Tales of Seven

Five Lessons on the Way to Treat Others: Lesson 1

1 - First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady.

During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one:

"What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50's, but how would I know her name?

I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if
the last question would count toward our quiz grade. "Absolutely, " said the professor. "In your careers,
you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do
is smile and say "hello ."

I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

- Unknown Author

Westland Meat Plant Video

For nearly 15 years I was vegetarian, not out of moral opposition to eating meat, but rather out of severe concerns for how we raise animals in factory farms. This video demonstrates some of the alarming, inhumane and unsafe practices that can occur. WARNING: the video contains very graphic images.

While the USDA notes that this was an isolated incident and has no intent to revise its oversight policy or regulations, standard factory farming policies demonstrate these problems are not only common but in fact endemic to the industry.

A huge thanks to the Humane Society for continuing to keep this issue in front of us. This video made it into the evening news, certainly helping to raise awareness.

There is opportunity to reduce this type of suffering by moderating consumption and by supporting farms that raise animals in healthy and humane environments. When animals are mass produced for our consumption, it's hard to imagine incidents like this are uncommon, even with oversight. I always opt for the free range eggs, organic producers and meats from small, local producers -- where I feel there is greater chance that incidents like this won't occur.

2/3/08 Westland Meats has issued a statement on their website. The statements emphasize the excellent oversight measures that are already in place, in apparent contradiction to the video evidence. Westland has been cited at least once in the past for using prods on animals.

2/5/08 As an update, the HSUS has done a brilliant job highlighting issues, then acting to address them more globally through protective legislation. On their site, they now highlight the proposed  Farm Animal Stewardship Act designed to provide basic protection for animal welfare in factory farms. Visit this link to send a message of support to legislators.

The 'Two Step' - How to Convert m4p to mp3

My world of music is on IPod, but from time to time, I'd like to use that music in my own slideshows or videos or on devices that don't accept the IPod file format -- blast those proprietary file formats.

The Protected Music Converter is a handy tool that quickly converts IPod files to the more standard and commonly accepted mp3 format. The cost is a one-time $19.95 and it's drop dead simple to use, unlike some of the other converters that make a simple process beyond-reason complex.

Select the file. Hit the 'convert' button. Done!

Solo Traveler Tips

A dear friend of mine is going on her very first solo trip in just a week. After having traveled solo a fair amount and having encountered a great variety of issues on the road, here is some advice I provided...

For safety and peace of mind, I:

• Scan my passport and send myself a copy in my own email. Then I can print it out no matter what happens, from any internet cafe.
• Get travel insurance. It's inexpensive and protects when there are flight problems, illness or lost luggage. Worst case, it also provides medical evacuations.
• Visit an internet cafe every couple of days to let someone know where I am and that everything is okay. (This is particularly important when traveling in a less predictable path. If there is a more predictable travel plan, sending an itinerary to friends is also a good idea. I pick a couple of people and designate them as my contact points!)
• Call my credit card company ahead of time so they don't block charges
• Get a traveler belt from REI . It's a web belt with a little inside zipper pouch. I store just emergency cash, a few phone numbers and a copy of my passport in there.

Kiva Update - Spotlight on Cambodia

As an update to a post on Kiva.org Microloans, (a non-profit that enables people to make small loans to businesses in developing countries) some of the first businesses to which I loaned money have  just paid off their loans and there is now opportunity to reinvest that money in other businesses.

I'm happy to see (and just invested in) businesses in need in Cambodia.

Cambodia is still in difficult recovery from years of killings under the Khmer Rouge where nearly 2 million people lost their lives (in a country with a current population of just 13mm), and millions more forced out of their homes under the guise of 'social reform'. And they continue to struggle under a government that prevents free speech and participates in undisguised corruption.

As I recently traveled in Cambodia, I found the people to be wonderful and gracious hosts, and the last to make complaint about their history. I'm glad to see wonderful organizations like Kiva reaching out to provide some assistance.

(My Kiva portfolio)

Squaw Valley

A few images from an impressive little point and shoot camera.

Last weekend's trip to Tahoe (Squaw Valley)

Enjoy Your Coffee?

-- a clever little set of mugs I received for my housewarming ;). Pour in hot water and watch civil liberties and coastlines disappear before your eyes with the Civil Liberties and Global Warming Mugs.

3 Minutes in South America

3 Minutes for two cities in two different countries.

Meet Buenos Aires, Argentina and Valparaiso, Chile!

Video clips from my recent trip.

Hitting the Trail

For a beautiful trail ride, the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center offers one that's hard to beat.

We started our ride through a quiet, mature pine forest, then passed by one of the most exclusive golf clubs in the world ($100,000 annual membership!). The ride proceeded onto sand dunes, then out to the shore where we had expansive views of the coastline.

Extra bonus: Horses are leased from a rescue organization that saves horses from slaughterhouse, then leases them to stables. This riding center is using over 60 rescued horses for their trail and lesson programs.