I have an adopted dad who lives in Ithaca. When talking to him a few days ago, he explained his fight against GreenStar Cooperative Market, or what I refer to as the case of Noolie + the Ever-Observant Health Foodies of Ithaca, NY vs. GreenStar.
Apparently GreenStar is gauging prices. Being that GreenStar is a member of the International Cooperative Alliance, its prices are supposed to be the same as other co-ops, such as the one in Syracuse (an hour away). Well, the brochures from Syracuse + Ithaca look the same except for one thing: all Ithaca's (GreenStar's) prices are higher across the board.
Correct me if I'm wrong; but GreenStar, what's happening? Have you been bought out by Exxon's code of ethics? Have you adopted Shell's sense of consumer justice?
6.30.2006
6.26.2006
The 2006 Allied Media Conference.
The theme of this year's Allied Media Conference was "From Truth to Power: Because Being Right is Not Enough." Let's break it down:
Truth.
Just Seeds- art the way it should be. Enraged. Positive. Sparked by politics.
Power.
Elevating spoken word. The performance by Climbing PoeTree was probably the most beautiful moment of the conference. I almost cried when hearing the poem below. Listen to it on their site- you've gotta hear their voices for full effect.
BEING HUMAN by Naima of Climbing PoeTree
"I wonder if the sun debates dawn
some mornings
not wanting to rise
out of bed
from under the down-feather horizon
If the sky grows tired
of being everywhere at once
adapting to the mood swings of the weather
If the clouds drift off
trying to hold themselves together
make deals with gravity
to loiter a little longer
I wonder if rain is scared
of falling
if it has trouble letting go
If snow flakes get sick
of being perfect all the time
each one trying to be one-of-a-kind
I wonder if stars wish
upon themselves before they die
if they need to teach their young to shine
I wonder if shadows long
to once feel the sun
if they get lost in the shuffle
not knowing where they’re from
I wonder if sunrise and sunset
respect each other
even though they’ve never met
If volcanoes get stressed
If storms have regrets
If compost believes in life after death
I wonder if breath ever thinks
about suicide
I wonder if the wind just wants to sit
still sometimes
and watch the world pass by
If smoke was born knowing how to rise
If rainbows get shy back stage
not sure if their colors match right
I wonder if lightning sets an alarm clock
to know when to crack
If rivers ever stop
and think of turning back
If streams meet the wrong sea
and their whole lives run off-track
I wonder if the snow wants to be black
If the soil thinks she’s too dark
If butterflies want to cover up their marks
If rocks are self-conscious of their weight
If mountains are insecure of their strength
I wonder if waves get discouraged
crawling up the sand
only to be pulled back again
to where they began
I wonder if land feels stepped upon
If sand feels insignificant
If trees need to question their lovers
to know where they stand
If branches waver in the crossroads
unsure of which way to grow
If the leaves understand they’re replaceable
and still dance when the wind blows
I wonder where the moon goes
when she is hiding
I want to find her there
and watch the ocean
spin from a distance
Listen to her
stir in her sleep
effort give way to existence"
Truth.
Just Seeds- art the way it should be. Enraged. Positive. Sparked by politics.
Power.
Elevating spoken word. The performance by Climbing PoeTree was probably the most beautiful moment of the conference. I almost cried when hearing the poem below. Listen to it on their site- you've gotta hear their voices for full effect.
BEING HUMAN by Naima of Climbing PoeTree
"I wonder if the sun debates dawn
some mornings
not wanting to rise
out of bed
from under the down-feather horizon
If the sky grows tired
of being everywhere at once
adapting to the mood swings of the weather
If the clouds drift off
trying to hold themselves together
make deals with gravity
to loiter a little longer
I wonder if rain is scared
of falling
if it has trouble letting go
If snow flakes get sick
of being perfect all the time
each one trying to be one-of-a-kind
I wonder if stars wish
upon themselves before they die
if they need to teach their young to shine
I wonder if shadows long
to once feel the sun
if they get lost in the shuffle
not knowing where they’re from
I wonder if sunrise and sunset
respect each other
even though they’ve never met
If volcanoes get stressed
If storms have regrets
If compost believes in life after death
I wonder if breath ever thinks
about suicide
I wonder if the wind just wants to sit
still sometimes
and watch the world pass by
If smoke was born knowing how to rise
If rainbows get shy back stage
not sure if their colors match right
I wonder if lightning sets an alarm clock
to know when to crack
If rivers ever stop
and think of turning back
If streams meet the wrong sea
and their whole lives run off-track
I wonder if the snow wants to be black
If the soil thinks she’s too dark
If butterflies want to cover up their marks
If rocks are self-conscious of their weight
If mountains are insecure of their strength
I wonder if waves get discouraged
crawling up the sand
only to be pulled back again
to where they began
I wonder if land feels stepped upon
If sand feels insignificant
If trees need to question their lovers
to know where they stand
If branches waver in the crossroads
unsure of which way to grow
If the leaves understand they’re replaceable
and still dance when the wind blows
I wonder where the moon goes
when she is hiding
I want to find her there
and watch the ocean
spin from a distance
Listen to her
stir in her sleep
effort give way to existence"
6.20.2006
Pantera, Guilt + a New Apartment.
Lately, I've been listening to a lot of Pantera. Particularly the album "The Great Southern Trendkill." Good stuff, yes.
---
Somewhat Universal Rule: If yr doing something + you feel you have to lie about it to avoid guilt, you probably shouldn't do it.
If yr doing something + someone else is trying to guilt-trip you, you probably should tell him/her to eff the eff off.
---
Yes, I'm moving next month.
I have a place 95% set up (just gotta sign the lease to make it totally official).
Let the birds sing, let the angels rejoice, let the kids drink pop.
I'm going home!!
---
Somewhat Universal Rule: If yr doing something + you feel you have to lie about it to avoid guilt, you probably shouldn't do it.
If yr doing something + someone else is trying to guilt-trip you, you probably should tell him/her to eff the eff off.
---
Yes, I'm moving next month.
I have a place 95% set up (just gotta sign the lease to make it totally official).
Let the birds sing, let the angels rejoice, let the kids drink pop.
I'm going home!!
6.19.2006
Alcohol.
Now that I have a family member in AA, + b/c I've been doing some pretty stupid stuff lately, I'm starting to reevaluate my thoughts on alcohol.
I'll never again become one of those cold-turkey people who refuse anything w/ a trace of alcohol in it. I know that. But I've been noticing a scary trend within myself-- the inability to stop. I like beer + I can have fun by just drinking one. But I never leave it at that. Instead I'll need more + more.
I've been told AA is good b/c it shows you how terrible alcohol really is. I've been told it's worse than any other drug. You don't have to make any moonlight deals in the back alley with alcohol. If you need a fix just go up to Circle K.
+ When you drink, it's not considered a problem. Just imagine what ppl would say if you declared, "Hey all, I'm running down the street to buy an eight ball of crack." I doubt there's a country song about going on a C-R-A-C-K-R-U-N.
But you know, they're more alike than they seem.
I'll never again become one of those cold-turkey people who refuse anything w/ a trace of alcohol in it. I know that. But I've been noticing a scary trend within myself-- the inability to stop. I like beer + I can have fun by just drinking one. But I never leave it at that. Instead I'll need more + more.
I've been told AA is good b/c it shows you how terrible alcohol really is. I've been told it's worse than any other drug. You don't have to make any moonlight deals in the back alley with alcohol. If you need a fix just go up to Circle K.
+ When you drink, it's not considered a problem. Just imagine what ppl would say if you declared, "Hey all, I'm running down the street to buy an eight ball of crack." I doubt there's a country song about going on a C-R-A-C-K-R-U-N.
But you know, they're more alike than they seem.
6.18.2006
(607/216/440) Mochas.
Now that I've declared this "Post More Posts" policy, I need to, yes, post a post.
---
Q: How does one escape a mocha addiction?
It started in Ithaca, NY. I began going to Juna's Cafe in the Commons on a regular basis in search of a boost. Chai didn't quite cut it-- I needed something more. Coffee worked, if I could stand the heartburn it gave me as side effect. Lattes were good but often bitter. And then, yes, I tried it. Mocha. The beginning of an enjoyable addiction.
+ Then I began my search for the Perfect Mocha. Juna's was good + so was Autumn Leaves.... but Gimme Coffee won out the town w/ it's Mocha Choka (mocha + extra espresso).
Now that I'm back in Ohio the search for the Perfect Mocha has been rekindled. In Ashtabula County, yr lucky if you can find a mocha w/ soy. But in Cleveland I've weaned put my favorites. Starbucks isn't even an option, my dears. Starbucks=hell no for a variety of reasons of which I'll mention later. That leaves the Caribou, Phoenix + Arabica as the chains. (I'll soon whittle my faves down to the local, unique, 1 location shops later on). Arabica doesn't have a mocha w/ soy--rather, they have Voltaires which are more coffee than espresso. Caribou has really, really rich mochas, so if you wanna feel fat or overindulgent, opt for Caribou. This leaves Phoenix, which I will say, wins out the town for the Perfect Mocha. In Lakewood, I prefer the Cafe Phoenix (a bit pricey but well worth it) which is a mocha + extra shots. Hell yes, I'm all about the buzz. The downtown location I prefer, only b/c a Cafe Phoenix is aptly called a Speedball.
+ I like telling people I just had a speedball :)
Q: Even though mochas average to about $3.50 a pop, is this an addiction I really wanna escape??
---
Q: How does one escape a mocha addiction?
It started in Ithaca, NY. I began going to Juna's Cafe in the Commons on a regular basis in search of a boost. Chai didn't quite cut it-- I needed something more. Coffee worked, if I could stand the heartburn it gave me as side effect. Lattes were good but often bitter. And then, yes, I tried it. Mocha. The beginning of an enjoyable addiction.
+ Then I began my search for the Perfect Mocha. Juna's was good + so was Autumn Leaves.... but Gimme Coffee won out the town w/ it's Mocha Choka (mocha + extra espresso).
Now that I'm back in Ohio the search for the Perfect Mocha has been rekindled. In Ashtabula County, yr lucky if you can find a mocha w/ soy. But in Cleveland I've weaned put my favorites. Starbucks isn't even an option, my dears. Starbucks=hell no for a variety of reasons of which I'll mention later. That leaves the Caribou, Phoenix + Arabica as the chains. (I'll soon whittle my faves down to the local, unique, 1 location shops later on). Arabica doesn't have a mocha w/ soy--rather, they have Voltaires which are more coffee than espresso. Caribou has really, really rich mochas, so if you wanna feel fat or overindulgent, opt for Caribou. This leaves Phoenix, which I will say, wins out the town for the Perfect Mocha. In Lakewood, I prefer the Cafe Phoenix (a bit pricey but well worth it) which is a mocha + extra shots. Hell yes, I'm all about the buzz. The downtown location I prefer, only b/c a Cafe Phoenix is aptly called a Speedball.
+ I like telling people I just had a speedball :)
Q: Even though mochas average to about $3.50 a pop, is this an addiction I really wanna escape??
More Frequent Posts.
I've been thinking I should post more blogs. In the past month that I've created this blog, I find it quite pathetic how few entries I've posted.
So let's change that.
In order to do this, everyone must be prepared for total acts of randomness. I'll be happy as long as something is posted on a regular basis. Even lame entries like this will work.
So let's change that.
In order to do this, everyone must be prepared for total acts of randomness. I'll be happy as long as something is posted on a regular basis. Even lame entries like this will work.
6.13.2006
(440/216) "Sit Down Honey, Let's Kill Some Time...."
As of this moment I'm working hard to become self-sufficient in the future. Yes, I say in the future rather than NOW because my job is starting at the *end* of July rather than NOW. I really want/need to pick up a bs job for some moolah, but I'm also in between residencies. NOW I'm trying to find myself an apt. in the Cleveland/Lakewood area. I'm yet again in limbo. Here's some random notes about random stuff I've just randomly decided to post. Now ain't that totally random?
(440) Ashtabula' n all that.
This county is depressing. If I were to stay here I would quickly become addicted to things that I shouldn't name. Actually there are quite a few things I'd be addicted to. I could see myself turning into one if those crazy girls who plan their day around how they're gonna mess themselves up. "What am I gonna do today? Well what's around?" Maybe if there was more to do, there would be somewhat less of a meth problem. Actually, if people were able to find meaningful things to do (+ actual *gasp* employment opportunities), there would be less of a general drug problem overall.
(216) Cleveland starts at w. 112th.
So I've been looking at apartments on the westside. Personally, I like the area in between Edgewater and Cudell--like W. 112, W. 110, and all those other roads stretching between Madison and Clifton in that area. It can be a little rough around the edges, but hey, I find it charming. Call me crazy. At least it ain't the 'burbs. I looked at a place on W. 112 that I kinda liked but the others with me didn't find the street at all appealing. So then I looked at W. 110 and they liked that better. Makes me wonder- what makes a street nice? The landloards on W. 110 were commenting how their street used to be like W. 112 until they "cleaned it up." What constitutes a clean street? How do you differentiate between people hanging around as a good thing (instilling a community feeling) with something to be avoided +/ broken up (as in "they're all crackheads!"). I dunno... I find it interesting.
(440) Ashtabula' n all that.
This county is depressing. If I were to stay here I would quickly become addicted to things that I shouldn't name. Actually there are quite a few things I'd be addicted to. I could see myself turning into one if those crazy girls who plan their day around how they're gonna mess themselves up. "What am I gonna do today? Well what's around?" Maybe if there was more to do, there would be somewhat less of a meth problem. Actually, if people were able to find meaningful things to do (+ actual *gasp* employment opportunities), there would be less of a general drug problem overall.
(216) Cleveland starts at w. 112th.
So I've been looking at apartments on the westside. Personally, I like the area in between Edgewater and Cudell--like W. 112, W. 110, and all those other roads stretching between Madison and Clifton in that area. It can be a little rough around the edges, but hey, I find it charming. Call me crazy. At least it ain't the 'burbs. I looked at a place on W. 112 that I kinda liked but the others with me didn't find the street at all appealing. So then I looked at W. 110 and they liked that better. Makes me wonder- what makes a street nice? The landloards on W. 110 were commenting how their street used to be like W. 112 until they "cleaned it up." What constitutes a clean street? How do you differentiate between people hanging around as a good thing (instilling a community feeling) with something to be avoided +/ broken up (as in "they're all crackheads!"). I dunno... I find it interesting.
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