Friday, June 27, 2008
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Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Going on the American tradition of stealing great TV shows from other countries, ABC's Wipeout is a pretty good knock off. Ripped from Japan's Takeshi's Castle, Wipeout features Americans going through the strangest and funniest challenges in hopes of a $50k prize. The commentators are a bit "off", but if you're like me and love the cheese, you won't mind it so much.During it's premier last night, I laughed so hard that I had to put the baby down in her seat because I thought I would drop her. The contestants are from all walks of life and go through the most ridiculously hilarious obstacles. The funniest one I found is the big red balls that contestants must bounce through to the next platform. The crashes that they were featured were just priceless. And the final course trumps the American Gladiators Eliminator any day.
It's great mindless television that should hold me over until regular favorites come back to season. I'm not sure it has staying power, but this season will definitely bring lots of laughs.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Upon telling anyone that I've stopped eating meat, they think that I am insane for making the radical change. It may be true, to an extent. But over the last couple of years, my life and how it is spent has changed dramatically and it will continue to as I build my new life and family.My first date with D was at the Woodland Park Zoo. He had asked me what I wanted to do, and going there had been on my mind for months. He used to work there and the aquarium, and he gave me the grand personal tour of both places. In fact, he answered a lot of the questions I had about animals and shared with me a lot of his knowledge.
Ever since then, Animal Planet has been constantly been on my TV. We watched in marathon all the David Attenborough DVDs - Life in Cold Blood, Planet Earth, etc... And the more I learned, the more my love for animals grew. Wherever we traveled, we visited the zoo and/or aquarium of the area. In fact, some of our trips are based solely on visiting them... like our trip to the San Diego Wild Animal Park. I couldn't pick a favorite, but that is definitely near the top of the list.
I hadn't known how much my affection to animals had grown until one fateful night when I saw a raccoon on the road in Sammamish, taking its last breaths as a car had just struck it. I stopped my car in the middle of rush hour traffic to have D pick him up to take him to the vet. When we parked the car to check his state, D knew that there was nothing we could do for him. He walked to the bush and let him die in peace there. I cried. For 5 hours straight. Over a raccoon. Now, I have to hold back tears whenever I see roadkill... worse when it's a raccoon.
It didn't really come too much of a surprise when looking into a cow's eyes on its way to a slaughter house tipped both me and D over the edge. If we had to kill it, we would starve to death instead... T is right in the fact that there are places that treat their animals humanely and the options are wonderful here in Seattle, but they still die because of me. And I can't deal with that any longer. Sometimes I find myself craving meat, but I know it's just my body asking for certain nutrients and tastes.
I know this change in lifestyle (don't worry, I won't ask anyone to change their eating habits) won't make a dent in the state of the world and planet today, but every little helps the bigger picture eventually.
With all the meatless alternatives available, I don't see why it can't be done by anyone who wanted to try. I figure this is like the "going green" campaign that the world is going on about these days. Eventually, the world will get it.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
That would be me. I was never sure I wanted an offspring of my own. I was quite happy with leaving procreation to those who are more capable and deserving of a child... those who wanted one.My stance on the matter had many reasons, some too personal to post on a blog and others were just my own selfishness. But the biggest reason was fear: fear that I'd screw up parenthood and my kid would end up in therapy forever, fear that the world today is too harsh for a child to grow up in, fear that my life would end (metaphorically, of course) upon the arrival of a child.
I can't predict the future reality of the first two fears. But with the blessing of a fortunate accident, made me realize how I was completely wrong about the last. It feels like my life was given exactly what it needed and this is simply the beginning greater things and big adventures.
The first few weeks have been the most difficult and scary moments of my brief existence. But I wouldn't change any of it. And yes, I'd even do it all over again for a second one.... much later! I need some sleep first!
Goodbye, Big Macs, Nuggets and McGriddles...
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
There was a commercial on television today for Big Macs. And I cried. Soppy, I know. But I said a silent farewell to one of my favorite comfort food hideaways in life.I made this decision to be a vegetarian and I'm sticking to it. But I am still mourning the loss of that part of my life.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
I haven't been a drinker in quite some time. In fact, as soon as I became legal, it really didn't appeal to me a whole lot. Socially, it was fun, but if I overdid it, it was never a pretty sight.Regardless of the former, I've found myself fond of a show on the Mojo HD channel called Three Sheets. It's a show about drinking around the world. As collegiately idiotic as the show might sound, I think it would appeal to the intellectual and well-traveled. The show follows its host, Zane, to various cities and countries as he learns of each location's alcoholic specials and the drinking culture.
The show is actually educational. I swear. And if you're looking for something to watch during the drab off-season television, this would be the one. They replay it often on the channel, and there is no story line so you can jump in any time. You won't be disappointed. If you are, you can utter profanity at me.
ps... if you don't have HD, Joost carries it.. (http://www.joost.com)
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
One of the best commercials I've seen so far. Who woulda thunk that the Washington Lottery could make something so brilliant?Sunday, June 08, 2008
Sex and the City brings with it a lot of memories. Not the show itself, but the times I had watching it...And all of it came rushing back when I watched the movie. And for the first time in years, I cried for those memories. It's not that I regret walking away... but I do regret walking away from certain people... and keeping them away when all they wanted to be there for me.Monday, June 02, 2008
If you've ever driven through Central California, you've seen that "farm" with all the hundreds of cows practically piled on top of each other. You've also probably seen the semis loaded with cows on their way to become our meals.That was the final straw. It tugged on our heart strings to see them with their innocent eyes along side our drive. And it was then that D and I agreed to attempt (I say "attempt" because it may not be as simple as we think it will be) to rid meat from our diet. Plain and simple: if we had to catch and kill our meals, D and I would never be able to do it.
This change isn't a cold-turkey attempt, but rather the step down approach. Besides, we had just been shopping before we left and don't want to waste our food. Since we've been back, we've only had meat a handful of times and have replaced our meat in-take with soy-based meat-like products.
Personally, I thought I would dislike a lot of these products, but I've been surprised. I'd have to say, however, I will miss sushi.........