Come check out the Rain Garden

The event is this Saturday, 29 May 2010.

This Saturday, 15 May 2010 - Swim4Humanity comes to NJ!!

It's finally here! All you lurkers, please send a donation!

Any little bit will help...

On the afternoon of May 15th 2010, I will be participating in a very special fundraising event called Swim 4 Humanity benefiting SurfAid International - hosted in seven cities on the west and east coasts from March to May 2010.

I will swim for thirty minutes with tons of other people. Monies raised will go towards SurfAid's humanitarian programs. The mission of SurfAid International, a non-profit humanitarian organization, is to improve the health, well-being and self-reliance of people living in isolated regions connected to us through surfing.

I've agreed to raise a minimum of $4,500 in donations. My personal goal is to raise more, but I need your help. Would you please consider making a fully tax-deductible donation of whatever amount you choose to help me meet my goal? Just follow the link below to visit my personal fundraising webpage, where you can donate online.

Worldwide, 10 million children die each year from preventable diseases. I'm participating in Swim 4 Humanity to raise money and awareness for SurfAid International's life-saving programs.

Thank you, in advance for your support of me and my efforts to reduce death and suffering from preventable disease in isolated regions of the world.

My Swim 4 Humanity donation page.

Please give what you can - even one dollar will make a difference.
And to those of you who have already donated - helping me to raise a little more than $3,500!!!! - THANK YOU doesn't begin to cover my gratitude.

Everyone likes a little dip in the pool, right?

A little bit ago I spoke to Elizabeth at SurfAid International and she told me not a whole lot of people have signed on to swim the New Jersey Swim4Humanity event. In fact, NYC is far outstripping NJ in total swimmers.

C'mon New Jersey!! We can't have that, can we?!

So while I've been badgering readers to sponsor me and my efforts to raise money for this amazing charity, I probably should have been encouraging people to sign up as well.

Please consider joining in - and if you can't, at least please make a donation.

Mahalo!

The cat is out of the bag

Inspired by JP's post at Buttered Noodles I'm writing to tell of the news I hinted at towards the end of March...

As of April 1st, after 12 years of commuting to & from NYC (120 miles round trip, or roughly four hours a day give or take 30 odd minutes) - I left my job. Starting May 1st I am enrolled as a student at the Institute for Therapeutic Massage. I am studying, first, to get my certificate in Oncology Massage and then after, to get my certificate in Eastern Bodywork.

This is something I've been wanting to do for a looooong time and finally we were able to save enough scratch to help take the sting out of my lack of full-time employment. It's a big change for us in so many ways but one we're looking forward to, albeit with a teeny, tiny amount of trepidation.

In the interim we took a trip, which was a gift to me from my most amazing husband, and I will post a link to photos soon. Otherwise, I've been home doing this & that and basically ignoring my blog.

Stay tuned for the trip photos link! Until then...

Swim 4 Humanity - SurfAid International

Any little bit will help...

On the afternoon of May 15th 2010, I will be participating in a very special fundraising event called Swim 4 Humanity benefiting SurfAid International - hosted in seven cities on the west and east coasts from March to May 2010.

I will swim for thirty minutes with tons of other people. Monies raised will go towards SurfAid's humanitarian programs. The mission of SurfAid International, a non-profit humanitarian organization, is to improve the health, well-being and self-reliance of people living in isolated regions connected to us through surfing.

I've agreed to raise a minimum of $4,500 in donations. My personal goal is to raise more, but I need your help. Would you please consider making a fully tax-deductible donation of whatever amount you choose to help me meet my goal? Just follow the link below to visit my personal fundraising webpage, where you can donate online.

Worldwide, 10 million children die each year from preventable diseases. I'm participating in Swim 4 Humanity to raise money and awareness for SurfAid International's life-saving programs.

Thank you, in advance for your support of me and my efforts to reduce death and suffering from preventable disease in isolated regions of the world.

My Swim 4 Humanity donation page.

Please give what you can - even one dollar will make a difference.
And to those of you who have already donated - helping me to raise a little more than $3,500!!!! - THANK YOU doesn't begin to cover my gratitude.

Big, BIG changes are afoot...

There will be little to no posting over the next few weeks.
I've got big changes in the works but I'm not spilling the beans just yet.
You'll have to be patient.

In the meantime - remember to breathe, remember to be grateful, remember to smile.

I'll see you soon...

Panquéques

Sunday morning. Gluten-free deliciousness.

Sixty straight hours of debauchery

And where you'll find me come May 7th...

7 March 2010 - Dinner Party

Another fantastic Sunday dinner at Jon & Ann's house.









See the rest of the photos here.

Poor little guy girl...

I'm not actually sure if this is a male or female... I found this little critter on the beach this morning. I ran home and phoned the Marine Mammal Stranding Center. The person I spoke to said they'd send someone down to check him her out and see if he she needed rescuing or if he'd she'd be okay to go back in the sea. They asked me to shoot some photos and send them in. I hope he's she's okay.






UPDATE - Turns out the seal is a girl.
This is the email I got from Jay at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center:

Thanks for the photos and the calls about the seal. While there were no obvious issues with her, we did pick her up because she was very lethargic. It may be a few days before we know exactly what all of her issues are. Feel free to check in with us next week to see how she is doing. You can also check our website every few days for updates and adoption info for her as well.

Thank you again,

-Jay

I've been shooting photos now & again this winter - these are a bunch... you can see the rest here.

Walking the Walk - UPDATE

More like swimming the swim.

On the afternoon of May 15th 2010, I will be participating in a very special fundraising event called Swim 4 Humanity benefiting SurfAid International - hosted in seven cities on the west and east coasts from March to May 2010.

I will swim for thirty minutes with tons of other people. Monies raised will go towards SurfAid's humanitarian programs. The mission of SurfAid International, a non-profit humanitarian organization, is to improve the health, well-being and self-reliance of people living in isolated regions connected to us through surfing.

I've agreed to raise a minimum of $2,500 in donations. My personal goal is to raise more, but I need your help. Would you please consider making a fully tax-deductible donation of whatever amount you choose to help me meet my goal? Just follow the link below to visit my personal fundraising webpage, where you can donate online.

Worldwide, 10 million children die each year from preventable diseases. I'm participating in Swim 4 Humanity to raise money and awareness for SurfAid International's life-saving programs.

Thank you, in advance for your support of me and my efforts to reduce death and suffering from preventable disease in isolated regions of the world.

My Swim 4 Humanity donation page.

Please give what you can - even one dollar will make a difference.
And to those of you who have already donated - helping me to raise a little more than $1,500!!!! - THANK YOU doesn't begin to cover my gratitude.

Randomness from my morning

Stayed in Brooklyn with Lizzie last night - this is part of my morning today...

Walking the walk...

Well, more like swimming the swim.

On the afternoon of May 15th 2010, I will be participating in a very special fundraising event called Swim 4 Humanity benefiting SurfAid International - hosted in seven cities on the west and east coasts from March to May 2010.

I will swim for thirty minutes with tons of other people. Monies raised will go towards SurfAid's humanitarian programs. The mission of SurfAid International, a non-profit humanitarian organization, is to improve the health, well-being and self-reliance of people living in isolated regions connected to us through surfing.

I've agreed to raise a minimum of $1,800 in donations. My personal goal is to raise more, but I need your help. Would you please consider making a fully tax-deductible donation of whatever amount you choose to help me meet my goal? Just follow the link below to visit my personal fundraising webpage, where you can donate online.

Worldwide, 10 million children die each year from preventable diseases. I'm participating in Swim 4 Life to raise money and awareness for SurfAid International's life-saving programs.

Thank you, in advance for your support of me and my efforts to reduce death and suffering from preventable disease in isolated regions of the world.

My Swim 4 Humanity donation page.

Please give what you can - even one dollar will make a difference.
And to those of you who have already donated, THANK YOU doesn't begin to cover my gratitude.

You've GOT to be KIDDING - right?!

First I read this - American Airlines Grounds Haiti Rescue Team's Medical Supplies.

Then I clicked a link in that story and read this - Haiti rescue team gets medical supplies on American flight, but without airline aid.

The gist - Some aid workers were trying to get a giant bag of medical supplies on an American Airlines flight and more than willing to pay the extra/over-sized baggage fee - but - BUT!! American Airlines WOULD NOT LET THEM!

This is what American Airlines spokesman Tim Smith had to say,

"Our temporary policy is certainly not designed to harm those seeking to take supplies in. But the reality is that Santo Domingo and the Dominican Republic is the only operating airport and area we serve that is relatively close-by to Haiti. Accordingly, our flights in and out of Santo Domingo are extremely full with passengers. As a passenger airline, with very full flights and the normal allowed complement of passenger’s checked bags, there is essentially no room on the aircraft for additional bags and supplies beyond the bags that every passenger is allowed.

Putting such supplies onboard and in the cargo hold could prevent other passengers from taking the luggage and bags they are entitled to. Supplies are best shipped through relief agencies with cargo planes or through one of the normal shipping services. This relief organization is not the only one which we have been unable to accommodate under the policy I described above."

Apparently Mr. Tim Smith wasn't in line when they were doling out the irony.
American Airlines should be ashamed of themselves. It's not like six aid workers showed up with golf clubs as their extra baggage - IT WAS MUCH NEEDED MEDICAL SUPPLIES.

I sincerely hope American Airlines reviews their policy and will allow future exceptions if similar cases present themselves during their embargo period. Otherwise - I think the next time I book a flight I'll do my damnedest NOT to fly with their airline.

Haiti

Different ways you can help:

From Progressives for Haiti:

"Simply a cooperative effort among progressive citizens' groups to put provide immediate assistance to the people of Haiti, in response to the devastating earthquake there. Any group is welcome to participate by simply directing their members to this page, or else circulating this donation link: http://www.progressivesforhaiti.org/donate . No one involved is keeping any of the money raised, we're only passing you through to donate directly to organizations we've identified and vetted as doing real, immediate work on the ground in Haiti."

Progressives for Haiti has a 'DONATE NOW' button that links directly to Doctors Without Borders right on their homepage.


*ALSO*

From mGive -

Early on the morning of January 13th a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti and details are still coming in. mGive is working with the Red Cross and we ask you to help now with an immediate donation made from your mobile phone. Simply text the word HAITI to 90999 to give $10. When prompted, reply with YES to confirm your one-time gift. The $10 donation will appear on your next mobile bill and 100% of the donation will go to Red Cross to help those hit by this natural disaster. Receipts can be printed at mGive.org/receipt.

I recommend reading the comments attached to the link for this story. Some people with certain mobile providers had some difficulties. However, that shouldn't stop you from donating what you can to assist these people in need.

I'm back

Well, actually... I've been back since January 6th but I hadn't gone near the computer too much since I was technically still on vacation.

We spent two weeks on Kauai and the last days of this week prior getting readjusted to being home - This cold weather BLOWS!!!! and our sleep is still somewhat skewed to five hours behind.

I'm in the process of getting my trip photos out of my camera and will post images & highlights soon.

Other than that - welcome to a new year - two thousand and chill...

Ahoy!

Good ol' fashioned Nor'easter

We had a blizzard over the weekend. It started early in the morning Saturday the 19th and lasted until Sunday the 20th. We got two feet of snow. I feel like we're still digging out.

I'll be away from the internet for a bit.
Happy Holidays everyone!

Dear Mr. President...

Manhattan Butterfly writes...

Dear President Obama,
I just got an email from you asking me to contact my Senators to vote for your piece of crap health care “reform” bill.
The link to reply was –like your administration – defective and so here I am replying through your website and putting it up on my blog for the world to read if they care to.

1) I already called Schumer and Gillibrand to let them know how outraged I am by the Senate bill you allowed Lieberman to control and shape. And that I strongly urged them to vote against any bill without real reform.

2) I am just one of a vast number of disillusioned and furious progressives you have managed to alienate in less than a year. These people like me voted for you, donated to your campaign and worked for your election because we wanted real change. You have bitterly disappointed us.

3) Glen Greenwald of salon.com got it right. This piece of garbage that you are calling “reform” is exactly what you wanted. It’s a gift to the insurance cartel and big pharma. What’s more, it’s an insult to my intelligence to think that I am fooled into thinking this is some step forward instead of what it really is: worse than what we have now.

4) You are not “mybarackobama.” That person was apparently an apparition. The reality is quite the letdown.

Russ Feingold said it: “This bill appears to be legislation that the president wanted in the first place.” With everything you’ve done, you’ve signaled that real reform was never your goal. If it had been single payer would never have been off the table. That would have been the place to start.
What’s clear is that you’re more than willing to strongarm Democrats when it comes to endless war, but not for your own populace who continue to suffer and die under this horrible system which puts profits over people.

And the proof of all this can be seen in your flipflop over Dorgan’s amendment. When you were a senator and candidate you were all for re-importation of drugs so that the American people wouldn’t be gouged by big pharma. And then as president you cut a secret deal with the gougers and suddenly you’re against the Dorgan amendment. And THAT you were able to work the Democratic caucus to vote against. But there was no similar effort on behalf of a strong public option.
You signaled from the start that you were willing to sign any pile of flaming poo that you could slap the word “reform” on so that you could pat yourself on the back and call it a success.
I am disgusted!

I couldn't agree with her more.

Holiday Art Show & Party @ Parlor Gallery

I'm showing some photos at Parlor Gallery in Asbury Park...



I'm not sure I'm able to make the opening, but if you get a chance to stop at the gallery, please do check out my work (and the work of all the other artists).

These are the pieces...

WTF?

Funding a needless/useless/costly war over funding universal health care?
That makes TOTAL sense.


In a warped & parallel universe.

When will our elected officials wake the fuck up?

Driving Jersey

I don't know much about this upcoming movie... but it sure looks cool.

Today is Veteran’s Day

In honor of our Veterans I am urging you to please take a few minutes out of your day to contact Senator Tom Coburn (R – OK).

There is an important and major bill regarding Veteran’s Benefits (S. 1963, the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009) that Sen. Coburn has placed on hold. The longer this bill goes un-passed the more our Veterans will suffer.

Here are several key things this bill will do:
•S. 1963 will allow VA to recruit and retain nurses, home health aides, and specialty care providers.

•S. 1963 also contains measures that would improve the efficiency of health care delivery to veterans, including a number of pilot programs designed to help VA find new and innovative ways to deliver better, faster, and more comprehensive treatment.

•S. 1963 would expand eligibility and authority for the Vet Centers to provide needed services, and would commission a comprehensive study on suicides among veterans so that we can improve efforts to prevent such tragedies.

•S. 1963 would also provide support for homeless veterans through a proposed series of innovative pilot programs. These programs are designed to significantly improve VA outreach to these veterans, in order to help them access the benefits and services provided by VA.

To read more about this comprehensive bill, click here and here.

Suicide rates are WAY UP, particularly among service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. This is awful, awful, AWFUL! We can NOT abandon the very people we have asked to serve three and four tours of duty in these war zones. OUR TROOPS NEED OUR SUPPORT.

Senator Coburn MUST be asked – “Do you support our troops?” If he says yes – then you MUST ask “Why then, are you blocking this important legislation S. 1963, the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009?”

You may contact Senator Coburn in the following places:
Washington D.C.:
Phone: 202-224-5754
Fax: 202-224-6008

Tulsa:
Phone: 918-581-7651
Fax: 918-581-7195

Oklahoma City:
Phone: 405-231-4941
Fax: 405-231-5051

Now more than ever our Veterans need us. PLEASE, let's do them this little favor and really show our support. Phone or fax Senator Coburn and help get this bill passed.

Thank you.

Some years ago

Scanned some old negatives over the weekend...


Sharry & Kate - Silver Lake, CA - 1997 maybe?