Here’s a talk Dr. Gino Strada (co-founder of Emergency) gave in L.A. in 2006. In it he talks about why they founded Emergency and about some of the work they’ve been doing for civilian war victims since 1994.

Today I did a 45 minute hike in the mountains.

3.5.10 FOOD LOG

11:00 AM
Sweet potato hash with salsa and 1 egg

2:00 PM
1 banana

4:30 PM
Green leaf and spinach salad with onion, cucumber, tomato, banana peppers, and red wine vinegar.

8:45 PM
bowl of rice with some Indian Madras Lentils

If you want to understand the global economic system this film is a must see. It specifically deals with the work that women do and how it is measured (or not measured) in the present day economic system. In examining this issue Marilyn Waring also gives us a critical look into the distorted logic that drives the world today.

Fierce Light
Wednesday, February 24
7:00 PM
SAME Cafe
2023 E. Colfax Ave, Denver
$5 suggested donation or 1 hour volunteer

The 2006 murder of friend and fellow media-activist Brad Will in protest-torn Oaxaca, Mexico, is the impetus for Ripper’s journey, which takes him to the flash points  of spiritual activism around the world, including Montgomery, Alabama; Robben Island, South Africa; Andrah, India; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; and South Central Los Angeles, where a months-long protest against the razing of a vital community garden provides a highly dramatic spine for the wide-ranging film.

En route, Ripper encounters a number of eloquent icons, including American Civil Rights legend Congressman John Lewis, actor turned activist Daryl Hannah, Nobel prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Pulitzer Prize Winning Author Alice Walker, Buddhist peace activist monk Thich Nhat Hahn, famed tree sitter Julia Butterfly Hill, and dharma punk, Noah Levine, South Central Farmers; Visionaries.

Ripper discovers what Paul Hawken (author “Blessed Unrest”) describes as the largest global movement in history - thousands of individuals and organizations connected by a shared commitment to compassionate, positive action.

Alice Walker calls it “a human sunrise” - Ripper calls it “Fierce Light.” With stunning cinematography, a compelling soundtrack, and dramatic stories of resistance and transformation, FIERCE LIGHT: When Spirit Meets Action reveals what is possible when human beings, faced with a world in crisis, rise to their absolute best.

I’m so incredibly grateful for my great fortune. That I met Chris who agreed to work with me on this challenge. That I have so many wonderful people who care about me. That I don’t have to experience the terrible affects of war and poverty. I have everything and yet for years I have felt deep sadness. It is a profoundly unjust world we live in. Those who cause pain to others, both economically and physically, are often rewarded handsomely for it. We are out of balance and I’ve been out of balance. Fitness for EMERGENCY USA is my small way of trying to restore some of that balance.

Here’s another video from day 4. In it Chris and I talk about the pain I’m going through by pushing my body back into shape vs. the pain that the civilian victims of war have to go through.

Today I did another 30 minutes cardio at Qi Denver. I pushed myself a little harder but still introducing my body back into working out.

2.6.10 FOOD LOG

10 AM
3 tangerines

11 AM
a four inch avocado and tomato sandwich with mustard and peppers on artisan bread.

1:30 PM
an apple

7:30 PM
a veggie salad (same as before but I did throw a little feta on it. I know I said no dairy but I’m rethinking my absolute stance on this)

I met Chris Lindley the day I decided to do this challenge. I was telling someone about it at Hooked on Colfax (an awesome coffee shop in Denver) and he overheard me. He told me about the Qi Denver Athletic Club qidenver.com/ (which he is part owner) and said maybe we could work together. I told him I couldn’t afford it and he said we could work something out.

After seeing my first video blog from Monday he then offered to be my personal trainer but asked for 180 days instead of 90. I agreed.

Today was my first day at Qi Denver with Chris Lindley. I want to thank my friend Allan from Globeville Studios for coming out and being my camera man today.

He then checked my weight and measurements.

And then we talked about my history, where I’m at now, and what are my goals.

Then it got ugly. Chris tested me on my fitness level…

I am incredibly embarrassed that I’ve allowed myself to get to this point but if anything will motivate me to get healthy again it is working to also raise funds and build support for EMERGENCY USA. Please make a pledge today.

Chris wants me to start publishing a daily food log on my blog so….

2.4.10 FOOD LOG

10 AM
A cantaloupe sized fresh salad with baby spinach, Kale, red peppers, cucumber, tomato, onion, banana peppers, sunflower seeds, cashews, balsamic vinegar, and Makoto ginger dressing.

2:30 PM
15 oz can of vegetable soup

7:00 PM
Burrito with black beans, taco seasoned crumblers (a meat alternative), peppers, onions, and homemade green vegetarian chili (green chilies, chipotles, garlic, onion, and jalapeno and seasonings)

11:00 PM
8 oz of hashbrowns (cooked without oil) with some salsa.

11:30 PM
A dill pickle

Wounded
Thursday, February 25
7:00 PM
Mercury Cafe
2199 California St, Denver
$5 suggested donation or 1 hour volunteer

This Film is a must-see for anyone considering joining the military.

Wounded is a BBC documentary that follows the journey of two injured soldiers: 19-year-old Ranger Andy Allen who, in July 2008, had his right leg blown off and his eyes badly burnt by an improvised explosive device; and 24-year-old Lance Corporal Tom Neathway, who lost three limbs after moving a booby-trapped sandbag.

Unconscious and watched by their families they fight for their lives, but surviving their injuries is just the beginning.

I’ve now started my fitness program for EMERGENCY USA! I said I was going to start of February 1 but thought about putting it off because I still had things to do to prepare for collecting pledges and such. But those were just excuses. I can work out all the details in these first weeks.

So I’m off and running with no looking back.

As of February 1, 2010 I weigh 294 pounds.

Watch this video (the first in many) I made today.

UPDATE: I decided to change my position on no dairy and no alchohol. Instead I’m just going to limit it. I think this will make it more likely for me not to derail from the program. Also, after meeting with Chris I decided to make this program 180-days instead of 90. Here’s a video from day 4 where I talk about it.

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A PLEDGE

On February 1, 2010 I started a 180-day fitness program to get in the best shape of my life. In the process I hope to raise some money for EMERGENCY USA: Life Support for Civilian Victims of War and Poverty http://www.emergencyusa.org.

In today’s conflicts 90% of the victims are civilian and 36% are children.

EMERGENCY is an Italian organization that provides free-of-charge, high quality medical and surgical treatment to the civilian victims of war, landmines and poverty. EMERGENCY USA is a sister organization that supports programs at EMERGENCY facilities worldwide.

Over 3 million patients have been treated completely free-of-charge by EMERGENCY.

Help me get fit for EMERGENCY USA

My goal is to lose 100 pounds over the next 180 days. I will weigh myself at the end of each month and then ask people who pledged to donate to Emergency USA based on my weight loss. For example, if someone pledged $5 and I lost 20 pounds it would be a $100 donation to EUSA for that month. This will go on for 6 months after which I will be in the healthiest fittest shape of my life and we will have raised some considerable money for the vital work of EMERGENCY USA in healing the wounds of war and poverty.

I’ll be posting regular blogs here at www.FitnessforEmergencyUSA.org so check back and follow my progress.

Please make your pledge today.

You can pledge by simply calling or emailing me with your name, contact info, and the dollar amount you would like to pledge for each pound I lose.

Thank You,
Jason Bosch
303-669-7286
bosch@argusfest.org

The End of Poverty?
Thursday, February 11
7:00 PM
Mercury Cafe
2199 California St, Denver
$10 suggested donation

Global poverty did not just happen. It began with military conquest, slavery and colonization that resulted in the seizure of land, minerals and forced labor. Today, the problem persists because of unfair debt, trade and tax policies — in other words, wealthy countries taking advantage of poor, developing countries.

Renowned actor and activist, Martin Sheen, narrates The End of Poverty?, a feature-length documentary directed by award-winning director, Philippe Diaz, which explains how today’s financial crisis is a direct consequence of these unchallenged policies that have lasted centuries. Consider that 20% of the planet’s population uses 80% of its resources and consumes 30% more than the planet can regenerate. At this rate, to maintain our lifestyle means more and more people will sink below the poverty line.

Filmed in the slums of Africa and the barrios of Latin America, The End of Poverty? features expert insights from: Nobel prize winners in Economics, Amartya Sen and Joseph Stiglitz; acclaimed authors Susan George, Eric Toussaint, John Perkins, Chalmers Johnson; university professors William Easterly and Michael Watts; government ministers such as Bolivia’s Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera and the leaders of social movements in Brazil, Venezuela, Kenya and Tanzania . It is produced by Cinema Libre Studio in collaboration with the Robert Schalkenbach Foundation.

Can we really end poverty within our current economic system? Think again.

The Small Arms Trade
Thursday, January 21
7:00 PM
Mercury Cafe
2199 California St, Denver
$5 suggested donation
or 1 hour volunteer

Small arms are the real weapons of mass destruction, killing more than half a million people a year, spreading like a disease and destablizing entire regions. Beginning in the gun markets of Somalia, we witness their horrific impact. But no guns are made in Somalia.

From France to South Africa, Bosnia, Moldova, the United States and Canada, Devil’s Bargain examines the ways in which guns slip from legal to illicit markets. From dealers, to pilots, to end-users, to the victims, we discover a largely unregulated trade in what has become the globalization of death.

When 200,000 AK-47s go missing from Bosnia, activists call for an International Treaty to curb the trade. But it’s blocked by the super power, and loopholes “big enough for an Antonov to fly through” continue to allow the flow of guns that destabilize our world.