Rapture May - the bibble said

Don't Be Confused About Bible Prophecy Another Minute

Here's the Bible Prophecy breakthrough you've been waiting for—from two overlooked keys in the hard sayings of Jesus now made plain in the most accurate prophecy research available, because it departs from traditional "anything goes" allegorical interpretations which disregard Jesus' only statement on how to interpret Scripture correctly. (Learn these keys of Jesus in this free article...)

A Reader Comments:

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Upheaval - Incubate The Wasteland (EP) (2011)

Country: France
Genre: Technical Death Metal
Bitrate : mp3 | CBR 320 kbps
Size : 38.22 Mb

Myspace

Tracklist:
1. The Goat Falls
2. Nargis
3. Gardens Of Babylon
4. Landfill
5. The Third Cycle

Download

Harold Camping Prediction.... Anyone out there?

Harold Camping's was incorrect with his prediction that the rapture would take play on May 21, 2011 at 6pm.  I wonder what is going on in the minds right now of all the people that believed him.  Some has spent their life savings on billboards to warn the world, some have sold their home and quit their jobs.

A part of me feels sorry for them.  I mean the trusted so much that this was going to happen.  The problem is that they put their trust in this man, and not in the word of God which says that no one knows that time that God will return.

Harold Camping has done this before.  I think he last prediction was 1994. He even wrote a book about it.  I would think that would have been the first red flag to his followers.




Are You Ready?

1994




Shockwave 2000!: The Harold Camping 1994 Debacle

Fleshless - Slaves Of The God Machine (2011)

Country: Czech Republic
Genre: Brutal Death Metal
Quality: mp3@VBR V0 [Scene]
Size: 67 Mb

Myspace

Tracklist:
01. Intro
02. Fixed
03. Truth In Flesh
04. To Dethrone God
05. False Ascension
06. Sins Reversed
07. Industrial Abuse
08. Mechanic Pregnancy
09. Their Sanguinary Doctrines
10. Promised Salvation
11. Mindseething
12. Outro

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On The Rapture: 2011 Edition

The book I'm reading today.

Lately I've been hearing a lot about Harold Camping's end of days prediction which puts the rapture at about 6 p.m. tomorrow. I've also been seeing lots of ridicule of Christians in general for our belief in such a ridiculous thing as the rapture.

This post isn't for naysayers however, this post is for Christians. Those who, like myself aren't perfect but see the work of God in every word. Those who know that everything works together for good through the eyes of those who love God. (Romans 8:28) Those who can see that constant talk of the rapture is in fact a good thing.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think for a moment that anyone can predict the rapture, but I do believe that this is a good day for me. A constant reminder of MY faith in Jesus Christ. A constant reminder that any day could be the day of his return reminds me to live my life in such a way that I have no fear. No regrets.

"But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." (Matthew 24:36)

I hope that other Christians have been reminded of the same.


Namaste,
Ani

Choosing Your Life

We have grown literally afraid to be poor. We despise anyone who elects to be poor in order to simplify and save his inner life. If he does not join the general scramble and pant with the money-making street, we deem him spiritless and lacking in ambition.

~William James

Learning To Read

Showing off his new phonics set.

My 4 year old son has been asking me to teach him to read for awhile now. I put some feelers out back in January and most people I asked said that was just too young.

Since unschool is child-directed and he just didn't let it go, he asks every night during his bedtime story, I decided to pick up something at the bookstore. We went to the phonics section and he picked a set that he liked. It's pretty much 12 regular childrens' books with several "vocabulary" words highlighted.

I've decided to read each book to him at least twice a day repeating each book for a week. I'm also going to print out "worksheets" with the highlighted words on them so that he can practice writing too.

One thing I've noticed since he's been writing & identifying words is that he mixes the letters up. For instance instead of writing "Julia" he'll write "ilJua." He always includes the correct letters, just in a different spot each time. Likewise, when he 'reads' to me (spelling a word he sees) he says the letters out of order, sometimes completely backwards.

This brings me to a question for all of the educators and home educators out there; is this a phase or cause for concern? I know what dyslexia is, but I don't want to jump to conclusions when this may be a normal develeopmental stage (similar to his ADD like behavior which, it turns out, is perfectly normal for a 4 year old who has never been made to sit criss-cross-applesauce in a circle on the floor. ;)

Chime in below and let me know what you think. Thanks to all of my wonderful readers for the help.

Namaste,
Ani

Morbid Angel - Nevermore [Single] (2011)

Country:USA
Genre:Death Metal
Bitrate:320kbps
Size:18Mb

Myspace

1. Nevermore 05:07
2. Destructos vs. the Earth (Remixed by Combichrist) 05:04

Download

Wordless Wednesday: Finger Puppets

My son loves to play pretend, so of course we had to get these adorable finger puppets during our recent trip to IKEA. So much fun. :)

Murder Therapy - Molochian (EP) [2011]

Country: Italy
Genre: Technical Progressive Death Metal
Quality: mp3/320 kbps
Size: 42Mb

Myspace

Tracklist:
01. Moloch
02. Unvacuity
03. In Viscera
04. Di Luci E Negazioni

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Autopsy - Macabre Eternal (2011)

Сountry: USA
Genre: Death Metal
Quality: mp3, 320 kbps
Size: 150 Мb

Myspace

Тracklist:
01. Hand Of Darkness (5:19)
02. Dirty Gore Whore (5:45)
03. Always About To Die (5:13)
04. Macabre Eternal (4:39)
05. Deliver Me From Sanity (4:24)
06. Seeds Of The Doomed (5:26)
07. Bridge Of Bones (4:46)
08. Born Undead (4:00)
09. Sewn Into One (6:31)
10. Bludgeoned And Brained (4:09)
11. Sadistic Gratification (11:15)
12. Spill My Blood (3:40)

Download

Cordectomy - The Art of Extinction [EP] (2011)

Country: USA
Genre: Slamming Brutal Death Metal
Quality: Mp3@320kbps

Myspace

Tracklist:

1.Fetal Atomic Incorporated Genocide 01:26
2.Disassemble Digestive System 02:40
3.The Art of Extinction 01:26
4.Governmental Atomic Bomb Field Testing 01:11
5.Internally Engorged 01:09
6.Distortion of Human Nature 01:07
7.Premature Rebirth 01:44
8.Mummified in the Canvas of Degradation 01:16

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Abnormity - Promo (2011)

Country:Russia
Genre:Brutal Death Metal
Bitrate:320 kbps
Size:15Mb

Myspace

01 Irreversible Disintegration
02 Shattered To The Bone

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Revolting - In Grisly Rapture (2011)

Country:Sweden
Genre:Death Metal
Bitrate:320 kbps
Size:87 Mb

Myspace

Tracklist

1. Hell in Dunwich
2. The Plague of Matul
3. Human Exterminator
4. Dr. Freudstein
5. "Died of Fright"
6. Sucked Into The Sand
7. (Beyond) the Book of Eibon
8. The Devil Witch
9. Hideous & Revolting

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Bloodbath - Bloodbath Over Bloodstock Full Dvd 2011

Title: Bloodbath - Bloodbath Over Bloodstock
Year: 2011
Genre: Death Metal
Label: Peaceville
DVD Release Date: 9 May 2011
URL: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bloodbath-Bloodbath-Over-Bloodstock-DVD/dp/B004QK6U2C/
Source: 16:9 NTSC DVD9 Source:
Myspace

Released in deluxe mediabook packaging with 16-page booklet
Bloodbath Over Bloodstock presents Bloodbath live & in-the-flesh & was
filmed in August 2010 at the famed Bloodstock festival

The interview was removed to get better bitrate(it wasn't me).

Tracklist

Bloodbath Over Bloodstock:

01. Ways to the Grave
02. Soul Evisceration
03. Process of Disillumination
04. Iesous
05. Breeding Death
06. Mouth of Empty Praise
07. Mass Strangulation
08. Cancer of the Soul
09. Mock the Cross
10. Like Fire
11. Outnumbering the Day
12. Eaten

PartySan festival in 2008:

01. Blasting The Virginborn
02. Bathe In Blood
03. Weak Aside
04. So You Die
05. Cry My Name

Official Promo video for "Hades Rising"

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ROT5B2G2
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=GA7QWLIT
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=U4G0U54L
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=A80D0BOW
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=5P3QRP6A
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=2OGN8CX2
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=YS4081NX
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QP8ZKE35
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7078I7EH
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=F1WS2DXL
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=WBDUPS6P
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=MWHOZUF3
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=UARU54VS
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=OXTZJURJ
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=67ZUCY0C
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=WJPIC9OB
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=KBXAGXXO
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=FJR3EWY1
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=F2GAPREZ
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=Q8Z56EEU
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QRDGR1YO
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=5PH8EJK8
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ODBAG7D9
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ZMQ17LRF
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7WIJUH61
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ZQ5IEL2G
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=VWDUF6E9
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=D82O06AZ
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=P5QOCV3H
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=W4HAT37U
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=6YDHZVYX
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SCSJFFEQ
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=KA7LSTRH
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=69XRNWM3
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=F1ZE4VGI
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=R29YDATC
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=VLZA7WHU
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=J0TEYH5V
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=UYT28RTC
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=KJ7ENC0R
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=XG76U3I6
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=FGO9W9KB
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=CBC6CYAX
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=5PR5NB0F
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=NV7VGSMK
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=4T54AGJH

Osama, Islamic Militants & Pornography

Officials are now releasing information that shows that the compound where Osama was hiding had a ton of porn.  I find this interesting since the whole basis for this nut-jobs war against everything that is not Shariah is that he is fighting against the unholy.  What part of Shariah law says that pornography is alright.  I have a feeling that it is not alright since these militant extremists can't don't even think woman should be seen.

This does not seem to be an isolated incident either. Two of the terrorists in the 9/11 attack were have said to have hung out their final days drinking at strip bars doing the very things that they claim to have been fighting against.  It doesn't make any sense.  Officials have shared that the finding of pornography with Islamic Extremists is not uncommon.

Near Death Condition - The Disembodied - In Spiritiual Spheres (2011)

Country:Switzerland
Genre:Death Metal
Bitrate:320kbps Cd Rip
Size:91 Mb

Myspace

Tracklist

1. In the Name of the Destructive Storm God 03:47
2. Trinity 03:09
3. From the Refusal of God to the Negation of Humanity 04:12
4. Torturing the Pretentious 04:05
5. Prayer to the Universal One 03:10
6. The Highest Vision 02:11
7. Supreme Resources of Self Annihilation 04:03
8. Expecting Putrefaction 03:35
9. Divine Wisdom and Mastery of the Elements 03:45
10. The Avatar 03:11
11. In Spiritual Spheres 05:44

Download

Wordless Wednesday: Ewww! Gross!

This is what having a little boy means to me... ♥

Bloodbath - Bloodbath Over Bloodstock (2011)

Country:Sweden
Genre:Death Metal
Bitrate:Vbr (scene release)
Size:136 Mb

Myspace

01. Ways To The Grave
02. Soul Evisceration
03. Process Of Disillumination
04. Iesous
05. Breeding Death
06. Mouth Of Empty Praise
07. Mass Strangulation
08. Cancer Of The Soul
09. Mock The Cross
10. Like Fire
11. Outnumbering The Day
12. Eaten
13. Hades Rising
14. Blasting The Virginborn (Live at Party San 2008)
15. Bathe In Blood (Live at Party San 2008)
16. Weak Aside (Live at Party San 2008)
17. So You Die (Live at Party San 2008)
18. Cry My Name (Live at Party San 2008)

Download

The Cleansing – Feeding The Inevitable (2011)

Сountry: Denmark
Genre: Death Metal
Quality: mp3, VBR 285 kbps (V0)
Size: 85 Мб

Myspace

Tracklist:
1. The Promethean Promise 03:48
2. Third Eye Starring 04:48
3. Your Flesh, Your Curse 04:41
4. A Cheating Progression 03:30
5. Hour of Decadence 04:08
6. Processed for Contamination 05:14
7. Law of Reciprocity 03:31
8. Two Days 04:04
9. Crossroads 04:25

Download

Extirpated - Decompositions & Decay (2011)

Country: Sweden
Genre: Guttural Brutal Death Metal
Quality: Mp3@320kbps
Size: 48Mb

Myspace

Tracklist:
01. Captain Syfilis (ft. Victor Vile Nordström of Degrade)
02. Clitcommander
03. Decomposition & Decay
04. Genetic Anomalies (ft. Victor Vile Nordström of Degrade)
05. Disfigured
06. Kill Your Mother, Rape Your Dog (Dying Fetus Cover)
07. The Art Of Stabbing
08. Gagged
09. Deforminty
10. Fetusgrinder
11. Extirpation Of The Human Race

Download

Archspire - All Shall Align [2011]

Tracklist

1. Deathless Ringing [04:47]
2. Archspire [05:14]
3. Ascendance To The Summoning [04:14]
4. Ghosts Of Silent Tongue [04:22]
5. Ancient Of Ancients [04:30]
6. Rapid Elemental Disolve [05:03]
7. All Shall Align [03:54]

Country: Canada
Genre: Technical Death Metal | Progressive
Bitrate : Mp3, VBR V0 276 kbps [Scene]
Size : 65 Mb

Download



Download:

Putridity - Degenerating Anthropophagical Euphoria (2011)

Tracklist:

1. Cannibalistic Postclimax Flesh Consumption
2. Sodomize Epileptic Chunks
3. Masturbating The Infibulated
4. Syphilic Menstrual Rejection
5. Wallowing In Aftermaths
6. Euphoric State Of Dementia
7. Innate Butchery Aptitude
8. Draining Necro Anal Disgorgement
9. Living Decomposition

Country: Italy
Genre: Brutal Death Metal
Quality: Mp3@320kbps


Download

Hate Eternal - Phoenix Amongst the Ashes (2011)

Tracklist
01. Rebirth
02. The Eternal Ruler
03. Thorns of Acacia
04. Haunting Abound
05. The Art of Redemption
06. Phoenix Amongst the Ashes
07. Deathveil
08. Hatesworn
09. Lake Ablaze
10. The Fire of Resurrection

Origin:USA
Genre:Death Metal
Bitrate:320 kbps
Size: 94 Mb


Download

Meatless Monday: Easy Greek Style Cous Cous

One of my favorite things to eat on warm summer days is this cold salad/pasta dish.

1 cup cous cous
1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
1/4 cup kalamata olives
1/2 medium red onion
Juice of 1/2 medium lemon
3 peeled chopped persian cucumbers
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
Salt
Pepper

Prepare cous cous as package directs.
Chop ingredients.
Add everything to cous cous, stir and chill for at least 2 hours.
Serve cold.

Single Moms & Mother's Day

Me & my super awesome son!

I have a confession to make.

I really don't like when people offer to do things for me on Mother's Day just because I'm a single mom. Sound ungrateful. Well, read to the end, then decide.

In real life, I usually smile, accept what's offered and try to get back to my life as soon as possible, but I have a blog now. So I'm venting.

I don't like the assumption that single moms are overworked, poor, uneducated, tired & desperate. That they must be sitting at home on Mother's Day lamenting not having a true family. (Since being an unwed mother in 2011 is just as awful as it was in 1911 pre-woman's suffrage movement.)

Often people offer to cook for me. I actually make most of my food at home from scratch from organic vegan ingredients so it usually puts me in an awkward situation. Steak dinner anyone? Why not, it's expensive & single moms should accept expensive gifts no matter what since they're all super poor. Right?

Other times people offer to 'take' my son off of my hands for the day. It's okay people. I like him. I really really like him. Also, I am a single stay at home mom. Randomly offering to 'take' my kid for the day usually means I end up sitting alone staring at my walls (I have no TV after all) counting the minutes until my son returns. He's my primary mode of entertainment. A day without him feels more like a punishment than a gift. But, uh, thanks for the 'break.'

Sometimes people buy me things. A sure sign that they haven't got the slightest idea of who I am. As a carfree anti-consumerist mama I usually just end up going through the inconvenience of finding transportation to a Goodwill or recycling center so I can get rid of it. Way to help out a single mom that you probably already assumed was pressed for time.

But, the last reason is one that goes for all gifts, not just gifts for single moms.

"The excellence of a gift lies in its appropriateness rather than in its value." ~Charles Dudley Warner

Why should a single mom go out of her way on Mother's Day to make you feel good about doing something for her. That isn't a gift to her, that's a gift to yourself.

So, the next time you think about knocking on the door of a single mom on Mother's Day stop and think again.

Namaste,
Ani

Overweight, Boring Children? Your Fault.

Climbing Rocks on Our Favorite Nature Trail

A recent study on why our most recent generation of children is more likely to watch TV or play video games revealed that the parents were usually at fault for their children's unhealthy behavior.

Children reported wanting to go outside & play, but parents often refused because they felt it 'wasn't safe.'

When I was about 9 years old I remember riding my bike for miles (we're talking 10+) often with a friend on the handlebars to the beach so that we could go swimming in Lake Michigan. There were plenty of other children around and we rode in the streets because motorists pretty much always got out of our way.

Though there are bike lanes by my house, I have never seen an unaccompanied child riding down my street. And, although our city law requires that in areas without bike lanes people on bikes be given the same road rights as cars, it rarely happens.

What do you think? What can we, as parents, do to make the streets safe for our kids again?

Experts blame parental fear for kids shunning cycling and swimming for TV and computers

Namaste,
Ani

Circle of Moms: Top 25 Blogs on Single Parenting

I'm in the running to be one of the top 25 blogs on single parenting. I would love if all of my readers took a moment to vote for me here: Vote for Simple Single Mom
 
Thank you,
Ani

Debt

Debt, n.: "An ingenious substitute for the chain and whip of the slave-driver."

~Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914)

The number one question I get about being a single stay at home mom is about finances.

How can you afford to stay home on no income???

Well, the answer is threefold.

1. I do have child support income (yes, once upon a time there were two of us). It isn't a very large amount, but it gives me a baseline to work from each month. I also make money from babysitting (though it isn't built into my budget because it isn't reliable) & selling handmade needlework.

2. I don't buy a lot of extra crap -- yes, CRAP! You won't come to my house and see electronics, gadgets, clothes with the tags still on them or late night infomercial buys (thanks to not having a TV) hanging around in my closet. Don't get me wrong, I'm still guilty of the occasional regrettable impulse buy from time to time, but I either return it, or sell it on the black market (my cool name for Craigslist) as soon as I come to my senses. In my opinion keeping something you don't want just because you paid for it & can't recoup what it cost you is throwing good money after bad. Unload it before it depreciates even further. Also, we live in a great region for outdoor activities, which are often free, so we just spend most of our free time outdoors.

3. I don't have ANY consumer debt. That means, no credit cards, no mortgage, no auto loan (even when I owned a car I paid cash for a used one), no store installment plans. Nothing. What does that mean? Well, it means freedom. As the quote above illustrates, as long as you are in debt to someone, anyone, you are their slave. Slaves aren't free.

I keep this quote in my mind and every time I'm tempted to buy something I don't need I ask, "is it worth selling myself into slavery?" The answer is always no.

Namaste,
Ani

People Matter

Earlier today I saw this story on Gawker.com:

"1950's Playmate Found Mummified in Home"

Wow.

Can you imagine dying and having no one notice it for nearly a year. Money can buy you a home, which she had. A career can give you something to do, which she also had. Sadly, the most impartant thing in life seemed to be lacking, people who care.

The world is full of tragedy, but the biggest tragedy of all is going through life alone. I am so grateful that God chose to make me a mother to a wonderful son. I am so grateful that God gave me the desire to stay home with him and to demonstrate daily just how much he means to me.

This story is very sad, but also a reminder for me that people are what really matter.

Namaste,
Ani

Wordless Wednesday: Minimalist With Kids

The One Thing I Still Don't Have...

I never had any other desire so strong, and so like to covetousness, as that one which I have had always, that I might be master at last of a small house and a large Garden. ~Abraham Cowley, The Garden, 1666

This quote sums up exactly what I want out of life.

Namaste,
Ani

Shopping Your Values

"When you buy something stop and think about why you're buying it? Choose intentionally what you trade your labor (money) for."

What we buy demonstrates our values in life. When we buy cheap items made with child labor or through defiling our environment we're saying that we are willing to work for those things.

I thought this morning about our 'need' for summer clothing. I thought to myself that I would simply go to Old Navy and grab enough for both of us, likely for less than $100. Then I stopped myself.

I KNOW that many of their items are made in poor countries using child labor. Is that the sort of thing I want to support? Some will say that without factory jobs for kids many of those families would starve. Perhaps, but it is still something to think about before I use my labor (money) to support the exploitation of children.

Does the overall good outweigh the bad? The answer may be different for each of us (as our personal circumstances vary) but we can all stop, think & make conscious consumer decisions.

Namaste,
Ani

Collaborative Consumption & The Power of The Internet

One of the ways I've been able to fit into a 625 square foot apartment comfortably with a child is by owning less stuff. But, sometimes, I still need that stuff. Enter the idea of collaborative consumption. Instead of everyone on the block each owning a lawnmower we own one in common and take turns sharing. It isn't as convenient as having your own everything, but, with the right sharers it can be pretty easy and save you thousands of dollars a year.

Here are some places that can help you get started on your free/cheap/barter journey:

ThredUp - Instead of buying new or saving your old clothes for your next baby try this website. You can swap clothes and toys with other moms online avoiding the need to store unused stuff in your house.

BabyPlays - This is a toy rental service similar to Netflix. For a monthly fee you can rent toys and return them when your kids get tired of playing with them. Great way to avoid having a bunch of outgrown toys laying around.

Kid-to-Kid - Find a children's consignment store in your area. I love this particular chain because the quality is pretty consistent no matter where you go.

PaperbackSwap - I've been a member of this website, and its sister site SwapaDVD, for years and I love it. Great way to get rid of books or movies you don't like and don't anticipate using again.

Hulu - This is by far my favorite website to watch free TV and movies online. My kid loves old cartoons from the 80's, they've got plenty of full series available there, and I love cheesy sci-fi -- which they've got in abundance. They also have a Hulu+ subscription service which offers access to some popular TV shows and movies that aren't streaming for free.

Freecycle - If you haven't heard of this you're missing out bigtime. Have something you want to get rid of but don't think you can sell? Try Freecycle, there's sure to be someone looking to turn your trash into their treasure.

Project Gutenberg - I'm slowly switching over to ebooks and this website is one of my favorites for downloading free literature. You can read them on your smartphone, tablet, ebook reader, laptop, desktop or iPod.

Skype - The best thing ever for free video calls around the world. Great for folks (like me) who live hundreds of miles away from the grandparents.

Zipcar - This is the nationwide carsharing service run by Hertz, but if you're looking for something a little less corporate just google "carsharing" and your city and to find out who's got what.

The Sharehood - A great website for connecting with people in your neighborhood who are also interested in sharing stuff.

BarterQuest - Got something (a skill or an item) to share and you know what -- not how much $ -- you want in exchange? Check out this website for peer to peer bartering opportunities.

Peer to Peer Lending - I love this idea. For when you need cash, but don't want to deal with a nameless faceless banking institution. Put a borrower profile up on one of these sites and make a connection with someone who wants to help. Zopa, Lending Club, and Prosper.

If you have any more resources please leave them in the comments.

Namaste,
Ani

A Few Environmental Documentaries for Earth Day

One of the things we're doing for Earth Day 2011 is watching and talking about a few environmental documentaries. Here are some of my favorites that you can view for free on Hulu.

1. Earth Keepers -- People spearheading innovative projects to improve the future of society.
2. Flow: For Love of Water -- A look at the looming global water crisis.
3. Gas Hole -- A look at the history of oil consumption and some possible alternative fuels.
4. The Future of Food -- A look at our food production system and where it's heading.

Hopefully you get to watch at least one of these movies as they all have great information about the sustainability issues we're facing.


Namaste,
Ani

Happy Earth Day 2011

Take some time to day to think about ways you can minimize your impact on the planet.

1. Go Carfree -- if not forever then just for today. Walk, bike or use public transit whenever you can.

2. Carpool -- if your life doesn't allow you to go carfree get together with neighbors or colleagues and organize a carpool.

3. Start a garden -- if you're an apartment dweller like me you can try something small (we're starting a container herb garden) and expand as your space allows.

4. Switch out those lightbulbs -- the management at my complex just switched every bulb out to CFL ones. The don't need time to 'warm up' or cast a weird glow anymore... I actually can't tell the difference.

6. Switch off the AC -- we live in a pretty hot area (NC) and it's already AC season down here. Instead I purchased a cheap two way window fan and put one in each room. Set a bowl of ice in front of it to up the cooling factor.

5. Get a pitcher filter -- I don't like tap water (who does) but, instead of buying bottled water I bought a Brita Pitcher for my fridge and an aluminum water bottle to take with me when I'm on the go.

6. Go Vegetarian -- try some of the recipes here and consider going vegetarian once (or every ;)) night of the week.

Try one, or all, of these tips and have a happy Earth Day!

Namaste,
Ani

Carol’s Daughter, Colorism, Eugenics & Karma.

Carol’s Daughter, a cosmetics company, recently rolled out a new ad campaign centered on diversity. They chose three mixed race women to represent them; all beautiful, all celebrities, all what we in the black community refer to as ‘light skinned.’

In case you haven’t noticed, I am a black woman. I also wear my hair ‘natural’… that is I don’t use chemical processes to alter its color or texture. Carol’s Daughter has built their brand by marketing "natural' beauty products to the average black woman like me, and many were upset that the models chosen to represent the brand did not represent them. 

I pointed out that while the new ad campaign did not feature the average black woman it did feature three women who fit the current black American beauty ideal and that almost all beauty brands in capitalistic markets use models who fit the beauty ideal for their targeted demographic.

This is what I said:

“[T]hey [Carol’s Daughter] said diverse (which it is) not redefining beauty. Symmetry, skin tone, etc. which is universal.”

“Show me dark skinned, kinky haired 'beautiful' celebrities the AA community will clamor to look like. None.”

“That's the African American beauty ideal. Period. White companies cater to white beauty ideals. #Capitalism”

“Sadly, selling out is a normal part of #capitalism. All businesses that want to make money do it.”

When beauty brands try to define the beauty standard instead of simply represent them their attempts are usually short lived because redefining the status quo does not make them money. 

I then went on to say that beauty ideals are naturally determined (in my opinion). 

Whoa! Talk about stepping in a hornet's nest. This got me labeled a racist, colorist, eugenicist, classist & Hitlerist; okay, I made the last one up, but still, pretty harsh. I responded with some pretty mean tweets (I pointed out that low-self esteem was probably at the root of some of my detractor's issues with my comments, that is, the need to be validated by outside sources.

Ouch, & I'm sorry that I became frustrated and hurt the feeling of a few people whom life has already hurt enough. However, those comments were a digression. I stand by the principle of what I was saying. So, here it goes...

Btw; “I never said it was MY ideal. I simply acknowledged that it is the overall beauty ideal in the AA community.”

Nope. The train was out of the station running on anger and past hurt that had nothing to do with me, and nothing to do with the topic of the existence of beauty ideals being a naturally occurring phenomenon. (You can see @QuotidianLight’s YouTube explanation of her explosive response to  the whole thing here.)

That wasn’t the end of it though. The next day a few other people came out of nowhere and began lecturing me on the ‘danger’ of my idea that bad things are natural. I resisted the urge to refer her to Nietzsche’s “Beyond Good and Evil,’ it is a pretty dense read after all.But, I stood (and stand) by my assertion that everything is naturally determined.

I was told that society/culture determines beauty ideals, not nature. 

My response:

“I'm not a biologist or anthropologist, but I am convinced that much of our behavior is genetically (biologically) determined.”

“I think we, as humans, tend to forget that we are part of nature, not above or outside of it. Even spirituality is a natural development in our evolution as a species. So yes, what we find beautiful is determined by biology.”

“I believe ALL of our behavior is determined by nature. The nurturing environment itself is also naturally developed so strictly speaking nature vs nurture is a moot argument.”

“Culture is created by biological factors. Everything we think, feel, create occurs naturally.”

“I believe that 'Nature' like Nietzsche's 'Truth' needs no defender. Everything is always as it should be and could be no other way. #Karma”

“Saying humans are doing something 'against' Nature is like suggesting a drop of ocean water could rise in defiance of the ocean...  How can a thing subvert or control the very laws which provide for and guide that thing's existence?”

“Every invention of mankind (physical or psychological) is merely Nature expressing itself.”

“If we could put aside our ego we would see that the human view of things is incomplete. None of us comprehends all of Nature.”

 

I have preferences too. I don't like being attacked or discriminated against. I would be devastated if my house were taken out by a tornado or a flood. However, I accept that these things are part of nature. I may try to protect against things that are bad for me personally, because I am human, but I still acknowledge and accept that everything that exists in Nature has a place and a purpose. I know that I am not the center of all existence. I deal with it.

Sounds sensible enough, right? Or not. Let me know what you think. Thanks.

Namaste,

Ani

Wordless Wednesday: Sandbox

 

 

 

 

 

He's finally old enough to make friends and play without me.

Meatless Monday: Mujadarrah

I love this dish. Omit the yogurt/sour cream for a vegan version.

Lentils and Rice with Fried Onions (Mujadarrah)

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large white onion, sliced into rings
• 1 1/3 cups uncooked green lentils
• 3/4 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup plain yogurt or sour cream (optional)

Directions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in the onions, and cook about 10 minutes, until browned. Remove from heat, and set aside.
2. Place lentils in a medium saucepan with enough lightly salted water to cover. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer about 15 minutes.
3. Stir rice and enough water to cover into the saucepan with the lentils. Season with salt and pepper. Cover saucepan, and continue to simmer 15 to 20 minutes, until rice and lentils are tender.
4. Mix half the onions into the lentil mixture. Top with yogurt or sour cream and remaining onions to serve.

What are you having in your house for Meatless Monday?

*Original recipe from allrecipes.com

Finding the Right Friends

Friends do not live in harmony, merely, as some say, but in melody.

~Henry David Thoreau

I made a new friend last month.

A single mom, like me. Who unschools her kids, like I do. Who only serves healthy organic meals, me too. Who went against to grain and her family to create the life she wanted for her and her kids, me too. She herself is the child of a mestizo dad and a black American mom, same here.

It is so refreshing to sit and talk with someone who agrees with me. Who wants the same things out of life as I do. Who is just like me in so many ways.

We take our kids to the park, on walks and to the movies. We do bubbles and picnics and sidewalk chalk. We read books, practice writing and play pretend, all together.

No arguing.

No convincing.

No defensiveness.

When you're not doing things the 'normal' way it can be hard to socialize at times, maybe your kid is the only one who doesn't eat hotdogs or doesn't have a TV at home. Finding people who agree with you can validate your life choices and give you some easy companionship with a like minded soul.

It's nice.


Namaste,
Ani

Lost Job - Please Help

Today I was nearly brought to tears.  I was leaving a store and driving home when I spotted a young couple standing with a sign.  It said something to the effect of “lost job.  Please help” or something like that.  They were a very clean cut conservative looking couple.  I circled my car around while reaching for a $10 bill from my pocket.  I rolled the window down and the guy came over.  His face and his wives turned red.  I could see the man fighting back tears while a tear escaped from his wives eyes.  They were clearly not comfortable being on the corner on display for everyone to see their desperation.  He thanked me and asked me to keep them in prayer.

In this situation, I did not second guess myself wondering if they were scammers trying to get over on people.  I am 100% sure that this couple really were in desperate trouble.  I could feel their embarrassment.  As I drove away I thought of all the things that I wanted to tell them.  I wanted to tell them not to be ashamed and to not give up.  I wanted to tell her that I didn’t think poorly of her, that instead I admired her strength for standing by her husband’s side.

Unfortunately times are getting tougher out there.  Our country is in trouble and we need someone who understands economics so that that people like the couple I saw today can get back to work.  This was not a man who wanted the creation of more government programs for lazy people, it was a man who needed government to get out of the way of businesses so that they can create more jobs.

Gas is going higher, which means everything else is about to get higher.  Companies are laying off to save money.  Government needs to get out of the way not get bigger.  Obama, Reid, Pelosi and the other like minded politicians need to find a new line of work.

The Simple Pleasure of Solitude...

The view from my apartment at sunrise.

I find it wholesome to be alone the greater part of the time. To be in company, even with the best, is soon wearisome and dissipating. I love to be alone. I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude. ~ Henry David Thoreau

My home is tiny & in the middle of the city. The only time I truly feel alone is in the early morning before the sun comes up or my son awakens. I'm usually up by 5:30 each morning. I like to make a cup of tea, sit by the window and read or just think. I love to listen to the birds chirping while I watch the sun slowly rise over the top of our building.

How do you manage to get time alone?

Wordless Wednesday: Bus Stop Dandelion