adventures in thesisland

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[thesis-land-blog]

Partying for the Earth

Last weekend I took a night away from campus and headed downtown to the City Market with a couple of friends for an Earth Hour Party. Hosted by the local organization Earth Charter Indy, the part celebrated the annual Earth Hour, and the organization's executive director (it was his birthday). We also signed a petition to encourage the local government to compile a climate change action plan.

One of the coolest parts of the evening was seeing the Catacombs, which I didn't even know existed. There was also music, food, beer, and a couple of vendors. I learned about the World Farming Organization, and women in agriculture specifically. I also got a packet of wildflower seeds - I can't wait to plant them at my house! Finally, an organization called Hands on Indiana was conducting an art project with recycled microchip films, and was going to make a collage of people's hands. Such a cool idea.

My friends and I hung out near the bar - serving the localist of beers of course - and met the executive director of Earth Charter, Jim Poyser. He's one of the most personable people I know, and he introduced us to a local documentary filmmaker and a lawyer concerned with environmental affairs. It was a low-key way to spend an evening, and I learned a little more about what's happening in the local world of sustainability action. 

In more recent news, I found a plethora of Wendell Berry poems and essays in the library yesterday. I know where I'm spending a week of my summer!

A view from the Catacombs under the City Market!

[thesis-land-blog]

Going Green Fest

Today I went to the Indiana State Museum to check out their Going Green Fest. The participants were mainly school kids, but I'm still in school, so that counts, right?

I learned about some pretty great organizations that are working for a healthier, more sustainable city. I had no idea the number of civil service organizations, government agencies, faith-based initiatives, non-for-profit gardens, and local & international businesses that are working toward sustainability in Indy. It really is encouraging to see so many organizations coming together to make the city a better place, from the inside out.

I really didn't have an agenda in mind coming into the museum, I just kept an open mind and swallowed my shyness to ask questions and learn just where each organization is coming from. Highlights of the organizations/businesses I met:

Hoosier Interfaith Power & Light (Indianapolis Green Congregations): this group of interfaith congregations come together over the idea of stewardship for the Earth. They're petitioning the recent vote against their Energizing Indiana program, to get back funding to help individuals maintain efficient homes.

Peace Learning Center: I didn't get to talk much with the representative, but I did find out that their big program right now is call "be the change" - an effort to help young citizens understand that our choices have (local and global) consequences.

Indiana Department of Environmental Management: this government agency focuses on land, air, and water pollution. They have initiatives to get information out to citizens on how to recycle e-waste, and are concerned with educating the state on other sustainability issues.

Indy Urban Acres: one of my favorite conversations of the day, I learned that this non-for-profit farm grows produce to donate to local food pantries, and has programs to educate and employ kids and teens. I talked to the representative about how the weather impacts the farming schedule, and learned about some exciting projects to expand the farm.

Fall Creek Gardens: another community space, I learned that Fall Creek Gardens assists lower-income Hoosiers become less reliant on highly-processed junk food, by teaching them to grow their own food.

White River State Park: there are so many ecological concerns in Indy, but the people at White River State Park know that the environment matters. I connected to the representatives when I mentioned that I'll be working with Heartland Actors Repertory Theatre this summer on their Shakespeare production along the White River. We agreed that Indianapolis can come together as a community with the environment through art.

Rectify: a local business that installs solar panels! Yay for energy efficiency!

Cummins: an international company that works on diesel engines, but has projects throughout the world to utilize the local natural resources in finding alternatives power sources.

Some of the pamphlets/business cards I picked up from the representatives today. I have so many options of places to check out this summer!

[thesis-land-blog]

on a walk

This afternoon, on a walk through the neighborhood with my dog, I noticed the way in which the foundations of houses cut into the land. How peculiar it is that we build houses with basements that not only sit on the land, but seem to have carved out spaces in it. This raises the question: do we, humans, transform nature; or does nature transform around us?

Some other observations: sounds of birds chirping (so many different types of calls!), trucks beeping in the distance, engines revving, empty branches rustling in the breeze; smells of fresh spring air, someone's making cinnamon rolls (yum), someone is cooking out for dinner (smells just like a campfire!)

And finally, to my neighbor with the sprinkler going: it's supposed to precipitate tonight AND tomorrow - cut it out with the overuse of water already.

[thesis-land-blog]

Introduction

The thesis. The undergraduate thesis. The undergraduate honors thesis.

I'm working on my thesis. My thesis looks at human [social beings'] relationships with the environment [nature/the world outside/the world NOT inside]. From my research on how people interact with the ecosystems they live in, I will create a theatre piece, bringing artists and audiences together in conversation over how we live our lives in a world undergoing serious climate shifts (more discussion on this later - if you don't accept that our global climate is changing, hopefully this project will help you to think differently).

I have many ideas about this topic - hence why I am undertaking this project, which is already in the works (at least, the initial research is already underway). As part of the synthesis of my research, I'm writing this blog, to streamline my thoughts on the information I find, and to share with anyone in cyberspace who wants to listen (or comment - if you have suggestions about anything, PLEASE drop me a line!).

So, stay tuned for my so-called adventures-in-thesisland, and we'll see where they lead!