The Weekend Send-Off

April 11th, 2013 - filed under: Furthermore » Feedback



Hunker down guys, this here’s a long one . . .

Ahhhhh, *sigh*, with a warm heart and open arms I gladly welcome another Friday into my life. Spring is heating up and it kind of feels like every weekend just gets better and better. I love this time of year, don’t you? Flowers are blooming everywhere and it’s warm enough for water play at the beach. Evenings are lighter and brighter and longer and pre-dinner tricycle rides seem to be a standard. Life is so good, no?!

~~~

So truth be told, I haven’t been listening to any music this week (too busy poring over audio of the US Supreme Court hearings on marriage equality). However, I am thrilled to share this video I just found, which I seriously cannot stop watching over and over again, and which is killing me dead with a raging case of the smiles. Why?

1. It’s a bunch of awesome vegans being totally silly and having a blast doing a parody hip hop video, and freakin’ NAILING IT.

2. This song! I’ve never heard it before but oh man, it’s amazing. It’s a legit hip hop song . . . about THRIFTING! Seriously, dying. Dead. The lyrics!

“I’ma take your grandpa’s style,
I’ma take your grandpa’s style,
No for real – ask your grandpa
Can I have his hand-me-downs?”

Bonus! I have a wee crush on the Chihuahua-wielding fellow with the magnificent ginger beard. ♥ Now watch it and SMILE!





~~~

And with that, one of the best parts of Friday has arrived. The part where we all pause and take a deep breath and look around and say THANKYOU for the > little things < that add up to make the
< big differences >.


Le Love List!

1. Our First Hike.
Waits and I went on a for-real hike, our first one since we moved back. I used to hike every single week, mostly at the same trail we visited this time, and mostly with Damian. It’s actually sort of where Damian and I fell in love, which made it especially special to return there, with the perfect little product of that love.

Waits was having a really rough afternoon, and insisted that I carry him. So I did, on my shoulders, pretty much the entire way up. DAMN. That was rough, but it was also awesome to feel my body working so hard, and to realize that I’m in much better shape than I thought.

When we got to the top, to the bridge, we peeked over and I was shocked to see almost no water. It’s been a really dry year, and I worry for all the riparian critters that live in these sage-scrubby chaparral hills.

Anyway, there was one small pool. More like a puddle, really. And as Waits and I made our way down the rocky hillside, we held out hope that we would find what we had come looking for – the California Newt. See, I grew up in these hills, playing with all manner of creatures in these hills, but this particular amphibian holds the #1 spot in my heart. And obviously, from the picture above, I’m sure you know how the story ends. We found one!

It was just perfect, and the delight and wonder in Waits’s face made every single sweaty step of shoulder riding TOTALLY worth it. Made my week, hands down.

It’s funny, I never realized how much I missed all the wildlife around here, until I moved back. Tree frogs in my back yard and bright blue dragonflies everywhere, bobcats and turkey vultures up in the canyons, quail and crane flies and blue-bellied lizards that fall asleep in your hand if you stroke their stomachs. And that’s not even going near the beach! Man, I am a bio-geek at heart, and a Santa Barbara girl to the core, and I am indescribably excited to watch my son grow up in this very special place in the world, enjoying all the abundance that nature has to offer here.

*sigh*
End. Rant.


2. Red Radio.
NEW PODCAST ALERT! You all know I’m a podcasting junkie, and I love me a good vegan podcast. I actually met Erin Red when I was in New York for MSVA, but I didn’t get a chance to listen until very recently.

And, um, it is AWESOME. She is fiery and feisty and damn smart too – a wonderfully engaging combination. If you’re into veganism, animal rights, and all of the culture that surrounds the movement, you really need to check out this podcast.


3. Solitude.
An entire day, start to finish, completely alone. An entire day, start to finish, in my pajamas! A day of absolute productivity and also plenty of puttering. Working working working . . . gardening and listening to podcasts . . . working working working . . . slowly composing the perfect meal . . . working working working . . . a bath and a good book.

I haven’t had a day like that in a very long time. It was bliss.


Also! WAITS .|. Letting Damian take the car while I have Waits (usually, whoever has the kid has the car) and accidentally leaving the stroller in the car and realizing that we were pretty much trapped on foot and then remembering the Ergo, and wearing Waits on my back to run errands and loving every second of it. I forgot how awesome it feels to wear my kid! .|. big ass salads .|. crossing things off my list .|. really good girl talk .|. more distance .|. collecting sea glass .|. fixing the “big camera” using superglue, thank god .|. reading love lists from Bonzai readers .|. planning the next phase .|. listening to audio of the Supreme Court (oral arguments on Prop. 8 – here) (oral arguments on DOMA – here) .|. learning that I get to share a house at Vida Vegan Con with Allison, Miyoko, Heather, and Christy = HOLY AMAZING WOMEN BATMAN!

~~~

Alright guys, now it’s your turn – let me know what you’re loving this week!


This happy little post will stay at the top of the page all weekend, so stop by any time to leave your Love List, ask a question, or offer some feedback! Or if you’re new, feel free to just introduce yourself and say ‘Oi!’! This is your community, so get involved!


Hope it’s warming up where you are. Have a great weekend!

  • http://vegantasticness.blogspot.com Felicity

    Here’s my love list just from today!

    1. I got to see Shangela and Raja from RuPaul’s Drag Race perform at my university tonight! They were amazing!

    2. My bike tire popped on the way home tonight but it was in a safe place, I didn’t have to be anywhere in a hurry and I was close enough to walk. So I’m grateful.

    3. I’m in Grad School right now and it’s kicking my butt but I love it!

  • MathTutor

    Love the amphibian love! Here is my love list:

    1. I learned how to make vegan *chicken* lettuce wraps! Nothing is better than a homemade meal, with homemade peanut sauce, that tastes a hell of a lot better than PF Changs.

    2. SB 65-70 (Targeted specifically at discriminating the GLBT community) was vetoed on the Texas A&M campus (my school), and for the first time in my life I actually made my voice heard about it, and didn’t care what other people thought of MY political beliefs. I emailed our student senators, the student senate in general, and even the president of our university! Living in the dirty south and not being republican (least of all vegetarian) can be difficult, and it’s nice to know so many other students don’t fit in the “conservative” Aggie stereotype.

    To learn more about SB 65-70, this link has a good article on it

    http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/04/students-battle-over-lgbt-center-at-texas-am-university.php

    3. ONE MONTH TO GRADUATION! ONE MONTH TO FREEDOM! I’m gonna be an engineer!!!!

    :D

  • juana

    1. finding back my happy. being present and connected, and how that just springs back so much much love!

    2. a nice weather day. although sandwiched in cold and misty days
    3. soups!

  • Rachel Fesperman

    So glad for the podcast tip! thank you so much! Lately I’ve been searching for some new ones as I commute 5 days per week and need listening material.

    My love list: 1. having Bonzai back in full swing 2. beautiful photographs of beautiful things 3. rose verbena kombucha 3. my sweet little sewing machine and the things I’ll do with it

  • Lynn

    I just upgraded to a smartphone am just starting to dip my toes in the waters of podcasting, loving it so far!
    The love list!
    1. The fact that, for the first time in months, I have nothing to do this weekend. No rehearsals, no meetings, no events to attend. I’ll probably hit the Farmer’s Market and do some spring cleaning, but other than that, the weekend is a blank slate! YES!!!
    2. Our new juicer has arrived, been making yummy veggie juices every morning! NOM!
    3. Reducing my wheat consumption and starting to feel better! Yay!

  • Kathryn B.

    Loved the video!

    1. It’s Friday, plain and simple, I don’t have to be at my desk again until Monday!
    2. Being on call, which makes for a long yet rewarding weekend. I work for a hospice so being able to help those at their darkest hour is something that I will always treasure.
    3. My boys. My husband, 2 boys, and my dog bring me so much joy. And hey, it’s nice being the only girl in the house. My family tends to be very protective and spoil me!

  • trmbnchck

    My love list:
    1. For the first time in my entire LIFE i am off ALL medication for asthma and allergies! And boy do i feel good!
    2. The Secret Spot in Huntington Beach and their vegan friendly menu!
    3. Kidnapping my little sis for weekend of fun girl time

  • Heidi GV

    Goodbye pool, hello garden and puppers

  • Heidi GV

    Goodbye pool, hello garden and puppers.

  • Sonja

    my love list:

    - that it finally smells like spring and the temperatures are rising slowly
    - that my bf bought vegan cheese (and he is not even vegan, yet)

    - new job opportunities

    - wearing a colourful scarf around my head
    - watching people dancing
    - eating huge salads with friends
    - raw chocolate
    - sleeping in the arms of a loved one
    - listening to Victoria Moran on Red Radio (love this podcast, too)

    lots of love to everyone and have a great weekend!

  • http://twitter.com/jbuesch J Buesch

    YOU ARE ROOMING WITH INCREDIBLE WOMEN OMG I AM SO JEALOUS

  • http://www.facebook.com/katrina.d.fleming Katrina Donovan Fleming

    ~I’m getting my hair highlighted today. That sounds so trivial, but when substantial grey roots start showing on formerly luxuriously brown hair, a trip to my fabulous hairgal of 11 years makes me feel like a young gal of 27 again.

    ~I love that my husband and I are finally on board together on saving money. It’s actually become a fun kind of game! I’ve become good friends with the bulk bin and have a freezer of cooked beans now, which — oddly enough — feels very luxurious! Especially as my tiny pantry (closet) has way more room, not being filled with cans of beans.

    ~Decluttering. Oh, what is it about decluttering? On the surface it looks like you’re just getting rid of things, but it never is just things, is it? I have a yard-sale dedicated room that is overflowing with stuff I once thought I needed. And even though they are still technically in my home, I feel so much lighter and excited about throwing myself into various projects.

    ~Tiny houses on wheels. I’m obsessed.

    ~Youtube. I started using it more with my classroom of third graders. When it’s time to do work — other than independent reading; they love the quiet of that — I’ll put on different videos of music, trying to expose them to a variety of genres. The other day, it was a video of a Brahm’s Sonata (I think) for cello — two young women on cello and piano and they were incredible. And three girls in my class just stared and listened, transfixed. You just never know where a simple video will take them.

    ~Hyacinths. (sp?) They are one of the most luxurious of flowers. The smell brings me back to being a tween on Easter and making baskets for my parents at my grandmother’s long dining table. If I came back as a flower, I think this might be the one.

  • Ali O’Neill

    Time for the love list!
    1. going to Phoenix for a few days of hot sunshine (its still pretty darn cold here in Portland)
    2. a rare opportunity for some girl talk
    3. having the strength to get through a bad meeting without breaking down

  • Taylor

    Love lists are so great. They make me see the best in even the smallest things. So this week I am loving:
    -Chamomile tea… it’s especially good when it’s cold!
    -Michael Mosley’s documentaries on PBS. He talks about diet in “Eat, Fast, Live Longer” and basically suggests that a more plant-based diet will keep you kickin’ longer (plus other suggestions). I was a vegan for 3 years, then stopped, but after watching this documentary I think I’ll be goin’ back! Wish me luck!
    -School. I am obsessed. I study every night and have been so productive. It’s like I’m a dedicated student or something! (anomaly.)
    I also love red tulips, the sun, echinacea tea (always), kale, teaching myself to crochet and sucking at it (knitter at heart!), and dogs.

    Thanks for sharing your love list. I love that too!

  • bohemianmatka

    -watching my 2yo navigate the internet with our new laptop (growing waayyyy too fast!)
    -visiting old friends in new places
    -my two dogs running as fast as they can out in the pasture chasing birds, all happy and slobbery
    -love that my husband is off having a new adventure in Iraq, being challenged in his career and meeting new people in the industry
    -fresh fruit smoothies, fresh fruit. period.
    -imitating Sayward’s salad from ‘What we ate Wednesday’ post this week; say what! Freaking delish.
    -Austin Vegfest last weekend

  • lysette

    A love paragraph!

    ~ I stopped in my parents bookshop yesterday and my Dad was in a stormy mood. I suggested he join me and my dog for a walk while the sun was out. He looked at the mountain of used books he was pricing and said begrudgingly “Only a short walk”. Our conversation meandered from Christian fascists and how dumb our city council is to my participating in National Poetry month. This triggered memories of his poetry writing days and he recited the first poems he wrote. We stopped in his favorite tea shop and he treated me to desert rose tea and vegan soap. By the time I had walked him back to the book shop he smiled brightly at me and said “Thanks that was fun!”

  • http://www.facebook.com/kristykgill Kristy Gill

    I always went to write a love list, and never get around to it, so here goes;

    _Tandem-wearing my littles in the grocery store and having people ask questions/spreading the babywearing love.
    _Suprise/random drive to Santa Barbara on Saturday to walk the beaches, ride the carousel, and sort of just ramble around town.
    _Tea with lots of lemons
    _watching Oliver interact with Albina (recently crawling around on the floor to “teach” her to crawl
    _Oliver taking Super Why’s “Super you, with the power to help” to heart and wanting to ‘help’ me with everything from putting things away, to folding laundry, to making dinner.
    _Albina’s first tooth at just shy of being 9 months
    _Phone calls with long distance friends, who just get it, no matter what ‘it’ is.

  • http://www.facebook.com/kristykgill Kristy Gill

    Oooh. I’ve never been to the Secret Spot. Now I want to go. What do you recommend?

  • http://windycityvegan.wordpress.com/ Monika {windycityvegan}

    I spent all day Sunday hanging out with Jenny Brown and she totally bogarted my spinach artichoke dip. ’nuff said.

  • skeptk_vegan

    My love list…

    1. Juicing
    2. FRUIT
    3. sun shining and warming my black jacket – still 25 degrees outside :(
    4. Finding something that makes me smile for the first time in a LONG time

  • http://www.facebook.com/jprakowski Joe Rakowski

    Hello Sayward! Thank you so much for sharing the video!
    Funny thing this world…just a few months ago I was in Portland at Herbivore admiring your book along with Kristin (www.wtfveganfood.com) and now you’re on here admitting your wee crush for me ( : hahahahahaha!
    I’ve been a fan of your page and love all of your articles!
    Keep up the slawesomeness!

    ~Joe

    AKA “Ginger Beard”

  • http://twitter.com/wtfveganfood Kristin

    Thank you so much for sharing the video that my crew and I put together. So awesome of you! <3

  • http://windycityvegan.wordpress.com/ Monika {windycityvegan}

    I had exactly the same thought!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Of course! I am embarrassed to admit how many times I’ve watched it, but it just makes me grin! You guys did a great job. =)

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    OMG! I am one part blushing and one part just loving the Internets. Hi, you are awesome!

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