green goals for 2008

I have been thinking of some green goals for myself and the family for 2008. Funny how one color can now encompass a large range of ideas.

One of the main ones is to reduce the amount of driving I do. I would like to have one car-free day a week as a goal. As I think of the environment, simplicity, frugality, and waste reduction, I quickly distilled out how much of an impact driving has.

I thought that when I drive I am consuming gas , polluting, sometimes going somewhere that involves consumption like the store,"entertainment", or food. Risk of impulse-purchases are high. Then there are the resources involved in packaging or getting goods home, and time involved. I know I must have missed a few impacts, but the simple act of driving really does impact a whole bunch of things. I think it would be nice to have a low-key day, to just BE with family instead of DOING with family, a Sabbath of sorts. I was convinced once I actually figured the impact:

One day of no driving per week=4 days per month= 48 days per year= about 1.5 months of no driving- at all-per year. I just gained a whole month and a half per year to spend on something other than driving and consumption.

Any green goals for you in 2008?

Defense Budget 2008

In the current Utne reader are the following statistics:

*The U.S. Department of Defense budget for the fiscal year 2008 is $481.4 billion.
* $141.7 billion is for the 'war on terror'.
* By contrast, the second-highest budget is for Health and Human services, which is $70 billion.

Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with peace, contentment, and joy.

I wanna be like New Jersey

The U.S. has executed 1,099 people since the Supreme Court reauthorized the death penalty in 1976. It's refreshing to see someone stand up and exercise their power in a positive manner. Such as New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine for outlawing the death penalty in his state, the first state to do so since 1965. Yes.
A small step in the right direction, with my hopes & prayers that more states will follow.
And, yes, that is the actual N.J. electric chair used for killing people.
www.ncadp.org

"Wake me up when we're done meditating"

Trees. Big Trees.

Smiling with joy, he looked up at the ancient sequoias, pointed, and enthusiastically said "TREES!" Maybe that was actually, "Teeze!"

This was what Joaquin yelled when he first got out of the car at Big Trees state park. There was lots of snow, painting the landscape in peace. It was significant because it was a day of firsts for Joaquin...the first time he has experienced snow, and the first time to see some very big trees. As a parent, firsts are warm & fuzzy all around. He got to slip and slide on the ice, try to eat snow, and met his first snowman who was just his size. Joyful and relaxed, he seemed to be completely at home amongst the trees. The ride home was not, however, relaxed and joyful. Most of the three hour ride was filled with fussing and shouting "ALL DONE!". But, It was an awesome day spent as a family with our elders.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=551

"Bad Newz Kennels"

"Bad Newz Kennels".
I couldn't think of a more perfect name for the hellish place that Michael Vick's dogs unfortunately called home...before they were killed for not being good enough fighters for his dog-fighting-money-rolling operation.

I feel ultra sensitive to this issue, not only because of the cruelty of humans towards animals, but because I own a dog breed that is frequently-if not always- used in these types of abuses. Many of you know we own a pit bull....a sweet, mushy, lick-you-lots pooch. But...at first glance, even the most loyal dog lovers may stop cautiously when they meet Zoomer. He looks intimidating if you don't know him. I have even caught Carlos giving Zoomer his hand to sniff before petting him. By the way, you can stop that Carlos. I think Zoomer knows you now.

Although Zoomer adopted me the Sacramento City shelter four years ago, I never thought of what we would take on with pit bull ownership. People cross the street when they see you walking with your dog, they pull over in their cars to ask if you want to breed him, nobody wants to insure you, people nervously try to hide their onslaught of feelings when you tell them what type of dog you own, & parents pull their children closer. Even family can stiffen up when they feel Zoomer is 'too close' to Joaquin.

But...on the other hand...we have found that pit bulls are a great social equalizer. We get instant approval...nods...props...comments of adoration...from gangstas to kiddos, white collar to blue collar....black, white, hispanic...We are able to interact with people on the streets that we likely would not otherwise. Zoomer is the great connector and equalizer in that way. He is an ambassador for his breed. He is a great teacher, teaching us to not make judgements based on popular belief or appearance, teaching others that not all pit bulls are programmed to eat their children, and naturally teaching about unconditional love. Dogs are awesome at unconditional love...both in giving it and teaching us to both give and receive it. I adore cats as well, and we have two of them. But...how many times have you been 'snubbed' by a dog? Dogs don't play that game. They either like you, or they don't. Dogs don't know how to snub. I think this is a redeeming quality to come home to, we get enough snubbing in the world as it is.

Zoomer has converted my uncle Marc from a dog-fearing man to a tolerant friend that Z-dog looks forward to leaning on and getting a good pet from. This is the power of unconditional love in action. You just have to know my uncle to realize how significant this is. The guy fears dogs, but Zoomer no longer. I think he might be a convert. To what? I don't really know.

I openly admit that pit bulls can do harm, and have. But so have people, and the media. Spin, spin, spin...

We are grateful that Zoomer did not ever exist in a place called "Bad Newz Kennels". Our compassion goes out to the dogs that are taken advantage of and abused, as well as their owners for being so disconnected to life & love. And...23 months just doesn't seem long enough.

www.badrap.org

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/not_quite_perfect_mcdonalds_opens

On a budget? You might develop a taste for BBQ shamrock mcgriddles then.

Ben Harper - 'Where Could I Go' - Oakland, CA - 11/17/07

some inspiration from the Ben show we attended.

Ahhhhhh....the 80's...

I grew up in the 80's. From 7-17 years of age was the time I spent in the 80's. The decade of swatch watches, glam-rocker-big-hair-bands, New Wave, aquanet, Breakfast Club, polka dots, American Bandstand, neon, splatter paint, frosty pink lipgloss, blue eye shadow, flashdance, legwarmers, Smurfs, friendship pins, M*A*S*H fortune telling, jelly bracelets, atari, MTV, Ray-Bans, Let's make a Deal, roller skating, pop rocks, wine coolers, the Cosby show, and on and on. Oh yeah, don't forget Oingo Boingo. My first concert in 1987.

I recently relived the 80's at an 80's party my cousin hosted. I found it strangely comforting to dress up in 80's clothing & jewelry, listen to Devo, eat nachos with thick orange wanna-be-cheese-of-some-kind, and pose for classic eighties portraits. I felt a strange loyalty to this decade for the first time. This is the generation I spent the beginnings of my formative years in, I love all the hideousness of the eighties, and have great memories of this period in my life.

What is funny is that my younger cousins were barely rugrats during the 80's, and seriously do not know of Devo or atari. They still pulled off some kick-bootie costumes though. Rad.

thanking Ben Harper

Oh, I loves me some Ben Harper. I first saw him perform back in 1995, when he opened for PJ Harvey at the Warfield in S.F. I have seen every tour since, so I guess you could consider me a fan. Not a fanatic in in obsessed, creepy kind of way...but a passion for how Ben's music makes me feel.

He puts on fantastic shows...and I have occasionally had a very rich and deep experience beyond the average concert...now I'm going to put it out there and border on the goofy by saying that 'a spiritual experience' would describe it pretty well, risking that this could be even less helpful in explaining what I am trying to share. What can I say, the man and the music inspire me.

Recently, Carlos and I went to see Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals at the Paramount theatre in Oakland on November 17th. It is the "Lifeline" tour. I had never been to this venue, and it was the most beautiful theatre I've ever been to. Art Deco, 1931, restored, historical landmark, breathtaking architecture. Fantastic.

The show was amazing. I have to say his best I've seen thus far. Alot was played off of the 1995 album "Fight for your Mind", which is my favorite work of his. An amazing performance of "Like a King/I'll Rise", and a grand finale of "Where can I go" where Ben walked off stage into the crowd to sing acappella. I was very moved during the show on a lot of levels...from quiet peace to rocking out southern Baptist style. If you have not seen me rock out "southern Baptist style", it is quite a sight. I'll leave it at that.

After the show, as we walked in the cool Oakland fog back to our car, I asked Carlos if we could walk to our car by way of the block that the tour buses and semi's were. So, we ended up behind the theatre with about 20 other fans who were waiting in the cold for what appeared to be a sighting of Ben or the band. Something made me stay and wait in the cold. As Carlos and I waited, we watched the roadies do the very strenuous work of loading all the equipment back into the trucks. Slowly, band member by band member made their way out of the theatre. They came over and talked and greeted each of us....I was called 'sweetie' by Juan, hugged Leon who never stopped smiling, thanked Oliver, Michael, and Jason. Kind and gracious guys they were. You never know with rock stars.

It was getting colder....and later....but we remained. I told Carlos, " I think I'm actually going to get to thank Ben". You see, I have always wanted to thank him for his music...but I had never really pursued this in any way. I felt very drawn to continue to wait outside for what I hoped would be an eventual Ben encounter. I didn't want a autograph, or anything from him. It was my chance to reciprocate this time. Two hours since we first stopped behind the theatre, the trucks and equipment were loaded, the city was strangely quiet at 12:30am.

Ben's manager came out, told us to line up and Ben would be out to sign items, but no photos. We got in line with the other 15 of us and then Ben came out to greet. Dressed in a casual sage green velvet suit and a matching cowboy-esqe hat. The first thing I was struck by was his face, a very strong face, and...of course, he is easy on the eyes. I watched him give individual, kind, gracious attention to each person. We then approached Ben and it went a little like this:

I introduced myself. He smiled, looked me directly in the eyes the whole time, bowing slightly to my height, completely present in the moment, not distracted in any way, nor hurried to get into his warm bus for the night. I told him we had been seeing him since 1995 and he proceeded to name the show, venue, and city. He talked briefly of that show and how PJ was " so good to us". He talked up PJ's new album. Carlos thanked Ben for his music and shook hands, while the manager "Skottie" talked to me of PJ and her upcoming tour. I then had my moment...I thanked Ben for his music, we hugged, and he told me "thank you for being you." We then parted ways. I especially remember how soft his velvet suit felt.

Overall impressions? Intense. That's the best word to sum up how he is in person. Ben has a very intense presence about him, yet a gentle light-heartedness as well. I gathered my impression from my experience of him being completely focused on our conversation and exchange. That type of focus and mindfulness is something that can be scarce in our everyday lives, without active effort and practice that is. On the receiving end of this, I realized how powerful that can be.

Blah, blah, blah...enough about Ben. I can die happy now. I would have died happy had I not met Ben, but now I can be a little bit giddier.

www.benharper.net