exercise compassion

Bad Apple

2012-01-18T08:09:00.001-08:00

His name is Jason, with flames tattooed up one arm, a trim goatee, his apple t-shirt and iPod name tag. He looked like any hipster working in an Apple Store.
I was in the Durham, NC Apple store for about 30 minutes when 3, African-American kids around the age of 17-19 walked in and began to use the computers. There excitement to have access to computers was evident with each of them saying, "Facebook time". They barely got a key stroke in when Jason approached them and asked them to leave. I was in shock and asked Jason why they had to leave when the store barely had a dozen people in it and I had been on a computer for over 30 minutes. He tells me they scare customers away. I offered the solution of separating them to computers scattered around the store and he tells me I need to speak with his manager. His manager arrives quickly with a police officer and I am escorted out of the store before the 3 kids had even made their way to the exit.
This all happened in Durham, NC and as much as it tries to be a progressive area of the world, actions like this keep it firmly planted as a typical Southern racist town. What is the purpose in denying 3 kids the use of computers. I have yet to go into any other Apple store and be given a time limit as to how long I can use a computer or even talk on an iPhone, yet these 3 kids couldn't even get a chance to view a single web page.

Responsibility

2012-01-08T16:37:00.000-08:00

The problem is us.
We have a lot of problems amongst those of us wanting change. Whether it be change for human rights, animal rights or the broad spectrum of injustice in this world we must realize we are part of the problem. Responsibilities have taken a backseat to blame and fame. This is getting us no where. We must stand together, stop supporting and start going the other direction from all things unjust.
In terms of cooperation we are again to blame. We do not work together, instead we bicker and climb the moral ladder in an attempt to feed our own egos and bellies. From blogs to undercover investigations we are all asking for hand outs just to eat some tasty vegan food. Why not commune and share our efforts, our intellect, our love and bring this injustice system to a close.
Each day we weaken our efforts with internet, conference calls, and public meetings. What happened to the days of knowing one another, trusting one another, sharing with one another, and most importantly believing in ourselves in order to not fear the consequences. We have over paranoid ourselves, we fear the consequences of snitches and prison for lack of truly believing in convictions.
Many seek to find refuge in the anti-system but merely join the system. This is exemplified in the selling of books, t-shirts, speaking engagements and so on for one's own benefit and makes she or he nothing more than the same capitalist entity many of us are trying to bring down. How do you dignify your efforts when money greater than your expenses is exchanged for what you do or produce? This is not beneficial to the whole and only to the self. We simply need to live, not to profit. Share and share alike is our ultimate aim. So why do we beg for donations if we feel our efforts are just and beneficial to all. Isn't the benefit to others enough payment?

I do not believe…

2011-12-19T04:01:00.000-08:00

I do not believe in evolution; at least not as it is understood by science today, nor do I believe in any religion or spiritual being. What is apparent to me is that we are dust; we breathe, we die, we rot; just as every other being does on this planet we share. It's a simple fact to see that air alone has us connected and this goes for those in the sea, the air, and the land. We all need this one essential element a long with so many other factors that keep each and every one of us alive.
Now where does humanity stand in a world where even the plankton in the sea is needed for our very existence? Are we better than one species or another simply because of our minds and capabilities? Is there more to the apes in the trees? Do they know what we know, but choose to live in a coexisting manner where war is not a creation utilized for greed?
If we could only see the universe is in each and every molecule that creates us, creates the animals, creates the plants; then and only then can we see each of us must unite with neighbor and friends to see we are a whole. Together and only together are we the almighty god so many have created fiction over.

In continuation...

2011-12-19T03:58:00.000-08:00

In continuation…
My most inspiring night was in the early nineties when I drove to Washington DC to see a Positive Force show. After picking up a friend in Maryland we arrived at the show in the basement of a DC church. Positive Force also booked another show just down the street and many kids were walking back and forth. The other show was of interest to me, but the bands at this venue moved me in ways other than just what my ears can hear.
This show was Rain Like The Sound Of Trains; who were later signed by Dischord; Farside; which added much needed emotion to hardcore; and Into Another; which revolutionized not just hardcore, but music as a hole. No band before nor after has ever created music like that of Into Another and with lyrics that should change the very heart of any person with a sound mind and open heart.
The bands, the lyrics, the vibe, the friends they all had a huge impact on me and the rest of my life, but not as much as one larger factor; Positive Force.
Positive Force booked shows to educate and entertain, but also to create an awareness of the issues in their own neighborhood. With the money generated from shows, they created soup kitchens, to feed those in need. The truly positive nature of Positive Force changed me forever and put a fight in me that I hope to only strengthen which each day I exist.
It's been 3 months since I have been to a show and maybe longer before that show, but it's not the show that is important. Sometimes to do what you love, you have to step away from what brought you to love.

When the music stops…

2011-12-18T14:44:00.000-08:00

After the show, it's time to put words in to motion. The sing along, dancing, and finger pointing have to be enacted. What your heart just poured out, your hands now have to create. This isn't another stage dive or pile on, this is the real thing. If you care for what you said and you mean it for yourself, your friends, all those you share life with, then you will create what you stand for.
Some times the music will have to stop and you will realize that was just a stepping stone into a pool of unending struggle that will only change when we step out of the words and but our efforts in to actions.
I'm not saying turn your back or forget the past. Just live it to the fullest with it in your heart and mind and make sure all those words come true.

Mumia!

2011-12-07T12:21:00.000-08:00

History was made today as prosecutor drops the death penalty for Mumia Abu-Jamal!

Remember, remember 5th of November, but lets not forget...

2011-11-05T13:42:00.000-07:00

On this day a man of dedication died for what he believed. His name is Barry Horne and he lives today stronger than yesterday. His memory, conviction, and cause live on today in the hearts minds and most importantly the actions of all those who feel the empathy he also felt.
As so many are being arrested and standing on the front lines for Occupy... how many of them are willing to resist? Resist the life that governments, religions, corporations, so on are forcing us to live. Barry Horne walked away from the norm and gave his life for others. Let us not forget this is all of us or none of us. Together in dedication we will make our dreams of compassion come true for everyone.

OWS Absurdity

2011-11-02T05:29:00.000-07:00

Three applications for patents of the words "Occupy Wall Street" have been applied for. Nothing is more absurd than to join the enterprise in which you are against in a failing attempt to heighten your purpose. Go back to school and rethink what you are fighting for, otherwise we are fighting you.

UNESCO and Palestine

2011-11-01T05:38:00.000-07:00

I write this while in a UNESCO World Heritage Sight.
Most don't even understand what UNESCO is or does and just assume the UN is all they need to know. UNESCO serves to preserve and protect the natural and cultural aspects of our world. You may live in Baltimore, but you benefit from UNESCO through education and preservation.
The recent decision to allow Palestine to join UNESCO is a huge step for peace and preservation of a people that are being forced out of their lands and homes due to a UN charter allowing Israel to encroach on their lands. This UN charter, to put it simply, was created as a form of retribution for the holocaust and the retribution is justly deserved but not at the expense of others.
Now the United States in it's ever growing defense of Israel has cut funding to UNESCO for the allowance of Palestine into UNESCO. What does this mean for you and your daily life? The US funds a fifth of the UNESCO budget, therefor this cut limits the enforcement of laws in such areas as the Galapagos where poaching and destruction of the natural surroundings are happening on an hourly basis. UNESCO does little to enforce the laws and regulations of the preserves here on Galapagos and now will have even less resources to do such.
Palestine should remain a member of UNESCO, the US should look deeper into it's ties with Israel and with it's commitment to protect our environment and cultures of the world. The work UNESCO does is of world importance and goes far beyond the politics of individual countries.

Galapagos

2011-10-23T19:06:00.001-07:00

Galapagos

2011-10-22T18:14:00.000-07:00

Galapagos!

2011-10-20T17:41:00.001-07:00

Galapagos!

2011-10-20T14:56:00.000-07:00

Our Occupy Wall Street

2011-10-14T07:11:00.000-07:00

New Dawn

2011-10-14T06:24:00.000-07:00

With Occupy Wall Street growing stronger each day, I wanted to show some of my videos from the first days at Occupy Wall Street.
I wish I were still there...

Words from a Mother

2011-10-13T15:18:00.000-07:00

"A Mother's Reflection"
 My name is Mickie. Walter Bond is my son. He is a Prisoner Of War for his defense of the Animal

Nations. He has been reviled by the press and by those who do not wish to have their consciences tampered with, thereby allowing them to continue to accept the blindness society needs in order for the machine to continue to grind along.
Walter Bond was born a warrior; he did not choose it because he found a worthy or righteous cause. A warrior is born with a fire inside and a need to right wrongs. He is born with a compassion and caring rooted so deeply that it is difficult to walk away from any sort of cruelty, whether it involves the people, the Animal Nations, the oceans and seas or the whole of Mother Earth and Father Sky.
Webster’s Dictionary’s definition of “warrior” is as follows: 1) a person engaged or experienced in warfare; soldier 2) a person who shows or has shown great vigor, courage or aggressiveness.
Yes, Walter Bond is a warrior. As his mother, I am very proud. As his mother, I want to rant and rave at the world at large. I want to tell them that America is not this politically correct, sensitive, caring place filled with heroes. Why does heroism only apply to humans? Why is little Johnny a hero for helping the elderly lady next door carry her groceries, or help her cross the busy street, or shovel her walkway after a snowfall -- but Walter Bond risks his life and his future to spare animals from imprisonment, torture, horrific daily abuses and is labeled a terrorist, a threat to the well-being of America?
We hear phrases about “the Greening of America,” which of course is a fallacy. You hear of all the different appliances that save energy and are kind to the environment. You hear about new sources of energy that are environmentally “friendly,” safer building materials, environmentally friendly automobiles, etc. – until your head feels like it wants to explode. The bottom line is that you will then leave a smaller “carbon footprint.” What an inane statement that is.
First and foremost, these statements – or rather elitist philosophies – are geared (of course) toward the power mongers. They are the only ones who can afford the twenty, thirty or forty thousand dollars it would take to remodel their homes and turn them into green palaces. An environmentally-friendly home to help save Mother Earth… the Greening of America… what a load of crap. But please let me be politically correct, “what a load of Green Crap.”
The machines grind on, the slaughterhouses keep up their daily executions, the so-called research labs continue their torture on the most innocent beings on the earth. After all, without animal testing the cosmetics companies wouldn’t be able to insure that the bottle of makeup you just purchased really will hide your blemishes or wrinkles or uneven skin tone, etc., ad nauseum.
Next up is “the dumbing-down of America.” Here is my favorite example: politicians. At this point, how can people have faith in any of them? They appear standing on bales of hay, wearing their brad new checkered cotton shirts, brand new jeans and straw summer cowboy hats, and tell you they are just like you… just a hard-working American with simple roots … memories of fishing down by the “ol’ fishing hole” dancing in their heads.
Amazingly, people still believe in them. Folks, look down a little further and you will see that at the bottom of those Levi pant legs, he’s wearing $1,000 leather shoes. The only place he’s having memories of growing up living that hard-scrabble, yet fulfilling simple life is on his private jet, limo or his third, fourth or fifth summer home, while he is enjoying an afternoon cup of tea. Here is my own personal observation about the submissiveness of the world: People seem to have given away their power, their uniqueness, their confidence in their beliefs and blindly follow the media, politicians and the mainstream consensus.
I consider what passes for civilization these days to be laughable. I suppose that people as a whole can say, “we live in a civilized state,” but do we?... really?
In the Webster’s Dictionary, I found two meanings for the word civilized: 1) having an advanced or humane culture, society, etc. 2) easy to manage or control. Here I will put in writing two examples for these definitions, as I understand them…
1) I live in the Alaskan Wilderness with my man, who is my imperfect best friend. We live with our two wolves, which honor us with their presence every day. We live in a one-room cabin with a loft. We haul water, use an outhouse. Like all animals in the wild, we are part of the food chain. Like all animals who live in harmony with our Mother Earth, we respect each other’s territories. We mind to our own ways and sometimes we fight each other to survive or sometimes we simply let the other know “this is my territory… you must leave.” We all endure our struggles with the winter snows, the cold, the summer floods, the river’s rage. Some of us live through these times, some of us do not. These are the cycles of Mother Earth for the two-leggeds, the four-leggeds and our flying relatives. We risk, we struggle, we enjoy the bounties of our Mother. We survive from year to year, or not. These are the natural rhythms of life. I chose this life because it is a truly civilized society – balanced, humane, respectful of the Mother of us all. All animals have the right to be free, to live and die on their own terms, because of their ability to survive, not caged from birth to feed the lazy and the gluttonous.
There is that other definition of civilized: 2) easy to manage and control.
Watch out folks, the edible ones first… who’s second? Do people packed into apartments in overcrowded cities with just enough money or means to get by, but not enough to move themselves or their children into happy, healthy natural environments ring a bell?... Easy to control?
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How do I feel about my son being imprisoned for standing up for those without a voice, without power to fight back, those whose suffering doesn’t end until death grants them mercy?
I feel at peace and successful as a parent, because when it is time for me to make the spirit journey, I will know the Animal Nations have a truly civilized human being among them – Walter Bond.
And so it is… Mickie Coyote
Letters of support can be posted to:
Mickie Shaw PO Box 1098 Anchor Point AK 99556

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(Click Here to Donate) Write Walter support letters at:
Davis County Jail Walter Bond 2011-03339 PO Box 130 Farmington UT 84025-0130

In Defense

2011-10-13T15:00:00.000-07:00

We can not go on blindly thinking our efforts are enough and that our moral meter is balanced. As long as the capitalist machines are weighing against nature, we must counter their efforts until nature is once again balanced. We are Turtle Island and we are the God each religion turns to for forgiveness. It is in each of us to do the most in this struggle to bring nature in to the foreground of our lives and rid greed from our eyes.
On Wall Street and government establishments across the world people are standing up, not backing down, and moving the message that we are what control our lives, not capitalists, not lobbyists, not bureaucrats. This standing up for change is all encompassing. It is for the rights of all people regardless of race, gender, preference, class, or birth. This voice does not hold true to a political party or to a preference of union, but only to people.
This is to be carried further to the Animals, Air, Oceans, Land, and all beings we share our lives. We must continue the momentum left in the wake of so many arrested, so many killed for the simple freedom of nature. Many are behind us in spirit, many are with us in thoughts.
Maria do Espírito Santo, José Cláudio Ribeiro da Silva, Barry Horne...

Dogs, Goats, Cows

2011-10-12T09:10:00.001-07:00

Quito Snow

2011-10-12T05:48:00.000-07:00

Quito Woodwork

2011-10-12T05:41:00.000-07:00

October 10 NYSE takeover

2011-10-09T17:44:00.000-07:00

In support of Anonymous; who I met on my third day at occupy Wall Street. I hope the best for tomorrow's efforts and closing the stock exchange is a success. Morrissey said best, "America is not the World" and closing the New York Stock Exchange will show the world that the people of the US are fed up and government nor corporation are currently speaking for the people. We have been over run by corporate slave masters who find comfort in tax loopholes and capitalist gains off the backs of those struggling to get by in an ever rising economic market.
All the best, and may October 10 be world wide history.

US Does NOT Support Israel

2011-10-09T14:52:00.000-07:00

A recent headline states, "US supports Israeli oppression, Palestinians' # 1 enemy" - Jerusalem Post. As a former "American" and resident of the US, I would like to take a stand against this statement. I for one, with many behind me, do not support Israel. I can name many a friend, colleague, and others who do not stand for the Israel occupation of Palestine. In this group I can name many people of Jewish decent standing strong against the vacation Disneyland for Jewish adults. Oppressed people do not deserve to oppress others simply for a space in the dirt. It is absurd to think that the United Nations stands for the occupation of a peoples land in order to counter the violence that oppressed, killed, tortured, and remains in the memories of so many jewish descendants today.
To take simply because you and your ancestors were once taken from can not be justified by any means. To oppress the Palestine people and occupy their lands only makes you a follower of Hitler and less of a human being. What's the difference in killing people for occupation in the 1930's and killing people for occupation from 1947 to present? The jewish occupation of Palestine has continued much longer than Hitler's reign.

RIP Steve Jobs

2011-10-05T17:19:00.001-07:00

From age 9 when my mom bought us an Apple IIe, this man has been a part of my life.

The Whole World IS Watching

2011-10-05T06:59:00.000-07:00

As the media attempted to turn Occupy Wall Street into a sham of punks trying to live off their trust funds, the entire world saw otherwise. How does the media explain reports that only a few hundred people remained gathered at Liberty Plaza yet later 700 were arrested for shutting down The Brooklyn Bridge.
Lets see through the bull shit of capitalism and corruption and join the less fortunate on the streets. We won't buy it, not your already outdated iPhones, not your corrupt twist on the media.
I wish I were still there.

Simplify

2011-10-05T06:40:00.000-07:00

The problems at hand; animal exploitation, execution as punishment and no reform, corruption, racism, sexism, classism, greed, all problems that have one root; humanity. If we look inside ourselves and see freedom within our hearts and minds, stop fighting for the American dream dangling 3 inches from our reach; we will solve all the problems of the world. Life in a third world country has shown me that the title "third world" only exist to lower the expectations of the people here while at the same time bringing the dream of a western world for the people to want to buy and consume as westerner's yet on a third world income. Life is very simple for people living outside the knowledge of the Western Civilization. You wake, you tend to crops or gather food, you eat, you sleep, you repeat. That may sound mundane and boring to all who have lived the 9-5 and hate their position in life, but what is life really meant to be if not simple? Know one really knows what he or she wants so they put all their hope in a god, government or other entity hoping it will guide and tell them right from wrong.
In order to live simply we must see we do not need what we want. We are not our jobs, we are a greater being than can rise to help one another in order to put each being on this planet at the same level of respect. We have technology to build weapons, but not the philosophy to know not to use them.

Writing on the Wall

2011-10-05T06:39:00.001-07:00

Hope is man made

2011-10-04T18:32:00.001-07:00

Profound statements of hope come from mouths that have never starved.

Ecuador Hardcore

2011-10-02T06:25:00.000-07:00

30S

2011-10-02T06:09:00.000-07:00

30th of September is the anniversary of the attempt to overthrow President Correa.

21st of September 2011

2011-10-02T05:41:00.000-07:00

21st of September 2011

I could go on and on about how great the Vegan Art Show was, and it was certainly a great event that benefited an even greater cause. But what very few attendees of the Vegan Art Show did not concentrate on was that a man whose innocence or guilt had never been proven. This man was Troy Anthony Davis. Troy served 20 plus years in prison and on death row for a crime he never admitted to, in fact he always maintained his innocence. There was never physical evidence against Troy Davis, in fact a gun like that which investigators believe to have fired the deadly bullet was in the possession of the man blaming Troy for the crime. To add to this 7 out of the 9 witnesses that testified against Troy have recanted their statements against Troy. Troy was simply put on death row for a crime that was never solved.
During his time on death row many came to his defense. Those who spoke for a retrial cross the social and political spectrum. From former president Jimmy Carter to former FBI Chief William Sessions. Not only individuals stepped up to bring light to this issue. The European Union petitioned to investigate Troy’s case just as they have with Mumia Abu-Jamal’s case.
Troy was executed by a new injection “cocktail” that ultimately made him a test subject for the drug. This brings me back to the Vegan Art Show. If we are vegan for the liberation of animals, ending the exploitation of animals which includes the testing of drugs and chemicals on animals, then should we not also stand against the testing of a drug on a human, not to mention the killing of humans in the name of government?

Goodbye NYC

2011-09-25T04:00:00.000-07:00

Goodbye family

2011-09-24T19:19:00.001-07:00

Photos: Mark R Miller

Free Troy Davis

2011-09-20T02:23:00.000-07:00

Occupy Wall Street

2011-09-20T02:22:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Lily!

2011-09-19T03:00:00.001-07:00

This guy brings the party, Hurricane Party

2011-08-27T05:45:00.001-07:00

Jim Cantore Battery Park, NYC

Irene

2011-08-27T05:43:00.000-07:00

NYC DMZ

2011-08-27T05:41:00.001-07:00

WMFree!

2011-08-19T17:08:00.000-07:00

Today marks another end of injustice by the American legal system. 3 young men were sentenced to life for a crime they did not commit. These three young men were charged with murder based on their appearances.
With age comes the dismissal of the younger generations looks and style, but those of us who choose to stay young forever see the new look of youth as the same rebellion we committed to so many years ago. No matter your choices in appearance, style, music; you have the right to be pure and innocent and never to be judged otherwise.
Three young men are now adults, adults raised by a corrupt system of injustice. Let's open our arms and hearts to them in an effort to show them the outside is not as cold and bitter as the inside.
Justice is not justice when served late.

USCG Barque Eagle Homeward Bound

2011-08-17T17:11:00.000-07:00

Pigeon Rescues, Harley Durian Rider, Freedom Tower, Empty Buildings

2011-08-13T03:47:00.000-07:00

New Vegan Cafe coming to Philly

2011-08-12T01:53:00.000-07:00

Follow your heart

2011-08-12T01:51:00.000-07:00

Political Prisoner Rev. Joy Powell

2011-07-22T05:37:00.000-07:00

Please Write to Rev. Joy Powell
Reverend Joy Powell 07g0632
Bedford Hills Correctional Facility
P.O. Box 1000
Bedford Hills, NY 10507-2499

The recent arrest of Rev. Joy Powell and a separate arrest of Emily Good prove there is police corruption at every level in Rochester as well as throughout the world.
People are being arrested and housed for merely showing dissent towards a system of corruption. Many times police do not even see they are victims of the corruption, much less that they are a part of the corruption.
This country does not want people to reform. If reform and corrections were the true goal of the prison system, Rev. Joy Powell, Stanley Tookie Williams, and many others here or gone would be commended and not incarcerated. Stand up for one another. This is worldwide.
Spanish12.wordpress.com
Freejoypowell.org

21 Days, Pelican Bay hunger strike

2011-07-22T05:24:00.000-07:00

21 days
Imagine 21 days with no food. I no longer imagine that as I end my hunger strike of 21 days. This ends with nothing but a strong hatred towards a movement that only boosts ones ego. I can not water down the word hatred, for this has become life or death. Currently I am lying on the floor of a motel in Brooklyn. I am unable to move, I can not even roll from side to side and a gallon jug is my bathroom. I put this on myself and there is no one to blame nor do I want to blame anyone.
What I want to do is to expose the lack of concern from those who benefit from being a part of an organization that is PIMPING the starvation of prisoners in Pelican Bay and many other prisons supporting the Pelican Bay hunger strike.
These organizations are gaining support and strength thru outreach but doing little or nothing to actually help the prisoners. No one is donating to commissaries, no one is attempting to visit prisoners or make the process of visitation easier, no one is creating education for those in and out of prisons, no one is calling or spending time with prisoner's families...
I went to many demonstrations during these 21 days and met many people pimping the issue of SHU and prison conditions. Many of these people wrote for blogs and papers but never helped me walk to the train or called to check on my condition. Many showed interest in joining me on this strike but quickly went out to eat after a demonstration as I limped to the train in search for a safe place to sleep. Becoming homeless two years ago taught me no one cares. This hunger strike has taught me that not only does no one genuinely care, but they will use your struggle as a means to boost their own ego.
This is the end of public protest and demonstration for me in america.

07.19.11 Hunger Strike

2011-07-19T15:59:00.000-07:00

I've lost 15 pounds in 19 days.
This is a turning point for me. I have maintained the exact weight since 1991, also the same year I became vegan. This great loss of weight and many unusual feelings including, loss of appetite, euphoria, and so on has created many thoughts that I must stop my hunger strike in order to maintain health and carry on greater ventures. This decision has been on my mind for a few days, but I have yet to execute the idea. I feel someone must keep on this path outside the walls. I receive many negative comments which only solidify my decision to do this in the hopes of changing hearts and minds. With all the adversity before me, they pail to those in Pelican Bay and many other confinement facilities across the world.

Pelican Bay Prisoner Hunger Strike

2011-07-17T03:43:00.000-07:00

Arrested, Again!

2011-07-09T14:02:00.000-07:00

Holding Cell/Hunger Strike

2011-07-01T18:05:00.000-07:00

Last night I spent a few hours in a holding cell. I was there for crossing the street (jay walking) and going through Mayor Bloomberg's guards and other police officials and officers (disorderly conduct). This was all during a protest to stop the Mayor from contracting with the USDA to kill geese in the 5 boroughs parks and public lands.
The act of crossing the street and going through the guards was not directly to protest in favor of keeping the geese alive and free, but to prove government is slowly restricting the definition of freedom.
When the first 3 individuals for the protest arrived, we spoke with several officials of the mayor's security. They told us there was a holding pen for us around the corner, which was very small, under a tree, and no where near the Mayor's home, or even remotely close to where the Mayor could see or hear us. Keep in mind this protest was without permit which I feel to be a protest, it must be done without a permit. SO, NYPD decided to prepare for an illegal protest by supplying us with barricades and a substantial police force to "protect" us. I feel that freedom gives us the right to protest anywhere and anytime for any purpose we as individuals or as a group feel worthy. Anywhere includes the Mayor's front doorstep to the White House lawn, yes this means the other side of the fence.
The official in charge of speaking to us could not give us a legal reason why we could not be in front of the Mayor's home, and eventually gave us the excuse that it was for "security purposes". "security purposes" can be created in an instant for the police to deem anyone in that area as a criminal, regardless of what she or he is doing in that area. So I breeched security and walked right by the Mayor's home, I basically did the same thing that I was doing hours earlier, only this time more people where watching, more police were around, and barricades were in place, and the Mayor wasn't there at the time of my offense, but he was there when I did the same things earlier in the day. Explain that.

As for my hunger strike, I'm just getting thru 24 hours and feel fine. The temptations are everywhere, but I keep my mind on others who are less fortunate. Their story is more important, their lives are what matter, how we treat them with respect, and give them assistance and rehabilitation to lead better lives is what we are working for.

We are not attempting to rid this world of those who are less empathetic and compassionate, we are attempting to teach others to be empathetic and compassionate, this goes for the reform of prisoners, as well as the reform of officials calling the shots.

HUELGA DE HAMBRE

2011-06-27T17:20:00.001-07:00

HUELGA DE HAMBRE
"No ha comido una naranja en más de 7 años ... no ha abrazado o tocado a nadie,,, y no puede tomarse una foto de él para compartir con los demás ... él no puede conseguir sus necesidades básicas sin ayuda externa y luego es severa y arbitrariamente "
Esta es la declaración de un amigo de un preso Pelican Bay.
Pelican Bay es una Unidad Especial de Seguridad (SHU), donde los prisioneros se les niega o dado sólo un contacto limitado (menos de una hora al día) con cualquier otra persona, aunque a menudo con la excepción de los miembros del personal penitenciario.
Es considerado por muchos juristas como una forma de tortura psicológica, cuando el período de reclusión es más que un par de semanas o se continúa de manera indefinida.
El 1 de julio del Pelican Bay internos de D Corredor comenzará una huelga de hambre indefinida. Esta es su vida frente a un sistema de tortura.
Yo se unirán a ellos en esta huelga de hambre para llevar el mensaje a otras personas fuera del sistema penitenciario. Esto no es una huelga para defender los culpabilidad o inocencia, esto es para exigir un cambio en un sistema que encarcela a las personas y esclaviza a malas acciones en lugar de rehabilitar a las personas y eleva por los errores que puedan haber cometido.
VISITA:...
HUGOPINELL.ORG
PRISONMOVEMENT.WORDPRESS.COM
SUPPORTDANIEL.ORG
LYNNESTEWART.ORG
ONAMOVE.COM/MUMIA
EXERCISECOMPASSION.COM
Dejar de pagar impuestos
Dejar de apoyar a asesinatos y torturas

HUNGER STRIKE

2011-06-27T17:18:00.000-07:00

HUNGER STRIKE
“He has not eaten an orange in over 7 years…has not hugged or touched anyone,,, and cannot have a picture taken of him to share with others… he cannot get his basic needs met without outside help and then it is severely and arbitrarily limited”

This is the statement from a friend of a Pelican Bay inmate.

Pelican Bay is a Security Housing Unit (SHU) where prisoners are denied or given only limited contact (less than an hour a day) with any other persons, though often with the exception of members of prison staff.
It is considered by many legal scholars to be a form of psychological torture when the period of confinement is longer than a few weeks or is continued indefinitely.
On July 1st the Pelican Bay inmates of Corridor D will begin an indefinite hunger strike. This is their lives versus a system of torture.
I will be joining them on this hunger strike to bring the message to others outside of the prison system. This is not a strike to defend ones guilt or innocence, this is to demand change in a system that imprisons and enslaves people for wrong doings rather than rehabilitates and uplifts people for the wrongs they may have committed.
VISIT:
HUGOPINELL.ORG
PRISONMOVEMENT.WORDPRESS.COM
SUPPORTDANIEL.ORG
LYNNESTEWART.ORG
ONAMOVE.COM/MUMIA
EXERCISECOMPASSION.COM
STOP PAYING TAXES
STOP SUPPORTING MURDER AND TORTURE

NYPD Catch & Release Program

2011-05-15T03:52:00.000-07:00

20,000 people came to protest the corruption of the American Government, only 4 were willing to sit-in and be arrested. Even in the heated anger of protest, Americans quickly give in to the oppression of the police.
The black clad anarchists in masks were the first to run.
As for my politeness to the officer who attempted to arrest me, respect should be given to every being we live with. Yes he made a poor choice in employment, but it's education and insight we are fighting for, not the individuals who have succumbed to the lack of education and insight.

Ona MOVE

2011-05-15T03:45:00.000-07:00

Hello Congress May 12

2011-05-15T03:42:00.000-07:00

May 12 Water and Wall Street

2011-05-15T02:33:00.000-07:00

Train Wreck

2011-05-07T04:23:00.000-07:00

Tax Day 2011

2011-04-20T01:56:00.000-07:00

Happy Sunday!

2011-04-03T16:08:00.000-07:00

When there is a line around a NYC block to enter a veg food fair, no well minded vegan can complain. This is a good thing that people are interested in food without death.
As always I have to ride back to my home under the Gowanus only to find the ill minded remains of a kill market.

Rise Against Barcelona

2011-04-02T10:59:00.001-07:00

Rise Against Barcelona, a photo by gregstraightedge on Flickr.

Rise Against Madrid

2011-04-01T19:20:00.001-07:00

Rise Against Madrid, a photo by gregstraightedge on Flickr.

More nails than Jesus

2011-03-26T10:44:00.001-07:00

Eating pigeon shit from a light pole

2011-03-26T10:43:00.001-07:00

RISE AGAINST Barcelona

2011-03-26T08:54:00.003-07:00

RISE AGAINST Barcelona, a photo by gregstraightedge on Flickr.

STOPWAR

2011-03-26T08:54:00.001-07:00

STOPWAR, a photo by gregstraightedge on Flickr.

Send the Pigs back to their Cages

2011-03-26T08:53:00.000-07:00

Get A Cab!

2011-03-26T08:47:00.001-07:00

Get A Cab!, a photo by gregstraightedge on Flickr.

One Piece Chicken Box

2011-03-26T08:39:00.000-07:00

Veterans For Peace

2011-03-20T17:56:00.000-07:00

Barcelona, Spain Protest

2011-03-20T03:19:00.000-07:00

9.11.10

2011-01-30T16:02:00.000-08:00

Full Disclosure for 2010

2010-12-27T02:58:00.000-08:00

Total donations $3510

Total miles driven
67,563 at $.10 a mile $6756.30
10 new tires $1233
Timing belt/water pump $1050
Wiring harness $119
Windshield $163
Drivers window $75
20 oil changes $50 each $1000
Glow plugs $100
Tolls $3,455.75
Insurance $750
Total expeses $14,346.75

58 meals for homeless $400
4 bike locks $45

347 animals rescued and transported to sanctuaries
58 meals fed to less fortunate human beings
4 bikes and locks given to homeless people which I shared my living space with.

2 bike wheels stolen
1 camera and lense destroyed by theft
1 computer destroyed by theft
1 video camera stolen
All of my clothes stolen

Total I earned from three jobs during 2010 $19,875
Do the math, then get out, do more.

Vegan and the human factor

2010-12-27T02:35:00.000-08:00

I don't pay taxes. I won't pay taxes.
As a vegan I can not justify paying for a country to dictate my enemies and kill them. Not only do taxes pay for war, they also subsidize vivisection. So why would I choose to not eat from another beings body, not use products that test on another being, yet at the same time pay for the US Navy to use sonar that disrupts the communication of whales and leaves many dead? But the testing of and indirect killing of animals is besides the point. This country kills people. Is it not vegan to not want humans to die? Do you not see a connection between your dollars and their murder? Or is this just too extreme and risky for you?
Often vegans tell me to just pay my taxes and the IRS will leave me alone. Yet no one from the War Resiters League has told me to eat a steak.
Too many vegans are having social hour to raise money to pay for the administrative fees of some org. Meanwhile I used my personal hard earned money to rescue 347 animals, feed 58 less fortunate people and with help from
others give away 4 bikes to homeless people that I share my living space with.
Now a simple question from an old song, "what the fuck have you done? Get out, do more, with what you have.

Dear human race

2010-09-06T08:37:00.000-07:00

This is Labor Day. It is not any other holiday. Please do not spread your PC, hippness by saying, "have a nice holiday!"
Yes it is a holiday, but it is speciically Labor day and no other day.
I hopethis doesn't end up on project rant. I can only imagine which cast memeber would play me.

To be free...(AKA Give Me Back)

2010-09-05T01:10:00.000-07:00

Wheat paste. A gooey, runny mess. Most are familiar with it and it's consistency and values. Some of us may have used warm water, sans soap in a futile attempt to wash from our hands only for it to go nowhere.
Similar to another substance. A substance that can create life if it reaches it's optimum destination. We all come from this and are all born from a female who nurtures us to maturity. By all I mean all animal life, yet we differentiate. We determine human good, non-human less. Why? Are we not all gooey mess turned to life from a female and then sent on our own to survive? So no matter chicken, cow, dog, pig, ape, or human, our fate was not chosen. So why are we, the few humans, to choose fate on earth?
Just as pride of race or culture shows a lack of understanding for how and where we are born speciesism shows a missunderstanding to which species we are born. This is no divine grace or chosen method we are all life, given freely to simply be free. No payment, no deed, no burden, no sin, just freewill, born free.
I can't say I am better in any way than an animal born with an instinct to survive. So we build fast machines, structures to reach the sky, vessels to travel below the sea. Well such beings exist without external invention guiding their existance. We are not to judge based on a body and mind that ourselves can not understand.
Sure we have gone too far to simply just be and be free, but we must coexist or we will no longer exist.

New Van

2010-08-14T05:35:00.000-07:00

The demise of the Green Bus has led to a new van with greater potential.

Rambling

2010-08-14T05:33:00.001-07:00

Frank Lloyd Wright once said, “I believe in god but I spell it N-A-T-U-R-E.”
We are nature, there is nothing more to question or ponder. from that fact we only have to live, care, and exist amongst what is given to us by the earth below, the depth of the seas, and the expanse of the air.
Of course that is too easy and someone must get ahead to succeed. One day someone reacted to the size of another's anatomy and the next thing you know everyone is humiliating each other and trying to cover humiliating areas. Then someone found a shiny rock, or learned a valuable lesson. From there one wanted what the other had and before you know it the second oldest profession of greed was created. Who knows how it got so out of control without others taking a stand, but it indeed did. Now people are taking a stand a few thousand years too late. Will this new stance take hold and become a value to society, or will it just get sucked into the norm and become a “new and improved” part of politics, society, and everyday culture? I’m afraid the latter is already in motion.
Look to our music of politics and rage. It has created a new culture with its own clothing, possessions, and values. Yet outside of that music culture the message and the meaning of rebellion holds little or no value. Sure you can quit your job, steal/scavenge food, but what are you really doing? I see no fires? This is an ongoing process of uprival and all I am seeing is a downward spiral of a new lower than low class coming from an upper middle class parenthood. Hit the streets and not just for the yearly meeting of the G(insert ever growing number here). The system is not set to destroy us its set to use us. Use it the fuck back! Dumpster your food, great, but when you are done set that dumpster ablaze and roll it right through the front door of an establishment that steals from the pockets of its employees, it’s consumers, it’s environment. Quit your job, but make sure others who want to work know why you are too selfish to help them when you chose to quit a job that could sustain your life as well as the lives of others.
Sure we all take jobs we do not agree with. The .org community can’t feed us all through employment. But what you learn and do with your skills in a workforce can easily become skills and efforts towards a community that can grow and strengthen from volunteering. Volunteering does not need to be an effort through an establishment, it can be an individual effort through caring and concern for others. We all pass a person of lesser income or fortune than ourselves everyday. Sit, commune, share some time with that person. If that person only wants money and that is all she/he talks about while you share time with her/him then I will be very surprised. Most people just want a conversation, some don’t even want that but just want the show of concern and a few friendly moments of time.
Take the message of the music out of the venue and put it into full effect with every once of effort and determination in which you possess. Take the skills of a job and don’t hate that the establishment can teach you skills to make this world a better place for all. Don’t let the capitalist ideals of profit for self and self alone bring you down to the bottom of a jobless existence that only survives off the labour of the generation before you. Share from all you know with those outside of your social circle, if not then we have become what we hate by only existing amongst ourselves and not sharing our values and outlook to others. Punk/Hardcore came to me trough a flyer on a downtown Raleigh, NC street while Christmas shopping with my mom. Years later it came to me through two cassette tapes given to me by a friend I rode bikes with. These were chance encounters to become who I am today, and with out the friends and enemies that came along the way I would never have opened my eyes, my mind, and my heart to do live how I live. SO get out of your comfort zone, go it alone for a chance and never, never speak unkindly of those who differ from you in effort and opinion. Don’t be the one who perpetuates the greed and don’t let the appearance and opinions of others keep you from being their peers and expressing your opinions. The greed of knowledge, lifestyle, and existence must end through community with all people different from ourselves.
Nature gives, we must maintain, not possess.

Poly Prep Country Day School Brooklyn, NY

2010-07-10T13:48:00.000-07:00

Beagles Alive

2010-07-10T07:14:00.000-07:00

Ironically this is what I was busy doing the day I was busy doing nothing.

Why more people are not involved

2010-07-10T07:07:00.001-07:00

This is a recent conversation between myself and another animal care taker. I support his group and would love to see more people help this organization, but understandably people are not going to help when one person makes it difficult for others to feel comfortable.
Egos, money, prejudice, and too many other issues to list are the weaknesses of this movement.
I'm often asked how I feel about working with people who eat meat when it comes to dog rescues. Simple response, "how do you feel being vegan and not helping more with rescues?"

Since I know very few people read my blog I thought I would post this just to get it out of my mind.

Gregstraightedge to Empty
show details Jul 7 (3 days ago)

This is my third request to be removed from this list.
I don't own an automobile.
I don't have a drivers license.
I live in North Carolina.
Why would you send these request to anyone with just one of the above?
It's simple, just remove me from the list.
It's not like I'm asking you to pay me the money you promised me or anything as difficult as that. I'm just asking you to leave me alone.
Thanks

Greg Straight Edge

Empty Cages Collective to me
show details Jul 7 (2 days ago)

There was no recent email and you have been already removed from the list from the first time you asked on June 21. This email (sent to everyone) was completely unnecessary.

"anything as difficult as that". Greg, I know in your mind Empty Cages Collective is rolling in money and we have thousands upon thousands of dollars in the bank... but I would guarantee that our bank account is as depleted as yours. Furthermore, we are intimately involved with caring for hundreds of animals everyday.

With all due respect, get over yourself

Empty Cages Collective to me
show details Jul 7 (2 days ago)

YOU'RE AN IDIOT. The email was sent over a week ago. You already responded to it. You were already removed from the list. What is wrong with you?

PJ

Gregstraightedge to Empty
show details Jul 7 (2 days ago)

You are incorrect. My first request was 06/08/10. I'm not going to waste time with this.

Greg Straight Edge

Empty Cages Collective to me
show details Jul 7 (2 days ago)

Why not? You waste time all the time.

You were removed after the last transport request. Why send another email?

Because you're a piece of shit, have no concept of solidarity, and only care about yourself and your own feelings.

Go take out your emotional garbage on all your "friends" who are doing ANYTHING to help animals.

Empty Cages Collective to me
show details Jul 7 (2 days ago)

who are NOT doing anything to help animals.
- Show quoted text -

Gregstraightedge to Empty
show details Jul 7 (2 days ago)

Dude I just lost all respect for you, which believe it or not I did have quite a bit of respect for you.
I could easily send our resent emails to all the people you include in your emails but I actually see the good you are doing even behind your attitude and lack of integrity.
If you want to confront me on an issue then do so, but never judge me, never say I'm doing nothing.
You and Andy might as well be rowing the same boat named ego around NYC for all I care.

Greg Straight Edge

Empty Cages Collective to me
show details Jul 7 (2 days ago)

And sending out an email like you did is showing integrity? Get over yourself.
- Show quoted text -

I'm on Etsy

2010-07-07T16:23:00.000-07:00

The last transport

2010-06-27T08:28:00.000-07:00

Everyone meet Oz. Oz was originally named Dino, then Floyd and now Oz by his permanent care takers.

Oz is from a kill shelter and like 5 million dogs a year would have been euthanized due to lack of a home.

5 million is a miniscule amount considering Americans kill approximately 10,000,000,000 animals a year for taste alone. Ten billion in such a small country when 650,000,000 are killed annually in Canada and 300,000,000 livestock in the EU and 4,000,000,000 chickens in the EU.

Sadly Oz is my last transport due to the loss of both my vehicles and a severe lack of support from others.

I hope I can get back on my feet soon, and not live in an abandoned warehouse where drugs, arson, vandalism, rape, and violence are rampant. But not only for my self, but also to do more for the animals we share our lives and planet with each and every day.

What we do to and for others directly reflects on each of us. Whether it is ignoring the homeless or ignoring the fact that violence controls our lives from the food on our plate to the vehicle we drive.

A real change has to be made in each of our lives in order to connect ourselves with life.

Carry on...

2010-05-11T15:06:00.001-07:00

I haven't blogged in quite some time and honestly I don't feel I've done much worth blogging about. But some have asked me to update this thing and as much as I'd like to keep things in an uplifting mood and be diplomatic to those who are on the same team; I honestly just can't do that.
I've been trying my best to remain positive, to keep an energetic vibe as to what others are doing to make a better place for all to live. Too often I see the lack of real effort in other's actions.
I don't know how to put it into any other form other than people are simply lazy when it comes to empathy and acting on the true feelings of empathy. Some feel if there is nothing to gain through ego or social status then he or she may as well have done nothing at all.

All that being said, here is what I want for those I love.

If I could I would take you to a place that is safe. Warmth and food are a plenty. I would give you fields to run and clean air to breathe. Some say it's the thought that counts, but if that is so why are my thoughts not coming true and why are you afraid of the trap you are in? We must put our thoughts into action and not gorge ourselves with all we have and want or even what we need to accomplish our thoughts.

But honestly, are our efforts in vain when we have truly reached a time of great despair?

There is no method to return to natural order. The psychological distress we have brought on ourselves which has created torture, rape, greed, and religion can not be erased. Everything must come to an end. Our time is on the horizon.

No we must do whatever is in our means and much more so that the innocent life which we share existance with can carry on.

Polar Bear Season begins TODAY!

2009-11-01T08:28:00.001-08:00

Chicken torture during Kapparot

2009-10-14T13:58:00.000-07:00

Day Of Suffering

2009-10-01T19:20:00.000-07:00

Lamb rescue

2009-10-01T18:34:00.000-07:00

Goat rescue

2009-09-04T10:56:00.000-07:00

September Dawn

2009-08-29T07:12:00.000-07:00

At the age of 14 I would tell people of the places I had been, things I had seen, and my overall adventures. No one believed some of the stories I would tell, so I started taking photos. I'll stop telling stories with words now.

When you have never had an opportunity for something that everyone seems to covet, then no matter the situation or circumstances that surround you, you will take that opportunity.

Disasters bring us together, and no matter how many patriotic stickers we purchase, we still forget the unity that existed for the sake of others.

I was there, and if I could forget I would.

It's over

2009-08-18T22:35:00.000-07:00

This isn't easy but I have to give up on Exercise Compassion. I'm currently living in my car due to a number of circumstances that left me with only $1.13 to my name. The odds kept stacking against me and as much as I fought them the stack only multiplied. So with that being said I have to concentrate on food and shelter.
Thanks to everyone who followed and helped with this project. I have met some of the kindest hearts during this process.

Lifes hard so you gotta be COMPASSIONATE

2009-08-10T18:51:00.000-07:00

I'm broke! In just about every way. In in NC with my mom as she goes thru some tough times. I'm not even sure if I'll make it back to NYC.
Toughest thing I ever did in my life was hold my grandfather's hand as he cried "why not me" after my grandmother's funeral.
Now I'm having to prepare emergency contacts and be the deciding family member as my mom has major surgery.

Chuck 300 Scratch that 600! PART ONE

2009-08-08T04:42:00.000-07:00

A few members of the Farm Sanctuary family decided to raise awareness and money for Chuck Pappas who was recently diagnosed with brain cancer. Casey, Jenn, and Zoe decided they would walk from Arlington, Virginia where the Taking Action For Animals conference was being held to Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen where the annual Farm Sanctuary Hoe Down was being held. They only had 6 days to cover just under 300 miles. Todd Denlinger joined the group on bike and I decided to do the same.
A side note about vegans. We take care of each other, it’s a family that spreads beyond personal beliefs and goals.
I decided to drive my car to the sanctuary a week before the ride and then ride from Brooklyn, NY to Arlington, Virginia where I would meet the rest of the Chuck 300 and ride from Arlington to Watkins Glen, NY.
My first day out was a mess. I didn’t even get over the bridge into Manhattan when a driver (another word for jerk) opened his door on me and knocked me to the road. Here I am with a 50 pound bike and 150 pounds of gear laying on the ground with less than 10 miles of a 600 mile trip underway. Adrenaline got me and the bike off the ground quickly and in the face of said driver. He pretended to reach into his waist band and I said you are going to shoot me for your own mistake? He began proclaiming that I had no lights as I showed him both of my lights which are some of the brightest lights made for bikes. He says I should not have been in the road. On and on... I get ready to ride off when i notice a back has broken off the rack and another is severely ripped. I tell him we need to straighten this out and he says he did nothing wrong. I sell out and call the cops. Now growing up disliking (for lack of a stronger word) police I know that calling them is going to waste time and lead to nothing, but I have an hour until the George Washington Bridge opens to bikes so lets begin.
Over an hour later the cops arrive in their embarrassing Nissan and of course don’t even get out of the car. They tell me no crime has been committed, it’s my word against his; although he admits he hit me, and that they can’t do anything because it is a civil matter. I was so shocked that these cops knew every letter of the law as if they were experienced lawyers. Wrong, they just didn’t want to get out of the aroma of doughnuts, coffee, and new Nissan smell. Did I say they were driving a Nissan. So all thoughts on cops once again confirmed and I’m off to cross the Williamsburg bridge into Manhattan.

Manhattan goes well. I chose to leave early to not fight traffic and to arrive at George Washington Bridge just in time for it to open. I received a few stares and glares but not a soul spoke to me. Then the George Washington Bridge.

I must admit, New Jersey, you surprised me. The first bike commuters from Jersey waved, said hello, and one guy eve gave me a thumbs up and yelled, “YEAH!”.

I make it about 50 miles through New Jersey when it becomes very overcast and windy. I decide to stop for a second, adjust my maps, and prepare for the storm. I don’t even have my bike against the wall when a police officer pulls up next to me and quickly gets out of his car and starts talking to me. He claims there has been a report of “suspicious” activity on a bike in the area. I know this is bullshit and he is hoping to catch the next drifter riding through Watchung, NJ for mass murder. I quickly produce identification and began asking him questions about the area. From my questions he lowers his attitude and begins to cooperate. (I love how as an adult punk rock kid I can reverse scenarios with psychology) He still runs all my info into the computer and comes back with no APB of a tall tattooed guy with too much bear on his bike pillaging his town. I get directions from him and off I go.
On my way once again. I’m now riding through narrow roads lined by trees and fields with very little human life in sight. Things are going well, when I feel my left leg drop to the ground. I look down and my left crank arm has fallen off. With the pedal and crank clipped to my shoe I stumble to the side of the road and lean my bike against a street side. A shirtless gentleman on a carbon Ferrari Colnago rides by and ask if I need help. I ask where the nearest bike shop is and he tells me about 4 miles away. My mind thinks, 4 miles on foot equals one hour, on a bike with a broken crank, maybe 20 minutes. We begin to chat and he tells me he has ridden through France, Burma, so on but never with gear. I’m listening to his stories, but trying to fix a crank at the same time. I lean the drive side crank arm against the street sign and with a large rock begin to hammer the other crank arm on. It’s loose, but I’m rolling again and head to High Gear Cyclery in Stirling, NJ. Each pedal rotation I check the cranks, occasionally clicking my heels like Dorothy to tighten them. Eventually I arrive at High Gear Cyclery and the place appears to be one of those new corporate shops where everyone is either; A) too stuck up to help, B) too dumb to help, or C) too dumb and stuck up to care that someone is in their presence in need of assistance. Not the case at High Gear. Before I am all the way through the automated door that EVERY bike shop should have I am greeted with, “Where are you from and where are you headed?” I look to the voice behind the counter and say, “Brooklyn and headed to DC.”
I begin to explain what happened and what I need and everyone in the shop takes time to help me and look over my bike. This is now one of the friendliest shops I have ever been in. Everyone is courteous, nice and willing to help. No luck with the crank bolt, but they send me to a hardware store just 2 miles down the road and finding out that I am vegan from our conversations they mention there is a health food store next door. I’m off to the hardware store where everyone is equally as helpful and nice as High Gear. A quick call to Matt Coplon at Profile Racing and I have the correct bolt and washer to get me further down the road.
The weather stays overcast with a few very light showers making for a nice ride. It becomes dark around Levittown, NJ and I see a choice spot for sleeping. I wait for the few cars on the road to pass and I run into the woods. I set the bike down and decide to not use the tent tonight. My milage for the first day was 129.31 with a top speed of 40.1 miles per hour which I clocked at 4:44 pm at my 100 mile mark. I’m pretty happy with those numbers. I set my mat and bag on the ground and open a jar of almond butter. I enjoy a few dates and almond butter then begin to sleep. My face is all that was exposed and a few bugs began to bite so I rub some garlic on my face and all was well.

I awake just before dawn and begin packing. My short trek from the road to the woods was all down hill so I walk a few bags to the road then make a second trip for the bike. I repack the bike and off to DC once more. My second day I am not feeling sore from the first day, just motivated. I roll on with nothing but beautiful sights and sounds along my trail.
I stop for a second at Washington’s Crossing for some quick photos and off to Philadelphia where I can get some food at Whole Foods.

At 5 pm on the second day a huge downpour begins with chunks of hail and wind. I quickly turn into a residential area that is heavily wooded and wait for cars to pass and jump a ditch into the woods. The ditch I jumped asked for a toll and took my cycle computer as payment. Now I have a dead phone battery and no computer which means I have no idea what time it is. My last glance at the computer said 193 miles and I recall a top speed of 33.3 miles per hour for the day. I find cover under some trees and set up my tent. I sleep until the rain stops and begin packing. I spend a few moments looking for the lost computer but I know I am wasting time so off to ride once again. Again I have no idea what time it is, all I know is the rain has stopped so I pedal on down US 1. By the mile markers I have ridden 20 miles when police stop me and ask what I am doing. I tell them the reason for the bike ride, so on and on, then I quickly ask what time it is. they tell me it is 3:20 AM. Just hearing the time wakes me a little and I chuckle. If I’m 20 miles into my day I must have started riding around 2:00 am. I ask if they need to see my identification and in unison they disagree. On says, “of course we will sire” the other states, “no you are free to go”. I laugh and give them my Identification. They tell me to stay off US 1 and give me an alternate route.
I begin to follow their alternate route in total darkness. I realize there is no moon in sight and stars are all I can see. As I make a turn I see a police car ahead of me and it makes that ohh so typical police U-turn. I wonder what I have done now when i recognize the officers as the ones who just stopped me. This time they decide to “detain” me. Now I am off the road they told me not to be on and I am going the route they directed me, so needless to say I am upset by this “detention”. Now I’m hanging out with my two new favorite people, Officers Contradict, wondering what the hell is going on. They don’t take my identification this time, they didn't do anything but tell me to wait were I am. An hour in oxford, PA goes by and I am free to leave, for what reasons I was not free I have no idea. I’m determined to make it to DC tonight so that I can sleep some before the walk/ride begins with the others.
Day three, Saturday, my last day alone on the ride/walk. Every sight from country side to city is beautiful. I arrive in Port Deposit to find that I cannot cross any of the bridges due to bike prohibition. I check the maps and ask some locals for advice. I am advised to ride East 20 miles and get onto US 1. This is the same US 1 that Officers Contradict told me not to ride on. So 20 miles out of my way I head back and cross US 1 to see that it has a bike route sign. Great knowledge of bike routes officers.
When traveling slow, life and beauty take on new meaning. It’s excitement and freedom to the fullest extent. I arrive in Baltimore and people begin asking about my tattoos, about where I am going and where I am from. I receive all kinds of positive responses from everyone along the route. Once I am through Baltimore I begin to push forward a little harder. I can now see The Washington Monument and Dead Kennedy’s “Stars and Stripes of Corruption” begins to play in my head just as it always has when entering DC. This time the song brings back fond memories of shows at the Safari Club and all the friends I once had in this crazy city. Once through DC

Once through DC I cross the Arlington Memorial Bridge and on to the Mount Vernon foot/bike path. This Bike path is amazing. runners, bike rides, walkers, all people being active and away from cars yet right in the middle of it all. Great views of DC and all the sights nature has to offer. I’m sold on DC, but would I ever move back here......

I arrive at the Taking Action for Animals conference just as it begins to rain. Dirty and smelly I walk downstairs to the banquet and receive a room key from David who is Farm Sanctuaries New York City Advocacy Organizer. David had some great shoes to fill with Jasmin becoming the National Advocacy Organizer and he is doing a great job! I take my bike to our room and begin to organize and rest. Bryce and Mike arrive to take me to Whole Foods for some food. I quickly get back to the room and pass out.
Up early Sunday morning and ready to meet everyone for the walk/ride to begin it’s 300 miles to Watkins Glen, NY.

PHOTO: Russ Mead

The Better Life

2009-07-19T16:36:00.000-07:00

Yes the title is a song reference. Get to know the song, the band!

Ruby and Ivory were two chickens I rescued from a hoarder in Washington Heights. Washington Heights is not known for being the most friendly part of Manhattan. In fact if you want to get away from tourist in the city you can hit Washington Heights and be tourist free any time of day or night. Unfortunately for me it was night time that brought me to this neighborhood. Susie called me about a frantic woman who had two chickens and did not know what to do with them. I had plans to take another chicken to the farm the next day so I was hoping the lady with the two others would be willing to keep them for the night. No such luck.

Now I’m headed to Washington heights at 10pm on a Friday night. I’m certain to see some action in this neighborhood at that time on a Friday night. I arrive at the lady’s apartment around 11pm. She is stepping out of a mini van that is filled with kennels. I can hear one bird and one dog from the van which is driven by her friend. The lady I am to meet also has a kennel in her hand with a cat inside. We walk into her building and she leaves the cat under the stairs as we head to her third floor apartment. By the time I am on the second floor I can smell animal feces. As we step to her door I see roaches scurrying from her apartment. The walls are completely black from two feet down and the smell is horrible. She tells me to wait outside, this is a warning to me as if the smell and roaches were not enough. I think to myself, “count the cats, count the dogs”. She has trouble accessing the kennel and finally asked me to step into her apartment.

If you have seen the movie Seven picture the room with “sloth” in it now, minus the smell good trees from the ceiling.

I am now standing in a room 10 feet by 12 feet with kennels about 5 feet high lined around 3 walls. I can’t count the cats, too many, but I estimate over 30. I can count the dogs that I see (4) but I hear more in another room. Above the kennels are paint less walls covered in dirt from animals walking on top of the kennels. The floor is bare down to the slatted sub-flooring, a few scraps of newspaper lie in a few areas. Empty cat food cans lie everywhere including the inside on the kennel containing two chickens. The chickens kennel has two kennels on top with two cats each. A cat is lying on top of these two kennels and he is missing an eye, part of his ear, and his tail.

I remove the two kennels and lift the kennel with the chickens from the floor. Roaches are everywhere, on the chickens in their food, running from the kennel. I quickly take them outside and run down the stairs. I stop at the door buzzer as I leave to photograph the ladies apartment # and her name, then out side for fresh air and to get to my car. I turn the corner to see a cop and about 5 teen age kids. One kid face down on the ground. Further down the street 2 more cop cars are racing to the scene which is across the street from my car. Before the other cops arrive I hear two gunshots and the teenagers are laughing. All the while I am trying to clean the roaches from these chickens and remove all the trash in their kennel. It seems impossible to remove the roaches. They just appear from under the birds feathers like water from a faucet. I get the chickens into the car and fly down the road. I don’t think the cops are going to care too much about me speeding when they have other things to occupy their time.

I get home, take the chickens out of the car and begin to feed and water them. They are obviously relieved to not be in a den of cats and dogs not to mention roaches.

So into the house we go. A new puppy and now two chickens. I’m very afraid of what these chickens may have and could give to the puppy so they are isolated in the bathroom unlike Henry the Turkey who was able to sleep in the bedroom with us.

They appear calm and are eating well. After some reorganizing to make them comfortable we all go to sleep.

I drive to Westchester the next day to pick up another chicken, then off to Farm Sanctuary .

Now many months later I am at Farm Sanctuary to leave my car for the next two weeks so that I can ride my bike with the rest of the Walk For Chuck Team . As I approach the newly renovated turkey barn two chickens are out of the fence and approach me. I have the most difficult time photographing chickens so for them to approach me is a shock.

I quickly recognize these two as they pose for the camera repeatedly.

It’s Ruby and Ivory. My ONLY friends from Washington Heights.

So they are very happy in their new home and are waiting for everyone to meet them when visiting Farm Sanctuary

Take care of my car Susie, there’s enough vegetable oil to get to California in the trunk.

How much is too deep?

2009-07-13T02:28:00.000-07:00

How much trouble can one person get into?
I seem to be counting the days until my past, present, and future of being frustrated with the way things are going in this world catch up to me.

With that said I open another complex situation which I have been sitting on for many years.
I have nightmares, visions while wide awake of these photos, these memories, these times when unliberated, testosterone driven humans were a large part of my everyday life. These people are educated to exist for one purpose and one purpose alone, they are driven to stay angry, to kill in a single click, to fight and fight for what they think of as "Freedom, Democracy, the only way".
These people are not open to suggestion or education other than what is fed to them as correct by a system that promotes itself as the biggest, best and leader of the "free" world.
Not sure how long these photos will exist on here, they maybe removed by either myself or sources we have yet to take control of. We must experience the good and bad in life so that when we reach our community of enlightenment we can say. "I'm so glad we are all here today, I am so glad we can now share. Share our cultures, our bounty, our lives without the strife of indifference."

It's been a long night, morning and the day has just begun.

My predictions

2009-07-13T01:58:00.000-07:00

My prediction for the November 6, 2012 election is that Sarah Palin will indeed win the election.
Thankfully we have the end of the world on December 21, 2012 to look forward to.

Just a weekend

2009-07-13T00:47:00.000-07:00

Arthur of Gorilla Biscuits fame and now of PETA fame has set up shop with Katie and is protesting the Circus in Coney Island. Can anyone explain to me why it makes sense to bring an elephant around the world to show it off with unnatural acts in areas of the world where an elephant would never travel. Seems to me we have gone to far with our "dominion".

Tour de Queens! Awesome weather, great people.

Rawstar cafe recently opened in Brooklyn and it's presence will be felt with good feelings to everyone who eats there. Best food I have had in a long time. Service, atmosphere, food all tops!

Snow Bike begins!

2009-07-12T23:51:00.000-07:00

In order for Aaron to start the Snow bike frame we had to get the wheels built!

Farm Sanctuary

2009-06-15T16:25:00.000-07:00

Took the bike to Farm Sanctuary this weekend and rode to town and back twice. 40 miles of steep hills with a 50 pound bike and 80 pounds of cargo. Photos of the AMAZING stem Aaron will be posted soon!

Meet Zaac

2009-06-08T06:40:00.000-07:00

Meet Zaac! Zaac volunteers at Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary and is also planning an extended bike trip. Zaac's trip will take him through the forest of Canada where he will live by foraging and the vegan food he is taking with him.
A short walk through the woods near the sanctuary gave me a brief glimpse of Zaac's vast knowledge of plants and self sustainability. He is truly a genius who is using his knowledge for the most good!
Check out his site at Zaacbike

Not much time

2009-06-08T06:04:00.000-07:00

I haven't had much time to update this since I am working 4 jobs, riding as much as possible and volunteering even more. So here is a photo blog to let you know what I have been up to in the past months.
By the way, I've found my photos in places I would rather they not be, so unfortunately the watermarks are back. If you don't like them, please close this window and never look back!

Sometimes...

2009-06-03T15:56:00.001-07:00

Sometimes you have to side with the Christians.