Really, we don’t brag a lot here.

But the article we wrote back in February happened to have a correct prediction in comparing the oncoming recession to the Great Depression.

Even President Bush has declared that our “entire economy is in danger” during his pep talk today.

I’m beginning to see a trend here.

As you can see by this graph, my predicting skills do not apply to staff contests.

In all seriousness, we (The Nearby Future staff) suggest that you start planning, putting away some of your income for the inevitable economic disaster, and buy an electric car.

People, things are going to get expensive. Fast. Everything depends on oil- food and other products all need to be transported, right? And until we get going on this renewable energy thing, prices are going to keep going up.

Don’t believe us? May I remind you of our two accurate predictions so far? And that stylish graph?

Point made.

-Rika

Rika’s other site, Pinky Miranda Productions, has recently been updated with a new article.

“I know, I know, I haven’t been posting regularly.

That’s because I’m writing a novel in 100 days, and I’ve been focusing on my writing recently. (oh, you expected some standard excuse that all bloggers give? Psh, I think you forget whose blog you’re reading.)

But today I’m going to list the TOP FIVE websites that are a must for all screenwriters”

And it goes on to list websites. Just thought I’d post this because- surprisingly- I found this article interesting and of good use.

Oh, and I’d thought I’d introduce you to our newest member, J.D.

Yep. He’s a major Scrubs fan.

I’m also updating this to tell you that I’m not in the staff contest, so don’t have a heart attack when you can’t find my name. I’m going to be taking another break from TNF (because I have a life outside of helping Rika edit and write for this site) and plus I haven’t been writing much lately so I don’t feel that I’ve been doing enough to be included in the contest.

(Alright fine. I admit it. I didn’t want to lose to Nero so I didn’t enter!)

-Calister F. Wells

As a nonprofit website, this is how we stay motivated: friendly competition in the form of a quick, 3 question survey.

More dramatically titled, THE NEARBY FUTURE STAFF CONTEST.

Think of it as the Presidential Elections. On a smaller scale.

Vote on the poll or the survey!

Get your own Poll!

VOTE HERE

You may want to know a thing or two about the staff members. Look below to read up on each member.

The Staff

Rika: Rika is the sarcastic, opinionated admin of the site. This quirky writer is known for her procrastinating and position on the corn-is-not-fuel controversy. Seriously. You do not want to bring up that subject unless you want a long monologue about the starving countries and fuel crisis. “What? Is our society a sucker for drinks with pretty labels and witty text? Can anyone put a bright, happy label on something that is obviously unhealthy for us and still get us to buy it?”

“

Hope: As her name suggests, Hope is all for bringing hope and knowledge back into the world. The topics she writes about range from helping impoverished countries to advances in technology. Unlike the other journalists of our time, Hope shows us cold hard facts not only to prove a point, but to inform us of both sides of the issue. “When is it going to stop? Create a great phone at a great price, and BAM! That’s how you get money.”

Jala: An author in her own right, book-loving Jala has a creative mind that is constantly coming up with alternate endings and turning points to her favorite books. She’s wise and well read, but sticks to more contemporary pieces instead of classics. “Not everyone you know has a whole shelf in their library’s ‘on hold’ section dedicated to them.”

Jennith: Jennith loves reading and animals- and reading about animals! She’s an advocate for the ASPCA and her articles take on all sorts of topics with a unique attitude and approach. -No quote available-

Piratical Lord of the Guitars: The music advocate for the world, Piratical Lord of the Guitars is all for preserving the art we know today as music. She writes about everything from music to newest technological advances, and takes everything very seriously- but often with a fun twist! She also helps manage the website. “A new game has been discovered! It’s dull, boring, and a complete waste of time, but you’ve got to try it!”

Calister F. Wells: is the only staff member who is not going to be in this contest.

The Contributers

Nero: No comment.

Socrates: Takes after the philosopher and writes philosophies.

JD: The newest addition to the staff, JD is sarcastic, cynical and witty.

Popfiddlerprincess: Another new addition to the staff, Popfiddlerprincess has yet to write any articles- but she has an awesome name!

“Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped.”-Elbert Hubbard

Why are we savages? Why is it considered okay to point out the differences in another and not ever have to face the abnormalities in yourself? Why is it that when faced with something that breaks the monotony, humans tend to ridicule it and make it unwanted, despite what the disturbance may have done for the majority? Why is there prejudice? What exactly is it that gives the United States the nickname “Melting Pot”? It’s the different cultures and traditions, actions and beliefs, the very things that receive so much punishment. What about contributing to the great quilt called the United States makes one worthy of such barbaric treatment? I have plenty times before been the victim of this punishment, the words and laughs of the ones who are perfect. When I was as young as six, we did a unit similar to one we are now, one about ethnicity and diversity, and I was excited to share what I was. I am a Native American. When I told my kindergarten class that, they had much the same expression as a wall. Stunned. Silent. Even one of the other kids that I KNEW was a Navajo, just like me, was silent, forced into submission by the rest of the class. Then one of the boys in my class broke the silence. ” Hey, you can’t be an Indian. You don’t have a bow.” When I was six, I couldn’t be very offended beyond the frustration that I felt trying to prove the truth to what had to be one of the most idiotic kindergartners anyone could ever meet.

The Navajo people have been subject to some harsh treatment over the years, the most famous of which is probably the Long Walk of the Navajo. This forced march was a transport from the traditional land of the Navajo, called the Dinetah, to a reservation in New Mexico. Everyone that went and survived long enough to actually get there, including my great grandmother, faced very difficult conditions that included being cold at night because of the lack of firewood, cramped because the facility was built for only half of the people that were forced in there, or hungry because they weren’t getting enough food. When, four years later, the experiment was finally declared a failure, the government decided to relocate the Dine, as the Navajos call themselves, to their native lands, granting them 3.5 million acres inside their sacred mountains.

Even though the prejudice has changed over the years since the Long Walk, my shield doesn’t protect me. Just having a few photographs of a flag, some children, and a coin on a peice of paper can’t erase the pain I feel when somebody judges me before even really getting to know me. Every syllable of laughter still hurts, every name, every arrow, still hurts. Nothing will ever change that. The embarrassment I feel, the frustration of knowing that they are only looking at me like I’m a color, isn’t going away because of a school project. Judge me if you want, but give yourself a chance to know me first.

I don’t think prejudice can be completely gone, or even partially gone. I think that prejudice is just a part of life we’ll have to deal with. Like bad food, or Bush. Except if you take a sip of water, you can’t taste the food anymore. And Bush is going to be gone soon. Prejudice is like bad food that sticks to your tongue, and won’t go away no matter how much water you drink. We just have to suck it up and deal with it, and keep up things like this, where we all teach each other about what our ancestors had to deal with, and what we ourselves have had to deal with.

My people, the Navajo, have contributed to the American Quilt a lot. Navajo tacos, jewelry, music, sports, law, war. We’ve covered a lot of bases. We have professional sports players, good food [mostly], everything. The Code Talkers of World War II made an uncrackable code that allowed the Allies to defeat the Axis of Evil. But still we are walked upon, my family cheated, and I myself discriminated against by my own family members [on my dad’s side]. Still we are considered savages.

Why is the question I ask. Why am I a savage? Do savages try to get along with their lives and bear the laughs and points of the others? Or are they the ones that point and laugh? I think it’s both, because everybody on this earth is somehow guilty or related to this powerful subject. Nobody is better than anybody, and I’ll be damned if I’m told otherwise. Savagry isn’t inherent in my blood as a Navajo, it’s inherent in my blood as a person.

We’re not savages.

We’re people.

We’re you. And that’s how it is. Put that finger down and stifle your laughs, because I’m just as human as you.

“Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped.”-Elbert Hubbard

In this day and age, any incentive to ‘go green’ is necessary.

So what better idea then presenting an “Evergreen Award” to companies that have put environmentally conscious business practices into place?

Sharp Electronics, thanks to its use of solar technology and eco-friendly packaging, is one company that won this award.

The award itself is a good idea, and I think that other incentives should be put into place, and the publicity is good for both companies and spreading the word about taking steps to preserve our world.

Our staff of writers has varying opinions on this idea.

Hope believes that green awards are a great idea, and “The more “going green” things that are publicized, the more people will get involved and participate.” She goes on to say that we’re not taking this issue seriously enough, and how we need to be proactive and understand what we can do to help. “We don’t have to do anything major,” she states, “minor things like turning off the lights when you’re not in the room, or just recycling helps. We need to take charge of the world now before it’s too late.”

Piratical Lord of the Guitars has a similar opinion. “I think it’s great that Sharp Electronics has taken an initiative to help the environment,” she says. “…Sharp Electronics have stepped up to the plate. It’s rather inspiring, and hopefully it will set an example for other companies will follow.”

Use every opportunity you get to ‘go green’, because you might just be recognized for it.

~A Nearby Future Collab Article

How it was started:

Izze was created when two normal guys, Todd and Greg, were having lunch together in 2003. They thought it would be amazing to create a great tasting product while contributing that money to a worthy cause. This drink was inspired by European drinks they recently tried which they thought tasted high-quality.

The cause they wanted the profits to go to was The Global Education Fund. This is a non-profit organization that gives kids who can’t afford school the opportunity to get a good education.

Where they are sold:

Their product was a success. Today, there are 7 different flavors of Izze; 5 of Izzie Fortified; and 3 flavors of the low-calorie Izze esque. You can find these products in grocery stores, delis, fine restaurants, elementary schools, airlines, coffee shops and cafes. They are sold all over the United States as well as parts of Canada, Japan, and England.

The process:

When this product is made, they are all about going “green”- just like us! Their offices are only powered by wind, no air-conditioning (imagine that!), and 10% of the cardboard we use is used for their 4-pack container and for the signage. They encourage us to recycle the bottles and the containers. Because new discoveries are being uncovered every day in science, they are always open to other things. One day out of every year, they bike to work and just hand out Izzes!

Izze:

Izze comes in pomegranate, apple, grapefruit, blueberry, clementine, peach, and blackberry. Not only that, but there is only 120-140 calories with low sodium for the entire bottle, 12 fl oz! Best of all, there’s no high fructose corn syrup or added sugar in the drinks, which is one of the main problem with most sodas. All of their products include no artificial colors or flavors.

Izze esque:

Now, Izze esque is the low-calorie version. It comes in black raspberry, mandarin, and lemon. With only 60 calories in a jam-packed 12 fl oz bottle, this is a great alternative to something such as diet soda.

Izze Fortified:

Izze Fortified is just as tasty, but includes more vitamins. It’s only an 8.4 oz can, but in all that it can pack 10% of Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, and Niacin! It is perfect for school lunches or even a picnic.

Not only will kids like it, but I’m sure that parents will be sneaking one out of the fridge too. Remember to take into consideration the cause it’s going to- people that can’t afford an education.
~Hope