Climb every mountain...

No, Sound of Music fans, this is not going to be a Julie Andrews-related post, although two fun facts before I dig into the hardcore mountaineering business:

1. Edelweiss was one of our wedding ceremony prelude songs (though I'm pretty sure Brian had nothing to do with this pick). What can I say, we met in the Alps...
2. I studied abroad with one of the grandchildren of the Von Trapp family singers. We were teasing her about her last name early in the semester when she suddenly got a very serious look on her face and admitted it was not just a last name coincidence. She spent childhood holiday seasons singing carols at the Von Trapp family lodge and said her grandfather (the eldest) had residual bitterness at being turned into a girl (Liesl) for the film.

I've got mountains on the brain this week after spending my Wednesday lunch hour with Lucky Chhetri, an Ashoka fellow from Nepal. If not her awesome name, or the fact that we both come from families with three girls, I felt an immediate kinship with Lucky because of the work she's doing-- training and empowering women in Nepal as trekking guides for the country's booming adventure tourism sector. After spending two summers as a hiking guide myself (the aforementioned Alps and a bit in Colorado), come June and July I always get a bit antsy and have a hard time sitting still at a desk...so perfect timing to be transported (if only via powerpoint) to the incredible Nepalese mountains!

Lucky and her sisters actually created a business first in 1994 (3 Sisters Adenture Trekking) before creating an NGO (Empowering Women of Nepal)-- interesting because in the non-profit world this often happens the other way around (NGO creates business or social enterprise component for income generation). 3 Sisters and EWN work together to promote and empower women, stimulate economic development, financial and social independence, and courage and leadership for women of Nepal-- opportunities often lacking for women (particularly rural women) according to their website. In 1994 there were no women trekking guides in the entire country, but since 1996 EWN has graduated over 400 Nepalese women from their program.

Participating women go through a one year cycle including mountaineering training, english lessons, apprenticeships, and finally guiding. Over 30% of the graduates have ended up working for 3 Sisters as guides, while some go on to further education (using income earned from guiding to pay for secondary school or college) or jobs in other industries-- no doubt served well by increased confidence and english abilities even if they end up someplace besides a mountaintop. EWN and 3 Sisters are also tackling isues like environmental awareness, child care for women guides while on treks, and rescuing child laborers-- not bad for a bunch of chicks! (Kidding, kidding). Future plans include an adventure tourism training center for women and more technical training in skills like ice and rock climbing.

Lucky and EWN recently posted a project on GlobalGiving which makes it easy to support their work-- click below to make a tax deductible donation!

Training Education for 400 Nepali Women & Children EWN provides practical skill-based training and a paid apprenticeship program to involve women in the country's most wanted economic resources. 400 Nepalese women from 33 districts benefited so far. Theme: Economic Development | Location: Nepal | Need: $60,000

A fellow attendee on Wednesday mentioned another pioneer of women's mountaineering, Arlene Blum, who led the first American and all-women's ascent of Annapurna I back in 1978 (preceded by ascents of Denali and an attempt at Everest-- followed by a traverse of the Himalayas and hiking across the European Alps with her baby daughter on her back). Total. Beast. I cruised around her website, made a note to order a book or two, and found some sweet 1970's era mountaineering photos-- please note the sick Adidas footwear and mildly risque slogan, "A woman's place is on top".

As Omar says on The Wire, "Indeed."

Some love for the universe

Since starting (albeit slowly) this blogging gig, I've been on the receiving end of some great links, shout outs, posts, and comments, and it's high time I returned the favor. I finally got around to adding a links section to the blog, and thought a few friends warrant introduction. Here goes, in order of arrival in Dana's life (I mean, it is my blog afterall):

Despite starting out as high school frenemies (Madame Bellisari's 8am French class will turn anyone cranky), Claire is a fabulous fellow Golden Bear now living in Chicago. I love crossing paths with Claire, whether in person or in the blogosphere...she always has funny stories, interesting projects (crafts!) and travels, and her blog fills the Midwestern hole in my soul out here on the East Coast.

Next up, another amazing Buckeye! Despite growing up in the same state, Emily Reynolds Pierce and I didn't meet until freshmen year at UNC and have been fast friends, trail buddies, occasional roommates, and partners in crime (literally-- underage drinking citations, Chapel Hill Halloween 2000) ever since. Not to mention my girl flew to Ohio from ARGENTINA to be my maid of honor. ERP is an excellent writer as evidenced in her recent post called America's Poorest City: Rise Up! and I'm super excited she's back in 'Merica after a year abroad.

Third, the post-college years-- yes, another Buckeye. I think I met Allan about day 3 of working at an unfortunate Office Space-esque economics research job, and can thank him for keeping me sane all 18 months I worked there. While the term sounds cheesy, he really has a great knack for creating community and bringing people together-- instead of mind numbing data analysis, I look back now and remember coffee club, dollar drafts at Ham's, rafting and skiing trips, cheering on OSU football, and carpools on I40. Allan now lives in Minneapolis and has turned into a beast triathlete.

The first non-Ohioan in the lineup is a woman I owe much gratitude-- Eli rescued me from aforementioned boring job and brought me to GG (which she claims led directly to increased proximity to boyfriend and subsequent marriage proposal). Eli taught me an incredible amount over two years of working together, kicked me in the rear when needed, and even encouraged (forced?) me to start this blog. Alas she's way up north in Maine now but still a great friend and inspiration!

Last but not least is a blog friend via Allan, Adam, who I've never met in person but has a great blog of his own (not to mention leaves great comments). If the midwestern economics background isn't enough, I was convinced we'd be friends in real life when I read his post about planting a beer garden.

Check out their blogs and have a great weekend!

Businesses not necessarily better than non-profits...UNC basketball DEFINITELY better than Dook.

DC summer heat and humidity arrived in force this week and I think melted a few brain cells...or at least has turned me into a lazy blogster. So this post is basically linking to other people's posts, but in these two cases I honestly think they said things more eloquently than I could, on two topics that I care passionately about: non-profits (social sector? independent sector? for-benefits?) and UNC basketball.

First up is the non-profit vs. for-profit debate over at Tactical Philanthropy. While I will be the first to admit that non-profits could learn a thing or two from for-profits, I get steaming mad when people make sweeping judgements implying that businesses are superior to nonprofits in everything-- efficient, analytical, streamlined profit making machines that should really come in and whip these nonprofits into shape. There are great nonprofits that could teach businesses a thing or two, and there are mediocre entities on both sides that no one should strive to emulate (hellooooo, Enron). Check out the great post here.

Second, UNC basketball...ok, this post is really about hating Coach K and Dook but that goes hand in hand with cheering on the Tar Heels, and it's written by a super funny UNC alum whose blog I have been stalking since I read about it in the Carolina Alumni magazine. I love his comparison of the two coaches (K and Roy Williams) and their respective TV commercials:

"In fact, he's (K's) pissed off about the crap he got for the Amex commercial that ran ad nauseum during the 2006 tournament, because Roy Williams didn't get any shit for his Coke commercials this year. Well, Koach K, actually you were in a frickin' Pontiac commercial too, but moreover, your Amex ads were sanctimonious, self-aggrandizing muses on sportsmanship and relationships that, frankly, rang immeasurably hollow to anyone who has seen you in action. Roy Williams held a Coke and told a true story about his mom. What did you expect?"

Definitely check out this post and some great comments that follow.

Happy weekending everyone!

Dana vs. Mary-- the Messick Sister Smackdown

When home in Columbus a few weeks ago, my grandmother told her favorite story about when I was two years old at Easter, and Mary (4 years old at the time) had some plastic bunny. Apparently I sat in my high chair in the kitchen looking sad and announced, "Mary has a bunny. I don't have a bunny."

Whether plastic bunnies or GPAs, 1983 or 2007, big sister and I have always been on the competitive side...er, make that in total, constant warfare trying to beat each other (keep in mind this is coming from the always 2nd place younger sister, so I could also be creating the competition in my head). She was always the smart one in the family and I distinctly remember they day her SAT scores came in the mail...she shrieked and called mom and dad after seeing a perfect "1600" in the envelope, while I promptly retreated to my room and cried for two hours. Did I mention she also won a state tennis championship that year?

The Mary vs. Dana drama is getting played out on a bigger stage tonight (7pm, the deuce) as her alma mater (Rice University) takes on my Tar Heels in the NCAA baseball tournament-- winner goes to the championship and loser goes home! Of course papa Messick had to fuel the competitive fires over email this morning, and made sure to let us know they'd be watching at Gram and Granddads (alas, cable has yet to arrive in the Messick household). I'm taking small pleasures in the fact that Mary had to wear a Carolina blue bridesmaid dress for our wedding. Mwa ha ha ha! Fire up Tar Heels!

Ah, Washington DC

Sometimes I wonder why I spend two hours of my life every day commuting to this crazy place, and sometimes I can't imagine not being here.

On Monday night I went to a graduate school fair at George Washington University, sponsored by Idealist. About five seconds after walking into the big conference room filled with tables, promotional brochures, and 20-somethings milling about I remembered: wait a minute, I hate these things. What the heck am I doing here?

It was made worse by the eager beaver DC crowd of aforementioned 20-somethings...highly educated, aggressive, practically wearing resumes on sleeves in an attempt to dazzle the smiling admissions officers. I got boxed out at the one table I wanted to talk to by some chick in a suit who started asking a question like "If I'm planning to pursue a triple JD-PPA-MBA degree, and I already aced the LSAT, then how should I....." I walked away to avoid the torture of listening to the second half of the question, snagged a couple brochures for the train ride, and reverted to the classic Panic and Leave approach that has served me well since middle school dances. Sigh.

If Monday night was all about crushing my hopes and dreams, Tuesday was about reviving them. Thanks to a facebook tip and a liberal-friendly office, I got to go hear Barack Obama speak at the Washington Hilton! After reading the Audacity of Hope I've been a fan and jumped at the chance to hear him live...pretty cool that after a quick 20 minute walk and breezing through the hotel lobby, I was in the same room as a US Senator and potential US president.

Although no speech connoisseur, I thought it was totally amazing and it brought tears to my eyes. When Obama talks about change, and working together, and hope for a better future it seems real and possible and not even an option to do anything else-- instead of just corny political cliches. Granted it was no serious policy presentation, and there was no Q&A session to dig deep into the issues...but I'll take a "hopemonger" over the current fearmongering White House resident any day. I sat there thinking, I know he is a liberal Democrat, but how could anyone NOT agree with wanting children to have a great education? All Americans getting to go to the doctor? Not killing people for an unjustified war? Protecting the planet we live on? Sounds more reasonable than progressive if you ask me.

Apologies for the not so great photo...the stage was a bit too bright to capture Barack (or was it just his sexy, candidate of the moment halo?) so I had to settle for the jumbotron near our seats.

Not so fun fact-- the Washington Hilton was where Reagan was shot back in the 80s. Can't say that fear didn't cross my mind while listening to Obama...we've come a long way but there are still the crazy racist factions in this country.

Loving Patagonia, and hating plastic bags

It was a joyous day when I found out my favorite company, Patagonia, started a blog-- now in addition to loving their products, stores, environmental ethics, founder, founder's book, founder's son, return policy, and catalog, I can love on some Patagucci blogging. It was no surprise to find out they are fellow compatriots in the anti-plastic bag crusade-- check out their recent post (video included free of charge!) on plastic bags. And after you read that post, read the rest of the blog cause Patagonia is the coolest. Some day I'm going to blog about the day we stumbled upon the Patagonia store in Hawaii during our honeymoon (seriously, it was an accident) and they replaced Brian's raincoat and gave us ridiculous amounts of store credit, allowing us to pay for the presents we got everyone there and still have like $12 left over on a gift card. Amazing.

For your listening enjoyment...

I was going to call this post "All up in your earhole!" as a shout out to the Chapel Hill/Durham rap station my roommate and I listened to in college, but then realized that's probably not so funny for those who never listened to that particular radio station. What a great slogan though! Made me laugh every time. Memorial Day and out of town weddings have made life a bit too crazy for regular posting lately, but here are two fun things I've heard in the last few weeks and wanted to share:

OSI Baltimore heard my prayers and you can now listen to Van Jones's amazing "Be Audacious" speech from an event earlier this spring from their website (or maybe they just read my hastily jotted down notes in a previous post and concluded the world needed to know what Van the Man actually said). If you've got 22 minutes and want to hear some great stories from an inspirational social entrepreneur, click here.

One great benefit of living in Baltimore is being close enough to pick up 103.1, an excellent radio station from Annapolis. I was cruising around in the truck one weekend and heard this song-- well more spoken word with a beat really-- and enjoyed the humor and/or biting social commentary. My favorite line is where he talks about getting asked for money from a homeless guy: " I was about to give it to him and then I thought he was going to use it on drugs or alcohol. And then I thought, that's what I'm going to use it on. Why am I judging this poor bastard?" I feel that way when guiltily purchasing US Weekly-- no, not even People magazine, I'm talking US here-- from the Union Station bookstore on those nights when I need a little mindless gossip to ease the hour commute back to Baltimore. I'm pretty sure I lose any credibility to judge the spending decisions of others when I hand over $3.99 to gawk at baby pictures of people I've never met. In addition to homelessness Lazyboy also manages to cover drug wars, prescription drugs, self esteem, prostitution, obesity, and terrorism all in one song-- the video isn't the best but the lyrics are worth it.