The Case Against Animal Rights?

(On facebook nowadays, everyone's opinion is thrust at you through status updates, which is basically like twitter, but for those without the urge to update every 10 minutes. You get all sorts of updates- things that you understand, messages that make no sense, and updates from people you rarely see or dislike. This is one of those situations.)

One of my former "kids" from the youth orchestra I managed at NEC is really conservative...and spends a lot of time online. Earlier this year, I made sure to eliminate her from my "feed" but facebook is sketchy and it doesn't always work. I mostly was just tired of seeing her count down (daily) to the end of high school or her rants about Obama or non-Christians. But today's made me chuckle.

"How about we start treating humans better before we even start thinking about animal rights?"

Here's what I think: Well, sweetie, let's treat all beings with respect. Let's be nice to humans, even liberals, and then we can talk. I truly do not believe that humans are not necessarily "above" all other creatures on earth, therefore making it difficult for me to justify hurting those other creatures. Even if you think Buddhist and Hindu concepts of reincarnation are bollocks, one can't deny that humans tend to destroy the earth, whether that includes humans, animals, plants, or other naturally occurring live-forms. If we only focus our efforts on humans, and get rid of the desire to save endangered species, stop poor treatment of factory animals, or stop the fur trade, then we are indulging in selfishness and forgetting about the interconnectedness of all beings on earth. Most of the animals that need "rights" are endangered by us. Humans. So maybe people who advocate for the earth or for animals or for the green movement DO care about humans- they're just more interested in undoing the hundreds of years of damage that we've done through industrialization and lack of ethics. But let's stop having wars, stop gangs, stop bombing people, change our immigration policies, improve the economy, teach people to make do with less, and then we can not just be animal rights activists, but life activists. Because it's all connected. All life is special, whether it be a mosquito, a human, or a gopher.* And it's our job, as the creatures with the biggest tools, to help everyone out, whether fuzzy or human. It's the wilderness explorer way.

*(I saw a gopher today in the grass!!!!)

listening to: the top albums of '09: st vincent, grizzly bear, animal collective, dark was the night.

Some new classy craigslist personal ads

Here's a good one, m4w:Would-be James Bond Villain Seeks Femme Fatale for Plotting, Evil Deeds (Rochester, NY)

Hello, I am a professional male who feels his life's ambition is to build a volcano or underground base, gather minions and attempt to take over/blackmail/threaten outrageous acts of violence on the world. Help towards these goals is required.

As an affably evil gentleman of taste and status, I require an attractive woman, between 21 and 35 to act as my main lieutenant and potential love interest. Ability to seduce and kill potential rivals a plus, as well as experience with death laser repair techniques. Potential infidelity when dealing with a certain British spy is strictly forbidden. Must like cats (disregard- I’m allergic to cats). Evil yet attractive female scientists to build weapons of mass destruction also acceptable.

My hobbies include petting my cat while sitting on my chair plotting, just ordinary plotting, acts of international carnage and coming up with implausible methods to dispose of British spies.

Or another: Seeking Brain with those Boobs

Are you tired of guys just wanting to get to know you because you have a bodice-busting pair of breasts? Fed up with fellas who are only fascinated by your fun bags, but don't seem to register that there's a whole entire woman attached to those delectable double-Ds? Wish a really good guy could see beyond "the girl with the sizzling sweater-kittens" to find "the girl with the scintillating personality?"

Maybe I'm that guy.

Although I wouldn't bet on it.

Yummy: SWM looking for Cookware

I know this is the "Men seeking women" section ... but figured "Men seeking women's advice" would be a subset of this section .... so.....
I am a single male, don't entertain much, don't eat out much either. I am looking to buy some new cookware - pots and frying pans. I prefer the type with non-stick surfaces.I have had a habit of beginning to cook something, going upstairs to work on something and then coming back downstairs to see why the fire alarm is blasting away. Because of this, I've been buying cheap cookware as I end up buring it anyways.
I've discovered the concept of setting a little portable timer that I can clip on to my pocket and when it goes off I remember (within a minute or two) that I had something cooking in the kitchen.
This appears to be working somewhat and now I'm interested in buy some better cookware. So, I need advice on what cookware to get, something that is long lasting, and has a good non-stick surface.

And of course, my fav: Nice SWM who wears a girdle and a wig seeks single black or asian girl

Enough said.

Gender, Music, and Me.

(I started writing this a few weeks ago, and I never really decided where to go with it after the first round, so I'm putting it here, just in case anyone feels a need to read.)

I suppose I should preface this all by saying that I grew up in a relatively sexism-free environment. I'm from Southern California, I don't subscribe to a religion, and the best students in my high school were mostly girls. My mother has always worked, and she's definitely the power figure over my dad. I guess my mother would qualify as a feminist- by setting a good example rather than fighting for causes. She has always been pro-gay people, against wimpy women, and all for women in the workforce. Growing up, my mom wouldn't allow me to have Barbies, and my toys were a combination of "boy" and "girl" toys. (American Girls, racetrack for cars, a pirate ship...etc.) So, I'm quite different from other Jucispeakers {Jucispeak is a blog promoting women's issues, tolerance, love, etc.} in the environment that I am used to. I frankly never experienced much of any sexism growing up, at least towards myself or peers, and I knew it existed, but it never really affected me directly except in classroom situations when I was arguing for Emily Dickinson's bold poetry or how Othello's fears are a product of gender bias. Until now.

This year, I have really become more aware of the issues facing women in society, whether in music, arts, politics, or other fields. I realized that my teacher was the only full-time tenured female string faculty at Eastman. I was informed that the results of my auditions may have been due to sexism, according to certain adjudicators voting for me. I have experienced a conductor who is so masculine, insensitive, and brutish in his interpretations and treatment of others that I have realized that I am different. As a violist and woman, I have something different to say---and not everyone will listen to what I have to say. And that's sad. So let's proceed.

Most of us classical musicians can safely say that the major part of the classical canon is made of music by dead white men (most of whom were heterosexual). Classical music has long discriminated against race, gender, and sexuality, and today is no exception. Historically, orchestras were all male endeavors, compositions were by men (since women couldn't get published or be respected by their peers), solo performers were male, and even now, it is rare to see a successful female conductor (aside from Marin Alsop). Fortunately, many female composers have been recognized for their prowess in the last 40 years, but that is only 40 years out of hundreds of years of classical music! Women have been composing, performing, and creating since the beginning of time- they just aren't always remembered in history. Maddalena Casulana has a book of her madrigals published in the 1560's- the first instance of a women composer's works being published. Does anyone teach this? Nope. (I just took a whole semester of the Renaissance, and women's music was maybe discussed for 5 minutes) How many music textbooks (theoretical or historical) refer to women's works? Well, my copy of the Grout certainly doesn't do much, nor does Alex Ross' newish book "The Rest is Noise." Aside from Hildegard von Bingen, how many other women composers pre-1800 can anyone name? Probably not many. Barbara Strozzi? Rarely mentioned in Renaissance books. Do any books actually make a point of the MUSIC of Clara Schumann rather than her illustrious relationship with Brahms? Not many. Women throughout the ages have been slighted by history; scores of them: Fanny Mendelssohn, Ruth Crawford Seeger, Ellen Zwilich, Rebecca Clarke (whom most people only know for her viola sonata). When these women make works of art that are notable, HIStory (Aka. the past as remembered by males) is not fair to them. If classical music as a field has been mostly male dominated, the same is true of music scholarship, such as music theory and music history. When all aspects of classical music have been largely controlled by males, it's really no longer that there has been some gender issues over the years.

Today, orchestras are mostly equitable in their treatment of gender. But in the early half of the century, when women were graduating from music school, there were few, if any, orchestras that would accept them. Instead, "Women's Orchestras" were founded, and by the 1940's, there were 30 women's orchestras in the US. However, like other fields of work, WWII called away many men, and orchestras were now desperate to fill those positions, thus resulting in gender integration in professional orchestras. While women have been accepted as performers, teachers, and orchestral musicians, women are still fighting for recognition as conductors and composers. Most of these conductors and composers were trained exclusively by men, and had to forge their ways into male-dominated fields with support and mentorship of other women. Ultimately, when men have been in power, it has been extremely difficult for women to be treated equally in all aspects of music. My teacher has told me stories of sexism, even in the 1990's at Juilliard, when most of the faculty was male, and I have seen how Eastman is a conservative, mostly male-led institution. So what can we do as women musicians? Good question.

The first step is to acknowledge that women are still discriminated against, even if it is more subtle than in the not-so-distant past. If an all-female chamber group wears clothing that is sexy, how are they using that image? Is it helping or hurting the cause for women? At the same point, do women have to dress in an androgynous fashion to be taken seriously? I don't know the answer. I think the answer is to be thoughtful of all possible consequences in such a situation. Women have the power to be sexy, but don't have to dress scantily to prove that they are women. I must admit that I am always bothered a little when I see a classical album that has T+A appeal. In a genre where sound counts so much more than image, it is sad to see women using that as a way to boost fame and success. At the same time, a sexy album cover can also dull the musical value of the artist's work, which is also unfortunate. (Think of the publicity photos for the Eroica Trio and the Ahn trio as compared to other all-female groups, like the Lark Quartet). Aside from images, it is our job as performers and musicians to push for other women, whether in music history, popular music, conducting, or in regular life. By being aware of discrimination, I think we can eventually reach a fairer treatment and equality for women in classical music.

Zombies and Gender!!!!

On Monday, I had the good fortune of seeing the 2003 film 28 Days Later which surprisingly, was fairly intellectual for a movie about zombies and the apocalypse.  The general premise is that a virus has struck England, a virus that ultimately infects people and makes them blood sucking zombie types, but not the kind that we usually think of.  These are fast acting speed zombies, and once infected, there is no cure, and the infected have to be killed to prevent further blood thirst.  Now, there are 4 main characters whom we are following, one of whom accidentally becomes infected and has to be killed.  The 3 characters are driving to a military base which claims to be safe from the virus.  When they get there, they instead discover a "Lord of the Flies" type situation in which the military men are somewhat insane, cruel, and highly sexist. As thing progress, we find out that the corporal has promised women to his men.  Therefore, 2 of the visitors, the women, are expected to have sex (i.e. be raped) by the soldiers.  The third companion is a guy, who they are trying to kill because he is protesting the rape.  he then comes back to rescue them, basically having them defeated by the infected.  The thing that is most shocking though is that the humans are worse than zombies.  It's the humans that want to pillage and rape, whereas the zombies just want to kill.  It also reminds me that in times of crisis, people are no longer human- they lose the ethical/moral principles that they might normally have.  The redeeming element in the movie is that the female characters are never helpless- despite the threat of rape, the two females are fierce, fighting their attackers viciously.  The women were also able to save Jim, their male companion, at the end of the movie, proving their awesomeness and equality.  

    The movie was directed by Danny Boyle, famed director of Slumdog Millionaire, and I have to say, I'm pretty impressed with his consistently positive portrayal of women.  While I wish he had more female protagonists, he tends to portray women as strong and capable, if not more capable than men.  This movie, as well as parts of Slumdog, really portray the darker side of masculinity, and I appreciate his sensitivity and intelligence towards gender depiction.  

Homesick...But I no longer know where Home is

Ah, the Kings of Convenience.  Music of the soft spoken persuasion, but more brainy than some.  A Simon and Garfunkel for the younger set, reminiscent of "Only Living Boy in New York" or "Homeward Bound."  They put it best...homesick.  But I no longer have a real home.

I have lost my origin, and I don't want to find it again.

   Sarah sent me a letter today empathizing with my lack of home, and I thought about it again.  Why was I so at home in Boston, and not so here?  Here, I walk down the street, and I hope that no one hits on me, or tells me hello in a sexy voice.  (I also hope that no one crazy follows me home with a baseball bat, calling me 'mother fucking white bitch.'  That already happened once.)  But aside from that, what else is it?  I don't know that many people here, both in the city and the school.  In Boston, I knew the clerks at the stores, and I had my favorite Whole Foods and TJ's clerks.  I'd see people I recognized all the time, whether walking down Newbury or sitting in a random restaurant.  At the same time, there was such anonymity, as though the city could suck me into its stratosphere, and I would be happy, consumed with Boston.  I don't have that here- I have a few restaurants and stores that I frequent, but it's not quite the same.  And people, they don't know me.  I'm just another student, nameless and nondescript, unmemorable.  In Boston, every student was an anthropological field day- try to guess what college I go to?  Sweat pants and super tanned?  Hello Northeastern!  Flamboyantly gay man with plucked eyebrows or shaved legs?  Dancer or MT major, for sure.  Hipster boy?  Probably NEC.  But here, we're all the same, and no one cares either way.  

   So I miss Boston, but it's not my home.  A few weeks ago, I went, and saw few people I knew.  A whole new class of people has gone through NEC without me- a new flock of grad students, and a whole new crop of freshman.  Thousands of people have taken my spot in Boston, filled the void I left behind in my apartment, my work, my orchestras.  And California, well, it's beautiful, but I haven't spent more than 3 weeks there in 3 years.  And I have few friends there, but everything's covered in the filmy dust of time.  My dogs are dead, and my parents are my only solace "at home."  So I'm homeless.  

    I have Wanderlust, perhaps.  But if only this wanderlust was accompanied with Claymation water buffalo, everything would be better.  So I clean through my closet, I try not to buy things, because it makes it easier to leave.  I'm careful with how many people I befriend in my building- transience endangers friendships.  

Did I imagine it would be like this? Was it something like this I wished for?

And to think that two years ago, I so badly wanted to leave Boston, leave classical music.  And now everything's changed, and it's not what I wanted.  But I don't know what I want, what I wish for.  I didn't imagine it would be like this, I didn't know I would be so alone, so uncomfortable in my surroundings.  I guess I just have to keep looking, looking for a new origin, a new home, something that I wished for.  Somewhere where I am as comfortable inside my apartment as I am outside it.

Listening to: Fujiya and Miyaga.  (or whatever they're called.)

Steps to Godly Fitness, Insatiable Sexual Appetitie...and more!

Don't wait, there's more where that came from!  Are you feeling dissatisfied with your weight-loss regime?  Well, Laurette has more great tidbits to keep you motivated- fasting!  If you aren't motivated to walk to work, well just make it a prayer walk and read prayers as you exercise!  The new "PraiseFast" program will help you to lose weight and get down with J.C.!  Here's some passages, "Physical food is nourishment for the body.  Jesus Christ is the only FOOD which can truly fill us.  Discover the connection between overeating and sin!"  (At the bottom of the page, there's something about "Ascential Bioscience nutrition products," which suggests that sin is not the ONLY thing keeping you wobbly.)

Ok, I don't want to come off as an anti-Christian biatch.  I'm really not.  But this is, once again, ridiculous.  I think it's fine to want to combine spirituality and exercise, but I once again, have issues with proclaiming it as the only way, or the word of God, as Laurette proclaims on the praisefast page.  (She's waiting for a clear "go-ahead" from a higher power to continue on.)  As the lovely yoga ladies wrote below, Laurette's work really just shows her closed-mindedness, and her inability (along with many others) to believe that there is more than one path to God or spirituality.  If we go back to the PraiseMoves page about books, she gets excited that her work (and that of Mike Shreve) has closed yoga studios.  "It has been instrumental in the closing of several yoga studios already!"  One of the major issues I have with dual party politics in the US is that everyone thinks that they are absolutely 100% right about everything, and that their way is the ONLY way.  Conservatives think this, and liberals think this, and battles over black and white moral issues ensue.  There is little moderation, little compromise, little problem solving.  Let's take a look at another highly opinionated work about one of every feminist's favorite topics: abortion.

"Thoughts from an Ex-Fetus" by George Jonas.  Let me preface this by saying that I believe both sides have valid points about abortion.  Yes, I think killing is bad.  But I also think that it isn't just about killing.  It's sometimes about the life of the child, the life of the mother, the circumstances in which the fetus was conceived (rape!!!!!), the illnesses of the fetus, etc.  This article is quite incendiary, at least to me, because the way that Jonas crafts his arguments is by saying that

1) Killing abortionists is basically as bad as killing fetuses.  

2) Abortion means "We don't want standard or superstandard children if they cramp out style." 

3) We live in a matriarch.   "Living in an epoch that is selfish as well as matriarchal..."

4) Abortion is a way to allow women to have "a healthy sexual appetite" (which is clearly wrong).  Jonas then goes on to insult women further, "Some put the question in terms of a woman's right to control her own body.  That would be valid enough in the realm of smoking, diet, liposuction or sex- but abortion?"

I personally think that women should have the freedom to have an abortion, but I don't necessarily know that I personally would get one.  First of all, being pro-choice isn't necessarily being pro-abortion.  Second of all, abortion does not always amount to feminine selfishness, as the author seems to think.  Third of all, if abortion is killing, then why not try to decrease all killing as well?  Why are we still a violent and hostile nation in foreign policy?  Why kill animals that are treated terribly in factory farms?  Why kill forests?  Why kill our world with gas guzzling cars and plastic?  If we're going to say that killing humans and fetuses is tantamount and it's bad, then let's try to stop killing everything else and everyone else in the world first.  Then we can talk.

If we are against abortion, why not get to the heart of the matter?  Birth Control and education.  Some people do not have sex in a pre-marital situation, but it is not necessarily a religious choice.  Some people do.  Not all liberals lack religion and have lots of sex, not all conservatives are extreme Christians.  The bottom line is that sex leads to babies.  And I think that "abstinence-only" education is really not cutting it.  So as parents and leaders, we should educate children and teenagers about the importance of safe sex, and allow girls access to morning-after pills.  If people are smarter about sex, they'll be less likely to get pregnant.  If they're less likely to get pregnant, then they're less likely to abort.  Outlawing abortion and denying birth control to women isn't going to do anything, but helping people to have access to birth control can prevent this killing in the future.  And Mr. Jonas, please remember that it's not just a woman's "healthy sexual appetite" which results in sex.  As I recall, it takes two to tango, which means that birth control is as much a reflection of female sex drive as it is male.  

   In the end, it all comes down to being right 100% of the time.  Things are only black and white.  Always right and wrong.  

Listening to: Grizzly bear (I'm also super addicted to Weeds, the TV show, even though I've never smoked.)

The Day I saw Satan in Savasana and other tall tales...

My friend sent this to me last week, and I've been thinking about it for days, trying to wrangle with some of the strong accusations made both in this article, and in Laurette Willis's writings. (see ridiculous hair style at left)   First of all, the way this article is written, and the way that Laurette writes is quite questionable. Like many other right wing articles I've read in my time, these works present one interpretation and one woman's experience, and uses it as the model for all other experiences. Also, the word choice is often odd, if not laughable, using dramatic sentences like "her family never suspected this seemingly innocent exercise would open the door to a New Age lifestyle that would affect Laurette for the next 22 years." We're talking about yoga, not cancer folks. And this "New Age lifestyle"--what the hell is that? Does it include sprouts? Organic farming? Progressive ideals? Or is it more about crystals, faith healing, and tarot cards? Oh...I guess I'm digressing.
First of all, this article ultimately says that yoga is contradictory with Christianity and Christian ideals. Obviously, I'm coming to this from a very doubtful view...I'm not even remotely Christian. (I didn't realize Christmas had anything to do with Christ until 5th grade, so I'm clearly not qualified.) I had my doubts in this article at the bottom of the page when Laurette (founder of "Praise Moves"...AKA.stretching for Jesus.) writes "I thought Christians just wanted to give me a bunch of rules and dogma...I didn't know they were speaking about a relationship with Jesus." DUH! Hello? How did this women miss the boat on that one? Even I know that. Laurette then ultimately blames yoga, meditation, and the "New Age" lifestyle for her resulting alcoholism and promiscuity and loneliness. Now, as a non-Christian, I have a) never had sex b) never been an alcoholic, so somehow, I don't think asanas are to blame for those acts. Let's find out more about why Laurette disagrees with yoga.
"The goal of all yoga...is to obtain oneness with the universe...or union with Brahman. Yoga wants to get students to the point of complete numbness in their minds. God, on the other hand wants you to be transformed by the renewing of your mind through his Word." Frankly, I think this is just wrong. Numbness in the mind? How can you be numb or out of your body when you're doing an arm balance or a ton of ab work? When your body is working its hardest, I think if anything, you are more present in your body.  This sort of presence can actually enhance your spirituality, in my experience.  You discover strength in parts of your body that you've ignored for years, you realize that other muscles are weaker, and that your body and YOU are amazing creations of awesomeness.  Whether you are an divine creation of a Judeo-Christian God, or just a mass of nuclei and cells, you appreciate your body and your mind after yoga.  This "numbness" she refers to has no place in yoga, in my opinion.  If anything, we are trying to weed out the bad stuff (like numbness!) from our minds: our inability to pay attention, our desire to worry, fret, and suffer, and trying to be present with each moment, which is evanescent.  Let's continue.

    Laurette also believes that references to other gods is sacrilage and worship of false idols.  "The word namaste...means that I bow to the god within you."  In all of the yoga classes I've taken, I've never been told that Hinduism is the only way, or that we should all bow down are worship Shiva or Ganesh.  My yoga teachers have always casually told us information about classic Hinduism from a historical perspective, rather than that of a Hindu practitioner.  If we look at the yoga journal article about yoga and religion we'll see that yoga is not actually a religion, which is what Laurette seems to believe it is.  Yoga has no fundamental tenets or agendas, and it is not actually a Hindu practice. Yoga is, however, a spiritual practice.  

The article discusses "spirituality" as having to do with one's interior life, which I think, is something that can be compatible with all religions and spiritual beliefs.  Another article from YJ says "Religion serves humanity by helping people move toward a union with that which is vaster than the petty self...unites human beings and helps them grow and feel fulfilled.   Thus, the essence of religion is the same as the essence of yoga."  Later in the article, the writer says "You do not have to be a Hindu to practice yoga- indeed yoga has almost nothing to do with Hinduism.  It does not demand practicioners to worship any Hindu deities or deny any faith."

    What Laurette doesn't realize is that it's possible to be open minded enough to have experiences outside your own, and then apply them to your own beliefs.  Yoga can make you live your faith or religion more completely.  Wisdom from the East is just that...wisdom.  And you can apply it to your own experiences.  It is not inherently conflicting.  The conflict is just man-made, like most of our issues in society.  Anyway, I could on and on about this for days, but I just wanted to get the rant out and here from our yoga superstars about their experiences.    

So, Namaste.  Really.  Because we all have a bit of God or goddess or Tara or Kali or Allah in us.  

Currently listening to: ipod on shuffle, getting through all the tunes I got from the library last week.

Fitting End for an Unfortunate Day

So today is the one year anniversary of my tragic bike accident in Newton, in which I flew over the handlebars of my bike, really screwed up my knee, and my bike proceeding to get stolen 3 days later, despite the fact that I could barely walk. I was wondering if anything unpleasant would happen commemorate that fateful day, and look! It seems it has! My wallet is gone. Once again, I did something extremely stupid.
Yesterday, as I was pumping gas, rather than toss my wallet back into my car like I usually did, I put it on the trunk of my car, where I then forgot about it. And subsequently lost my wallet. Now, I have had my wallet stolen twice in the last 6 years, so I am indeed familiar with this scenario. The only problem is the whole driver's license thing. (Although I am rather bummed that my wallet itself is gone- Mary Kathryn gave it to me, and it was beautiful. And now it's gone forever, along with my Sephora card, library card, NEC Id's, and a few giftcards with 1-2 dollars on them each. Alas. The catch with the license is that I have an out of state license from California, which claims to not allow renewals from out of state. Which is a major problem, since I'm not planning on coming home soon. But, if this is true, I will be flying to California tomorrow afternoon or evening for a hefty price, to get an f-ing license so I can come back and get paid 10 dollars a lesson to teach students who attempt to masturbate during a lesson (as in yesterday). AAAAGH!!!!
So yes, it was a fitting remembrance of last year's crisis. The day started off so well too..Let's hope the recovery doesn't take 3 months this time around.

UP and down. A movie contemplation!

Last night, I saw the new Pixar movie, UP! and I have to say that it was an interesting movie.  I don't know that it makes my Pixar top 5 (which are, in no order, Finding Nemo, Ratatouille, Toy Story, Wall-E, and Monsters Inc.) but it was a solidly interesting film.  In it, the main character, the grumpy old man Carl is mourning his deceased wife, who always wanted to live a life of adventure.  Yet, Carl feels that she died prematurely, before she was able to realize her dream of going to "Paradise Falls" in South America.  He feels that he needs to find Paradise Falls so that he can realize their shared dream, and complete her work.  Carl's quite unsavory for the first half of the movie, and snaps at Russell (the token pseudo boy scout) who miraculously ends up on his porch once he's lifted off with his balloons.  Aside from all the adventuring and 3-d graphics, there are some bigger issues that underpinned this film.

1) Carl is so caught up mourning Ellie (his wife) that he can't live in the moment, and he can't really communicate with other people effectively.  He is unable to accept her absence, and almost blames everyone else in the world for her death.  That's pretty heavy stuff for a children's film, and I honestly think it's very relevant.

2) Carl has regrets for Ellie's life, and constantly feels that they didn't live their life together to the fullest potential.  At a point in the film, he opens her childhood journal, where she had outlined the adventure to Paradise Falls, and "the stuff I'm going to do there."  He assumes that she never got to fill in the "stuff" part, since she never went there, but then discovers that she filled it with pictures of their life together.  She led her life with no regrets, and that her biggest adventure was really with Carl.  It didn't really matter that they didn't go to Paradise Falls- it was more that she had loads of smaller adventures with Carl.  When he realizes this, he's able to move on, and stop mourning her as much.  She writes in the book "Thanks for the adventure...Now go and find a new one!" 

3) When Carl and Russell finally get to Paradise Falls, they come upon a rare bird (that looks like a dinosaur) that an old explorer on the island is trying to capture.  Even though Carl idolized this explorer as a child, he realizes that this man will do anything to capture this bird, and isn't able to realize the importance of the bird's life or family.  Much like Wall-e, Pixar is able to subtly suggest an environmentalist agenda, i.e. being kind and helpful to all animals.  While Carl initially regrets that idea, Russell (the boy) is on a mission to help all animals, which reminds us to be caring and respectful to the wilderness and the animals there and here, in our own backyards.  

Overall, the film still has some odd plot holes.  (Like how come the dogs can talk?  How did Carl get all those balloons?  Why didn't he bring more on the journey?  How did they get to South America?  How come the adventurer guy is like 25 years older than Carl, and then they look the same age when they meet?)  But the messages of the film are still quite nice, as they usually are with Pixar films.

Currently listening to: the new Andrew Bird album.  Finally.

Selfish Exposure of Joy

I had a wonderful day today.  I was able to practice for (count 'em) 3 whole hours!  Boo-yah!  No pain!  Since my return to the ROC, I've been having some discomfort in my paw, probably because I took those 4 days off, and apparently illness invited itself back in.  But all is well today!

I went on a delightful walk with Futaba, ate at Orange Glory, bought some dried lavender (for lavender shortbread with lemon glaze and lavender tea), went to the South Wedge Farmer's Market (where I flirted with the chap selling me leafy greens.  He said I should really reconsider my hatred of cucumbers.  Suggestive mayhaps?), then got some delicious quiche at the farmer's market, and taught, and then got some sweet CD's at the gates library, where i saw some LIVE deer (which is a rarity here).  Oh, and I discovered the joy of NPR: All Songs Considered.  I listened to Thom Yorke's DJ bit, and I almost cried because I love Thom Yorke with an irrational inexplicable passion.  And my heart clapped listening to an old recording of Colin Meloy Live from 3 years ago.  So yes, I am a dork.  But I will am grateful for the time that is now and the magic that has unfolded in my dusty, cobwebby life.

listening to: NPR! and I'll eventually get around to the new Andrew Bird album, which I got from the lib's.

The Clouds Press Down On Me So

Every morning, I look out my window with trepidation.  For months after the last snow, I have continued looking for those cool white pellets to fall from the sky, to ruin me.  The darkness never fades here- it is still overcast and grey even now, in the early days of June.  I can feel it all weigh down on me so, suffocating my desires.  In my car, I am constantly shocked that I can roll down the windows and rest my arm on the roof of my car.  I keep expecting the gloaming to come- the days of eternal cold, frosty breezes, and raw skin.  The darkness suggests that cold, but it doesn't come, not now.  But I wait.  I am careful.  

I still wear pants outside, and it has only been above 70 a few days so far.  

Even if I must obey the cruel weather's demands, I don't have to accept it.  Or like it.  I know that I will escape here soon, and that the sun will return to me, enlivening my dreams, my heart, my smile.  And you, Rochester, will have lost.  And you, Eastman, will have lost me.  You will no longer be able to force me down, below the deepest tunnels of lost hope.  I am here, here in my 7th story apartment, and I will go no lower.  I will not descend to your methods of oppression, your cruel words, your icy hug.  So I wait.  Wait for my revenge.