Barack Obama				33
John McCain	-9

Party: Democratic
Born: 1961, Honolulu, Hawaii
Family: wife and two daughters
Career: Business International Corporation; NYPIRG; attorney and constitutional law lecturer
Political career: Member of the Illinois State Senate from the 13th district, 1997-2004. Incumbent Junior Senator from Illinois since 2005
Hot topic: Universal healthcare
Did you know? He is the only African American currently serving in the US Senate
Supported by: Oprah Winfrey, Eddie Murphy, Will Smith, George Clooney, Halle Berry, Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeman, Michael Jordan, Jamie Foxx, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Ed Norton, Jennifer Aniston, Zach Braff, John Cleese, Leonard Nimoy and Brooke Shields On a related note, does ANYBODY know how to find out what other elections are happening this November? I have yet to find a website that will tell me what else I need to vote for if I live in Anderson, SC.]]> Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:26:06 -0700 http://virb.com/mandy/posts/text/853843 http://virb.com/mandy/posts/text/828987 IS healing me, and past experience tells me that not all healing is instantaneous. Sometimes it takes time. So I wait. And I pray that I learn to suffer well. And I pray for healing. This is how Jesus suffered and was victorious.]]> Wed, 17 Sep 2008 11:36:02 -0700 http://virb.com/mandy/posts/text/828987 http://virb.com/mandy/posts/text/668467 IT'S NOT EITHER/OR, IT'S BOTH/AND All the hype surrounding rising oil prices, extreme weather conditions, and food crises around the world has caused the majority of people to begin considering human impact on the earth. The world community is finally admitting that our industry and daily practices don't exist in a vacuum separate from the air, water, soil, plants, and animals around us. However, despite the general outcry, numerous groups still refuse to confront the fact that we need to change the way we do things on our planet. Among them are many Christians. Perhaps they see environmental stewardship as a secular issue, not serving the Christian agenda of reaching the lost; unfortunately for them, this "secular vs. sacred" attitude is untrue and unbiblical. Being a Christian means following Jesus with our whole selves, not just part or most, but completely. Jesus said, "[I]f anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24). And further, "[I]f anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:26). It is living a life of integrity in every area, having Jesus be Lord of all we are and do. For Christians, the spiritual implications of forsaking everything in pursuit of Jesus are often more obvious than the tangible implications. But should our love of God change how we do business, use energy, consume water and other commodities? YES. When asked what was the greatest commandment, Jesus replied, " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these" (Mark 12:30, 31). Practically living an environmentally friendly, sustainable life on this earth is included in both of these directives. Here's how: LOVING GOD 1. We love God by obeying him. Jesus said, "If you love me, you will obey what I command" (John 14:15). Since Jesus is the Word (John 1:1-18), he has been speaking since the creation of the world. In the beginning God commanded Adam and Eve to "be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground" (Genesis 1:28). He "took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it" (Genesis 2:15, emphasis added). It is important to note that this command of ruling the earth and taking care of it is given before the Law was given. Some Christians will argue that because we are under a new covenant in Christ we can ignore, as it were, much of the Old Testament commands. However, just as Paul points out that we have the right to be children of God because of Abraham's faith--faith that was credited to him as righteousness before he received the sign of circumcision and the law was given to Israel (Romans 4:9-11)--we have the responsibility to fulfill the Creation Mandate (i.e. steward the earth) because it was also given before the Law. As believers we must steward that which we have been given, individually and corporately, spiritually and physically. The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) shows three servants entrusted with their master's money; two invest it and get a good return, whereas one digs a hole in the ground to hide and save it because he is afraid of his master. We have done much worse than just hiding and saving the earth we have been entrusted with--we have polluted it and destroyed much of it through industry and waste. And even as we see the consequences of our mistakes, we don't stop and seek to fix the situation. No, we just barrel on ahead and think, "Well, Jesus is coming back and going to destroy the whole thing anyway." That's disgusting! 2. We love God by loving and respecting what he does. After making the heavens and the earth, "God saw all that he had made, and [he declared that] it was very good.... Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden, and there he put the man he had formed. And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground--trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food..." (Genesis 1:31; 2:8, 9). God loves his creation; he calls it good and pleasing. Why would we destroy, disregard, and consider unimportant that which he considers good and gave to us as a gift? I am ashamed that I know SO few believers (Christians) who are convicted about living a green life. Rather it's the unbelievers who are convinced that we need to change the way we live on the earth. Not that Christians should shift our focus completely and belittle the importance of people's spiritual lives, absolutely not. But we can fulfill the Creation Mandate at the same time as the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19, 20)! In fact, "teaching [people] to obey everything [Jesus] has commanded [us]" surely includes what he teaches in the other 62 books of the Bible, especially some of the very first commandments he gave to man! LOVING OTHERS We love others by fulfilling the Great Commission. Before Jesus was taken up to heaven after his resurrection, he commanded his followers, "[G]o and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you..." (Matthew 28:19, 20). Christians focus most of their efforts to fulfill this command on evangelism, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ--his atoning sacrifice to bring people into relationship with God--with unbelievers. This element of obedience is extremely important, but it is only partial obedience. Teaching people to believe in Jesus isn't enough; we must also to teach them to do what he said. As James says, "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such a faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead" (James 2:14-17). So what did Jesus say relating to environmentalism? The Bible teaches that "[a] man reaps what he sows" (Galatians 6:7). If we sow degradation of the land, we'll reap a polluted earth. We must understand the interrelatedness of all things--what affects "the environment" affects us in the food we eat, the air we breathe, our ability to build homes, infrastructure, etc. This isn't just about saving the whales and the polar bears; it's about making sure humans have a future on earth too. How can we serve others by feeding and clothing them when we've done everything possible to destroy our means of making food and clothing? Loving our neighbor must include the generations that will come after us. Christians pray for the salvation of our children and their children and beyond, even that they will know Jesus at a young age. People invest and store up money to give to their children and grandchildren. But we seem to forget another very practical element of what the future generations need--a place to live. Since we don't know the dates and times of Jesus' return, we should make sure our progeny has a place to live, breathe, and enjoy creation. Let's not preemptively destroy the earth. How will they breathe if we keep pumping air pollutants from coal-fired power plants and burning petroleum? How will they get food if we deplete all the soil nutrients through poor farming practices and use of chemicals? How will they get clean water if we poison every fresh water source through contaminated storm water runoff? How will they stay healthy? None of this may happen for 100+ years, but if Jesus waits to return and the end doesn't happen for a lot longer, it will happen. We're so concerned with saving people's souls (and rightly so), but we appear hell-bent on killing their bodies. Why would we do that? Green Living Is Part of Christian Stewardship In God's ecology death brings life: "I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds" (John 12:24). In the natural world, planting a seed in the ground brings much fruit after the crop matures. Death also brings life when decaying organic matter works as fertilizer to nourish the soil and foster new growth. Most importantly we see this law at work in the spiritual world--through Jesus' sacrifice we have been brought from death to life; we are created in God's image and saved by him in order to live a fruitful life in this age and the one to come. Therefore, as his ambassadors, what we touch (human and inanimate) should become better, more whole, healed, and beautiful, not the opposite. In doing this we glorify him and show the world we are his disciples by our love. Living a green life won't save us, but it is a proper response to being saved by Jesus Christ. We shouldn't place undue emphasis on being green at the expense of preaching the Gospel, but fulfilling the Creation Mandate is part of our call to steward what God has given us in this life. For we are "servants of Christ and ...those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful" (1 Corinthians 4:1, 2). Let us prove faithful in every area. The Holy Bible, New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002. ]]> Sun, 15 Jun 2008 20:12:33 -0700 http://virb.com/mandy/posts/text/668467 http://virb.com/mandy/posts/text/643321 will rot, whether or not you follow all of these tips. Have fun with it! All information is from Let It Rot! The Gardener's Guide to Composting by Stu Campbell. Compost is decomposed organic matter (leaves, manure, food scraps, etc.) used as fertilizer and to enrich the soil. It is usually made by piling organic matter in some kind of heap, layering different ingredients every two inches or so. Finished compost is dark and crumbly, earthy smelling, not rotten and moldy. Compost needs the following to work: 1) An energy source, or carbon 2) Protein, or nitrogen 3) Oxygen 4) Moisture Carbon is dry, tough, fibrous plant materials like leaves, straw, sawdust, cornstalks, leftover food, and other bulky plant material from the yard or garden. Nitrogen is the activator for the compost pile, the "digestive enzymes," the stuff that speeds the decomposition process. Examples are: manure (bat guano, cow, duck, goat, goose, hen, horse, pig, pigeon, rabbit, sheep, and turkey), green manure (buckwheat, rye, cornstalks, tomato vines, pea plants, thick rooted crops like kale), grass clippings, green vegetation, blood meal, kelp meal, alfalfa meal, bone meal, cottonseed meal, fish meal, hoof meal, horn meal, finished compost, and soil. Nitrogenous materials are not as bulky and fibrous as carbon materials, and they should be added to the compost pile in smaller quantities than the latter. If your compost doesn't have enough nitrogen, decomposition is slowed; but if there is too much of it, then the pile smells of ammonia gas. Yuck. Oxygen is the air we breathe. And it is required by aerobes, the microorganisms that work to breakdown (eat) everything in the pile. If you don't have enough oxygen, then the anaerobes take over, and they slow down decomposition by about 90%. And they're smelly. Aerobes, however, break down carbon into carbon dioxide and water, and they produce energy (heating up the pile). Aerobes use this energy to grow faster, and therefore decompose more material. They also excrete nutrients, like nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium, etc. "Aerating" your compost pile is therefore very important (i.e. turning the compost with a shovel or pitch fork) because it gets more oxygen into the pile. Turning your pile more often means decreased decomposition time. Aerobic activity in your pile is more desirable than anaerobic, but remember, both are breaking down matter in the pile. Moisture comes from the sky or your garden hose. If compost has too little moisture, decomposition is slowed. But if there is too much moisture, the oxygen is forced out, suffocating the microorganisms. Keep the moisture level between 45-50%. Remember to moisten the compost pile as you build it, and it will stay moistened. Insects are an important part to the composting process. They are the bigger eaters compared to aerobes (bigger in size). Earthworms signify good microbial activity. They produce their weight in castings (their poo, which is nutrient rich) each day. The only critters you don't really want near your compost are pets and raccoons and such. But most likely, that won't be a problem. No neighborhood cats or roaming squirrels have taken a second glance at my compost. FORMULA FOR GOOD COMPOST= 2 Parts Vegetable Matter (carbon materials) + 1 Part Animal Matter (nitrogenous material) Compostable materials: Wood Ashes These are a good source of potash (potassium carbonate), and they are a pest deterrent. You can also burn banana skins, lemon skins, cucumbers, and cocoa shells, which have a high phosphorus and potassium content. Feathers A good source of nitrogen! Garbage As in kitchen garbage. Bury meat scraps deep in the compost pile, or don't use them. Larger critters are looking for these especially. Grass Clippings If using green clippings, layer them into the compost in thin layers; these heat up the pile very quickly. Or you can dry them out first and mix them with other dry absorbent materials (like dead leaves). Ground Stone / Shells Mineral rich. Pulverize oyster, clam, and lobster shells. Hay and Straw Old is better. Bacteria use up nitrogen decomposing these if the hay or straw is too new and in too large amounts. Hedge Trimmings Chop or shred these first. Or if you add them in smaller amounts, leave them unchopped to allow good air penetration. Hops (brewery waste) No need to water your pile often if you use lots. Leaves Rotted leaves are the closest thing to pure humus. Use thin layers if your leaves are whole. 5 parts leaves + 1 part manure would make good compost. Leather Waste (dust) High in nitrogen and phosphorus. Newspaper Carbon source. Use sparingly and/or shred as finely as possible. Peat Moss When mixed thoroughly, this is a good texturizer and conditioner. Remember that it rots very slowly. Pine Needles Also a good texturizer, but don't use them as the main ingredient. Very slow breakdown and acidic (which some soils need. Contact your local Cooperative Extension Service Office for a soil testing kit to find out what kind of soil you have). Sawdust Work this in thin sprinklings, sandwiched between manure. Softwood breaks down slower than hardwood. And weathered wood is better. Seaweed and Kelp Potassium! Not to mention boron, iodine, calcium, magnesium, sodium, and other trace elements. Also a good insulator in winter (as a thick blanket overtop). Sod Another good insulator. Adds loam and organic matter to the pile. Weeds Be careful putting these into your compost, because you need sufficient heating to kill the seeds. Avoid them if your pile doesn't get hot enough. Chop up stubborn materials like: corncobs, apple pomace, citrus rinds, cotton stalks, sugar cane leaves, palm fronds, cornstalks, peanut hulls, walnut, almond and pecan shells, thorny things ("they can bite you later"). Avoid: mud, sand, gravel, coal, charcoal, glossy colored paper (unless shredded), diseased plants, non-biodegradable items, pet litter, sludge (human waste), and toxic chemicals. Composting Methods: Classic Three Pile Method Set up a pile for each of the following: newly decomposing materials, "cooking" compost, and finished compost. The size of each pile shouldn't exceed about 3 feet square or high. And they can be constructed as independent piles, in a wooden frame (like with chicken wire sides to allow sufficient aeration), or in plastic drums you can buy for composting. My piles are just free standing next to the garden. The drum method keeps everything contained easily, but they seem difficult to keep aerated. FAST Composting: The University of California Method 1) Chop or shred to increase surface area of materials. 2) Blend nitrogenous activators throughly with carbonaceous material (like in a "layer cake"). 3) Frequently turn the compost, every three days at least, to improve aeration and expose all materials to heat at the center of the pile. This is the composting method I've adopted, and it has worked well. You can have finished compost in just a couple of weeks (it takes months if you don't turn it very much). When To Add Compost Partially decomposed compost can be mixed into the earth before planting a garden to help loosen clay soils, and it is good in warm climates where decomposition is more rapid. Well decomposed compost should be mixed in when planting seeds, plants, or added on top of the garden; it helps sandy soils retain water and moisture and is good in cool climates. Compost Tea is a good boost of nutrients to your plants. Mix 1 part compost to 5 parts water and stir several times. Let sit for several days, and then use it to water the garden. It is especially good for new transplants, house plants, and new seedlings.]]> Fri, 30 May 2008 21:11:31 -0700 http://virb.com/mandy/posts/text/643321 http://virb.com/mandy/posts/text/620477 The Major Ingredients to Avoid and Cosmetic Database for more information on these toxins and what they're linked to.) Propylene, Ethylene, and Butylene Glycol Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES) DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (monoethanolamine), and TEA (triethanolamine) Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Sodium Hydroxide Triclosan DMDM and Urea (Imidazolidnyl) Parabens Alcohol, Isopropyl (SD-40) Mineral Oil FD&C Color Pigments Fragrances HEALTHY OPTIONS I'M USING (Also visit Cosmetic Database to see ingredients in these and why they're better. All products can be found at Whole Foods or Amazon) Burt's Bees Orange Essence Facial Cleanser Contrary to popular thought, using vegetable oils on your skin doesn't promote oiliness, at least not on mine (hair can be a different story, though). This is a very gentle cleanser, and doesn't strip moisture from your skin. Earth Science Almond-Aloe Fragrance-Free Moisturizer For the face. Dr. Bronner's Magic 18-in-1 Hemp Peppermint Pure-Castile (Liquid) Soap Made with Organic Oils This is literally my shampoo, conditioner, hair product, and body wash. It's amazing. I get out of the shower, blow dry my hair, and I'm ready to go. If it feels a little too oily, I'll work some baby powder in with my hands. Seriously, this is hair utopia; and for those who know me well, that is saying ALOT. NOW Foods Jojoba Oil I use this instead of body lotion. It holds moisture in SO much better. It also works well as a facial moisturizer and makeup remover, but I don't use it before I put on makeup for that reason. Nature's Gate Natural Toothpaste, Herbal Creme de Mint Baking soda to the rescue, yet again. bareMinerals Makeup This is the FIRST makeup I've ever used that doesn't disappear midday. It's very light and happy feeling :) I've also started using Preserve by Recycline razors and toothbrushes. They are 100% recycled and recyclable. And check out these chlorine free, organic cotton feminine products by natracare and Seventh Generation.]]> Fri, 16 May 2008 11:48:47 -0700 http://virb.com/mandy/posts/text/620477 http://virb.com/mandy/posts/text/568705 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:19:19 -0700 http://virb.com/mandy/posts/text/568705 http://virb.com/mandy/posts/text/565580 Sun, 13 Apr 2008 20:13:52 -0700 http://virb.com/mandy/posts/text/565580 http://virb.com/mandy/posts/text/560481 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:46:51 -0700 http://virb.com/mandy/posts/text/560481 http://virb.com/mandy/posts/text/257531 310 to Yuma and eat at a lovely restaurant near our old digs, Fireplace. Seems like the perfect night for a glass of red wine and jazzy music. October in Boston is, thus far, a case study in global warming--it's been in the upper 70's and 80's, which the natives tell me is completely not normal. I hope I do need to purchase some ridiculously warm boots and an ugly new coat, really just because it's what I've been preparing myself for (and of course because getting new clothes is fun). But we'll see. No sense in doing that before the weather actually shows me it's going to GET cold. I have been making some clothes the last couple of days, but I'm not sure that I like what I'm making. Joshua assures me it's a process, and I'll get better. Maybe leaving them on the shelf a few days will give me new vision for further alteration, or I'll just get rid of them. Again, we'll see. My Dad has finally put some pictures up on his Flickr account! He's quite a good photographer, though he'd never say that. Go be his friend. I'm going back to Big D next week for a few days to be with family and friends, and to attend my sister's performance at Common Heart Dallas 2007. She rocks.]]> Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:07:51 -0700 http://virb.com/mandy/posts/text/257531 http://virb.com/mandy/posts/text/218703 Tue, 11 Sep 2007 20:03:47 -0700 http://virb.com/mandy/posts/text/218703 http://virb.com/mandy/posts/text/181575 Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:38:19 -0700 http://virb.com/mandy/posts/text/181575 http://virb.com/mandy/posts/text/169820 Thu, 09 Aug 2007 15:27:35 -0700 http://virb.com/mandy/posts/text/169820 http://virb.com/mandy/posts/text/160090 Thu, 02 Aug 2007 15:14:47 -0700 http://virb.com/mandy/posts/text/160090 http://virb.com/mandy/posts/text/148583 Wed, 25 Jul 2007 16:57:13 -0700 http://virb.com/mandy/posts/text/148583 http://virb.com/mandy/posts/text/136445 Tue, 17 Jul 2007 13:01:33 -0700 http://virb.com/mandy/posts/text/136445 http://virb.com/mandy/posts/text/123060 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 15:20:26 -0700 http://virb.com/mandy/posts/text/123060