Too much

So, I've written several times about the health benefits of vegetarianism and how those factors have influenced my decision to stop eating meat. What I haven't talked about is the role of animal welfare in that decision.

However, since reading The Omnivore's Dilemma, I've thought about that more and more. Specifically, I read about a practice involving the industrial farming of pigs that embodies why I do not eat meat.

"Simply put, there are no pigtails in industrial hog production. Farmers "dock," or snip off, the tails at birth, a practice that makes a certain twisted sense if you follow the logic of industrial efficiency on a hog farm. Piglets in these CAFOs are weaned from their mothers ten days after birth (compared with thirteen weeks in nature) because they gain weight faster on their drug-fortified feed than on sow's milk. But this premature weaning leaves the pigs with a lifelong craving to suck and chew, a need they gratify in confinement by biting the tail of the animal in front of them. A normal pig would fight off his molester, but a demoralized pig has stopped caring. "Learned helplessness" is the psychological term, and it's not uncommon in CAFOs, where tens of thousands of hogs spend their entire lives ignorant of earth or straw or sunshine, crowded together beneath a metal roof standing on metal slats suspended over a septic tank. It's not surprising that an animal as intelligent as a pig would et depressed under these circumstances, and a depressed pig will allow his tail to be chewed on to the point of infection. Since treating sick pigs is not economically efficient, these underperforming production units are typically clubbed to death on the spot.

Tail docking is the USDA's recommended solution to the porcine "vice" of tail chewing. Using a pair of pliers and no anesthetic, most-but not quite all-of the tail is snipped off. Why leave the little stump? Because the whole point of the exercise is not to remove the object of tail biting so much as to render it even more sensitive. Now a bite to the tail is so painful that even the most demoralized pig will struggle to resist it."

I feel, on some level, it is disturbing/wrong/unhealthy to consume something that went through that much suffering to get to your plate.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not joining PETA anytime soon. I specifically used the term animal welfare and not animal rights above because I do not really believe animals have an inherent "right" to be treated humanely. I do think it is our responsibility to treat them humanely the second we decide to remove them from the wild and take them under our care - for pets, for food, for labor, for entertainment, whatever.

In addition, I do not believe it is inherently unethical to eat meat. However, Pollan makes a point of stating that someone who eats meat should at least once take some direct responsibility for the killing of the animal. And I know that I am unwilling to do that. I know I could never kill a cow, pig, or even a chicken. Therefore, I do not feel like it would be responsible to eat the meat itself.

Surprise

I read this recently in Atlantic Monthly:
A Spanish researcher found that our preference for engaging in activities earlier or later in the day shapes both our perceptions and our interactions. ... Early risers prefer to gather knowledge from concrete information. They reach conclusions through logic and analysis. Night owls are more imaginative and open to unconventional ideas, preferring the unknown and favoring intuitive leaps on their way to reaching conclusions. Social behavior diverges as well: Morning people are more likely to be self-controlled and exhibit “upstanding” conduct; they respect authority, are more formal, and take greater pains to make a good impression. (Earlier research also suggests that they are less likely to hold radical political opinions.) Evening people, by contrast, are “independent” and “nonconforming,” and more reluctant to listen to authority—which suggests that teachers may have several reasons to prefer those students who wake up in time for class.

Ummmm...Nicholas gets up early. I stay up late. Act surprised. ;)

dooce

Here is why I read dooce, Heather Armstrong's blog. Despite the fact that I disagree with just about every parenting decision she makes, she is freaking hilarious and a damn fine writer.

Weekend Projects

Nicholas and I have been on a bit of a creative streak in the New Year. Last weekend, Nicholas made creme brulée for the first time. He gave me the dishes and torch for Christmas with the promise he would learn to make it. I have to say his first attempt was pretty successful. The creme brulée itself was delicious. He put a bit too much sugar to torch the first time. It was less cracking the top then shattering. However, we ate the other two the next day and he did a much better torching job.





This weekend I made a terrarium. Daily Candy sent out instructions and I'd been wanting to put some type of plant at my desk at work. I got most everything I needed at our local nurseries, along with another plant and a new container for my one houseplant. I've had this plant since we got married four years ago and it has undergone it's fair share of abuse. Needless to say, it was due for some repotting. Anyway, I got everything I needed but a container. However, I found the perfect one at Target. My new terrarium features a rex begonia and baby tears.

Rita Braver

We watch CBS Sunday Morning every week. We're a big fan of the show because they always cover fascinating and varied topics in a very balanced and objective way. I always describe it as NPR for your television.

However, there is one minor exception to this standard of excellence and her name is Rita Braver, one of the journalists on the show. I find her slightly annoying but Nicholas actively hates her. His main complaint being that she asks stupid obvious questions.

This week as the host Charles Osgood was introducing her latest report on an exhibition of art from Napoleon's rule. I told Nicholas, "It's your favorite person - Rita Braver."

He then launches into a his mocking Rita Braver impression, "Was Napoleon really short? Was he a tall guy?"

Then, I'm not kidding you, they cut to the piece and the first words out of her mouth.

"What's the deal on Napoleon's height? Was he a short guy like everyone is always saying?"

So, yeah, I guess the criticism is well-founded.

Hillary Clinton

I really haven't taken space in this blog to explain in detail why I support Hillary Clinton. Actually, I don't really think support is accurate - passionate following into the fires of hell probably is closer.

So, now on the evening of her New Hampshire VICTORY!, let me explain.

1. I believe Hillary Clinton is the best candidate. I worked for Hillary Clinton for almost a year. I spent time with her. I looked her in the eye and listened to her speak. And there was not one single second, not one single flash of anger or ego or anything that ever made me doubt my support for her. In fact, every interaction I had with her only made me love her more. When people say they hate Hillary Clinton, my first response is always, "Have you met her?" Because I have, and Hillary Clinton is amazing. She is insanely intelligent. She is disciplined and pragmatic and capable. She is warm and funny. In her heart of hearts, Hillary Clinton wants nothing more than to help America and she believes she's the person for the job. I couldn't agree with her more.

2. I believe Hillary Clinton can beat the Republicans. Sit for a second, rack your brain, and try to come up with someone who has been more vehemently attacked by the opposing party and come out stronger. She knows how to meet them on the battlefield and end the battle standing. Now, I know some say that the result of these years of attacks is high negatives that could damage her candidacy. Here's how I feel about that: what matters in election is new information. There is nothing negative you can say about Hillary Clinton that hasn't been heard before. Nothing. There's a reason the two big biographies about her barely sold 700,000 copies between them. People don't care. However, there is a lot of positive things you can say about Hillary that people haven't heard. She is persuading people everyday, by looking them in the eye and being honest about who she is and what she believes. And it's working.

3. I believe Hillary Clinton will be an amazing president. Now I'm going to do something you probably won't expect...I'm going to quote George Bush. "Being President is hard." Seriously, I think it is so hard you cannot possibly understand the task until you see it first hand. Hillary Clinton has. She would have no learning curve. She would not have to learn how to work with Congress, while maintaining her priorities. She would not have to learn how to allow the media lead way without letting them takeover. She would not have to even figure out how to get around the West Wing. She's been there. She knows what works. She knows what doesn't. She's ready to start tomorrow.

4. I want a female president. I saved this one until last because it is the most controversial. I think a female president would be transformative for our country. Now, let me be clear, I don't think females are automatically superior politicians or better on women's issues. However, what I do know is that Sandra Day O'Connor was appointed to the Supreme Court the year I was born; therefore, in my mind, the Supreme Court has never been an all male body. It has never been foreclosed to me or women in general. That is important and it is affecting. And, as a woman who wants to run for office one day, being able to say the same about the highest office in the land is something I value above all else.

UPDATE: I wanted to respond something my father-in-law mentioned in the comments section of this post. He stated that one of Hillary's problems is she doesn't come off as a "natural" politician. There is definitely truth to that. While I've seen her flip a switch and become suddenly energized by a crowd, I wouldn't say she is the most charismatic candidate in Democratic Party history. However, I remember a long time ago, when I first became interested in politics, having a real "a ha" moment about charismatic politicians and the kind of presidents they make. Unfortunately, I think the type of personality it takes to be an amazing politician is not always the type of personality it takes to be an amazing president - in fact, sometimes they are diametrically opposed. The list runs long of politicians who were great on the campaign trial but a disappointment once they go to the Oval Office. So, what I'm saying is the parts of her personality that can make her seem stiff or less than passionate on the stump (her incredible discipline, her often mentioned pragmatism) are exactly the things that will make her a fantastic president.

Women Are Never Front-Runners

By GLORIA STEINEM
Published: January 8, 2008

THE woman in question became a lawyer after some years as a community organizer, married a corporate lawyer and is the mother of two little girls, ages 9 and 6. Herself the daughter of a white American mother and a black African father — in this race-conscious country, she is considered black — she served as a state legislator for eight years, and became an inspirational voice for national unity.

Be honest: Do you think this is the biography of someone who could be elected to the United States Senate? After less than one term there, do you believe she could be a viable candidate to head the most powerful nation on earth?

If you answered no to either question, you’re not alone. Gender is probably the most restricting force in American life, whether the question is who must be in the kitchen or who could be in the White House. This country is way down the list of countries electing women and, according to one study, it polarizes gender roles more than the average democracy.

That’s why the Iowa primary was following our historical pattern of making change. Black men were given the vote a half-century before women of any race were allowed to mark a ballot, and generally have ascended to positions of power, from the military to the boardroom, before any women (with the possible exception of obedient family members in the latter).

If the lawyer described above had been just as charismatic but named, say, Achola Obama instead of Barack Obama, her goose would have been cooked long ago. Indeed, neither she nor Hillary Clinton could have used Mr. Obama’s public style — or Bill Clinton’s either — without being considered too emotional by Washington pundits.

So why is the sex barrier not taken as seriously as the racial one? The reasons are as pervasive as the air we breathe: because sexism is still confused with nature as racism once was; because anything that affects males is seen as more serious than anything that affects “only” the female half of the human race; because children are still raised mostly by women (to put it mildly) so men especially tend to feel they are regressing to childhood when dealing with a powerful woman; because racism stereotyped black men as more “masculine” for so long that some white men find their presence to be masculinity-affirming (as long as there aren’t too many of them); and because there is still no “right” way to be a woman in public power without being considered a you-know-what.

I’m not advocating a competition for who has it toughest. The caste systems of sex and race are interdependent and can only be uprooted together. That’s why Senators Clinton and Obama have to be careful not to let a healthy debate turn into the kind of hostility that the news media love. Both will need a coalition of outsiders to win a general election. The abolition and suffrage movements progressed when united and were damaged by division; we should remember that.

I’m supporting Senator Clinton because like Senator Obama she has community organizing experience, but she also has more years in the Senate, an unprecedented eight years of on-the-job training in the White House, no masculinity to prove, the potential to tap a huge reservoir of this country’s talent by her example, and now even the courage to break the no-tears rule. I’m not opposing Mr. Obama; if he’s the nominee, I’ll volunteer. Indeed, if you look at votes during their two-year overlap in the Senate, they were the same more than 90 percent of the time. Besides, to clean up the mess left by President Bush, we may need two terms of President Clinton and two of President Obama.

But what worries me is that he is seen as unifying by his race while she is seen as divisive by her sex.

What worries me is that she is accused of “playing the gender card” when citing the old boys’ club, while he is seen as unifying by citing civil rights confrontations.

What worries me is that male Iowa voters were seen as gender-free when supporting their own, while female voters were seen as biased if they did and disloyal if they didn’t.

What worries me is that reporters ignore Mr. Obama’s dependence on the old — for instance, the frequent campaign comparisons to John F. Kennedy — while not challenging the slander that her progressive policies are part of the Washington status quo.

What worries me is that some women, perhaps especially younger ones, hope to deny or escape the sexual caste system; thus Iowa women over 50 and 60, who disproportionately supported Senator Clinton, proved once again that women are the one group that grows more radical with age.

This country can no longer afford to choose our leaders from a talent pool limited by sex, race, money, powerful fathers and paper degrees. It’s time to take equal pride in breaking all the barriers. We have to be able to say: “I’m supporting her because she’ll be a great president and because she’s a woman.”

This is the woman I know

This is the Hillary I got to know over 11 months on her campaign.

Advice

So, several people asked me what I had published in Real Simple, after reading my post about Hollie Larkey's recent ad in the same magazine.

They had asked readers the best advice they had ever gotten from their mothers and I wrote that my mom always told me, "Men are just desserts." A valuable antidote, especially if you are as boy crazy as I was during my teenage years.

It is not the only great piece of advice I have ever gotten from my mother or from any of the people I love for that matter, and I thought maybe I would put together a little collection of my favorites to help us all through whatever trials or tribulations 2008 has in store.

"You have until your children are 3 to call their bluff. If you don't do it by then, it's all over." - Mom

"Babies don't grow good till you drop them at least once." - My great-grandmother Allen

"You can't love your children too much." - Nanny

"The most important part of being married is learning to fight fair." (Don't remember who told me this but it is true, true, true.)

"Get mad at the man but never get mad at the jewelry." - Mema

"When people show you who they are, believe them." - Maya Angelou

"I take criticism seriously, but I never take it personally." - Hillary Clinton

"Just sit back and watch it like it's a movie." - Mema

"Refusing to forgive is like taking poison and expecting someone else to die." - Oprah

"You are trying to reason with idiots and idiots don't understand reason." - Nicholas

Iowa

The only time since 1976 that a non-incumbent Democrat has won the White House, he skipped Iowa and only got 3% of the vote.

Holiday Remix

Today everyone returned from the holidays, which lead to the inevitable "How were your holidays?" and "What did you get for Christmas?"

It got me thinking about some of my favorite Christmas presents - given or received.

First, let's just be honest. There is Christmas and then there is getting Barbie's Dream House for Christmas. Loosely analogous I'd say to working at Wal-mart versus...being Oprah. Apparently, my poor mother, aunts, uncles, and grandmother stayed up late into the night assembling Barbie's mansion and carefully placing assorted stickers. And can I just say a very belated thank you!

The only childhood Christmas I remember even coming close was the year I got the all the Barbie and the Rockers along with the sing-a-long guitar and microphone...oh and a hamster...and a bike. :) Now I will say I've received presents as an adult that I treasure but nothing really compares to coming around the corner and seeing a room full of toys.

Now, also not surprisingly, giving gifts has been more fun as an adult. Not to brag but I'm a pretty decent gift giver. I really try to listen to what people want or give thoughtful presents. I see it as a challenge.

I think I've definitely met the challenge this year with Nicholas. He kept mentioning that he'd like to take up fishing and we've been talking about him finding a good stress-reducing hobby. I tried to take him on a fishing trip for his birthday but SOMEBODY had to rupture a disc in her spine and have surgery...ahemMaggie! So, for Christmas this year, I bought him a fishing pole, tackle box, and bait. Well, you'd think I bought him Barbie's Dream House. The first day we got back he went to the library to check out books on fishing and he's already walked almost all of Rock Creek Park scoping out good spots. Plus, he keeps walking around the house his new fishing pole and (dear God save me) he's started Tivoing fishing shows. So, yeah, I'd say it's a hit.

One of my other favorite presents I have ever given was to my best guy friends in college Mike and Smith. They were freshmen and their excitement over all the new knowledge was palpable. So, I went to all of their favorite professors and asked what they thought was the most important book for an awakening progressive to own. Then I built a little library for them. Now, I don't know if they enjoyed it but I sure was jealous! ;)

New Favorite Lyric

"You can write but you can't edit."

Happy New Year

Nicholas and I celebrated New Years in style last night at the Four Seasons. We had a huge 7 course dinner and then went to the lounge for some dancing. Despite some lacking service, we had a wonderful time reviewing the trials and triumphs of 2007 (we're skipping June this year btw) and dreaming of what 2008 has in store for us.

One thing is for sure - we wouldn't have made it through 2007 without all of our amazing friends and family. We love you all.

Here's to 2008!
May all your joys be pure joys, and all your pain champagne. :)

Puzzle

Puzzle, originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.

This puzzle is exactly as difficult as it looks. Thanks for nothin Kratzsch's!

Famous

My big sister is famous, which means I'm awesome! Everyone follow?

See here is Ms. Hollie Larkey being my big sister in my sorority:

















Here she is being famous in a national print campaign in Real Simple:















Seeing as how I was also published in Real Simple in their "Your Words" section, I think we have to assume it runs in the family.

Christmas in Kentucky 2007

Christmas in Kentucky 2007, originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.

We had a very happy holiday. We drove straight through to Kentucky Friday night. Saturday was Allen family Christmas which went swimmingly if you don't count the dog fight and the small fire. ;) We had Skidmore Christmas on Sunday and chilled out on Christmas Eve. Santa was good to us on Christmas morning. I got my face scrubber from Oprah's favorite things list and comfy heels and a non-iron shirt for work (both essentials I assure you). Nicholas got several cookbooks and a new fishing rod he is very excited about. We drove all the way home on Wednesday and got home around 1am.

We had a great visit, yummy food, awesome presents, and safe travel. Can't ask for much more I suppose. :)

Visitin'

Next Day Brunch
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.

The thing I miss most about home is visitin'. Luckily, there was lots of visitin' when I was home recently for the wedding tour of Kentucky. Visitin' is when you come over to for a breakfast and stay till 3:30 (like we did at the Staffords) or when you go over to someone's house only to hang out and enjoy their company (like we did with Timily). When I'm home in Paducah, my grandmother often comes over to visit and the visitin' is so good, we end up "playin' all day long" as my mother says.

Of course, some of my best visitin' is always done with my beloved friend Annie and her husband Kyle. When the four of us get together, we have such a blast it is hard to put into words. Now, when it comes right down to it, Kyle and Nicholas are amateurs and Annie and I can stay up talking late into the night. If I had to make a list of my favorite people to visit with, Annie would definitely be in the top 3. :)

Wedding Duty Complete

Erin's Wedding
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.

So, my first (and last) foray into wedding planning is now complete. Erin and Seth got married in a beautiful and pretty much mishap free ceremony on Friday night. Then, we celebrated the happy event at Glassworks, where we danced our booties off all night long.

Erin looked absolutely gorgeous and held up admirably despite a pretty strong case of nerves. Everyone else also held up well considering I was bossing anyone within a 6 foot radius to any number of tasks that popped into my head. I was extremely happy with how the reception site turned out and I think all my added touches (snowflake ornaments, adding machine grooms cake, Golden Girls serenade) were a big hit.

The most important thing is one of my best friends in the world married the man she loves and I couldn't be happier for her. :)

One down one to go

Lauren's Wedding
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.

Last night my maid-of-honor Lauren Johnston wed her longtime boyfriend Clay Wallace. The wedding was really beautiful and the reception was a blast. I think it is an under appreciated joy in life to dance your booty off with your high school friends AND their parents (including your own). ;)

Christmas in New York

We had a fantastic time in New York this weekend. We got in later Friday evening and had a great dinner with our friends Laura and Dan. We were able to stay in my friend Lindsey's apartment, since her and her fiancé recently bought a country home in Connecticut. Her apartment was absolutely adorable and very conveniently located.

On Saturday, we woke up bright and early to go ice skating at Rockefeller Center. The early wake-up was totally worth it because we walked right onto the ice (after a hefty price tag) and skated our hearts away. It was so fun and I couldn't believe I was actually on the famous rink! Afterwards, we walked up Fifth Avenue and checked out all the festive windows while doing a little shopping.

We met my good friend Dave for lunch and then he graciously agreed to go over to Rockefeller with us to help us take our Christmas card picture. We did some more shopping and had delicious pizza for dinner. Then we met back up with Dave to go see an improv show at the Upright Citizens Brigade.


On Sunday, we woke up to SNOW! Y'all I love Christmas in New York. The only thing I love more is snow at Christmas. Combining the two about make my head explode. I kept saying, "I can't believe it snowed!" We went over to Central Park to check it out and went to the Natural History Museum to see their origami tree, which was really beautiful.

Nicholas met some high school friends for dim sum, while I went to my friend Laura's wedding shower at Lady Mendl's. The place was absolutely gorgeous and we had like a six course, completely mind-blowing tea. A wonderful time was had by all.

Nicholas and I met back up later that evening for a lovely dinner at this darling cafe on St. Marks Place. We then took our happy little butts to Penn Station to catch our train home! It really was a completely wonderful weekend.