Emily Bear is My Hero

Emily Bear is a 7-year-old pianist and composer. She is brilliant to say the least. Check out this clip from the Ellen Degeneres Show. She’s so cute and bright. I heard more of her songs on a radio program (not sure which station).

Here she is playing an original composition “The Love In Us.”

Visit her site to order a copy of her new album! www.emilybear.com

Why I Veg Part 2

It’s interesting how much flack I get for being a “vegetarian.” It’s as if people take personal offense to the fact that I choose not to eat meat most of the time. I can understand, however, that the fact that I indulge in meat sometimes makes me appear hypocritical, but to that I say, “It’s my body and diet, and it really shouldn’t matter to you.”

My friend Kate sent me this article from Newsweek this morning. I think it is a great summarization of how me and many “flexitarians ” feel about the food we eat.

My reasons have been stated previously, and I agree with nearly every expert quoted in this piece–even the somewhat radical PETA mouthpiece who said that not being strictly vegan is like smoking two packs of cigarettes instead of 10. In my opinion, every little bit helps. If I didn’t allow myself to “cheat” I would have given up going veg all together because I would be down on myself every time I ate a piece of meat.

The last time I ate meat was this weekend, actually. My friends and I wanted to try something new, so we went to George’s Grill Kabab (3216 W. Lawrence Ave. in Chicago). We had the combination platter: shish kebabs, some sort of beef and lamb–it also came with a salad, bean soup, rice and bread. The meal was delish, the service was great and I don’t regret eating meat at all.

I am content with the relationship I have with food, and I just wish that more people were accepting of this and less eager to attack me for not being a “real vegetarian.”

Fascinating Show

Last night, two friends and I went to the Woodstock Opera House in Woodstock, Illinois to see Leo Kottke perform. Watching Kottke play the guitar is mesmerizing. His talent blows me away.

Kottke at The National in Richmond, Virginia, May 15, 2008:

The intimate setting of the opera house auditorium and the off-the-cuff comentary of Kottke were a nice change to the larger concerts I’m used to. I appreciate Kottke coming to Woodstock annually and playing two nights at this small community-supported theater. And, I’m sure I’m not the only one.

Freecycle–More Than Old Junk

Freecycle is a great resource to any community. Join to be part of an email listserve to pass off unwanted, but still usable, goods to your neighbors. I’ve had a few successful transactions since I joined my local group about six months ago.

I responded to a “WANTED” posting for a sewing machine. I had picked up a couple machines from another freecycler a few months back. They weren’t what I was looking for, so they sat in my garage. I jumped at the opportunity for someone to take them off my hands. I responded to Amy and she planned to come by to pick them up.

I answered the door and didn’t realize at first that Amy was an old friend from high school. She had a pretty good idea it was me she was coming to see, but her new last name left me shocked to see her. We talked for a while, caught up. She’s recently married and moving to California in two weeks!

This chance reunion is such a neat occurance that I had to share and tout the great community groups such as freecycle.

What Really Matters

The biography of Cheryl Long, Editor and Chief of Mother Earth News fascinated me. Most notably, the portion of her life spent living off the grid in northeast Washington with two friends, John Stuart and Carl Mack.

From there, I read this article written by Stuart. He reports back to Long on the unforeseen challenges and successes experienced in the 25 years he and Carol spent living and raising a family in their vertical log design home.

Stuart writes: “…the skills associated with sustainable rural living sometimes seem buried by popular culture, corporate farming and the commuting lifestyle…The hands-on approach to life is so visceral and pleasing however that it always survives in those of us who take the time and energy to seek out the traditions, information and companions who can help us see the light of day.”

I enjoy hearing Stuart speak to both those living on and those living off the grid. It’s too often we forget what really matters and sustains us.

Book Review: The Fountainhead

It took me all summer, but I finished The Fountainhead last week!

If there is a self-help book out there, this is the one. Ayn Rand’s views on human nature and the raw characters of man are hauntingly real. If there was a book that changed my view of humanity, or just put it into words for me, this is the one.

The timing of my reading couldn’t have been better. Rand emphasizes the importance of the individual (a very big theme in my yoga practice) and the importance of creativity for the sake of self, not to please the masses. This ideal is something that transcends into my field, journalism. Though Rand is critical of the profession, I believe her points can be taken to better the profession and practice of journalistic integrity.

I also loved the term “second-handers” to refer to those who live their lives second-hand…their self worth comes from the acceptance of others. I love living life first-hand!

Good Quotes:
“We are poisoned by the superstition of the ego. We cannot know what will be right or wrong in a selfless society, nor what we’ll feel, nor in what manner. We must destroy the ego first. That is why the mind is so unreliable. We must not think. We must believe.” Part 2, Chapter 13
“Independence is the only gauge of human virtue and value. What a man is and makes of himself; not what he has or hasn’t done for others. There is no substitute for personal dignity.” Part 4, Chapter 18

Politics Shmolitics

So, I’m not a political blogger by any means. This election is very important to me, however, so I’m going to include it in my blog. I would like to draw your attention to a great read from Arianna Huffington, the liberal blogger at The Huffington Post.

Her response to last night’s RNC speech is totally on with what I’m feeling. The motives of McCain’s campaign are not to put the best people in power, but to win the election and “fight” for our country. Huffington asks us, Obama suporters, to ignore the buzz surrounding Palen and get to the heart of things.

Lastly, I want to thank the Obama-Biden campaign for taking advantage of their convention to highlight their platform instead of focusing on their opponents’ weaknesses (even though they are apparent–zing!).

Take a look at this article and let me know what you think…as I said before I’m no political expert…just a concerned American citizen.

Cutie Break!

I also went to the St. Louis Zoo and saw the new additions-five tigers and a sweet leopard named Sophia!

Missouri Botanical Gardens

I spent this past weekend in St. Louis with my boyfriend, Zach, and friends, Katie, Katie and Suzy. We had a great time. On Friday, Katie and I went to the Missouri Botanical Gardens. Here are some shots from our splendid day!