I'm a Tree-Hugger . . . Big Surprise!

For those of you who know me, (and if you're reading my blog, there is a strong likelihood that you DO know me), you know that I am prone to hug the proverbial (and oftentimes literal) tree. I've been accused of being a tree-hugger since college. The fact that I've been a vegetarian for 20 years notwithstanding, I may have some other nature-friendly tendencies (gasp!). I believe in global warming (the result of which, in my mind, are polar bears floating away on tiny ice burgs while clinging to their baby bears); I believe in the Three Rs (Reduce! Re-use! Recycle!); and I believe that if you shoot it, you should eat it  - and if you CAN grow it, you SHOULD grow it! And then eat it!

Where did I learn such leftist, counter-culture behavior?

From my hippie parents, duh.

Oddly, my dad was married to the federal government for 32 years, so you might not consider him a hippie at first glance. But then again, if you know my dad (and if you're reading my blog, it's entirely possible you DO know him), the ponytail and tie-dye shirt are more than just the result of a post-government act of rebellion. He eats what he shoots (squirrels, rabbits, elk and other "critters"), he loves a used coffee can to store his man-stuff in (the usefulness of the "stuff" is debatable), and he has created and implemented a water reclamation system in my parents' New Mexico backyard that would make the Corps of Engineers proud. Ahem. 

My mom, however, has never worked for the government. She used to play the recorder (songs like "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme"), bake her own bread (the kids at school asked me if my mom was an Indian), she eats what she shoots, and she has a garden that would make Laura Ingalls proud (refer to blog post #2). The point is, the hippie doesn't fall far from the tree that she's hugging.

I asked my mom if I could feature her garden and the water collection system on my blog. It may not be a random act of kindness in the regular sense. This kindness is directed toward another mother - Mother Earth. She is one bad-ass baby momma.

My mom has been developing her garden over the past 14 years. It includes beautiful vegetables, culinary herbs, medicinal herbs (don't get excited, it's not what you think), fruit trees and ornamental plants. About 9 years ago my parents put gutters on the roof and installed barrels for rainwater collection. They have several barrels, for a total of about 1,000 gallons of water collection potential, that they use to water the garden. Brilliant!

Mom also has dedicated two large sections of the front yard to xeric plantings (low water use plants). This reduces the amount of higher water-use lawn. These xeric areas are watered only once a month if there is no rain at all during that period. When watering the small pieces of actual lawn, she puts the sprinkler on during the cooler times of the day. Since  my parents live in the Southwest, they feel an obligation to use all their resources in a responsible, conscientious way. By conserving water in these ways, my mom can provide food and medicine for the family, increase the oxygen levels in the atmosphere (all green trees and plants add oxygen to the air), provide a cooler "green belt" around the house which reduces the need to use electricity to cool their house, and have a beautiful, colorful relaxing area to chill out. 

Don't you love it when you see some dumdum watering their front sidewalk instead of the grass because the sprinkler is screwed up or the wind is blowing . . . or it's raining??! Hellooooo?? Ever heard of a drought? I personally don't care to act out The Grapes of Wrath any time soon. That would be so depressing and dusty. Hence "dust bowl," I guess.

In July, a local organization called Gaia Guild sponsored a garden tour and competition to promote backyard food production. My mom's garden won the "Most Water-Wise Garden." My mom said, "To respect and honor Mother Earth, to use all her resources and gifts wisely to improve and enhance our daily life; that is my motivation in everything I do." Mother Earth kicks ass. So does my mother.

So folks, the moral of the story is, try to reduce your water usage in your yard, if possible. Grow amazing veggies and herbs to cook with, if possible. And always attempt a complicated and cumbersome feat of engineering in order to lessen your water usage . . . if possible.

I kid. Not everyone has the skills and wherewithal to construct a device that looks like the boiler room on the Titanic. A hippie with a Master's Degree and the skills of a carpentry ninja. Not too shabby.

One last thought . . . When I was in first grade, I used to collect aluminum cans from the playground and save them to take home and turn in for cash on the weekend. My dad helped me build a can crusher out of 2x4s and a door hinge (didn't every kid have one of those?). My teacher took me aside and asked why I was saving garbage. She thought we were poor. Guess she didn't know I was probably one of the richest kids she'd ever meet.

Thanks, Ma and Pa (again, Laura Ingalls -  and in case you truly have never met any of us before, that's really what I call my parents); thanks for teaching me to appreciate a crock-pot squirrel (I wasn't ALWAYS a vegetarian), a bountiful harvest, and for instilling in me respect for our environment and our natural community.

Until next time, with peace and gratitude.

Go hug a tree. 

New Yauch City

Now, here's a little story I've got to tell . . .

I promised my friends and family I was almost done with Beastie Boys posts on my blog.

I lied.

There is no way I could NOT write about the incredible weekend I just experienced. However, I wondered if it had a place on my blog, considering my goal is to post stories about random acts of kindness and highlight noteworthy causes. My recent trip to New York City seems so self-indulgent at first glance; it was a pilgrimage, a celebration,  a fan-cation. But upon closer reflection, I realized I was on the receiving end of a HUGE act of kindness. There was no celebrity auction, no money was raised, no finish line was crossed (although, a metaphorical finish line was crossed, but I'll get to that later).

It started out as an invitation to all Beastie fans via Facebook and message boards. The host, Jason, created a walking tour of infamous Beastie Boys/New York City sights to help celebrate the birthday of our dearly missed Adam Yauch (MCA), who would have turned 48 on August 5, 2012.

When I first saw the invite, I thought, "That's cool. I wonder how many weirdos are going to show up for that?" Speaking as a weirdo, I talked to Frank (my way-better half), and threw out the idea to him.

"So, what you think about going to New York for the weekend, to hang out with people I've never met, and have no idea what their real names are, to walk around and look at the outside of buildings that Beastie Boys either wrote songs about or maybe lived in once upon a time?"

He said, "We should go!" (This man is a gem. Ladies . . . back off).

So we ditched work a few hours early and drove up this past Friday afternoon. Saturday morning we were late to the meeting site, but soon caught up with the group (of random strangers). Before long, they weren't random OR strange anymore. They were (and are) a perfectly lovely group of normal-ish people, just like us, who adore the Beastie Boys and wanted a chance to be with other like-minded fans to pay tribute and celebrate.

And so, we walked.

And walked. And then we walked some more. I think we walked for nearly 8 hours straight, except for two breaks: Bad Burger (former BB recording studio was located upstairs) and Iggy's Keltic Lounge (near Ludlow and Rivington - famous BB corner. Google it). Oh, and it was about 90 degrees with 90% humidity. But we kept going and nobody complained. (I complained the next day of shin splints. How does Frank put up with me)?

Jason had created a detailed itinerary, complete with subway stops, distance between locations, and a brief history of the importance of each site. It was like a graduate thesis project. And did I mention he doesn't even live in New York? Or the U.S., for that matter? Cripes! That's talent!

Our tour also took us past Oscilloscope Laboratories (film and music production), 59 Chrystie Street (former BB residence and BB jam), and ended at the amazing and breathtaking MCA tribute mural in Brooklyn. Hot and tired, our little group gathered on the subway platform and silently stared, took a few photos, a wiped away tears. Somehow, looking at the mural made it all seem so real.

But we weren't ready for the day to end. Though a few folks opted for a quick nap and shower, Frank and I went with the rest of the group and walked across the Brooklyn Bridge. Never thought I would ever do that - and it was awesome. (Finish line  - didn't need spectators cheering - I was all smiles all day).

We all met up again that evening at a Manhattan bar called Overlook  for more Beastie revelry. The DJ (thanks, Pat!) was spinning non-stop Beastie Boys tunes, and drink specials included a Brass  Monkey and bottles of Miller (Google it). Soon after we arrived, Jason herded the fans outside, saying we had to look at something "really cool" and Beastie related. The ooohs and ahhhhs echoed down the street corner as fans trickled out of the bar. In front of us was an amazing homage to MCA, with a shout-out to Jam Master Jay (Run-DMC). This rolling tribute is a 1976 Cadillac, covered from hood ornament to fins with Beastie Boys art work, photos, quotes. It was a beautiful sight to see. The fans snapped pics and took turns posing by the beast(ie). Then it got quiet. Nobody was talking; many were crying. So much time and energy and patience and love went into that car. And though the car is a celebration of Yauch's life and the Beastie Boys legacy, it was also a breathtaking reminder that he is really gone.

Yesterday was Adam Yauch's birthday, and yet he keeps on giving gifts to us; the fans. A few of the gifts we've received from Adam:  

*The knowledge that life is short - so do what you damn well please!

*The courage to do it with grace, class, and style (finesse and debonair. Ok, that was quoting Adrock - but it still counts).

*That it feels good to do something for others - but that shouldn't be why you do it.

*That art  . . . in any form . . . is beauty. Create something beautiful!

*His music and his message. The gift that keeps on giving.

*That it doesn't have to be expensive, or fancy, or commercial in order to be loved and appreciated.

Thank you, Adam Yauch, for inspiring Jason to create a weekend that we'll never forget. This random group of stranger-friends will always have those moments; gazing up into the windows at O-Scope to read the Gratitude tribute that Yauch's friends hung for him, standing silently on the Brooklyn subway platform, or seeing the Caddy for the first time.

Thank you, Jason, for your HUGE act of kindness, and for helping me take a risk to go on this  adventure. Not something I would normally do and a little outside my comfort zone. It would have been so much easier to stay on the couch with my box o' Cabernet and watch "Scarecrow and Mrs. King" reruns. The reward definitely outweighed the risk. It was a great tour, a great day, and you made everyone feel so welcome.

Now that's grace and class. With a little bit of debonair.

'Til next time, with peace and gratitude.

 

This Should Get Your Tails Waggin’!

I recently read an online article about a woman who rescued a 21 lb. lobster from becoming the guest of honor at dinner party for 20 of his closest frenemies. She (the woman, not the lobster) entered a raffle in Massachusetts and spent $600 to ensure the win and rescue the lobster from certain death. It turns out there was such an outcry of crustaceous concern from the local community, the restaurant in question decided the winner would instead be able to help set the lobster free or receive 21 individual lobsters (how is that better??).  When the lobster-friendly woman won ($600 later), she instead opted to donate her prize to the New England Aquarium in Boston. The Aquarium has granted her special visitation rights when she’s in the area in early August. Perhaps he’ll wave his giant lobster claw at her while she presses her face against the glass, knowing in her heart that he is safe from future capture. Although, if I were the lobster, I might prefer the freedom of the ocean as opposed to a tank, but now I’m just being picky. One final note to this story; the proceeds from the raffle were donated to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Pretty cool.

I don’t know that it would even occur to me to try and fix a raffle so I could save a lobster.  Maybe I’m just lazy . . . or don’t think outside the box . . . or don’t know how I would drive a lobster around in the back of my ’96 Jeep. (Fish tank? Card board box? Car seat?) But I do have a friend who is pretty creative when it comes to advocating on behalf of animal rights. Danielle and I have been friends since college, and we are both suckers for all things cute and furry.  But over the years, Danielle has continued to impress me with her knowledge and passion about these issues.

Aside from donating her time at local animal humane societies, she is also quite vocal about calling out the heinous business practices of puppy mills. She posts disturbing videos on her FaceBook page or in emails. Puppy mills often abuse, abandon, or murder the mothers, and  they also leave the puppies and mothers in piles of their own filth in horrible crowded conditions. The only way they can make a profit is to inevitably increase the dogs’ suffering. This makes me sick – and it really pisses off Danielle. We both believe that adoption (versus breeding) should always be the first choice. There are millions of dogs euthanized every year because of shelter space issues. Chuckles, one of Danielle’s dogs, came from a puppy mill rescue group. These groups will frequently show up at auctions to bid on puppies and mothers that would have otherwise been sold to less than savory characters. (Kind of like the lobster!) Danielle is torn about these groups; because on one hand the dogs are rescued, but at the same time the rescue group is financially supporting the business at auction.

On a personal note, I don’t have dogs, but my two cats are former strays who are ever so grateful and spoiled. My parents have rescued all of their brood as well, and they are currently living with two cats and black lab puppy. My brothers and sister. (Not-so subliminal message: ADOPT!)

Danielle has also fostered puppies. She gives them a home while they are awaiting adoption. She said, in all honesty, that it’s a lot of work. There is puppy poo everywhere and they have to be sequestered from your own animals. It takes a lot of patience, but it’s worth it when you meet the new family and know they’ll be going to a good home.

One last thing. Before you settle down in front of your big screen to watch your Magnum, P.I. DVDs, with a Pabst Blue Ribbon beer and a plate of foie gras, ponder this:  To fatten the goose or duck (in order to make his liver extra ginormous and “buttery” – gag), they force feed him with a tube down his throat (known as “gavage” – look it up). It sounds torturous. Oh wait – it is. Anyway, there is an animal-rights group called Farm Sanctuary that created business cards meant for restaurants that still serve foie gras, originally a French delicacy. (Do we really NEED that on our menus? I ‘m just wondering). Danielle has handed out these cards to restaurant managers, with a message that indicates that you (the duck or goose lover) will not be dining at their establishment in the future because of the presence of foie gras on the menu.  Pretty cool.

Once again, maybe I’m lazy . . . or chicken (no pun intended) . . . or don’t typically eat in places that serve foie gras (unless it’s a new menu item at the Cheesecake Factory that I’m unaware of). But I think it’s great that Danielle has the guts (also known as tripe – gag) to take a stand against animal cruelty in such a public way. Kudos to Danielle and the animals in her life, and thanks for helping make our world a safer and more comfy place for them to live. Woof. Meow. Honk. Quack. Glug glug glug. (Lobster sound)
R.I.P. Tori and Mozart

With peace and gratitude. And a little nip! (Good dogs don’t bite)

I Swear, I Didn't Join a Cult!

Welcome, everyone (and by everyone, I mean my boyfriend and maybe my mom) to my second post on Bitten by Buddha. Reviews from the premier posting were mixed. Ok, that’s exactly not true. Nobody said anything negative, but a lot of folks didn’t respond at all. I think many of my friends and family think I’m a little loco and might not want to poke the proverbial hornet’s nest. They wondering, “Since when is Jenny Buddhist?” or “Did Jenny pay money to join some sort of cult?” or “What’s an MCA?”  

I can almost hear my Grandma (who is no longer with us on earth, but who I am quite sure is standing next to me, reading over my shoulder as  I type this), “Beastie Boys? Kids these days and their crazy music. I can’t understand what they’re saying. And they’re always jumping around. Oh for Pete’s sake.” (Insert Minnesotan accent and a frownish expression of annoyance).  I don’t mean to make fun of my Grandma. That is actually a quote I heard from her on many occasions. Always with the jumping around. Yeah, I’m pretty sure I had ants in my pants.

My point is, however, that I don’t think the tone of my first post was clear. I mean, I got the meat of my story across . . . I talked about Sarah and her PWR2MCA project. I wanted to highlight this creative idea that encourages people to go take action in something (anything!) they believe in. But after reading it a few times, it felt like I was reading one of the dumbass reports I have to write for work. Factual, informative, and B-O-R-I-N-G. Where’s the pizzazz? Where is my (naturally snarky) voice? Well, it’s a little bit of a conflict to be continually sarcastic and edgy when you’re trying to promote good will, compassion, and bits of Buddha. Or is it? I’m sure His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, can tell a good knock-knock joke or repeat a limerick about a man from Nantucket. Right? Maybe? I hope so.

But here is the other problem. I want to highlight random acts of kindness, charitable causes, and good deeds – yes? Well, how do you talk about cancer walks and AIDS benefits and the anti-human trafficking movement with humor and a little snarky bite? These are serious issues! I think it’s amazing that so many people are out in the world trying to make our planet a better place. It should serve as a daily reminder to the rest of us that it only takes one small effort to make a big difference. I just want to make sure I find the balance between being a cheerleader for compassion and gratitude without sounding like a holier-than-thou, bonnet-wearing Sunday school teacher. Somehow wearing a bonnet seems very goody-goody, à la Laura Ingalls Wilder on her prairie. Although, now that I think about it, Laura never wore her bonnet and got into a lot of trouble over that fact. Not so goody after all. Maybe I should be a little more “Laura” and a little less “Mary” – her allegedly perfect sister. What Would Laura Do?

I’ve actually been going through the last few months saying to myself, “What Would Yauch Do?” But since this is not a Beastie Boys fan site, I feel that sentiment may be lost on most of my audience. Not that a Laura Ingalls reference will make any more of an impact. Hmm . . . I’ve stumbled on an interesting dilemma. Will more of my friends and family relate to Laura Ingalls or Adam Yauch/MCA?  God-fearing prairie-girl stubbornness versus rapper-emcee bad boy turned Buddhist?

Grandma? Any thoughts?

I hope in the weeks to come I’m able to share the kind of stories that inspired this whole blog. I would love to hear from you, if you were on the receiving end of a random act of kindness. I would love to share your story about a cause that means something to you personally. I will gladly post links to any legit charities or other blogs in order to keep up the positivity! So, in case you know me, and you’re worried I got all mushy and positive and happy, or you’re wondering if you can still drop the “f” bomb in front of me (duh), or if I still guzzle the red wine (I do), or if you really think I’ve joined a cult (there is no membership fee for the path to enlightenment!) . . . don’t worry. I still jump to conclusions, overreact, do impressions of people that annoy me, and swear like a sailor. I just simply want to do those things AND make a difference in this world.

Until next time, peace and gratitude. With a little bite.

PWR2MCA

Welcome to the first post at Bitten by Buddha! I'd like to explain where this idea came from and what the intentions are behind this blog. For those of you familiar with the hip hop triple trouble visionaries known as the Beastie Boys, you'll know that May 4, 2012 is the day the world lost Adam Yauch (a.k.a. MCA) to cancer. The following months were a confusing blur of emotion as I wondered why I was so devastated over the loss of an artist that I never knew. I was soon sucked into cyber-grieving via the Beastie Boys Message Board and Facebook fan pages. There I discovered a world full of other Beastie fans who were just as heartbroken and confused as I was. I began to see a pattern emerge in the blogs and postings; a yearning to make a difference in this world and to live a life in a way that would make MCA proud. I'm not here to write an essay on the ever-evolving and prolific, yet painfully too short, life that MCA created for himself. I would like to talk about a project that was born out of love and support for the man.

An energetic and passionate young woman in Sydney, Australia was inspired to show MCA how much he meant to his fans during his declining health, after watching the Beastie Boys' induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 14, 2012. Her name is Sarah, and she created PWR2MCA as a sort of awareness campaign/living greeting card/grassroots movement of giving and compassion. Sarah said, "It was Mike [Diamond] and Adam [Horovitz] who inspired the whole thing. That needs to be crystal clear. They both delivered the most beautiful, heartfelt, hilarious speeches; and then Horovitz read Yauch’s [speech]. It wasn’t just that Yauch had composed the most incredible speech of all time. It was the tenderness in Adam’s voice as he read it. The way he glanced down and smiled at Yauch’s parents. The expression on Mike’s face; the beautiful way he was looking down at Adam, willing him to go on. The way they stood together, making him proud. Making us ALL proud."

Sarah reached out to Beastie Boys fans and asked them to write PWR2MCA on their fist, take a picture, and send it to her. Then she asked fans to go out and do SOMETHING: volunteer, donate to a favorite charity, or create something artistic and beautiful that will help make our communities and our world a better place to live. She compiled the photos and stories as a fan love letter to be mailed to the ailing MCA.

And then, quite suddenly and all too soon, he was gone. But Sarah decided not to stop the project. The photos and stories of charitable kindness kept arriving from around the world. The project will now be mailed to Adrock [Horovitz] and Mike D [Diamond] as tribute to their inspiration and to their brother, MCA. Sarah is quite busy keeping up with video tributes as well. Her powerful vignettes are set to music and capture the sense of connectedness that MCA loved to rap about and strove for in his constant search for enlightenment. Sarah embodies that special spirit and is a constant champion and defender of all MCA represented. Many non-fans don’t understand his spiritual journey as a practicing Buddhist, philanthropist, filmmaker, musician (YES – the Beastie Boys were MUSICIANS), activist, family man and friend. Sarah may be considered a mega-fan, but she isn’t all talk. She is out there walking that hip-hop, funky donkey, brass monkey walk. MCA and the Beastie Boys were much more than the stereotyped brats of the mid-80s License to Ill days. They grew into thoughtful, inspiring, devilishly witty and positive men. And Sarah wants to make sure the world knows it.

You can see the PWR2MCA Facebook page here and follow Sarah's thread on the Beastie Boys Message Board. You can also contact Sarah directly for more information about the PWR2MCA project at pwr2mca@gmail.com. My personal contribution to the PWR2MCA project was the creation of a fundraising page through the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, which provides musical instruments to children who may not otherwise have access to them. You can visit my link and donate if you’re interested.

I have wanted to start a blog for some time, but I never quite knew the theme or the concept. I didn’t want to write just for the sake of venting publicly about how much I dislike my job or that I feel like I’m having mid-life crises. But after watching the power of PWR grow and reading about the different ways folks had contributed in honor of MCA’s memory, it made me realize that it could go on forever. And not just necessarily in honor of one particular artist that is a personal favorite of mine. But in honor of anyone who is loved, missed, passed on or making a difference right now. I want to highlight the good deeds of others; the small contributions or random acts of kindness, charitable donations, participation in charity walks or runs, development of a non-profit or event to raise awareness, writing a song, book or poem, creation any kind of art, helping protect the environment, adopting a pet, starting a neighborhood watch program, etc. The list could go on and on.

So, here is my plea to you, dear reader. Go out do SOMETHING. Get your ass off the couch and make a difference in this world. And if you feel like it, send me a photo and an email (BittenbyBuddha@gmail.com) describing what you’ve accomplished, and I’ll post it on my blog. This could help inspire others to do the same. If you have a charity link or website you’d like promoted, let me know. Together we can make a difference. As Adam Yauch so eloquently stated, “I think every person has the ability to effect change . . . Every one of us affects the world constantly through our actions . . . through our every thought, our every word, the way we interact with other people we’re constantly affecting the world.” A bit of Buddha indeed.

Thank you, Sarah, for affecting my world in such a positive way. And thank you, Adam Yauch, for paving the way.

R.I.P. MCA. Peace and love to his parents, Noel and Frances, wife Dechen, daughter Losel, and Beastie Brothers, Adam and Mike.