one four six

I figured that now is as good as time as any to write about my internship, and that my resistance to write about what actually fills my life is pretty silly.

I've interned, for the last 4 weeks at a international human rights organization called Love146. We are a small non-profit. Last year our budget was about $1.8 million. I know this mostly because they had me write their wikipedia page. Our hired U.S. staff seems to be about 20 people (we have much more international staff and collaborative projects we are always working on), and 4 current interns.

The interns that I work with are some of the most intelligent and driven girls I've ever encountered. And this, I find, is wonderful, because over the past 4 weeks, they've become my friends. After work we go to coffee. On the weekends, we take the bus to the mall and to the park. We do our grocery shopping together. We go out for dinner at least once a week, and there is always our daily lunch. It's a relief, that living in my own apartment for the first time in my life has not been so bad.

My boss, Rob, the president of the organization, is one of the most unique and warm human beings I have ever met. He's tweets probably 10 times a day. He has crazy wiry thinning gray hair that he spikes straight up, and two big tattoos on his forearms. He is a father to 6, and has lectured and taught in over 30 countries on issues of justice, compassion, and human rights. You can hear him talk in the video I posted below.



I share an office with the Creative Director, Desirea, who is soft-spoken, but is also extremely articulate and down-to-earth, a writer and photographer who is married to a musician who opened up for every famous rock band in the 90s, (and John Mayer actually opened for them). Also, in the Comm office, is one of the two graphic designers, Marilyn (the other works long distance from Colorado, and just had to move back home for family reasons), who has the most amazing hipster house on the planet, which looks like it is straight out of DIY/vintage magazine. I'd take pictures of it, but her and her roommates might think that's a bit weird.

So far, I've designed for the fundraising team for some sweepstakes we are doing with Paramore. I've made a bunch of t-shirt samples that Desirea wants to refine, which she said, we'll start selling in our online store. Also, Paramore is rumored to be shooting a commercial for us, where they'll be wearing our clothes, and posting it on their website, which could potentially help raise awareness for our company and boost our sales. I've also done promo projects for some music festival at the end of the month we are promoting at in Colorado, more Paramore stuff, some e-cards, and other projects.

Andrew is in charge of all dealings w/ musicians, athletes, entertainers, etc. , and is in a Van Halen cover band called Van Gaylen. They have a show next Wednesday at Cafe Nine.

We have intern discussions every monday, and staff meetings every Wednesday, where we often discuss different aspects of Social and Restorative Justice, watch documentaries, and get updates on various company projects. The thing I like best about this office, is that our meetings are so open. Everyone's input seems to be equally valued on every level, which shows the insurmountable amount of respect these people have for one another. Maybe it is the fact that our organization is so small, that their isn't the pressure to "know your own role/job" and stay within those boundaries. But this characteristic, I hope never changes, because its flexibility is so refreshing.

Working with an organization like this has been an entirely new experience for me, and thus far, I'm happy doing it.