skylarwoodward

Today I moved the photostream from my blog to flickr. The performance is excellent compared to buzznet. The lack of basic photo management tools or access to common functions like tagging and search is really annoying. (I think this would make more sense if I understood more how the site evolved or what uses it targeted.) Also, for a product which has had so much exposure and hoopla surrounding it – especially on the Y! campus – it sure has a lot of bugs. The most annoying? I can’t set up a photostream badge with a count of 5. Lame!

Today my iPod was stolen. Someone smashed into my car while it was parked at Whole Foods in SOMA and they stole my music buddy. If you see a 3rd generation 40GB iPod floating around with the ID “skylarwoodward” engraved on the back, let me know. (the ID @ yahoo.com)

Having been a victim of a car theft twice this month, I’m sobering up to the presence of crime in the city. For the over two years I’ve been fortunate enough to not have anything major stolen or vandalized, or to be assaulted or otherwise. There is a great peace at being able to walk, park, or hang out in areas that would make most suburbanites feel tense – to trust my fellow city dwellers regardless of their appearence or the neighborhood’s reputation. Most times I worry about DPT more than I worry about vandals (no matter how hard you try they always find an excuse to write you a ticket). It sucks to have to worry about broken windows and theft too.

If you are reading this and you’ve realized you didn’t really want to steal a personalized iPod , I’ll take it back no questions asked, no charges pressed.

Okay, so the loans aren’t actually for you, they are for other people – people who live on much less than 1% of your income. This week, Matt and Jessica launched Round Two of raising funds for microfinance loans for small businesses in Uganda through Kiva. The way it works is, you give a few bucks to someone who lives in poverty, and they promise to set up a new small business in their village and repay the money to you in 6 months’ time. By giving up a week of “seconds” at Starbucks you can make a considerable contribution towards the funding of a loan. (Better yet, you can start your morning with Free Trade Organic coffee and raise the spirits of people in the other southern peninsula-continent.) If you are feeling very self-aware of how privilaged you are in the global economy, set aside the money you were going to spend on a Nano and matching accessories and you can fund an entire business all by yourself. The best part is, you can buy the bigger, better, sexier version of the Nano in several month’s time with that same money. This is cool.

What’s the catch? Well, there is always the chance you might not get your money back. The loans are not insured – at least at this time – but you have the peace of mind that corporate accounting scandals are practically non-existent in Uganda. Additionally, the word of a village entrepreneur is arguably more binding than a long, sneaky, complicated corporate legal document when her reputation in the community is at stake. Perhaps it is also comforting to know that in the end, the rewards of the individual’s success is not a Carrera GT or second Malibu beach home, but food, medicine, selter and ultimately survival for her family. If you’re really concerned about your investment you can follow the business’ blog online and even respond through comments to the person borrowing your money.

I doubt there is much more I could say here to persuade you. The most compelling words are really the stories like this one from the individuals themselves. So, check out kiva.org and find out how you can change someone’s life with the $50 in your checking account that you are too busy to put into savings.

It is cool and it is not for profit. Tap your superpowers for awesome.