And Now I'm An Activist (or something)

Ok, for a little bit of history on this post please click here for the original article to which I refer, and here to the poem and posts that so enraged me today that I had to write the following letter on a blog for the author's column.

Here it goes:

"I hear your complaint. I hate those animal rights people out there! I mean, come on, standing up for something they believe in is SO last year. If they would just drop it and just write posts on online blogs like the rest of us, the world would surely be a better place.

"You're absolutely right. We shouldn't stoop to helping animals when there are so many people out there who need our help. In fact, if everyone who wrote in about news-paper articles went out there and DID something about the homeless, DID something about abused kids, DID something about the cost of healthcare, we probably wouldn't have those things to worry about at all!

"But, come to think of it, in a society that is rampant with apathy and selfishness, is it really fair to criticize those who would do something about their passion and the wrong they see? Is there any guarantee that those writing to help homeless animals in fact aren't the same one serving soup in a homless shelter? What about those who simply want to make wrongs right regardless of who is being hurt?

"Yes, there are problems in this world that desparately need fixing. There are so many that my heart is heavy just writing about it. There are thousands and thousands of people in jail as a result of no parental or societal support, lack of education and proper access to mental health care. There are people who are on death row who had no legal representation. There are children being shuffled from foster home to foster home because of a system that is poorly funded and under-staffed. These things deserve our attention.

"But animals who are abused or neglected do, too.

"Did you know that often when investigating animal abuse, domestic violence is often found as well? Bringing evidence of animal abuse is actually helping to fairly and harshly punish those who abuse their families emotionally, physically and sexually.

"Did you know that activism doesn't have to be contained in one area?

"I'm in law school. I volunteer for the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts in my state, and will soon volunteer for the Rape Crisis Line. I donate money to the Nature Conservancy and am politically active in issues regarding LGBT rights and women's reproductive rights. I plan to practice law in a public interest field in 2.5 years when I graduate, and hope to do a great deal of work pro bono.

"I also am a Hedgehog Welfare Society member, fundraiser and rescuer.

"Tell me, does that make me a bleeding-heart, human-hating animal lover?

"Think about it. I think you'll find that we humans have the capacity to love and help in many ways at once, if we would only get off our butts and do something about the problems we see.

~Kristen

"P.S. If you think raising money for animals is bad, think about the money spent on reality tv, on gadgets and gizmos, on plastic surgery and overall on selfishly extravigant lifestyles. We're talking billions. Yes, more money should go towards helping fix problems in our society. Helping animals is just one area that deserves our attention. It's your money, use it how you think it will help best, but don't criticize other people's efforts to make a difference."

Talking with Animals

Have y'all seen the "Pet Psychic?" The lady on show is able to talk to the animals and help their owners understand them better. Cool enough, but is it real? Can you really talk with animals?

Well, I've been trying to talk with my Sophie lately. She's such a complicated animal, you know; I'd like to know if there is anything I can do to make her happier, and if she likes me. I have to report, I think I'm making a breakthrough! Everytime I sit quietly with my hedgehog and clear my thoughts, I get the sense that I'm tired! Just like Sophie! She's tired all the time! It's a sign!

I made puppy/people chow to use for Christmas Presents for friends, and wouldn't you know, it didn't turn out quit right. There are some pieces that are good and chocolate-y, but some are just powdered-sugar-covered chex. People will still eat it, right?

Man, my connection with Sophie must be so strong, because I'm just really tired! Maybe I'll give in and take a nap. This animal communication thing is hard work!

~Kristen

A CURE for allergies??

How cool is science?!? This morning I read an article in the newspaper about how they are working on a vaccination that will work to cure asthma and allergies! I guess it works on the immune system and keeps it from freaking out about stupid and harmless things like bunny fur and blades of grass.

Science is really cool, isn't it? Maybe by the time they come out with those allergin-free cats I won't have allergies anyway!

For now, I'll just work on controlling these stupid migraines. grumblegrumblegrumble...

~Kristen

Finals frustrate me. It's not that they're SOOOO horrible, like some people would like you to think. I have four exams. They will last a total of 14 hours and account for 100% of my grades in 3 classes. Yes, in the short term, they are very stressful things. But really, come on. We'll be all done by Christmas. No one will die. No one's career will be made or broken. Most of us will pass. Besides, we get a month off afterwards to recover. Exams are WAY easier than a bar exam, and studying for these tests is probably less pressure than working for a big firm. And what do we have to complain about? We're part of an elite group of people accepted into law school who will graduate and probably get some of the best-paying jobs out there. Oooo, it's soooo hard to be us.

That said, I still don't like studying. It's annoying. I think the most annoying part is how stressed my classmates get. I like to study in groups, but man, with everyone saying "oh my gosh, I'm sooo gonna fail!" I just feel like, well, yeah, refer to the title of this entry.

Exams are just too small a part of life to get upset about. There are just too many things that matter so much more.

I had written a nice blog last night about a wedding I attended this weekend, but the internets ate it. Damn internets. (anyone watch the presidential debates? anyone?)

Cheers!
Kristen

Bugs are Cool

I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but I have this hedgehog named Sophie. ;) Well, her favorite food is bugs. Specifically, she likes can-o-pillars and mealworms.

Mealworms are creepy little bugs, kinda wiggly and squigly and apparently very slurpable. Unlike the can-o-pillars, which are nicely canned in their own juices and VERY dead, mealworms are best served live from the container. I feed these to Sophie by hand. Yes, I hold live mealworms with my bare hands in order to get my pet to like me better.

So, last night I went out and had a couple (2) drinks with my friend Erica (who is attractive and intelligent and single, by the way) while listening to her friend Tani play a really neat-o instrument at Cafe Montmartre (sp?). Upon returning home, I found myself fascinated by the little squiggly mealworms I was feeding Sophie as a snack. Several were in the pupating stage, and there were even some full-grown beetles!!! Yeah, mealworms turn into beetles. I fed those to her quick before they could escape and form a colony in my bedroom.

Well, I was thinking about the little buggers, and I thought, hey, I should feed these things. They come in pre-packed little plastic containers with sawdust in them. I don't know if they eat that stuff or what, but usually I just leave them sitting around until Sophie eats them all up. Last night, however, I decided to give them oatmeal. They seemed to like that, since they wiggled around and maybe munched a bit. Then I thought, what better to go with oatmeal but a water-soaked paper towel! So, I added some little bits of water-soaked paper towel. Those little critters were thirsty as a frat boy on a Sunday morning! When I checked on them earlier, they were all frolicking about the moisture. How neat!

And then I realized I am inches away from raising my own mealworms. I'm crossing the line into being a total slave for my pet.

At the same time, this is the most worthwhile relationship I've had in my short life. That's not saying much, seeing as the object of my affection has spikes and eats bugs. That's not SUCH a high standard for guys to live up to, is it??

Today in Brief

Today's Theme Songs:
"See You When You're Forty" by Dido
"Son Of A Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)" Janet Jackson & Carly Simon

Coffee Tonight At:
In The Company Of Thieves

Accomplished:
Nothing academic
2 Miles at the S.E.R.F
Dinner w/ Family, Coffee w/ Ben

Happy Birthday:
Dad is 50!! Happy Birthday Dad!

Mood:
energetic Enthusiastic or Bitter :)

Today I Realized:
I'm soooo ready to be done with classes for a month!