Life in Every Word

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Earthlings

Normally speaking, I don't go out of my way to recommend a movie to you all. In fact, I have never mentioned a movie on this blog, although I watch quite a few. Regardless, today I'm stepping out a bit (and possibly stepping on a few toes) by suggesting that you stop reading this right now and watch Earthlings.

It's a documentary released in 2005 about the treatment and use of animals in modern society narrated entirely by Joaquin Phoenix. It has somewhat of an 'agenda' if that's what you want to pin it as, but I must say that you could easily watch the entire film on mute and it would still get the message across. Of course, I don't recommend muting it, as you would miss out on some astounding statistics. Be forewarned, it's filled with horrifying images of slaughterhouse conditions and procedures, animal shelters, fur and leather production facilities and the like.

I watched the first 20 minutes or so last weekend in Berlin and was happy to not watch the whole film in one sitting, as it is quite intense if you have any empathy for other living beings on this planet. It left me with a headache to say the least.

With all of that said, why would you even take the time to watch this documentary that may terrify you and leave you with a headache? Well, my argument lies in informing yourself and at least taking responsibility for the established system that we are all supporting by our everyday decisions. Furthermore, there is something about this film that gives animals a voice so to say, which is a challenging task. It's well made and required a lot of dirty work in the process. With that said, curiousity alone is probably the best argument for attracting viewers.

Earthlings doesn't suggest a solution, which I think works in it's favor. It's simplicity gives it more of an impact and leaves it up to the viewer to contemplate the next step.

You can easily find the full length version online for free. Watch the trailer here. (thanks youtube)

***Other documentaries worth watching: Zeitgeist: Moving Forward, Inside Job, Food, Inc., King Corn, The Business of Being Born and The Cove

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Harvest

This blog has been on a bit of a hiatus, but that will soon change my friends or at least that is the plan. These past few Summer months could be described with a wide variety of adjectives or nothing at all, take your pick. Have I managed to confuse you already? Good, because that is about where I was in May: dazed and confused. This seems to be a state I visit often, but we've all been there. Then there was June: the paper trail month. Between applying to a different school, applying for a visa to India and filing a visa petition for Thomas, I spent more time than I would like to recall filling out forms. That's not to mention the time that Thomas and I spent decoding forms like the G-325 and I-129F. July went by quite fast, probably because Thomas was here for the majority of it. Mix all of that up with yoga, working, some quality time with good friends, and planning a KC wedding reception and it sums up May to now.

The past few months haven't been all that exciting, but completely necessary for what I have going on the rest of the year. I've been preparing for my own little life harvest, so to say. I guess you already know by now, but since I usually keep things to myself until the last possible moment (there is a reason why I do this by the way), I will let you in on it now. A week from today, I will be Transatlantic, making my way to Germany where I will take it easy for about a month before heading further East, to India. I'll be in India a little more than six weeks for a Yoga Teacher Training course in Rishikesh (it's in the North towards China and Nepal). Then it's back to Kansas to pack up the necessities and move to Whittier, California (near LA) to study Acupuncture, Oriental Medicine and all things energetic. Gasp "it's so expensive there!" There I said it for you, thanks for your genuine concern. Seriously, I try to be all zen when someone says this to me, but I'm usually ranting on the inside. People who know me and care about my life don't have this reaction, fyi.

Oh, and among other changes, don't forget that I'll be getting married whenever immigration services say Thomas is legit to live here. That will most likely happen sometime early next year.

So, you could say I have some exciting things coming my way, but for now it all still seems far far away. I'm just taking it as it comes...

"The universe is change, life is understanding." ~Marcus Aurelius