Monday, April 27, 2015

"And shed tears..."

Though I think not
To think about it,
I do think about it
And shed tears
Thinking about it.


           -Ryokan






Nepal Earthquake Relief Resources

http://www.redcross.org/
http://www.oxfamamerica.org/
https://internationalmedicalcorps.org/

Thursday, April 23, 2015

"In suffering, animals are our equals."

"Animals don't have a voice, but I do. A loud one. I'm a fucking big mouth. My voice is for them. And I'll never shut up while they suffer."- Ricky Gervais, writer, actor, activist



           




        April has been designated, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month and Sunday April 26th is "Help a Horse Day" . https://www.aspca.org/  Animal abuse is a critical issue world wide not only because we know animals feel intense pain and suffer great loss but because extensive research shows children who had a history of harming animals acted violently or intentionally injured other human beings as adults. In the US alone the percentage of children who abused or tortured animals then went on to commit a violent offense is 46%.
       In the United States, we have finally established animal abuse as a serious major crime. Recently, a decision made by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) means animal cruelty crimes will be  classified within the Uniform Crime Report (UCR) - National Incident Based Reporting System http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/ucr  The action will advance how law enforcement officials investigate and prevent brutal crimes against defenseless animals. These cases will serve as early warnings, alerting the criminal justice system to individuals posing a future threat to our own communities. Animal abuse is now regarded as a crime against society which includes other offenses such as homicide, kidnapping and arson. Categories under the new animal classification are:

 simple or gross neglect

 intentional abuse and torture

 organized abuse (i.e dog fighting)

 and animal sexual abuse

    All of these crimes will now be reported to the FBI UCR  under the individual category just as someone were reporting or documenting a murder or human sexual assault.

        As much as we love them, animals cannot speak for themselves and they cannot vote.
                                                            We are their only voice.

We represent them in the political process. Animal advocates can take the appropriate steps to lobby for pro-animal legislation by getting involved. City council members, state representatives, U.S. Senators, elected officials need to be reminded what their constituents think. They are supposed to be listening to and working for all of us. Make your voice heard by sending letters and e-mails to support pro-animal measures. Tweet, like a Facebook page, post a blog but get the word out---don't stand for animal abuse. Stand up for animals.

Monday, April 20, 2015

"The only home we've ever known."

“Earth is a small town with many neighborhoods in a very big universe.”
― Ron Garan, The Orbital Perspective: Lessons in Seeing the Big Picture from a Journey of 71 Million Miles 


                     


         Earth Day is observed worldwide on April, 22nd and 2015 marks its 45th anniversary. Founded  by former United States Senator Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day was intended  to promote ecology and respect for life on our planet. The first Earth Day resulted in the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency , Endangered Species Act, and the Clean Air Act On the first Earth Day back in 1970, over 2,000 United States colleges and universities participated, along with 10,000 primary and secondary schools. Earth Day is a celebration among global citizens used to encourage action and awareness of  urgent issues affecting human life, all animals species, soil, water and air pollution. So what can we do right now?

Share information.  Educating ourselves is the only way to save our planet and help children understand taking care of Mother Earth is a moral imperative. We have the ability to stop, improve or involve ourselves in some form of resolution for the following disturbing facts.

The average person tosses out about 4 pounds of garbage every single day. 84 percent of our garbage is recyclable.


Half the world’s tropical and temperate forests are now gone. Forests around the globe provide habitats for thousands of animal species which are being destroyed or endangered, gravely upsetting the balance of our ecosystems.

Every ton of paper that's recycled saves 17 trees.
During a 2011 Earth Day celebration, 28 million trees were planted in Afghanistan by the Earth Day Network.

Art, instruments and other trinkets manufactured with ivory can only be made from dead elephants. Don't buy, sell, trade or promote ivory. Don't promote or condone trophy hunting.

Approximately 5 million tons of oil produced in the world each year ends up in the ocean.

Water pollution comes from many sources including pesticides, fertilizers and other toxic substances that wash away from industrial factory waste, untreated human wastewater, and farms. Talk to your local government representatives to see what's being done to prevent water pollution and how its affecting your family, community, food and health.

Plastics contained in garbage dumped in our oceans kills at least 1 million creatures each year.  Last week alone pollution from excessive garbage caused the death of more than 37 tons of fish in the Rodrigo de Freitas lake in Rio de Janeiro.


   It may seem unbelievable for many of us who have instant access to tap water, 24/7 but 1.1 billion people worldwide lack access to water. Only 3% of the world's water is available to us, and soon we will run out. https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/water-scarcity



Earth Day is a time to take action, reflect, honor and be grateful for the natural resources and beauty of our planet. But Earths resources are limited and our time is limited. Its the only home we've ever known because its the only home we have.

















A special Happy Birthday to Chuck on April 20th.






         




   


Thursday, April 16, 2015

"You're a sky full of stars."

“Love is the voice under all silences, the hope which has no opposite in fear; the strength so strong mere force is feebleness: the truth more first than sun, more last than star...”

― E.E. Cummings

           

   
    For my niece, Bri.  On her journey. Love you.


                   Look Up  
                                             by Lisa More

           Whisper a wish upon the air
               gaze upon the twinkling lights
                   those bright stars above
                      shimmer morning, noon and night
                           like gleaming children they appear
                                play hide and seek against the sun
                                      and dancing in the sky afar 
                                          sparkle and shine upon every one.
                                                                
                                                 So like a magic wand was waved
                                                      behind dawns curtain, melt we trust    
                                                          until we greet them once again
                                                               stars like love, remain with us.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                  
                                                                                                  
                                                                                             

                                                                                               
                                                                                                  
                                                                                                        
                                                                                                 
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                      
                                                                                     
                                                                                 
                                         
                                                        
                                                                          
                                                                                  

                                                                                
                                                                                                                            

                                                
                                                        
                                                            

                                                         

                                                           
                                             
                                             
                                             
                                             

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

"The world's not what it seems."



"I had the strangest feeling
Your world's not what it seems
So tired of misconceiving
What else this could've been." 

             "Believe"-  Mumford & Sons








           Right now the top ten hottest hits in alternative music for the week of April 11th include an interesting mix of outstanding established acts such as the Foo Fighters and Death Cab for Cutie with youthful solo performers like indie phenom Robert DeLong and 21 year old baby-faced George Ezra.  Claiming the number one position after fifteen weeks on Billboard Magazines Alternative top 20 list, "Lampshades on Fire " by Modest Mouse continues its reign but is challenged by a thoughtfully moving track from an anticipated album being released May 4th.
        "Believe" by Mumford & Sons is featured on the UK bands third release "Wilder Mind".  Following the success of  "Sigh No More" (2009) and the 2012 Grammy Award winner for Album of the Year,- "Babel",  the British band shakes off the "folk"and just wants to rock.

  Keep up with the latest band information including tour dates in your area here:   http://www.mumfordandsons.com/   Enjoy the fast paced journey as you travel the intricate twists, turns and tunneled avenues of London in the video above. Believe me, the song will get in your head.




10. Stolen Dance- MILKY CHANCE

  9. Congregation- FOO FIGHTERS

  8. What Kind of Man- FLORENCE +THE MACHINE

  7. Budapest- GEORGE EZRA

  6. Black Sun- DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE

  5. Long Way Down- ROBERT DELONG

  4. Hollow Moon (Bad Wolf)- AWOLNATION

  3. Shut Up and Dance- WALK THE MOON

  2. Believe- MUMFORD & SONS

  1. Lampshades On Fire- MODEST MOUSE













                

Saturday, April 4, 2015

"It is there....all the time."

     "If we are peaceful...."





Being Peace   by Thich Nhat Hahn 


If we are peaceful.

If we are happy.

We can smile and blossom

Like a flower.

And everyone

In our family,

Our entire society

Will benefit

From our peace.





Wednesday, April 1, 2015

"Loving the whole process."

"Before I even knew what that half of my family did, I was interested in performing. I remember being seven years old and up on a stage and loving it. I've always adored it. Not just acting, but the whole process of writing and directing movies, everything that has to do with that part of life. Maybe it's in my blood."-  actor Jack Huston, (grandson of legendary director John Huston, nephew of Angelica Huston)













             April showers us with two exciting new films based on best-selling novels, captivating characters, award winning directors, starring two of my favorite British actors.  Based on the highly successful Nicholas Sparks novel, the film adaptation of The Longest Ride opens in US theaters, April 10th. The long awaited romantic drama was directed by multi-talented writer, producer George Tillman Jr.(Faster, Men of Honor, Notorious) screenplay by Craig Bolotin with Nicholas Sparks. Featuring Scott Eastman, son of preeminent actor, director Clint Eastwood as (Luke) and Britt Robertson (Sophia) as a passionate pair of conflicted lovers, the tale transports the audience through time. The Longest Ride also stars celebrated veteran actor Alan Alda, and the gifted Jack Huston (American HustleKill Your Darlings) as Ira now and then. Rounding out the cast is the beautiful Oona Chaplin as (Ruth) and Melissa Benoist. 

      Coming to theaters April 17th is yet another highly anticipated film based on an international best-seller.  Child 44 is the brainchild of British novelist, Tom Rob Smith. The first book of a suspenseful trilogy which includes The Secret Speech and Agent 6, Child 44 follows a dishonored member of the military police investigating a series of gruesome child murders as the Stalin-era Soviet Union spirals out of control. The screenplay for Child 44,  was written by Richard Price, directed by the talented young Daniel Espinoza (Easy Money) (Safe House) and once again reunites the impressively skilled duo of Tom Hardy (Leo Demidov) and Noomi Rapace (Raisa) from 2014's The Drop. The Child 44 cast also includes brilliant French actor Vincent Cassell (Black Swan) Jason Clarke (Zero Dark Thirty) and the renowned Gary Oldman. Enjoy the clips above. Check your local theaters for times or availability near you. For more movie insights visit the following official film links:

http://www.foxmovies.com/movies/the-longest-ride

http://www.child44film.com/


          



















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