Christine Hoberg at Beaners 12.26.09

With this weather we'll see if everyone can make it, but we (guitarist Travis Crotteau and I) have great last minute plans to play with Ms. Christine Hoberg this Saturday evening at Beaners Central in Duluth. I hope she can make it in from New York!

Little Bird

More Paper Doll Sketches

Here's all the sketches that are in so far. They are all perfect! Some people took them further than I expected, but that's wonderful! Thank you all!

These first two are from artist Natalia Pierandrei for the song "The Umbrella Waltz." See my earlier post on how it came to be. She's completely amazing and my favorite artist right now.

This girl in the red dress is done by my friend Kate Jorgensen (formerly McCullough) for the song "Mr. Dick." With the dress, she totally nailed the 20's vibe of the song.



This beautiful bare woman is a picture of Eve in crazy dreads done by my raw food friend Jill Ahlgren for the song "In Eve's Skin." Awesome.



Next is the first sketch I recieved by my friend Tina Gilbert for the song "Wild Ponies." I love the riding outfit. Sad to say, for how obvious it is, I never would have thought of that. She also has a gown on the lower part of the paper. The paper was a oversized piece of "where's waldo"-like book. Perfect! Too funny.



My wonderfully talented sister Joy Caza has created this drawing for "Elephants Can Fly." She managed to wrap the costume up so as you can't tell which side I'm flying for, just like the song. (As a side note, if you'd like to know which side I'm on, just ask. *wink*)



This painting was done by my amazingly talented husband John White for the song "The Blue Room." He comes from the punk era, and it shows but I love that his personality is in the costume so completely. He was the only one I trusted with this song. I feel a little bold for writing it and playing it, but the arrangement the band (Travis Crotteau and Tyler Dubla) has come up with has blown me away more than any of the arrangements for the CD.

A few more sketches to come... Thank you all!

Prisoner of Snow Drum Recording

Last Sunday we made some more progress on the recording on the new CD. It was a little cut and paste, as Tyler was forced (by me) to play toms in the bridge, but he wasn't exactly feeling it. The recording equipment always fights us, but I'm sure every musician who has recorded feels the same cloud looming over. I'm excited to be making more progress.

Photos by Wanda J Pearcy

Here are some wonderful shots taken by the very talented Ms. Wanda Pearcy at the Beaners Songwriters Competition this year. There are albums for all the musicians on her site, so check em out! Here's the link to mine!

Paper Doll Sketches

I thought as long as these ladies were posting it, I would make mention of it here. As you may or may not know, I've asked some friends to participate in the artwork for my next album (title TBA.)

First up was from my new friend Tina Gilbert. She dropped off a sketch to go with my song "Wild Ponies." It is an adorable little riding outfit. I will post a pic soon! I thought to ask her because she's an amazing seamstress!

My sister Joy Caza did a drawing for the song "Elephants Can Fly." She completely captured the whimsy. Again, no photo online yet. Sorry!

A week or so ago, I received one from a friend going way back, Kate Jorgensen/McCullough. I asked her to come up with an outfit for the song "Mr. Dick." She came up with a fiery, strong woman blazing guns at the viewer. Amazing. Check out her drawing at Kate's Blog.

Natalia Pierandrei is a talented artist that I've been watching over the months. I first found her works on DeviantArt and continue to be amazed by her style. So............I put on my bold hat and emailed her asking if she would be interested in participating in creating a drawing for the upcoming album. Through the emails with her, I have come to regard her as a very sweet, generous person! She has come up with two incredible sketches for my song "The Umbrella Waltz." Check them out at Nati's Blog.

Drums Recorded! Maybe...?

Travis working on the setup. Got it working!

Recording innards in the garage.

Tyler's first and only take. Chilly last night.

All Dolled Up!

Curlers and eyelashes.

Recording The New Album: Day One!

Okay folks! So if you're out of the loop, I'm working on a new CD. No title yet, but the songs are all finished for my part (writing them) and now we're on to recording/arranging/whatever else needs to be done. Here's a few snapshots of recording: day one. Nothing too exciting probably, but it's wicked exciting for me! We've got Tyler on drums, Travis on guitar (and whatever other many instruments he plays that we can work onto the album) and this particular night, we had Derek working on mics and recording. Wouldn't it be lovely to have a sound/tech guy?!

Maybe he'll hate me for that, but you gotta have a shot of the drummer with a smoke hanging out of his mouth!

Night one = the computers fight back! The boys try to puzzle out the many complications of the set up. That's after the first computer decided it wasn't going to play along.

Fortunately, I'm blessed with nothing but optimism.

Beaners Songwriters Competition

Hey all! Just wanted to let you know the Beaners Songwriters Competition is coming up Wednesday Sept 23rd. I will be playing a couple original tunes there! This will be my third year doing the competition; last year I managed to win People's Choice. Hope you all can make it - should be an awesome night!

Siren Song

Love this song that a new friend lead me to. The toms at the end are rockin. Check it out guys:

Duluth Goes Raw: Un-cooking with Local Ingredients

Teaching a raw food class on Thursday night! Sign up if you wanna check it out!

Duluth Goes Raw: Un-cooking with Local Ingredients
Instructor: Emily White
If you’re joining us for our Locovore Challenge (and even if you’re not), this class will give you some exciting local recipes to try…and they’re all raw! In this class we will make Living Chili, Crispy Salad with Raw Corn Chips, Basic Greens Juice, and Crepes with Maple Apple Filling. Vegan and Gluten-Free.

Thursday, September 3, 6:00 – 8:00 pm

The Art of Natalia Pierandrei

Wow. I've recently found artist Natalia Pierandrei. She's absolutely amazing! What an inspiration - working in markers, which is no easy task if you've ever tried. ;) Take a few to check out her works.

New Song: The Umbrella Waltz

The Umbrella Waltz

Say missy, you’ve got a bit of sunshine
He left in your eyes
If I’m not mistaken
It’s a glare I too well recognize

I was feeling like princess Diana
Laying there in his arms
But I brought my waltzing umbrella
To shade all the princes charms

I thought all boys were made of sunshine
Built to wash away all the rain
Keeping me dry so that I could put my umbrella away
The storm clouds are rolling over
Where’s the mermaids tail
When the rain washes her heart away?

I invited him just for one night
How could I expect him understand
How I wear my heart
Like a caged bird in my hand?

I watched as he rushed through my door frame
Leaving me this phenomenon
Empty hands and swiss-made shoes
Cause our waltzing days are gone

I thought this boy was made of sunshine
Built to wash away all the rain
Keeping me dry so that I could put my umbrella away
His storm clouds are rolling over
Where’s my mermaids tail
When the rain washes his heart away?

I keep hiding like this, swimming downstream
Going under, fighting to breathe

So I can take this matter into my own hands
Lucky me - cause I have two!
So tell me, Mr. Cool Cat
Which hand do I use?

I thought you, boy, were made of sunshine
Built to wash away all the rain
Keeping me dry so that I could put my umbrella away
Your storm clouds are rolling over
Where’s my mermaids tail
When the rain washes my heart away?

On The Hunt

1. I almost have a CD's worth of songs.
2. I'm not sure how I'll record them - I'd like to have a full band.
3. My current website has been up far too long, and I ripped it off anyway, so time for a new one.
4. Looking for a vibe to go with the new music/website. Came across a site where you can have your design printed on fabric at Spoonflower.com
5. Coolness.

More Company with Pages

I've been reading Cathy's Book and Cathy's Key by Stewart/Weisman/Brigg. Kinda neat with all the illustrations on the pages. From an artistic point of view, I enjoyed it. Also just finished William Kent Krueger's latest The Devils Bed. I like Cork O'Conner, but the new character was pretty likable too! A few months ago I read the Twilight series in about 3 days. I enjoyed them too. It was nice to have a quick read (for an adult anyhow) with characters I found myself caring about...

Wild Ponies

This is a rough draft of my new tune Wild Ponies (oh, and I should say that there was a little influence from Tori Amos "Fast Horse" but I tried to not rip it off completely - the tunes are completely different. :)

Climbing on the breeze she could taste it perfectly
A buttercup drowning by the stream
Never get it right with those muddy feet confined
Lost in the tide of a shallow dream

Lost and running in streams of green
Wearing shades of palomino coloring
Beat her down and run this one free
Tied off from your mental shackling

You’ve caught yourself some wild ponies darling
You’re lost in your jeremiad
You’ve caught yourself some wild ponies darling
You rope them in your purgatory

Hope you can ride and hang on tight
Cause her skin is crawling from the inside
Bear the load of your wet feet
Suckling your damned insecurity

You’ve caught yourself some wild ponies darling
You’re lost in your jeremiad
You’ve caught yourself some wild ponies darling
You rope them in your purgatory

Why can't these feet carry her faster?

Control of body can’t control the mind
Now she’s ready this time to cross your line
Better get on your phone and call this one back to you
Pure antidote for your hold

You’ve caught yourself some wild ponies darling
But you’re lost in your jeremiad
You’ve caught yourself some wild ponies darling
Lost in your purgatory

Elephants Can Fly

I have to admit, I've been totally inspired by "my dear county" by Norah Jones. I loved the idea behind her song, so I took the essence and ran with it. I think all these months of listening to political bands, such as Flogging Molly has surely been an influence as well. So here's my first upfront political song.

It’s Halloween night
That’s a sure scary sight
Keep your eyes shut tight
No telling what it’s gonna be like
Little devils are out
Gone hunting tonight
And mothers will cry
The poison comes from inside

A predator
Of the worst kind
And try as I might
I just can’t rest my head tonight
Cause 3 days have gone
And the race is on
“You vote for what’s right,
but I’ll take what ain’t mine.”

And the mission is for submission
Euphoric donkey ride
And the intention we just won’t mention
Cause elephants can fly
On election night

Who can explain
Where were are today?
No anchorman could tell
How this card would play
I just wanted to shake
Somebody sane
When they called out his name
Sure hope he’s not deranged

It’s a nasty time
When the big boys fight
Over candied words
That widen our divide
We just trust in them
Sure they can decide
But he wants to be king
Put the commander aside

And the mission is for submission
Euphoric donkey ride
And the intention we just won’t mention
Cause elephants can fly
On election night

Tell you what
I’m sure glad I can say
That I don’t like the way
He plays this game
Guess my freedoms sound
It can’t move with all their might
Even if I sing this song
About election night

And the mission is for submission
Euphoric donkey ride
And the intention we just won’t mention
Cause elephants can fly
On election night

Various Written Works

More reading occurs, due to low energy, concentrated pain and a general fog, inside and out. Here's what's been keeping my company while I'm planted on the couch:

The Essential Green You; Deirdre Imus
Crafting Log Homes Solar Style; Rex A. Ewing and LaVonne Ewing
The Bone Series; Jeff Smith (Graphic Novel; read 3,4 & 5 yesterday)
The Edible Woman; Margaret Atwood
Mercury Falls; William Kent Krueger
Book Of Shadows, The Coven & Blood Witch (The Sweep Series;) Cate Tiernan

Mixing Made Easy

Most people think mixing is complicated. It's really not. Most pros (myself included) like the fact that there's an air of mystery surrounding what we do. It makes us look smarter. It also allows us to charge more money. But, let's face it. It's not rocket science. It's really just the practical application of basic physics, a little bit of psychoacoustics, and a pinch of good taste.

The best way to learn anything is to copy the masters. Listen with headphones. Listen with nobody else around to bother you. Shut your eyes.

Take a blank piece of paper and diagram what you hear. Draw a head in the middle of the page (bird's eye view). Listen for the kick drum. Where is it? Dead center? Great -- then draw a little box near the center top of the page and write "kick drum," in it. Snare Drum? Same deal. Bass guitar? Also down the middle. Piano? Low notes in the left ear. High notes in the right. Isn't that remarkable? The piano's laid out just as if you were sitting at the keyboard. You're starting to get the idea.

Most mixers will mix their instruments from the perspective of the listener or the perspective of the player. I mix from the player's perspective. In other words, my drums are panned with the high tom on the left and the floor tom on the right.

When you shut your eyes, you should be able to visualize an aural "landscape." It's like standing near a mountain lake in Colorado. In the nearfield you would find the grass you're standing on. In the semi-nearfield you'd find the lake. In the distance, a stand of pine trees on the other side of the lake. To the far left, a patch of aspen trees. On the far right, a small row of mountains. And far beyond the lake's opposite shore, a majestic mountain range. Each of these items has a space within the landscape, and together they make up the whole picture. Mixing is just like that.

Let's take a look at an imaginary track for a pop/rock song. The kick drum, snare drum, and bass should all be down the middle, and should be the most predominant elements in the mix with the exception of the lead vocal. The bass and drums form the song's feel or groove. If they're mixed correctly, you're already half way home to a great mix.

Start with the kick drum. Adjust your mix monitor level to where you normally like to listen. Bring the kick fader up to a point where it kicks the mix bus meters (the console's stereo output) up to -3db VU. I like to work with VU, not peak meters. Peak meters are for wussies. Add a little 2.5 K for attack if you need to. Roll off a little 300HZ if the kick is a little tubby in the lower mids.

Bring up the bass guitar fader until the bass becomes a cohesive unit with the kick, and the two of them seem to hit you in the chest. Now add the snare to the mix. Bring it up to a level that rivals, but doesn't exceed the level of the kick and bass. Add a little plate or room reverb to the snare. Try a 1 second decay time for starters. Adjust to taste.

Bring up the toms and overhead tracks. Keep them panned so that the cymbals on the left side of the kit are panned to the same side of the mix as the high tom. The mid tom should appear don the middle, and the floor tom and cymbals from the right side of the kit all appear on the right. If your toms sound like cardboard boxes, try adding a little bottom, rolling off some 300-500HZ in the lower mids, and adding a little top end to give them some crack (not that kind! You've got a sick mind). I don't bother with a hi-hat most of the time. Someone once told me that it usually takes care of itself, and remarkably, it does!

Let's add the guitars next. First, the electric. Pan it almost full left. Take a short delay from the guitar and pan it almost full right, but a slightly lower volume. Your brain will tell you that you hear a big, wide guitar that appears mostly on the left side. Pan the acoustic guitar to the right. Add a little harmonizer to it. Detune it one cent. Pan it to the left. Result? A big, wide acoustic guitar that cuts through the mix, but doesn't require more volume to do it. That's the secret. By careful thought and panning, you can have a full mix that doesn't compete within itself.

Let's add the piano now. I usually pan it as if I were sitting at it, but if the guitar on the left is playing in a lower register, then I don't pan the low end of the piano there as well. They'd compete for space with each other. In this case, let's assume it's okay to pan the piano to nine o'clock for the low end and three o'clock for the high end. By using a stereo compressor set to a fast attack and slow release, you'll make the piano "tinkle" a little more on the top end, and "growl" a little more on the low end. Hence, you'll be adding another instrument, but once again, it won't fight for space.

Time to bring in the background vocals. Let's make the assumption that we have two tracks of group vocals -- three voices in each stack. Let's make them sound like the Eagles. Pan one group far left, and the other hard right. Suck out some lower mid-range to make them sound airy and angelic. See? Just like the Eagles. OOPS -- better add some stereo reverb. A nice plate sound with a 1.5 second decay ought to do it. there you go. Eagles.

And now for the big kahuna -- the lead vocal. Piece of cake. Slam it right down the middle. Make it loud. It's important. Treat it as such. This year, the pros seem to like their lead vocals dry -- so you can eschew the reverb if you'd like. If not, try a little plate or chamber on it. Again, keep it short for most types of tunes. You can also try a little delay on the lead vocal. It will make it more apparent without adding volume.

That's one of the real tricks to mixing. Making instruments easy to find in the mix, but without using volume to do it. Eq can be a huge help in that department, but it takes time to understand what eq does to individual instruments, and how it affects a whole mix when the instruments are all added together.

The mix I described above is rudimentary, but it will help you get started. Use the formula over ad over until you master it and you mix sounds great. When you can get it to sound great at the drop of a hat, then, and only then start experimenting. As with most disciplines, practice and experimentation are the keys to success.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

During Michael Laskow's 20-year tenure as an engineer/producer, he worked with Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Eric Clapton, Cheap Trick and countless others. He continues to write articles for magazines like Recording and Electronic Musician. He's also the founder of TAXI, an independent A&R company that links record labels with unsigned artists and songwriters. Taken from http://www.audio-recording-center.com

Reading Materials

Just finished reading Flowers in the Attic, by V.C. Andrews. I loved it! I also recently read Iron Lake and Purgatory Ridge by William Kent Krueger. I'm enjoying that series as well.

Sam's Altered Vision

Our doofus Sam. *shakes head* He greets the day by shaking his head. What dog doesn't?! ;) Turns out his morning routine is getting him in trouble. He's going blind? No, just tunnel vision caused by an elizabethan collar. Early last week we found a smallish hematoma on his left ear. We called the vet promptly and consulted on letting it heal naturally. They said that was a fine course of action. Well, things were going mostly well. He was not bothering it one bit, but he knew not to rough house with Joony. Sensible dog, right? Saturday it blew up like a balloon. Sunday it got hard as a rock. We brought him into the vet Monday morning (yesterday) and he needed to have it drained and a tube put it so it could keep draining over then few weeks. Needless to say, he's not liking the cone too much - it's his first time.

My First Interview with Freedom One Radio

So I spent a bit of morning chatting with Jared Skye of FreedomOneRadio.org. It's my first interview as a musician. I'm very excited. Jared was great. I've known him casually for a few years now, from back when we both would play at Beaner's Central in Duluth. The questions were nothing weird, and other than being a titch nervous, I am very pleased with the end result.

You can listen to the interview at FreedomOneRadio.org Thursday, April 16th, 8:00 pm, or any listen any other time of course!

Thanks again to Jared. You rock!

In Eve's Skin

Finished my new song today. John says it sounds like "Jammin", by Bob Marley played by Tori Amos. Haha. I didn't take influence from his song, but surely am not insulted.

This was inspired by a conversation I had with my friend Hope, as she told me about a conversation her family had about girls being too quick to throw out reason if a boy pays attention to them. :)

In Eve's Skin

Bird found an apple in a garden
But the meat is forbidden
All the curves hung from the saplings
Suddenly found herself famished

Serpent crept on Birds shoulder
“I know this cool cat,” he told her
“Pure and curious just like you.”
But she desired for a stranger fruit

“Eat from this, I insist.”

Her animal side has a hunger that won’t subside
Her appetite has awoken from deep inside
And Bird says,
“Don’t need a man, I need some apple pie.”

Birds flying through the orchard now
When she hears that cool cats meow
He’s hanging from those tree limbs
Birds looking like a meal to him

“Don’t you ever get distracted
When cats and snakes are wicked?”
Bird says with her innocence.
“That strange fruit I can’t resist”

“Eat from this, I insist.”

Her animal side has a hunger that won’t subside
Her appetite has awoken from deep inside
And Bird says,
“Don’t need a man, I need some apple pie.”

"You're sweet as pie, my sweetie pie"
But any boy can swing round
Easy as pie

Too apt to purr at strangers praise
Birdy became amenities
She ripens from saint to sin
But are we guilty as Eve’s kin?

“Eat from this, I insist.”

A womans pride can only take so much at a time
Our animal side has a hunger that won’t be denied
Cause Bird said,
“Don’t need a man, I need some apple pie.”

Sedona Hutch

While mattress shopping a couple weeks ago, John and I spotted this beauty. It's the only piece of furniture we both fell in love with immediately! It has slate inlays, with glass and oak solid wood. Unfortunately, it's out of our price range at the moment.

How to make a Pantyliner & Diva Cups

This is for a four layer non moisture proofed cloth panty liner.

The DivaCup is an internally worn reusable menstrual cup that is used to collect your menstrual flow.

Support Group

I found this great site http://www.mdjunction.com/ which is an online support group. Seems there's just about anything you can think of. I'm doing Lupus and Fibro.

Electrolysed Water

Electrolyzed water rivals chlorine and heat for killing E. coli, salmonella and listeria...

The inspirational muse...

PIERIDES is the patronymic of the nine daughters of King Pieros of Emathia. They challenged the Muses to a contest of song, which they lost, and the Muses, in revenge, changed the presumptuous maidens into magpies (Met V.294-678; OM V.1763-1832). The Muses themselves are also called Pierides because their most ancient seat of worship was in Pieria. They were said to be the daughters of Jupiter and Mnemosyne, but their father was also said to be Pieros of Macedonia. Pierides is then either their byname of location or their patronymic.

The Man of Law says that on no account does he want to be compared with the Muses called Pierides and gives Metamorphoses as his source, MLI 90-95. The word, however, does not occur in Metamorphoses; the daughters of King Pieros are called by their byname of location, Emathides (Met V.669). Virgil uses Pierides throughout his Eclogae, and it is possible that Chaucer may have come across the word there. The narrator praises Venus, Cupid, and the Nine Sisters because through them he has told the story of Troilus's service, Tr III.1807-1920.

The Muses (Ancient Greek αἱ μοῦσαι, hai moũsai [1]: perhaps from the Proto-Indo-European root *men- "think"[2]) in Greek mythology, poetry, and literature are the goddesses or spirits who inspire the creation of literature and the arts. They were considered the source of the knowledge, related orally for centuries in the ancient culture, that was contained in poetic lyrics and myths.

Originally said to be three in number, by the Classical times of the 400s BC, their number had grown and become set at nine goddesses who embody the arts and inspire the creation process with their graces through remembered and improvised song and stage, writing, traditional music, and dance.

In one myth, King Pieride, once king of Mazedonia, had nine daughters he named after the nine Muses, believing that their skills were a great match to the Muses (mousi). He thus challenged the Muses to a match, resulting in his daughters being turned into magpies and jackdaws. In Greek Mythology these nine daughters of the king usually are referred to as the Pierides.

Sometimes they are referred to as water nymphs, associated with the springs of Helicon and with Pieris.

The Olympian myths set Apollo as their leader, Apollon Mousagetēs. Not only are the Muses explicitly used in modern English to refer to an inspiration, as when one cites one's own artistic muse, but they also are implicit in words and phrases such as "amuse", "museum"(changed from muselon--a place were the muses were worshipped), "music", and "musing upon".[3]

According to Hesiod's Theogony (seventh century BC), they were daughters of Zeus, the second generation king of the gods, and the offspring of Mnemosyne, goddess of memory. For Alcman and Mimnermus, they were even more primordial, springing from the early deities, Uranus and Gaia. Gaia is Mother Earth, an early mother goddess who was worshipped at Delphi from prehistoric times, long before the site was rededicated to Apollo, possibly indicating a transfer to association with him after that time. Pausanias records a tradition of two generations of Muses; the first being daughters of Uranus and Gaia, the second of Zeus and Mnemosyne. Another, rarer genealogy is that they are daughters of Harmonia (the daughter of Aphrodite and Ares) which contradicts the myth in which they were dancing at the wedding of Harmonia and Cadmus. This later inconsistency is an example of how clues to the true dating, or chronology, of myths may be determined by the appearance of figures and concepts in Greek myths.[citation needed]

Compare the Roman inspiring nymphs of springs, the Camenae, the Völva of Norse Mythology and also the apsaras in the mythology of classical India.

Eat Raw Food, Boycott Krap!

Eat Raw Food, Boycott Pasturized, Processed Krap!

High-Fructose Corn Syrup Contains Mercury

MORE FUEL FOR MY FIRE:

Study Finds High-Fructose Corn Syrup Contains Mercury
Half of batches tested positive, third of popular sweetened products
showed traces
MONDAY, Jan. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Almost half of tested samples of
commercial high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) contained mercury, which
was also found in nearly a third of 55 popular brand-name food and
beverage products where HFCS is the first- or second-highest labeled
ingredient, according to two new U.S. studies.
HFCS has replaced sugar as the sweetener in many beverages and foods
such as breads, cereals, breakfast bars, lunch meats, yogurts, soups
and condiments. On average, Americans consume about 12 teaspoons per
day of HFCS, but teens and other high consumers can take in 80
percent more HFCS than average.
"Mercury is toxic in all its forms. Given how much high-fructose corn
syrup is consumed by children, it could be a significant additional
source of mercury never before considered. We are calling for
immediate changes by industry and the [U.S. Food and Drug
Administration] to help stop this avoidable mercury contamination of
the food supply," said the Institute for Agriculture and Trade
Policy's Dr. David Wallinga, a co-author of both studies.
In the first study, researchers found detectable levels of mercury in
nine of 20 samples of commercial HFCS. The study was published in
current issue of Environmental Health.
In the second study, the agriculture group found that nearly one in
three of 55 brand-name foods contained mercury. The chemical was most
common in HFCS-containing dairy products, dressings and condiments.
The use of mercury-contaminated caustic soda in the production of
HFCS is common. The contamination occurs when mercury cells are used
to produce caustic soda.
"The bad news is that nobody knows whether or not their soda or snack
food contains HFCS made from ingredients like caustic soda
contaminated with mercury. The good news is that mercury-free HFCS
ingredients exist. Food companies just need a good push to only use
those ingredients," Wallinga said.
More information
The U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry has more
about mercury and health.
-- Robert Preidt
SOURCE: Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, news release,
Jan. 26, 2009
Last Updated: Jan. 26, 2009
Copyright (c) 2009 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.

Go Green!

Here's an awesome article by crazysexylife:

Go Green!
There are so many dynamite ways to get the green glow. Here are just a few breezy solutions.
v
1. Go Veg! Today it’s nearly impossible to be an environmentalist and still chow tushie (aka carcass, aka meat). Animal agribusiness is the one of the biggest contributors to green house gas, water pollution, ocean acidification, deforestation, fossil fuel depletion, political strife, poverty AND rising disease rates! Be a part of the sexy solution. The rivers will thank you. The oceans, trees, soil, and air will bow to you. Sentient beings will hug you with grateful tears in their eyes. Say goodbye to morbidly expanding waste lines, high cholesterol, artery and colon stuffies, zoomin’ insulin and the increased risk of developing cancer and other annoying diseases. Prevention is HOT, sickness sucks - GO VEG!

2. Eat local and organic. Though it’s always summer somewhere, do we really need a jet flown peach from Chile? When possible shop local, buy organic, and support CSA’s. If cost is an issue buy conventional, but stay away from the 12 most sprayed.

3. Dump junk mail and catalogs. Each year over 100 million trees are massacred and turned into junk mail. Consequently, paper makes up 1/3 of the trash mountains in our bloated landfills. I don’t know about you, but I value oxygen (a trees main job) more than a Pottery Barn catalog or Sweepstake teaser. JunkBusters.com GreenDimes.com

4. Boycott plastic bags! They’re a petroleum nightmare with an eternal impact. Out planet wilts under the weigh of plastic. Countless land and sea creatures die every year as a result of mistaking plastic bags for food or getting tangled in their wicked web. Sassy Chico Bags and Biobags are just a few of the many solutions.

5. Go paperless by paying bills online. It’s quicker and saves sexy resources. Just imagine the fuel it takes to deliver your AT&T bill!

6. Cloth napkins rule, they’re funky and environmentally friendly.

7. Bring your own reusable sippers! The average coffee or tea to-go cup takes about 100 years to breakdown. Styrofoam is FOREVER. Plastic bottles? Thumbs down! They leach destructive chemicals into our delicate internal eco-systems. Ever stop and think about all that take-out silverware we mindlessly discard? Why not bring your own travel mug, Klean Kanteen, or To-go ware to your favorite take-out joint? SEXY!

8. Use natural household cleaners. Toxic household spray & scrubs should come with hazmat suits. Protect yourself and your family by moving to natural cleaners. They smell great and are safe and savy! Remember, you absorb what you put on your skin AND what you use in your house.

9. Use a green “dry” cleaner. Dry cleaning agents are dangerous for you and for the planet. When possible use green cleaners or buy clothes that don’t require acid bath professional dip & drys.

10. Use natural skincare products. Your skin is your largest organ, so if you wouldn’t drink a cup of Jergen’s (for example) for goddess sake, don’t put it on your skin! Choose yummy, safe alternatives. Clueless about what brands are safe? Go to Skindeep.org

11. Switch your bulbs. You’ve heard this a millions times before but compact fluorescent bulbs really do make a difference. Yes, they’re still kinda ugly, but you can always install dimmers!

12. Change the AC Filter. In the summer, I personally prefer fans and an open window to AC, less stuffy, more better air circulation. Optimize your energy use (and bill) by cleaning or replacing dirty air conditioner filters.

13. Air Dry Your Clothes. Line-dry your clothes in the spring and summer instead of using the dryer, how retro Grannie chic!

14. As my dad used to say: “Turn off the damn lights” and “Do we really need to heat the entire neighborhood?” Thanks Dad! Though I thought he was a real pain-in-the-ass when I was a teen, turns out he was right! Turning off the lights is an obvious solution. But did you know that by adjusting your heater thermostat down two degrees in winter and up two degrees in the summer you can save BIG BUCKS?

15. Optimize the energy you use by installing storm windows. Caulk and weather strip your doorways and windows. Safecoat caulking is a nontoxic option. Add natural insulation, especially in the attic.

16. Inflate Your Tires. Keep the tires on your car adequately inflated. Check them monthly and save around 250 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $840 per year.

17. Use power strips and unplug appliances when not in use! Even when electronic devices are turned off, they still suck loads of energy.

18. Compost! Since we started composting we have drastically reduced the amount of garbage we generate. Buying minimally packaged goods help too. Less packaging can reduce your garbage by about 10%.

19. Do you really need to let the water run when you’re brushing AND flossing your choppers? Nope.

20. Have sex by candlelight! Preferably with a non-toxic, eco-friendly mood setter.

The Greasecar Lives: February 8. 2009

The Greasecar Jetta is finally here! As of today, we're running our 2002 Volkswagen Jetta on grease, straight from a restaurant frier. Filtered of course, and with a greasekit from greasecar.com (just to make life simple) we're one step further from the man.

Validation

"Validation" is a fable about the magic of free parking. Starring TJ Thyne & Vicki Davis. Writer/Director/Composer - Kurt Kuenne. Winner - Best Narrative Short, Cleveland Int'l Film Festival, Wi...

Oedipus Hanged

I also saw angels Epicaste mother of Oedipodes whose awful lot it was to marry her own son without suspecting it. He married her after having killed his father, but the gods proclaimed the whole story to the world; whereon he remained king of Thebes, in great grief for the spite the gods had borne him; but Epicaste went to the house of the mighty jailor Hades, having hanged herself for grief, he also was mad and the avenging spirits haunted him as for an outraged mother- to his ruing bitterly thereafter.

Macisteus went once to Thebes after the fall of Oedipus, to attend his funeral, and he beat all the people of Cadmus.

Stupid

Snowflakes are falling
Oh, how you hear a faint crying
You're cozing and warm, so that must be
Me, cause my car won't start

Cause I am stupid
For buying a diesel in Minnesota
Where it's always below zero
In Minnesota
Oh I am stupid for buying a diesel

My Jetta gets like 45 miles per gallon
So I thought I was so smart I even run a grease car
But by my car still won't start

So I'm still stupid
For buying a diesel in Minnesota
Now I'm walking in a snow storm
In Minnesota
Oh I am stupid for buying a diesel

Lets give it about 20 tries
And pray to the gods "please start this time"
And nothings gonna bring me down
But days sure gonna be long

Cause I was stupid
For buying a diesel in Minnesota
So I'm walking and it's 30 below zero
In Minnesota
Oh I am stupid for buying a diesel
In Minnesota

Magnetica

Came aross this website. Cool art.

Photobucket

Dumping some photos to Photobucket

Some Random Photos Worth Mentioning