Kony 2012: A Movement?

It’s an interesting time in the world for protesting.  With the ‘Occupy’ movements to the recent ‘Kony 2012’ it’s the beginning of something that could be truly remarkable.  Change.

Now clam down all those crazy extreme people out there who scream “Wait, Joseph Kony isn’t the only problem!” You’re right he isn’t, and I think very few supporters of this movement would be foolish enough to state that he is.  You may also feel the organization Invisible Children is a corrupt ‘charity’ that is using this tragic situation to profit financially.  That may or may not be true (Look, Shamu is a slippery temptress, can you really give Jason Russell a hard time for public masturbation outside of Seaworld?), and I’m not here to argue that point with you.  What I will say is that this movement potentially has the ability to change government policy for the greater good.   The reality of change/movements is that they take time.  Planning, organization, and most importantly money.  Money, to get people involved on a small level such at re-tweeting a Youtube video, or in the real scheme, money to allow people running organizations financial stability to pursue it on a full time capacity.

So what we have here is a man who may become the face of this movement, for although he is not by any means innocent, he is by no means the only ‘villain’ operating in this world.  So what DOES this campaign really stand for?  Well, it seems to me to be a clever marketing plan to attempt to brand injustice.  Just as Gucci uses celebrities to market their products, Invisible Children are marketing Kony as the poster boy for Injustice.

Invisible Children released a thirty minute Youtube video that was put together in magnificent marketing fashion.  It started with an opening shot on the documenters son who he simply wants to grow up into a heathy, happy person.  Soon it cuts to his friend Jacob and his heart wrenching life story.  By filling the video with clips about his son and the people who had been affected by Kony, instead of presenting a video of facts on crimes he has committed, they’ve connected with their audience by making them feel as if it could happen to them.  By using those people they can now influence celebrities and politicians (regardless of their prior stance) to get more involved.  These celebrities trickle their influence down to their followers who may not care about the clause but jump on the band wagon to feel included.  At this point we start to see an interesting change because there is now a large mass of people pressing several governments into action.

We’ve arrived at the heart of it now.  A large group of people connected by their hatred of injustice with the ability to influence/create action.  That’s a powerful thing, and it might be Kony’s only chance to redeem himself by becoming the poster boy for such an change.  For although he is not the cause, change must start somewhere and it looks like Kony's number may be up.  Can you imagine, a world where we need to market doing the ‘right’ thing for our fellow inhabitants.  Sickening that we need to be sold on that point, but nonetheless it remains true.  So what will we do with this opportunity?

Random Thought

As far as I can tell, it's not about finding something/someone to 'complete' you. It's about facing that which you fear most in yourself, and accepting it.

Where In the World Is Leigh?

Where In the World Is Carmen San Diego Leigh?  Ask and you shall receive!  What's that?  You didn't ask, well let's just pretend you did... 

Well, what can I say, it’s been a while cyber world and much has happened since my last entry!  Probably the largest change is that I’m now calling Melbourne, Australia home.  I got restless again and decided it was time to wander the world aimlessly.  Where better to start then a place that’s always been dear to my heart; Australia.

It was a somewhat hard decision as I’ll miss the snowboard season and SUFFER through two summers, but that’s just my burden to bare.  It weighs quite heavily on me as I’m lie on the beach sunbaking under the ozoneless sky.  "WHY ME?” I scream to no one in particular.  A few people look at me but I assure them that I'm an American so I don’t give Canadians a crazy name.  That’s what I’ve decided to claim every time I do something silly.

Here I am though!  Feeling like I’m actually living life for the first time in ages.  When the grey edges of life hit you it’s hard to hold onto anything and give it purpose.  A fake corporate marketing image controls the life we all live now, whispering in our ears from childhood that things equal happiness.  The more I try to fill my life with things and have relationships with social networking sights, the more unfulfilled I feel.  Where are the meaningful relationships, where friends drop everything to be there instead of posting their best on your Wall?  School was boring the shit out of me, subjects filled with nothingness with infinite answers narrowed down to one ‘expert/professors’ opinion.  Where’s the progression, the attempt to find/be unique?  

My journey to understand the human plight begins with the attempt to meet as many of my fellow species as possible.  Australia hit me as a particular bright spot because I’ve always remembered my time here as a child and the amazing neighbors we had.  Always stopping by for a cuppa to catch up.  If those visits taught me anything, it’s that human interaction can not be substituted by technology.  Since Melbourne had somehow missed my previous explorations, my destination was chosen.

So I popped on a plane in October, and here I am.  The creative community is intimidating, but filled with beautiful, kind warm individuals who open their arms to everyone.  It’s been a humbling experience to see what Melbourne is creating at such a high calibre.  Regardless of what they make, I admire these people because they are doing what I dream about doing.  Following your passion without hesitation, although not hiding the struggle behind it.

When I was 16 I worked a part time job in my hometown.  I worked with this guy, which in itself isn’t very eventful, but he said something to me that’s stayed with me throughout the years.  Why would he waste anytime doing something that kept him away from his passion, when he had every ability to live it out?  It’s a question I ask myself often.

So here I am Melbourne!  Now let’s get sloppy!!!

A Teeth Cleaning To Remember

I enter the office ten minutes late, and walk up to the counter to let the receptionist know I’m there.  

“Hi, I have a dentist appointment for ten”

“Leigh?”

“Yep.”

“Perfect, just take a seat they’ll be ready for you in a couple minutes.”

See, that’s why I don’t worry about being late for appointments anymore.  I’ve yet to arrive at an appointment where they’re ready to commence at the scheduled time, and I hate waiting.  I usually spend my time boning up on current events from six months ago.  On a side note, did you hear about that whole Gulf oil spill thing? Bummer for sure.  

“Leigh?”

“Yes?”

“We’re ready for you now.  If you just want to follow me to the back we’ll get started.”

I walk down the same hall I’ve been walking down since I was capable of it.  Nothing’s changed over the years and I find it oddly comforting.  In the turmoil that is my life I’m somehow able to rely on the stability of my dental care. Wow, I think I just said something REALLY deep.  Write that down.  Actually, copy and paste that bad boy and you’ll be ready to go.  

So I sit in the comfortably worn chair, put on the tasteful wrap around sunglasses and lie back getting ready quick cleaning.

“So it looks like it’s been a little over a year since we last saw you.  Just in for a cleaning and check up?”

“Yep.”

“Excellent, now open wide so I can have a look.”

I open my mouth as she takes a small mirror and tours is scenery inside.

“Everything looks good, but you have a little tartar build up so a cleaning’s definitely in order.” 

She goes over to her table of what looks torture instruments.  Okay, yes I like spy movies and TV shows but I’m weak.  I will crumble before you even threaten to pull out my finger nails.  Somehow I remain calm, I’ve done this all before and I’ve never had a cavity.  Which means is that I’ve never had any reason to distrust or hate... well except for that time when I was five where I puked because of the X-ray... but I digress.  She pulls out a metal pick.

“This is a vibrating metal pick it’ll remove the tartar.”

“Okay”

The cleaning begins and as she continues on it reminds me of a colouring book.  All she has to do is stay in the

“FUCK”

“Oops, (chuckles) sorry about that looks like I got some gum.”

Oops?  You just jabbed a vibrating pick into my sensitive gum tissue.  Ha ha ha, I can’t stop laughing myself. DAMNIT AGAIN!  To be honest I don’t even know where her concentration is being pulled to.  Maybe she’s getting lost in the music?  Nope it definitely can’t be that considering the music here consists of some weird instrumental version of theme songs.  

This continues on for what feels like five hours in but reality was about ten minutes.  When she finishes I look over at her table and see a blood covered tissue.  Another day another bloody tissue filled garbage can.  Whatever pays the bills.

I continue on to the uneventful check up, finding out once again that I’m cavity free.  Another year of freedom.

Conclusion:  I will now be conducting in-depth interviews with all future dental hygienists.  I’ve put together an extensive program which includes some pretty tough hand eye coordination exams.  Get ready for some of the toughest connect the dots you’ve ever seen, and some colouring books that are in need of some serious colouring.  Don’t worry I don’t judge on colours used, but bonus points will be given for pleasing combinations.

Updates

The brown grass is startling to me.  I long for the day when the new grass has pushed aside the dead, the new leaves unfurl, signaling the season of beginnings.  Summer always represents new beginnings, at least for me.  Everything is light and care free as sunshine and freedom put me in a perpetually happy state.  I take in the world around me with the delight of a child, daring to believe the unbelievable.

September rolls around and whatever lesson I’m to learn that year arises in my life.  I’ll spend the next five - eight months discovering its meaning in relation to me, and slowly implementing this knowledge.  My favorite thing about these learning processes is that I’m slowly starting to figure out who I am. What draws me to these decisions, why do I think the way I do, why am I drawn to the people in my life?  Do they have a common dominator, or do each of their individual personalities connect with me because I’m nothing but a massive mound of personality facets and each one is satisfied by certain individuals who can, in turn, stand my own quirkiness?  These questions constantly bombard my psyche and steal my sleep as they bounce around my head.

As school has come to an end for the year, I’ve finally made some life changing decisions.  I’m extremely excited about them.  My twenty-second birthday lurks around the corner, and with it the excitement of more grey and life changes.  

So come on summer, I’m ready for you. As for September, I’m excited to see you again too, because I’m ready for the next part of my story.