans for Common Sense filed suit against the VA and discovered that approximately 1000 Veterans under their care are attempting suicide each month, with an average of 17 succeeding every 30 days. Government surveys conclude that over 300,000 21st Century Warriors are currently suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, while only 67 thousand have been diagnosed with with PTSD, and less than half of those are collecting disablity benefits. Doctors and Nurses at the VA are struggling to treat the 2 million American Troops who've deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. What promises are you willing to make, as a Veteran, as a Senator, as a Presidential Candidate, to the Veterans of the United States to prove that you will ensure the VA is fully funded, staffed, and capable of preventing Troops from suffering as they are now, after they've served our great nation overseas?

-Sergeant Kristofer Goldsmith
Operation Iraqi Freedom III Veteran

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Senator Obama, you have said that the War and Occupation of Iraq is illegal. If by your words, it is illegal, then it is not only the right of service members such as myself to refuse deployment and participation in Iraq, it is also our responsibility. Sir, as President, are you willing to go by your own words and back them up, and support servicemembers refusing to participate in what you have, in your own words, termed an "Illegal Occupation"?

-Sergeant Matthis Chiroux
Operation Enduring Freedom Veteran

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The Hempstead 15:
Matthis Chiroux (Army Sergeant)
Kristofer Goldsmith (Army Sergeant)
Adam Kokesh (Marine Sergeant)
Mike Spinato (Marine Corporal)
Geoff Millard (Army Sergeant)
Marlisa Grogan (Marine Captain)
Nathan Peld (Navy, 1998-2004)
Nick Morgan (Army Sergeant)
James Gilligan (Marine Corps, 6 years)
Jose Vasquez (Army & Army Reserves, 1992-2007)
Ryan Olander
Paul Blasenheim
David M. Disimino
Lianne Gillouly
Megan Day

Contact Info:
http://ivaw.org
Facebook Group

Debate 08.

2008-10-16T10:46:00.002-04:00

Oh my goodness, yesterday was absolutely incredible. It was so wonderful to yell until my voice was hoarse about the things I care about. It was awesome to feel like a part of something major.

And we collected 1325+ Power Vote pledge cards - the most to ever be collected in one place on a single day. Ever.

Pictures soon.

2008-10-11T13:09:00.002-04:00

I wish I was bursting with interesting things to say. I wish I had compelling things to write about. I wish something exciting (but not tragic exciting, please) would happen to me.

School, work, friends, George. None of it is bad. Well, besides Penney's. But my life is just so routine, even though I love most of the things I do.

2008-10-11T12:14:00.002-04:00

I have so much to do...why do I feel so entirely unmotivated today? Art History paper to write (ughhh) and an art project, seeing to the class rap schedule for Students for a Greener Hofstra, updating the Obama PA trip list, etc. But I can't seem to stop sitting in bed with my tea. I feel gross, I think I'm getting sick.

< / complaint >, sorry.

2008-10-11T00:14:00.002-04:00

I think it's because my heart starts pounding every time I see you.

:D

2008-10-09T15:23:00.001-04:00

So...
They're finally giving George a new room...
AND ITS IN REPUBLIC.

How the fuck this happened, I do not know.
But I do know that I'm not complaining.

:D

2008-10-08T12:56:00.001-04:00

I am having a really good day.

2008-10-06T07:53:00.001-04:00

You can't judge the love by the lover,
The sky by its thunder,
The road with no sign.
You can't make the snow fall in summer,
Or make him not want her,
And not leave you behind.
Maybe he'll stay in touch years down the road,
And hope that he's still on your mind.

The sun may come up and go down again,
I'll still swear it's a beautiful life.

Maybe we'll meet up in Denver,
Talk about weather, talk of old times.
I know every word that we said was what we both meant,
Well, we meant it at the time.
Promise me that you'll be standing up straight,
Chasing rivers and shadows and time.

The sun may come up and go down again,
I'll still swear it's a beautiful life.

Time flies,
Time cries.
Time flies,
Time cries.

So swim to the end of the river,
Until there's no shiver left in your spine.
Live like there won't be tomorrow,
See through your sorrow,
See through your own eyes.
Try to remember these days down the road,
And try to remember this time.

The sun may come up and go down again,
I'll still swear it's a beautiful life.

The sun may come up,
The sun may go down,
The sun may come up,
The sun may go down,
The sun may come up,
The sun may go down,
I'll still swear it's a beautiful life.

2008-10-05T23:37:00.002-04:00

I just don't understand how.

2008-10-03T21:55:00.001-04:00

"You are the best. You are the worst. You are average.
Your love is a part of you. You try to give it away because
you cannot bear its radiance, but you cannot separate it from
yourself. To understand your fellow humans, you must
understand why you give them your love. You must realize
that hate is but a crime-ridden subdivision of love. You
must reclaim what you never lost. You must take leave of
your sanity, and yet be fully responsible for your actions."
-Gnarls Barkley

2008-10-01T01:07:00.000-04:00

Fuck my life.

2008-09-30T20:58:00.002-04:00

"I don't care how many fish there are in the sea. I don't want a fish. I want you."

2008-09-28T01:50:00.003-04:00

Thank goodness. ily.

2008-09-27T00:29:00.003-04:00

I need to get to LA,
and Africa. I know.
Contrasting, a little.

El Salvador next summer.

2008-09-26T15:27:00.002-04:00

I love Irving Penn.
Oh, and the second image is of Pablo fucking Picasso.

2008-09-23T08:20:00.002-04:00

I haven't listened to it, but I love that the new Dear and the Headlights album is called Drunk Like Bible Times. Its a catchy title, it makes me giggle, and its totally legit-Jesus turned that water into wine like no other.

2008-09-22T00:46:00.003-04:00

it's really hard to be the only one when there's someone else.
i can't sleep. i feel sick again.

also, goodbye yankee stadium. i will always love you. <33

2008-09-21T19:26:00.002-04:00

I'm trying not to eat meat...so my mother made chicken cutlet and mashed potatoes (my FAVORITE) to try and convince me to eat it. But I'm saying no, haha. To the chicken half, at least.

i'm not by any means committing myself fully to vegetarianism (not yet, i don't know about ever) but for now i'm avoiding meat. yesterday was a week since the last time i ate chicken, and that's saying a lot for me. i almost never eat red meat, but i live on chicken.

2008-09-21T15:42:00.000-04:00

2008-09-21T10:43:00.000-04:00

its really difficult to harbor a grudge against someone who's too nice to function...especially when it isn't their fault and you love them to pieces. but it breaks my heart.

2008-09-21T10:25:00.001-04:00

dreams aren't what they used to be,
some things slide by so carelessly.

smile like you mean it.

2008-09-20T02:14:00.000-04:00

And it's just nice to be near you,
'Til the sun breaks our city street through.

2008-09-19T16:53:00.003-04:00

if you give a shit, you sure have a funny way of showing it.

Sorry for the excessive song lyrics.

2008-09-19T16:19:00.005-04:00

Opened my eyes, had a dream last night that
both my arms were broken, evening time.
Help me now or hold me down,
I feel the world is tumbling, spiralling down.
Oh my love, I can't let go,
somethings wrong, I can't let go.
Nature's cruel, she's laughing,
as I feel my way through the century,
as I slowly turn to house dust, tumbling down.
The rain comes down like a victory,
in sheets of shining memory,
over and over, circling around.
Oh my love, I can't let go,
somethings wrong, I can't let go.
Nature's cruel, she's laughing,
almost too much for my heart.
When it rains, oh it tears my soul apart,
when it rains, almost too much for my heart,
in a dream, oh it tears my soul apart.
The rain clouds move so slowly,
above the city where I'm from, where I'm from.

2008-09-19T13:25:00.001-04:00

but right now, everything is turning blue.
and right now, the sun is trying to kill the moon.
and right now, i wish i could follow you
to the shores of freedom, where no one lives.

2008-09-18T07:53:00.001-04:00

I feel like I'm blurred around the edges, walking around in a daze.

2008-09-16T08:44:00.001-04:00

just when you think you're in control,
just when you think you've got a hold,
just when you get on a roll,
oh here it goes, here it goes, here it goes again.

2008-09-15T23:32:00.001-04:00

i have a stomachache and i haven't seen my boyfriend in three days.

sadface.

2008-09-14T18:47:00.005-04:00

Today fucking sucked. Worked 10:30 - what should have been 5 but was actually 6:30. Total hours I have seen George this weekend - 2, on Friday night. Dentist yesterday. Now, back to school. Where I will see George tomorrow for 30 whole minutes, in total. Why, life. Why? At least Friday, except for work, was a good time.

:)

2008-09-12T14:42:00.001-04:00

Just finally had the time to finish the Twilight Saga. Amazed.

2008-09-09T22:15:00.005-04:00

I'm so busy I'm ready to commit suicide.
Its straining my health, sanity, and especially my relationships.

However, I love every minute of what I'm doing. Each of my classes, though hard work, is teaching me incredible amounts of new information, something I've never thoroughly felt all at once before. Little things, big things. Learning the differences between Romanesque, Gothic, Neo-classical, etc. architecture. Learning why Lee Friedlander is considered influential. Seeing the works of some of the greatest photographers in history, and being explained the elements and quirks of each. Learning how much fixer to mix to provide for for open lab hours, and how to mix fixer for that matter. Learning the ins and outs of running (ahem, cleaning) a darkroom. Being taught about Paul Rand in two separate classes. Learning how to make interesting designs out of nothing but squares, or nothing but lines. Learning how to acheive a compelling design using random magazine squares. Learning new ways to evaluate and appreciate a photograph, a design, or another work of art. Learning how to work a slide projecter. Being required for a grade to visit the Met twice, the Cloisters once, and I believe altogether four separate photography exhibits. There's so much that my eyes are being opened up to, and even when I feel like something's got to give, I remember that, and it makes it all worth it.

2008-09-08T01:03:00.003-04:00

You disembark the latest flight from paradise,
You almost turn your ankle in the snow.
You fall back into where you started,
Make up words to songs you used to know.

I don't know when I've ever felt so completely overwhelmed. I'm at a loss.

2008-09-07T10:05:00.000-04:00

Debate 08.

2008-09-05T23:15:00.002-04:00

Why do they do this?
Applying to be a debate volunteer almost ensures that you won't actually get to see the debate, but that you will be run ragged helping out and being at all the preceding events.
However, there is that small chance that they do let you in.
But if you are a volunteer, you are not allowed to enter the student ticket lottery. So the 300 out of however many thousand Hofstra students chance that you do have to attend disappear immediately.
Then again, being a volunteer at the third presidential debate before the Nov. 2008 election would look pretty sweet on a resume.

Sigh.

Schedule.

2008-09-03T22:43:00.003-04:00

Monday.
History of Photo 9:15-11:05am.
Work (photo lab assistant) 11:00-3:00pm.
Graphic Design (honors option) 3:00-4:50pm.
(dinner, homework, etc)
Progressive Students Union 8:00pm.
Hall Council 9:30pm.

Wednesday. (I think my homework day.)
History of Photo 9:15-11:05am.
(lunch, homework, erin!, etc.)
Graphic Design (honors option) 3:00-4:50pm.
(dinner, homework, etc)
Work (photo lab assistant) 8:00-10:00pm.

Tuesday&Thursday.
2d Design: Black and White 9:00-10:50am.
Art History 3: Gods & Kings 11:10-12:35pm.
(lunch, homework, steph, george, etc.)
Work (photo lab assistant) 3:00-6:00pm.
Basic Photography 6:00-7:50pm.
Tuesday only: Hofstra For Obama 9:00pm.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
I am a slave to JCPenney Portraits.

2008-09-02T23:11:00.004-04:00

even though its all art or art-related courses, i feel an extraordinarily work-heavy semester coming on. art history, though interesting, is going to be a nightmare in terms of workload and memorization. my graphic design class, which i haven't had yet, is my honors option, so that's extra work in that. i have papers in my photo class. 2d is always a tough time with barnett...i haven't had my history of photo class so i don't know about that, but i can imagine it being similar to art history. and required museum visits out the ass for all classes. i don't know what i'm going to do about work, what with all these museum visits on the weekends, and homework. ughhh.

but other than this realization, today was wonderful. steph verdone is the besssssstest. and it was nice to have george around, and actually go here. a little strange, but nice.

birthdays.

2008-09-02T07:36:00.003-04:00

i've never been confronted with this problem before - i'm standing in front of my closet, and i can't choose something to wear...because i have too much new shit. this is a lifelong first. its an issue i can live with, i think ;)

i like my birthday.

...

2008-09-01T23:56:00.001-04:00

back to the daily grind.

Fall 2008-Spring 2009.

2008-08-31T10:35:00.001-04:00

thankgoodness.

2008-08-26T11:10:00.001-04:00

<3333333 :)

2008-08-25T17:38:00.001-04:00

I've got soul, but I'm not a soldier.

Tick, tock.

2008-08-24T07:43:00.002-04:00

I move back to school in four days.
My birthday is a week from tomorrow.
Classes start a week from Tuesday.

I'm stressed and exhausted.
I'm just ready to begin the school year.

Adem - Love & Other Planets

2008-08-21T23:20:00.002-04:00

Come with me, there's something you should see in the evening sky.
Put on your warmest coat, we'll be breathing ghosts.
And they don't want us to see,
So they join the clouds which clot above our heads.
But on a clear night, if you look close enough,
You can just make out love, and other planets.
We are not alone.

Normally it's bright enough to see with a naked eye.
I held you close to me, and I felt you smile.
And you whispered in my ear,
"I know it's there. Let's make our own light"
And on a clear night, if you look close enough,
You can just make out love, and other planets.
We are not alone.

And on this clear night, if I hold you close enough,
I can feel love.

2008-08-21T23:08:00.000-04:00

Tonight, the moon is orange and low, and unusually large.
I can't find a single place within my property from which I can see this moon.
No matter how long I traipse around, camera and tripod in hand.
Dammit. Damn the trees. Ah, well. Such is life.

Ughhhh.

2008-08-21T11:39:00.000-04:00

I'm stressed. Too much is going on and I have time for almost none of it.

---

2008-08-20T20:49:00.003-04:00

We're riding down the highway skyline, on the back of a hurricane that started turning when you were young.

2008-08-20T11:51:00.001-04:00

http://pleasefindthis.blogspot.com/2008/08/explaining.html

2008-08-20T00:51:00.001-04:00

This was one of the greatest wastes of time in my existance.

?!?

2008-08-19T18:48:00.000-04:00

How the fuck did the end of summer creep up on me so completely?

Good news.

2008-08-18T15:38:00.000-04:00

I hold sunlight and swallow fireflies.

2008-08-18T02:21:00.003-04:00

Today reminded me of everything that's wonderful in the world.
It was amazing, and I'm so grateful that I spent it this way.
I feel Summer slipping away, but I'm ready to let go of it.

2008-08-15T14:46:00.002-04:00

I spoke too soon.
My day just improved in leaps and bounds...I just got the cutest letter from my new pen-pal!
It came from Korea, cause she's on vacation there. I'm excited to open it.

2008-08-15T14:38:00.002-04:00

Today, I've had to spend the day thinking about the fact that I'm going to work instead of Regina Spektor, AND the library not only did not have New Moon or Eclipse, but both are on back reserve for like six people. So I have to wait until I can see Michelle and borrow them. But I'm stopping by Aeropostale before work so George can spend some of his break with me, and then after work I'm looking forward to going out. But today is friday, a sometimes busy workday, and I'm really worried about whether its going to suck.

I hate my job...it stresses me out more than any job of this level should. I ALWAYS leave in some sort of pain, usually my back, and with a headache, and in a shitty mood. I wish I could quit and work in a nice retail store, something less bustling than places like Target. Something like NY&Co, or the Gap, or American Eagle, or even Aero, though I refuse to work at the same place as George. I want an environment that is not so tense, I don't want all sales to revolve around my ability to convince people to buy things they don't need, I want to work with other people. I'm always in my studio by myself and I hate it. But I know in the long run, the portrait studio will look better on my resume. And besides, no one is going to hire me now just for the weekends, and I go back to school in two weeks.

I am thoroughly excited about next weekend, though, I'm shooting this big important boat race in Patchogue. It's a three-day event, and it makes me feel super-official. A taste of what my life may be like in the future. This is why I love Jessica Spano.

Twilight.

2008-08-14T17:27:00.002-04:00

I just finished Twilight, and yes I know I'm late, for the first time.
I assumed I would enjoy it, but I didn't realize the magnitude with which I would be sucked in.
I'm obsessed. And its a problem. I'm currently nagging my mother to take me to the library to obtain New Moon and Eclipse, before I die of anticipation. Why, oh why, did I wait until the saga was complete to develop the fervor?

I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS TO BELLA AND EDWARD.
And, for that matter, to Alice, Emmet, Jasper, Rosalie, Charlie, Renee...hell, even Jess and Mike. The preview of New Moon at the end of Twilight just made it that much worse.

I have to say, this feeling is almost comparable to those inflicted by Harry Potter. Damn.