Recycle!

I tweeted this, but I wanted to share it here with you!

Check out: Recycle Anything...yes Anything! - Crushing down plastic soda bottles,... http://bit.ly/9FiDaD

Also, here's a silly picture.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

You can't change the seasons...

I always find so much to share, and so much that I want to share here on my blog! Yet I seem to find little time to post things to match the depth and scope I would like to - meaning I write quick posts and do my best to add pictures, though I'd like to match it with engaging and descriptive paragraphs of superb writing skill... Yet, perhaps that would be too verbose for a blog, anyway.

So, this is the quote I'd like to share today, along with some quick thoughts:

"You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself" - Jim Rohn

 

Some time ago, I found myself stagnating, depressed, wallowing and wondering where my self-destructive tendencies came from. I was fearful of the future and fearful of true intimacy with others. I felt that life was a biochemical propulsion forward to...what? That question drove me crazy. It was a series of circumstances and environmental factors, plus previous personal choices, that had lead me to this place of darkness. 

 Activities that were once fun and meaningful had become dead and mechanical. I withdrew from friends, family, a lover, and amused myself for hours on a computer. I had no interest in killing myself, but ceasing to exist would have been agreeable to me. 

At some point I realized that if I was going to live this life, I might as well live it well. The fear and anxiety had become a habit. The sadness and numbness, which had alleviated the physical pain of the anxiety for temporary periods of time, had started to subside, leaving the door open for days and nights of a twisted stomach, palpitations, and what felt like a vise grip around my chest, hindering my lungs in breathing. Obsessive thoughts and analytical thinking further narrowed my view, until whatever topic it was that provoked the anxiety became all there was to life - my life, which is filled with so many things, became only this one, terrible thing that had me wrapped in a ball. 

 It's no way to live. And since I had decided to live, I couldn't continue this way. I got professional help. I reached out to friends. I read literature about depression and anxiety, and about the brain and new neuroscience. I watched ted.com talks on the psychology and brain science of happiness.  I began counting the things in my life that were good - on some days I counted the fact that I had two legs, or eyes that could see, or hands, as things to be grateful for. I began planning for the future. There was no room for advancement in my job, and I wanted to earn a Masters, though I was having trouble deciding on what one. I applied for AmeriCorps to continue working in non-profit where advancement was more likely to happen, and I would gain an education award while I decided what my Masters would be in. I gained a lover who I tried in self-destruction to alienate, but I knew he was a good partner, and he has to this day proven himself to be extremely supportive. I put negative people in my life at a distance, so I could keep my sanity, or what was left of it. I began finding activities that relaxed me, or gave me joy, and also allowed me to feel accomplished.

In other words, after isolating and shrinking into my little world of despair, I expanded. I nurtured relationships with people who were healthy for me. I gained professional advice. I stretched my knowledge on neuroscience to have a better understanding of myself, and figured out ways to make myself feel better and empowered. I made choices that would lead me to more opportunities in life, and am continuing to make choices that do so. I am defining personal boundaries, and learning how to communicate fully, openly, and honestly. I don't allow labels or diagnoses, or assumed patterns of behavior, to control how I live my life.

This all took time. But time passes whether we change ourselves or not. Changing is hard, and there are plenty of relapses. I still have days where I am anxious or sad, and I still have instances where real anger snowballs into bitchy behavior - and I witness this from within somewhere and feel like I can't stop it. But I have a goal, and I keep working towards it. 

My resolutions for the new year mainly have to do with health. Over these past few years where my mental health was in jeopardy, I largely ignored the state of my physical health. Now at the brink of thirty, I must say I have a little regret in that. Yet, I have a changing mental state, and that is helping me to understand how it informs my physical state of health. For example, I know I have a neurochemical addiction to chocolate. I see, or think of it, and I immediately begin salivating. When I eat it, my brain receives a rush of pleasurable dopamine. When I begin to crave chocolate, part of what's happening is that my brain is in need of the dopamine fix. Lucky for me, the neuroplasticity of the brain allows me to work on rewiring the circuits. Instead of hitting up an ice cream parlor, or the cupboards where I have hid some candy bars, I can find something else that will give me the same pleasure rush, but without the caffeine, cavities, and calories.

It's all easier said than done, of course. Figure out what it is that you can't change, and then work on changing what can be changed (and needs to be) within that framework. I think you'll find that that framework will expand as you do.

Salient Sunday, Dec 26

1. Christmas Day. My family celebrates a secular Christmas, as do Lover and I. We love the bright lights, the food, and the giving and getting of gifts. Christmas morning was with my family to open gifts by their tree. I got a beautiful, new tote for work from my mom, plus a really nice parka, and an extensive hot cocoa kit (I really love hot cocoa). I also snatched her no-longer-being-used bread making machine to bring back to my house and try out. I gave her one of my original paintings that she loves, a drawer for her K cups, and a CD visor for her car. Her fiance gave me a set of free weights (strong like bull!), so that'll become part of my routine. Sister got a handknitted hat with devil horns and matching gloves from us, plus a starter kit I put together for her to try decoupage.

We had dinner with Lover's family and our roommate. His father made everyone the most bangin' potato knishes I have ever had in my life, and I plan to learn how to make them. They gave us gift certificates, and we gave them a belgian waffle maker (just wait for it...).

On our way home, we dropped by a friend's house to do presents. We got their daughter the cutest little handmade monster hat, and gave them some fun art by kudu-lah. They got us...a belgian waffle maker. Score! Lol.

Roommate also gave us presents - a hot cocoa machine (everyone knows I love hot cocoa), and a snow cone machine...lol... I think we made off like bandits this season!

2. Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve, Lover and I visited my family, bearing a gift of Chinese food (yeah, that's how we roll). We compared iPhone apps and I watched an episode of "Buffy" with my sister. That night, Lover and I returned to our home to exchange gifts. He gave me a tablet (my laptop has been dying) that he refurbished himself and filled with my favorite software programs (yay!). Along with that, he gave me a beautiful necklace, and bunny slippers, among other fun little gag gifts. I gave him a basket of humorous t-shirts (to add to his plentiful funny t-shirt collection), shot glasses that I handpainted with silly mustache faces (he's a fan of the mustache motif), and a carnivorous plant kit. My gag gift to him was an Office Space set with an Initech mug and a "Jump to Conclusions" mat.Oh yeah.

3. iPhone Acquisition. It has finally happened. I have purchased an iPhone. I love it. My favorite apps include Twitter, allrecipes, and Hipstamatic.  If you happen to share my love for the iPhone, please feel free to share your favorite apps with me by leaving a comment!

4. Gift Wrapping and Shopping. It's fun to get or make things for other people, and then wrap them up. I am thinking next year to use more sustainable gift paper like paper bags and newspaper, that I can decorate with colorful stamps. I always reuse ribbons, bows, and gift bags.

5. Twitter. I have finally discovered how to use Twitter to my benefit. As an app on the iPhone, I can follow a myriad of people and organizations whose tweets I find worth my time, and this has diversified my news sources. I retweet often articles I find the most interesting or most useful. Feel free to follow me @veramenagerie on Twitter!

Feel free to share your highlights with a comment! Happy Holidays!

Warrior Dash 2011

Because I have a little bit of a thrill-seeking personality (see skydiving pic below), and because I like to set up really awesome goals for myself,

I and my friend Angelica have signed up for Warrior Dash 2011!!!

It's a 3.2 mile run with 12 "obstacles from hell!" You get to jump over pits of fire, tiptoe across planks over muddy trenches, scale walls, and wriggle through mud beneath barbed wire. Why? Because at the end you get a t-shirt, a Viking helmet, and free beer.  

 

So, why not? The Viking helmet alone is worth it. I invite anyone and everyone to join me in the challenge!

Salient Sunday, Dec 19

Highlights of the Past Week!

1.) PARTIES! Saturday night was a holiday party hop as we drove from one party in Monroe to another in New Milford and ended at the last in Danbury. Monroe Party was hosted by some of Lover's friends, who wined and dined and chatted. New Milford Party was a relaxing stop with my Borders Crew, and was graciously hosted by Vinny and Kristen. (Shout out to the Borders Crew!) Danbury Party is a theme party that happens every year, hosted by my friend Kevin. This year's theme was "Xmas in Las Vegas," and people got dressed up in outrageous costumes as they always do (there were at least two Elvis', some burlesque dancers, and call girls). Gambling occurred in one corner, a crowded bar in another, games in the front, and dancing by the jukebox. Each party was special and filled with special people! ;)

2.) Sister Sleepover! My little sister (she's taller than me, though) slept over and we played Dragon Age before doing some gift shopping. We both love RPGs! Lover grumbled over the terrible graphics, but Sis and I can look beyond and get into the storylines. 'Cuz we're cool like that.

3.) Dinner with the 'Rents. The Mothership and her fiance came down to our place to see our totally cool lights on the house and our perfect holiday tree (we also call it the Xmas Tree, the Solstice Pine, and the Hanukkah Bush). Then we went out to eat in Fairfield to Centro, an Italian place that lets you draw on the table with crayons. Crayons FTW!

4.) Cards. The cards printed with my illustration came! I lettered about 80 cards for friends and family to be sent out in the mail. It took a long time, but I really enjoyed it!

5.) Shopping for Gifts. I am one of those people that will slowly start to shop for the holiday in mid-November, and then quickly finish it up at the last second. And I can't wait to give them away!

Cheers to everyone! Feel free to share your highlights with me!

Ricky Gervais: Why I am an Atheist

I don't think anyone should have to defend their position from any belief standpoint. I agree with Gervais in that beliefs only become a problem when they are forced upon other people. If you want to understand why some people may be atheist, and why they may feel strongly about it, check it out.

http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2010/12/19/a-holiday-message-from-ricky-gervais-why-im-an-atheist/?mod=wsj_share_facebook

Salient Sunday

Highlights of the week:

1.) The Bust Magazine 2010 Craftacular! Over 300 vendors with handmade and upcycled items. I got to see Mei-Ling and peruse her shop Twitch and Whiskers, and I accidentally bumped into Amy Sedaris' table. I got some ideas for gift-making, and Lover and I did some walking around in the City.

2.) I went with Lover and his parents to find a tree. We found our tree, and his parents found their tree, and celebration followed over lunch and drinks. Then Lover and I spent the evening decorating the tree and playing video games. We glued googly eyes to the star. Tree win!

3.) Continuous Learning Day (part of the AmeriCorps Public Allies program) happened in Bridgeport, and we got to learn more about the legislative process and how lobbyists and advocates come into the arena to introduce and fight for bills to pass. It's intense, and I'm even more intrigued about bills and policies.

4.) The Bridgeport Public Allies team had their Community Conversation, in which we received really constructive feedback to help inform our team service project. I'm really looking forward to seeing it happen.

5.) I finished my painting for a holiday card to send out to family and friends. I'll post it here after I send it out. Happy Holidays, people!

Expectations and Praise

I was thinking today about some of the sermons I listened to from the Unitarian Universalist Church of Danbury, where I am a member. Once per month, the church has a layperson lead the sermon, which leads to quite a fun variety in church services.

I specifically recall one where Joni Lowe, owner of Positive Energy Dance in Brookfield, talked about "the brag" and the "updive." Defying one of the pervasive aspects of our culture where people tend to hear more criticism than they do praise (whether or not it is true), the brag is a purposeful announcement of accomplishment in some area of one's life. It could be as simple as "I picked my dirty socks up from off the floor this morning," to "I found the cure to cancer." The updive is the purposeful response containing only high praise ("You picked up your socks, when really you didn't have to? Wow! Way to get organized!" "You found the cure for cancer? You deserve a Nobel Prize.")

The intent is to cultivate a culture wherein merit is given where merit is due, even for the merest and smallest of chores, even things that are expected or easy. Yes, I can expect that people should clean up after themselves, but really, that's my placing a personal value judgment to an action. Action (and inaction) exists no matter my opinion.

I bring this up only because my co-worker today mentioned that she was going to pick up her daughter's report card. Her daughter has been a straight A student since kindergarten (she is now in high school), and got an 84 in math. My co-worker was stressed out about her husband's reaction to their daughter's slip in the grade. Then she shared with me that he would criticize their daughter even if she got a 98 on a test ("What happened to the other two points?") rather than praising her for getting a good grade in the first place.

I can attest from personal experience that this is a dangerous road to take on a child's grades.

I can understand where we're allowed to have certain expectations in certain relationships and in communities, jobs, etc. However, our expectations can lead to a lot of disappointment and conflict. There has to be give and take, and there has to be praise and recognition of the positive, and if an expectation is not met, there has to be a fair dialogue. Meaning, if I expect something of another person and they don't meet my expectation, I have to determine whether or not it is a fair expectation, and if I'm sure it is, how can I and the other person work together to have it met...if the other person is even interested in meeting it.
Of course, this isn't always easy. But, that's life. It is a work in progress.

I'm not a parent, so I have the luxury of time to think and consider my actions. I hope that if one day I have a child who gets a 98 on a test, I will say, "Great job! I'm so proud of you!" And if the question she or he missed is an indication that they needed to study that particular part of the topic a little more, I'd help them with it. Becaue it's my expectation that they do their best and improve upon themselves when they can.

Anyway, anyone who reads this blog is totally allowed to leave a brag, to which I will respond with an updive, no matter how insignificant your action may have been to some.

Bridgeport Help Portrait 2010

Help Portrait is a global not for profit movement that provides free portrait photography to families and individuals in need. I and a few other Public Allies got to be a part of the movement this past Saturday in Bridgeport. It only took a few hours of our time in printing out pictures, taking on-scene photos, doing set-up and breakdown, and signing folks in.

The Bridgeport organizers of this totally awesome event gathered professional photographers, make-up artists, and more volunteers to help the day run smoothly - and so it did! We had approximately 250 families in a span of five hours. Individuals got a free 5 x 7 and families got an 8 x 10, as well as forwarded e-mails or burned CDs of their photos.

 

I got to walk around and spend time with some of the participants. I sat down and talked with one woman who lost her son the year before. She told me about how she still sees her son in her grandson's face and in his antics. Another woman brought in her three little girls - seven, four, and four months. We drew with crayons together. Help Portrait's slogan is "A picture is worth." The people coming in were thrilled to get their make up done and see professonal pictures of themselves and/or of their family. I saw a lot of moms bringing in their kids to pose, smiling as they fussed over their hair and clothes. There was a lot of laughter and good feeling in the atmosphere.

I can't wait for next year, when we can do it again! Whether you volunteer, or you are a recipient of volunteer services, there's more to it than the actual service supplied. In this case, the service supplied was a nice portrait. Beyond that, we (both volunteers and recipients) are building bridges and creating community. Community is what supports and strengthens us as social creatures. Anyone can volunteer, and anyone can share a smile, a story, or solace.

"A picture is worth."

Salient Sunday

Salient is a word that describes a feature that is prominent, conspicuous, most noticeable or important. In topography or architecture it is that section which juts out to form an angle.

Really, Salient Sunday is just the day where I talk about the highlights of my week. And, my week will include 9 days instead of 7 this time.

So, in the extended week of November 27th to today, December 5th, the highlights were (and not in order of importance):

1.) Having potato latkes and celebrating Hanukkah with Lover's family. I love celebrating holidays now. Any of them. Just the fun ones.

2.) Volunteering in the Bridgeport Help Portrait 2010 event!

3.) Seeing my Forest Folk friends for plenty of food, community, and crafts!

4.) Recrafting an altoid tin with pretty paper and glitter. Simple crafts are a great break from fine arts stuff.

5.) Painting two more pictures for Kathy's children's book.

6.) Getting a hemoglobin count of 13.2. A good count is 12-15, and as a vegetarian, 13.2 is great!

7.) Building a raised garden bed with Lover in the backyard. It's 32' long!

8.) Putting up the holiday lights on the roof of the house and on the tree in the front yard, and getting to come home to their rosy glow everyday since.

9.) Finishing "The Joy of Living" by Tibetan monk Yongey Mingur Rinpoche and starting "The Female Brain" by neuropsychiatrist Louann Brizendine.

10.) The condom demonstration! For those who don't know, part of my job is sex education, and we finally got to "Ok, we want you to wait until you are ready to have sex, and when you are ready, to know how to put a condom on correctly to prevent against pregnancy and STDs." There were many humorous moments.

If you have any salient moments or events from your week that you'd like to put out there, feel free to comment!

Merry December!

It is finally getting cold in Connecticut. Though we had some chilly days in November, there were plenty of bright, beautiful and nothing brumal.

In my old blog, I had started listing monthly goals and accomplishments, here, for all to see, for extra motivation on meeting the goals. I’ve been remiss in that, and have decided to correct it.
So, drum roll please…

Goals for December:

1.) Starting with health. I have been performing a weekly session of yoga. I am increasing my minimum of sessions to twice per week (at 30 minutes each), plus a minimum of one 30 minute session of dance. I have ceased running because I dislike the cold… But it’s not entirely out of the picture. My ultimate goal is to do cardiovascular exercise everyday for at least 30 minutes, but I am taking it step by step. The yoga relaxes my mind, makes my body feel young and limber, and helps protect against injuries in running or dancing.

2.) Again with health. I am looking to reduce my intake in calories, especially empty calories like fried foods, and sweets. But I have such HORRENDOUS chocolate cravings. I have cut out the extra mochas and hot chocolates by reducing my budget for them. Foods filled with proteins and plenty of fiber will help with hunger cravings (as will drinking plentiful water), but I don’t know what will help with the chocolate. Any ideas? Right now my goal is no more than one hot chocolate per day, and no more than one serving of chocolate dessert, be it in the form of candy or baked goods.

3.) Make and send out holiday cards. I always think of it too late every year. I am going to make it a priority.

4.) Consolidate the boxes in the basement – I am still unpacked! But I know I can reduce the amount of boxes and the amount of space being taken up, so I will work on doing that. Starting first with unearthing Lover’s workbench.  ;)

5.) Get the sewing machine out, working, and sew some things I’ve been wanting to sew.

6.) Work on the gift idea that Lover and I had for some peeps. It’s an awesome idea – we just have to get to doing it!

Thanksgiving Weekend

I can't contain the effects of this past weekend (a nice, long weekend thanks to the secular holiday of Thanksgving).

1.) The holiday itself. Lover and I went with his family in NYC. His aunt and uncle own a house where a lot of the extended family gathers each year. They hired a piano player and had hours of sing-alongs. When the piano player left, another uncle put on a CD of some great hip-hop tunes to which people danced. Meanwhile, the roughly 25 of us that were present chatted, mingled, rocked our hips and sipped wine and beer. When we sat down for dinner finally, everyone around the table named things they were thankful for. I said I was thankful for my family, my dog Malai, my job, and for their family.

2.) Black Friday. I'm not a big shopper. But since Lover's family makes Thanksgiving a three-day event (!), we drove back into the city, and had dinner again. We walked around and happened upon a craft fair in Union Square where Lover and I invested in some art for our kitchen (aren't these the cutest??? My favorite is the one-eyed furry guy named Gnaw. The artist is kudu-lah and has an etsy shop.) Lover and I share a thing for art that might be considered a little strange...

We also found a snail for our aquarium (yes, we have been looking). His name is Happy. And he leaves trails...get it??? He'll also help maintain the cleanliness of the tank which makes for healthier fish.

We visited the megastore of all Petcos. I never realize how much the NYC Petco offered - kittens for adoption, and a giant variety of creatures and creature accoutrements. I saw so many cool crustaceans that Lover decided it was time for me to be removed from the store. I'll admit the idea was a good one, because I can be a impulse pet buyer (but I am also an excellent pet caretaker, and my impulse occurs only after I have googled the care needs and history of the animal in question with my phone - yay for technology!).

We visited The Strand, a very large used bookstore. Used bookstores are of course among my favorite things of all time. I was removed from that store as well before the buying really began. :)

And then we went by a really eco-friendly recycling type of store whose name I can't for the life of me recall! Lover bought me a wallet made of Tyvek (he really thinks I would do better to carry one), which is a material that cannot be ripped and acts as a barrier against liquid water (water vapor can penetrate, but that is not an issue). I was curious about the sustainability/recycling aspect and found this (from Wikipedia) among confirming info from other sites:

 "Though Tyvek superficially resembles paper (for example, it can be written and printed on), it is plastic, and it cannot be recycled with paper. Despite the fact that some Tyvek products are marked with the #2 resin-code for HDPE, it is not usually collected with plastic bottles as part of municipal curbside recycling programs. Instead, DuPont runs a program in the United States where disposable clothing, coveralls, lab coats, and other Tyvek disposable garments can be recycled, as well as providing a mail-in recycling program for envelopes."

So it seems to me that Tyvek is only eco-friendly when is it is being continually used or repurposed. The kit DuPont uses to recycle (it's actually downcycle) Tyvek costs you $15. A Tyvek wallet is a good example of Tyvek being eco-friendly, because it need not go into a landfill, unless I purposely try to wreck it with scissors, in which case it can still be reused for something else or it can be sent to DuPont. However, it is still plastic. Plastic does not biodegrade - it photodegrades, meaning it becomes tiny particles present in our soil and water. Plastic is forever. This is why I am not a fan of plastic bags at stores, and carry my own cloth bags. The unfortunate effect of downcycling is that the materials produced are of a lesser quality than the original item.

However, it's an awesome wallet - thin, lightweight, and highly durable. It'll last me many, many years, and then if I get tired of it, I can always send it to a place like Unstitched Utilities, which reuses Tyvek to create shoes.

3.) Saturday. We woke up early, played video games, and fell back asleep. We woke up again, and then decided to put lights on one of our trees on the front lawn. That turned into lights for the tree and the whole house!

But I can't tell you how delightful it is to come home to a colorfully lit house for the holidays.

4.) Sunday. Not such a relaxing day, but a productive one. Lover and I built a raised garden bed for the backyard - 32 feet long! I'm so glad to have that and the vermicomposting started. I still want to build an outdoor composter. I already have a lot of seeds (yay for seed sharing with friends), but January and February will mean ordering ones I don't have, and March is indoor planting time!

And that is about the sum of my Thanksgiving weekend. I hope yours was wonder-full.

Annelids!

I wrote a blog in which I was waiting for worms. Since the arrival of the worms, I have yet to share my excitement and fascination with this admittedly odd project. 

(I say that it's odd only because it is outside the knowledge and trend of the mainstream society, though worms are a natural option for composting processes.)

Worm composting is known as vermicomposting, and the "movement" and process of vermicomposting is known as vermiculture. After reading "Worms Eat My Garbage" and ordering a vermicomposter and a pound of Eisenia fetida (red wigglers, as your run-of-the-mill earthworm will not survive in the vermicomposter), I can now say I am a participant in vermiculture, and my kitchen scraps don't go into a landfill. Woot!

I prepared the vermicomposter with their bedding - a layer of coir to start, with a layer of shredded newspaper and cardboard. In one corner I put some tomatoes and lettuce leaves that were starting to go bad.

The worms are packaged in peat moss and travel for two days. Worms need moisture to breathe through their skin, and peat moss contains just enough moisture for them to travel. I imagine they are much happier now in their new home!

Every other evening I walk down into my basement with about a pound of food scraps and shredded newspaper (a 1/2 pound of substance per day per pound of worms for feeding). I place the food with the newspaper on top (good fiber!) in a different spot each time for the worms and all the other microorganisms that come with them to work their magic! It has been about two weeks, and already I can see a change. Worm poo everywhere.

Let's be honest, folks. A lot of dirt is worm poo. Good compost is a healthy mix of worm poo (called castings) and decomposed "stuff" forming a rich, earthy humus that plants love. Healthy, organic soil means healthy plants, which can lead to a healthy you.

Giving Thanks

It's the holiday of gratitude and abundance, for most.

My own hope every time this holiday comes around, is that I can maintain at attitude of gratitude throughout the whole year. Sometimes I forget about the little blessings, and sometimes I am acutely aware of just how fortunate I really am.

So, I am challenging myself to think of 30 things within the next 15 minutes. My list of what I am grateful for, and not in order of importance:

1. My brain. It sometimes is not functioning at the level I would like it to be, but it has allowed me to be adaptable, to learn, and to progress as a human being.

2. My mother and my sister. I would not be here without them.

3. My love. He is loving, supportive, understanding, accepting, funny, intelligent, empowering, and a number of other adjectives that make him wonderful and inspire me to be a better me.

4. Malai. She is the bee's knees. Even though she's a dog, and not a bee.

5. My friends. Especially the besties.

6. My ridiculous amount of pets aside from Malai. They provide much amusement, and an opportunity to care. That's Phoenix (FiFi) the snake, Crabulon the Mighty and The Kraken the crabs, and the six goldfish: Queen Marigold, Frosty, Fin, Pebble, Midas, and Silverbutt. And I suppose I shouldn't forget the one thousand worms who are composting my kitchen scraps in the basement, all known as Veronica Jrs. 

7. My health. I am living, breathing, walking, and I am also grateful for the urge and the resolve I have to maintain at least a good level of health.

8.. My houseplants. I get a sense of well-being whenever I am caring for them, and I am grateful for that.

9. I said my friends already, but I also want to specifically give a shout out to the Forest Folk. I love you, guys.

10. Public Allies. The people.

11. Public Allies. The program. 

12. This blog and my journal. Both help to keep me sane.

13. Art supplies. They provide promise.

14. The creative urge that I have to satisfy. It keeps me going.

15. Shelter. I have a home and a bed to sleep in, plus awesome people and pets living with me. 

16. Nature.  Nothing makes me feel better than taking a walk along wooded paths, or taking in a view of a rainbow over the Rocky Mountains, or just looking at the Rocky Mountains themselves, or taking a plunge into clean, ocean water, or observing Nature's creatures big and small. Nature is awesome.

17. Access to the internet.

18. Books. Books are awesome.

19. Eyesight. I am thankful for being able to see.

20. Legs. I am thankful for strong, healthy legs that can carry me far.

21. My dancing pole. I love my dancing pole, and the opportunity it gives me to feel strong and sexy.

22. Music. I am so very thankful for music.

23. Oxygen. Go planet Earth!

24. Bills. Yes, I am thankful for bills. They indicate that I am able to afford things that other people in the world might not be able to afford, or even have access to.

25. My right to vote and my right to civic engagement. Some people don't have that.

26. Time. I am thankful for the time that I do have.

27. I am thankful for language, and I mean language in all its forms. It provides connection to others.

28. I am thankful for crayons. 'Nuff said.

29. Yoga. Both the asanas (physical postures) and the philosophy.

30. Humor. I am grateful for a sense of humor.

So, I could be more specific with a lot of things, and I am definitely missing things. But there's a lot to be grateful for, all year round. Like, this octopus below.

LOL. I've been looking for an excuse to post him. He's so cute!!!

Happy Thanksgiving.

Make a Difference Day

For us at Public Allies, we had our first required service day on Saturday, November 13th. Public Allies gathered in New Haven, split into groups, and arrived at sites.

My group went to help the Alden Ave. Community Garden. This is an entirely new garden! We gathered a lot of brush and cleaned it out, plus started leveling out the ground for a tool shed. I met a carpenter named Larry, and Larry and I spearheaded the building of three raised beds, including a trapezoidal bed (yay for mitering!).

I wore three layers that day - hoodie, long-sleeve, and tee. By the early afternoon, I was down to the t-shirt because of the beautiful, sunny weather we were having. After the beds were built and filled with fresh compost, we planted garlic bulbs.

I'm so glad we got to help out this new garden. You can find out more about community gardening and how it helps here.

I also enjoyed helping because of what it does for me. (I have never claimed to be an altruist.) I plan on having raised beds in the backyard, and this gave me a better sense of how to do it. Putting two pieces of wood together with a screw gun is easy enough to think about, but this demonstrated how to make it structurally sound, and it was good practice. You never know what skills and knowledge you might gain when you spend a Saturday volunteering. Go Public Allies!

Waiting for Worms

Yes. That's what I am doing. Waiting for worms.

Not the kind that get inside you and cause trouble, but the kind that make all sorts of good sh*t for your garden. Eisenia fetida, or the mighty "red wiggler," is a popular favorite of fisherpeople and gardeners alike. In the world of vermiculture, the noble red wiggler eats your refuse and casts it out into fine, dark, good, earthiness that is awesome for your plants!

All you need is a vermicomposter:

 

A good guide:

And worms. Which you will notice I do not have a picture of, because as the title of this blog entry indicates, I am waiting for worms.

:)

Bridgeport's 2010 ArtTrail

Over the weekend and last week, I got to see bits and piece of the 2010 Bridgeport Art Trail. On Thursday evening, I watched the unveiling of a new mural (photo from and blog seen here.) by Yolanda Vasquez Petrocelli, as part of ongoing exhibition of the MainState Ventures 1st Annual Art Competition.

On Friday, the Public Allies Bridgeport Team went out and viewed the new Sculpture Studio, the new art and retail store Space, and the new location of the Bridgeport Arts and Cultural Council. It was an artsy kind of outing, and much fun was had:

(Above photo taken in Sculpture Studio by Sharaya Smith)

Those of you playing Red Dead Redemption will of course note the likeness of John Marston in the above sculpture piece. ;)

On Sunday, Lover and I traipsed through the American Fabrics Arts Building where more than 30 artists opened their studios to the public. The variety - letterpress printing to jewelry to painting to needlecraft - was an awesome thing to see, as was the quality of work being produced. (The building itself was a sight to see!)

If you live around here, or even if you don't, you can check out the links above and below for more info. Support our local artists as much as you can, even if it's just to go and look at their stuff! Creatvity and hard work is something to be celebrated, and art is a vehicle for revolution and rejuvenation (of the self and of a community - Plato in his Republic would not allow for artists and poets because of the danger they presented to the "phlosopher-king" politcal structure he was advocating; artists and poets stimulate free thinking!).

More Links:

thegalleryatblackrock.com

citylightsgallery.com

barnum-museum.org

bportbuzz.com

bportlibrary.com

playhouseonthegreen.org

publicartdesigncenter.org

rainyfaye.com

thebananaland.com

Happy Trails!

Infohmayshun

Upon being accepted to Public Allies, which is an Americorps funded program, I was placed at a nonprofit organization in the Bridgeport area. I have two components to my job within the organization: the first is to implement its new marketing campaign, and the second is to co-facilitate sex education classes. Totally lovin' it.

Today as I and my co-facilitator were giving information on HIV and AIDS, one of the kids made a statement that Magic Johnson is "cured," because with money, "you can do anything."

1.) Magic Johnson has full blown AIDS.

2.) He is on a cocktail of drugs that are keeping him alive and as healthy as he can possibly be, plus he takes care of himself - exercises, eats well, etc.

3.)When he gets tested for the virus, it does not appear in his test results because he is on drugs that suppress its appearance.

4.) He will still die, eventually, of an AIDS related illness.

5.) You do not have to be exceedingly wealthy to be on the same drug cocktail that he is on.

No matter what we said, though, this kid told us we were buggin', and that our information was wrong. It finally came to the point (now with the whole class in an uproar) where I told him, "Look, you can believe that if you want, but please don't go spreading it around, because you are spreading misinformation that can get people killed."

"Not if you got money, miss." Is what he replied.

And I'm buggin'???

On a happier note, today on NPR they talked about a really cool website that is dedicated to preserving words no longer found in the dictionary. If you have a love of language, even just to use funny, rarely used words, check out Save the Words where you can adopt a word and bring it back to the English language!

Hunger and Food Security

This Saturday is "Make a Difference Day" in Public Allies. So, the three teams (Bridgeport, Hartford, and New Haven) are banding together to complete service projects within the city of New Haven. We are being broken off into groups and sent to different sites, but the overall theme is regarding hunger and food security.

For the most part, hunger and food security in the US refers to the ability of a family or individual to obtain sufficient food for their household. Some households find themselves skipping meals, or skimping on quality and/or quantity. This can lead to malnutrition, mental health issues, and surprisingly, it is also linked with obesity.

Obesity, you say?

Yes, obesity. Families trying to stretch every last dollar often buy fast food as a way to fill up, putting nutrition-empty starches and sugars into their bodies, which leave them hungry soon after due to the high glycemic index of these foods. On top of fast food being so easy and cheap, the USDA estimates that 23.5 million people, including 6.5 million children, live in low-income areas where a supermarket is located more than a mile away. 11.5 million of those 23.5 million live at or below 200 percent of the poverty line. Of the children living in poverty, 44.8 percent are obese, compared to the 31.7 percent of the general population. Low-income zip codes have 25 percent fewer supermarkets than middle-income zip codes. These occurrences are called "food deserts." People living in food deserts often have less access to vehicles, limiting their food choices.

So, just simply providing information about nutrition and health is not enough. Low-income families and individuals need to have access to healthier foods, and not just fast food places and convenience stores.The Obama administration has a joint intiative coming with the Treasury, USDA, and HHS to make available more than $400 million "in financial and technical assistance to community development financial institutions, other nonprofits, and businesses with sound strategies for addressing the healthy food needs of communities."

This will address school lunches, community gardens, farmers markets, SNAP, and grocery store chains.

Also, check out these links:


Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative
Many farmers' markets now accept SNAP!
If Urban Farms Can't Feed Us, What Are They Good For?
Food Trucks: A Solution to Overcoming Food Deserts?
Carrot Vending Machines in Schools! Surprise Success!

There is help on the way. :)

I'm super excited because my group is charged with the task of putting a community garden to bed for the winter, and to build a tool shed. I love stuff like this. I once built a septic tank (out of concrete blocks, re bar, and wet cement) in Costa Rica with Habitat for Humanity, and I can't even tell you how accomplished I felt afterward. Not to mention I love gardening, so I am excited about working in the garden. I hope it's not a brumal day like today was, though!

Whacky Weekend

What a weekend! I got out of professional development trainings in New Haven on Friday to come home and prep my paintings for hanging in a show - fixing frames and attaching hooks and wires. The site of our show, Uncensored: Women in the Arts, was happening in Wilton on Saturday and the artist hanging was Friday night.I was there for two and a half hours! I had good conversation with an old friend and ex, and Malai circled happily about our feet.

Lover and I then went out and enjoyed a beer, bumping into acquaintances and making time for a crossword. We are a pair of cruciverbalists! Total nerds at the bar.

 Love it.

Saturday morning I got up and finished a painting. That's right. It was a 3' x 3' painting, and I painted it up right quick, showered, dressed, and headed for the show. With the painting. Set it up on an easel and was good to go!

The show was exquisite, filled with SOH's (and by that, I mean Sapient, Obstreperous, Hoydens!). Talented artists and photographers, a great space, and amazing performers - we had a singer/songwriter, a classical guitarist who rocked the house (classically, of course), some great bands, and a solo pianist/singer! The audio and visual smorgasbord attracted quite the turnout. Who could ask for more?

And a big THANKS to Jen and Sony for putting it all together!

(Some of us ran out real quick for sushi - I love my bffs Angelica and Katty (who was the one classically rocking the house), and also thanks to Stone for traveling all the way he did to see the show!)

Sunday was a day of in and out in beautiful weather as Lover and I ran errands. I have found myself loving New England more and more. You just can't beat the beauty of fall in zone 5. The leaves are swirling over the roads in breezes, and the light leaping across the maidengrass and the autumn sun reflected in the water - I become enthralled.

Anyway, we got a spiffy new comforter to brighten up the bedroom a little bit, a new doormat (seen below with my furry child Malai who slightly resembles a pig),

some winter decorations (they're penguins with skis and sleds),

a new fish tank for the six lovelies that have been cramped in the tank with the Halloween crabs (google Halloween crabs and find some amusement),

 and some other stuff. We also enjoyed ourselves doing some window shopping in downtown Westport, and splitting a gourmet cupcake and a couple of mochas.

We finished the evening with dinner with Lover's parents, and their really spunky new dog, Lucky. Malai and Lucky aren't friends yet since Malai is socially retarded...and so is Lucky, but he's still a puppy. Anyway, Lucky's outgoing and friendly, excitable nature combined with jumpy puppy impulses doesn't do it for my shy little Malai.  

Oh, and more exciting news! I ordered a vermicomposter online! I've been wanting to make one, but after reading this guy's article, I decided to just order one, and I will instead build the outdoor compost bin. I get the bin, the red wigglers, and the book "Worms Eat My Garbage" next week!

Okay, I think I have posted quite enough! Have a great week everyone!

[Edit: see a video of the new fish tank/fountain!]

Halloween Hullabaloo

Halloween was a bit rushed - but we got it together with our bowl of candy and carved jack-o-lanterns! Even our beloved "kids" lent a hand...or a claw...

 

Shark really got into it!

 

Octopus claimed the big orange one after Shark warned him away from his little white one.

Here they are playing nicely together.

And then the carnage really began...

 I got the pumpkins safely outside.

 

Of course, Malai was never far. She had her "hoochie mama" outfit on for Halloween.

 

Happy (Belated) Halloween!

(you can see Malai's ears in the glass of the door)

Happy October

Yeah, it's half-way through October, and I am just now getting around to wishing everyone a happy October. Life is busy, sometimes too busy, and I have little time for writing - something that I hope to change as I adjust to my new ventures in life.

So, enjoy the fresh fall air, the crispy-crunchy leaves, and the diminishing hours of sunlight. October, one of my favorite months, comes only once a year.

(For those of you asking, my other favorite months are May and July. ;)

October Weekend

The weekend started off with a Birthday Bang! It was Lover's 30th, and I and his friends arranged for him to enjoy a delicious BBQ joint and an outing to Dark Manor (cue scary fog music) in Norwich. On top of this, we got him a racing package to launch himself around a speedway in a Nascar stock car. Yay for Lover!

Saturday was a day to spend in the shop, working on the set for the upcoming play "Curtains". The students and I worked on painting waves and a steamboat. This set is crazy! I've never seen Curtains, and I am told it is a play about a bad play and a murder. Okay, I'm up for it.

Afterward, I finished my comission for the Collarfuls. When I get a scan back from Louise at Katart Graphics, I will post it here to show everyone. It is a mix of my illustrative style and Chagall. (The client is a big fan of Chagall.) Plus, I worked further on the third book I am illustrating for my favorite client, Kathy Walsh. I still haven't posted illustrations from the first two books, but they'll be up some time soon. I have been so busy!

On Sunday, I arose early to pick up my sister and drive with Lover to meet some friends at Lovers Leap State Park. It's been a long time since I used to hang out there regularly, and a lot of the foundations in the area have toppled and eroded. It's still an awesome place with a beautiful view of the river. We had our dogs, the air was cool, the leaves have turned, and the sun shone brightly. Perfect.

Oh! I almost forgot! Lover and I stopped to pick up pumpkins! I can't wait to carve them next week!

GB AIDS Walk!

October 2nd was beautiful and bright! Lucky for me, because in Washington Park, local organizations who address the issue of HIV/AIDS and their supporters were gathering for the annual AIDS walk. I was there with my much loved chihuahua Malai, my friend and fellow Public Ally Nydia, and her boyfriend. We were Team Scott Pilgrim vs. AIDS!

Yeah, we're big dorks.

Anyway, there was music, dancing, and lots of good feeling. Free and confidential testing was available for anyone (and still is at the Greater Bridgeport Adolescent Pregnancy Program - gbapp.org). We helped raise funds for the Greater Bridgeport HIV/AIDS Care Consortium, an organization that provides care and resources for people living with HIV/AIDS. Overall, it was a great event and a great cause!

And now, prepare yourself for the bundle of cuteness that is my dog!

Malai even has her own AIDS awareness ribbon! So as we went throughout our day, we could tell other people about the walk and continue spreading AIDS awareness and education.