Bridging the Gaps

We can build this bridge together
And let the water flow below
It doesn’t matter where the tide turns
So long as we both know
All that is behind us
No need to dredge it up
We can bail ourselves out
With our overflowin’ cups

Life has given us this gift
So let’s not turn away,
Instead, turn our faces to the sun
And live a better way

(11:43pm July 4, 2010)

It’s time to get yourself VEGUCATED!

This coming Tuesday night in the Alice McKay Room on the lower level of the Central Branch of the Vancouver Public Library, Liberation BC is sponsoring a free screening of the film Vegucated.

Vegucated takes viewers along for the journey undertaken by three dairy and meat-loving New Yorkers to swap bacon for seitan and fish for flax by going vegan.

During their six week experiment we see bachelor Brian, single mom Ellen and college student Tesla challenge their taste buds, their resolve, and ultimately their compassion.

This award-winning film is definitely one to see, whether you’re an omnivore, a vegan, or somewhere in between.

The screening starts at 7pm and admission is free, but it’s best to arrive early to avoid disappointment. (Last year when Liberation BC held a film screening for Forks Over Knives, the library had to turn people away once they reached capacity.)

Be sure to check out GetVegucated.com for more info, including how you can rent or buy the film digitally online if you can’t make the screening.

The Central Branch is located at 350 West Georgia Street in downtown Vancouver.

Sarah Kramer to close Liberation BC’s Animal Advocacy Camp

Liberation BC has announced that Lesley Fox of Fur-Bearer Defenders and self-proclaimed Vegan Superstar Sarah Kramer will both speak at the group’s upcoming Animal Advocacy Camp.

Vancouver animal rights activists from all walks of life and theories of activism are set to converge at the camp February 25 and 26, following the model of an ‘unconference’ wherein participants determine and lead the agenda and discussions.

The unconference model is a great way for participants to get the most out of a conference or series of workshops, as attendees themselves tailor the event in the direction best suited for everyone’s needs or ideal purposes.

First held in 2010, this year’s event marks the second camp produced by the animal rights group (though Liberation BC previously held a series of dialogue events along the same vein), and will be held at The Hive located at 128 W Hastings Street.

Lesley Fox is the Executive Director of the Vancouver-based Fur-Bearer Defenders, and will open the conference on Saturday, with Sarah Kramer closing on Sunday afternoon.

Sarah Kramer is best known for her ground-breaking vegan cookbooks, including “How It All Vegan” and “The Garden of Vegan” which were co-authored with Tanya Barnard, and her solo efforts “La Dolce Vegan” and “Vegan-A-Go-Go.”

Kramer opened a storefront vegan curio shop in Victoria called Sarah’s Place last July, where she and her ever-present furry sidekick Fergus can be found Tuesday through Sunday at 533 Pandora Avenue.

Sarah also recently released the Go Vegan! App for the iPhone and iPad loaded with recipes, videos, a shopping list and more, just in time for New Year’s Resolutions – so be sure to let your veg-curious or health-conscious friends, family, coworkers and acquaintances know.

Anyone interested in learning more about animal rights and issues and how best to affect change in favour of animals’ rights as sentient beings is encouraged to attend Liberation BC’s Animal Advocacy Camp.

Registration for the event is required in advance for just $15 for access both days, and is payable via PayPal.

For more information, visit AnimalAdvocacyCamp.ca.

Port

I feel the island waves
Pulling me back to that place
Where we all lived
Givin’ what we had to give
Livin’ on a Canadian dream
Takin’ life for hard as it seemed
Lookin’ back on all that now,
I can’t help but laugh out loud –
We were so young
And so quick to come undone.

Together we built a legacy
That will last as long
As the deep of the sea
There ain’t no turnin’ back
Though I wish that
We could all live and replay
Those carefree days.

(Wednesday, July 7, 2010)

The Edge

This seems a fitting poetic offering for the changing of the calendar year.

I’m sitting at the edge,
Where the sea & city meet,
I am unendingly grateful
For the life at my feet

Ain’t no cause for complaining
When the world’s so good to you.
If you stop long enough to listen,
No doubt you’ll find this true.

I hope you find health, happiness & laughter
Every way you turn,
And that the lessons in your life
Aren’t too hard to learn.

(3:03pm Friday, February 27, 2009)

Reduced to a Whisper

Alright, I’m starting to get impatient here. I haven’t been able to talk properly since New Year’s Eve, when I did a bit too much yelling over music, and combined it with alcohol and being sick (my throat was already sore beforehand).

I can only really whisper now, and even that is somewhat taxing.

I’m feeling kind of trapped inside, and I’ve got…bedroom fever, I guess (since that’s where I’ve spent the majority of the last two days, trying to while away the hours).

Even listening to music is a rough experience, as I just want to be singing along. But alas, I can’t.

I can’t help but notice that this is likely a sign or lesson from the Universe, especially because it’s the turning of a new year, and all the resolving and renewal practices that most pour themselves into (or at least commit themselves to) associated with this time of year.

Perhaps this is a lesson in patience, or to appreciate what I have (a voice) and exercise my right to use it more often (for myself and in the name of injustice), and take better care of myself. Or maybe it’s just a lesson that I should listen more and talk less. It’s probably all of those things and more.

I guess I’ve essentially been self-sentenced to a silent retreat, left mostly to my thoughts – and my keyboard.

I haven’t formulated all of my new year’s resolutions just yet (more like goals or plans), but they are forthcoming. I’m still wrapping my mind around yet another year gone already, so I might need another week or so.