Well, at least the BIKE LANES come in handy.

Lots of updates.
Friday, I showed up for my first day at my canvassing job at Environment California. We had to have something called a "street rap" memorized. It sounded something like--
"Excuse me! (yelled across a sidewalk) Do you have a minute for clean energy? (Guilty, shamefaced person slowly approaches) Great! Hi, I'm Olivia and I'm with (name your benevolent organization) and we're out here today signing up new MEMBERS (which they'll find out in approx 15 seconds that it translates to "we're trying to get your credit card info") so I'm really glad you stopped! We're working to build a Clean Energy Economy (You see how we've pieced together purposeful sounding words. We've also used a word that people with money will emotionally engage in. Mmmm. Economy.) (Now get ready for some key name dropping and political affiliation) PRESIDENT OBAMA shares our vision and his ECONOMIC PLAN will put millions of AMERICANS to work....

--SKIP TO--

...The best way to support our efforts right now is by signing up to be a member (countdown...3.....2.....1!)
"Members make small monthly contributions with credit card or checking account!!!!" WAAAHOOOOOOOO

Needless to say; people do not enjoy being stopped outside their favorite grocery store to politely listen to a canned speech that ends in a plea for the 16 magical numbers on the front of their credit cards.

I found the act crude, especially when I ended up phoning a friend TWICE on my third day to make quota. So I'd keep my job. For another two days.

So, day 4, I quit. That's right. The internship that legitimized my move to California is over.
Those "material critiques" I was struggling to figure out about this sort of "grassroots activism"? Yeah, found em.

I feel jaded and wise; This is no way to make a difference.
We are instructed to make sure not to spend too much time talking about the issues with anyone. And we are supposed to "Have a good day!" anyone who doesn't agree with our stance on energy efficiency immediately. Why? Cause they're not going to give money. I'm not sure if "mobilizing the grassroots support" means finding the several individuals in a community that will throw a twenty at a few vacationing college twerps with matching tshirts.

So, for now, my adventure is drastically rerouted. I'm still in California, my friends are still spread out like cream cheese on our slice-of-toast earth. Juliana is in HIGH SCHOOL as of a few hours ago. Lori is still in Asia, wut! Maggie is most assuredly watching the real housewives of new jersey.
I'm considering what my options are, living in my mansion with two old men, just south of San Francisco.
Step one, let's check out Greenpeace; I'm here for an indiscriminate 2 months. I may as well not know what to expect! Greenpeace, just so everyone knows, is the same sort of organization as Environment California, which I left, except more social issues and more training.
I've applied to Borders and Peets Coffee. I wonder what this summer will bring!