Endangered Animal Photography - Joel Sartore's RARE

A truly website (of a book) by Joel Sartore on endangered animals. A picture is worth a thousand words, but in this case, you need to know that these animals are threatened by the current conditions in the world. There are breeding programs that have been implemented and successful as well.

Favorite images include:

• Leatherback Turtle
• Red Wolf
• Northern Spotted Owl
• Tern

I'm not crazy about the stuffed ones, but babies are always welcome pictures.

First a Complaint (Sorry) then Thought on Responsibilities to Preserve the Current State of the World

Finally made my way to the Flying Cupcake today and wasn't disappointed! I'd give the cupcakes a 4 / 5. The buttercream was predictably over sugared (and the American version of buttercream - scoff), but the cake was perfect in texture (again, too much sugar). I know that cupcakes are the rage at the moment, but to find that they are the type that will skyrocket my blood sugar levels, I probably cannot return.

Oh Yumm Bistro was quite a disappointment today. I must disclaim that I am not a fan American breakfast food, but the my Florentine "Crabby" Eggs (some type of cheesy sauce (the waiter managed to be ambiguous enough to describe it as such) egg, crab cake, spinach, english muffin slice) was not good. At all. I usually enjoy the mesh of textures and flavors, but it was abject failure (the crab cake should have been the best part, and even the English muffin beat it). The service was terrible. We waited about 25 minutes for our food and had to flag the waiter for forks, water, check. I was seriously considering leaving (the bistro is tiny...there was no reason for the food to take so long) and just paying for the chocolate milk that came immediately. The clam chowder even had completely solidified on top (but still lukewarm when we ate it, thankfully). There were a lot of large parties that day, but I felt completely neglected today and will not be back. I had heard wonderful things about the bistro and am sorely disappointed.

On a lighter note, and of more concern:

Is it the responsibility of humans to make concessions for endangered species? What is the extent of this responsibility?

Bees are dying, acorns are scarce (poor oak trees), pandas won't mate, - and are we taking it upon ourselves as environmentally- socially- politically- religiously (?)- and stupidly (?!)- sustain what we perceive to be maintaining this present homeostasis in the world? Or do we allow evolution (some would call it human consumption) to wipe out the existence of endangered (or on the brink of becoming listed as endangered) species?

Do you feel like the range of extremists and uninterested people equalizes so that there is a healthy amount of awareness and activity in the world? Or do you think we don't do enough/do too much?

I feel like we are messing with a delicate balance that would be able to balance if we left it alone. That being said, I am not all for chopping down forests and blowing up mountains. I don't mean to sound uncaring (I truly do adore bees, acorns, pandas, etc.), but is it for the sake of EARTH that we save these or do we feel like it is OUT OF GUILT that we take it upon ourselves to represent things that are in danger of something and try to save everything? Evolution needs to take its course, people. Dinosaurs are extinct (and hopefully will remain so), and this is a great thing! Loss of a tree that could have provided the ultimate chemotherapeutic drug is in no way justification for maintaining the existence of a particular species. That is too selfish, and if we think we can go against Mother Nature, we could probably name countless times when we too were subjected to major episodes of death (e.g. plagues) that even we could not outrun.

So do we sit back and allow evolution to take its course? Or do we reach out and try to preserve the Earth as we know it today?

Realists v. Idealists - whose way is better?

What do I ponder right now?

Besides wondering where to eat, I'm wondering if there was any chance that I could find a Democrat and find a Republican, and have them try to persuade me either way. I don't like the fact that there is a lot of celebrity endorsement for VOTING when I fear that a lot of people going to vote are not necessarily well informed citizens. Voting should not be something you do because Oprah told you to vote. Voting is something that you should take upon yourself as a duty to your country to elect a leader who stands for your beliefs. I know that in a campaign, your past voting comes out at you (with a vengeance at times, unfortunately). I'm at a point right now (though I hope that over time this will evolve) where I believe that Republicans are the realists and Democrats are the idealists.

So the question today is: is it better to govern realistically or ideally? Perhaps I will be right all along when I say that the best is both in moderation. Does this mean that the Moderate Party actually has found compromise? I will look into this and get back to you.

Do people vote for idealists or realists?

Perhaps my perception of reality and ideals is flawed. I don't mean to offend anyone. I just....am confused at this point.

Passing Through Wednesday

Today wasn't the greatest day. I did a few things for myself:

• I put on a clay mask for twice as long as I should have (actually, I lost track of time - which is sometimes nice).
• I ate an orange popsicle.
• I played piano.
• I did a lot of push ups. :(

Lesson today: coaching people is difficult.

Yoga Last Night

My belly pooched all over the place last night (imagine a little girl trying to pull her pants up and her top down...me), but I was quite pleased with my Duri's Stardust nails! They're awfully cute. And the OPI Mad as a Hatter on the toes.

Black mood, but I guess I just have to learn how to grin and bear it. Easter was this Sunday, but I'm going to hit the gym hard on Sunday afternoon just to work out some of these frustrations from my personal life and from work. Yoga clears my mind and calms me. Tumbling makes me angry (and pounds the floor to the beat).

Black Mood on a Cloudy Day

This cloudy day is affecting my black mood. Or maybe my mood brought upon me the cloudy day.

I wonder what I want to do tonight. Maybe use a clay mask a little while I take a nice long bath?

Broken hearts are such a burden.

4 months to go.

Electronic Pen Pals

I spent a year abroad in Singapore, and now I have all this mini-pen pals from there (and other places, I suppose). Facebook has allowed me to stay connect with so many people more than e-mail has because the messages are more informal.

Maybe another way to relieve stress - send a little note to someone every day.

Perhaps these ways are not really about stress relief as much as enjoying life!

SAmE THING!

Bird Poo

I got into my car last night and found bird poo everywhere.

Contrary to your first inclination, I WAS NOT PARKED UNDER A TREE.

Birds, I am well aware that spring is here. Stop pooing on my car.

Brie!

This past weekend, I bought a wheel of Aloutte Brie + NY Style Bagel Chips.

Mercy! My body is telling me that I need more fat.

I heart Brie!

I usually prefer the triples, but Costco was selling them for less than $4. I ate a sixth last night. *blushes*

Stress Relief...slowly but surely

So I recently read something that told me to relieve stress in a little way every day.

Yesterday was a great day! I relieved stress in 4 ways. How's that for overachieving?

• ate tiramisu at Bravo!
• danced around in the bathroom while brushing my teeth to ridiculous(ly awesome) Korean pop
• got one of those Chinese foot massage places - Foot Vitalite
• went to yoga class at LA Fitness

Today, I'm going tickle my piano for a little bit before going to work.

Toodles!