YOU can be a direct part of this adventure by submitting to and commenting on our blog!?

SUBMITTING:
Just go to epicenter.tumblr.com/submit and you can submit a post with text, photos, links, quotes, or videos to our blog!  We will be notified when you submit and will then be able to edit & post your unique contibution! 

So, you know something we should know, and we, all allies and supporters, should know too?  Then THIS is how you can do it.

COMMENTING:
And remember, you also have the ability to “comment” on any blog post, which gives you the option of responding with text to a single post.  Simply, click on the red star shown at the top left of every post.  A comment box will appear for you to utilize!  If you like, create a free profile so we know who’s commenting and it’ll be easier for you to comment next time.  We are also notified of these comment posts.  Wow, what a great way for you to get a message to the greater whole that is “us!”

*We’re working on how to get the comment notification back to being visible at each post like it was before… bear with us, or better yet, teach us how to do this! We are weary of messing up the html of the blog…

You are stalking us, and now we are stalking you.

We often wonder who looks at our blog, and what they look at. Turns out, the Google conspiracy has invented a way for us to find out! Google Analytics is now operating within our blog.

We know, for instance, that yesterday Jill looked at our blog before heading to school, and then again at school, that Christian has looked at the blog twice, we’ve had 35 page views of the main blog page, 39.13% use Safari to view our page, 2 visits have come from a dial-up connection (that must have been hard to see all our slideshows!), and someone in SLC (Dave perhaps) spent 12 minutes, 01 second on the blog yesterday. (Note: It doesn’t say names, but we have made assumptions… who else lives in Mexico City?!)

Don’t be afraid though. This data will only help us to improve our communication, and encourage us further. The world of technology and broadcasting your life merge once again!  Thank you to Brett Randall, of the Rural Studio Skate + Play project, for getting us set up (his blog is watching you too, and if you click that link, it will say it came from us!).

Here’s a tale the NCCC Silver 1 team wrote about encountering the infamous VISTA, cousin to the AmeriCorps NCCC:

The VISTA: The Forgotten Americorps Volunteer

Many of you have heard of the infamous Americorps VISTA. But few of us know who these shadowy volunteers truly are. They are not mythical creatures I tell you nor are they characters of fiction. These women and men do in fact exist and are human. Perhaps, it could be said they are beyond the average human, physically and intellectually as well as spiritually. Lies you may say, but I as well as the rest of Silver 1 say nay. We have spotted these long talked about individuals, not only have we spotted their tribe but we were able to infiltrate their reclusive community. Some may say we have become their “friends”. We write to you now a personal guide to understanding this elusive species of Americorps genus.

FIRST: the VISTA is extremely difficult to locate for they are never in uniform. In fact they do not have a uniform or any clothing that resembles the official Americorps uniform. SECOND: All NCCC members know positive comments and motivation produce a productive atmosphere and nourish a team into a family, however with the VISTA the opposite approach prevails as negative remarks and comments bring a lone wolf into the pack. They use this negative energy of the pack to empower themselves to become a better, stronger, faster, and more productive VISTA wolf to succor their new pack. THIRD: The VISTA is a self- led public service warrior, an idea the NCCC member may not be able to relate with; for the a NCCC team its united we stand divided we fall. However, the VISTA has learned to survive without team commitment or their pack. FOURTH: The NCCC is keen on daily physical training to enhance the productivity of their corps members, however the VISTA has such immensely strong deltoids,quadriceps, and pectoral muscles that physical training would most likely only regress their superior physical prowess. FIFTH/ LAST: The strength of the a NCCC team is only as strong as it is because of Americorps indissoluble foundation of policies and regulations. The VISTA, unbelievable as it may seem, grows even more austere as it proceeds further from necessary policies and regulations a normal citizen requires.

With this guide we can only hope that you will come in contact and even befriend a VISTA. Like Jane Goodall, become more understanding and accepting of our closest relative…the VISTA.

With much love is this article dedicated to the VISTA members of Green River: Allene, Amber, Maria, Jack, Rand, Linda, Justin, Cecillia, Jeanie, Heather, Mirna, Judi, and Matt (who is not truly a VISTA, but has been fully accepted into their pack).

The article was inspired by coming into close contact with Jack, Maria, Justin, and Matt

[electronic-mail transcript from “the U”; *emphasis added by epicenter]
—begin transmission—
Jack,  

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. 

We are still in the midst of discussions, but the current plan is to have a two-pronged approach to our involvement with Green River next semester.  A visiting professor from Argentina, Miguel Rodriguez, will be teaching an urban planning/urban design studio for the first half of the semester (Jan. 11-Mar. 2).  Most likely he will focus on green River at the master plan scale.  Nate will be his TA.   

At the same time, I will teach a graduate level architecture studio based in Green River.  The plan is to take advantage of opportunities for collaboration with the urban design studio, while focusing on the design of several small projects.  Based on our discussions during our visit to Green River, my initial thoughts are to work on two or three projects.  I’ve been thinking about a train station/car rental office/rest stop; and a “bunk house” for visiting students, etc. (Joni showed me a piece of land that Nancy purchased) - or perhaps a different program on that site.  These ideas still need to be refined, of course, and I’m open to suggestions for other needed buildings that could be tackled in a half-semester studio.  

We will plan a visit to Green River during that first week of school, probably on Friday, January 15.  I’ll be in touch about meeting with you and/or others who are there for tours and information, of course.   

Thank you for taking your Saturday afternoon to show us around and bring us up to speed on our recent visit.  Please give my best to Joni and the Americorp/Vista gang.  I look forward to working with you as we continue to define the role of the College of Architecture + Planning in Green River.  

Best,
Mimi Locher

—end transmission—

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There. Done. Now, let’s move on.

Sure, we do politick, but we are not political.

Not every EPIcentrists agrees with the phrasing (because of the polarizing effect) of the previous post, regarding former President Bush.

ten days until hayley gets here. hayley arrives on dec 12th… the day known as the day Bush stole the oval office.

thirty-three days until josh ‘n josh get here. they begin work on jan 4th… a day known forever known as the day when former professional wrestlers are acceptable governors.