February Fun!
I did manage to have some fun in February … to wit:
I spent one afternoon at my Mom’s house — clearing an area of weeds and vines, laying down a supposedly-weed/grass-stopping fabric, and then topping it with pretty stones (gravel) I’d bought for her as one of her Christmas presents. It wasn’t really hard work, and it was actually fun. I find it really gratifying to work on a project and complete it and I especially enjoy improving home and yard … even though in this case, it was my Mum’s. Wish I’d taken a picture of the before … but at least here’s one of the after.
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BIZ(y) People to Watch
BIZ 941 Magazine is “looking for the 25 rising stars and prime movers in the local business world. They can be newcomers of note, young talents and established powers who are tacking new and exciting initiatives. We want you to nominate the Sarasota and Manatee businesspeople—including you—who are making their mark on the region. Our 25 People to Watch will be the centerpiece of our July issue and will be honored at a special Biz941 event. Deadline to submit the online ballot is April 19, 2010.”
Nominate your fave biz(y) person “to watch” online at http://www.biz941.com/Misc/People-To-Watch-Nomination.asp. (and no, I’m not talking ’bout me — I’m bizarre(y), not biz(y)! 😉
Cat on a cold hard ground
I appreciate the emails and blog comments wondering about the little kitty I found. Unfortunately, I don’t have great news yet. He’s still outside; I’m still feeding him and have put a blanket and basket out for him tonight. He’s very sweet and eats a TON of cat chow. I’ve given him water also. But, he won’t let me catch him. I wanted to take him to the Cat Depot (a no kill facility) where at least I knew he’d be safe and cared for … but I can’t catch the bugger. I tried and was nearly bitten for my efforts.
Nobody I’ve contacted seems to want him. Not sure what to do next … . It’s also creating a bit of havoc inside because my three cats know he’s out there and are a bit on edge and watch him through the windows and sniff at the door, etc.
I’m enough of a crazy cat woman with three.
Hometown Democracy … where do you stand?
My head is kind of bobbing around like one of those little bobbling dolls that people put on their car dashboards sometimes. I’m all in a dither (or is a dather) trying to figure out how to vote on the Hometown Democracy Amendment, which will be on Floridians’ ballots later this year. To wit:
The Amendment would establish “that before a local government may adopt a new comprehensive land use plan, or a mend a comprehensive land use plan, the proposed plan or amendment shall be subject to vote of hte electors of the local government by referendum, following preparing by the local planning agency, consideration by the governing body and notice.”
Maybe I’m missing something … but I can’t see how this could be a bad thing — isn’t that what democracy is all about? (more…)
Homeless in our hometown
It’s not only cats who need a good home in this town … From the WSLR website:
WSLR 96.5 low-power FM, Sarasota’s non-profit community radio station, will be among the many public radio stations nationwide participating in the 13th Annual Homelessness Marathon. Featuring 14 hours of consecutive programming about homelessness and the homeless, the 2010 Homeless Marathon national broadcast will originate from Detroit, Michigan beginning Tuesday, February 23rd at 7 p.m. and continuing until 9 a.m. Wednesday, February 24. Listen live at: http://wslr.org/listen-live/
Preempting the national broadcast, WSLR 96.5 FM will feature five hours of local programming addressing homelessness in the Sarasota-Bradenton area. Produced by WSLR and airing from 6 to 10 p.m. Tuesday Feb. 23, and again from 7 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, the WSLR programming will include interviews with Sarasota’s homeless residents; interviews with representatives from local agencies that assist the homeless in Sarasota and Bradenton; interviews with representatives of the downtown business community; interviews with representatives of the City of Sarasota and musical interludes reflecting the plight of the homeless.
For more information: www.homelessnessmarathon.org.
Apocalypse now?
Have you read The Road? — Cormac McCarthy’s unblinking view of a not-so-brave, post-apocalyptic United States? If you haven’t read it … or couldn’t read it (for reasons you’d know if you even tried to read it) … you can always see the film of the same name. Or maybe you’ve heard of The Book of Eli with Denzel Washington?
Even documentaries like Food Inc., are like big neon flashing posters of what our world is coming to and who’s going to come out on top and who’s going to be down in the gutter along with the pig entrails and chicken beaks … if we don’t change our ways about how we seed, grow, feed, and consume the stuff that keeps us alive.
And, have you seen those television shows — the ones like Jericho or even, to a lesser extent, Flash Forward and Lost, and even The Good Wife (with its entire raison d’etre based around the initial story of a political figure going down for the count because he was caught nearly in flagrante with a hooker … um, and the “good wife” who, so far, at least, is standing by her man) … doesn’t the world seem awfully pessimistic about the future of our collective, and individual, humanity? (more…)
Tiger Tamed
I just watched Tiger’s press/public statement. Whatever his truth — whatever his past or future — he seemed very genuine, straight, humble(d), and believable. Guess we’ll see.
My biggest interest was when he spoke about his upbringing as a Buddhist. That didn’t surprise me in terms of how focused he’s been on the golf course, but of course, it’s hard to see any traces of his study of Buddhism in his behavior toward women, sexuality, and marriage.
I’ve studied Buddhism and been attracted to its tenets for a long time. I’ve always felt very strongly about its philosophy that it is our craving that is our undoing — whatever it is that we crave. I do try to create a life — day to day — where I have no attachment that would result in a desire to control outcomes or people.
Buddha at the door
It’s extremely hard to do and I’m equally successful and unsuccessful, and accordingly, I try to have no attachment to that success or failure either. If you’re interested, pick up a copy of The Teachings of the Compassionate Buddha. I’m somewhere along the Eightfold Path — but where exactly, I can’t say.
I’ve been harsh about Tiger … and right now, all I’m feeling is compassion. So, if his talk did nothing else than that — I think that’s worth it.
As long as that wasn’t his goal … 
Rally TODAY for Health Care Reform
Host: Sarasota County Democratic Party
Date: Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Time: 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Location: Corner of Bahia Vista and Rte 41, Sarasota
Join this rally to sign-wave for real health care reform during rush hour at one of the most visible locations in Sarasota. Parking available in the Midtown Plaza by Starbucks.