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.