Newsy

Enjoying the news mags today. Newsweek runs a 5 part series titled A Pampered Pet Nation. Slate on Newsweek on Bush's very own Monica - Gonzales. CNN on Cindy Sheehan who's hanging up her antiwar crusade for marital, financial and health reasons. Favorite would have to go Bill Maher in Newsweek for bitch slapping the American public for equating Hillary with the with the much maligned French.

Star Wars Turns 30

A long time ago in a state far, far away, I hated science fiction. But my big brother, a saint of a guy by any means, dragged me kicking and screaming to watch a movie called Star Wars. Wha? Ick. I don't want to watch cold science stuff. Luckily, he wasn't deterred and forced me to sit through the mind boggling experience. Well, you know how this story ends. I'm a hard-core convert, sharing my experiences and theorems on this epic saga of a heroes journey. Matter of fact, after viewing the movie my perception of God altered dramatically. The Judeo-Christian God of Moses, Abraham and Solomon was replaced by a more expansive entity that perceived the world in shades of gray, not good and evil, not black and white. I was so moved by the revelation of a Force that governs the universe that I wrote to head Pastor Londis of the Sligo Seventh Day Adventist Church in Takoma Park, MD to share my new views.

This weekend Star Wars celebrates turning 30. Celebrates influencing not only a entire generation but a fickle movie industry. A plethora of specials celebrating this fete are being broadcast. The History Channel will debut a documentary "Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed." Cinemax will play all 6 episodes tonight! Apparently Hasbro has created 30 year anniversary action figures for the ocassion. Quick, somebody get me Hans Solo frozen in carbonite. Check out the Star Wars interactive quiz to test your knowledge. Beware, it's not for sissy Jedites. I scored a measley "Padawan Learner" level for my efforts. Finally, for some fun check out the now defunct but hilarious blog by Jedi Master Yoda.

100 Things to Eat Before You Die: 21 – 30

I’ll devote this list to dives and mall venues.

21. Blackened shrimp on white beans at The Cornerstone Bar, Carlstadt, NJ
22. California Chicken burger at Red Robin, Clifton, NJ
23. Buffalo Blue Cheesesteak sandwich, Ledos, Silver Spring, MD
24. The Antipasta Platter at Papa Razzi’s at Garden State Mall, NJ
25. The Chicken Empanadas at La Isla, Hoboken, NJ
26. Slice of cheese pizza at Rays on 12th Street, NY
27. Atomic chicken wings at Backstreet, Lyndhurst, NY
28. Sweet potato fries at Candlelight Dinner, East Rutherford, NJ
29. Roasted duck at 69 Wong, Chinatown, NY
30. The mussels marinara at Crow’s Nest, Hackensack, NJ

A grayer shade of green

My Republican father (otherwise adorable) gave me a fright this weekend upon telling me he rates Dubya as his favorite president. After the sputtering and ranting subsided I began to see why he would foster such a sentiment. Coming from a background which honors male authority figures, my Dad has always lauded authority. The pastor of the church, policemen, government officials. Matter of fact, Dad reads like the demographic bible for southern left wingers. Luckily, not everyone thinks as he does. Former president Carter lambasted the Bush administration calling it the "worst in history". Amen.

California governer Arnold Schwarzenegger laid into the adminstration for it's dismal environmental policy. It gets even better, Arnie said his administration will sue the Environmental Protection Agency if it fails to act quickly on the state of California's request to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles. EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson said the EPA would "move expeditiously, but we are going to be moving responsibly." Read that as we'll take our own freaking time, thank you very much.

Meanwhile, on the East coast Mayor Bloomberg stated in 5 years the entire fleet of New York taxicabs will be hybrid. The most logical republican around made this comment, "These cars just sit there in traffic sometimes, belching fumes." The fuel efficient hybrids get 36 miles to the gallon whereas the standard yellow cab vehicle, Ford Crown Victoria performs to a measley 14 mpg.

By the way, my Dad drives a Toyota Corolla but he once owned a Crown Victoria. Proof that there's always hope for change.

Dancing with the New Moon in Taurus

I've recently discovered what all the hoopla about Dancing with the Stars is all about. And it's all due to Laila Ali. Read what Mooncircles has to say about the beauty of a confident woman. Also watch the incredible Mambo by Laila and partner. Checkout what Dana Gerhardt has to say about Venus-ruled Taurus. It's a time to revel in all of the 5 senses so go out and celebrate something that smells divine. Taste something delicious. Touch something that makes you tingle. Listen to something that fills your head. Go see something that blows you away. And even if you can't dance (much like me, I can barely polka) celebrate the movement of your body and dance under the stars during the Taurus new moon.

Now That’s a Death Wish

Facing execution, I’m sure Philip Workman had no clue how compelling his last wish would be. Rejecting anything as mundane as a steak dinner, Workman requested for a vegetarian pizza to be delivered to a homeless man. Quite an astounding request from a man who was convicted of slaying a police officer in an armed robbery at Wendys in Memphis. Aggravated by the fact that Workman was strung out on Cocaine. Given the severity of the crime you would think the guards at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution would be touched into compliance. After all, here’s a man who’s seen the consequences of his actions and repented to the point of self denial. But the officials of Riverbend didn’t see redemption, or if they did, were not moved to concession. The denied his request on the most absurd of grounds; they don’t donate to charity!

So Workman was executed by lethal injection without his dying wish granted on Wednesday, May 9. While his request left the maximum security prison cold, a host of other citizens were moved to action. The first good Samaritan was a radio station in Minneapolis which spent the majority of the morning discussing Workman’s request on air. They donated 17 pizzas in his behalf. Donna Spangler collected $1,200 to buy 150 pizzas, which she delivered to the Nashville’s Rescue Mission. Ingrid Newkirk, President of PETA ordered 15 veggie pizzas to be sent to the mission. She is quoted as saying, “kindness to all living beings is a virtue.” Another 17 pizzas arrived at Nashville's Oasis Center, a shelter that helps teenagers in crisis. More pizzas were delivered anonymously on Workman’s behalf. Philip Workman died after years of being confined, (some evidence indicates wrongfully) for years on death row. But how amazing that his death brought sustenance, joy and hope to a small throng of people. He will not be forgotten, nor should he.

Swan Song for a Dog Mom

In honor of Mother's day.

I will pick up your hot, steaming poo, even when it’s unbearably stinky and dribbles. I will defend you, even though I know you really tried to bite that mastiff. I will try not to be embarrassed when you sniff my crotch with utter absorption. I will throw the ball for you until my arm hurts. And my newly manicured nails get filthy with dirt and grass.

I will try not to laugh at other dogs when they chase you. And fail miserably.

I will talk to other dog Moms, even though I’d much rather watch you prance, and dance, and shimmy. I will clean your spit from the car windows, even though I tell you to use the handy wipes. I will take you to the Home Depot. I will let you stand in the cart as I wheel around the garden department, watching you flirt with people in orange aprons.

I will try not to kiss you in public. Or fix your ears when one flops backwards.

I will let you lick my face and try not to remember if it was a dog’s butt or goose droppings that you licked right before. I will take you to the lake so you can practice your hunting skills on a stick. I will fish you out when you suddenly remember that you’re a dog, not a duck. I will yell at you when you run across the street. To catch a squirrel, or a ball, or a plastic bag.

I will cook an extra burger on the grill to add to your dinner. I will watch you eat yours before I eat mine.

I will hunt down shank bones in the meat department. I’ll try not to look offended when the butcher asks for my number. I will give you baths in the bathtub I’ve just cleaned. I will run the water between warm and warmer, just the way you like it.

I will try not to brag about how pretty your eyes are.

I will smooch you shamelessly when you snuggle up to me, too drowsy to avoid my kisses. I will lie awake the nights you run a fever. Or throw up. And look at me with that utterly miserable face. I will wish I had the power to heal your physical distresses as effectively as you heal my emotional ones.

I will look at my parents kindly when they scold me for not having children. For I’ve known more motherhood with you over the past five years than a lifetime of parenting could ever teach.

I will think of how the tips of your mouth turn up in a smile when I’m on the train commuting home.

I will not think of a time when your tiny body will not bring mischief and magic to the day. So I try not to get moody or expose you to my ill-temper. For I know you are one thing and only that. The most perfect form of companionship that could be shaped in flesh, bone and velvet ears.

In Defense of Dining Out

Growing up with Puritan-minded parents taught me frugality and self denial. This manifested itself in many ways; always buying discounted clothing, 2nd hand cars instead of flashy new models, recycling items like computers and handbags long after they outlived their usefulness.

This also effected one area of my life that mattered most. Food. Due to my Dad's curious combination of spend thriftiness and a dislike of non Indian food, we never ate out. Dad reasoned "Why spend money on food that doesn't satisfy me when I can eat good food at home?" Thus my childhood and adolescence were deprived of dinners at upscale venues and even family style restaurants.

Unlike my parents neither my brother nor I shared their distaste for eating out. And to this day we think nothing of plopping into a neighborhood eatery or pub. Matter of fact, I love it. I count the month lost when I have not discovered a gem of a joint that serves a dish spectacularly well. Or a restaurant that has an aura and food that thrill my soul and stomach.

Still I do feel nudgings of guilt when I eat out instead of cooking just bought groceries. Must be my upbringing.

100 Things to Eat - 11 to 20

Continuing with 100 things to eat before you die, this time with feedback from Thomas.

11. A Ripper topped with chili and raw onions from Rutt's Hut in Clifton, NJ
12. Grouper in potato crust from the Black Duck, Cape May, NJ
13. Sheep cheese from the farmers market in Brattleboro, Vermont
14. Tahitian Creme Brulee, Earth Restaurant, Totowa, NJ
15. The duck with plum sauce from Emerald Inn, Upper Greenwood Lake, NY
16. The stir-fried cabbage from the Peacock Grill, Maryland
17. Broiled double lobsters at the Firehouse, Providence, Rhode Island
18. The green mussels at Monsoon, NYC
19. The trio of fruit sorbets at Lighthorse Tavern, Jersey City, NJ
20. The garee puff at Sri Thai, Hoboken, NJ

Dog Day Wednesday

Wednesday was a good dog day. Walked Duke in the balmly, breezy Spring evening while being serenaded by birdsong. The narcissis are still in bloom, the Dogwoods are just showing their salmon petals while the apple and cherry blossoms trees are dropping their glorious pink and white blooms. Met two new potential play date pals for Duke, Precious, a tri-color female Jack and Lola, a taffy Pit Bull/Lab mix. Both girls made a big fuss over Duke, Precious in particular who nuzzled her breed mate in appreciation. Matter of fact, she appreciated him so much she sat down and cried when we left. Duke, who prefers human contact to canine, flattened his ears and gave her a deep, intense stare.

Later that evening I caught the PBS special "Dogs that changed the world." Fascinating not just for the great dog footage, but for the historical bent on the canine/human relationship. Premise being for 15,000 years (!) dogs have served men. As hunters, as protectors, as herders. But in the past century, the Victorians dramatically changed that paradigm. They turned dogs into pampered playthings, altering the purpose of dog from assistant to child, friend, even a partner. As a result of this shift, we are now experiencing a crisis. 5 millions dogs are banished to animal shelters every year, and not just due to over population or over breeding. This is due to the fact that humans procure a dog and are unable to handle the animal. They don't behave like a child or a lover or a pal. They actually want to do things. Take my fave breed - the Jack Russell. This little guy was breeded to be small, ferocious and powerful. They are natural born rat killers and although we didn't get Duke to kill rats on our plantation, he still hunts anything small that moves. Socks, birds, squirrels, and yes mice. This behavior is hard-wired. Not only in him, but in all dogs. Their original reason to live has not been breeded out of them. So you have the Collie type dogs herding small kids or causing a ruckus when there's no work to do. You have the retriever/labs picking up any old item and returning it to their master. 100 years of not allowing dogs to be dogs and they fight back, unfortunately to their detriment. Humanity has forgotten the purpose of the canine.

But hope still exists. We might not have sheep to herd or rats to eliminate but we do have new needs that can utilize the extraordinary skills of our domestic buddies. Dogs are being trained to detect cancer in humans. They can detect diabetes and even the decrease of Insulin which can trigger a seizure. In China dogs are being trained to raise an alarm when they detect earthquakes. Can you imagine? A dog on the floors on San Francisco buildings to alert to seismic activity? All fantastic and rightly so for as we enter this new phase of history with man and dog, it only makes sense that dogs would ascend to a higher role, just as man hopes to do so.

Papa, do they recycle sneakers?

My 3 year-old pair of Nikes have bit the dust. Not only are they wornout and falling apart - think shinsplints, they emit a malodorous scent that delights the dog. Since I don't appreciate my old sneakers perched on the sofa with Duke's nose happily esconced within, time has come to dispose of them. But what happens to old sneakers? Surely they must take at least a millenium to decompose? As I commute by the Meadowlands landfill facility everyday, I hate to think I'm adding to the undegradable refuse. Luckily, several websites offer valuable material on sneaker disposal. Connecticut appears to be on the cutting edge of sneaker technology with the unlikely partner, Nike. Worn-out shoes are recycled into playground and athletic surfaces. Yes, that's what your kids are playing on. The National Recycling Coalition, est 1978 offers more information in their Reuse a Shoe program.

But sneakers are only the beginning. Check out these other
resources on how to recycle cell phones, floppy discs, packing 'peanuts' and holiday cards. Now I gotta hook up my Mom with that one! If you want to go deeper, browse the Internet Consumer Recycling Guide.

So yes, they do recycle sneakers. Now if we could only do something about those poor horses.