Ed and Me

I met Ed Begley, Jr. today, totally by accident. QE and I went to the Green Festival and had a great time. Definitely worth the effort. We left around 2:00 p.m. and took a break before heading home. Looking over my loot, I realized that my free t-shirt would probably be too small. We decided to head back to the festival for an exchange. As we were just about to walk into the exhibition hall, I saw him. Could it be?? No way! Yup, it was definitely him. He was registering at the Speakers' table while I snapped a few pics. As he left the table, I spoke to him. He was so nice!!! He shook both our hands and I asked if we could take a few pics together. QE snapped two. Apparently I totally nerded out in the first shot. omg...I looked way too excited and giddy. The second one was perfect. Ed is incredibly tall. He was so nice!!!! Oh Ed...

We also met farmers from Organic Valley. It was so heartwarming to hear that they really do let the cows graze year-round except when there's snow on the ground. The chickens also get to free roam outside weather permitting. The farmer we spoke to was awesome. He was from NY, around Cooperstown.

At a booth representing multiple brands, I saw a Nature's Path cereal we love. "Honey, that's Cara's favorite cereal! She loves this one!!" The guy heard me and asked what Cara liked most about it. I sheepishly told him Cara was our cat and that she loves the flakes. Cara likes to stick her face into my bowl and eat the flakes one at a time. They asked if I wanted to share what we loved about Nature's Path on video. tee hee

Give a Little Bit (please?)

If you can give, please do so. Trooper was found in a dumpster, in a garbage bag tightly taped, left for dead. She managed to rip a hole in the bag so she could breathe.

Trooper's story

Loot!

Terrell Owens had four TDs on 11/18/07...against the Washington Redskins. LMAO


The yarn is much prettier and brighter in person. I quickly snapped a few shots for Ravelry. No lovefest yet. I squealed into the receptionist's ear when he called to say I had a package.

Food, Inc.

Really good movie. It didn't present anything I didn't already know, but it's very different seeing it than reading it. I am glad to be vegetarian. If nothing else, it makes life so much simpler from not having to worry about meat handling and cooking. The meat industry is...cruel. The companies don't care about the workers any more than they do the animals. The Smithfield story was disgusting and appalling.

One thing that did shock me is all the sell-outs in the "natural" market. Tom's of Maine got bought by Colgate. Stonyfield Farm is now owned by the Dannon people. Kashi is Kelloggs. I already knew Morningstar, Boca, Jason, Eden, a few others were owned by The Man. Does it matter if the acquired company maintains its core values and missions? I don't know. Most small companies aspire to eventually sell and cash in for their hard work, as they should.

The truth is, we can't avoid the conglomerates. Monsanto IS soybeans. Most chicken, cow and pig farmers are contract farmers to Tysons, Perdue, Smithfield, etc. One farmer lost her contract with Perdue because she refused to transition to the new windowless tunnel housing for chickens. She wanted to keep her sheds with windows. I personally think it was an excuse. She lost her contract because she agreed to let cameras inside the chicken houses. Tysons visited one farmer in KY who originally agreed and after several visits from Tysons, "changed his mind".