Well, kinda live. I was on the panel on Cannabis in the Media. Moderating was Richard Cowan, a former NORML Executive Director and now publisher of MarijuanaNews.com. Paul Armentano, NORML’s Deputy Director, gave a great preentation on how the media lie about cannabis. I followed up with a discussion of why, centering on the political concept of framing. Ann Harrison. an independent journalist, talked about how the journalism profession has been swayed in the Drug War. Finally, Bruce Mirken, Communications Director for MPP, discussed how to influence the media and respond to their poor reporting of the drug war issue.
Then we headed off to the breakout sessions. I moderated a session on Tools for Activists: How to avoid Burnout. Madeline Martinez, Executive Director of Oregon NORML discussed how to share the “attitude of gratitude” in cultivating a volunteer force. Vivian McPeak, Executive Director of Seattle Hempfest, explained how he turned a political rally into the largest reform event in the world. Dr. Mitch Earleywine employed some practical strategies for meditation and how to communicate the marijuana issue. And Keith Saunders of MASS/CANN NORML talked about finding your identity as an activist.
Tonight is the Awards Banquet, which I’m also covering. We’re generating a whole lot of audio and video and we’ll get as much of it on the tubes as we can as quick as we can.
Nah, you’re not paranoid… I was just ultra-busy. We had PA to set up in one bldg Thursday, tear down and set it up in a ballroom for Friday, awards ceremony and partying on Friday night, all day in the ballroom Saturday, tear down and move to upstairs storage Saturday evening, massive fundraiser party at Oasis Saturday night, set it all up again in ballroom Sunday morning, re-adjust it Sunday afternoon following ballroom re-configuration, tear down and pack up Sunday evening, party with Americans for Safe Access somewhere in the canyons outside Oakland, drive home all night and all morning Monday, sleep three hours, give speech at Obama rally, crash for a sixteen hour nap, awaken today at Noon to set up gear and process video.
Oh, and the hotel’s wi-fi kept going out, so I couldn’t liveblog any more!
There’s lots of stuff coming soon to this very blog. Stay tuned!
anyone know how normal-con ended up? I just thoght it strange to not get a heads up from Mr. Belville. Maybe it’s just my stoner paranoia flaring up.