Lucy Jane Bledsoe
When I was in high school, I didn’t know a lot of gay people. For a young lesbian, that’s a hard place to be. I used to read short stories from a book called, “Sweat,” written by a woman named Lucy Jane Bledsoe.
Lucy Jane Bledsoe
That name was stored in my subconscious, secured in a place of comfort, a place of belonging.
I saw her name again recently, on the Facebook wall of a mutual friend. And I thoght, “I know her. How do I know her?” And then it hit me. Her name and words had kept me company for years. She had a new book coming out. One set in Antarctica. Cool.
The world seems short on true adventurers. Explorers of this world. And then there’s Lucy. According to her website:
Lucy has traveled to Antarctica three times, as a two-time recipient of the National Science Foundation’s Artists & Writers in Antarctica Fellowship and once as a guest on the Russian ship, the Akademik Sergey Vavilov. She is one of a tiny handful of people who have stayed at all three American stations in Antarctica. She has also stayed in a number of field camps, both on the coast and in the Transantarctic mountains, where scientists are studying penguins, climate change, and the Big Bang.
Who does that? Lucy does. That’s who.
Underwater Sculpture Park
Jason de Caires Taylor's underwater sculpture
The world’s first underwater sculpture park is in the waters surrounding Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Punta Nizuc. Created by Jason de Caires Taylor, the sculptures create an artificial reef–so not only are they visually stunning to us, they also offer additional marine life habitats.
When the park is complete, there will be over 400 permanent life-size sculptures.
KarmaTube
Karma Tube
Ever feel like there are 12 million channels and nothing good to watch?
KarmaTube is a collection of short, “do something” videos coupled with simple actions that every viewer can take. Their mission is to spread the good.
Awesome.
Generating energy from roads
Being more efficient with our resources–all of our resources–is more than just plain smart, it’s becoming more and more necessary.
Did you know it’s possible to generate energy from roads, sidewalks and even our breathing? Movements on any surface can be converted into clean energy by power-scavenging devices fitted with piezoelectric (PE) crystals.
Learn more about this awesome technology and where it’s already being put to use.
Homemade mocha
Homemade Mocha
I’m a coffee lover. More specifically, I’m a mocha lover. What I don’t love is paying $3.50 for a mocha every time I want one. So, for about 20 cents a cup I make mine at home instead. It’s super easy with a personal espresso maker. I use a mix of Coffee-Mate Cinnamon Vanilla Creme and International Delight Chocolate Carmel, espresso and frothed 2% milk. De-lish-ous!
Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
Thanks to Dawn Wittig for suggesting today’s awesome product.
My friend Dawn is visiting for the holiday weekend and she tells me she swears by Neutrogena’s Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover. She has sensitive eyes and wears contacts. She’s tried every eye makeup remover there is and this is the only one that gets the job done without burning or being oily. She simply won’t use anything else.
With an endorsement like that I had to try it myself. I really like it. No pain, no grease, and no more mascara on my pillowcase.
Oyamel Forests
Monarchs gathering on tree tops
Each fall, eastern North American monarch butterflies migrate up to 2,000 miles to high-altitude Oyamel fir forests in central Mexico. There, over 100 million monarchs overwinter.
The mountain hillsides of Oyamel forest provide an ideal microclimate for the butterflies.
Awesome.
Cornelia Seigneur
Cornelia Seigneur (from her website)
When Cornelia Seigneur saw a Portland, Oregon, police officer get thrown out of a cafe for no other reason than the fact that he was a police officer she blogged about it; about how she didn’t understand why a public servant wasn’t welcome for a cup of coffee. Her blog post went viral and was picked up by national media, resulting in an outpouring of support for the men and women in blue who risk their lives every day to serve and protect.
She started a conversation about how we, the general public, view and treat not just police officers, but all public servants. She’s kept the conversation positive and open while standing up for something she believes in. And I think that’s pretty darn awesome.
Emma and the Aristocrats
There are great artists in nooks and crannies all over the world. In towns and villages everywhere live talented painters and gifted singers making their corner of the world a brighter place.
Emma Morton and her Aristocrats are just such artists.
Emma and the Aristocrats
Based in the small town of Barga, Italy, this Jazz/Swing band is belting out smooth sounds for all to hear.
Emma’s picture-perfect retro style brings a hip flavor to the band of known and not-so-known musicians that make up the band:
Alessandro Rizzardi (mandolin), Keane (Percussion), Fabio Guazzelli (guitar), Leo Gnesi (bass), and Emma Morton (cantante).
If you can’t make it to the Barga Jazz Club, head over to their website and have a listen.
The dogs of Pompeii
Pompeii is known as the resting place of Italians caught in a volcanic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. It’s also known for the dogs that lived and died along side their owners. And for the dogs that live there now.
Beware of Dog
One of the most well preserved mosaics of Pompei is the “Cave Canem” mosaic in the House of the Tragic Poet. The “Beware of Dog” sign is a reminder that dogs have long been part of the community at Pompeii.
Today, a trip to the ancient city includes a stroll through the streets beside the stray dogs that wander and live there. One organization “i Cani di Pompei” is working to keep these dogs healthy, happy and to find them homes.
If you live in Italy, you can take one of these dogs, named after regions of the city and for historical home owners, home with you. If you don’t, you can support the dogs by donating online. The dogs are cleaned, neutered, and sheltered while they wait for adoption. They’re even given collars and name tags. Very much awesome.
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