This was the next morning after my neighbor Matt and I tried out the rental mountain bike at Nall Park. It was exciting to explore a different side of biking, riding dirt trails, rocks and roots interfering with balance, ending with a skill park that was completely outside of my comfort zone.
I’ve been riding bicycles all my life, I grew up with them. I always felt I had a keen sense of balance and always felt in control. Mountainbiking is different. There is so much information to process, the trail changing with every foot you travel, trees leaning into your path of travel, and did I mention the rocks and roots? Exhilarating!
Like many people after the 2016 Presidential election, I’ve been following politics and the news a lot closer. Short of volunteering for a campaign however, my ability to create the change I want to see is limited, since I’m not allowed to vote as a Permanent Resident.
Looking for a way to give back to the community I’ve been calling home for the past six years, I learned about the possibility to serve as a precinct board member (more commonly known as a poll worker) on Election Day. In order to promote civic engagement among residents of the state and to provide additional members of precinct boards, California allows non-citizen permanent residents and high-school students 16 and over to serve as precinct board members.
Notice of Appointment Letter
Ventura County, where I live, offers an online application form for volunteers to get started, though in my case it wasn’t until I picked up the phone that I was accepted and assigned a precinct. So far there has not been a ton of communication or guidance from the Registrar’s Office, but there is a mandatory training and lab class that I’ll have to attend before Election Day.
Admittedly, I’m not exactly sure what to expect and how I’ll be able to stay sharp for the 14+ hours that I’m expected to be there. But I am looking forward to be working the polls during this year’s midterm election and contribute my small part to further democracy in the world!
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In my ongoing effort to venture outside my comfort zone, I attended an art class last night! They serve local wine, play music, and guide everyone to replicate a feature painting step-by-step. If you’re in the area, check out The Painted Cabernet, it’s a lot of fun!
I’m a frequent victim of buyer’s remorse—not this time though. Getting a heated mattress pad has been one of my best purchase decisions in the last decade.
I’m German, living in the United States, and for that been asked about pretty much every German stereotype imaginable. One of the most common misperceptions is that Germans, or Europeans in general, drink their beer warm. Since I was asked about it multiple times again last week (I like beer), I thought I’d turn to the keyboards so I can point to this post in the future.
Konstantin Obenland 