I wish anti-Mosque people, pundits and politicians would stop acting like 9/11 was executed just so Muslims would have somewhere to erect a Mosque and Islamic cultural center. Like it was some big scheme. It’s two blocks away from Ground Zero. Jeez. There are more important things that deserve this kind of media attention. Corporate journalism has ruined news. 8.17
These are my Facebook statuses. Why should they be on Facebook only? Something about them being on Facebook only made me feel like my snapshot thoughts were lost to me if I didn’t store them somewhere else. This is a compilation of only the ones I really like. Dates sometimes included. As of 1/22, I’ve only gone back to July 2010.
Why is it that on TV shows people who are about to receive bad news in front of someone close to them always say, “Whatever you have to say, you can say it in front of _______.” No, that’s not true. Just once I want the person delivering the bad news to say, “No, really. We need to talk in private. You don’t want your husband/partner/friend to hear this from me.” It’s just lazy writing. Posted 10/9/2010
Mom’s status: Dexter rules! (This comment is intended for grown-ups…allowing your children to watch Dexter is sick…even to me! LOL) Feather: Whatever. There are kids on the show. It’s a kid-friendly show. Posted 10/5/2010
Feather: The 3,000 stairs don’t just go straight down. They wind around which is why there are so many. Rohnda: So you can’t just take a board and slide down them. *Laughs* Posted 10/3/2010
Do you ever wonder what bits you’ve missed from people as they try to communicate with you through cyberspace? I’m always stumbling upon comments and emails and stuff I never saw. 9/30/2010
I’m learning Italian. I’m going to be here for a while. I should learn the basics beyond just standing there, grinnin’ looking pretty. Even though, “standing there, grinnin’ looking pretty” seems to be a language the men understand fluently. 9/29
After 12 days with Tanisha in Bologna, I’m heading south to the Amalfi coast tomorrow for some more R & R. Tanisha tells me that in the south everything is hotter :o)~ 9.29
Is anyone watching The Big C? I’m catching up. I think Laura Linney needs to have an affair with her doctor to make up for not choosing to be with the man she loved in Love Actually. I’m still mad at her for that. I ♥ Laura Linney. Kate: Forget the doctor, she should never stop mounting Idris Elba!! Me-ow! 9/28
So, from thousands of books on the farm in Laroque, I chose to read Stephen King’s The Colorado Kid. I loved the novella. Tonight, I was on Cast TV, a site similar to Hulu where you can watch free shows. I decided to start the series Haven which is set in Maine. While watching, some things seemed familiar to me. So, I wondered if this show had anything to do with King. I looked it up, and Haven is LOOSELY based on The Colorado Kid. I got chills. Both choices by chance, related. By the way, this isn’t the first coincidence with this book. The other is kind of spooky. 9/26
”I’m so excited. I’m looking for the next Michael Jackson.” Really, J. Lo? Steven Tyler said he wanted to join the show because “it’s being a part of something much bigger than yourself…” He’s so deep. 9.22
Just wondering. Why do people (3) wanna set me up with men now that I’m gone? No one ever wants to set me up. Once in my life have I been set up, and it worked out well. It still ended, but it was good while it lasted for four and a half years. Being introduced is a wonderful way to meet someone. We should all be doing it more. 8.27
I just want to say congratulations to one of my best friends, Tanisha Shulamit Everett from Houston, TX who just moved to Bologna, Italy today to work on two advanced degrees in Italian language and history at the University of Bologna. She will live in Italy for the rest of her life if she has her way. I can’t believe we’re on the same continent again and still aren’t together. La Dolce Vita! 8.26
While looking for interesting downloads on iTunes for my long distance trips, I was browsing shows available on The Learning Channel. I was reminded of a time when I actually used to learn something from The Learning Channel other than gawking at the lives of others. Isn’t TLC/Discovery the network giving Sarah Palin her own show? Blech. 8.23
AYFKM!! What an empty article. “Five signs she’s into you.” 1. She tilts her head 2. She takes a sip when you take a sip 3. She twirls her hair 4. She gets a glow 5. Her pupils dilate. The genius behind this article also offers up 5 signs she’s not into you which are just as bogus. These five signs make women seem so dingy! How about I tilt my head, twirl my hair and take a sip while glowing and dilating my pupils at the same time. Magic trick. If this is the kind of stuff a woman has to do to show a man she’s into him, it’s no wonder I’m single. And if I have to start playing “dumb” which most of these signs kind of hint at, I’m probably going to be single for a while. I’m so annoyed. http://shar.es/XNulw
Loudly scraping plates with silverwear while eating: do not understand. If you do it, please know it is annoying 🙂 8.6
Thank God for adjustable, canvas BELTS. From a curvy big-hip small-waist girl who has never been able to find pants that fit her right.
I am doing laundry and packing. Just checked in for my flight to DC. I’m so nervous and excited. 7.30
There are some really beautiful men in the world. I’m just sayin’.
Gorgeous European guy on the plane from Vancouver to Seattle, but he’s not going on to San Francisco. He was definitely not Italian, Rumi. I’d say Swedish. @Rumiko Akai
Rumiko: Sweet dreams. I hope you have great dream of your future husband. Feather: That’s what I intend to do. Good night.
For our last night together, I took Rumiko through a history of all the men I can remember whom I’ve dated, liked or loved through their Facebook pages and Internet searches. From my first date with Tilden Yamamoto to my last date with Michael. That was fun. Conclusion: I have no “type.” They are all so very different.
I think I dreamt the entire version of my new story last night. Crazy. Now, I just need to piece it together. Wonder if Leo can help with that.
Excellent babe. Going to see The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo now that I’m done with the book. Then I’m off to the Carribbean Days festival. Then to dinner with friends at a vegetarian Indian restaurant. My days in Vancouver are numbered 😦
I just saw The Kids Are All Right, and Annette Bening is the best. Not many other actresses would allow all those lines in her face to be seen. Her lines are so much a part of her style. Seriously, Annette was more interesting to watch on the screen even when others were speaking.
What if River had lived to be 40 next month? That’s a career I would have loved to grown up with. 7.22
Why Facebook is hilarious: Message to me from a friend’s friend: “Will you marry me? I will bake you vegan cookies! O i almost forgot to say hello…hello.”
Just had an hour-long conversation with 70-something world traveler, Cliff Kelly, who gave me two pieces of advice and insight: “trust people” and “life is great.” His wife died at 48, and he raised four teenaged daughters on his own. This is why I travel. Yeah, he got into a wonderful conversation with another woman about their travels and military careers and whatnot. It was really fun. I just listened. The best.
Portland Airport is so calm. While flying on a commuter jet, not much taller than me, I did suffer a slight case of claustrophobia. Luckily, I was hooked up with my own aisle on my next commuter-sized jet flight from Portland to Vancouver. Note to self: pay better attention to the jet size when booking flights. Luckily the next one is only an hour and ten minutes 🙂 ♥
I have a hard time believing God designed the world with the intention of confining us within the borders we were born. And I don’t mean a week’s vacation to this city or that. I mean if my soul and spirit are drawn to a particular city outside my native country, it shouldn’t have to take a mountain of paperwork to release me.
From Angie: Hi Feather, I told my friend about your incredible journey. She visited your website, contacted me and said it made her cry tears of joy (excitement for you) and a bit of sadness (for her) cause she would like to break free of her fears and get on with her life as well. You inspired her. xoxo
In search of a simple vegan pancake breakfast, I finally found regular pancakes (without a bunch of stuff cooked into them) at Herbivore in Berkeley, CA. The new slow-eating me took 25 minutes to eat these three pancakes and fruit. That’s my travel journal and datebook making an appearance in the background. LOVE.
I can’t believe I live in a world where people hunt bears or any animals. I’m not having the best day with human and animal injustices going on all around me.
Justice was not served today. I don’t feel safe as a woman. I don’t feel safe being black. I don’t feel safe as an American. Today reminded me of the time I was on my knees with 3 SWAT cops’ guns drawn on me in my own apt. complex in San Diego. I was so grateful I was with my white friend while I was on my knees w/ my hands behind my head. I just remember reassuring myself over and over again they won’t shoot because Lori is white. SWAT was looking for the 16-year-old black girl who we were standing with. I was getting my mail with Lori, and the girl walked up to us and asked us who the cops were looking for. Lori started explaining when, seconds later, she said “it’s me” just as SWAT appeared, drawing their guns. Bad timing. I was wearing a Richmond Police Dept. sweatshirt, so once the cops handcuffed me and picked me up off the ground, they were decent. One of the scariest moments of my life nine years ago.
There are places where humans, no matter race or gender, are treated as second class citizens and are raped, sold into slavery and murdered for profit. We are a suffering species.
Yeah, I hate that it happened to me too, but I hate worse that I didn’t feel safe because I was black. The cops have to do their jobs, but for me to have to be so relieved I was with my white friend is what’s really saying something about blacks and police. And this was nine years ago. I cried today. I cried then. Oscar was no angel, but neither am I or most people. His murder was undeserved.
I don’t know how to feel. This whole situation with Oscar Grant is just unjust. I shouldn’t have to feel unsafe as a black person in the hands of cops. That’s where I was in 1991 and nine years ago. That’s where I’m at today. Scared and pissed.
Andreas, are you familiar with the Oscar Grant shooting? I’m not treated like a second or third class citizen. Believe me, I’m not an oppressed individual, but this cop situation just is unbelievable.
I am from the Bay Area which is what makes this verdict more disheartening. For the most part, I believe the Bay Area is color blind. Most people I know are in interracial relationships and have several friends across many cultures. That’s the beauty of the East Bay. Racism is everywhere and is rampant on the Internet, but California’s supposed to be different, right? The Bay Area is really supposed to be different.
“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”
– Albert Schweitzer
Bye LA. It’s not you. It’s me.
God bless you Feather. I like some vegan foods, but most do little to fulfill my appetite for both flavor and sustenance. I don’t think I could get through too many successive days on a vegan diet. You have to be very savy and prepared to be vegan as there are few places that cater to vegans. Also seems difficult to balance a diet without dairy and some meats or fish. Perhaps your Vegan Around the World insight will enlighten us. Best wishes and success on your travels and writing.Thank you, Don! There eventually has to be more than just the “food” reasons for one to maintain a vegan diet. If it can become about animals too, in addition to your personal health, it makes it easier. It becomes about compassion. And the good food will follow. I eat very well! Thanks for the well-wishes.
My last night in this bed, this room, this apartment. 3 years here. Good night.
Note to self: No more buying stuff. Just stuff. Too much stuff. I’ve donated 8 bags of clothes and outdated books and magazines and stuff to Goodwill today. I’ve thrown away 6 bags of other stuff. I don’t even know where this stuff is coming from. Life will be lighter. Life will be better. @Tanisha Shulamit Everett.