Life, Love and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Baby chicks can do arithmetic!

2009-04-04T06:06:00.004-04:00

According to an article on MSNBC, "baby chickens aren't just cute - they are also whizzes at math, according to a new study. The study, published in the latest Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the Royal Society's flagship biological research journal, presents the first known evidence that any non-human animal can perform consecutive addition and subtraction calculations on the same set."

The article further states that "Taken as a whole, however, the study supports the theory 'that animals and humans share a non-verbal, and even pre-verbal in the case of humans, numerical system" that can perform precise arithmetic on small number sets — 'with a limit of three or four' -- and make estimates about larger sets, said Rugani, a researcher in the Center for Mind/Brain Sciences at the University of Trento in Italy."

Pretty neat stuff! Go chickens!

Better Living Through Chemistry? Not in this case.

2009-04-02T08:30:00.003-04:00

On March 31, 2009 the Senate Foreign Relations Committee outrageously approved S.384 the Global Food Security Act of 2009!

This is an example of good intentions gone bad! It's very noble that the U.S. wants to help food security in other countries but not when companies such as Monsanto get their hand in it!!

Part of the bill MANDATES that the U.S. must fund GMO research and biotechnology in Africa and South Asia!!

Isn't this crazy??

Why don't they also mandate the use of organic/sustainable agriculture in these countries??

Please call/write your senator and let them know that you are not happy about this part of the bill and won't allow it to be passed in the full Senate!

Obsolence of nation-states.

2009-03-25T14:21:00.003-04:00

Many people are commenting on the failure of nation-states and how primary loyalty to nation-states comes from ordinary citizens.

It is apparent that the monied elite, such as bankers, are loyal to their own institution and could care less what happens to the USA or the respective country the banker, or other monied elite, lives in.

As this post by, the excellent thinker, John Robb states:

"Due to excesses (too many to name), legitimacy is rapidly draining from the global financial system and the networked groups that give it their primary loyalty (like Fred above). In recognition of this, nation-states should hold this system at arms length to limit damage to their own legitimacy. Given the constraints on resources faced by nation-states, a plan that would bulk up legitimacy would focus on reorganizing financial institutions (not bailing them out) and repairing the balance sheets of individual citizens (the only group in the chart to the left that is still loyal to nation-states). That isn't happening and the damage incurred from this mistake will be significant."

What do AIG executives know about running a financial coroporation?

2009-03-20T14:34:00.002-04:00

Find out here:

Also check out this great blog, Talking Points Memo.

Transgenic seeds to push up fertiliser consumption

2009-03-20T06:32:00.001-04:00

Transgenic seeds to push up fertiliser consumption

This is another reason why the big seed companies and their genetic engineering plans are bogus!!
Do we really need to use more fertilizers? Do we really need to use more herbicides? We have been growing our own food for many more years than these companies have been around. WE DON"T NEED YOUR HELP!!!

Go away you pesky little flies, like Monsanto, Syngenta, etc..

Furthermore, farmer's need to start standing up for themselves. You don't need these guys!! If you are looking for seeds, here's just one great resource, that doesn't use GMO's:

Seeds of Change

Eminem/D12.

2009-03-18T05:35:00.001-04:00

I want to post more about Eminem, however, is it too obvious to say that he changed the rap scene forever and for the better? I love rap music again!

Patch.

2009-03-17T22:28:00.003-04:00

One of the beloved family dogs, Patch, died on Sunday in Cochise, Arizona.

He was only about 9 years old, very young...but he had a lot of health issues.

He was a great dog that was always keeping an eye on the family as they went about their business on the ranch. He loved all the family members and his other dog buddies (my parents have several dogs).

I hate to see you go Patch but know you are someplace special!!!

An Amazing Quote.

2009-03-12T09:33:00.002-04:00

This is an amazing quote from the Buddhist Philosopher Daisaku Ikeda:

"The human being is not a frail wretch at the mercy of fate. Shakyamuni insisted that to change oneself now is to change the future on a vast scale. The Western impression that Buddhism is all about meditation is alien to the spirit of Shakyamuni. The goal of Nichiren Buddhism is neither escape from reality nor passive acceptance. It is to live strongly, proactively, in such a way as to refine one's own life and reform society through a constant exchange between the outside world and the individual's inner world."

Mott Haven & The Bronx's FIRST Church.

2009-03-12T07:37:00.006-04:00

Hi, the other day I visited a section of the South Bronx called Mott Haven. Mott Haven, in the past and still is, one of the most economically disadvantaged communities in the United States.

I'm looking to start a project in this area, that deals with an urban farm and artist village. This area is rich in history, so I had a nice little vacation and took some pictures. I plan on going back many more times to document other historical and interesting places.

I've included some pictures of an abandoned building I'm going to find out about and St. Ann's Episcopal Church.

Also, just a reminder that sometimes there is a vacation right in our own backyards, check out your own community and admire it's history, customs and cultures. I'm sure you will be surprised!!

President Barack Obama.

2009-03-08T09:50:00.003-04:00

This is, simply, the greatest president I have seen in my lifetime. I just finished watching the weekly youtube address and am continually blown away by the spirit of President Obama. Wow, I mean he is calm, cool, collected, sincere and, most important of all, hopeful!!

Hopeful!! Which is so desperately needed in our leaders right now.

Let's carry this same spirit into our own communities, so that we can instill this same hope and sincere attitude wherever we go.

Change is already upon us!!! Yay!!!

Daisaku Ikeda Quote

2009-03-08T05:20:00.002-04:00

"This lifetime will never come again; it is precious and irreplaceable. To live without regret, we must have a concrete purpose, continually setting goals and challenges for ourselves. And we need to keep moving toward those specific targets steadily and tenaciously, one step at a time."

Daisaku Ikeda is a Buddhist Philosopher and President of the Soka Gakkai International.

Looting of the USA by corporate and other monied elites.

2009-03-07T07:40:00.003-05:00

I haven't exactly been following the news in a couple of weeks and have just been amazed at the crap that is going on.

Check out this excellent post by, John Robb. I advise following this guys blog during these times, he is truly a visionary.

"The Looting Process
Everyone is loyal to a network type. Many of those in the current elite are loyal to the market network. They don't care about institutional (nation) or the greater good (open source networks). They don't even really have a tribe that benefits from their activities. Just short term mutual interests.

This puts the above into perspective:

Boris Fyodorov, the late Russian Minister of Finance who struggled for many years against corruption and the abuse of authority, could be blunt. Confusion helps the powerful, he argued. When there are complicated government bailout schemes, multiple exchange rates, or high inflation, it is very hard to keep track of market prices and to protect the value of firms. The result, if taken to an extreme, is looting: the collapse of banks, industrial firms, and other entities because the insiders take the money (or other valuables) and run. This is the prospect now faced by the United States."

Also, check out the Jon Stewart video, he links to on his site, about CNBC and the current financial crisis that is truly disturbing. Jon Stewart, is the real news reporter during these times!!

Playing for Change.

2009-03-07T07:20:00.003-05:00

Everyone has to check out this youtube video, it's from an upcoming documentary, Playing for Change: Peace through Music.

Great song. Great video. Anyone local musicians have their videos, music to share?? I would love to hear it and put it up on this blog! Thanks.

The Wildlife.

2009-03-04T20:21:00.004-05:00

The Wildlife, have some great music! The only problem is, they have not come out with a new album since about 2006! This isn't really a video, in the common sense, but you can hear a good song nonetheless. Check it:

Take the failing food industry out of the school lunch programs!!

2009-03-02T15:45:00.001-05:00

Please read and take action on this email I received recently. I will keep you updated on this important issue.

Dear Com Fooders,
As everyone knows, the Child Nutrition and WIC Act -- which encompasses school lunches -- is up for renewal this year. The time is now to make the case that the school lunch program shouldn't be owned by the food industry -- that instead school lunches are part of a robust public-education system. Making them so will require a serious investment in school kitchens, which have been hollowed out over the past decade, and an increase in the paltry budget now devoted to them.

Yet I fear that, despite the recent stimulus education, we're about to enter a period of severe fiscal austerity, forced by the gaping blunders in Iraq and Afghanistan and the ongoing meltdown of the financial sector. The Obama administration today handed the failed insurance giant AIG another $30 billion -- one top of the $150 billion it has already received. Its CEO is on record saying it will likely need more. As these payouts pile up, you can bet that "fiscal conservatives" will vigorously oppose any increase to the school lunch program, which currently get $9 billion (less than two months' mayhem in Iraq and Afghanistan).

The sustainable-food movement needs to get out ahead on this debate. I'm urging everyone to come over to Grist to participate in a debate I initiated with some prominent technocrat-ish DC political bloggers who oppose an increase on fiscal grounds.
http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2009/2/27/9549/79465
Check it out.
All best,
Tom

Tom Philpott
Co-founder, Maverick Farms
Food editor and columnist, Grist.org

Ayuverda Cafe.

2009-03-02T07:49:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, we went to the Ayuverda Cafe on the UWS of Manhattan. Ayuverda has a particular science behind it and this is an all vegetarian restaurant. The food was very good and reasonably priced.

The food and drinks are served in stainless steel dishes, which seems very hygienic. The meal changes every day but is set for that particular day. Dinner cost only $12.95 per person and it's all you can eat!

For those of you who don't know what Ayuverda means here is a brief description from their website:

"Ayurveda is the science of life, a 5,000-year-old traditional holistic system
of well-being from India. 'ayur' means 'of life' and Veda' means 'knowledge'. Ayurveda is the knowledge of longevity which offers healing, rejuvenation and self-realization through balanced food, herbs, yoga, massage, aroma, and meditation.

Ayurveda is very clear when it comes to food. Sattvic (pure) food is needed to heal and maintain good health and must incorporate six tastes in every meal: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, astringent and pungent."

It's really cool, I hope you find such a place in your community!

Start the morning off.

2009-03-01T09:32:00.001-05:00

A good video/song from The Game w/ Lil Wayne. We are witnessing some of the best rap music out there today!

Jel. Anticon.

2009-02-28T13:46:00.002-05:00

Jel, is one of those rare rappers, nowadays, who cares about his craft. The Anticon Label that supports him, has many more such artists under their wing. Check every one of the artists out!

Lucinda Williams.

2009-02-27T16:24:00.001-05:00

Another great artist, that I enjoy, is Lucinda Williams.

This is someone's video backdrop for the song Blue...amazing song!!

Gaza, Isreal & Food Aid.

2009-02-27T06:32:00.002-05:00

"JERUSALEM - For more than seven weeks, the international aid group Mercy Corps has been trying to send 90 tons of macaroni to the isolated Gaza Strip as part of a global campaign to help the 1.4 million Palestinians there rebuild their lives after Israel's recent devastating 22-day military operation.

Israel, which controls most of what goes into and out of Gaza, has said no repeatedly.

At first, Israeli officials said that they wanted to make sure that the macaroni wasn't destined for a Hamas charity. Then they said macaroni was banned because they didn't consider it an essential food item.

On Wednesday, days after American lawmakers raised pointed questions about the macaroni ban, Israeli authorities said that they were preparing to give the pasta a green light.

For the international aid community, the dispute is emblematic of the red tape and political maneuvering that have stymied efforts to rebuild Gaza."

Food is a basic human right and should NOT be used for any political maneuvering. I hope we all keep an eye on this situation in the Middle East and contact our government representatives as needed.

If you are in NYC and interested in hearing someone's thoughts on PEACE in the Middle East, please see one of my earlier posts about Mona Eltahawy, who is giving a lecture tonight at 7:30 pm.

Bustling Fruit & Vegetable Stand.

2009-02-26T17:37:00.003-05:00

Sorry the pictures aren't that great, but I took them from my camera phone.

Anyways, we went to our local fruit & vegetable market here in the Bronx and, as always, it was packed! The fruit/vegetables are great and the prices are cheap. 4 Large Grapefruit for $1 !!

However, wouldn't it be great if the majority of the produce was grown right in the Bronx? With the eggs coming from local chicken flocks and the honey from local beehives. This is my vision and I hope one day it becomes a reality!

Thanks for reading, I will post some more interesting concepts tonight.

Video to start the morning off.

2009-02-26T11:28:00.001-05:00

Lil Wayne has some great music.

GMO's have got to go!

2009-02-25T19:15:00.003-05:00

Wow, I just read another article on the effects of GMO's on the environment. To summarize an organization, named Navdanya, in India did some research for 3 years on soil planted with Bt (GMO) Cotton and soil planted with non-GMO cotton. The soil planted with Bt (GMO) Cotton is dying!! Thanks Monsanto for your wonderful gift of GMO's for the world!

Of course, I'm being sarcastic about Monsanto, they suck! Anyways, I was interested to learn about the organization that did the research. Navdanya, was founded by Vandana Shiva, she is the author of a great book titled Biopiracy: The plunder of Nature and Knowledge.

In the book, Dr. Vandana Shiva argues that genetic engineering and the cloning of organisms, far from being socially useful are "the ultimate expression of the commercialization of science and the commodification of nature."

"In the era of genetic engineering and patents, life itself is being colonized," says Shiva.

Wow! 'Nuff said.

Agricultural Law: Biotech Companies "Thwart Scientific Research"

2009-02-25T14:43:00.000-05:00

Agricultural Law: Biotech Companies "Thwart Scientific Research" The biotech companies are getting out of control and it is time for farmers, citizens and consumers to stand up for what's right. Please read this article and spread the word! Thank you!

If you do nothing else today then watch this video, you're good.

2009-02-25T09:25:00.002-05:00

My whole life thus far has been full of up's and down's, backward and forward's. I recently had a crazy past couple of weeks and found a lot of inspiration in this song. To anyone that knows me "I'm blessed to say the old me is dead and gone." Not to say, my individuality has changed, on the contrary my full self is blossoming into its own. Check this shit out:

M.I.A. is the shiznit.

2009-02-25T08:13:00.000-05:00

M.I.A. recently had one of her songs featured in the movie Slumdog Millionaire, which I haven't seen yet. I fell in love with her music a few years ago, but her newest album is off the hook! Check out this video:

Barter?

2009-02-25T06:06:00.000-05:00

Times are tough for a lot of people, with the current economic crisis. I've always been interested in alternatives to capitalism. I just ran across this post and was intrigued by this quote:

"So I looked around for what I needed, I saw right away that I needed some yard work done (I am highly alergic to grass.) I posted a small ad and the next day I had a landscaper call me, he needed his wifes computer to be fixed and the best quote he received was $150. So he is going to come here in the morning and do 2-3 hours of yard work for me to remove some adware and install a few programs on his wife’s computer. Good deal for me. Trade 2 hours of my time doing something I like to do for 3 hours of something I hate to do, it is also a winning situation for Chris, the landscape guy, he just does 3 hours of work and saves himself $150."

Take a look at the rest of the post for other ways in which this individual successfully bartered.

Does anyone reading this, barter? I'm going to start today.

Thank you for your continued support!

2009-02-25T05:08:00.000-05:00

So far there are a limited number of people reading this blog, but I thank you so much for your support in this endeavor. I wish to make this a successful blog that can actually effect change and touch people's lives.

So please subscribe and tell your friends about this blog, comment on posts, give suggestions/enouragement/advice, but I need your help! Also, I don't just put up random blogs to follow, please look at my sidebar for other great bloggers with great ideas and support them as well!

Also, for people that aren't too familiar, the blue highlighted text is a direct link to another informative webpage. If you have any questions let me know and let's rock this era to its core!!! I encourage you to start your own blog and then tell me about it, so we can support each other.

Thanks for reading and have a great day!!!

An End to Farm Subsidies???

2009-02-25T05:04:00.000-05:00

Change we can believe in! I don't know how many of you caught President Obama's speech last night, I actually missed it, but I did read this article.

Independent Musicians.

2009-02-24T23:42:00.000-05:00

For artists like Mo Vibe, there are alternative business models out there for sharing your music and supporting yourself. The great blogger, Shlok Vaidya, has a post on this. Check it out and also subscribe to this guys blog as he has excellent ideas/posts.

World Premier Release of Mo Vibe's Video "Ghetto Fabulous"

2009-02-24T19:18:00.000-05:00

Mo Vibe, the up and coming artist of our time has just released a video for her song "Ghetto Fabulous." Please watch both videos and help support her endeavor, maybe she will grant us an exclusive interview that I will post at a later time! Good luck to all you aspiring artists out there!!!

The artist in her own words:

Check out this exciting news!!!

2009-02-24T17:59:00.000-05:00

A lot of people in the agricultural community, initially, doubted the appointment of Vilsack to head the USDA. It seems the times are changing, history is being written before our eyes. Thank god WE voted for President Barack Obama!!!

(AP)
Vilsack Adviser Predicts Vegetable Garden On
White House Lawn By Summer

Posted by Christine Lagorio

On the 200th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth earlier this month, the
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and his staff at the department’s
Washington headquarters broke out its shovels and “broke
pavement” on a garden.
Dubbed The People’s Garden, the project seems slated to simply
replace a lot of unnecessary pavement with grass. But it is
nonetheless a symbolic nod to the eat-local movement, which
encourages community gardens in urban areas.
Will the Obamas be following suit? Vilsack adviser Neil Hamilton, the chair and director of the
Agricultural Law Center at Drake University Law School in Iowa, says yes.
“I believe that by this summer there will be a garden – another garden, a vegetable garden – on the
White House lawn,” Hamilton said at a weekend legal seminar at Yale University.
The last time the 18-plus acre White House lawn was used for vegetable gardening was the ‘40s,
when Eleanor Roosevelt started a home-gardening movement that helped feed the nation in wartime.
“Victory Gardens” popped up across the country – and even the residents of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
could eat what their plot produced.
The Roosevelts weren't the first to garden on the grounds. John Adams, the first president who
inhabited the White House, is said to have used a garden there to feed his family. And during World
War I, Woodrow Wilson not only planted veggies, but grazed sheep on the lawn's lush grass.
Advocates say sowing the seeds of a new Victory Garden movement would be good for the
environment, and also for families’ budgets – the cost of food has risen 45 percent worldwide in the
past two years. It could even play a role in public health at a time when the CDC says more than 60
percent of Americans are overweight or obese.
Alice Waters, the Berkeley, Calif.,-based chef who’s a champion of locally grown, organic food, has
been trying for more than a decade to get first families to set an example for others by gardening.
She wrote several letters to the Clintons imploring them to cultivate a garden, including one in 1995
that read in part: "Help us nourish our children by bringing them back to the table, where we can pass
on our most humane values. Help us create a demand for sustainable agriculture, for it is at the core
of sustaining everyone's life.”
The Clintons never bit on the garden idea, but supporters were encouraged when Waters held a
campaign fundraiser last fall for Mr. Obama. Recently, at the USDA, Michelle Obama told employees:
"I'm a big believer in community gardens, both because of their beauty and for their access to
providing fresh fruits and vegetables to so many communities across this nation and the world.”
But would the Obamas really dig up the South Lawn?
“I believe the Obamas are committed to that. It’s a big idea, and its gonna happen,” Hamilton said.
“During the campaign, going around shaking peoples’ hands, he never got sick once. He was eating
well, and it could have to do with having an organic chef with him. This is someone who 'gets'
nutrition.”

Calexico.

2009-02-24T11:05:00.000-05:00

This band is from my adopted hometown of Tucson, AZ. They are really good and this video/song really has me missing the great state of Arizona and all of its beauty!

Calexico: http://www.casadecalexico.com/index.php

They are going to be in NYC in March, anybody want to come with me?? Christina??

Mondragon Cooperative and Distributism concept. Part one (of many more to come)

2009-02-24T09:40:00.000-05:00

So I was recently reading about the Mondragon Cooperative in Spain and came across this cool video. I hope to write more on these topics soon and when I have some more time! There are so many cool ideas out there, I don't even know where to begin!

Mona Eltahawy. Culture of Peace Lecture.

2009-02-24T07:09:00.000-05:00

At our SGI Culture Center in Manhattan, about once a month we have a distinguished guest that gives a lecture on some aspect of peace. This Friday, February 27th at 7pm, Mona Eltahawy will be that guest. In this case, Mona will be "Speaking from the Heart to Bridge the Divide in the Middle East." I can't wait and I hope to see a lot of friends there!

Mona Eltahawy: http://www.monaeltahawy.com/

2009-02-23T22:44:00.000-05:00

--TO MY FRIENDS--
Don't wait for the "right" time.
Create it yourself.
One individual can completely
transform the atmosphere by
discarding vanity and affectations and
striving in earnest.

Barber. Support your local businesses.

2009-02-23T12:25:00.000-05:00

So, I just got back from getting a much needed haircut. I have gone through a lot of barbers throughout the years and have finally found an almost perfect barber.

His name is Altin Ostreni and is the owner of Ostreni Barber Shop, located just a few blocks from where I live on 735 Lydig Ave, Bronx, NY.

This guy truly enjoys his craft and gives excellent haircuts for a cost of $10!! Please visit him, if you are ever in the area.

This business is located within walking distance of our house, like so many other businesses in the area.

Good music.

2009-02-23T09:26:00.000-05:00

I recently found this good record label, who has Bishop Allen as one of their artists. And more recently, they signed John Vanderslice! The label is Dead Oceans and the website is http://www.deadoceans.com/

Bishop Allen: http://www.deadoceans.com/artist.php?name=bishopallen

John Vanderslice:

John is coming to NYC on
Fri Mar 27, 2009
at the Society For Ethical Culture
w/ The Mountain Goats

I still have to figure out how to get tickets! Let me know if you would like to come with me, this guy's music is amazing and I have never seen him in concert, but I'm sure he is good in concert as well!

The beginning

2009-02-23T08:41:00.000-05:00

So, this is my first blog/first blog post and I'm very excited! I've always wanted to do this, so here I am! I'll be posting whatever interests me on this blog, so check it out, comment, send donations, whatever! Let's all have fun!