2010

Since we have crossed the threshold of a brand new year, I thought it would be an appropriate time for me to write.

For me, 2009 was not easy to characterize. It held so much promise early on when I embarked on my adventure in Kibera. But I encountered some unexpected obstacles during production and then the project seemed to lose it's momentum and awkwardly stall. I'm deeply indebted to my family, friends, and other angels for providing early support to get me to Kenya, and I want to provide more than a karmic return for this outpouring of generosity. I also feel a strong sense of responsibility to the cast and crew of TOGETHERNESS SUPREME who shared their stories with me. I want to make sure their voices are heard. So, I'm determined that 2010 will see the fruition of PRODUCING PAMOJA. Somehow, someway.

I'm also determined to launch a documentary project called MOBILIZING THE MASSES. Not yet sure what form it will take but I want to share stories about the amazing mobile innovations springing up at the grassroots level around the developing world. And meanwhile, I've been thrilled to transition from being a big fan of Ushahidi to playing a (very minor but super rewarding) role on the team.

2009 was also consumed by renovations on our house (a couple photos posted below). We lived at times without exterior walls, without a roof, without heat as winter descended and managed five months without a faucet or a drain in the kitchen! We made significant progress and learned many lessons along the way. Dare I hope to finish the work in 2010???

Fingers firmly crossed.

Kitchen demo and more

Sorry for being such an infrequent blogger...

Here's a quick rundown of what I've been doing and thinking about.

1) Home renovations continue. See photos (below) of empty kitchen ready for demolition. Even though I'm not actually swinging the hammer, it is almost a full time job planning, researching and negotiating with contractors. Next up: find the perfect low flow toilet within our budget.

2) Working a freelance gig at Comic Con - a massive gathering of comic book fans and the industry that caters to them. Paid work is good.

3) Wishing I could be working on PRODUCING PAMOJA. Still have not had the chance to look at my footage since returning from Kenya. But even if I found the time, I'd also like to find some money so that I can hire my editor, Pallas Weber, to work with me. Meanwhile, the Financial Times recently published Stirrings in Kenya's Slums an article that describes sentiments similar to those of the cast and crew that I captured during production.

4) While trying to figure out how to move forward with PRODUCING PAMOJA, I'm applying for a grant to make the 3 minute pilot episode for the TRADING FACES series. Also a stand alone mini documentary, the story would follow a soccer ball from the Pakistani woman who stitches it, to the Seattle couple who sells it online, to the striker on a youth soccer team who uses it to score a goal!

5) Thinking about applying to Pixel Pitch at POWER TO THE PIXEL. I'd like to explore the possibility of using the Ushahidi platform to make TRADING FACES into an online, interactive, and participatory project that connects producers and consumers around the world....

6) And, finally, feeling frustrated at American apathy. We will not get the health care overhaul we need if the masses stay silent. We need to manufacture the political will.