Eclipse Alert!

Tonight we will experience a solar eclipse. And a New Moon. And in Leo. That must be good! Unfortunately it's going to happen at 3 in the morning, so not visible here in Calgary. I will be dreaming...

Be real and get involved with...

...the plastic project! And it's happening right here in Calgary.

Studio Green Tea is collecting plastic for an art project.

That makes my life easier, as throwing plastic into the garbage didn't make me very happy. But what can I do? There are hardly any effective recycling processes in place for plastic and a lot of the food I buy comes in plastic containers.

Currently some of the plastics in Calgary get collected and stored for hopefully some future uses. Some of them, like the HDPE milk jugs get downcycled to pipes. Better than not recycling at all, but the emphasis is on DOWN-cycling. Compared to glass and steel's recyclability, plastics do really poorly.

Currently plastics end up somewhere on our planet, like in landfills or in the ocean, which is a problem (I wrote about the Plasticific here), as it takes hundreds of years to degrade.

So here is our opportunity, fellow Calgarians:

• check your plastic, if it has a recycling symbol.
• Numbers 1 through 5 without the 3 are good - can be collected for the art project.
• Clean the material - we want the artists to enjoy the project as well, so let's have them do their magic with non-stinky material.
• Connect with the plastic project team, aka Green Tea Studios to arrange material drop off.

Find out more about the plastic project, including contact info here.

And while we are at this: Zack & Co from Green Tea Studios also did some other fun installations which are candy for the eye and funky to the ear.

Click here for some meteoric astro chill and ocean beauty;

or here for some microeditminimalelectrofunk (Ah! a wordsnake! Looks very Dschoerman ;)

Happy Plastic Gathering!

Happy Anna Day!

When I was a child, July 26 was an extra special day. In the middle of the summer holidays, I got a cake, best wishes and presents from my family. Enough reason to wake up with extra excitement and joy for the day!

So for all us Anna's (and I know there are many - even if's the middle name) - enjoy your special day! Best wishes to little Anna in Edmonton - have a fun party :)

Off to the folk fest to celebrate...

St. Anna, who was the mother of Maria, with her three husbands - just found out about this here!

Obama in Berlin

Yes, let's build bridges between North America and Europe!

A potential American President, who is liked in Germany? That would be novel.

Bird and Fortune - Subprime Crisis

British Humour. Funny.

Never Shop Alone

These pictures are from the last Fashionista Social Club event a few weeks back.

You might know that I can't stand malls - they stress me, make me bitchy, and give me a headache. I really don't get why so many people decide to waste so much time there.

That doesn't mean that I don't like nice clothes. When they get pre-screened by a connoisseur and served with some sparkling wine and raspberries - that's the way I like it!

Fashionista Social Queen Laura chooses good fabrics too: the dress in the picture is made from silk, which feels lovely, and she also carries cashmere and merino wool.

The only problem: I come with the intention to get some work clothes, but I always walk away with yet another summer dress...Oh well, next time! Never shop alone.

Recharging Batteries

John Beswick - my role model in how to recharge batteries. Wish I had a hammock...

As so often after a stressful situation, I have come down with a cold. The body doesn't lie and if it calls for attention, it's best to listen to it.

This sunny weekend is all about recharging my batteries, being in the moment, rest, relax and renew.

Off to the roof top patio to enjoy my cup of tea under the blue skies...

We are but Guests on the Mountain

My week has been filled with sadness. Cousin and friend Robin passed away unexpectedly while climbing on Mt. Kidd in Kananaskis last week.

In times like this, I am reminded how important family and friends are. I sometimes take you for granted.

Robin taught me that life with a smile on your face is better. It's true. Try it.

I will remember your kind nature, our lively conversations, and our hikes in the mountains.

Robin

Alone Looking at the Mountain
All the birds have flown up and gone;
A lonely cloud floats leisurely by.
We never tire of looking at each other -
Only the mountain and I.

Li Po
This poem was in Robin's photo album from his Peru trip (spring 2008)

"When you were born, you cried, and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a manner that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice."
You certainly lived life. And we certainly cried.