Discontinuing Amazon

I applaud this decision:

"The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee will be discontinuing its association with Amazon.com as they have admitted in their reply to us that they will continue to sell animal fighting books and magazines. This will represent a significant loss of annual income to the Sanctuary, (last year over $10,000), but we will not support any association with animal abuse. As the nation's largest natural habitat refuge for elephants, we dedicate our lives to the well being of this species and the education of the human species. As caring individuals we are concerned for the well being of all species. This is not, as Amazon.com asserts, an issue of censorship but rather a violation of the Federal Animal Welfare Act, as excerpted in these paragraphs from the HSUS lawsuit."

Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann

I am dying to read Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann. I've read something about it when it came out in Europe, but figured that it would be too hard to find in the US. This summer it got published in here and I was able to get a free copy.

I am going to Montreal for couple of days and Three Bags Full will be my reading material for the trip.

The premise of the book is that a flock of sheep has to solve a mystery. How adorable/original is this:

The sheep include the last flock of Cladoir sheep in Ireland, bred for wool (not for meat). Their beloved shepherd, George, a loner who the sheep realize has left his own "flock," reads to them every evening and has promised to take them to Europe. One morning, the sheep find George lying in the grass, "unusually cold and lifeless." They think he was done in by a wolf. But the cleverest among them, Miss Maple (a tip of the hat to Agatha Christie's Miss Marple), explains: "Even the most sophisticated wolves didn't drive spades through the bodies of their victims. For such a tool was undoubtedly sticking out of the shepherd's insides, which were now wet with dew."

Othello, the only black sheep in the flock, adds, "It can only have been a human who did it -- or a very large monkey" -- a reference to Edgar Allan Poe's "Murders in the Rue Morgue," in which the orangutan did it. Realizing it was murder, the sheep bleat for "justice."

The sheep are, of course, unreliable narrators. Their muddled notion of justice derives from a mystery novel George read to them but didn't finish because it was too upsetting. Their understanding of relationships between men and women is based on the romance novels George read them. They overhear a priest say "The Lord is my shepherd" and become convinced that "the Lord" is the butcher, the last person on earth that they'd want for their shepherd, smelling as he does of death.

"The Forever Box" by Sarah Mensinga

I really want to find out how this ends:

slacker.com and Chemical Brothers

Have you tried slacker.com yet?I love it! Today I am using it to discover styles of Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen. I see their names popping up but have never heard their music.

In other music news, you can listen to Chemical Brothers' new album on myspace. I like "The Salmon Dance" and "Saturate" tracks.

Shepherd Mix Needs Home

Sunshine is a classic Shepherd mix with prick ears, a short caramel-colored coat, and warm brown eyes.

She enjoys human companionship, walks well on the leash, and loves to be brushed.

With her nice character you wouldn't guess Sunshine ever spent time on the street, but in fact she was found on Elmhurst Avenue in Queens, NY.

Sunshine is a bit chubby and will definitely need to go on a slimming regime. With some love and care she should settle in nicely and be an enhancement to any home.

Please adopt Sunshine or help spread the word about her.

New Skin Routine

I am switching from wearing Malin and Goetz moisturizer and Shiseido Anessa sunscreen to whole new routine.

I bought Liz Earle's Skin Repair Moisturizer because of the article I've read that raved about the line. I am dropping the sunscreen that I've been wearing forever, because it looks like Shiseido does animal testing and I am not sure about the ingredients as the list is in Japanese.

I think I'll get Clarins UV PLUS Protective Day Screen SPF 40 sunscreen. Clarins doest not test on animals and does not have animal derived ingredients according to http://www.caringconsumer.com but I will double check in store. The product got very good reviews on makeupalley.com.

Hopefully, my new moisturizer and sunscreen will work together and will become my new staples.

Life Hacking

Time magazine has an article about Life Hacking - popularity of tips for improved productivity and happiness.

I will try to follow the tip of checking e-mail only once an our at work. I usually do it about every five minutes.

I like the tip about computer free Saturdays.

The other wonderful tip is to text message or e-mail yourself about each day's happiest moments. My happiest moment today was spending time with my friends. Our attempt to see the Mermaid Parade was unsuccessful as it was insanely crowded, but we had good food and conversation in a little cafe on Brighton Beach. I also really paid attention to the lyrics of Ray LaMontagne's BE HERE NOW and the words are wonderful:

Don't let your mind get weary and confused
Your will be still, don't try
Don't let your heart get heavy child
Inside you there's a strength that lies

Don't let your soul get lonely child
It's only time, it will go by
Don't look for love in faces, places
It's in you, that's where you'll find kindness

Be here now, here now
Be here now, here now

Don't lose your faith in me
And I will try not to lose faith in you
Don't put your trust in walls
'Cause walls will only crush you when they fall

Be here now, here now
Be here now, here now

Dalai Lama on Kindness to Animals

In his speech to sold-out crowd of 5,000 in Australia, Dalai Lama called for "a halt to lab experiments on animals and made the case for eating only fruits and vegetables."

Some are accusing him of being a hypocrite, because, as he mentioned in his speech, he does eat meat occasionally.

I do not want to judge him or anybody who eats meat - I did eat meat in the past and I wouldn't have wanted to be judged, only educated. I do not know his reasons for eating meat after being a vegan - medical reason are often mentioned when this subject is raised. The fact that he mentioned kindness to animals was very inspiring to me and if his speech resulted in at least one person becoming a vegetarian, I think it was worth it.

Jack Russell Mix Needs Home

One year old Beaver was found on East 102nd Street. He's a Jack Russell mix, and very bright and affectionate. Beaver seems to be house-trained and walks well on a leash. He's prime material for more advanced obedience training.

Jack Russells are the perfect size for apartment life, but they are definitely not couch potatoes! Beaver will need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. As long as those basic requirements are met, he will be an excellent pet.

Please help him find a loving home!

Curious Product of the Week (GOOD)

Bag Snagger - made specifically for removing plastic bag and other litter from trees.

Amazon Is Still Selling Products Promoting Animal Fighting

I was shocked to find out that amazon.com is still selling animal fighting magazines and videos. I remember there was a letter writing campaign long time ago about this. I am shocked that it did not persuade amazon.com to pull this horrible stuff.

"Amazon.com seems so determined to profit from illegal animal fighting that, rather than simply drop its sales of animal fighting materials, it has filed a motion against The HSUS in federal court, essentially asking that federal and state laws to protect animals be gutted to accommodate Amazon.com's sales of animal fighting paraphernalia."

I've been a customer of theirs for a long time - for everything from books to electronics, but I will no long support a business that puts profits before common sense.

Please tell Jeffrey Bezos, Amazon.com's CEO, that you are appalled by their decision.

Siberian Husky Mix Needs Home

Lucas is a gorgeous Siberian Husky mix with dramatic light eyes, a soft caramel-colored coat, and a pinkish nose. He's been given up by an owner who has to move and can't take him along.

Like most Huskies, Lucas is an extremely intelligent and athletic dog who will definitely need lots of exercise. Though he's quite large and imposing-looking, he's very friendly and gets along well with adults, kids, and other dogs. Apparently, though, he's afraid of cats.

Lucas is at Animal Care and Control shelter in NYC.

P.S: I love the name!

Cocker Spaniel Needs Home

Tony is a black, 3-year–old Cocker Spaniel whose great heart and spirit have enabled him to cope with his physical challenge and shine through as the sweet, gentle boy who melts the heart of everyone who meets him.

Tony was rescued while running through traffic on a busy street in Brooklyn, New York. This experience would be terrifying for any dog, but Tony is blind, due to early onset glaucoma. This abandoned little guy may not have made it without the help of a young girl to put her life on the line to save him.

Tony is a playful young guy with a very sweet temperament. He gets along well with adults, children, cats and other dogs. He has to be give eye-drop medication for the glaucoma, but is otherwise in good health. He is hoping to find a special person of his own who will love and cherish him for the rest of his life. In return, Tony has a lot of love and cuddles to give.

If you or anyone you know can help find a forever home for Tony, please contact Garo from Companion Animal Network TV, in Forest Hills, New York at 718-544-7387.