Vickie and I are both animal lovers. We’re conflicted on animal testing…. but try to buy products that are ‘cruelty-free’ and not tested on animals.
We do business with Aveda Cosmetics and are happy that they don’t test their products on animals. Our cactus is used in a line of their skin-care cosmetics (the Green-Science Line).
We also sell cactus to a leading pet-food manufacturer…. we’re happy when we think about all the happy people and animals that like our cactus. It makes us feel really good.
This video show a group of beagle dogs that were given over to an animal-rescue group after the testing lab didn’t need them anymore. Beagles are the dog most used for medical/product testing because they are docile, don’t eat much, and trust humans and will stay in a cage for their whole life.
It’s sad to think of the hardship and loneliness these dogs have had, and the video got me weepy…. but it’s not a sad video…. it shows the dogs coming out of their crates for the first time and walking on grass.. meeting their next-crate buddies face-to-face, and shows snapshots of the dogs in their new adoptive homes with people and other animals that love them.
Watch the video, you may get misty-eyed, but it’ll be worth it.
Have you ever thought of looking into one of those new ‘Robotic’ carpet sweepers? They sound really interesting, and an evaluation I read gave a good report on the abilities of these little helpers.
What I found most interesting in the article (besides the technical abilities of the machine) was the anthropomorphizing so frequently used throughout the article. Several times the author referred to the robot as ‘he’. It is interesting how quickly we can give attributes to a machine, whether it be ‘she’ for a ship, or ‘he’ for a little machine.
This thought brought back the old joke that centers around what gender a computer is. In many languages, the Latin and Germanic language groups for instance, you use a gender word to describe any object. In Spanish this is La for a ‘female’ item, i.e. ‘La Mesa‘ is ‘the table‘, and ‘El Diablo‘ is ‘The Devil‘. Is a computer ‘El Computor‘, or is it ‘La Computor‘? German would be ‘Der Komputor‘, or ‘Die Komputor‘, depending on the gender decided by society.
Here we have the reasons computers are male or female, depending on a person’s reference point:
Gender and Computers
Top nine reasons computers must be male:
They have a lot of data but are still clueless.
A better model is always just around the corner.
They look nice and shiny until you bring them home.
It is always necessary to have a backup.
They’ll do whatever you say if you push the right buttons.
The best part of having either one is the games you can play.
The lights are on but nobody’s home.
Big power surges knock them out for the night.
Size does matter
Top nine reasons computers must be female:
Picky, picky, picky.
They hear what you say, but not what you mean.
Beauty is only shell deep.
When you ask what’s wrong, they say “nothing”.
Can produce incorrect results with alarming speed.
Always turning simple statements into big productions.
Smalltalk is important.
You do the same thing for years, and suddenly it’s wrong.
They make you take the garbage out.
I don’t know what the scholars ever decided. Perhaps the issue is still being debated.
1951, war broke out in Korea… as usual the US was unprepared for the war…. the military had been largely reduced in scale after WWII…. so in the usual way of the US gov’t, they opened enlistment offices and gathered the man y thousands of young men who were volunteering to go to war in a faraway place. My father at 17 was one of those young guys… he had to get his mother’s signature for him to go into the military.
Since the military was not really ready for them, the training center in San Antonio was overflowing and unable to adequately house the extra thousands of men. So the military opened up a large tent-city on the Parade Grounds, and housed many thousands of men in the long rows of tents. But, it was wintertime, and their clothes stayed damp and moldy, they never had adequate rest and were weakened and more susceptible to illness…. and strike it did… influenza hit the camp and several servicemen died. When a local dignitary heard of this he got Washington to acting quickly.. hastily, barracks in other military posts were opened up… and thousands of servicemen were bussed to other areas to be housed in actual barracks.
Remember, this was 1951, and Jim Crow was still in force in many of the Southern states. The US military had been integrated just a few years before, but the nation as a whole was still trying to get used to desegregation. My father grew up on a small farm with other small farms surrounding it. They all belonged to the local farmers co-op which bought the large equipment all the farms needed, but none could afford. As a group all the local farmers worked helping to plant and harvest on each other’s farms. Some of the local farms were owned by Black folks. They participated in the co-op and the harvests the same as everyone else. Being used to working in the fields with black folks, it wasn’t hard to bunk in the same tent with some also… so he and some other White guys bunked with some Black fellows in a large tent.
Back to the bus trip… the bus left San Antonio and travelled north to another base where barracks were promised to them. On the trip they made several stops for food. The bus would stop at a restaurant and they were all given coupons for a meal…. but the restaurants would not allow Black servicemen in (wow…. it’s hard to believe nowadays, but even a serving serviceman was discriminated against if he was Black)…. so my father and one of his White buddies would get a few extra meals using the coupons given them by the Black guys, and he and this other fellow would take the meals outside and they would all eat outdoors (which is what they did when working in the fields).
I was working on a film called ‘Forgive us our Transgressions’ one time… it was a challenging scene as it involved a lynching, and I played a lyncher…. while mulling these things over with the boom operator ‘Speed’, he turned to me and said “we’ve come a mighty long ways in this country”. As much racial issues as we still have…. I have to agree.
We got sent the e-mail below from our friends and neighbors Al and Val Johnson
their band will be playing at the party described below.
They are really good folks, and a great band.
Doubtless it will be a fun party…
VALERIE JOHNSON , Al B BLUE and the MAD HATTERS - 7pm
1531 Monterey
San Luis Obispo California 93401
805 547-0278 [map]
Price: $10 donation, includes “tea” bev
Mad Hatter Tea Party
WORLD PREMIERE EVENT: “A MAD HATTER TEA PARTY”
“A MAD HATTER TEA PARTY ” TO RAISE AWARENESS AND FUNDS FOR PROGRESSIVE CAUSES
SATIRICAL ARTIST MARK BRYAN TO PREMIER HIS NEW PAINTING “THE MAD TEA PARTY part D’uh”
Central Coast artist Mark Bryan wants to take you down the rabbit hole one more time. Mark Bryan is internationally known for his clever and cutting commentary on the current political landscape.
One week before national elections are held, Bryan and local progressive groups will host a Mad Tea Party Night at the Steynberg Gallery.On the evening of October 27th all citizens are invited to participate in a night of playful political hi jinx, wear their best Mad Hatter Hat and view Bryan’s new work “The Mad Tea Party, Part D’uh”. Local blues legends Valerie Johnson, Al B. Blue and the Mad Hatters will be on hand to lay down some Tea Party blues.
In Bryan’s new parody of Alice’s famous party, Sarah Palin stars as the Queen of Hearts, Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck appear as Mad Hatters. O’Reilly and Hannity are having fun as The Walrus and the Carpenter while Tea Party activists depicted as oysters clamor for more “Tea” but are about to be served as “lunch”. Bryan will also be exhibiting his first Mad Tea Party piece and other political works.
The Mad Hatter Tea Party Night is part promotion for Bryan’s artistry, part fundraiser for progressive causes and 100% good time for those wanting a more humorous side of political antics. A contest will be held for the best “Mad Hat”, games, prizes and a raffle drawing for a Giclee print of “The Mad Tea Party, Part D’uh!”, valued at $250.00
Entry is a $10 donation, includes “tea” beverage, cake and other snacks.
For more information, please call Steynberg Gallery 805 547 0278 or email mbryan@kcbx.net
I don’t know who wrote this little piece….
But when you’ve got a dying pet, it really feeels good to read.
The Rainbow Bridge
There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth.
It is called the Rainbow Bridge, because of it’s many colors.
Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge there is a land of meadows, hills, and valleys with lush green grass.
When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place.
There is always food and water and warm spring weather.
The old and frail animals are young again.
Those who are maimed are made whole again.
They play all day with each other.
There is only one thing missing.
They are not with their special person who loved them on Earth.
So, each day they run and play until the day comes when one suddenly stops playing and looks up!
The nose twitches! The ear are up! The eyes are staring!
And this one suddenly runs from the group!
You have been seen, and when you and your special friend meet, you take him or her in your arms and embrace.
Your face is kissed again and again and again, and you look once more into the eyes of your trusting pet.
Then you cross over The Rainbow Bridge together,
never again to be seperated.
We’ve been fans of the HBO show True Blood since its first episode three seasons ago.
It’s a captivating show that keeps getting more and more bizarre… yet even though it gets deeper into myths… the old suspension of disbelief kicks in every episode…and the first season we were transported to a modern world with Vampires newly come ‘out of the casket’, a lady who hears people’s inner thoughts, and a Shape-shifter…. the second season introduced us to packs of Werewolves, and a several millennia-old Maenad. This season more Shape-shifters, a Shaman, a Witch and even Fairies joined the cast.
The show True Blood also has a very interesting and captivating intro.
I love the song ‘Bad Things’ sung by Jace Everett
And the swiftly-moving images bring little snapshots to life
‘Bad Things’
Jace Everett
When you came in the air went out.
And every shadow filled up with doubt.
I don’t know who you think you are,
But before the night is through,
I wanna do bad things with you.
I’m the kind to sit up in his room.
Heart sick an’ eyes filled up with blue.
I don’t know what you’ve done to me,
But I know this much is true:
I wanna do bad things with you.
When you came in the air went out.
And all those shadows there filled up with doubt.
I don’t know who you think you are,
But before the night is through,
I wanna do bad things with you.
I wanna do real bad things with you.
I don’t know what you’ve done to me,
But I know this much is true:
I wanna do bad things with you.
I wanna do real bad things with you.
Starry, starry night.
Paint your palette blue and grey,
Look out on a summer’s day,
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul.
Shadows on the hills,
Sketch the trees and the daffodils,
Catch the breeze and the winter chills,
In colors on the snowy linen land.
Now I understand what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they did not know how.
Perhaps they’ll listen now.
Starry, starry night.
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze,
Swirling clouds in violet haze,
Reflect in Vincent’s eyes of china blue.
Colors changing hue, morning field of amber grain,
Weathered faces lined in pain,
Are soothed beneath the artist’s loving hand.
Now I understand what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they did not know how.
Perhaps they’ll listen now.
For they could not love you,
But still your love was true.
And when no hope was left in sight
On that starry, starry night,
You took your life, as lovers often do.
But I could have told you, Vincent,
This world was never meant for one
As beautiful as you.
Starry, starry night.
Portraits hung in empty halls,
Frameless head on nameless walls,
With eyes that watch the world and can’t forget.
Like the strangers that you’ve met,
The ragged men in the ragged clothes,
The silver thorn of bloody rose,
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow.
Now I think I know what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they’re not listening still.
Perhaps they never will…
A friend is starting a non-profit organization that really sounds like the type of thing that can make a difference. Please read and consider….
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Greetings family and friends,
With little free time, in the middle of post production on my first feature film, I finally started a non profit organization that I have been wanting to do for a few years now. It is called “Hoods To Woods” I want to take disadvantaged and critically ill children on camping adventures. It kills me that so many kids live so close to the mountains and beach and have never been out of their neighborhood. There is a temp web site up www.hoodstowoods.org.
Per the advice of a supporter, I am writing to ask if you could find the time to please write a brief letter of support, on your official letterhead if you have any.
We are going to take the letters and use them to get grants and other support from sporting goods companies etc.
Please simply write, in your own words, how you think this is a good idea, a worthwhile effort, you fully support helping children etc. (no need to write “Duh! who would not want to help poor kids?”)
So far I have the interest of the Los Angeles Sheriffs department and some other cool names.
I am really excited to make a difference in these kids lives and to spend more time camping too!
“For that which is boundless in you
abides in the mansion of the sky,
whose door is the morning mist,
and whose windows
are the songs and the silences of night”
Build of your imaginings a bower in the wilderness
ere you build a house within the city walls.
For even as you have home-comings in your twilight,
so has the wanderer in you, the ever distant and alone.
Your house is your larger body.
It grows in the sun and sleeps in the stillness of the night;
and it is not dreamless.
Does not your house dream?
and dreaming, leave the city for grove or hill-top?
Would that I could gather your houses into my hand,
and like a sower scatter them in forest and meadow.
Would the valleys were your streets,
and the green paths your alleys,
that you might seek one another through vineyards,
and come with the fragrance of the earth in your garments.
But these things are not yet to be.
In their fear your forefathers gathered you too near together.
And that fear shall endure a little longer.
A little longer shall your city walls
separate your hearths from your fields.
And tell me, people of Orphalese,
what have you in these houses?
And what is it you guard with fastened doors?
Have you peace,
the quiet urge that reveals your power?
Have you remembrances,
the glimmering arches that span the summits of the mind?
Have you beauty,
that leads the heart from things fashioned of wood and stone to the holy mountain?
Tell me, have you these in your houses?
Or have you only comfort, and the lust for comfort,
that stealthy thing that enters the house a guest,
and then becomes a host and then a master?
Ay, and it becomes a tamer,
and with hook and scourge makes puppets of your larger desires.
Though its hands are silken, its heart is of iron.
It lulls you to sleep only to stand by your bed
and jeer at the dignity of the flesh.
It makes mock of your sound senses,
and lays them in thistledown like fragile vessels.
Verily the lust for comfort murders the passion of the soul,
and then walks grinning in the funeral.
But you, children of space, you restless in rest,
you shall not be trapped nor tamed.
Your house shall be not an anchor but a mast.
It shall not be a glistening film that covers a wound,
but an eyelid that guards the eye.
You shall not fold your wings that you may pass through doors,
nor bend your heads that they strike not against a ceiling,
nor fear to breathe lest walls should crack and fall down.
You shall not dwell in tombs made by the dead for the living.
And though of magnificence and splendour,
your house shall not hold your secret nor shelter your longing.
For that which is boundless in you abides in the mansion of the sky,
whose door is the morning mist,
and whose windows are the songs and the silences of night
One can open oneself to the world without leaving the house,
Without looking out the window one can know the way of Heaven.
The further one goes and the more knowledge one accumulates, the less one knows.
With this way; one can know and experience without traveling,
Observe clearly without seeing,
And accomplish much without doing anything
What a wonderful world we have… what a huge diversity of plant and animal life….. wonders abound.. it is all too astounding and amazing to fully grasp…. wondrous.
With such a wonderful world to explore… it is a wonder that I so seldom leave this little sheltered canyon and venture out….
Luckily, with the advent of the Internet, it is so much easier to find out about far-flung regions and peoples without ever leaving home.
There’s no place like home…..
Loreena McKennitt is a strong vocalist who also composes beautiful pieces of music with a heavy Celtic/Mideastern flavor. One of her songs, ‘Santiago’ has been put into a music video format by a fan who inserted moving images of peoples from around the world engaged in one of those most interesting human pursuits… dance. It is an emotional journey into the abundance of human ‘types’ we have…. truly, one of the most interesting and moving videos I have ever seen.
