Somehow or other I've got myself a stretch of a few months, starting around June, when I'll have no responsibilities in New York City except to keep my rent paid. Last year I was in a relationship and a couple shows. I don't have those things right now. I could probably get them, but I'm starting to seriously consider other options.
So, what will I do? A few things have sprung to mind:
1) Latin America, I met a few people working in NGOs to help distribute safe drinking water to communities in Central America especially. I'd need to do some research on current safety conditions, but I like the idea of a summer helping poor communities improve their health and free up time they would have spent getting water to help themselves or their communities in other ways. Of the international options, this really has the advantage of cost and distance.
2) Mediation, For probably about the same amount as I'd spend on the trip above, I could enroll in a professional mediation training program. Mediation seems like a good way to put my skills to use, and if someday I could use them in an international context... professional peacemaker? I kind of like the sound of that. That said, competition is fierce, and people know so little about mediation that I'd need to do some heavy, heavy marketing. Training could happen just about any major city in America. Speaking of which...
3) Epic American Road Trip, Even if I've been around the world, there's a huge swath of America I've never seen. I doubt I'd do this alone, because of the money for fuel, car, etc. It would probably be the most expensive of the options I've got here so far. Also the least resume building. But the most likely to really show me something new.
4) Hollywood Bound, So I've done the starving actor thing in NYC. I'm told there are ten times as many jobs and a hundred times the competition in LA. I've gotten paid to do my thing here onstage and into microphones. What if I spent a couple months seeing what can happen for me in front of a camera? I'd be swapping apartments, and probably figuring out a way into a car of some kind for the short term. No idea how that would work. But it's a possibility.
5) Capital Work, Internships and temp positions in DC? Weather may be absolute hell over the summer, but I've met a couple people who seem to doing things. If nothing else, it's a real resume credit to be used someday, and I can really get the lay of the land when it comes to the "industry."
That's just the first few that have occurred to me. More ideas coming, and I'll certainly be open to suggestions
So, what will I do? A few things have sprung to mind:
1) Latin America, I met a few people working in NGOs to help distribute safe drinking water to communities in Central America especially. I'd need to do some research on current safety conditions, but I like the idea of a summer helping poor communities improve their health and free up time they would have spent getting water to help themselves or their communities in other ways. Of the international options, this really has the advantage of cost and distance.
2) Mediation, For probably about the same amount as I'd spend on the trip above, I could enroll in a professional mediation training program. Mediation seems like a good way to put my skills to use, and if someday I could use them in an international context... professional peacemaker? I kind of like the sound of that. That said, competition is fierce, and people know so little about mediation that I'd need to do some heavy, heavy marketing. Training could happen just about any major city in America. Speaking of which...
3) Epic American Road Trip, Even if I've been around the world, there's a huge swath of America I've never seen. I doubt I'd do this alone, because of the money for fuel, car, etc. It would probably be the most expensive of the options I've got here so far. Also the least resume building. But the most likely to really show me something new.
4) Hollywood Bound, So I've done the starving actor thing in NYC. I'm told there are ten times as many jobs and a hundred times the competition in LA. I've gotten paid to do my thing here onstage and into microphones. What if I spent a couple months seeing what can happen for me in front of a camera? I'd be swapping apartments, and probably figuring out a way into a car of some kind for the short term. No idea how that would work. But it's a possibility.
5) Capital Work, Internships and temp positions in DC? Weather may be absolute hell over the summer, but I've met a couple people who seem to doing things. If nothing else, it's a real resume credit to be used someday, and I can really get the lay of the land when it comes to the "industry."
That's just the first few that have occurred to me. More ideas coming, and I'll certainly be open to suggestions
Questions? Comments? 
Better spelling (Capitol/capital),less bragging, stick with curiosity, see America. Election year great year for it.
ReplyDeleteI have a special set of friends I've assigned to pop my ego when it gets too big. Because as you point out, it can and it does. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThat said, Capital is in fact the correct spelling in this case. In American English, Capitol refers strictly to the building on Capitol hill in which the legislature meets and works. Capital (aside from wealth etc) does in fact mean the city that serves as the seat of government. Spell check found no other errors, though eye ham knot Sur if eye shod really awn that.
Not to be even more annoying (from another "anonymous") but actually in the euphemism for "capitol/capital work", you really should use "capitol" here. If you've ever actually talked to someone who works in DC and does government work, its working for the capitol in the narrow government or capitol hill sense of the phrase, not in the city sense. If you just were trying to say you were going to work in DC, then you weren't using the lingo correctly.
ReplyDeleteWhat would you do on the hill? Or, what would you want to do?
I am going to South America this summer! Part of that trip by motorcycle. I need to catch up w you and get your SA tips! Also I know a great volunteer organization in Nicaragua if you are interested.
ReplyDeleteReally good picks for the trips, I like them, too though I don't find exciting the American road trip. I think Latin America will be the wildest!
ReplyDeleteAny of these picks would turn into a great summer!
ReplyDeleteYou should have the new Google driverless car take you on a road trip.
ReplyDeleteIt would be timely.
And energy efficient (if you believe Page and Brin)
A friend of mine is working for a project in the Slums in Kolkata, where they have noticed that access to drinking water in slums is a major problem. More than two thirds of slum residents lack access to safe drinking water on their premises. The main sources of water are hand pumps, though tap water is available in some homes. The lack of safe drinking water facilitates the spread of water borne diseases. I really want to do something important in my life so I am planning a trip to the Slums.
ReplyDelete