Tag: Treatment

Convergence

Jane Doe Album Cover

I’ve always been aware of the rumblings on the band Converge, and specifically that of their 2001 release “Jane Doe.” But for whatever reason I’ve never been that motivated to check them out.

Then one day a vagrant showed up on my doorstep with their Epilaugh debut You Fail Me. And hearing it was cool–in a much as anything that Jared subjects upon me can be considered a good thing–I eventually bought into it. And given the fact that the recording is harsh–way too much high end–I learned to enjoy, most of it. My main complaint–besides the “equalization”–being the album doesn’t flow very effectively. So with their release of No Heros, I felt a somewhat obvious compulsion to check it out. And I did. Continue reading Convergence

A Means To An End

By no means has my realization–mentioned in my post “Here I Go… Thinking Again…“–changed or will it change my outlook on dogs, or my love for Freddy.

The current state of canines, among a ton of other animals we use for companionship or even “sustenance,” is something we created through domestication and selective breeding. Well past the point of “nature.” There isn’t much that is really “natural” in our lives anymore. We’ve got our greedy little mitts in anything and everything. I can’t help but ask is the world a better place resulting from what we’ve done? Continue reading A Means To An End

Open Letter To A Chef

This past weekend my sister was married. And as far as traditional family “ergonomics” dictate, it was a very special occasion. I couldn’t help but feel emotionally invested in the “proceedings,” if you will. After all it is my sister! I have an interest in what went on.

Now I may not always act like it, but she means a great deal to me. She is such an important figure in my life. Not forgetting to mention my recovery. I couldn’t ever hope to thank her enough for the support and love she provided my parents and I through the most difficult years of my life. She is such an inspiration and an incredible source of pride for me. I love her so very much. And was honored to be a part of such a momentous day in her life.

My point? The day was hers. And most deservedly. The last thing I wanted was anyones attention, especially hers, directed away from her special occasion. For any reason. Least of all for me. Continue reading Open Letter To A Chef

Here I Go… Thinking Again

I recently finished reading Joan Dunayer’s book, Speciesism.

“Enslavement is wrong, murder is wrong, and causing innocent beings to suffer is wrong. Fully as much as humans, all nonhumans are entitled to life, freedom, and other basic rights. Humans deny this for only one reason: speciesism.”

Isn’t it a positive sign when a given piece of literature causes a person to actually think about what was “discussed?” I mean really grapple with the issues. By no means was this a casual read for me. I was challenged to contemplate certain aspects of my life and my justification of others. And I’ve come to realize a few foundations were flawed. Continue reading Here I Go… Thinking Again