Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Money

Worried about the financial crisis?

Click here to make sure your money is FDIC insured and you can worry less. Just click on "get started" and enter your information. As Suze Orman says, this is NOT A JOKE.

Monday, September 29, 2008

The Eagles Soar higher

Love me my Eagles! And when it comes to environmental initiatives, the Eagles' owners, Christina and Jeffrey Lurie have been first in a few things.

In 2003 they began their Go Green program. Here are a few of the things it supports:
  • Uses 15% clean energy to power their stadium and practice facilities. "By this Fall we will be using 100% clean energy," said Ms. Lurie.
  • The Eagles reimburse employees living in Philadelphia and New Jersey for purchasing wind energy (the first organization to do so.)
  • Vendor Aramark, which is a worldwide vendor, provides them with plastic cups, utensils, and plates that are made out of compostable corn.
  • Recycled 350,000 lbs. of paper cardboard and beverage products, that's half the size of a football field, 3 feet deep
  • Use post-consumer recycled paper products for programs and tickets
  • Uses only recycled paper for their restroom facilities.
  • In May, the Philadelphia Eagles, volunteers and state park staff planted more than 1,500 trees and shrubs in the Eagles Forest.

Click here to see a LIVE reading of how much power the Eagles solar panels are generating!

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Quote Sundays

We must do that which we think we cannot

-Eleanor Roosevelt

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Satunesday

The Stoop by Little Jackie




A blend of the old-school R&B sound with a quirky hybrid of hip-hop and pop explains Little Jackie. And ever since Leslie told me about her I can't stop dancing to the beats!

Friday, September 26, 2008

um, come again Sarah?

Improv Everywhere

You've most certainly heard about these people... they've organized thousands of people in one place to all do the same thing. Remember when they staged a big freeze in Grand Central a few years back?



Well, they're doing it again and this time, you can be a part of it. Details can be found on this website.

Date: Saturday, September 27 (rain or shine)
Location: Governor’s Island
Time: The event will begin at exactly 3:15 PM. Arrive early and remember to budget time for weekend subway service delays and lines to get on the ferry. The event will be over at 4:06.
Wear: A Red, Blue, Yellow, or Green t-shirt.
Bring: An umbrella and an uninflated balloon.

Sounds fun- only wish I could be there! Send me pictures if you go!

Thursday, September 25, 2008

UN Millennium Development Goals

While walking down the street this morning I saw this poster (in fact, its impossible to miss, they are billboard size and plastered all over 42nd st and the traffic has been at a stand still in my neighborhood for the past 3 days!!! Thanks UN!)

Today, world leaders come together for a high-level event convened by the UN Secretary-General and the President of the UN General Assembly to renew commitments to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) by 2015 and to set out concrete plans and practical steps for action.

If you can't read the colorful blocks above or haven't peeped the MDG Report for 2008, here is a brief description of the goals.

1. End Hunger: Reduce those suffering from hunger & poverty by half
2. Universal Education: Ensure that all boys and girls complete a full course of primary schooling
3. Gender Equity: Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education
4. Child Health: Reduce by two thirds the mortality rate of children under five.
5. Maternal Health: Reduce by three quarters the maternal mortality ratio
6. Combat HIV/AIDS: Halt and begin to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS and other diseases
7. Environmental Sustainability: Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programs
8. Global Partnership: Develop open trading and financial systems that are non-discriminatory



These are amazing goals and there is a lot of support both monetarily and from celebrities.

But, I wanted to pass along a few things I learned in a class I took about the MDG last Fall. My teacher, Paige West, a renowned anthropologist, explained that the goals are very ethnocentric. In other words, since the MDG are viewing the "developing countries" through Western eyes, they are setting these countries up to look like the US or Europe.

This wont work for many reasons; Social practices are different - currency, language, family values and traditions. Universals are different- we think freedom, progress and prosperity are the ticket to a happy life, while many other cultures value spirituality, history and culture more. And above all else, by defining these countries as "developing" we are setting them below a certain standard in which we see ourselves as superior and creates a notion of lack in other cultures.

I believe in the MDG and hope that they create positive changes around the globe-- but a little cynic in me has to present this argument from both sides.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Battle at the Brandywine

I live in a very interesting and beautiful part of the country. Pennsylvania is steeped in history, particularly the eastern part, where I am from.

As you know, I was home this weekend... and with a little time left of Sunday, my dad and I hit up the Brandywine Battlefields, which shockingly, neither of us had ever been.

In the 1700's, Philadelphia was the capital of our new world, making it a large target for British troops during the American Revolution.

British troops were coming from Trenton, NJ he
aded towards Philadelphia. Being the adept General that he was, Washington knew the red coats could be stopped and chose the high ground of Chadds Ford, PA, just SW of Philadelphia, for his historic and bloody battle.

On September 11th, 1777, Washington stationed his troops (in blue) along the banks of the Brandywine, prepared for a eastern attack. However, for the first time in this battle, he was outmaneuvered when the British (red), lead by General Howe, surprised Washington by crossing the river at the north and attacking him from land.

During the five days following the battle, the British camped in the area and ransacked Chadds Ford houses and properties, looting books, furnishings, livestock, food, clothing, and money. It took the area over 5 years to regain it's prosperity and rebuild the farms.

Casualties on both sides were great. About 300 Americans were taken prisoner, 400 to 800 killed, and 600 to 800 wounded. British losses were heavier—somewhere between 600 to 2,000.

The British then marched into Philadelphia on September 26th and
spent the winter enjoying the luxury of Philadelphia’s finest homes.

The British position in Philadelphia became untenable after France's entrance into the war on the side of the Americans. On June 24, the Continental Congress returned to the city from its temporary quarters in York, PA.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Terrain at Styers


Recently, the parent company of Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie and Free People purchased a famous garden center in my home town of Chadds Ford, PA. They renamed it, Terrain, and revamped it into a shabby-chic garden center that was worthy of two visits in one short weekend.

Terrain incorporates greenhouses, sheds and a yummy, organic and local cafe nestled amongst rows and rows of local and exotic plants. They feature state of the art garden tools and implements, realistic looking silk flowers, shade perennials, and a wide array of garden containers. Plus, in sticking with their roots, exquisitely displayed unique but pricey “home” items such as miniature Tibetan prayer houses, chimney pots from old homes, intricate silver hanging lamps from India, carved marble trays, pots of every material, outdoor plant structures, furniture, and fountains; soaps, and oils, and loads of books about - what else - homes and gardens, with heavy emphasis on organic, green, eco-friendly, and such.

I can't decide whether it was my delicious meal or the Fall decor, but somewhere around Sunday afternoon, I
decided I wanted to move into
this garden center. Camp out, tree house, little garden shed- whatever it takes so I never have to leave...

The store balances a variety of plants with decorative home goods, and, it made me feel a nostalgia for the simplicity of nature and the peacefulness of gardening that I can not find in the city.

Check out pictures from Saturday (and when we went back Sunday...)













Monday, September 22, 2008

Home Sweet Home

I went home this weekend for my cousins' wedding celebration. It was a spectacular party and tons of fun to see the family.

But the best part was spending time with my Dad and exploring his property. He kept laughing at me every time I took a big, deep breath, but I can't help it, the air is finer in the country...

Check out some pics from Sunny Manor



































As you can see, my Dad raises peacocks (the toad is not a pet) Look closely and you can see that the peahen has four chicks that JUST hatched on Sunday morning. They were so young and scared and she protected them with every inch of her body. Don't see that every day. It was nice being home. Thanks Daddy!

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Quote Sundays

Ten People who speak make more noise that 10,000 who are silent

-Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Satunesday

"Naive" by The Kooks





Even though their big break was when the song "Ooh La" debuted on "The O.C.", the Kooks have been able to maintain making quality music and since put out two great albums.

I heard about them from my friend Mike, who chose this song as his Jam of the Week. Mike says, "this song is my favorite of theirs and comes off their first album "Inside In/Inside Out", which was released in 2006. It was written by lead singer Luke Pritchard at the ripe age of 19."

Friday, September 19, 2008

Friday morning politics!!

Are any of our candidates green? Check it out at Plenty Mag!!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

High Fructose Corn Syrup



You've just seen the sinister commercial advertising the benefits of high fructose corn syrup. It's sick. DON'T BE FOOLED BY ALL THIS HYPE! These companies are obviously scared by the growing awareness regarding the ill effects of this substance. Their only defense is to depend on the public's ignorance of the real consequence of having high fructose corn syrup, an ingredient that is liberally used in a multitude of products.

The best defense for a consumer is to do exactly what the commercial advertises, "get the facts".
  • although containing the same amount of calories as sugar, HFCS is absorbed a lot faster into the blood, causing more severe spikes in glucose levels.
  • while moderation is important even for substances that are considered beneficial, there is no such thing as "moderate" use of HFCS in this country, it is one of the most widely used ingredients.
  • It has been proven time and time again to increase the chances of getting diabetes contributes to the growing obesity epidemic.
These commercials are not only misleading, they try to shame a watchful consumer into feeling silly for believing whatever mysterious source said that HFCS was harmful. The facts are still the facts, stay away from HFCS- it's bad for the planet and bad for you.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Excitement is in the Air

Our attraction to others may be about having the right chemistry after all. Throughout history (and for that matter, my short 26 years) it has been a mystery why certain humans are attracted to each other. Recently, the explanation is that dating and mating are highly influenced by pheromones, powerful chemicals produced by the body.

Pheromones are natural air-borne chemical hormones the body produces to attract the opposite sex. You can't see them or smell them, yet they can be powerful enough to instantly draw another person in. They occur in dense concentrations on hands, cheeks, scalp, breast areolas, and wherever we possess body hair—and are only functional after puberty, when we begin searching for mates.

Bobo originally brought this fascinating article in Psychology Today to my attention. It explains how an organ just inside the nasal cavity called the vomeronasal organ (VNO) detects trace amounts of pheromones, and in turn, stimulates the limbic region of the brain, also known as the 'Seat of Emotions'. This area of the brain is responsible for our emotions and passionate desires.

The article also
explains that perfumes, while might attract a passerby, cover-up our natural scent. In turn, certain diseases and medicines can alter your scent as well. Psychology Today explains,
"from diabetes to viral infection to schizophrenia, unusually sweet or strong body odors are a warning cue that ancestral females in search of good genes for their offspring may have been designed to heed."
In addition, birth control can have scent altering effects. A woman might ignore a man she is naturally attracted to and vice versa. Psychology Today even goes as far to say that a married woman who stops taking birth control to get pregnant may become less attracted to her husbands "new" odor. This is not to say you should go off your birth control, but just something to think about!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Broccoli... it's GOOD for you

Could eating vegetables get any better for you??

US scientists at Johns Hopkins found that sulforaphane, a substance found in broccoli and brussels sprouts, increases the activity of the NRF2 gene in human lung cells which protects cells from damage caused by toxins and therefore may limit the damage which leads to serious lung disease.

The same broccoli compound was recently found to be protective against damage to blood vessels caused by diabetes and has proven to lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

In the study, they showed that sulforapane was able to restore reduced levels of NRF2 in cells exposed to cigarette smoke.

Better if you don't smoke at all.... but if you did, eat more broccoli!

Monday, September 15, 2008

Orion

The Orion Experience
Tonight at 7:30

Mercury Lounge

Hil-arious

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Quote Sundays

I'm starting a new post called quote Sundays. It's as simple as posting a quote that I love and feel relevant to my life at the time! Enjoy the first one!

When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends

-Japanese Proverb

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Week O' Beer

The organizers of the inaugural New York Craft Beer Week must have gotten started early, because their "week" of beer events actually adds up to ten days.

But who's counting after 4 anyway!!

Beer week started yesterday with
the third annual Brewfest at the South Street Seaport. The event offers beer-tastings, as well as barbecue and live blues.

The festival promises a "week" of libation education, neighborhood bar crawls and beer dinners throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. For free, they're distributing "Beer Passports" to anyone who wants one, and beer connoisseurs can have their passport stamped at each bar during the myriad bar crawls. The Astor Center will be hosting tastings with beer and chocolate pairings, not to mention beer and cheese pairings. Also intriguing is this Saturday's private tour of the Sixpoint Craft Ale brewery in Red Hook, followed by a four course dinner with beer pairings from the crew at The Good Fork, served at the unique Added Value Farm.

And Beer week stumbles out on the 21st with the 2nd Annual Manhattan Cask Ale Festival at the Chelsea Brewing Company, which features 45 ‘firkins’ of cask-conditioned ale from noon to midnight!

Enjoy and drink responsibly!

Friday, September 12, 2008

Salvia

I'm getting old and perhaps, just a little more wise. I just read about the newest drug, Salvia, and it scares the shit out of me.

Salvia is an herb from the mint family taken for centuries by Mexican shamans for spiritual awakening. Now, because of it's legal and very "you tube-able" quality, it has become quite a phenomenon amongst the drug using youth.

The NYT broke the story, describing it's effects as the "most intense, potent, LSD type drug on the market." And also documenting the users who smoke salvia like pot. Apparently there is a large contingent on youtube that takes the drug and posts the experience.



I watched a number of videos of people freaking out, clearly having a terrible time. It seems that the longer you hold it in, the greater the effects and that the high wains after 3-5 minutes.

What scares me is that depending on the grower and the amount, different potency's of this drug elicit different reactions, some funny- most disturbing.



Researchers are studying whether salvia
could be the basis of medicines for pain or psychiatric problems and also how it works in the body.

Look for more information to follow.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

September Concert

The September Concert is a free concert series held in memory of 9/11 in cities throughout the world. See the website for events in your area.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Salvador DalĂ­ in Film


I did not realize that DalĂ­ died in 1989. Hence, when I saw his films- I was shocked by the (while crude) special effects.

The exhibit explores the role that cinema played in Dalí's work. Both an inspiration and an outlet for experimentation, film was Dalí's passion, and cinematic vision became a model for his own work. The films greatly outweigh the paintings and other works on display because they are so unique. Dalí collaborated with legendary filmmakers such as Hitchcock's Spellbound, and Walt Disney's Destino (the latter being my favorite film in the gallery, using cartoons and Dalí's surrealist images to portray a love story). Among the other provocative works is Un Chien andalou, a film made with Luis Buñuel, which features the notorious, almost unwatchable sequence of an eye being slit by a razor..

The exhibit at the MOMA runs until Sunday- so get there while you still can. It is well worth it.

Fashion Week- Spring 2009

TRACY REESE







MARC JACOBS





LELA ROSE

DIANE VON FURSTENBERG



CAROLINA HERRERA


NICOLE MILLER

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

More proof

Four years ago we started talking about Arctic melting. "These changes in the Arctic provide an early indication of the environmental and societal significance of global warming," says the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment, a four-year study by 300 scientists in eight Arctic-bordering nations, including the United States.

Last summer, warming temperatures melted more of the Arctic ice cap than at any time since measurements have been taken. In 1980 the amount of ice covering the north polar sea would have been enough to blanket the entire continental United States, more than half of it has melted, leaving much less than enough to cover the states east of the Mississippi.

This summer’s data indicate that 2007’s melt was not a one-year anomaly. With the ice still melting, the total amount of Arctic sea ice was approaching last year’s low, and polar bears, which use ice floes as platforms on which to fish and rest, were spotted swimming in the open sea. Some were headed toward the edge of the ice shelf, 400 miles away — far beyond their endurance.

In as little as five years, said a NASA scientist, Jay Zwally, the North Pole in summer will be ice-free. “Climate warming is also coming larger and faster than the models are predicting,” Dr. Zwally said. “Nobody’s really taken into account that change yet.”

Change? Did the man say change? He must be a Democrat. Or a Republican.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Choice

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Free Sticker

Welcome September


Well, Labor Day has come and gone. I can barely believe it, can you? And since September brings an extremely busy time of year, I like to reassess my plan for 2008 set some new mid-year goals.

If you haven't tried it, just take a moment to sit down with yourself and reflect on the past summer. Was there a trip you wanted to take that didn't happen? Did you make plans to see an old friend that were broken? Or, were you able to save some money? Did you try a new sport?

Whatever it was that you did or did not do- are you on track?


At the end of your reflection, decide whether you need to create a new plan for yourself. If you don't, congratulations, you're on point. If you have a few things to update- good for you- improvement is the key to success!

Friday, September 5, 2008

Harvey Milk

The world told Harvey Milk that he would never be in politics. But, when Milk was elected to the city supervisors board in 1977 in San Fransisco, he became the first openly gay man ever elected to political office.

His amazing life has been the subject of numerous books and movies -- including the 1984 documentary The Times of Harvey Milk -- which received an Academy Award and was later produced as an opera. And now again in one of this years most talked about films, Milk, starring Sean Penn as Harvey Milk, and Josh Brolin as his murderer and fellow councilman, Dan White. Opens November 26th.

In office for just one year, Milk sponsored two laws. One barring anti-gay discrimination, and, a law forcing dog owners to clean pets' messes from sidewalks. However, his legacy was much greater than that.

Milk's killing probably awakened as many gay people as his election had. His death inspired many of his peers and colleagues, most notably Cleve Jones, who later envisioned the greatest work of American folk art, the AIDS quilt. His death brought empathy to the gay community that had not previously been there. However, like the greats that had been assassinated before him, it would have been thrilling to see how far he could have gone as a leader.

...you've got to keep electing gay people...to know there is better hope for tomorrow. Not only for gays, but for blacks, Asians, the disabled, our senior citizens and us. Without hope, we give up. I know you cannot live on hope alone, but without it life is not worth living.


In this current election atmosphere, this movie seem so apropos. I know the word hope has been so overused lately, but to read the above quote it makes me feel like finally, we as United States citizens are making a stand for our future and change in the norm.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

History. Here. Now.


Part 1

Check the rest out on youtube... no matter what you believe, this is a seriously huge moment for the United States and our generation!

NFL Kick Off


Q: Where can you see Usher, Keith Urban, Natasha Bedingfield AND watch the first home Giants game?

A: Columbus Circle...... Say wha?

The NFL ushers in its 89th season with a "GIANT" celebration in its special free pregame event, "NFL Opening Kickoff 2008 Presented by EA Sports" today from 3-6:45.
The Thursday concert leads into the season opener between the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins at Giants Stadium (NBC, NFL.com, NBCSports.com, Westwood One Radio Sports, 7:00 p.m. ET).

Check out the
Fan guide for more info.

And if you see Bobo, say hi!

Spiegelworld

Spiegel: Flemish for "hall of mirrors," defines the 3rd annual burlesque show of the same name at the South Street Seaport, Pier 17.

And what is "Spiegelworld"? It’s a circus. A nightclub under the summer stars. A beer garden. Some sort of dreamland suspended in time. It offers a broad array of circus, cabaret and concert acts. From burlesque dance shows to intimate concerts, Spiegelworld adds a dash of eccentricity to the typical traveling show.

Spiegelworld is sure to amuse--just remember, this isn't Barnum & Bailey. It's best to leave the kids at home.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Democracy Now Reporters Arrested

As yet unreported by Network press agencies, more than 280 people were arrested in St. Paul on Monday, the opening day of the Republican National Convention. Among them were several journalists covering the protests in the streets, including three Democracy Now! reporters.

Veteran reporter Amy Goodman was detained trying to question police officers about the arrests of Democracy Now! producers Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar.

The disturbing footage can be seen here.

The Beatles

I listened to a lot of Beatles this weekend, seriously trippy stuff from the Sgt. Pepper album. Perfect beach music. The Beatles were such a revolutionary group. I love listening to something of theirs from each decade to showcase how much they changed with the times and also were very much apart of changing the times themselves.

But then, there were two. Paul and Ringo are the lone survivors of the group, living in this contemporary society where celebrity obsession is at it's highest (another post), and I think they try their hardest to not act the part.

But, when STAUNCH vegetarian Sir Paul McCartney reportedly told a chef at Nick and Toni's where to "stick it" after he was served meat, he seemed to be acting a celeb.

According to the New York Post newspaper Paul, who is a regular at the restaurant, reportedly told the waiter: "You can tell the chef to stick it, but don't tell him I said that."

So, I guess he isn't as much of a celeb as we thought!

I know, as a veg, that I must eat meat, chicken broth, etc every once and a while, but try my hardest not to. I accept that I do my best and my part, and unless I get ill- I don't worry about it. On the other hand, Sir Paul refuses to buy leather shoes and even asked for the leather interior in his Lexus car to be swapped for cloth. I think he, of all people, deserves a little special treatment...

Monday, September 1, 2008

Labor Day


Holla my fellow working people!

Today is
Labor Day, where we celebrate the social and economic achievements of us, the American worker. The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882 and was a tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

Enjoy the day off, yo.