And I think out loud on these pages

And all that we do sounds better on paper
When what's said is what's read and what's done is never done
And looking back it was all so much more

So much time so little time

No idea what to do with my time.
Not for lack of things to do but for an overabundance.
The need to do everything and simplify at the same time is overwhelming.
So I wind up just watching Youtube videos.
I'd rather lay in bed all day and play bass guitar.
But I have to go to work and class and meetings and do homework and eat and shower and everything.
Too much to do, so I can't really get good at anything or dedicate myself to anything.
And no matter how much I try to simplify, it's never enough.
My attention is drawn in a thousand directions.

HARRY POTTER

Tonight. At midnight.
HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 1
The new Harry Potter movie.
Not as thrilling as the days when we would line up late at night at the local Barnes and Noble, salivating at the mouth for the newest Harry Potter book, but still, exciting.
Me and Stef will be joining the throngs of people at the local movie theater to enjoy the magical experience that is Harry Potter.
I will probably cry multiple times while watching this film, and I am not ashamed.
Harry Potter will always be my favorite book series. There's just no way around that.
And when I am old, I will still be re-reading the books and possibly watching the movies and thinking back to a time when magic seemed real and possible and just outside my window.

A Week of Delicious Vegan Cooking!

So this week has been chock full of delicious vegan recipes.

The other night me, Dan and Cassie had a cooking extraveganza.
We made this amazing chickpea gravy that became the center-piece of our meal.
Surrounding this scrumptious sauce were bright orange sweet potatoes, sauteed green beans and mushrooms with soy chicken mixed in and fresh whole wheat rolls.
Sounds too good, right? It was. It was the best dinner I have had in ages.

Then last night I got on a baking kick.
I found a recipe for vegan Pumpkin Oatmeal cookies (with walnuts AND raisins).
Pumpkin is a terrific flavor in baked goods, I highly recommend incorporating pumpkin into some baked goods you prepare this season.

Finally, in the oven right now, I have vegan Carrot-Raisin Muffins rising to a golden brown.
Three more minutes till I check on them and see how they are looking.
Loveeeee cooking and baking. So much joy in it.

*The featured image is from a previous vegan cupcake baking extravaganza :)

Mid-Semester Mediocre

So it's past the middle of the semester.
Which means that all of my goals and motivation have slipped through the cracks.
I haven't been to the gym in a week.
Haven't played bass guitar in a week and a half.
Haven't written a song in quite a while.
Haven't had band practice in a couple of weeks.
Haven't gone to roller derby in a while (mainly cause of my fractured tailbone, but I also haven't gone to watch cause im just too busy)
Have been neglecting the Women's Center

I am still managing to keep up on my schoolwork and see my friends occassionally.
Also I am going to work and class everyday.
But what the hell am I doing that is taking up all of my time!
Oh also, a general lack of focus is to blame.
I really need to get back on track with my time management/scheduling/actually taking part in my own life.

Mid-Semester, this always happens.

And your manic depression, it comes and it goes

People II: The Reckoning: An Excerpt

Nobody knows everything
We know this to be true
Everything is difficult except what’s in front of you
But it’s complicated even under your nose
Bullshit math equations
Your highs and your lows

And your manic depression
It comes and it goes
Your parasympathetic nervous system reacts
And you’re in fight or flight mode

How’s the world so small when the world is so large?
And what made the world
Could I please speak to who’s in charge?
Everything is real
But it’s also just as fake
From your daughter’s birthday party
To your grandmother’s wake

And your bipolar illness
It comes and it goes
Your parasympathetic nervous system reacts
And you’re in fight or flight mode

Vegan Reads

Just got a book in on Interlibrary Loan.

"Making a Killing: The Political Economy of Animal Rights" by Bob Torres.

Very excited for this book. Bob Torres is one of the hosts of Vegan Freak Radio and is the co-author of the book Vegan Freak. Pretty much, he is legit. And his book promises to be an informative, interesting read. I'll update on how it goes.

Vegan in the News!

Finally, an article on veganism/animal rights that I can happily say is pretty spot on.

Follow the link!

http://www.uwmpost.com/2010/10/18/not-your-regular-%e2%80%9c-ism%e2%80%9d/

And That Is How I Learned How to Survive

P.S.

I want to adopt a puppy so badly I am bursting at the seams.

Course Schedule Complete!

Finally got my course schedule for next semester together.

The surprise of the semester, I've decided to take Painting 211 as my fourth course.
The other three courses were decided long ago, but this is the toss up.

I need to add a little creativity to my course schedule, and I do enjoy painting and haven't found much opportunity for it since starting college (2 1/2 years ago??).
This seems like the perfect opportunity to get a little messy.

You're a Fanon too???

I'm back to watching House again.
Season 7, so far, so good.
I shall count season 6 as a blip in the system that is House's awesomeness.

I really need a good book series to get into.
Maybe I should try reading Percy Jackson and the Olympians, as Mia has highly recommended it multiple times.

I also really want to rescue all the mice from the pet stores...

Total Inspiration

NaNuChKa- ONE OF US

Picking Pumpkins

It has been raining for quite a few days.
But when it stops raining...PUMPKIN PICKING
Ah, I love pumpkins.

In other news, my band (me and the bf), have our first show tonight!
Eek!
We go on at 8pm.
It's just a student band night but it's still sweet.
He's played about a million shows, but I've never even played one so I'm gonna be wayyy nervous. Hopefully that transforms into awesome playing?
My friends will be there, so no matter what, it'll be fun.

Wish us luck.

Black Wine - Chateau Of Ghosts

I was at this show.
It was awesome.
Because Black Wine is awesome.
EVERYONE SHOULD LISTEN TO BLACK WINE.

DIABLO!

These are Reidell Diablo's.
They will be arriving in my mail in a week and a half's time.
And for the love of roller derby
PLEASE HAVE THESE SKATES FIT MY FRUSTRATING FEET!
I can't handle skating for another year in skates that suck or are too loose or make my feet feel like they are on fire...I just want to skate without thinking about my skates.
I just want to think about derby, skills, technique, posture, blocking, jamming...The distraction that my skates are causing is a serious issue.
PLEASE LET THESE FIT!

Andrew Jackson Jihad - Growing Up

Just loving this band right now.

Autumnal Equinox

First day of Autumn.
BEST SEASON EVER.
Because everything smells, sounds and tastes better in autumn.
And the thoughts in my brain are more pleasant in autumn.
And music sounds better.
So here's to you autumn.
Let's make it a good one.

Walk For Farm Animals!

This Sunday I am participating in a Walk For Farm Animals benefitting Farm Sanctuary, an animal rescue association, specifically rescuing animals that are used in farming industries.

Here is my donation page!

www.firstgiving.com/cassidybartolini

Donate a dollar please!

The walk is for an excellent cause. I am excited because this is my first public activism since transitioning from vegetarian to vegan. I'm excited to meet other people with similar ethics and philosophies.
And of course, SUPPORT THE WELL-BEING OF OUR FELLOW CREATURES!

Nothing to Blog About

Here I am on a lovely September morning with...NOTHING TO BLOG ABOUT!
NOOOOOOOOOOOO
All I can say is that the leaves are falling off the trees and I like the crunchy sound they make when I step on them.
Also Fall is a good time for playing acoustic guitar. Trust me!
And it's my turn to buy the apple cider, right Jess?

Peace

Andrew Jackson Jihad - "Heartilation"

Jay Malinowski - Santa Monica :: HD [Official Music Video]

The World Is Your Playground

Parkour Generations: GoGirls!

Fall Equinox

I may be taking a trip to a local farm with some fellow classmates to celebrate the Fall Equinox.

How cool is that?

Anchor Assassins 2010!!!

Jersey Shore Roller Girls 2010 Championship!
NOVEMBER 27th!!!
ANCHOR ASSASSINS VS. MURDER BEACH MILITIA!

IT'S ON!

I Love The Universe

http://htwins.net/scale/index.html

Conor Oberst Tells Bush Voters to go to Hell

Weakerthans - One Great City

Goals for the Semester

If I place my goals in writing, the likelihood of my working to achieve them greatly increases.

Goals for the Fall 2010 Semester:

1. Achieve the most coveted 4.0 term GPA
2. Be an excellent co-president of the Women's Center
3. Continue to be absolutely dedicated to Roller Derby

Three goals is enough. May the universe help me to put my ambition, motivation and energy to good use!

To Wake Up Early

I want to begin to wake up early in the mornings.
Throughout my life, I have been someone who can easily sleep late into the day if I so choose. Fourteen hours of sleep and I feel rested.
But think of all those hours I miss out on. And of how much longer each day could be.
I feel that waking up at 6am won't be so much of a chore if I am waking up with no where to go. Waking up not to go to work or class, but just to be awake.
To wander about. To make tea and play guitar and read a book. Or to clean or to think or to meditate.
I've always stayed up late and woken up as late as is feasible.
But these days, I feel like going to sleep when it is time and waking up before it is necessary.
I haven't seen the sunrise since last summer.
Of course, last summer, I was seeing the sun rise because I was staying awake all night.
This autumn, maybe I'll see the sun rise because I woke up that early. And made a mug of tea. And went to sit in front of my townhouse when everything is silent and wet from nighttime dew. And the sun is waking up also.

The last days of summer break

I move back into the dorms at college on August 29th.
9 more days of summer vacation.
Am I sad to see summer pass by?
NOT AT ALL!
I miss college. My classes, my friends, the women's center, psychology research, seeing everyone walking around, the plays and musical performances, the library full of studying students...
I can't wait for it to all start up again!
That's not to say that summer hasn't been enjoyable, but I am also tired of the heat.
I don't like hot weather and nothing says happiness like a coll October afternoon.
Jeez, I love October. I love baking (vegan) cookies and pies, pumpkins, red yellow and brown leaves, breezes, sweaters, the smell of Fall, ahhhhh love it.
Can't wait. I savor each day of October as it is the most perfect of all the months of the year.
But alas, it is still August and I am at work and school has not yet started and I have roller derby tonight! ROLLER DERBY, another thing I love in this world.
Next bout is August 28th in Asbury, as usual.
Can't wait, so much to look forward to.

Photos: "Spectacular" Deep-Sea Species Found off Canada

Photos: "Spectacular" Deep-Sea Species Found off Canada

Nature is amazing.
And this purple octopus is adorable!

Screaming Females 11.21.09 song 4 new Fall Asleep

Just because Marissa, Jarrett and Mike are awesome.

Gary Francione Interview Part I

Single-issue campaigns are very misleading. It is important to realize the interconnectedness of all things. Every choice is an ethical stance. Meat eating is an ethical stance. Veganism is an ethical stance. Neither is radical. One stance does not believe in the free will and the right to live that animals possess but rather believes that animals exist to be used by humans. One stance believes that animals have free will, the right to live and the right to not be used and oppressed by humans. It is very good to sit back and think about these ethics from time to time.

Daniel Lutheran visits "The New Park."

A sweet skateboarding video set to the song "Bell" off of Power Move, an album by one of my favorite bands Screaming Females.

*I found this on youtube, I didn't have any hand in creating the video or audio.

Homemade Soup

Homemade soup is always so much more delicious than store bought.
Yesterday I whipped up a large batch of potato, broccoli and green bean soup.
Enough to last many days of soup enjoyment.
It isn't loaded with sodium and the vegetables are fresh. Yum.

Yesterday morning I went to the farmer's market down the road and picked up some other fresh veggies.
Okra, yellow zucchini, hot peppers, and potatoes. Today I'm thinking of frying up some okra. I've never worked with this veggie before and am curious as to how it will turn out.

belle & sebastian - the blues are still blue - lowlands 2006

Just because I love Belle & Sebastian.

The Faces of "Free-Range" Farming

Free Range Farming: The Myth of Happy Meat

Not all free range farms are the same.
Certainly a portion treat chickens, pigs, cows and goats well.
But is that a chance a consumer is willing to take?
Many free range farms are as terrible as the one in this video.
The sad part is, factory farms are ten times worse.
Who gave humans the right to abuse other species like this, just because "yummm meat and cheese tastes sooo good".
If footage of dogs or cats being treated like this was leaked, the media would be in an uproar.
As it is, there are few who care about "farm animals" or "food animals".
A living sentient being should be treated with respect, no matter what it's species.
I love chickens, dogs, goats, cats, cows, sea turtles, pigs all the same...because we are all alive and we have to look out for each other.

Updates Updates Updates

Edward and Jean-Paul (my lovely pet rats) officially have a new habitat!
I purchased for them a very spacious, a natural wooden platform and a huge running wheel!
At first I thought they might not figure out how to use the running wheel, seeing as they are a year old and have never had one. But last night Edward was running on it. And it was adorable. I think they still miss their old cage and are a big nervous in this new one, but they will also be much more healthy. There is more room to run around and they have the walls to climb on and the wheel to entertain themselves with.

In other news...
I finally brought my bicycle to my current place of residence this weekend. Allowing me the ability to ride my bike to work, which I did for the first time today. From house doorstep to work doorstep it took about 15 minutes. I am very pleased with this twice daily trip as it means that each day I will get at least 30 minutes of bike riding in. Exercise and enjoying the outdoors rolled into one.

And in other news...
My friend Natalie and I have started a Food Not Bombs collective in our area. This is an activist organization, with no central organizing body, that serves free food to all who want/need it as a protest against war, hunger, poverty and the destruction of the environment. We just created the facebook group yesterday and are in the process of seeing how many individuals are interested in helping out. Once we see a certain level of interest we will organize our first planning meeting, which will involved calling and traveling to grocery stores to ask them to donate goods that are in good condition but can no longer be sold, picking up this food, setting up dates and times for cooking and serving, getting literature together, etc.
My goal with this group is to build/foster community, spread awareness regarding veganism and the agricultural industry in general, provide free food (and eliminate the wasting of food by supermarkets), and to foster an atmosphere of solidarity and cooperation. I want to live in a community where people help each other and work together. I suppose this is an example of "Be the change you wish to see". We live in a competitive, capitalist society where if you don't have money it is nearly impossible to survive. I want to change that. FOOD IS A RIGHT, NOT A PRIVILEGE. EVERYONE DESERVES TO EAT.

Pet Rats

My pet rats really need a new cage.
The one they have is just too small now, plus Brittney needs me to return it so she can use it to house her newly acquired gerbils.
I have gone to three local pet stores to try and find a suitable cage. I just can't find the right one.
I suppose the next stop is to try craigslist?

So many great videos to watch

Denis Rancourt makes excellent arguments despite the shallow, defensive arguments of the reporter in this thought-provoking video.

Conspicuous Consumption, Careless Consumerism

A scene from Astra Taylor's "Examined Life" that I particulary enjoyed.

p.s. I've been watching a lot of youtube videos during downtime at work, hence the abundance of videos rather than writing that I have been posting.

"When You're Bored, You're Boring"

Astra Taylor on the Unschooled Life


Brilliant woman!

Vegan Eats in San Francisco

This winter break:
Visiting Mia in Riverside, California.
Followed by a solo trip to San Francisco.
Then possibly trekking up to the Puget Sound area of Washington State for a few days?
I like the sound of that.

Vegan: Day 6

Today is my 6th day living vegan.
It has not been nearly as difficult as I thought it would be.
Guess it is just the right time in my life mixed with a bit of discipline that is making the transition so painless.
Been eating lots of fruits and veggies and enjoying my vanilla almond milk with cinnamon sprinkled on top. Delicious.

I have realized that in less than a year I will be taking the GRE's as one step toward applying to graduate school. It seems like just yesterday I was preparing for the SAT's and applying to undergraduate colleges. Can't believe the time has come to do it all again! I'll need to purchase a GRE prep book and get studying. My plan is to start studying this September. The start of the academic term should help my get back into study mode. Here's to hoping I remember something of geometry from the 9th grade!

JSRG vs. Dutchland!

Tonight!
Asbury Park Convention Hall!
The Jersey Shore Roller Girls All-Star Travel Team vs. Dutchland Roller Girls of Lancaster, PA!
Excitement! Joy! Derby!

But until then I am at home, sweating my ass off in my non-airconditioned house. Wishing I could bake up a batch of vegan cupcakes for the bout, but knowing that it is far too hot in this house already to turn on the oven.

I am not a summer girl.
I adore the Fall, enjoy the winter, and am comfortable in the spring.
But summer sucks.

Make your own shampoo: The Simplest Formula

Homemade Shampoo - More DIY How To Projects

This website also lists more complex formulas for those among us that wish to make our hair smoother, shinier, stronger, etc. By making your own shampoo you can save money, avoid using toxic chemicals, avoid commercial products that test on animals and avoid using wasteful packaging that most shampoos are sold in.

*To see the different recipes, scroll across the top of the photo. The simplest recipe is STEP 10.

Vegan: Day 2

Yesterday was my first full vegan day.
So far, so good.

Roller derby scrimmage practice tonight!
Travel Team bout Saturday!
Excitement!

HOW TO STAY VEGAN 2: Never stop learning.

This girl is awesome. This is Part Two in her 5 part video series on How to Stay Vegan. I'm mostly posting this video as a way to remember that she makes awesome videos that I need to watch. She makes tons of them, you can find them on youtube, she has her own Vlog. She's very relatable and knowledgable about veganism and animal rights. So check out this video, check out her first video and all of her other videos!

Karlsruhe Squat Germany

People living together, working together, anarchists artists, musicians...People have the right to shelter. How ridiculous is it that we have to PAY just to EXIST in space. You can't live somewhere for free, but not having a home is loitering. LOITERING?!?! How can just existing be against the law? Houses like the Ex-Steffi are creative universes where people help each other and live. They have a fucking free soup kitchen! Come on!

Vegan?

Considering becoming vegan.
On the fence.
Not sure if I have enough internal drive to do so, enough of a compelling feeling.
I might just be bored.
Or up for a challenge.
But I find that with permanent/semi-permanent life changes, I need that extra internal motivation to really sustain my endeavor.
I have been vegetarian for seven years without making the leap to veganism.
Have I become complacent? Where is that rebelious urge to deviate even farther from the norm?
Veganism has to be done the right way, and yes I do believe there is a right way.
The right way does not involved tons of soy products cast into meat-patty shapes or into soy milk.
It involves lots of fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and ingenuity.
Want a dairy-like drink? Trade in the soy milk for rice milk, hazelnut milk, almond milk, whole grain drink...
Trade in the soy burger for the homemade black bean burger.
I could approach veganism slowly, eat vegan 2 times a week, then 3, then 4...or jump into it all at once.
It's just about taking the leap.
Once I fully committed to vegetarianism, at the age of 14 no less, I never looked back.
The same possibility exists for veganism.
Jump in, and never look back.

What is it that you want to find?

Feelings kinda apathetic/listless/whatever the past few days.
Can't seem to find motivation/drive/interest.
Mid summer funk perhaps?
Very distracted and pulled in a million different directions without a course or a path or a goal or a forseeable destination.
Need to re-coop and get my brain clear. Maybe take some time for myself after work today...

Cutest Puppy Ever!!!

One day I will have a lovely Border Collie and a lovely Blue Heeler. And also a few goats, sheep, and chicken.

It's cold inside, hot outside

These days I generally feel too tired to write, hence the lack of entries.
Working 6 to 7 days a week does that to you.

Two things I can say however.

Rainbow swiss chard is very pretty. I spent all day Tuesday weeding swiss chard fields and the pink, orange, yellow, red and purple stems of swiss chard are undeniably lovely all sitting in a row.

Twilight Saga's Eclipse was not as horrible as was expected. It was actually rather well done. Sadly, there won't be as many scenes for me and my friends to make fun of.

Baby Field Mice

Yesterday I brought two orphaned baby field mice to the local wildlife rescue center. They were so tiny, only a week old when I found them at work, stuck in a tarp on the top of one of our greenhouses. Their eyes and ears have yet to open and they walk all wobbly on their tiny feeble legs. I had spent five days caring for them. Feeding them milk from a dropper, massaging their bellies with cottons swabs so that they could digest and poop. They were the cutest little things. But after five days, they proved too much for me to handle. I cared for them well, but did not feel capable of continueing to replace a mama mouse. Now they are being cared for by people better prepared than I, and they will be released into the wild when they reach maturity. For anyone who finds an orphaned or injured wild animal and finds themselves unable to care for it, call up your local wildlife rescue center or bring them to one. You may not even know that their is a wildlife rescue center nearby, but their probably is.
The staff at the wildlife center was pleased with the way I cared for the baby nice and asked me to apply to work as a volunteer there. A four hour shift once a week. I very well may apply to volunteer there on my day off from work. I love animals, and it is greatly rewarding to care for them. Plus, it would be a great learning opportunity.

Music of the afternoon: Devil Makes Three (Thanks to Nat for turning me onto this sweet band)

For the love of reading

I have just purchased two books on betterworldbooks.com and will be awaiting their arrival in the mail.

The first is Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature, and Climate Change by Elizabeth Kolbert, which I will be reading over the summer as partial preparation for the environmental ethics course that I am taking in the fall.

The second is Odd Girls and Twilight Lovers: A History of Lesbian Life in Twentieth-Century America by Lillian Faderman. I had been eyeing this book in a bookshop in Princeton a couple of months ago, but the price tag was too hefty for purchase. I tucked the title away in the back of my mind. Luckily, betterworldbooks saved the day and I was able to purchase the book for a mere $3.98. Success!

While I wait for these two books to arrive, I will attempt to finish my current reads. Anarchism by Daniel Guerin and Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo. My bf highly recommended the latter and lent it to me months ago, so I am compelled to read it quickly and let him know what I think.

Summer reading! One of my favorite activities. Keeps my mind moving and my imagination going. All things I need when working six days a week, not engaged in academics. Books are the escape, the destination, reality and fantasy, neither here nor there and every place in between.

She's my world, she's so rad, she's the best ride I ever had

I know that material possessions, consumerism and capitalism in general are unnecessary evils...but I pine for one of these babies.

Eating Organic

Until I started working on an organic farm, I had not in truth put much thought into eating organically grown produce. It always seemed like the clearly better choice, but was it worth the money? What did it really matter, what did it really mean? I was already a long time vegetarian, surely that was enough?

But now that I go out into the fields every day, dig into the soil, harvest, handle the produce, I have realized how important the distinction is between organic and not. I can not imagine working everyday in a field polluted by pesticides and herbicides. Handling chemically laden produce. Breathing in toxic air. Having acid water absorbed into my skin. If I can not imagine working in those conditions, than why can I so easily eat food produced in those conditions?

Thankfully, as I work at an organic farm, there is nothing to fear. The air is as clean as any New Jersey air (how clean is that...?), the soil is natural, the produce healthy.

I am now going to make a concious effort to eat organic as often as possible. At this point in my life it is far too expensive to eat solely organic, as well as nearly impossible when one considers eating at restaurants, on campus, and at friends houses. But as often as possible. Put as few of those pesticides and toxins into my body as I can manage. And I will continue to work to make this a reality for those around me as well. First by working on an organic farm, and by one day operating my own organic farm. It's better for the environment and it's better for your body. It's the way agriculture existed for thousands of years before some giant corporation decided corporate farmers could maximize profit by spraying toxic chemicals all over their produce.

JSRG!

I have officially passed the WFTDA minimum skills requirement test for roller derby!
It took 7 months of intense practice (plus 2 months of having mono and not skating)
I passed a written test, a safety test, a skills test.
Wednesday pork roller practices, Monday night endurance practices, and open skate in between. There was outdoor rink practices, huge bruises and crazy falls and collisions. A lot of sweat and laughter. And now I am offically a full league member of Jersey Shore Roller Girls! I will be drafted onto a team this summer.
Now the real work starts. I've gotta keep up the hard work. Skate at least four times a week and exercise in between. Practices Monday and Thursday nights and volunteering at Saturday bouts. This is what I have been working my ass off for, this is what all the JSRG girls work their asses off for. Because we love this sport, we love our league, we love the teams.
June 12th! Asbury Park Convention Hall! Second Intraleague bout of the season!
Be there!

Travel Bug

So lately I have been thinking about travel a lot.
I have been thinking about all of the places in the world, and how New Jersey is so small and how I just want to get out there and see as much as possible. Mostly, I want to see as much nature as possible before it is gone. I want to see hundred foot tall trees, so large in diameter that it takes five people to encircle it. I want to see clear blue streams and the tops of mountains and the insides of caves and the dense greenery of forests. I want to see fields of wildflowers and bees and all of the animals that inhabit these lands. I want to camp, live in a tent, backpack, bicycle. I wish there was a good way to travel to other countries without taking planes, with the high emission rate and all. But the expanse of the United States is just a train ride away. So here is a list of places that I want to be right now.

Washington State and Oregon: I've heard the natural landscape in these states is breathtaking. You have it all. The mountains, rivers, forests, ocean...

Budapest, Hungary: My grandmother on my mother's side is Hungarian/Eastern European. I want to see where that side of the family is from. Plus, I have heard Budapest is a wonderful city

South America: Any country really, I have never been to the continent and the nature there must be fascinating

New Zealand: Green mountains, surrounded by ocean, Lord of the Rings was filmed there...need I say more?

I haven't left the Tri-State area in two years, and I haven't left the country in three years. I need to get out into the world again.

Organic Farming

Yesterday I spent 9 hours working at the organic farm to which I am an intern this summer.
I can tell it is going to be a great experience.
Working outside, playing in the dirt, the smell of tomato plants.
The feeling of working at a useful project, the growing and tending to vegetation, is a rewarding experience.
Last summer, when I maintained a large vegetable garden at my home, there was no better feeling than walking to the house with a large tub of grape tomatoes or squash or peas that I had grown from seed or seedling. Watching the tiny plants fulfill their destinies, from seed to flower to fruit, helps me to appreciate the seasons of life.
I want to learn as much from this internship as possible.
Owning and operating my own organic farm in the future has become a accessible goal of mine, and I will work with dedication toward this goal. Most other aspects of my life are up in the air right now, where I will live after college, graduate school immediately or later, the day to day tasks, but mark my words I will have an organic farm. There will be fields of ripening vegetables, possibly some fruit trees, goats, sheep, chicken, ducks and rabbits roaming about. There will be a border collie and a blue heeler and probably too many cats to count. I will be surrounded by life and I will care for it and it will care for me.

Menacing Kittah

Vegan agave nectar cupcakes

On Monday night, I baked vegan agave nectar cupcakes.
The ingredients of vegan recipes always make me smile.
Soy milk, agave nectar, apple cider vinegar...
I brought them to roller derby endurance practice and the were a big hit.

Endurance practice was challenging and excellent.
I got to use my R3's at a practice for the first time, and they didn't let me down.
My heels were in a considerable amount of pain though, and I may have to invest in some of those soft heel pads you can put in shoes. I bought a pair of squishy arch supports today to try out at practice tomorrow, I am hoping they help to support my wonky feet.

One of the things I love about derby is the energy I always feel AFTER a practice. It's a mix of endorphins, adrenaline, the feeling of community, the feeling of achievement at having completed a strenuous two-hour work out...I never leave derby practice in a bad mood. I am always glad that I went. I encourage any woman who will listen to try out derby. There are so many wonderful benefits to the sport.

Slowing down and enjoying the day

Baby goats are adorable.
Yesterday I took a drive down the road to visit friends of the family at their farm.
It is one of my favorite places in the area to visit.
They have goats, alpacas, chickens, ducks, horses, rabbits...
And their are always baby animals to play with and feed.
Yesterday a pair of two day old baby goats were licking at my legs and chasing me around the paddock wanting to be carried and fed. They quickly chugged down bottles of milk while the older goats drank water from bottles.
I was able to hold tiny black bunnies and a very friendly older rabbit.
It's a great thing to be able to walk into a backyard and be in the company of living creatures.
Each time I visit this farm it just makes me more excited and enthusiastic for the day when I have my own farm.
It's a lot of work, running a farm, but the rewards seem worth it in so many ways.

Later in the day I was inspired to do some baking, and baked a small batch of delicious simple muffins.
I encourage anyone who does not bake to take up the activity, as it is always a wonderful thing to see that you have created a baked good from scratch. My favorite thing to bake is bread, it is extra delicious when it is fresh and you have the opportunity to add fruit or nuts or vegetables to the bread. Right now I have a loaf of cranberry lemon bread waiting in the fridge that I have baked, and it makes me glad to know that I can make some of my own food from various ingredients and a recipe book.

Memorizing music

I am not great at memorizing music.
I have always been pretty good at playing music, the exception being the guitar. I'm not so good at guitar.
But flute, piano, saxophone...never gave me much trouble. And I can read music well. Tabs, notation, pretty decent.
So now I am learning the bass guitar.
Which isn't difficult at all, seeing as I already play guitar.
But memorizing music. How do people do it!
I suppose just playing the music over and over and over again. So that is what I am/will be doing. I figure I should dedicate at least an hour a day to playing the bass if I want to become proficient. I have always wanted to play in a band, and now I have a couple of people who are serious about starting up a band. This makes me happy.
Sleep. Eat. Skate. Bass. Read. Sleep. Eat. Skate. Bass. Read. Sleep.

Derby for Life

My new skates arrived in the mail today and I was psyched to try them out on the outdoor skate rink.
Reidell 3's, sooo pretty.
I was not planning on getting new skates, but my old ones are literally falling apart in certain places so it seemed appropriate. Now I have a pair of skates to use with indoor wheels and a pair for outdoors, which is convenient because now I do not have to switch wheels on and off all the time.
Skating was a bit rough today though.
My ankle brace has been digging into my shin the past few skate sessions, causing me to have a lovely welt/bruise on said shin that is rather painful.
Also, I'm just plain tired from skating so much. Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday on the rink is a lot. Especially when two of those days were hardcore practices. I'm hoping an improvement in my skating will be observable, but I think I need to take tomorrow off and rest up. Maybe just do some stretches, crunches and push-ups.
Derby takes a whole lot of dedication and practice, but you gotta know your limits. It is especially important to know when to take a day off. Better to take one day off than to injure yourself and be unable to skate for a month.

SUMMER

Goals for this summer:

1) Get into good shape, I'm talking Tank Girl badass shape.
2) Get drafted onto a roller derby team.
3) Learn to play bass guitar well enough that I don't feel like a liar when I tell people I play bass guitar.
4) Learn as much about organic farming during my internship as possible.
5) Read at least ten books.

I figure that these five goals should keep me with plenty to write about on this blog. And hopefully anyone reading will learn a little or a lot about roller derby, organic farming, bass guitar and the books I am reading!

End of the Semester

Tomorrow is the last day of the semester and I will be moving out of my much loved dorm room. Though it did not have carpet or air conditioning and the heating was sketchy at best, I will miss it. It was an excellent semester, I can not believe I am going to be a junior in college. I'm half way done and I feel as though I have just arrived.

This summer should prove exciting though. I will be working on an organic farm as an intern and will be skating/playing roller derby as much as possible. Working on the organic farm should give me a lot of interesting experiences to update about on the blog. Expect photos of tiny seedlings and sustainable crops and fields.

Marissa and Miranda performing Old Friends

pretend you're a river, a forest. by derrick jensen

Eating Animals by Jonathon Safran Foer

I feel that this book is going to be a must read, and I must read it.
Jonathon Safran Foer is one of my favorite writers. This is his third novel, his first two being "Everything Is Illuminated" and "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close". Both are beautifully written and insightful. Eating Animals is essentially a novel promoting the case for vegetarianism, from what I have read in reviews.
How can I not love this book? Jonathon Safran Foer and vegetarianism. So when I get the chance to pick up a copy and read it, I will be writing a review immediately. Something to look forward to.

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World The Movie Trailer - Exclusive - Interview

I mostly just like the lead actresses haircut/colors.
Is that a good enough reason to see a movie?
It's based on a graphic novel, so it has potential.

Absolutely Exhausted

With less than two weeks left of the Spring 2010 semester, I am absolutely exhausted and worn out.
Plus, I have a cold to boot.
However, I am only six essays/revisions away from summer freedom.
It has been a great year of college, but I am anxious for the two week break that separates the end of the semester from the beginning of my summer work. Those two weeks will be filled with 14 hour nights of sleep, late mornings, bicycle rides, roller derby and homemade food. Playing with the dog and cat and reading books for leisure. Seeing my boyfriend on a regular basis. Enjoying the sunlight and working in the garden. From where I am sitting right now, knee deep in homework and library books, it sounds almost too good to be true.

consider, for a moment, nature

Shall I not have intelligence with the earth? Am I not partly leaves and vegetable mould myself. ~Henry David Thoreau

The woods were made for the hunters of dreams,
The brooks for the fishers of song;
To the hunters who hunt for the gunless game
The streams and the woods belong.
~Sam Walter Foss

We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect. ~Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac

We could have saved the Earth but we were too damned cheap. ~Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

So what are you going to do about it? What am I going to do about it? I am still figuring it out. I am still thinking, what will really make a difference? What can save the forests, oceans, rivers, fish, and birds? The industrial machine fights so hard and has so much power, money, and sway. If I rush off to my little corner of the woods and start a farm and live in a self-sufficient manner, so much the better for me. But what about the world outside of my 5 hypothetical acres? Nature gives and gives and we take and take. How do we lessen the taking? How do we give back? Can we turn the ecological clock backward in time 50, 100, 200 years?
Before we burned up all the oil and cut down the trees and polluted the water and destroyed the ecosystems and made the animals go extinct. Can people remember that things weren't always like this? That humans are not above nature, but are part of it.

Must Cuddle

Mark my words, one day on my future farm, there will live two to five of these little fella's. Nigerian Dwarf Goats, the smallest (and cutest) breed of goat.

First Bout of the Season!

Murder Beach Militia vs. Anchor Assassins!
JERSEY SHORE ROLLER GIRLS, that's my league and I love it!
Can't wait for this bout.
And especially can't wait till I get drafted onto a team.
My goal is to pass the skills test in JUNE (Just past the safety test a week and a half ago, and the written test three weeks ago).
I hope to be drafted onto a team by September.
I started roller derby last September, so I feel that it would be fitting to make a team one year later, this September.
Come out and support the league this Saturday!

Part 2 - Julia Butterfly Hill - Adventures In Treesitting

Part 1 - Julia Butterfly Hill - Adventures In Treesitting

How can we stand by an allow the destruction of our eco-system to happen?
Thank you Julia Butterfly Hill for your passionate environmental activism, for dedicating your life to what we are all too afraid to do. Or too preoccupied to do? Or too lazy to do? What could be more important than saving the natural world that has existed long before us and had thrived? Why am I not trying harder to save it? And why is it a crime to save it? Why do logging companies have the right to destroy forests, but we, people of this earth, do not have the right to resist them without being arrested or harrassed? Why is it always profit before everything else? Why is industry allowed to oppress animals, plants, forests, rivers and humans all over the world? I ask a lot of questions, but I know the answers. The answers are just so senseless that I must continue asking the questions, as if maybe one day the answers will make some sort of sense. The answers will never make sense. Until society places the needs of the environment, the natural world and living things above the desires for consumption, money, and power nothing will make sense.

This is just the first part of this documentary about Julia Hill and treesitting. Parts two and three will follow shortly throughout the day.

Equal Pay Day 2010

Today is Equal Pay Day!
Every 20th of April, the battle for equal pay between the sexes is highlighted.
This crosses boundaries of class, race AND gender.
Every woman and man should be concerned that there is not equality of pay amongst workers!
Demand equality within your workplace!

Re-Animated

The perfect first post. My friend and animator extraordinaire, Adam Murray, drew this portrait of me for my birthday! A portrait for a post-punk derby girl.