Makes me think of those wintery red berries...
Sweet image for backgrounds!!
From:
http://mathworld.wolfram.com/PascalLines.html
Marrakesh Cool
4 years ago
Showing posts with label links. Show all posts
Showing posts with label links. Show all posts
Monday, August 11
Lines!
Makes me think of those wintery red berries...
Sweet image for backgrounds!!
From:
http://mathworld.wolfram.com/PascalLines.html
Monday, July 28
Nitpicking for a laugh
There's a certain type of humour in the circles of those who correct others' grammar. Part of the attitude in these people is a desire to make things right in the world, teach others so that they can improve themselves, as well as the openness to take corrections (if there are any to make) from others. In fact, it's quite enjoyable. I know I would expect others to help me in correcting my mistakes and learning how not to make them in the future.
Crummy Church Signs
English Fail Blog
The "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks
Literally, a Web Log
Apostrophe Abuse
Crummy Church Signs
English Fail Blog
The "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks
Literally, a Web Log
Apostrophe Abuse
Saturday, July 26
This link
How many souls wander without carrying their purpose? For without that vital piece, life can be a grueling trudge throught meaningless time. But finding it, finding one's purpose, can make you lighter than air. One has so much more energy from the start of every morning knowing that each action is one step towards their goal.
"I wish I had a purpose in life", I think to myself.
Immediately, I laugh. It's not something that someone comes to present to you, which you may choose to accept or not. The more deterministic would agree that they must make their place in the world, making the most of their natural abilities, while others argue that one's purpose must be found, discovered, and that it is such a natural fit with their talents that it must have been fated so.
Either way does take an amount of work, with the latter doing the work unconsciously. To improve oneself, push your talents and use discipline.... and just to find the right path to walk... takes so much. I am frustrated because I remain lost, wandering along the side of the path, and I cannot even see said path, much less the direction it takes.
And it takes a great amount of courage to face the whole of the self with the good and the bad, to lose oneself enough that you find your own way.
"I wish I had a purpose in life", I think to myself.
Immediately, I laugh. It's not something that someone comes to present to you, which you may choose to accept or not. The more deterministic would agree that they must make their place in the world, making the most of their natural abilities, while others argue that one's purpose must be found, discovered, and that it is such a natural fit with their talents that it must have been fated so.
Either way does take an amount of work, with the latter doing the work unconsciously. To improve oneself, push your talents and use discipline.... and just to find the right path to walk... takes so much. I am frustrated because I remain lost, wandering along the side of the path, and I cannot even see said path, much less the direction it takes.
And it takes a great amount of courage to face the whole of the self with the good and the bad, to lose oneself enough that you find your own way.
Friday, July 25
Volunteer!
I have been so busy packing my stuff for the school move this week that I am taken by suprise that it is now Friday!
LibriVox is the latest project to take my fancy. They 'liberate' books into audio form and make these available as free podcasts. To stay legal, they only use books published before 1923 (U.S. copyright laws make those earlier texts public domain)
This project is entirely run off of volunteer work reading, prooflistening, editing the audio, organizing projects and maintaining the archives. You can also choose to subscribe to the podcasts, search the publications, or volunteer!
Of course when people hear of a project that is similar to one they already know of, they tend to let both parties know. LibriVox has accumulated a list of links to related projects.
Monday, July 21
Underwater nightlights!
National Geographic always has a wide variety of really good pictures, and today I just can't help but share with you the translucent creatures of the deep photo collection. Of course, every picture is also in different resolutions to fit your monitor.
Awesome glowy things we don't normally see... floating in the endless black of your desktop. Now that's cool!
Awesome glowy things we don't normally see... floating in the endless black of your desktop. Now that's cool!
This mysterious thing is called a hydromedusa.. if that's not one of the best names for a floaty glowy water thing, I don't know what is
Friday, July 18
TGIF: books
TGIF: Think Green, It's Friday!
Fridays I will post something to do with the green theme, with a special focus on green + art. I also post finds to do with the three Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle), new policies in government or industry, eco-friendly appliances and vehicles... anything green!
Today's topic is books. Sure, a waste of paper, how is that being environmentally friendly? The books' topics make it material for TGIF. Apparently. Decide for yourself with some observations from Chapters.
Note: I've tried to keep it short, because my first draft of this post was WAY too long. I include prices and special notes about the book, with a short blurb of my opinion in some cases. Please jump around and peruse at your leisure, however you like.
The books in Chapters' green section seemed to fall into three main categories:
Fridays I will post something to do with the green theme, with a special focus on green + art. I also post finds to do with the three Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle), new policies in government or industry, eco-friendly appliances and vehicles... anything green!
Today's topic is books. Sure, a waste of paper, how is that being environmentally friendly? The books' topics make it material for TGIF. Apparently. Decide for yourself with some observations from Chapters.
Note: I've tried to keep it short, because my first draft of this post was WAY too long. I include prices and special notes about the book, with a short blurb of my opinion in some cases. Please jump around and peruse at your leisure, however you like.
The books in Chapters' green section seemed to fall into three main categories:
The first category is for the hipsters, I have decided. Green is high fashion and this category is ripe with little "100% recycled paper" or "New York Times Bestseller" labels, or listing how healthy, easy, and fabulous you can be once you've saturated yourself with the information the book holds.
The second category seems quite competent. This is the real meat of environmental issues, and even within this small collection there are divergent opinions and points of interest. You're sure to learn something, though.
Finally, those two miscellaneous books on the far sides of bottom shelf, didn't quite seem to have relevance. Sure, they had to do with the great outdoors, but I think maybe these books need to be read before we see the link.
Green living choices was almost half of the selection. These usually feature easy things you can do every day to green up your act. The cleaning books, though, when examined more closely, sometimes claim to be using 'healthier' cleaning products and less toxic ways of cleaning. While this is technically green, claims like this bother me because they start to confuse people between healthy and environmentally friendly.
Green Clean, Linda Mason Hunter and Mikki Halpin (book description)
Price: 21.95$ (online - 14.48$)
The authors: Linda Mason Hunter is a respected green living and home ecology writer and advocate. Mikki Halpin seems to have wirtten two other books,
one on geeks and the other on teenage activism. I actually read It's
Your World - If You Don't Like It, Change It: Activism for Teenagers a few
years ago and found it to be a good resource.
The book: water- and stain-resistant plastic pages.
Green up Your Clean Up, Jill Potvin Schoff. The word "healthy" is conveniently located right on the cover, for your viewing pleasure.
Price: 18.95$ (online - 14.40$)
The book: 100% reused or recycled paper
Squeaky Green, Eric Ryan and Adam Lowry. Chemicals (and animal testing) are bad; find out how to keep your cleaning clean.
Price: 18.95$ (online - 14.40$)
The authors: have received accolades for their environmental and humane Method cleaning products. (source)
Easy Green Living, Renee Loux.
Price: 20.00$ (online - 18.48$)
The author: has dabbled in different, but related, interests: organic foods and cooking, natural beauty, advocating sustainable agriculture.
Carbon Buster's Home Energy Handbook, Godo Stoyke. Fight climate change and make money.
Price: 14.95$ (online - 11.36$)
The author: green consultant and President of Carbon Busters, which reduces GHG emissions of buildings in Europe and North America
The book: 100% reused or recycled paper
Living Like Ed, by Ed Begley, Jr. Fllow Ed's example and live a long, green life.
Price: 21.00$ (online - 15.96$)
The author: is an actor who also has his own tv show about his green way of life. The book title, therefore, becomes obvious. I'm not sure how much of his motivation is to put an honest shout out there as he is pretty marketed... And reading the back cover, it is a book that will make you feel great.
Georgeously Green, Sophie Uliano. Making the green lifestyle choice is easy, fun, and fulfilling.
Price: 18.50 (online - 14.06)
The book: a New York Times bestseller
Green Guide: the Complete Reference For Consuming Wisely, by National Geographic? (visit here) Seems like it could be the 21st century's new Bible, or the basis of it.
Price: 25.00$ (online - 16.50$)
The book: by National Geo, cool! 10% reused or recycled paper product
The Green Book, Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas M. Kostigen
Price: 16.95$ (online - 12.88)
The book: completely unimpressing. 100% reused or recycled paper is a publicity gimmick, along with all the famous people quoted. Flipping through I found many tips I thought were blindingly obvious, or completely irrelevant (throwing your gum in the garbage instead of on the ground doesn't lessen the number of football fields of gum 5 feet deep consumed each year!) Maybe I have judged too quickly...
New York Times Bestseller
True Green @ Work, Kim McKay and Jenny Bonnin, National Geographic, Clean Up the World. Easy things to reduce your company's carbon footprint
Price: 24.95$ (online - 16.46$)
Green for Life, Gillian Deacon. "200 simple eco-ideas for every day"
Price: 13.50$ (online 12.28$)
This is the good stuff. What is happening, why, who is making stuff happen and how. How climate or environment interacts with the world and what this means for the future. I was pleasantly surprised to find over half of Chapters' green books section were of this type.
An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore
Price: 23.99$ (online 18.23$)
The book: was released in conjuntion with the documentary An Inconvenient Truth, on global climate change.
The author: involved with politics for over 25 years, former vice-president of the United States, who lost the race for presidency against George W. Bush. He won the Nobel Peace Prize for his activism of knowledge with climate change.
Earth In the Balance, Al Gore
Price: Softcover: 17.95$ (online 13.64$)
The book: does it have the questions or the answers?
Ecoholic: Your Guide to the Most Environmentally Friendly Information, Products and Services in Canada, Adria Vasil (web site)
Price: 24.95$ (online 18.96$)
The author: has always been an environmental activist. She's written environmental articles for 5 years and is also one of three the Chapters/Indigo Trusted Advisor Environment.
Heat, George Monbiot. "How to Stop the Planet From Burning"
Price: softcover: 19.95$ (online 15.16$)
I want to buy this book. It reminds me of Collapse and Monbiot is cool.
Bring on the Apocalypse, George Monbiot (blog) "Essays on Self-Destruction"
Price: 22.00$ (online 16.72$)
The author: should have died 6 times over, but still going strong. He's been publicly recognized for his achievements (Nelson Mandela!)
WorldChanging, Alex Steffen
Price: 21.95$ (online 16.68$)
The book: another potential for the next Bible as we descend into the environmental underworld. Looks big and looks to the future.
Dry Spring, Chris Wood. The North American water crisis.
Price: 23.95$ (online 18.20$)
The book: boldly suggests a very touchy solution to the fast-approaching NorAm water crisis for Canada.
Gusher of Lies, Robert Bryce. "The dangerous delusions of 'Energy Independence'"
Price: 20.95$ (online 19.10$)
Dangerous World, Marq de Villiers. "Natural disasters, manmade catastrophes, and the future of human survival"
Price: 35.00$ (online 23.10)
The author: a "veteran Canadian journalist", he has written books on a number on different, yet related, subjects: politics, hostory, travel, and exploration. He doesn't have his own website, or it is not willing to be found.
Stupid to the Last Drop, William Marsden. "How Alberta is bringing environmental amageddon to Canada (and doesn't seem to care)"
Price: 29.95$ (online 19.76$)
Good News for a Change, David Suzuki and Holly Dressel
Price: 24.95$ (online 16.46$)
The book: features the activists, advocates, catalysts, and organizers. What the rock stars on the environment front are doing, some fresh inspiration.
The authors: David Suzuki has been doing environmental, sciency stuff (especially in layman's terms) since way before it was cool. Holly Dressel and Suzuki collaborated on From Naked Apes to Supercecies, which is now also a documentary series.
Fixing Climate, Wallace S. Broecker and Robert Kunzig. "What past climate changes reveal about the current threat - and how to counter it."
Price: 27.50$ (online 18.15$)
The authors: Robert Kunzig is an award-winning science writer specializing in ocean science. Broecker is also into the Earth/environmental sciences
Earth: The Sequel, Fred Krupp. Restart the Earth. Stop global warming and turn to renewable energy.
Price: 24.95$ (online 16.46$)
The author: president of the Environmental Defense Fund
The Weather Makers, Tim Flannery
Price: 15.99$ (online 12.15$)
The author: has written other books about weather and environment, many about Australian animals and ecology.
Golden Spruce, John Vaillant
Into the Wild, Jon Krakaver
Sunday, July 6
Internet toys!
Free time + technology = fun! This weekend I have been obsessed with Wordle, making different, well, wordles.
As you may have noticed, my blog image is currently a wordle. If you get into it (wordle), you begin to notice the variability, the options available. Of course, it is still limited, but the creator, is continually tweaking it for improvements. In fact, since Friday night, you can now choose custom palette colours.
The way it works is by analyzing input text. The words that appear most often are bigger, those less often are smaller. In this example, the words just, one, like, are found over 30 times in text taken from all my posts to date. As well, you can choose the number of words that appear (because they won't necessarily include all the words in the text, especially if it is quite long.
This example above is a result of the "Rime of the Ancient Mariner". I like to have a larger number of words than the automatic 150; it gives the resulting wordles more depth. This is especially apparent in the black and white one above, which has 1500 words.
And the best part is you can use the results however you like! Make t-shirt or mug decals... giant posters or wall murals or screen savers. If you have Adobe, click print, then choose adobe to save the file. If not, you're left using some kind of screen capture (I use my PrntScrn button then paste and cut in Paint).
What a great new internet application!
As you may have noticed, my blog image is currently a wordle. If you get into it (wordle), you begin to notice the variability, the options available. Of course, it is still limited, but the creator, is continually tweaking it for improvements. In fact, since Friday night, you can now choose custom palette colours.
The way it works is by analyzing input text. The words that appear most often are bigger, those less often are smaller. In this example, the words just, one, like, are found over 30 times in text taken from all my posts to date. As well, you can choose the number of words that appear (because they won't necessarily include all the words in the text, especially if it is quite long.
This example above is a result of the "Rime of the Ancient Mariner". I like to have a larger number of words than the automatic 150; it gives the resulting wordles more depth. This is especially apparent in the black and white one above, which has 1500 words.
And the best part is you can use the results however you like! Make t-shirt or mug decals... giant posters or wall murals or screen savers. If you have Adobe, click print, then choose adobe to save the file. If not, you're left using some kind of screen capture (I use my PrntScrn button then paste and cut in Paint).
What a great new internet application!
Wednesday, June 4
Good things
I definitely feel more relaxed, now that the crisis of "I'm not changing the world in a broad sweeping motion right now!" has passed. A new blog is in the works, in collaboration with a politically-minded friend of mine (he also likes environmental). He is tired of telling people things and 'hitting the wall', so to speak. The wall that is apathy...
Speaking of which, I discovered a new website called Apathy is Boring. (What a name!)
It encourages Canadian youth to participate politically. (Because so many of them don't! The 18-24 demographic consistently has the lowest turnout rates at the polls.) I haven't had time to explore the site's contents yet, just the main 'about' and skimming - but I love the fact that this is a resource! I want to let all my friends know, perhaps I will even be able to organise some event in my area.
And oh, do I love surfing. Apathy eventually lead me to Do something.org. Oh how I do love attractive, creative resources, especially for youth. Of course, Do something is American, so if you're Canadian like me, or other, a lot doesn't apply (you can search for volunteer opportunities). That being said, seeing things that are being done, or ideas people come up with, or even browsing the different causes can polarize you and stir you to motion. Some of it is pretty inspiring!
Speaking of which, I discovered a new website called Apathy is Boring. (What a name!)
It encourages Canadian youth to participate politically. (Because so many of them don't! The 18-24 demographic consistently has the lowest turnout rates at the polls.) I haven't had time to explore the site's contents yet, just the main 'about' and skimming - but I love the fact that this is a resource! I want to let all my friends know, perhaps I will even be able to organise some event in my area.
And oh, do I love surfing. Apathy eventually lead me to Do something.org. Oh how I do love attractive, creative resources, especially for youth. Of course, Do something is American, so if you're Canadian like me, or other, a lot doesn't apply (you can search for volunteer opportunities). That being said, seeing things that are being done, or ideas people come up with, or even browsing the different causes can polarize you and stir you to motion. Some of it is pretty inspiring!
Friday, May 30
TGIF
TGIF: Think Green, It's Friday!
Fridays I will post something to do with the green theme, with a special focus on green + art. I also post finds to do with the three Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle), new policies in government or industry, eco-friendly appliances and vehicles... anything green!
Reuse + art
Kudos to sfgirlbybay, which I read regularly, I found an excellent use of the 'reuse' part of thinking green.
Scrap collects and sorts donations of "high-quality, low-cost, re-usable materials sucha s textiles, paper, jewelery findings, wood, buttons and plastics", which are available to the public at quite a discounted price. This is so great! Companies or individuals like not paying for disposal of their excess, less is sent to the dump, public has access to cool things that would otherwise be expensive or inaccessible. I imagine just going to Scrap would inspire some form of art.
sfgirlbybay's original post
The Ecosphere: more than just sea monkeys
Ever wanted to hold the world in your hands? Now, with an Ecosphere, you can. Enclosed in a glass globe is an entirely self-sustaining ecosystem. Blending art and science, beauty and balance, an Ecosphere is a microcosm of life you can hold in your hands.
It contains micro-organisms, bright red shrimp, and algae in filtered sea water. All you need to do is provide indirect light and your ecosphere will flourish.
How does it work? Thankfully the good people at Ecosphere Associates, Inc have provided us with an illustration on their website (gather your basic biology, everyone). Too much algae and it will grow to block out all the light. Too many shrimp will use all the oxygen. It truly is a fine balance.
I know it's not recycling or environmentally friendly, but the ecosphere can be a case study for our own situation on Earth. We have thrown the delicate balance out of whack... And soon, without significant action, we will go too far past the tipping point.
Ecosphere are way cool. I want one.
Actively Green Events
The 2008 Commuter Challenge runs from June 1-7. Candians are encouraged to walk, bike, bus, train, or carpool to work as a choice for personal community and environmental health. Employees can register to track their mileage for friendly competetion between workplaces.
At the end of the week, participants can see the results of their saved gas mileage as reduced emissions. Last year participants saved 1264 KG of GHG emissions and 6 KG of Nox emissions (no, I haven't the faintest idea what those are). To know you are doing something good is one thing, but to actually see some results is fantastic!
This is just one of the events spurred on by Canadian Environment Week. From this site you can find events near you or take some of their suggestions to quietly celebrate Environment week:
Also this upcoming week is World Environment Day, June 5th. Here are a few fun items from their list of 80 Ways to Celebrate WEP:
Fridays I will post something to do with the green theme, with a special focus on green + art. I also post finds to do with the three Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle), new policies in government or industry, eco-friendly appliances and vehicles... anything green!
Reuse + art
Kudos to sfgirlbybay, which I read regularly, I found an excellent use of the 'reuse' part of thinking green.
Scrap collects and sorts donations of "high-quality, low-cost, re-usable materials sucha s textiles, paper, jewelery findings, wood, buttons and plastics", which are available to the public at quite a discounted price. This is so great! Companies or individuals like not paying for disposal of their excess, less is sent to the dump, public has access to cool things that would otherwise be expensive or inaccessible. I imagine just going to Scrap would inspire some form of art.
sfgirlbybay's original post
The Ecosphere: more than just sea monkeys
Ever wanted to hold the world in your hands? Now, with an Ecosphere, you can. Enclosed in a glass globe is an entirely self-sustaining ecosystem. Blending art and science, beauty and balance, an Ecosphere is a microcosm of life you can hold in your hands.
It contains micro-organisms, bright red shrimp, and algae in filtered sea water. All you need to do is provide indirect light and your ecosphere will flourish.
How does it work? Thankfully the good people at Ecosphere Associates, Inc have provided us with an illustration on their website (gather your basic biology, everyone). Too much algae and it will grow to block out all the light. Too many shrimp will use all the oxygen. It truly is a fine balance.
I know it's not recycling or environmentally friendly, but the ecosphere can be a case study for our own situation on Earth. We have thrown the delicate balance out of whack... And soon, without significant action, we will go too far past the tipping point.
Ecosphere are way cool. I want one.
Actively Green Events
The 2008 Commuter Challenge runs from June 1-7. Candians are encouraged to walk, bike, bus, train, or carpool to work as a choice for personal community and environmental health. Employees can register to track their mileage for friendly competetion between workplaces.
At the end of the week, participants can see the results of their saved gas mileage as reduced emissions. Last year participants saved 1264 KG of GHG emissions and 6 KG of Nox emissions (no, I haven't the faintest idea what those are). To know you are doing something good is one thing, but to actually see some results is fantastic!
I know I am going to register, as I already carpool to work. (Unfortunately it is almost impossible to bike, walk, or bus to work from my house)
This is just one of the events spurred on by Canadian Environment Week. From this site you can find events near you or take some of their suggestions to quietly celebrate Environment week:
- Change at least one lightbulb to compact fluorescent
- Turn off your computer when you're not using it
- Keep a reusable bag in your car for groceries and use one less plastic bag.
Also this upcoming week is World Environment Day, June 5th. Here are a few fun items from their list of 80 Ways to Celebrate WEP:
- Art made of recycled materials (YES! second on the list! though it is alphabetical)
- Competitions (banner, drawing, essay, painting, poster, poetry)
- Donate to an environmental cause
- Excursions to nature sites
- Performances (plays, songs, poetry)
- Visits to botanical gardens and national parks
Wow. I am so excited now! I just can't wait!! Happy Friday everyone!
Wednesday, May 28
Pause
All it takes is sixty seconds to change your life. That's the thesis of Pause, relatively new website for teens. The idea is ingenious, the implementation perfect.
In less than 30 seconds a commercial on tv hooks the viewer to visit the website--one of those mysterious, appealing commercials with the beautiful muted dark color palette, grungy, textured scenes and realistic.
When at the site, the reader is enticed to explore. As far as I'm concerned, this website has the best elements of a page-turner novel: leave them wanting more. Mysterious meets knows-your-every-need (even the secret ones).
Some of the feedback Pause has recieved has revealed the other two key factors in Pause's appeal and success:
Just the word pause implies effortlessness. It's not homework, not something you have to work at, concentrate on, dedicate yourself to, or worry about. You don't wear it, smell like it, look like it... you're just free. And that's, well, liberating.
Here is the link again: http://fox.com/pause/. Unfortunately I was not able to find one of their short video clips (their commercials) to put in this post, but they are on the site.
In less than 30 seconds a commercial on tv hooks the viewer to visit the website--one of those mysterious, appealing commercials with the beautiful muted dark color palette, grungy, textured scenes and realistic.
When at the site, the reader is enticed to explore. As far as I'm concerned, this website has the best elements of a page-turner novel: leave them wanting more. Mysterious meets knows-your-every-need (even the secret ones).
Some of the feedback Pause has recieved has revealed the other two key factors in Pause's appeal and success:
- Not telling kids what to do, say, or think
- It only takes 60 seconds to change your life.
Just the word pause implies effortlessness. It's not homework, not something you have to work at, concentrate on, dedicate yourself to, or worry about. You don't wear it, smell like it, look like it... you're just free. And that's, well, liberating.
Here is the link again: http://fox.com/pause/. Unfortunately I was not able to find one of their short video clips (their commercials) to put in this post, but they are on the site.
Tuesday, May 27
Site picks
Some things of note I found in the past week:
How About Orange
A visual and/or craft blog. And, orange! How much better does it get?
Passive Aggressive Notes . com
I love seeing pictures of signs and notes like these. Laughing is good for your brain.
English fail
Again, awesome sign mistakes. You can also exercise your ab muscles.
Behind the Lens
Photography blog. Experience in the field and knowledgeable.
Ill Seen, Ill Said
Blogging indoor furniture, art, clothing, accessories of all kinds. Some really unusual, appealing finds on this site.
Here's the visual goody
How About Orange
A visual and/or craft blog. And, orange! How much better does it get?
Passive Aggressive Notes . com
I love seeing pictures of signs and notes like these. Laughing is good for your brain.
English fail
Again, awesome sign mistakes. You can also exercise your ab muscles.
Behind the Lens
Photography blog. Experience in the field and knowledgeable.
Ill Seen, Ill Said
Blogging indoor furniture, art, clothing, accessories of all kinds. Some really unusual, appealing finds on this site.
Here's the visual goody
Tuesday, May 20
Pay it forward
Two things came to mind as I was reading yesterday's post.
The first is that there are other kinds of abuse than physical domestic violence. Women are more likely than men to verbally abuse their spouses, whereas men are more likely to use violence, but both are used induce fear, assert power, and gain control. However, both are devastating, humiliating secrets victims bear. In fact, because the damaging effect of words is borne on one's spirit rather than one's body (and it is visually not as striking as physical abuse), victims, especially men, of verbal abuse remain silent in their situations.
The second thing, however, is a bit more of a cheerful topic: reaching out. I came across a beautiful thing this weekend (this link also in my sidebar). Lovely! I'm not going to say that it would completely change someone's life, but it definitely improves their day, or their week. And if it only takes a couple of minutes of your time, leaving you feeling good, isn't it worth it?
The first is that there are other kinds of abuse than physical domestic violence. Women are more likely than men to verbally abuse their spouses, whereas men are more likely to use violence, but both are used induce fear, assert power, and gain control. However, both are devastating, humiliating secrets victims bear. In fact, because the damaging effect of words is borne on one's spirit rather than one's body (and it is visually not as striking as physical abuse), victims, especially men, of verbal abuse remain silent in their situations.
The second thing, however, is a bit more of a cheerful topic: reaching out. I came across a beautiful thing this weekend (this link also in my sidebar). Lovely! I'm not going to say that it would completely change someone's life, but it definitely improves their day, or their week. And if it only takes a couple of minutes of your time, leaving you feeling good, isn't it worth it?
Tuesday, May 13
Day of Silence
If you didn't already know, the Day of Silence is a 24-hour vow of silence that students and teachers take to protest bullying and harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. April 25 was this year's date, and I am sorry that I missed it. I'm not sure how much impact it would have had for me to take this vow at my workplace, where at least a few people are open about their sexuality. Next year, 2009, Day of Silence will be on April 17.
Well imagine my surprise as I am looking up the Day of Silence on Wikipedia, I find something called the 'Day of Truth' (on Wikipedia here). It sounds intruiging, to be sure, so of course I investigate. Turns out it's a day opposing the day of silence, and, I think, homosexuality in general (plus bisexuality and transgendering)
I have to admit, I was quite shocked. Is it strange that I've never been around a significant group of people who opposed LGBT? All of my life I've been surrounded with people who are good with it, or at least not publicly opposed. I thought that this closed-mindedness was old-fashioned and falling away. I mean, somehow the Catholic Church has accepted that not everyone prays to Jesus, or not the same way.
I know, there's just the stigma so strong, the change that causes a physical fear in those traditionalists.
Just because there are a couple really cool gay video clips out there:
About two (possibly) gay boys. Some kissing.
Adoption
Foreign ad for a drink?
Video entitled 10 resons why gay marriage should be illegal... excellent voice. Warning: some stick men going at it
Gay marriage/equal rights
Had to hunt down some of my faves from a few years ago, and I definitely haven't seen them all, but here are some good ones
Well imagine my surprise as I am looking up the Day of Silence on Wikipedia, I find something called the 'Day of Truth' (on Wikipedia here). It sounds intruiging, to be sure, so of course I investigate. Turns out it's a day opposing the day of silence, and, I think, homosexuality in general (plus bisexuality and transgendering)
I have to admit, I was quite shocked. Is it strange that I've never been around a significant group of people who opposed LGBT? All of my life I've been surrounded with people who are good with it, or at least not publicly opposed. I thought that this closed-mindedness was old-fashioned and falling away. I mean, somehow the Catholic Church has accepted that not everyone prays to Jesus, or not the same way.
I know, there's just the stigma so strong, the change that causes a physical fear in those traditionalists.
Just because there are a couple really cool gay video clips out there:
About two (possibly) gay boys. Some kissing.
Adoption
Foreign ad for a drink?
Video entitled 10 resons why gay marriage should be illegal... excellent voice. Warning: some stick men going at it
Gay marriage/equal rights
Had to hunt down some of my faves from a few years ago, and I definitely haven't seen them all, but here are some good ones
Sunday, April 20
Multimedia
I'd just like to share some of the things that I have enjoyed recently:
Art blog by a dutch student, Nina. Her work is neat and pure, always colourful and cheerful. Nina has such a sweet personality and a distinct voice
Time stops at Grand Central
The power of performing arts--wish I could have been one of those stunned passers-by!
Le Compteur
I just discovered this artist and album this weekend. The songs of the album Le Volume du Vent by Karkwa, fracophone music group, are a blend of surreal and sweet sound, feeling faintly familiar.
I could waste my life listening to the unique music wind its way through my head. I actually picked it up because of the cover, and now it sits cozily with the 20-some CDs on my shelf.
You don't need to understand French to appreciate the music .Karkwa is a Candian group! You can visit their website here.
Last week I visited Etsy and was instantly enchanted. The Ebay of handmade items surprises in quality and diversity; you can buy anything from art to dishes to clothes to furniture. If you're like me and like unique, cheerful things, you'll like Etsy. The site is fairly sophisticated and provides an option to sort by color, category, or artist.
Troglodyte Photography is also a Canadian source of talent. (The main photographer is actually from St. Albert, my town, but I found him on the web before I found him "in real life") I'm not sure how many shots and how much patience it takes to photograph something like this, but clearly it was worth it.
Orisinal: Morning Sunshine offers more than just games to play on the web; this is art! The site and its games have a light, serene feel to them. After 15 minutes of trying various games you'll feel more at peace than when doing yoga!
Art blog by a dutch student, Nina. Her work is neat and pure, always colourful and cheerful. Nina has such a sweet personality and a distinct voiceTime stops at Grand Central
The power of performing arts--wish I could have been one of those stunned passers-by!
Le Compteur
I just discovered this artist and album this weekend. The songs of the album Le Volume du Vent by Karkwa, fracophone music group, are a blend of surreal and sweet sound, feeling faintly familiar.I could waste my life listening to the unique music wind its way through my head. I actually picked it up because of the cover, and now it sits cozily with the 20-some CDs on my shelf.
You don't need to understand French to appreciate the music .Karkwa is a Candian group! You can visit their website here.
Last week I visited Etsy and was instantly enchanted. The Ebay of handmade items surprises in quality and diversity; you can buy anything from art to dishes to clothes to furniture. If you're like me and like unique, cheerful things, you'll like Etsy. The site is fairly sophisticated and provides an option to sort by color, category, or artist.
Troglodyte Photography is also a Canadian source of talent. (The main photographer is actually from St. Albert, my town, but I found him on the web before I found him "in real life") I'm not sure how many shots and how much patience it takes to photograph something like this, but clearly it was worth it.
Orisinal: Morning Sunshine offers more than just games to play on the web; this is art! The site and its games have a light, serene feel to them. After 15 minutes of trying various games you'll feel more at peace than when doing yoga!
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