iTunes Mix for Katie

I just had to...

There are a select group of my friends out there (you know who you are!!) that, upon receiving the information that I would be relocating to Astoria, OR for the new chapter of my life, immediately responded with "That's where The Goonies was filmed"!!

As it turns out, that is indeed correct. And I have whole-heartedly embraced this fact. Well, I should clarify. I am not a fanatic, but I have taken advantage of this fact. I own a DVD copy of The Goonies that most visitors have been forced to watch when they arrive here. I have driven by The Goonies house (no, I didn't take a pic), and I live by the County Jail featured in the opening scene and appreciate this every time I go by.

However, the ultimate "I live in the town where The Goonies was filmed" experience happened last weekend - it was the 25th Anniversary of The Goonies!!! The town was overtaken by fanatics (this is where I separate myself as a mere fan that happens to live in Astoria) from all over the world - literally! Corey Feldman (Mouth), Sean Astin (Mikey), Jeff Cohen (Chunk) and other actors were here for sold-out autograph signings, bus tours all weekend of places where the film was shot, constant showings of The Goonies in all the theatres... It was so fun!

The Goonies is one of those movies that is timeless. The premise - the kids go on a quest to find One-Eyed Willie's long lost treasure to save Mikey's house from wealthy developers - is perfect for this day and age. The comraderie and friendship, the genuine care for others (even Sloth), the adventurous spirit...all of that represents The Goonies. Even all of the fans flocking to Astoria were happy-go-lucky, open and fun, non-judgemental people -- united by The Goonies - 25 years later.

Some of the news stories:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/06/AR2010060603590.html

http://kotaku.com/5557778/twenty+five-years-later-goonies-still-never-say-die

http://www.people.com/people/news/category/0,,MediaProductsTax:MovieTheGoonies,00.html

Cleaning out the cobwebs...

"Blame it on the rain..."

Milli Vanilli's pop song lyrics are fitting, but the melody is a little too...well, poppy! Anyhow, these last couple of days I've been really getting some cobwebs out - physically, emotionally, and mentally. Maybe it's the rain (and wind, hail, sleet...) - is it spring or winter again? I don't know if it is the actual weather, the season, my mental state or what, but I've been motivated to get spring cleaning underway. Literally, I sucked up so many cobwebs and sowbugs (these little pests are a major issue in my basement!) the last couple of days. It feels great. I've also been cleaning out junk - old clothes that I will never fit into again, old clothes that will never fit in again, posters I'll never hang up again, knick knacks that I can't remember their importance... Simplify, simplify, simplify. It's very cleansing, physically and mentally. I fully understand spring cleaning now! Mentally, my mind has been doing flip flops. I really enjoy where I am at with my career and location - the Oregon coast is beautiful! I love being so close to the ocean, my biggest environmental love. The storms, the waves, the sand. All of it. But my boyfriend and family aren't here, nor are the majority of my friends. Don't worry, I have found some friends here, but it's different now that I am drawn to seeing John every weekend - a single gal out on the town I am not anymore. Not that I regret this at all! But it does make it more difficult to meet people when I'm a homebody or in transit to Seattle. I want to thoroughly enjoy this area and part of my life. However, I also find myself jumping ahead to the next step - whatever that may be - going to UW for a PhD? Moving to Corvallis for school instead? Staying here and having John have to sacrifice his job to be with me? Moving to Seattle anyways without a job or school so I can be with John? I just don't know, and even though I am definitely a girl up for an adventure at most any time, sometimes I do like to know what the future may hold. I know, I just need to relax, but it just gets hard sometimes. Thus, the cleaning. Secretly I think that by cleaning things out, I am sort of beginning to prepare for a move...Let's see what happens...

Good news...?

Well, I stumbled upon a new-to-me website this week that I am intrigued (and happy) about:

www.breastcancerfund.org

I am not sure how long this group has been in existence, but they echo exactly what I have been thinking and feeling about breast cancer for awhile. It's time to (in their words) "help us expose and eliminate the environmental causes of breast cancer. Together we can stop this disease before it starts". FINALLY!!!! I am so happy to have found them...and look forward to reading more about their work.

Also, just today I heard about this report from the Presidents Cancer Panel: "Reducing Environmental Cancer Risk - What We Can Do Now" that focuses - for the first time ever - on environmental risk and cancer. Here's some findings:

Americans are being "bombarded" with chemicals, gases and radiation that can cause cancer, and the federal government must do far more to protect them, presidential cancer advisers said on Thursday.

Although as many as two-thirds of cancer cases are caused by lifestyle choices like smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise, the panel said many avoidable cancers were also caused by pollution, radon from the soil and medical imaging scans.

Since so little is known about the possible risks of cell phones, people would be prudent to wear headsets and make calls quickly, the two members of the panel advised.

"The panel was particularly concerned to find that the true burden of environmentally induced cancer has been grossly underestimated," they wrote in the report, available at pcp.cancer.gov.

..."With nearly 80,000 chemicals on the market in the United States, many of which are used by millions of Americans in their daily lives and are un- or understudied and largely unregulated, exposure to potential environmental carcinogens is widespread," it adds.

"The American people -- even before they are born -- are bombarded continually with myriad combinations of these dangerous exposures," Kripke and Leffall wrote in a letter to President Barack Obama at top of the report.

"The panel urges you most strongly to use the power of your office to remove the carcinogens and other toxins from our food, water, and air that needlessly increase healthcare costs, cripple our nation's productivity, and devastate American lives."

Let's hope we see some concrete positive changes soon...

Wednesday Wrap-Up

Well, all I can say is that I'm trying really hard to keep up my blog. I'm trying...that's worth something, right??! I don't know if it's my inability to do anything productive when I get home from work lately, my boring life that doesn't require updating the blog, or me being too "busy" but I'm working on it! Enough already, here's the latest installment - in keeping with the list thing (ala Bridget Jones' Diary sans the dating drama)

1) I'm officially in my 30's. I subscribe to Sunset magazine - which I love but it always makes me wish I had more money and time to do all the fun things they suggest - renovate the kitchen! grow your own veggies! get away this weekend! Oh well...one day when I'm retired...

2) Oh yeah, and I'm really in my 30's when I tell you this one: I bought a new vacuum yesterday and I LOVE it (see previous post)! I told John that I didn't know how much I could love one appliance. He's scared. I bought it from this cute little crippled man that runs the only vacuum store here in Astoria, I surprised him by buying it right then and there (I did come prepared to purchase). The Panasonic MC-UG471 is my new love. It sucks up everything - even in the corners - effortlessly! It has all the HEPA filters, and as Jim the vacuum guy said "metal parts where metal should be". Yay for things that are well-built and will last (and not made in China!). I think I might go re-vacuum...

3) I'm finally working on my scrapbook of travels through Europe in 2006. 4 years later ain't too bad is it? It's actually kinda fun to go through all the photos and stories and remember how great it was...although there are some photos and receipts, tickets, etc that I cannot for the life of me remember what they were from!

4) I was down in Santa Cruz, CA all last week attending meetings on salmon ocean ecology. Kinda ironic since I'm most definitely not a salmon-person. But I'm learning! I was there with my supervisor representing the birds-as-salmon-predators group. It's actually a fun group and I met a lot of great people (and got to see my old stomping grounds at the same time). Even jumped in the water for some very beginner-style surfing...

5) Speaking of surfing...and being in my 30's...I've noticed more creaks, pains, and aches nowadays. And I'm so bummed because my usual solution - Yoga Power Hour with Ute - is getting cancelled! I'm actually at the point in my yoga career where I kinda need it now. I'm not sure what to do, I better consult Ute (a German yogi - yes, German accent and strict demeanor combined with relaxation...makes for fun classes! Power Hour = "Powa Ouwa)

6) Last weekend, Poor John. Well, he should've known. We rented "The Cove" - the movie about the dolphin slaughter in Japan. A must see - by the way! I was reluctant to see it because I wasn't sure if this was a cultural thing, in which case I may not be opposed to it. However, it's pretty clear that this is not the case. Pretty alarming actually, especially the information about mercury contamination in all seafood. Jill has called me twice after she watched it to discuss! I'm very glad the message is reaching beyond marine scientists like me. Anyhoo, we watched The Cove which got me all fired up, then caught a matinee of Avatar on Sunday. This one I also wasn't really into seeing, but John was so off we went. And OMG - I loved it! I see why it's so hugely popular. I especially loved the depiction of the natural world and the serious environmental undertones and non-violent messages. Pretty cool. But poor John, because when I get fired up about an issue - especially the environment and the oceans - there's no stopping me! I'm glad he's patient and a good listener :)

Ten Things Tuesday...ish

I know, I've been so neglectful of my favorite blog. And the thing is, I really like my blog! I guess I have just been busy...or something. But now is not the time for excuses! It's a new year, and I'm starting anew. I am starting Ten Things Tuesday (sorta) - the idea was stolen from my friend's blog. But since it's Wednesday, I'm calling it The Wednesday Weekly. For now. I'll get more creative soon. Anyhoo, I will attempt to update my blog at least once a week with some interesting tidbits about what I've been up to, my random thoughts and what-nots. Here goes!

1) Spring has sprung! Well, we have had quite the cold snap this week (I went on an early morning walk on Tuesday and found wet snow falling on me - it melted before it hit the ground) but in general the flowers are out, the sun is coming up earlier... Speaking of early morning - I can actually go out in the morning at 6:30 and see! Yay for longer days.

2) I stumbled upon this woman's website: 10 in 10 Diet the other day. Not that I'm on a diet, but her story intrigued me. She is saving a lot of money and eating simply, which thankyouverymuch I would like to do, too! Mostly it includes meals that can be made big and have lots of leftovers - easy peasy veggies, soups etc. So far, I'm really into it!

3) I went out on a limb last weekend and bought a pair of sandals that I never would have looked at twice. But my sister and I were at my cousin's shoe store - Mi Shoes - and most of the shoes she had weren't in my size. So I decided to try on some sandals and surprised myself with this pair:

Nicole "Peace" in Power

They're definitely funky! A little hippie, which I love. I'm a little concerned about the fat ankle factor, but I don't care. I'm committed. When John saw them he started hisssing - okay, there is a fake snakeskin look to them. But I'm kinda digging them and excited for summer.

4) My cutest niece - Frankie - has taken to naming all of her toys. There's "Chooch" - the train, "Slippery" the snake, "Chili" the penguin, "Slimey" the alligator, and "Neigh-na" the horse (almost named TrotTrot but switched at the last minute). How cute (and creative) is she?

5) As I was gleefully vacuuming tonight, I actually thought "This vacuum has lasted me so long, it's great!" It was so cheap when I got it, and really designed for a small studio not my massive house, but it kept on ticking. Well, until about a minute after my fateful thought. It made a horrible gagging noise and the motor slowly died...letting off a burnt rubber smell. Hmmm. Now I need a new vacuum - or perhaps a repair. But since this one cost about $89 I have a feeling a new one is in order. Probably a little sturdier model...any suggestions?

"Selfish" Giving...is there such a thing?

So today on NPR there was a thought-provoking story titled:

'Selfish' Giving: Does It Count If You Get In Return?

(Click link to read story)...

This story caught my attention because I've grappled with the same notion. When is "giving" - gifts, money, time - truly altruistic. Is it ever? Or is it always? The story deals mostly with giving money for a cause - donations in the name of a company, person, etc. But they touch on volunteering as well. I guess maybe since I'm currently looking at my devastated budget and wrapping Christmas gifts for my niece and nephew that this hits home (the money one at least!)

In my humble opinion, the act of "giving" - even if it is for selfish reasons - is still good (and counts). Maybe it's because I was raised Catholic and went to Jesuit schools, where community service was important. I clearly remember spending one Christmas Day morning during high school at a soup kitchen in Tacoma, ladling out food and laughs to all the people who showed up. Did I choose to be there? Not really. I was kinda forced to go because of my mom, and kinda guilted into it by my peers. But I feel like the benefits of that experience - I still remember it 15 years on! - outnumber any selfish reasons that may have motivated me back then. The life lesson that everyone - even a homeless, alcoholic, down on their luck, person - has a story to tell. They weren't born that way. They may have never lived the life I had growing up, but they certainly deserve respect and support just like anyone else.

But there are some interesting points in the NPR story. Take for example all the "Pink Ribbon Crap" as I like to call it. You know, buy a product with a pink ribbon and support the fight against breast cancer. This one (of all the colored ribbon fundraisers) in particular hits home since my mom fought breast cancer for 17 years before dying due to complications from treatment (that's a whole other story!). One of the most egregious examples I've seen was pink cream cheese - in a pink plastic container. Really?! I appreciate the notion of supporting a cause, even if it's pennies on the dollar that probably goes to overhead to run a non-profit, rather than actual research. I know, I sound a little angry. I'm not, but it does irk me that an issue that is so personal, but yet affects so many families, has turned into a pink parade. What happened to a focus on prevention of cancer? Studying links between pollution, diet, lifestyle? And what about when links are made (chemicals) - what's happening to change our ways? I don't like the focus being completely on the fight and the cure. It's such an aggressive word. I guess it's easier than focusing on the "why" of how we got to this point. Which brings me back to buying stuff that supports this cause. It's easy to buy the pink tote, hat, pin. But I purposely choose not to. I'd rather see my money go more directly to the group that I want to support.

That said, I see where large corporations can get into a little trouble. By making it clear they support a certain cause, donate a little money, etc. they clearly are using marketing to attract certain customers. Is this bad? I guess it depends again on the intent. But even if the intent is to sell more stuff, doesn't some group somewhere benefit? All I'm saying is that the smallest actions - volunteering your time, buying a pink tote, donating to a cause - creates a tiny little change in your thinking - even within the biggest companies. You chose to do something, support a certain cause, help someone out, and therefore your actions reflect something you care about - no matter who else takes notice. And that can be called selfish, I suppose. But I think it's more accurate to call it being an engaged, thoughtful person.