Documentary Initial Feelings: CHEMERICAL

Initial Response to Documentary

CHEMERICAL

Redefining Clean for a New Generation

from www.chemicalnation.com

    This documentary looks at the influx of chemicals into developed nations in what most definitely was just a blink of an eye in the context of global history. Most specifically, those chemicals related to home and personal hygeine products. I have positive feelings about this documentary because while its aim is to open people's eyes to how dangerous and pervasive modern chemicals are, it is one of those documentaries which at the same time energizes the viewer with simple steps they can take in their own lives. It is for a similar reason I very much enjoyed the documentary film Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead. 

    I think the film would be great for an introductory chemistry class in high schools, or environmental chemistry and practical chemistry courses, but really it should be required viewing for anyone who lives in the developed world. Even if you aren't going to apply these principles in your life right away, it at least encourages thought. The information in the film will not be new to veterans of environmental research. 

  The film is free or available as a low cost rental from many websites so it is worth a look. I've already shunned most manufactured cleaning products from my life, and it helped to have access to stores which sell alternative items, but how great is it that the film provides recipes and the developers of the documentary have even published a book with recipes (although one can easily find recipes online if committed to a google search and some play-time in the kitchen.) 

   To study the topics present in this film in further depth I would recommend reading:

    The Hundred Year Lie- Randall Fitzgerald

     Plastic: A Toxic Love Story- by Susan Freinkel

    Our Stolen Future- by Theo Colborn 

    Silent Spring- by Rachel Carson

    The Autoimmune Epidemic- Donna Jackson Nakazawa    

   Though I find the books less energizing toward practical action, they are more comprehensive in nature in exploring chemicals in every aspect of our lives and more in depth of how they are found in the body and in the home: not just in cleaning and personal care products but they are now medicine, food, clothing, furniture. When you think about the massive scale of these changes and the brevity of the time frame they have occured in, you can't help but wish for a solemn but still energizing film to help us begin to go back to basics and clean up our dirty act. The Earth can never be clean while it is dirtied with these non-biodegradable and fundamentally toxic substances. 

Things to Do in Chubu #1: Hiking Kinka Mountain at Gifu City

Things to do in Chubu #1: Hiking Kinka Mountain at Gifu City

(From the side of the park opposite the ropeway station)

 This is the park at the entrance of the east side of the park. It's more oriented toward locals and there is free parking! On the other side with access to the ropeway, parking is sparse and there are fees. 

 There is a shrine at the entrance to the park. This was waiting in the stone lantern.

 All kinds of little creatures to notice on the walk up, including my favorite family of decomposers: Mushrooms. I wouldn't eat these if I were you.

 Various trails are connected from that trail, this sign is directing us to Gifu castle, for those who really want to be on top! 

 The view from the cliff side of the trail where there is a fork partway up. This is on a basic, misty, smoggy day in the Gifu. Just recently I went up after the typhoon. For a spectacular view, wait for a typhoon to wipe the smog of the auto industry away.

 This is no "walk in the park." The first time you come you may feel like it is better for mountain goats. This is on the "cliff" side of the trail. You may have to crawl up on all fours. But it's worth it for awesome views and actually proably if you attempted a second time you wouldn't feel it so difficult.

 This is from a clearing near the entrance to the ropeway (for those who don't want to hoof it up the mountain like mountain goats). The tower is in the town I'm living in. This was on a basic smoggy day. Again, when I went here after the typhoon, you could see to Nagoya and you could even see the bay/ocean in the distance.

My favorite part: there is ice cream at the top. But in the fall there are also mosquitoes. So you should come fully clothed and fully prepared to protect your face, as you can see one got me right in my forehead. >.< D'oh.

I rate it a difficult hike for someone who has never hiked before, but unless you have a condition then it is totally worth preservering to get to the top!

(Untitled 1) Work in Progress

Untitled Work in Progress: Plot Synopsis

Genre: Young - Adult - Fiction - Realistic - Coming of Age 

Samren Trouillefou is living contently in his French town of Lourdes with his withdrawn widower father with the feeling that nothing will ever change when he enters his last year of high school. He soon finds himself jerked out of comfort and complacency with his village life when his brother introduces him to a British-French near his age named Elliott Thomas. Samren is immediately drawn to the stranger's intensity and disregard for the rigid tradition so revered by the town. What's more, due a business decision his father declares that the family will move to Paris. Additionally, his father promises that they will host an American exchange student for the year as a condition of the buisiness promotion.

What results is a story that explores the role of memory, coming-of-age, as well as identity as Samren is wrenched forever from his quiet country life in Lourdes and faced with growing up quickly among new and exciting: but at times challenging and dangerous influences and people.

Using this work without recognition of the author, especially without express permission, or using any part of this plots or character names is stealing and a violation of intellectual property rights. 

____

I'm so excited to be working on this story! Right now in my mind I usually refer to it as "Lourdes, August" but I'm not sure if by the time I finish the work that I'll feel the title is representative of the book. 

Salmon in Curried Celery Sauce

Tastes similar to Panda express. Naughty, but pretty nice.

Beef, Pork, Tofu, or Chicken could be nicely substituted.

Ingredients:

1-stalk celery, keep leafy top

2-1 hunk salmon, cut into bite size pieces

3-1/4 small onion

4- Just enough flour to coat the salmon chunks

Seasonings

1 tsp mashed garlic, 1 tsp mashed ginger

Salt, Pepper

3 tbsp vinegar (any kind)

2 tbsp soy sauce

1/2 tbsp curry powder spices (turmeric, curcumin, fenugreek, fennel--your desired mix)

Steps:

1) Powder the salmon chunks and fill a pan with 1 cm of oil to tolerate med-high heat.

Grill until the salmon skin is crispy, or the meat is cooked through.

2) Drain oil. Reserve meat to the side.

Lightly cook the seasonings and celery in the same frypan and drizzle over the cooked meat.

I accidentally added the sauce ingredients to the meat, and the result came out ok. But it would look nicer if the sauce is made separately.

Cooking: Takoyaki

Max and I taught ourselves how to make takoyaki! It went well!

Shrimp and Lotus Root Mayo Salad

Shrimp and Lotus Root Mayo Salad

____________________

Renkon (Lotus Root) 1 cut ... 8cm 300g

Onion Stalk (the green part), 1 piece ... 150 g ... 1/2 of a small onion

Shrimp (1 tray)

Salad Oil, Mayonnaise, Salt, Pepper

____________________

(1) Prepare the lotus root: Peel, clean, and quarter lengthwise, then cut into 1 cm thick pieces. Wash thoroughly and pat dry. You may also soak the pieces briefly in water with vinegar, wash, and dry. Also cut the onion into 1 cm thick pieces. Dust the faces of the shrimp with starch.

(2) Oil a pan and sautee the shrimp until cooked. Add lotus root and onion, sautee for 1 min. Add 1 tbsp alcohol , cover and steam 2 min. Add 3 tbsp mayo and salt and pepper to taste. Serve.

Thank you Oreji Peeji! (オレンジページ2011 10/2)

Daikon Steak with Curry Meat Sauce Garnish

Daikon Steak with Curry Meat Sauce Garnish

This was served over daikon shoots. So it's kind of oya-ko daikon steak :D

Parent and child on a plate together ;)

Daikon Steak in Curry Sauce

____________________

Daikon (large) ... 8cm 300g

Ground Pork ... 150 g

Minced Onion ... 1/2 of a small onion

Watercress (or sprout, salad vegetable) ... As Desired for Garnish or Crunch

Salad Oil, Tomato Ketchup Salt Soy Sauce

____________________

(1) Oil a pan 2 tbsp. cooking oil, med. heat, sprinkle with salt, make incisions to speed cooking in hatched pattern and grill on both sides until the daikon is nicely browned. Then cover and simmer for 5 min or until daikon is of desired hardness.

(2) Set daikon on serving plate with watercress garnish (or sprouts, or salad vegetables)

(3) In the same frypain, sautee minced onions 3 min. Add ground meat or Tofu (and minced potatoes or carrots optional) When they are finished, add curry powder and 1/2 cup water. Simmer with a dash of ketchup and soy sauce. Cover, simmer 5-6 min, allow to thicken. Also delicious with some milk or soy milk or other milk substitute added.

(4) Pour sauce over daikon and serve.

Thank you Oreji Peeji! (オレンジページ2011 10/2)

Regal Purple Netting in Purple and Silver

Design: Barbara Klann, Bead and Button Magazine supplement

This 2 drop peyote band stitched up real fast and easy, the netting took a little longer but was intuitive, and can certainly be adapted to any free form design and whatever little goodies and beads from "bead soup" you may want to put in the design. It came out wonderfully and any number of closure techniques would look good. At the Dongdaemun bazaar I found these beautiful white buttons and chose to use them. Buttons are not the most secure method to close a bracelet, but I think this one stands well as an art piece and the buttons will be more long lasting than snaps, which often can have their threads cut through by wear too quickly.

Some other applications:

-Use this design to bead a quick strap (shorter than a band), glue to a firm base, and attach as a hair pin

-Create a head band

Those are some things I would like to use this design for in the future.

Cairo Collar

Design: Susan B. Swanson

Published in February/March 2011 Beadwork Magazine

"Cairo Collar"

This one in blue.

It took quite some time to complete. I feel that it could be easily embellished and personalized beyond what you see I completed. But this was a first run and I learned some new techniques. Enjoy.

It was a great design to use up a great mass of seed beads I have in my collection.

Moonstone Bangle

Moonstone Bangle from Mixed Angles and in Mixed Light

This one is a design all my own. Unfortunately, it involves only simple bead stringing.

I have discovered Moonstone and fallen in love. I found some great quality grey moonstone and am incorporating the rounds into bracelets and maybe a necklace. I can make many bracelets but probably only one necklace with what I have left.

Unicorn Fantasy Necklace

Starting the new month with a new creation!

Unicorn Fantasy Necklace

Overview

Detail, Pendant

Pendant: Miyuki Delicas, Swarovski Bicones, and Crystal Rondelles

Detail: Rose Colored Rondelles, Freshwater Pearls, and Handmade Tubular Peyote Beaded Beads

Consulate Trip Part II, Seoul, Dongdaemun

Seoul View: Traditional Meets the Modern Corporate

Again, Black and White Cars Only !?

Dongdaemun Shopping Area, 5th Floor: Beads and Components

There is an A, B, C building, all connected. More like Bead Universe

Thank-you for chaperoning me, Sweet Husband Max.

The Building has Two Floors of Fabric and Clothing Components Vendors

The Bead Floor had these Handbag Components

Cute Teddy Bears, Naked, Ready to be Dressed Up and Turned into Accessories

This Photo Just doesn't Reveal the Scale

Components Galore

These are for Shoes or Hair

But Let your Creativity Wild and you Could Work these into Anything

We got our visas today! After all that. I'm glad I don't have to go into the city again for a while. It's now only about one week away from us leaving.

Although I'm a bit confused because the visa is for one year, which means if I go before my job begins to settle in, then the year begins, and my visa expires before my contract does. So that's confusing.

I went back to Dongdaemun and got a loot of beads and beading supplies! They're so much cheaper than back home... all the components and everything. It's basically like a huge bead show except it happens all year round.

If you know anyone who is going to Korea who is also into designing fashion or accessories, the Dongdaemun shopping center is a good place to go. You can also see Korean traditional dress (Hanbok), Korean Bedding (Also very colorful and pretty), Korean spoons (including "silver spoons" which are really silver and cost just as much...), and pretty much anything you can imagine.

If you're a crafter, visiting this place should be on your short list of places to go in Seoul! But have something in mind of what you want, or plan more than one trip, because I have seen crafting goods that I never imagined in my wildest dreams.

Major Cockatiel Scritches

This is a lovely video from Japan. This cockatiel is really bonded to its owner! A big thank-you to the pet owner who shared this video! The bird looks like it's really enjoying that! My birds aren't bonded enough to me to accept this kind of attention...

Malia's Virtual Sketchbook: Open!

I have created a blog solely to share my art and art-related information on the interwebs.

It can be accessed at http://maliaautiovirtualsketch.blogspot.com

I'm excited. I think it will be a fun space to track my progress. It's not like I'm having any formal training (beyond looking up technique-related information online) but I'll do my best and hopefully instict and inspiration will guide me at least partway.

Birds to Fashion: Gang Gang Cockatoo

Gang Gang Fountain by ~pixipatrin on deviantART

Inspired by the Gang Gang Fountain Video (See that blog for the movie! It shows the character of this charming cockatoo.) If I can stay motivated there will be more to come! I regret using the ink. I love pen sketches which are painted with watercolors, but failed to achieve the sketchy effect. And using a camera rather than a scanner for the image didn't help it, either. It's my first watercolor work on this scale, so I'll just view it as a learning experience. I miss prismacolor pencils and using thick acrylic. I really like to pile paint on the paper. Watercolor doesn't work in the same way. I'll get used to it!

The trees are red peppercorns and the berries are one of the Gang Gang's favorite foods.

Watercolor Techinques

Major Mitchell's Cockatoos in Love

Gang Gang Cockatoos, Sorry they only have one foot

I've been spending time with a younger charge (even though I was friends with the neighbor's granddaughter back in the home country, we played tennis from time to time), than I did during my days as a tutor to college students. Anyway, it's a nice chance to get to go back to basics and just have fun without pretenses! (As you become so inclined to do at the higher levels.)

We spend hours water-coloring together. It's fun and a stress relief, so I went and picked up a set of watercolors today. But I would like to learn some basic techniques to get me started ,as compared to other mediums I don't have a clue about watercolors. Hence the state of the paintings I've put in as small images in the blog. I'd like to stick with it (I need to stick to a lot of things these days...) I prefer acrylics, but since I don't have much experience with watercolor I figure I might as well try learning a few techniques, should I like it.

Anyway, I'm leaving a link to a fun WATERCOLOR TECHNIQUE WEBSITE

I will add more links if I pursue this interest in the future.

http://www.johnlovett.com/techniq.htm (Thorough, Easy to Understand, Attractive Layout, and FREE!)

http://www.watercolorpainting.com/watercolor-tutorials.htm (Quite Detailed)

http://www.johnlovett.com/techniq.htm (Good Basic Summary)

The Gang Gang Cockatoo

I first came to know the gang-gang cockatoo when I watched a PBS special. The females have light grey crests while the males have those wacky red crests. Something about their colors and the texture just reminds me of punk bikers. I find it hilarious that nature has made some "biker" looking creatures. The term "Gang-Gang" suits these perfectly. They are native to the southeastern area of Australia in the more temperate forests. Wikipedia does not have much written on these creatures.

There is even an actual villa/cottage area in Australia where you can go and be in contact with the birds. http://ganggangvillas.com.au/

Image source: http://www.flickriver.com/photos/tags/cacatoes/interesting/

I would like to go to Australia

I absolutely love birds, and most of my favorites are species in Australia. These include all the cockatoos, but mostly the Gang-Gang and Major-Mitchell's Cockatoo. Don't forget cockatiels and budgies. Just imagine my excitement when I was on a random tangent and I found that Australia is minting a series of special edition coins featuring its fabulous birds. I took a screen shot of one of these dollars being sold for $15. Very special. Can't deny that I'm tempted (but won't purchase)... and even more tempted to go to Australia. But I'm saving money for a house with land.

I do have things to say about Korea but that will have to wait for another day.

STEP Eiken Writer, Editor, Consultant Interview

Interview Here

http://careercenter.ecentral.jp/ja/2011/05/31/%E3%81%A8%E3%81%AA%E3%82%8A%E3%81%AE%E5%9B%BD%E9%9A%9B%E4%BA%BA%EF%BC%9A%E8%8B%B1%E8%AA%9E%E6%95%99%E8%82%B2%E6%A5%AD%E7%95%8C%EF%BC%9A%E8%8B%B1%E6%A4%9C%E3%81%A7%E6%B4%BB%E8%BA%8D%E3%81%95%E3%82%8C\/

It's an interesting interview (in Japanese), and not very hard to understand if you have studied some Japanese and know enough kanji. It was a good review for me. It's inspirational to see the possibilities if you have experience teaching in Japan and the other complementing editing, writing, and liaison qualifications, a good reputation and good references. I'd love to do something like that in the future.

The past few weeks were difficult because the job I thought was going to work out just dropped me after being completely silent for a few months. Lesson learned: silence = close but no cigar. But I picked myself up and applied for some more things and returned to other promising leads. Tonight's phone is for a school near my husbands' parents home in Korea. Getting experience there while reconnecting with family can only be a win-win situation.

When water is trapped it must find a new path. Or else it will get all stagnant, slimy, and full of algae. I apologize if that was cheesy.

The Teach ESL in Korea site I posted a link to a few blogs back is a really great resource for jobs in Korea. They've been very helpful.

Failure

Failure

Effort is not always what makes things happen,

It's about an ebb and a flow,

a progression,

a lapse back,

Advance

Recede

Develop

Return

And Grow Again