Bringing Smart back.

I have found something, today that got me excited.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090927/ap_on_re_us/us_more_school


Forget sexy, we need to bring smart back.
Our culture does not encourage us to excell in academics. That's for nerds, geeks, dorks and loosers. 
http://householdhacker.com/

We are encoraged to be good looking, cool, thin, have HUGE breasts and be willing to do anything for our 15 minutes of fame. 
What happened to having pride and dignity?
http://omg.yahoo.com/

My son jokes about wanting to develope a vaccine for stupidity.  I think it's a great idea. At least he didn't tell me he wants to be on American Idol or some other "reality" show.
http://www.earthsky.org/

http://www.scifun.org/


As a culture, we need to appreciate our FREE education.  Why is education the first thing on the budget, chopping block?  Do the politicians not want smart people voting? We might make some informed decisions instead of falling for the misleading sound bites.
We have become a nation of people with the attention span of a ferret on speed. We are so busy multitasking that we probably don't understand half of the information that we just absorbed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attention_span

What is up with Twitter? Who has the time or desire to know every little detail of their "friends" lives? 
I get a twitch in my eye when I see so many people walking around with their attention glued to a small, electronic device. 

The evil twin wants to trip them.  Do they realize that LIFE is happening all around them?

Wake up and smell the text books kids.
Your chance of becoming famous are painfully thin.
That is, unless you can come up with the vaccine for stupidity.


http://www.thinkgeek.com/




 

Simple solutions.

It's getting to be time to plant my winter garden.  Yes, it's still on the hot side, but I'm itching to play in the dirt. 
I did not have very much luck with my garden this summer, but my pond is thriving.  Time to changes tactics.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biointensive

 

I'm not going to give up on urban gardening! 
http://growbiointensive.org/index.html 

Where there is a will, there is a way.  Keep thinking happy thoughts..  
http://attra.ncat.org/ 


We need to quickly, rethink how we do things. The old ways don't work. They're not sustainable!
http://www.kitchengardeners.org/ 

Simple post. I'm trying to keep hopelessness at bay. It's very hard to do that when you're a news junkie.

 

Food, glorious food!

“Food is our common ground, a universal experience.”
James Beard

I enjoy eating. I enjoy growing things to eat and I love sharing food.
I watched a very disturbing documentary today with my son. Most of the information, I already knew. It scared the hell out of Rowan.
http://www.futureoffood.com/

Yes, Virginia. There is evil and one of it's names is Monsanto.
No frankenfoods for me! What gave us the idea that we were smarter than Mother Nature?
My mother has celiac's disease. Wheat and gluten make her intestines try desperately to turn themselves inside out. It's not pretty.
In her research, she has found that many have hypothesized that genetically modified wheat is a cause for the explosion of celiac cases. Hmmm..
I have been wondering if, perhaps. That the disappearing bee population is to blame, in part by the huge, mono culture crops of GMO's. Did you know that "Roundup ready" plants are considered insecticides!? They're poison to insects! I doubt that the scientists were smart enough to program the plants to know the difference between a good bug and a bad one.
But never fear! The Pharming industry has out best interests at heart... Right?

http://www.hollow-hill.com/sabina/2009/04/monsanto_to_michelle_please_pa.html

This is a very good reason to embrace organic gardening practices and heiloom seeds. That and it just tastes better!

http://www.heirloomseeds.com/

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”

J.R.R Tolkien

Get informed and get involved. The world is run by those who show up.

Organise!

Summer is not my season.
My genetics favor a cool, moist habitat with lots of shade.
Being in the desert during the summer seems to croc pot my brain a bit and the Evil Twin takes advantage.

Not today!
It's blistering hot and humid. I have the day off the the boy is at a friends. A few chores and then, ME time.
I can't comfortably cool the house with the swamp cooler so I got creative.
I tried a little Bikram Yoga.
This is not for the faint of heart or heat sensitive. It's intense.
I did have an epiphany though. Not anything too profound. It's a common idea. Dropping a meme into the collective consciousness.
Some people have prayer lists. Others have group meditation, journeying and sewing circles.

I would like to invite more people to gather into informal groups that focus on a few, specific goals. To think about it and on a weekly basis. Then, at the end of the week, perform a ritual to send out the intention. Burn a candle, pray, dance naked or yodel. Whatever works for you. We have to forget about the minor details and get together on the important things.

Cicero:

We were born to unite with our fellow men, and to join in community with the human race.

How about for starters.
1. Small families.
Kids are expensive on so many levels. Not just for the parents but the rest of the world has to bear the load in some fashion.
2. Less stuff is good. Simplify.
Do we really need so much? Food, gadgets, clothes, cars..etc.
Live out of a back pack for a while and you'll discover how little you really need.

Eugene V. Debs:

Now my friends, I am opposed to the system of society in which we live today, not because I lack the natural equipment to do for myself but because I am not satisfied to make myself comfortable knowing that there are thousands of my fellow men who suffer for the barest necessities of life. We were taught under the old ethic that man's business on this earth was to look out for himself. That was the ethic of the jungle; the ethic of the wild beast. Take care of yourself, no matter what may become of your fellow man. Thousands of years ago the question was asked; ''Am I my brother's keeper?'' That question has never yet been answered in a way that is satisfactory to civilized society.

Yes, I am my brother's keeper. I am under a moral obligation to him that is inspired, not by any maudlin sentimentality but by the higher duty I owe myself. What would you think me if I were capable of seating myself at a table and gorging myself with food and saw about me the children of my fellow beings starving to death.

1908 speech

We can change attitudes. Win hearts and minds.
We just have to take the ego out of the equation. It's not about my needs but the greater good.
Just a little, friendly meme.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meme

Organize, and work for beneficial change. Not just for your small, circle of friends, tribe, religion, or country. But for this whole planet.
I don't know about you, but I'm pretty frightened. Look up from your new, distracting gadget and smell the coffin. It's bad.
I'm up for any amount of good vibes you can spare.

Things change, Chaos Rules!

Yeah, it's been a while.
I've been busy building my bunker and trying to grow a garden.
I'm afraid to read/watch and listen to the news.
What is wrong with people!?

Don't ever become a pessimist... a pessimist is correct oftener than an optimist, but an optimist has more fun, and neither can stop the march of events.
Robert A. Heinlein

I am trying very hard not to loose my optimistic outlook. It's becoming more difficult as I watch the world slip into Chaos, and not the good kind!

I think it's a symptom of overpopulation. Too many people, not enough resources or space. We have shit where we eat for too long and now the very earth that used to sustain us is now poisoning us.
My garden is not thriving, neither is my dad's. No matter how lovingly I water, weed and fertilize. The fruit withers on the vine if it fruits at all. The few cucumbers I've grown are deformed, bug nibbled and taste like the bottom of my shoe. I am very disturbed.

Things are becoming rather biblical. Even movies are cashing in on the end of the world scenario.

It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so.
Robert A Heinlein

This is where I get off before I throw my computer out the window. Nothing is working as I want it to. So what else is new?

Good Vibes

So we can all agree. Life is pretty rough right now.
Fine, I choose to be soft, strong, and resilient.
Being a massage therapist brings me into close, physical contact with people of all kinds.
I have to keep my psychic shield soft enough to be empathic but strong enough to keep from letting someone else's "junk" get in. It's a very, fine line.
I'm not perfect. I give too much energy sometimes. I let someone's mood infect me. I get over it and have no regrets.
I love being a healing, comforting, caring entity. I like to think I'm sending energetic ripples across the universe. I'm delighted to discover like-minded souls and to be part of any connection.
A spiritual and intellectual commune that defies physical boundaries.

“Society exists only as a mental concept; in the real world there are only individuals.” Oscar Wilde

http://charityguide.org/

“Be the change you want to see in the world.”

I LOVE the internet! People connecting across the world. So many ideas. So many things.
This philosophical, Raven woman is stunned with the buffet that is at my finger tips.
I have access to things I only dreamed of.

“If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is compromise.”
Robert Fritz

Forget going to the mall. I can find everything I want or need and make sure it's earth friendly, recycled, organic and fair trade. Perfect!
And when you order things online.. It keeps the postal worker's jobs secure. Yea!

http://greenpeople.org/

Lets get this green machine moving!

And the buzz word is.... Green Jobs!

Work sucks, most of the time.
I am blessed with work that I love and know makes a difference in people's lives.
Not everyone can say that.
So, we know things need to change drastically in a very short period of time. The Old Guards of capitalism need to retire and let fresh minds and hearts change things.

“Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give yourself to it.”
Buddha

Where do we start? Obama is encouragingly, optimistic about the future of green jobs. I want to get on that electric buss and pick up as many people as possible.

http://sustainablebusiness.com/

For starters.

http://greenbiz.com/

Get out there and find a new path. Share with friends who are looking for work. We can make things better. We have to!

http://www.bluegreenalliance.org/site/c.enKIITNpEiG/b.5085657/k.D6C7/Splash_2.htm

There are lots of possibilities.

http://www.greenjobs.net/

“Follow then the shining ones, the wise, the awakened, the loving, for they know how to work and forbear.”
Buddha

Have a job but want to green it up a bit?

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/go-green/green-work/green-work-tips.html

And finally! Good news.

http://www.greenatworktoday.com/


“The work will wait while you show the child the rainbow, but the rainbow won't wait while you do the work.”

Happy Earth Day!

I wanted to write something that inspires hope.
Everything I've watched lately has been anything but.
Melting glaciers, droughts, pollution, overpopulation, extinctions, water shortages and war. Yay!

I need hope. It keeps me going.

Some of the best thoughts on earth.
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~jrcole/gibran/gibran1.htm
For starters.

I have to stop watching Frontline. It's never good news. I need good news. Why isn't there a major network that leads with something that doesn't bleed? I want to hear about people finding simple ways to deal with the issues that seem to plague us.
Like, laundry!
http://www.physorg.com/news154280985.html

I found this site. I love recycling, especially when it's fun! Fashion sucks, style rules! Frankenstein clothes are the best.
http://www.threadbanger.com/

Teaching our children how to live well and kind is also a kindness to Mother Earth.
http://ecochildsplay.com/

Like I say. I must have hope and I need to share the virus. I'd like to think that I'm making a difference. Small ripples grow into big ones.

Peace, hope, justice, and well being for all.

News Junkie and mad ranter!

Yeah, I love to stay informed.
I listen to Democracy Now! when I can on my local, community radio. Read papers, magazines and troll the internet. I tell my son to know his sources before he starts to shoot his mouth off on any subject. This is why I'm quiet most of the time. I'd rather be thought a fool, than to open my mouth and remove all doubt. That's not to say I don't have my opinions, but I like to know, or think I have the facts before I speak.
If you don't know about the Tea parties that went on this April 15 then you should get out more often.
I had a friend send me the link to the party's site. It seemed like a decent idea and I forwarded the link to others who might be interested in participating in Democracy. But.. there was something that nagged at me. Why now? Suddenly the Republicans want to protest the government's attack on our civil liberties and basic freedoms? Where the hell were they when Bush was in office?
I'll admit. I voted for Obama and I still have hope, but I don't think the man walks on water. He's human and inclined to screw up. At least he's trying to make things better.

http://www.odemagazine.com/

I used to subscribe to ODE magazine but still get their email newsletters. It's full of wonderful resources and insights. Today I found this and would love to share it!

http://www.alternet.org/

I'm still going through the different articles but the ones about the Tea Party is eye opening. It explains the pain in my gut that nagged at me.
Yes, I am NOT a Republican, but I do have some conservative ideals. I love red meat and the 2nd Amendment. I think we shouldn't spend what we don't have but.. DAMN! I have a credit card for emergencies and have had to use it. George Jr and his friends have really screwed the pooch. So we do what we have to. Quit bitching and roll your sleeves up.

Stay informed.

http://www.mouseprint.org/

http://www.pyrabang.com/index.php


http://www.reachm.com/amstreet/

Stay hopeful.

http://www.ted.com/

Some of these might be double posts but.. Pay attention next time!

Sustainable sanity.

Is it possible?
I hope so. I have to.
I go on news binges sometimes, in search of good news.
Why is it so hard to find?
I have my small garden and pond. Fish swim around my lotus, root ball.
I dance to old, punk music, do yoga, Qigong, create art and write. These are some of my coping mechanisms.

I also troll the internet for things so I can share them. Insanity loves company.

http://www.soundstrue.com/mysteryof2012/?page_id=21

I have a very dear friend who has an interesting philosophy. Humanity will endure because despite all out stupidity and penchant for violence. We're still here. I can't argue with him.
But then, I run across stuff like this and weep.

http://www.apfn.org/apfn/camps.htm

I don't know what to believe anymore. I try to get as many resources on a subject as I can handle, but there is so much spin going on. It's hard to find the truth without actually looking into it myself.
I love and hate the internet. Viral videos that are numbingly stupid. Asshole cops caught on a cell phone camera, harassing people. Kids posting naked pictures of themselves.. and then getting arrested for child pornography.
Do I laugh or cry?
Well, I have to love that the internet makes it harder for the government to hide things. Damn, try to hide anything. Everyone suddenly lives in a glass house and is a journalist.
http://www.pyrabang.com/index.php

So, life goes on with increasing speed. It's sad to watch as our fellow earthlings are struggling to keep up. Adapt or die. Isn't that the rule?
That's another blog.
Time for me to do a little meditating, on global sanity. Will you join me?

Where are they!?

I want to know something.

WHERE IS MY LOBBYIST!?

Alright, not just my personal lobbyist but a lobbyist for us, the little people.
Don't laugh but I'd be willing to bet my pocket change that there are lobbyist for midgets. But I digress!

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/ExecutiveOrder-EthicsCommitments/

I want to know why we, as regular, tax paying citizens don't have our own lobbyist. Can't we pool our money and bribe a congressman or two.. Oh, wait! I mean hire a lobbyist to bring our wants and needs to the attention of the demigods on Capitol Hill?
I know damn well that they don't read our petitions. I can just see them all. Being recycled into toilet paper for the bathrooms. Yes, it's a little rough but I'm sure they all fine it very satisfying to wipe their asses with our hopes and dreams.

I voted for the current president. I wish him every success. I'd like to see both parties put aside their childish attitudes and work together to fix an epic mess.
I dream of Rush Limburger choking on his vile words. Whoever decides to perform the Heimlich maneuver. I hope they fail.

Can you tell I'm angry? I'm not restraining the evil twin today. We're writing in tandem. Well, mostly. She's a little busy chewing at the seems of her GOP voodoo doll. She's already pulled off the button eyes and tied the trunk in several knots.

The whole world seems to be unraveling. I'm kind of excited, in a gun toting, crap your pants way.
The leaders of the world have screwed the pooch and I think it's well past time that the peasants rise up, again. We have been lied to for too long. Our sweat and toil has been taken for granted. Our hard earned money has been squandered.

This might make it a little easier to understand. Or not.

http://www.sustainer.org/dhm_archive/index.php?display_article=vn481modelsed

There has to be a simpler way, but then, what do I know?

She called out a warning!

My dreams have been rather dark and forboding of late. It's in the near future and things don't look so bright.
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/dreamtime_discussions/

I'm over 40 and have had many, heartbreaking things happen to me. Yet, I still have hope.

I have to or else... I'm dead.

Alrighty! That aside, I want to share some things that shore up my hope.

http://www.kvalegames.com/?p=home

Games that encourage fair play and a global consciousness. Don't we need more of that?

How about taking an offered couch in a foreign land? What a great way to immerse yourself in another culture and make new friends!

http://www.couchsurfing.com/

I know I'm not running on a single theme right now, but I feel that the world is plunging into Chaos and I'm trying to steer it towards the brighter side. We all have to steer this crazy ship before we fall off the edge of the world.

http://www.democracynow.org/

Alternative viewpoints are always good. FOX news makes me sick to my stomach.
http://www.jimhightower.com/

And it's always a good idea to know your rights!

http://www.flexyourrights.org/

I know, it's a lot to chew on, but I know you can handle it.
We have to.

Sustaining hopes and dreams.

“The only thing that will stop you from fulfilling your dreams is you.”

“Never give up. Keep your thoughts and your mind always on the goal.”

Great quotes by Tom Bradley

I have kept many promises to myself this year.

1. Less care giving and more massage.

I sent out a blast of resumes to massage studios after having a snarky conversation with one of the women at the care giver office. It seems I was being "punished" for inconveniencing the office staff. I needed some time off for my sanity's sake.
The Universe smiled on me and 5 days later I'm working a job I LOVE!

2. More art!

Yes! I'm creating more. Paintings, sculptures, poems and as always, my own, crazy, fun, interpretive dances to old, punk music.

3. Garden.

I love fresh peas off the vine in the morning. Tasty and sweet. I planted strawberries by my pond. My heirloom seeds came and I'm planting tomorrow.

4. Dream more.

Now that my schedule has changed. I have time to linger in that lovely place between sleep and awake. It's great for sorting out the night's dreams.

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”

I'm getting there and it's also nice to know that the people around me can also bask in the warmth of my happiness. Who wouldn't enjoy a little, blissful fallout once in a while?

Bamboozled

Did you know Bamboo is a grass, stronger than steel and the fastest growing plant on earth?
(Kelp is the fastest growing plant in the ocean, so shut up.)

I watched Nova the other night and learned a lot about bamboo.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/rats/program.html

This stuff is amazing! Pair it with hemp and we can leave the trees alone!
They're even making cloth out of it now. I'm sure the process is resource intensive so I don't buy bamboo cloth.. That and the stuff is really expensive!

But as a building material? Man, this stuff is awesome!
http://www-users.rwth-aachen.de/Christoph.Toenges/pagesEN/intro.html

It's beautiful, easy to grow, sturdy and best of all.. SUSTAINABLE!
We need to get with the program and use what works best for us and harms the earth the least.
http://www.completebamboo.com/

I'm thinking of planting a small clump by my pond. In a container, of course. I think it would go well with the lotus I plan on having.
http://waynesword.palomar.edu/ecoph39.htm

You need to find the right kind and learn how to care for it. It's also interesting to see what some people do with bamboo. Humans are such a creative species.
http://momer.home.att.net/

Smells like spring!

I have gardening fever!
Bees buzzing, birds singing, cats fighting. Sounds like spring.
My pond is in and I'm eying my winter vegetables and willing them to bulb. My peas are delicious.
What am I going to plant!?
I do know that I will be using heirloom seeds. No GMO's for me!
Heirloom plants are hardier and less prone to disease.
http://www.heirloomseeds.com/

http://www.seedsavers.org/

http://www.victoryseeds.com/

http://rareseeds.com/

It's good to know that there are so many people who are saving these seeds and passing them along to others. I don't trust science when it comes to creating new and "improved" things that Nature has already spent millions of years perfecting.
One of my first jobs was hybridizing fruit trees. That's about as freaky as I want to get with plants.
Now, the problem I have is what to choose. I have limited space and a need to get creative.
I am up for the challenge!
Sunflowers, yarrow and beebalm for a patch of wildflowers. Great cover for an ugly, cinder block wall.
Melons, cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini, basil, parsley.. Edible flowers..
Whoo hoo!
I love going out in MY yard and picking something I grew and nibbling.
Simple pleasures are the best.

Evil Twin's rant.

I wanted to write a post that was informative and hopeful. Instead, the evil twin has taken hostages and demands her say. I can't refuse.. She has my sweet tooth and sense of humor dangling over a shark tank!

Look around people. There is panic. It hasn't run out into the streets.. yet. Money is loosing its value. That's if you believe it had any value in the first place. Jobs disappearing, counties, states and even countries are going broke! Then, there is this insane woman who has given birth to 14 children!! WTF!? Having too many cats isn't good enough? She has to horde babies?
Suicide bombers, cholera outbreaks, starvation, floods.. Does anyone else see the four horsemen coming over the hill?

Now, I know people and I know you know people who seem to live their lives in constant crisis.
It is not because they are unlucky. No one can be that jinxed. I have observed a friend of mine and I have been guilty of this as well. When things get a little crazy in life as they do sometimes. It can be tempting to get caught up in the drama. Instead of handling things in a calm and collected manner. "Oh, look at me! My life is always in chaos and I can't do anything but freak about MY problems. No time to make good on promise because.. Oh, dear.. another crisis came up and I totally forgot.

Enough of that. It's time to stay calm and get focused. The shit has only just begun to hit the fan.
I have no cleaver links to share. All I can advise is that you stay informed. Our civil rights are being eroded away! People are scared and willing to sacrifice personal freedoms for the illusion of safety. We can't let this happen. The more news I watch, the more I want to be blissfully ignorant. TOO LATE! The genie is out of the bag and now, I have to keep up with things. I'd like to know when it's time to grab my shit and head for the hills.
How sad is it that I think it's more important for my son to know survival skills and how to handle guns than it is to be an "A" student? I'd rather be a useful member of the tribe. Someone who can make fire, hunt, cook and make shelter.
Yes, I am a bit grim but hey, the world order is unraveling. Governments and the legal tender they create are becoming meaningless. Wake up!
Learn how to garden and preserve. Take a primitive skills class. Learn how to sew and knit. I have a feeling that we'll need each other to share skills and goods.

Urban Wildlife

There is a Red tail Hawk in my neighborhood!
I know there is plenty of food. Pigeons galore and lots of mice. They adored my compost pile when I had one. I was beginning to wonder why all the neighborhood cats kept hanging out in my backyard.
One mouse was cute but I witnessed at least 5 one day picking through my compost pile. That was the end of that. Now, I just save my coffee grounds and use them to add to the soil. My garden seems to like coffee as much as I do.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_wildlife

When I went to run an errand for a client. I found a very healthy looking Roadrunner in the parking lot. According to a recent report. Roadrunners are not as abundant as they used to be. Well, I have been seeing a lot and they're skirting the edges of the urban jungle and then the one in the parking lot. Nature seems to find a way. Adapt or die!
Here in Arizona, there is always an abundance of coyotes. I love how they seem so comfortable and at home in almost any environment. They are wiley creatures.

Even though I live in an urban environment. I want to create a small oasis that might encourage smaller wildlife to hang out. Maybe my pond will attract dragonflies and frogs. We'll see.

http://yuwr.org/

I don't see wildlife as a nuisance, unless it's pigeons crapping all over my car. I have covered parking so there goes that.
I love listening to the birds sing their spring time "hey baby!" songs.

I grew up in the country and was used to wildlife all over the place. I really enjoy the feeling of being a part of something more than the human condition. I like my furred, feathered and scaled neighbors.

I have discovered a plethora of sited dedicated to urban wildlife. The United Kingdom seems very progressive in the way they live in harmony, or try to with their wildlife. Maybe because they've had more practice. Maybe, because hedgehogs are so darned cute!
Peregrine falcons nest and feed in cities. Taking advantage of the tall buildings since they're the closets things to cliffs. Pigeons are everywhere.

With wild environments shrinking. I think it's only polite to invite the wildlife into our world.
Adapt or die.

Urban pond!

I love my tiny, backyard!
My garden is flourishing and I'm getting Spring fever.
Yes, I know it's the end of January but this is Tucson and Spring comes mighty early here. It's been raining and the soil smells so wonderful!
A friend came over one night and while conversing in the backyard. I had an epiphany. I need a small pond with plants and minnows.
It's going to be lovely! I've done the research and can do it on the cheap.

http://www.littlecountryvillage.com/Garden-Ponds/

By Summer, my yard will be a cool, colorful place to meditate, BBQ, visit and hang my laundry.
Oh, and there will be shade cloth to keep the blazing sun from scorching everything. It will be an oasis. So what if it's small? Bigger isn't necessarily better.

Isn't it about time we all started enjoying simpler, smaller pleasures?

Hope and change!

"The Bringer of Good News" is the name of this piece and I couldn't think of anything better to use as a picture.
We have a new president! A well spoken, thoughtful, educated, kind and COOL! man.
My son and I watched History being made today along with millions of other, hopeful souls. The amount of people who braved freezing temperatures was stunning. This was not just a cause for celebration in this country, no. The whole world is rejoicing!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090120/ap_on_re_eu/obama_world_celebrations

Hope is a wonderful thing. It keeps you going when you have nothing else. I speak from experience. To see so many people coming together in hope was a beautiful thing. Obama's speech was inspiring, unifying and had just enough tough love interjected to keep it from rotting one's teeth.
It IS time to look past our differences and recognize our similarities.

I love Obama's call for service. It has been about Me, Me and more Me for too long.
There are so many ways to serve others.
http://www.ourpublicservice.org/OPS/

http://www.peacecorps.gov/

http://www.nationalservice.org/

Just for starters.

I am just so full of hope right now. The oil and gas industries were blocked from buying land in Red Rocks. Things are already changing, for the better!
I invite you to join the growing number of Hope and Change junkies.

http://www.ted.com/
It's going to be fashionable to be green and willing to work with others to make things better.

Sleep, perchance to dream?

I, like a lot of people are tired. Sleep deprivation is rampant in this country. It's a go, go go! society. Time is money and sleep is seen as lost wages.
Do you know sleep deprivation has its own web site?
http://www.sleep-deprivation.com/
How sad is that?

I read several, great articles in Utne magazine about this problem and how sleep deprivation and the general, lack of slowing down and resting. Seems to be a big part in why we, as humans seems to be so.. messed up. For lack of a better term.
Technology enables us to run full tilt 24/7. That means constant consuming, constant polluting.
We have night vision goggle so we can continue to wage war at night.

Lack of sleep has more disadvantages that we might think.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/HEALTHbeat_011806.htm
It's not good for us! Sleep is good and it's good for us.
Try the Sheep Dash to test yourself. It's fun and educational. Watch out!
http://www.helpguide.org/life/sleeping.htm

Now, This information hit me like a slap in the face. I have been working like a maniac at my "regular" job. Coming home and trying to keep house, cook and home school my son. Oh, then there's the artwork, blogging and storytelling. Ahhhh!
Sleep is good, healing, and dreaming has always been something I'm very good at. It fuels my creativity and elevates my mood. Dreams also give me answers to questions and sometimes, spiritual kicks in the ass.
We all need to slow down and pause.
Sometimes, doing nothing is the best option.
It give us time to ponder, relax, renew, regroup and let our souls heal.
Why does our society look down on down time?
I feel like I have to give myself permission to just sit and catch up on my reading or just meditate in my garden. I took today off from everything except this blog.
I slept in, allowed myself to dream and ponder in the early morning's light. For some reason, I find that I think best lying down. Is it blood flow or is it the art of being lazy?

Look at any documentary on primitive cultures. You'll see a lot of sitting, resting and simple chores. Happy children being taught and old people resting and sharing wisdom.
We have more conveniences but less time to relax. What is wrong with this picture?

I was trying to find something on culture and relaxation. What I found was a mixture of travel sites and something that sounded delightful
Relaxation and culture parties.
Hmmm.. Today, after the memorial I stayed after all the other guests left. The family members and I ate fine chocolates, drank coffee and talked about the wonderful woman we all had known and loved. I had a stray thought about having a chocolate tasting party with coffee and good conversation. It struck me as a delicious idea. I love the idea of people gathering together for nothing more than relaxation and good times.
No networking or schmoozing, just people talking, telling stories and relaxing. We need to do more NOTHING!
Read up on Zen Buddhism.
I discovered this little delight.
http://www.odemagazine.com/exchange/4243/zen_and_the_art_of_drinking_beer

I'll leave you with that little gem and wish you good dreaming.

2009 is going to be a wonderful year!

Why?
Because I said so!
I don't know about you but last year was one of the worst on record for me.
I want things to change.. NOW!
I'm tired of watching and reading the news and seeing people kill their neighbors "In the name of God."
What kind of God would want you to kill? I mean, weren't we all created in His/Her/Its image? I think it would be disrespectful to kill anyone in the name of their creator.
DUH!
Some of the most hateful people I have met and read about are people claiming to be "Holy men". If it wasn't so sad I'd laugh.
I'm glad my Divine Creator is kind, forgiving and has a great sense of humor. Sometimes I don't get the joke but then, I'm only human and still learning.

Happy thoughts!
Community!

Etymology:

Middle English comunete, from Anglo-French communité, from Latin communitat-, communitas, from communis

Date:

14th century

1: a unified body of individuals: as a: state , commonwealth b: the people with common interests living in a particular area ; broadly : the area itself community> c: an interacting population of various kinds of individuals (as species) in a common location d: a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society community of retired persons> e: a group linked by a common policy f: a body of persons or nations having a common history or common social, economic, and political interests community> g: a body of persons of common and especially professional interests scattered through a larger society community> 2: society at large3 a: joint ownership or participation <community of goods> b: common character

Break that down to "neighbor".
We all have a community that we belong to, maybe even a few. I float from one circle of friends to another and then there's extended family, work associates and have you ever notice how friendly people are when you're waiting in line for a concert?
That's community, even if it's just temporary.
Now we have online communities! People who have never met face to face but share so much in common.
This world has gotten very small and I can't understand the "Us and Them" mentality anymore.
They ARE us. We all want the same things pretty much. To live, raise our families, dream, strive for better things.

Why are some humans so damned greedy? They have to have more than they need. Even if it means letting others starve and die horribly. What is wrong with some people!?

I'd like to know the answer to that question as well.
We all need to take stock in our own lives and ask some serious questions. Do I really need that? Will is harm someone or take a basic need from someone if I have it?
I know meat is bad on multiple levels but I am a carnivore and my body can't function on a vegetarian diet. I've tried, honest!

I'm trying to teach my son to be a conscious consumer. To ask himself if he really needs what he wants. It is made well and will it last? We live in a disposable society and that is killing us.
Look at China. How many people have jobs making cheap, plastic crap that will end up in a landfill within the month is not sooner?

I'm wandering off the subject again... I think.

Community. How do we achieve it on a global scale?
Start locally. It's easy.

http://www.i-neighbors.org/index.php?gclid=CMDHst609ZcCFQ7aDAodfz8oBw

Do you know your next door neighbor? Have you participated in a bloc party? Ever think about throwing one?
Look in your local paper and find something that interests you. Get involved, volunteer.

You want to go all "hippy" and join a commune? I've looked into it. Believe it or not. I'm a little too fringe for most communities. I'm better off on the fringe of the fringe.

http://www.ic.org/

But I think it's a good start to the New year. Be friendlier. Being a bully isn't as cool as some might want you to think it is.

Now, play nice kids!