…And why do we call them wild animals when man is a wolf to man?

I am pretty pleased with myself for taking action and donating to the Humane Society for the prevention of animal cruelty. I know, I know, many of you are thinking “My small donation won’t do anything to help” but the way I see it, we rationalize spending unneccessary amounts os money of material things we don’t need. Frankly, tell yourself your small donation won’t do anything is simply a lazy excuse NOT to act. I am not going to sit here, however and sound pretentious and self-righteous; Action is a cause only you should join if you are truly passionate about it. Your support employs people to rescue animals, shelter, research to investigate and find abuse and neglect, and also pays for the marketing of animal cruelty prevention. Action is power and of course, change.

We need animals more than they need us. They fulfil most of our needs, like foods, clothing and even comfort, but to hear and see them being treated so badly for no reason is savage. Baby seals are clubbed to death, and skinned while they are half-alive (a practice that is supposedly illegal, but not enforced), horses and cows are  abused for their meats, chickens, electro-shocked, pigs starved  and hurled by their ears into piles of other frighted pigs, then brutally murdered. I am not saying one should completely abandon meat, (that is of course, your choice) but have an awareness about animals.

If you do want to get involved, simply log on to www.saveanimalsnow.org and become a member, or donate whatever amount you feel necessary. A little goes a long way. Remember to support animal-free products (check on the backs on cosmetic products to know whether they items are harmless to animals), write letters to organizations ensuring equality, and be aware of the goings on of your own pet. Keep them inside, and get them tagged. Also, respect those who feel the need to stand up for their beliefs. To read this and judge me and other activists  as overly sensitive, ect. is unfair and pretentious.

Check out Earthling also, to be well-informed about animal mistreatment! Injustice is injustice no matter who or what is harmed, and therefore deserves action! Rack up some good karma for yourself, and get involved if you’d like.  Now, quotes about animal cruelty.

“No one in the world needs a mink coat but a mink.”  ~Murray Banks
“We have enslaved the rest of the animal creation, and have treated our distant cousins in fur and feathers so badly that beyond doubt, if they were able to formulate a religion, they would depict the Devil in human form. ” ~William Ralph Inge, Outspoken Essays, 1922

“Hunting is not a sport.  In a sport, both sides should know they’re in the game.”  ~Paul Rodriguez

“Animals give me more pleasure through the viewfinder of a camera than they ever did in the crosshairs of a gunsight.  And after I’ve finished “shooting,” my unharmed victims are still around for others to enjoy.  I have developed a deep respect for animals.  I consider them fellow living creatures with certain rights that should not be violated any more than those of humans.”  ~Jimmy Stewart”

“If we cut up beasts simply because they cannot prevent us and because we are backing our own side in the struggle for existence, it is only logical to cut up imbeciles, criminals, enemies, or capitalists for the same reasons.”  ~C.S. Lewis

“I ask people why they have deer heads on their walls.  They always say because it’s such a beautiful animal.  There you go.  I think my mother is attractive, but I have photographs of her.”  ~Ellen DeGeneres

     To me, there is nothing more annoying to be judged exclusively by your zodiac sign. When you are a taurus, people want to tell you how stubborn you are- and nothing more. You know what? If after meeting a taurus all you have to say is we are stubborn, CLEARLY you haven’t met one. We can be just as sexual as scorpios (who are not the only ones who are good in bed, Thank You!), are usually very attractive (Megan Fox, Channing Tatum, Penelope Cruz, Pierce Brosnan, Carmen Electra, Jessica Alba, Michelle Pfipher, George Clooney,Janet Jackson, David Beckham, Tom Welling, ect.), fun and outgoing as fire signs (who are not always extroverted, or do not act as they are portrayed in books), witty as Geminis,(Shakespeare, Machivelli,ect) and good leaders and intelligent as any one else (Malcolm X, Marx, Toussaint L’Overture,Robspierre,Lenin,Catherine the Great). Not to mention talented in the arts and music (Both Hepburns, Jack Nicholson,  Robert Johnson, Ella and Duke, Cate Blanchett, Bono, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Mr.T, Salvador Dali, Al Pacino, Cedric the Entertainer,Bing Crosby, Barbara Striesand, Fred Astare, George Lopez,ect. ) and we have a bad side (Hiter and Sadaam,- I will make your life hell if you cross me, and I won’t stop until I give you both the horns and the hooves!)  Yes, I admit there are times when I have my stubborn moments, but I would not say it is unique to tauruses. I have met stubborn Capricorns, Sadges, Leos, Aries, Librans, Pisceans, and last but not least Scorpios.

      But Shinai, all those books I read say tauruses are stubborn. Yeah, well to hell with those opinions!  They also say we are boring. I laugh whever I hear such nonsense. Don’t stereotype. That is for people who are too lazy to actually get to know people. I know I stereotyped, but I was trying to make a point, and also know that not all people or things go in 1 box.  They should first forewarn you, that in astrology, you do not only go by the sun sign- you consider other planet placemetns (like moon, venus, mars, ect) which reveals more than banal, over simplified bull poop (no pun intended) you read. I have many placements in fire and air, and many people don’t guess I’m a taurus. I know Sylvia Browne (who by the way looks like she is is the middle of being constipated and seeing a ghost in EVERY picture she takes) discusses how dull we are. No, Sylvia-please know that many tauruses I meet are fun, talkative, flirts, and like to have fun just like anyone else. If that is dull to you, please retire, now. I am proud to be a bull, and no sign is better than the other. We all have good and bad traits alike. Alot of times, if I am boring, I either don’t like you and don’t open up, I’m hungry, bored,or I’m being secretive. What I do for funis personal and I don’t care to share unless I know you well.  Also, many of us have tempers (stereotyping again), and “dull” people try to stay in control of it many times. Being calm doesn’t equal boring. Once again, a contradiction emerges.

     Just like any sign, tauruses have done alot for out world. Many greats are born under this sign, and like any other sign, should not be judged by their negative traits. Stop reading books and go actually meet people! It wouldn’t be fair to you if I told you that as an Aries, you throw child like tantrums when you don’t get your way, or as an Aquarius, you are self absorbed. (Thisis based off stuff I have read by the way.) Don’t judge a person by their sign alone. If you are astrology-obsessed, learn their birthday and time if birth and get a  comprehensive natal chart done so you canunderstand why some tauruses, cancers, aries, libras, ect. don’t act like their sign. Go here for more info on natal astrology. http://cafeastrology.com/articles/howtoobtainchart.html

I was in a unique boutique called Heliotrope looking at the dainty ornaments and uniquely humorous but cute coasters (i.e. “All I want for Xmas is to look like I do yoga” one of their more PG ones) when suddenly I heard what sounded like a classic jazz song with strong electronica influences. I went to investigate and surely enough, it was a Verve remix compilation. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Verve remixed, it is music thats samples classic jazz music, from Duke Ellington and Blossom Dearie, to Willie Bobo and Astrud Gilberto. The result is a smooth, and eclectic modern twist on a delicate old tune. So anyway, the song I was then enamored with was “The Christmas Song” by Mr. Mel Torme. I couldn’t gt the silken and catchy tune out of my head, and decided I needed to have this Cd, now. I researched Verve’s Christmas track list on Amazon, and thmore I heard, the more I drooled.. Wow, Ella Fitzgerald’s honey like voice gripping to trip-hop beats? Amazing..(And to think, I once hated the cheesy sound of predictable Christmas music, that uses the same cheesy sound effects to create a sense of naturalism.)

Verve has also compiled other, non holiday CD’s. I should’ve expected greatness, because I  do own their previous remixes! Here are the links to the page.On a scale from 1 to 5, I give it a 6 out of 5! Thank me later! 

 http://www.amazon.com/Verve-Remixed-Christmas-Various/dp/B001EOQTRY (<–Verve)

http://www.amazon.com/Merry-Mixmas-Various-Artists/dp/B000B66PR0/ref=pd_sim_m_5 (<–Merry Mixmas)

http://www.amazon.com/Six-Degrees-Collection-Christmas-Re-Grooved/dp/B0000DC3TL/ref=pd_sim_m_5 (<– Six Degrees)

   Considering the location had taken place in South Africa, a connection between the country’s history of the apartheid in was boldly made. I thought about The black South Africans versus the White South Africans and their feats with space/territory,shanty towns, and even imagined perceptions of being “alien” and even scavengers that could have been made by SOME fellow countrymen.  Since the black Africans were pushed into concentration camps where they can be amongst their own, yet given poor resources by the government, it is almost a wonder whether or not that topic was a source for the themes in the movie. The strong socio-econmic underlings seemed to be based on reality based relationships experienced between the immigrant and the so called native of a specific land (Specifically back in earlier American history-not so much now). For example- the immigrant emerges with their unique language and moray-the native does not always understand this, and may see them as non patriotic to their country especially if they are not immediately blending in.

     Let’s say for example, these peoples are not widely accepted as citizens-then they are distrusted and or misunderstood. In other situations maybe they are given resources, but maybe not enough. They are encouraged whether consciously or unconsciously to assimilate while retaining their traditions, so they move to an area with their own are thriving. Now,this doesn’t always occur, but let’s say the live in a “ghetto” (the older definition- not the modern definition), where there are limited resources t high crime-they strike out, and increased polarization emerges. They are branded and untrustworthy,given stereotypes and maybe even treated unfairly. These such as these occur often in some social forms. I hope this makes sense, and please note that I referred to SOME social structures, not ALL. Also, themes of disenchantment faces by immigrants realistically emerge-missing home, while in some cases, the fellow natives want you to go away (if the relationship is fueled by distrust and misunderstanding).

     The movie was good, and I smell a sequel. There are many unanswered questions. does he ever revert to human form? Where is he? Does his green, smart “alien” friend ever make it back? Is he honest? What’s district 10 look like, and is it pretty? Of course, the movie could have been left alone. It was good. Very social and economical. Sadly, the Nigerians were shown in a very limited scope. I truly hope people have the intelligence to be strongly aware that stereotypes were very prominent in the film. As obvious as it seems, many people will see a stereotype and try to use it as rationalization for their ignorant beliefs. One question though: Inter-species sex? How? Jeeze. I know it would be a prostitute’s job, but they are not attractive at all. Tentacles everywhere! Ewww. That thought stuck with me for a few extra moments. Not that I wanted it to, but that idea is gross.  Great graphics, action and emotional input. i was glad when the guy in the wheel chair was blown up! Sorry, but it was cool! Also, the mean dude who was ripped to shreds-YES! About TIME! I think overall, it’s a great film, with many angles of realism.