I've been very busy lately

I feel bad that I haven't written anything in ages...I have been posting some things on my Ex-Mormon blog...I might put some of those posts over here as well.

I've been very busy with Biology, German and Philosophy but luckily German and Biology are coming to an end soon. =) Philosophy doesn't end for about another month, however but I can live with philosophy. I'll be starting some new classes after winter break, maybe...if I get my bill taken care of.

News: nothing new, just too much homework and lots of studying.

Hug a Vegetarian Day is tomorrow

Just a friendly reminder:

Don't forget to hug a vegetarian this friday.


Sign Up to Hug Me Today!

Just a dog, by Richard Biby

by Richard Biby
From "The Versatile Hunting Dog" NAVHDA's Magazine; February 2006

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog,"
or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog."

They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog."

Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog,"
but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog,"
and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand
phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."

"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust,
and pure unbridled joy.

"Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

Because of "just a dog", I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future,
the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away
from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog",
but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being
"just a man or woman."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog"
just smile...
because they "just don't understand."

I found this on animalliberationfront.com.

Honey isn't vegan

Honey is something that, if you're vegan, you avoid. I've met a number of people who are vegans who don't believe that honey counts because it doesn't come from an animal, rather it is just created by them and they make more than they can ever use anyway.

However, if you're a vegan to prevent cruelty to animals, you ought to consider this: In order to obtain honey the bees have to be smoked out of their hives and are often killed in the process of getting the honey, which isn't ethical by vegan standards.

There are vegan options to honey:



Agave Nectar is made from the same plant which tequila is made from and it's been used in foods for thousands of years (http://www.allaboutagave.com/).

To read more on honey, check out: http://www.vegansociety.com/images/Honey.pdf

More news out of Washington

Everett, WA



Lastest, in Washington. Earth Liberation Front Topples Two Radio Station Towers in Snohomish County, WA.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 4, 2009
Earth Liberation Front Topples
Radio Station Towers in Snohomish County, WA
Everett, WA: Two radio station
towers were torn down early Friday by the Earth Liberation Front (ELF) in the
Lord's Hills valley in Snohomish County, WA. The towers, owned by station KRKO,
have been a source of controversy for years. A sign left at the scene claimed
responsibility by the ELF.
" Due to the health and environmental risks
associated with radio waves emitted from the towers, we applaud this act by the
ELF," stated Jason Crawford, a spokesperson for the North American Earth
Liberation Front Press Office. "When all legal channels of opposition have been
exhausted, concerned citizens have to take action into their own hands to
protect life and the planet."
For the past eight years, opponents have waged
a legal battle against the towers, arguing that AM radio waves cause adverse
health affects including a higher rate of cancer, harm to wildlife, and that the
signals have been interfering with home phone and intercom lines.
Last year,
the first four towers were erected by KRKO after numerous hearings and appeals.
KRKO plans to build two more towers to boost the station's broadcasting
power.
" We have to weigh our priorities and the local ecosystem in Everett,
along with the local residents, do not need additional sports news radio station
towers that come at the expense of reduced property values and harmful radio
waves," Crawford continued. "We sincerely hope that people continue to take
direct action to stop the threats to human health, wildlife and the
planet."
The E.L.F. is an international underground organization that uses
direct action in the form of economic sabotage to stop the systematic
exploitation and destruction of the planet. Since its inception in North America
in 1996, the ELF has inflicted well over $150 million in damages to corporations
and governmental agencies that are profiting from the destruction of the
Earth.
The North American Earth Liberation Front Press Office is a legal news
agency representing the earth liberation movement. The NAELFPO reports on the
covert direct actions taken by the Earth Liberation Front in defense of the
planet. Targeting deforestation, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), urban
sprawl, automobile and industry pollution, and other threats to the natural
environment, the Earth Liberation Front uses nonviolent economic sabotage to
compel industries and governments to reshape their environmentally destructive
policies.
The NAELFPO can be found on the web at www.elfpressoffice.org

I can't believe it's 12 AM

I got home about thirty minutes ago. I was planning on hanging out with Alli tonight but since I got home so late...yeah, it's a bummer.

I was googling "How to annoy a vegan" because my friend had this blog that was about "How to annoy an atheist" and I found an article instead from Spokane! Bascially the article is about how annoying vegans can be at social functions.

"I have a business acquaintance who, after meeting her husband, became a vegetarian, and is now a vegan. They are so happy and in love with their world they proselytize their food choices and practically insult those who are comfortable with their own eating habits.

As annoying as this is, my concern is that they would like to host the annual company event at their home. When I entertain at home, I provide a range of food and libation so as to cover everyone's dietary restrictions.


But I know that they will serve only vegan foods, no sodas, and food that many in the larger group don't necessarily enjoy, along with lots of alcohol, which is amusing given their health concerns.

They will not allow anything other than vegan foods in their home, which is their right.

Of course, knowing this upfront, I will eat before I go and nibble on their offerings. Even so, there is a feeling among the workers that these two are incredibly rude and controlling.

They are more senior in the company, so everyone will go along. However, since the party is for the employees, it seems unfair that at a party that is meant to show appreciation everyone will be forced to eat what the hosts like, versus the standard buffet choices.

Gentle Reader: That people who go around insulting others over their food choices are rude is beyond dispute. Whether they are "controlling," which is to say assuming illegitimate authority over others, is a more complicated question.

As you acknowledge, they may serve what they like in their own house. They also may choose the location of a party they are giving.

So if this couple is senior enough to be throwing and sponsoring the annual party, the only polite protest their prospective guests can make is to decline their invitations.

If everyone expressed polite regret at being busy the night of the event, perhaps the hosts would understand that it was not working as a show of appreciation.

It is an entirely different matter if the event is actually given by the company at which they and the other prospective guests are employees. Employees may then make the point to whoever is in higher charge that the couple's house is an unsuitable venue because of its food restrictions.

This is not the time to deal with their rudeness.

It should be phrased as it would be if a popular employee had wanted to host the party in a house that was too small to hold the number of people expected – with gratitude for the offer and regret that it would not work."

A lot of people don't think that vegans drink because we're "healthy people" but that's not the case (really not my case, at least). However, there are many straight edge vegans that I do know, but being vegan is not always about health- often (more times than not, I'd say) it's about ethics rather than health.

I certainly don't see anything wrong with drinking a bit every now and then but there are obvious reasons as to why someone would not want to eat animal products.

The lady above says that the person is being too critical (and I don't know the vegans in question, so it's hard to say) but, at the same time, she's being critical towards veganism. Vegan food is no different from other food and I KNOW for a FACT that there are some kick ass vegan cookers in Spokane.

So why not lighten up and give veganism a chance if only for one night? It's not a personal attack against you, it actually has nothing to do with you.

Class has started

First assignment, write a free verse poem.

Free verse poetry, to me, is so sloppy but after thinking about it- it's really my favorite form of poetry because aren't I the one sobbing in the back at every poetry slam? And what kind of poems are those? Hmm? Usually they're free verse which is nice.

So I've managed to write a few but none of them nearly come close to the talent of the poets of Spokane, that are deeply talented.

Like this guy, Kurt Olson:

Facebook

I decided to finally make a facebook (well, again).

Last time I figured that I would never use it and since I didn’t even know that I had a facebook half the time that I had one (before deleting it) I never really saw the point in it. I still think myspace is easier to get around on but I guess I’m not being fair since I’ve never given facebook a chance.

vicious-vegan@hotmail.com is my facebook email address.

More news: I'm getting the internet today!

Ringling Bros Beats Animals

New undercover footage from PETA:

I'm 20!

So I'm sitting in front of an American Inn at the moment so I can use their internet that's cutting off every five minutes so I'm going to have to make this quick.

Basically, I finally met up with Alli (and a few other people; Pia, Anji, Fastiggi actually) and on Wednesday I turned 20!

I'm not a teenager anymore. =(

We got a house!

We bought a house last night and things are looking up. The house is pretty nice. I like my room. We have a huge backyard and the inside of the house is kind of log cabinyish which is cool.

My hair no longer smells like eggs and actually the perm is pretty much gone...what a waste of money. But my hair does hold a curl better so that's good. I'm just glad that I don't have that rancid smell anymore.

Alli emailed me so it looks like we'll be hanging out sometime soon, probably today or tomorrow. She get's off at eight so I don't see my parents being ok with me going down town at eight then coming back really late. They're not okay with me doing pretty much anything so I don't know what I'll be doing.

Now I'm just waiting for everything to be stable once again.

I miss everyone in Spokane so much!

I'm in Germany

I've been back in Germany now for about five days.

I'm not sick anymore and the flight here was a lot better than my flight back to the states. I've already gotten in touch with Alli. Her phone actually died midconversation. From what I got out of the conversation she won't be working later this week so I'll probably see her then.

It's more humid here than I remember. My hair was frizzing up like crazy so I decided to take a ballzy move and get a large curled perm. Well, my hair WAS nearly black but the perm lightened my hair nearly three shades. I'm not pleased. The curls are not flattering or nice in anyway and I haven't even gotten to the smell. Well, it smells awful. That's because I still have the perm shit in my hair. She said give it two days before it's gone. I can't see Alli until then because I don't want to see her for the first time in years smelling like rotten eggs or a dead animal.

Other than a massive crazy hair day, things in Germany have been all right. In fact everything is pretty much exactly the same but I feel that I have changed quite a lot and I'm missing Spokane more than I expected I would.

It's mostly stupid crap that I should be over within a month or so. The weather for one, I'm not liking it. The bases seem dirtier than I remember and everything’s closing and they still haven't finished that mall I was looking forward to. The library I used to work at is only opened three days a week now.

Also, lastly, it's very tough being a vegan in Germany. The hotel I'm staying at serves food downstairs. They also raise animals just outside of the place. So close that I can hear them at night. I've tried looking out my window to see them but I can't. I can only hear them and they're very loud sometimes and it makes me wonder if someone's being slaughtered sometimes. The first few days I was pretty much living off of salads, which is fine and all but you know the first time I got one there was this milky sauce poured all over the lettuce leafs. It seems that animal products are used in nearly everything that is vegan. I shouldn't complain. It's a commitment that I've made and I'm going to keep it up and maybe I'm now in the position to lose a good amount of weight, if I want. I don't know.

I haven't drunk since I've been here. It's odd because now that I'm in a place that I can finally drink, I don't really have any urges to do so. I'm sure I'll feel differently once I walk into the Harp with Alli and Pia later this week (if we go there, that is). My hotel is across from an Irish Pub and I've been thinking about going over sometime. Not today or tomorrow. I'd make the place smell like eggs. Then again if they're all drinking, they might not notice it so much. But you would have to be beyond hammered not to notice the rancid smell fuming from my head.

I'm ready to see Alli. I want to go to H&M and TRY to not spend too much of my money before I get another job. I spent more than I should have today. I don't see myself going to Amsterdam at the end of this month. I probably shouldn't. We don't have a house yet. I want to get settled a bit and start a job before I think about travelling.

I could go for a vacation that didn't involve my family. We've been at each other’s necks the past month because we haven't had any time a part from each other for more than a few hours, if that. Michael has set me off a few times where I've nearly become murderous.

All right, so that's everything that's been going on here. I need to get back in touch with Alli and figure out what we're going to do later this week.

Denver!

I got into Denver about 45 minutes ago. Wow, how different it is from Colorado Springs. But then again I can't see too much from the airport windows. Ok, they're boarding now. I'll be in Denver soon. I hope Bonnie is ok...

Goodbye Washington

I fly out of Spokane today. =/




This was taken over by Yakima.



My last picture of Spokane.

I'll be in Maryland later today, where I'll be spending the night.

The 4th on the rez

I spent the 4th at Grandma's house while she was in Yakima Valley with Billy. Everyone was setting off fireworks and it was kind of scary so I pretty much spent the whole time inside reading and trying to calm Bonnie down.

Above is a picture of a fire off a ways from us. You can't really makeout the fire but it made the whole place all smokey.

Breasts, Not Animal Tests- PETA's new sexist game

PETA, honestly, what the fuck?



PETA never fails to objectify women someway, somehow. It's like PETA feeds off of sexism.

Anyway, judge for yourself:

http://www.peta2.com/BreastsNotAnimalTests/game.asp

Does this honestly help animals or make serious issues "comical" (granted, I don't find this game funny). Vivisection is no laughing matter. Also, you could say "by any means possible, lets save animals" but I don't see this helping animals. It does more harm than good. Fuck sexism and fuck PETA.

Herbivore Clothing

I'm back in Zillah, sadly. But I'm heading to Omak tomorrow- then back to Spokane for the day.

While I was in Portland, I stopped by Herbivore Clothing to get some shirts. I got three things, two shirts and one hoodie.



Yes, this is someone's chest...

Let Live Conference comes to an end

I didn't go to the closing event because I'm not big on closers.

I made it to two other talks today, both were great. I was most impressed with co-W.A.R's, the co-founder of WAR actually, Camilla Hankins, who spoke well and is someone I would be thrilled to work alongside with. She's from N.J.- at least I assume since she goes to weekly demos at the HLS over there. Also, the accent gives it away.

I tried finding her speech on YouTube but I've had no luck- granted I just left the talk about 30 minutes ago. This is an older speech I found from her:




I also learned about radical cheerleaders, which was something I didn't know about. Granted I don't see myself becoming a radical cheerleader, I still found it interesting. I don't think that Cheer leading at an event like in front of a vivisection lab is respectful but in certain cases, I think it could be great. In the case of the circus, since children are around, I can see this as being very effective.



Kind of odd and funny- not sure how I feel about it...not sure if I care about it.

Lunch Break at Let Live Conference in Portland

It's about time to head back to the conference.

I spent yesterday attending two different talks. One regarding HLS (SHAC activism) and the other talk was over the AETA (Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act).

I went to the first one because of Josh Harper mostly, as he worked with SHAC and he's become something of a friend over the past three years. He'll be getting out in about two weeks from his half way house in Seattle. I'm happy for him and wish I wrote to him one last time before he got out because I was sort of put in the corner by my parents after some people came over to question me over the letters and support. Pretty lame.

The AETA was actually what he was arrested under. I went to that talk because it was given by Peter Young, an ALF prisoner that I have a lot of respect for. He's a great speaker and I'm glad I got to be around him and listen to what he had to say.

Today I've only attended one talk so far. I learned about proxies. I'm still not sure what the fuck they are though. Here is a site he told us about: http://www.proxy4free.com/ I best get back!

California's Redwoods

The Redwood Forest! I wasn't exactly crazy about them cutting the bottom of the tree out so people could drive through it. I took a picture anyway...



The pictures I've taken do no justice to the Redwoods. You would have to see them for yourself. I did, however, find this tree interesting. Up top there are trees growing from the branches of this massive tree.



Here is the Bull (this picture is mainly for Sean). This place is like a "Redwood's gift stop". Anyway, this great giant blue bull was there with huge balls. Made me laugh a bit.

Oregon Day 2

Today we spent most of the day driving to California but we did get to see the sea lion cave in Oregon. The smell...well words cannot explain the smell.



Looks like slugs.



A beautiful view out of the cave.

Oregon Day 1

We drove into Oregon from Yakima. The drive took forever. It's surprising how different the Inland Northwest looks compared to the coast.



The Ocean: very cold.

Vegan Wine and Beer

Drinking is no longer off limits for me, we at least in two and a half weeks.

On Spokanevegans, someone was kind enough to post a list of vegan beers. I was saddened that not many Irish beers that I used to drink back in the day are not vegan. So once I get back to Germany I will know what I can and cannot drink.

I was happy to see that some of my favorites were on the "vegan friendly" list such as Pilsner, Heineken, and Smirnoff Ice (well, this isn't beer but whatever. I like it.)

If you want to check to see if your favorite drinks are vegan friendly, check out the site: www.barnivore.com

Jumpy

What a week. I have written in a few days because I haven’t really been in the right mood and a lot has been going on.

On Wednesday we (my mom and I) took Jumpy to a rabbit sanctuary because he can’t live on base anymore. Well Jumpy wasn’t feeling very good but apparently the stress was too much for him and he died the same day we dropped him off.

Kit tried rushing him to the emergency clinic in Idaho but Jumpy was too ill to make it.

Welcome to Hell

This is my backyard.

Really though, I will miss Spokane.

Acer Aspire

The laptop I bought yesterday.

Walkie Harassment

I’ve been hearing the maids on my brother’s walkie that he brought for who knows what reasons. Well they carry walkie talkies around, like I used to when I worked at the youth center.

At first I was thinking that I was being spied on (it sucks being paranoid all the time). Once I figured it out, it was pretty funny since the maids sometimes bark into their walkie or sing. Of course I said something back, I don’t want to be rude... I don’t think that they yet realize that they have a traitor amongst them.

I really feel as though I’ve made myself some new friends.

AK Press

I got my order in from AK Press yesterday before I headed off last night.

Three things came in, now I'm just waiting on the last item; "500 Years of Indigenous Resistance" which should be interesting.

Two of the things I ordered were in regards to birth control and abortion. I got them for my sociology presentation on population growth- but it got here a tad too late. Not their fault, I typed in something wrong on my order so they had to call me and sort it all out. I didn't actually make it to class that day anyway because after 2:00 I was needed elsewhere.

I was pretty taken aback when there was instructions in one of the pamphlets on how to preform an at home abortion- in fact you can buy your own abortion kit, believe it or not. The herbal one wasn't as shocking, not so much as it was interesting.

I suppose the message is that you can take care of yourself. Also, abortion may very well become illegal someday so you might as well learn how to do-it-yourself.

Granted, I only got the pamphlets for curiosities sake.

To read more about it you can check out www.akpress.com - just search "abortion".

OutSpokane

Spokane Pride events are taking place from June 4-13.

Today, Saturday, June 8th there will be a Gay Pageant: Leather and Lace. It’s 21 and over, sadly. Not that I’ll be able to make it since I’m babysitting (It’s an overnighter).

Not a big fan of pageants anyway.

What I’m really looking forward to is the Pride Parade on the 13th that starts at 11:00AM and begins at Dempsey’s Brass Rail, 909 W. 1st. Avenue. I’m not sure if you have to be 21+ to get in for the staging or maybe everything will be outside.

Too bad my rainbow flag is all packed up... Be there if you can to show your support for the Spokane GLBT community.

Seattle Pride Parade is on the 28th!

Wordpress.com

Damn it. I just checked out wordpress and it's beautiful! I am not creating another blog. I promised myself...

I'm now a part of two different blogs. This one is all my own though and the other one is shared by all vegans of Spokane. Well at least some vegans of Spokane who get an OK from Crystal.

http://spokanevegans.wordpress.com/ here is the site for the Spokane Vegans. Check it out!

My blog creation

I've tried making blogs in the past. I actually tried making a blog this morning, but decided to leave it behind because too many people know that e-mail address (and because I cannot figure out how to delete it). Well, actually, it's more than that. Too many ex-boyfriends know that e-mail address, thus the creation of this blog!

I always become more interested in blogging or journal keeping when something is changing in my life. As of right now, I'm getting ready to move. I'm staying in TLF (I'm not sure what that stands for but it's basically like a military hotel) and in a week and a half, I'll be done with my college classes. Then, in about four weeks, I'll be done with Washington and on my way to Germany. Even though I do plan on moving back to Washington to finish up my degree but I can't pass up Germany when there are so many other places I want to see in Germany.

And, yes, there is more to it than that as well. I cannot go to Evergreen State College until I have 45 credits...something to do with not taking the SAT while I was in High School. Now I can kick myself over that but at the time I didn't see the point in taking it. Oh well. So I really only need about 5-10 more credits- and in the mean time I'm going to be at home until I get those 5-10 more credits.

Today I need to repaint my room. I decided to paint it yellow three years ago, now I have to go over it with white. The yellow is so light, it could probably pass off as white but considering that I have candle wax stains and coffee stains on the wall (don't ask me how that happened because I wouldn't know) I have something to paint over now.

I'm not sure how often I'll be able to write on here but considering that I have nothing better to do (that's a lie, I should be doing homework) I'll be writing as often as I can. I wonder if Mr. Joal Lee would give out extra credit points for blog writing?