This Time Last Year: Obama in CoMO

This time last year Obama spoke at Mizzou and won Columbia's heart. Obama visited Columbia a week before elections in attempt to win Missouri's swing vote. He swept us off our feet with his eloquent speech and promises of change (something we weren't used to with ol' Bush in office for so many years). It is exciting to look back and realize that heard the President of the United States speak, even if it was before his election.

YES WE CAN!

Opening Night: Celebrating Women in Film

Last weekend the Citizen Jane Film Festival, sponsored by Stephen's College, highlighted female filmmakers and celebrated female creativity in the male-dominated film industry. The opening night film, "Say My Name", featured female hip-hop artists from around the world. After hearing some inspirational life stories from the documentary, festival-goers were able to hear the artists at work, spitting their rhymes on stage at Tonic night club. Toyy, a hip-hop artist from St. Louis warmed up the stage for Invincible from Detroit. They were followed by Grammy-winning artist, MC Lyte together with Chocolate Thai. I have never been to an event that celebrates so many inspiring females that would not otherwise be together at the same place at the same time.

On Any Given Sunday in Columbia

I love living above the Peace Nook, a non-profit resource center managed by Mid-Missouri Peaceworks. Last Sunday I heard them marching outside my window in a War Protest. This is just one of the many things you might find going on in Columbia, MO on any given Sunday.

Oktoberfest Missouri Style

Oktoberfest in Munich is legendary. Who wouldn't want to drink obscene amounts of beer while socializing with family and friends in the crisp autumn October air?? Germans who settled the quant town of Hermann, Missouri adapted the festival to honor their culture and complement Missouri's agricultural forté- wine.

Last weekend I took advantage of my old age of 21 and headed east to Hermann with a load of international friends to experience Oktoberfest Missouri Style. There were wineries and beer gardens with open air patios to drink and dance to traditional German music. This little piece of Germany snuggled in the rolling hills of Missouri knows how to show Oktober a good time.

Falling from the Sky

Friday morning was a bizarre time in downtown Columbia. Things were falling from the sky east and west of my apartment around 10 o'clock in the morning. It started in the morning when I heard cheering outside of my window. When I looked outside this is what I saw:

Yes, there were men descending from roof of the Tiger Hotel building. Were they window washers or recreational repellers? When I went out onto the street I learned that the Special Olympics were holding their repelling event on the Tiger Hotel on this very windy Friday morning. Good Luck!

I went about my business as normal until I received an alarming phone call from Jon. "A crane on Cherry and 10th Streets dropped something on the Neidermeyer Apartment building!" I always get nervous when I hear horror stories about apartment buildings, and I always hope it never happens to mine. Luckily the damage was minimal when the crane blew over and a metal beam fell into someone's bathroom. I made a point to pass by the building to see it myself.

I'm just happy that no one repelling off the Tiger Hotel or in the room where the metal beam fell was hurt. It doesn't change the fact that Friday morning was very bizarre, indeed!