Man by the freeway

I was getting off the freeway when I saw him...as soon as the cars stopped at the light, he immediately rushed out and started to wipe a windshield of a car. He looked healthy, but his clothes seemed like he hadn't washed it for a long time. Though they were not clean, they were not unkempt. And yet...he was able to keep a cheerful and happy demeanor, energetically cleaning a windshield.

I just felt so bad...that humans have to live like that. He must have been through a lot to get to this point. And his self esteem...his dignity... But at least he was trying to do something to get by. It wasn't much, but it's something.

As I watched him, I noticed another figure further down...another person standing by the freeway hoping for something to get by...and she had a crutch and a cast on her leg. Christ! Why do humans have to live like this?

When I finally drove past both of them and about to merge onto a city street, I came face to face with another man on the roadside. He was holding a ragged, little cardboard sign that said: Please help. That was all I could read...and it was so sudden, I couldn't stop because there was another car right behind me. I was staring straight at his beseeching eyes yet impassive face... and he was looking right at me...

Honestly...it's really sad that we as a developed nation, couldn't do anything to help prevent this kind of tragedy and denigration of the human spirit.

There are perhaps thousands or millions more like the people I saw today off the freeway all over the country and perhaps all over the world. Why do humans have to live like this? Why can't we as a nation, as a global family, create a system where all can live in peace and abundance? Where there is no border, no wall?

It would be great if we can create a world where all humans can live in dignity, where we can treat one another as equal, and respect all living beings. Wouldn't that be awesome? Perhaps I am a dreamer, but that's a good dream to have.

Organic Gardening: He said "YES!"

I asked my landlord about a home for the compost bin and he said...YES! Hurray! Now...the weeding begins... as soon as the rain stops.

Organic Gardening: Compost Bin

I wanted to start an organic garden, my first garden (of any kind) ever! I just got a compost bin from my sister over the weekend...well, it was a lot bigger than I've anticipated. But no matter, onward and forward!

I had quite a time trying to stuff that bin in my car...and drove slowly home. It didn't come all set up, I have to read the manual to set it up myself. Darn. But how come the bin doesn't have a bottom?! In for a shocker, it doesn't. It needs to be placed directly over the soil so the worms - the hard workers, soil-happy critters that they are - can get to it and do their stuff.

Hmmm... uhh... I don't think my landlord would want me to place it over his well manicured lawn. Darn again! What to do now? So I took a walk around my front and backyard to scout out a potential location that's out of the way and won't incur my landlord's wrath.

Well, I found a spot just perfect for it... piled with bricks and whatnot.

I still have to ask him to see if it's okay to put the compost bin there. Maybe I'll throw in organic compost bribe for his garden in the backyard...once I have some good compost composting... (Yes, I still need to get the lingo down...hahaha. Maybe by the end of all this, I'll be able to talk like a real organic gardener!)

Decency

I really don't get it. What is so important that a single man is willing to put 2,000 Americans out of work and jeopardizes unemployment benefits for 400,000 more? Where is his sense of decency? No matter what your belief system is, if it hurts other people, it's not right. Check out what this one elected politician who was supposed to work in the interest of his constituents did:

The furloughs and freeze on payments were the result of a decision last week by Republican Sen. Jim Bunning to block passage of legislation that would have extended federal highway and transit programs, the department said. Those programs expired at midnight Sunday.

The extension of transportation programs was part of a larger package of government programs that also expired Sunday, including unemployment benefits for about 400,000 Americans.

Bunning objected to the $10 billion measure, saying it would add to the budget deficit. He didn't immediately respond to a request Sunday for comment.

Why is he allowed to continue his filibuster? Why are the rest of the Republicans and Democrats unwilling to step up to protect the interest of their fellow Americans when they need their help the most? It doesn't matter which side you're on, if what you do, as an elected official, harms the well-being of citizens, then it's not right. Where's the decency in that?

Somebody's Dog

It was a bit of a heart-wrenching drive yesterday morning. I still couldn't get over it. While driving on the freeway, I had to avoid 5-7 bodies of splattered dogs or cats. It was awful. Those unmoving, blood-smeared, lumps of meat were once somebody's dog or cat. Even if they were strays, they were once living beings courageously living life - just like all of us at one time or another... whatever the odds, we bravely try to carry on.

I was thinking...couldn't somebody invent a vehicle that doesn't run over animals and humans? How about those machines that the Telos people were talking about...the ones that move above the ground? We are an intelligent species, couldn't we invent and mass produce something like that?

With such a vehicle that doesn't kill (not the driver's fault most of the time) we would have such a nicer drive, enjoying the beauty of nature, especially when we won't be needing paved roads anymore because these vehicles will be flying above the ground! I look forward to that day. Wouldn't that be awesome to zip around in something like that?

A cup and some sugar please

A friend of mine went to Haiti to help out with the relief effort there. While he was cooking vegan food for thousands of people, some little kids came up to him and asked:

"Can we get a cup with some sugar, please?"

He gave them a cup with some sugar. A short while later, they came back again. This time they asked:

"Can you give us some water in the cup?" They handed him the cup with the sugar that he had given to them previously. Now he was curious. So, he gave them some water... and watched them mixed it up and drank the sugar water. That was when he realized... he should have brought some candies for these poor kids.

I couldn't help but got all teary.

Green Clothing Company to Recyle 100%

Check out this amazing clothing company! Patagonia, headquartered in California, USA, plans to recycle 100% of its merchandise by 2010. The company initiated the Common Threads Garment Recycling Program in 2005 by which customers can return Capilene Performance Baselayer clothes they no longer use. The garments are then made into new items by a fiber manufacturer. Patagonia also recycles its fleece, as well as 100% cotton T-shirts, and some polyester jackets, nylong clothes, and shorts. Since the start of the Common Threads project, 6000 KG of apparel has been recycled and even more has been collected. By autumn 2009, 80% of its clothing will be recyclable through the program. Wouldn't it be great if all clothing company can do the same? Way to go, Patagonia!

A Friendship That Transcends Boundaries

This is an amazing video. You can't help but be touched by the love between these two friends. Wow. Imagine what our world would be like if all of us treat one another the same way. Who says that animals are not sentient? They have feelings of love, friendship, loyalty, and trust. (Watch that tummy rub!) Sadly, we kill them for our own selfish reasons. Some people still kill elephants for their tusk. Just for the ivory and we destroy such a gentle loving creature! Yes, some countries kill dogs for meat. And how's that any different from any other animals, like a cow, a pig or a chicken? Let's spread the love and respect all life.

Thanks CBS for reporting this, and thanks to the friends of friends of my best friend who sent this to me.

Russia bans the hunting of baby seals

Whoo-hoo! Some good news to share: Russia has banned the hunting of baby seals in areas around the White Sea. Thank God, no more heartless and cruel killing of these harmless animals just so we humans can look good.

Honestly, how can we rationalize with our conscience that it's okay to wear the skins of murdered innocent animals? Imagine if it's our own skins? This reminds me of Nazi Germany when human skins were used to make lamp shades and who knows what else. As a race, we were horrified that the hair of Jews killed in experiments were used to make rugs, etc. So how can we condone the practice of killing animals just for aesthetics? I just can't get past that.

Hallelujah and God bless Russia for prohibiting this God-awful practice!

What's up with Prez Obama

I'm a fan of President Obama, and I really hope he's doing what he says he will do. I'm already disappointed that he's sending troops to Afghanistan. And this AIG thing, it's uncool that big banks and corporations get bailed out when middle class Americans suffer. I really hope Prez Obama does the right thing for this country.